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It’s a Wonderful Life
(Photo: Courtesy of Photofest) |
It’s a Wonderful Life IFC Center, 323 Sixth Ave., at W. Third St.; 212-924-7771; ifccenter.com It wouldn’t be Christmas without George Bailey. Thankfully, IFC Center has been showing It’s a Wonderful Life every December since the theater opened in 2005. Presented in its original 35mm format, this 1946 favorite will screen for 15 consecutive days beginning December 11. Keep an eye out for Mrs. Bailey’s (Donna Reed’s) real-life daughter, Mary Owen, who has regularly attended shows to share her mother's stories about making the film. Dates: December 11 to December 25, various times Tickets: $14, $10 children (12 and under) and seniors (62 and over), $9 members
A Christmas Story Ross Hall at New York Botanical Garden, Bronx River Pkwy. at Fordham Rd., the Bronx; 718-817-8700; nybg.org Make a day of it at the New York Botanical Garden, where you can take in the annual Holiday Train Show and follow it up with one of the 21 seasonal movies screening at Ross Hall (beginning November 20). TBS's annual marathon has nothing on seeing the leg lamps and BB guns of A Christmas Story on a big screen. Dates: December 19 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets: Admission included in All-Garden Passes: adults, $20 to $30; children (ages 2 to 12), $10 to $18; seniors and students, $18 to $28; members and children under 2, free
Home Alone Ross Hall at New York Botanical Garden, Bronx River Pkwy. at Fordham Rd., the Bronx; 718-817-8700; nybg.org The 25th anniversary of this Christmas favorite's theatrical release was just a few weeks ago, so there's no better time for a re-watch. Relive the shenanigans of throwback Macaulay Culkin as the precocious 8-year-old Kevin McCallister who is accidentally left to defend his home against Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern's bumbling burglars. Dates: December 6 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets: Admission included in All-Garden Passes: adults, $20 to $30; children (ages 2 to 12), $10 to $18; seniors and students, $18 to $28; members and children under 2, free
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The Muppet Christmas Carol
(Photo: Courtesy of Videology) |
The Muppet Christmas Carol Videology, 308 Bedford Ave., at S. 1st St., Williamsburg; 718-782-3468; videologybarandcinema.com Another take on the Charles Dickens holiday classic, The Muppet Christmas Carol reminds us that "'tis the season to be jolly and joyous." Catch this midnight screening at Williamsburg’s Videology and remember the delightful Muppets of 1992 rather than the current uneven and uninspired TV iteration. Dates: December 5 at midnight Tickets: $5
Love Actually Nitehawk Cinema, 136 Metropolitan Ave., nr. Berry St., Williamsburg; 718-782-8370; nitehawkcinema.com A relatively new addition to the “holiday classics” genre, this tale of eight London couples in the days before Christmas is one of 11 films in Nitehawk Cinema’s holiday programming—and one of the few engagements that hasn’t sold out yet. With these early screenings, you can enjoy brunch from the kitchen while you watch the cast, a who's who of British actors, fall in love. Dates: December 26 and 27 at 11:15 a.m. Tickets: $11, $9 for children and seniors
White Christmas Ross Hall at New York Botanical Garden, Bronx River Pkwy. at Fordham Rd., the Bronx; 718-817-8700; nybg.org Bing Crosby singing the film’s title tune (ranked as one of Vulture's all-time greatest schlock songs) will have anyone dreaming of Yuletide snowfall and sleigh rides. Dates: December 23 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets: Admission included in All-Garden Passes: adults, $20 to $30; children (ages 2 to 12), $10 to $18; seniors and students, $18 to $28; members and children under 2, free
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The Nutcracker
(Photo: Courtesy of Johan Persson/ArenaPal) |
The Nutcracker
Peter Jay Sharp Theatre at Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway, at 95th St.; 212-864-5400; symphonyspace.org
Avoid the soaring prices for ballet tickets and opt to see the film version of the Royal Ballet’s classic production of The Nutcracker with Tchaikovsky's score in high definition. A part of Royal Opera House Cinema at Symphony Space, this family-friendly film runs over two hours, including one intermission.
Dates: December 27 at 3 p.m.
Tickets: $23; $21 members, $15 for 30 and under (with valid ID)
How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966) Ross Hall at New York Botanical Garden, Bronx River Pkwy. at Fordham Rd., the Bronx; 718-817-8700; nybg.org Watch the original Whos of Whoville (not Jim Carrey in the 2000 live-action version) and hum along with that earworm theme song at this screening of Chuck Jones’s animated take on the Dr. Seuss classic. Dates: December 24 at 11 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and noon Tickets: Admission included in All-Garden Passes: adults, $20 to $30; children (ages 2 to 12), $10 to $18; seniors and students, $18 to $28; members and children under 2, free
Miracle on 34th Street (1947) Ross Hall at New York Botanical Garden, Bronx River Pkwy. at Fordham Rd., the Bronx; 718-817-8700; nybg.org This triple Oscar winner may be the epitome of the Christmas film genre, with its story of a department-store Santa who is the “real” Mr. Claus. Dates: December 12 at 3:30 p.m. Tickets: Admission included in All-Garden Passes: adults, $20 to $30; children (ages 2 to 12), $10 to $18; seniors and students, $18 to $28; members and children under 2, free
