Best Teaching Movies about Teachers: recommended great films by Grade University

5 Best teaching movies for teachers and students’ inspiration: Christmas edition

5 Best teaching movies for teachers and students’ inspiration: Christmas edition

14.12.2023

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Surely, we all have our favorite Christmas teaching films that are perfect for watching in the classroom with our students. Let me guess the titles of some of them! “Harry Potter”, “Home Alone”, “The Chronicles of Narnia”, “Elf”, “Christmas Carol”, “Polar Express”... 

If you have picked them up for this year’s Christmas movie time with your students, our article is something you really need to read because we have prepared a list of the newest Christmas-centered teaching movies that will definitely spice up the festival lesson.

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The Man Who Invented Christmas (2017)

IMDb Rating: 7/10

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 79%

Directed by: Bharat Nalluri

Genre: Christmas biographical comedy-drama film

Length: 1 hour 44 minutes

This movie is an extremely interesting alternative to the Christmas-time great classics called “Christmas Carol”

“The Man Who Invented Christmas” is an inspirational biographical story of Charles Dickens, a young writer who is about to create the beloved Christmas masterpiece about Mr. Scrooge. 

This is a truly captivating teaching film that gives a different and unexpected perspective on the famous tale as well as draws some attention to the topics of hard work, creative struggle and the power of human  imagination.

Klaus (2019)

IMDb Rating: 8.2/10

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 95%

Directed by: Sergio Pablos

Genre: Christmas adventure comedy animated film

Length: 1 hour 37 minutes

“Klaus” is a truly amazing Christmas story as well as an extremely well-done cinematic piece that  depicts exactly how Christmas traditions were  started.

The animated film begins when one of the main characters, Jesper, proves he is the worst student at the postal academy. He is sent to  a cold island above the Arctic Circle, where the enmity-ridden people barely ever communicate by mail. 

This is where Jesper meets Klaus, a mysterious reserved carpenter who lives in a cottage filled with handcrafted toys, and finds an ally in the local teacher Alva. Their strange connections bring joy back to Smeerensburgm by creating a new tradition of giving neighbors some presents, telling enchanted stories, and placing stockings by the fireplace.

“Klaus” will bring nothing but pleasure and festive atmosphere to  your class while inspiring both teachers and students to never give up and never be afraid of taking a leap into the unknown.

A Boy Called Christmas (2021)

IMDb Rating: 6.7/10

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 84%

Directed by: Gil Kenan

Genre: Christmas fantasy film

Length: 1 hour 46 minutes

“A Boy Called Christmas” is another beautifully done story on the beginning of Christmas traditions and the first appearance of a young boy named Nikolas who is about to become a symbol of the holidays and joy all over the world. 

Nikolas embarks on a journey into the wintry north to find his father. Throughout his journey he discovers the elves’ renowned hamlet, Elfhelm. Nikolas soon fulfills his destiny, bringing with him a devoted pet mouse and a stubborn reindeer named Blitzen.

This fantasy movie takes you on an extremely interesting and truly inspirational journey which leaves nobody’s soul untouched with the Christmas mood.

The Holdovers (2023)

IMDb Rating: 8.1/10

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 96%

Directed by: Alexander Payne

Genre: Comedy-drama film

Length: 2 hours 13 minutes

This movie can be easily added to one of the best inspirational movies with teachers as the main characters. 

During Christmas break, one of the strictest educators at a prep school in New England stays on campus to look after a few children who have nowhere to go. He quickly develops an odd friendship with the head cook of the school, a mother who recently lost a son in the Vietnam War, and a bright but troubled student.

The movie happens to be funny and sad, motivational and depressing, ironic and touching which eventually sums up into something simply great. But most importantly, it reminds us of the very essence of Christmas which is giving a helping hand and caring for each other.

Wonka (2023)

IMDb Rating: 7.5/10

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 84%

Directed by: Paul King

Genre: Musical fantasy film

Length: 1 hour 56 minutes

Finally, we can also watch a long-awaited prequel to the all-time classic movie “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”. 

In this movie, we meet a young and ambitious chocolatier Willy Wonka who manages to transform the whole world with nothing more than a hatful of dreams.

No wonder, this movie is about to be released during the Christmas season. It is filled with the festival decorations and atmosphere which will definitely make your Christmas lesson unforgettable!

As you can see, the list of the best teaching movie ideas you can use at your Christmas lessons to inspire the students goes far beyond the all-time-favorite classics

Moreover, every film on the list is a great movie for both teachers and students. So, don’t be afraid to experiment and look for the freshest premiers with grade-university.com

Which movie is the best one to watch in the teenage classroom?

Article authors & editors
  • Arina Kravchenko

    Arina Kravchenko

    Author

    Teacher of General English & IELTS

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