Tis the season for fires, cocktails, gifts, delicious food, and some much-needed family time. Somewhere between “I swear to defend….” and retirement, many of veterans developed quite an affinity for film and television.
So, it’s only natural that we deploy nostalgia by binge-watching some of our holiday favorites. So, grab your popcorn and Smoked Bros Flavor Topper Bundle, and kick that lazy boy up for some cinematic magic as you pretend your family isn't driving you crazy.
Here is Smoked Bros list of must see Holiday Movies! Don't forget to try our flavor toppers on popcorn!
1: DUTCH (1991) - RATED PG-13
Working man Dutch (Ed O'Neill) is dating the divorced Natalie (JoBeth Williams), and he offers to drive her stuffy 13-year-old, Doyle (Ethan Randall), from his private school in Atlanta to his mother's home in Chicago for Thanksgiving. Doyle is not interested as he blames Natalie for the divorce and wants nothing to do with Mom's new boyfriend, especially given the man's lowly, working-class roots. This pairing makes for a journey filled with bickering, bb guns and hiliarious chaos.
2: TRADING PLACES (1983) - RATED R
Upper-crust executive Louis Winthorpe III (Dan Aykroyd) and down-and-out hustler Billy Ray Valentine (Eddie Murphy) are the subjects of a bet by successful brokers Mortimer (Don Ameche) and Randolph Duke (Ralph Bellamy). An employee of the Dukes, Winthorpe is framed by the brothers for a crime he didn't commit, with the siblings then installing the street-smart Valentine in his position. When Winthorpe and Valentine uncover the scheme, they set out to turn the tables on the Dukes.
3: JINGLE ALL THE WAY (1996) - RATED PG
Workaholic Howard Langston (Arnold Schwarzenegger) wants to make things up to his son, Jamie (Jake Lloyd), and wife, Liz (Rita Wilson). He promises to get Jamie the hottest toy of the season, Turbo-Man -- even though it's Christmas Eve and the toy is practically sold out. As Langston hunts down the elusive gift, he runs into mailman Myron (Sinbad), another father on the same quest. With the clock winding down, Langston's moral code is tested as he starts to learn the real meaning of Christmas.
4: GREMLINS (1984) - RATED PG (1980s PG... lol)
A gadget salesman is looking for a special gift for his son and finds one at a store in Chinatown. The shopkeeper is reluctant to sell him the "mogwai" but sells it to him with the warning to never expose him to bright light, water, or to feed him after midnight. All of this happens and the result is a gang of gremlins that decide to tear up the town on Christmas Eve.
5: FOUR CHRISTMASES (2008) - RATED PG-13
When their plans for an exotic vacation fall apart, unmarried couple Brad (Vince Vaughn) and Kate (Reese Witherspoon) must spend Christmas Day trudging around to a quartet of family get-togethers. While Brad counts the hours till he can escape the onslaught of crazy relatives, Kate begins to wonder about her own choices and ponders whether her family members are so crazy after all.
6: A CHRISTMAS STORY (1983) - RATED PG
Based on the humorous writings of author Jean Shepherd, this beloved holiday movie follows the wintry exploits of youngster Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsley), who spends most of his time dodging a bully (Zack Ward) and dreaming of his ideal Christmas gift, a "Red Ryder air rifle." Frequently at odds with his cranky dad (Darren McGavin) but comforted by his doting mother (Melinda Dillon), Ralphie struggles to make it to Christmas Day with his glasses and his hopes intact.
7: A CHRISTMAS STORY CHRISTMAS (2022) - RATED PG
The family comedy "A Christmas Story Christmas" is the long-awaited follow-up to annual holiday favorite, "A Christmas Story." This time, Ralphie is all grown up and must deal with Christmas and all that comes with it... as a dad. Peter Billingsley returns to the role that has made kids of all ages anticipate Christmas morning like no other.
8: JUST FRIENDS (2005) - RATED PG-13
High school student Chris Brander (Ryan Reynolds) loves his best friend, Jamie Palamino (Amy Smart). He finally confesses his feelings, but she tells him that she just wants to be friends, and he leaves town in shame. Ten years later, Chris is a successful record executive and involved with self-absorbed pop star Samantha James (Anna Faris). He still pines for Jamie, though, and when his plans to go to Paris for the holidays fall through, he returns to his hometown to try and win her heart.
9: FAMILY MAN (2000) - RATED PG-13
Jack's lavish, fast-paced lifestyle changes one Christmas night when he stumbles into a grocery store holdup and disarms the gunman. The next morning he wakes up in bed lying next to Kate (Tea Leoni), his college sweetheart he left in order to pursue his career, and to the horrifying discovery that his former life no longer exists. As he stumbles through this alternate suburban universe, Jack finds himself at a crossroad where he must choose between his high-power career and the woman he loves.
10: DIE HARD (1988) - RATED R
New York City policeman John McClane (Bruce Willis) is visiting his estranged wife (Bonnie Bedelia) on Christmas Eve. He joins her at a holiday party in the headquarters of the Japanese-owned business she works for. But the festivities are interrupted by a group of terrorists who take over the exclusive high-rise, and everyone in it. Very soon McClane realizes that there's no one to save the hostages -- but him.
More About Smoked Bros
Offering Veteran Spices and BBQ Rubs, Smoked Bros is a Special Forces veteran-owned spices & seasoning company serving craft flavors to people who love the All-America pastime of BBQ. We develop our kinetic flavor profiles with the same surgical precision as our military missions, defending the greatest country on the planet. At Smoked Bros, we use the highest quality ingredients ethically sourced from around the globe and deliver them to your front door. The quality of our craft seasonings at our price point is unmatched. We give back to America’s warfighters, first responders, and underserved communities with every purchase.
“A Christmas Story” is a staple in our home No Christmas would be complete without it. But one movie escaped your list…”Christmas Vacation“. No Christmas is complete without Uncle Eddie….”Shitter is full!”