One of Birmingham’s most beloved holiday traditions is back – the Alabama Theatre is once again showing of some of our favorite Christmas movies for its 2021 Holiday Film Series, and we can’t wait. Read below to see what’s playing!
Friday, December 3 | 7 p.m. | White Christmas | $10
Which came first, the song “White Christmas” or the movie White Christmas? If you guessed the song, you’re right. The Christmas classic was written by Irving Berlin for the 1942 film Holiday Inn; he suggested a movie be made based off the hit in 1948, which eventually happened six years later, in 1954 – starring Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney, aunt of George Clooney.
Saturday, December 4 | 10 a.m., 2 p.m. | The Polar Express | $12, Benefiting Kid One Transport
This 2004 computer-animated musical adventure film stars Tom Hanks and is based on the 1985 children’s book of the same name by Chris Van Allsburg, who served as an executive producer on the film. It tells the story of a young boy who sees a mysterious train bound for the North Pole on Christmas Eve. After being invited aboard by the train’s conductor, the boy joins several other children en route to visit Santa Claus preparing for Christmas.
Saturday, December 4 | 7 p.m. | Christmas Vacation | $10
What is Christmas without Clark Griswold? This 1989 comedy features Chevy Chase just trying to have a great Christmas with his (hilarious) family.
Sunday, December 5 | 2 p.m. | Miracle on 34th Street (1947 Version) | $10
This classic takes place between Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day in New York City, and focuses on a department store Santa Claus who claims to be the real Santa. The film was shot on location in New York City, and the movie’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade sequences were filmed live while the 1946 parade was happening. And, though the film is set during the Christmas season, it was released in May, as movie executives argued that, at the time, more people went to the movies in warmer weather. There was no mention of its holiday theme in the movie’s marketing campaign.
Sunday, December 5 | 7 p.m. | Elf | $10
It’s hard to imagine anyone but Will Ferrell playing Buddy the Elf – a human raised by Santa’s elves who heads to New York City to meet his biological father. But the script was written a full 10 years before its 2003 release, in 1993, and Chris Farley and Jim Carrey were early contenders for the role.
Monday, December 6 | 7 p.m. | It’s a Wonderful Life | $10
This 1946 film isn’t just one of the best Christmas movies of all time – it’s one of the best films of all time, period. It stars James Stewart as George Bailey, a man who has given up his personal dreams in order to help others in his community. His Christmas Eve suicide attempt brings about the intervention of his guardian angel, Clarence Odbody, who shows George how he’s touched the lives of others.
Tuesday, December 7 | 7 p.m. | Home Alone | $10
Writer John Hughes got the idea for Home Alone while he himself prepared to go on vacation. “I was going away on vacation and making a list of everything I didn’t want to forget. I thought, ‘Well, I’d better not forget my kids.’ Then I thought, ‘What if I left my 10-year-old son at home? What would he do?” Enter Kevin McCallister and the hijinks that ensue.
Wednesday, December 8 | 7 p.m. | Christmas Vacation | $10
Thursday, December 9 | 7 p.m. | Elf | $10
Friday, December 10 | 7 p.m. | A Christmas Story | $10
Initially a sleeper hit upon its 1983 release, A Christmas Story has become a Christmas classic, even being played for 24 hours straight on TV on Christmas Day.
Saturday, December 11 | 2 p.m. | Cartoon Matinee Triple Feature | $10
This triple feature includes A Charlie Brown Christmas, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and How the Grinch Stole Christmas, shown back to back to back!
Saturday, December 11 | 7 p.m. | It’s a Wonderful Life | $10
Sunday, December 12 | 2 p.m. | White Christmas Sing-Along | $10
This screening of the musical features the words to the songs in the movie played on the screen so attendees can sing along with the film’s stars.
Sunday, December 12 | 7 p.m. | Home Alone | $10
Monday, December 13 | 7 p.m. | Christmas Vacation | $10
Tuesday, December 14 | 7 p.m. | Elf | $10
Wednesday, December 15 | 7 p.m. | Christmas Vacation | $10
Thursday, December 16 | 7 p.m. | Home Alone 2: Lost in New York | $10
This sequel to the 1990 original features Kevin separated from his family yet again – this time in New York City.
Friday, December 17 | 7 p.m. | Die Hard | $10
The debate rages on – is Die Hard a Christmas movie? If the Alabama Theatre says so, it must be. This is the first in the five-film franchise featuring Bruce Willis’ John McClane, a police detective who continually finds himself in the middle of a crisis that only he can solve.
Saturday, December 18 | 2 p.m. | A Christmas Story | $10
Saturday, December 18 | 7 p.m. | Christmas Vacation | $10
Sunday, December 19 | 2 p.m. | Christmas in Connecticut | $10
This 1945 romantic comedy is about an unmarried city magazine writer who pretends to be a farm wife and mother and ends up falling in love with a returning war hero.
Sunday, December 19 | 7 p.m. | It’s a Wonderful Life | $10
Monday, December 20 | 2 p.m. | A Christmas Story | $10
Monday, December 20 | 7 p.m. | Home Alone | $10
Tuesday, December 21 | 2 p.m. | Cartoon Matinee Triple Feature | $10
Tuesday, December 21 | 7 p.m. | Christmas Vacation | $10
Wednesday, December 22 | 2 p.m. | Elf | $10
Wednesday, December 22 | 7 p.m. | White Christmas | $10
The Alabama Theatre was designated as the state’s historic theatre in 1993. Click here to learn more and get tickets to the shows.
Cover Photo by Alabama.Travel
