DC, you can watch a vacation movie every day this month

Washington, DC is a fantastic city for vacation movies. Whether you want to spend hours at popular cultural institutions, state-of-the-art cinemas, or tiny art houses far from downtown, there’s a vacation movie option available almost every December afternoon and evening. And for some reason, there are loads of horror movie-related holiday options too. Which is perfectly fine. Likewise, Batman returns seems to get that Die Hard-is-a-Christmas-movie review.

December 1st through the end of the month

violent night at the Alamo Drafthouse, AMC Georgetown, Regal Gallery Place, more

The latest entry in the Christmas movie canon – enjoy Santa Claus as John McClain, played by Eleven’s “dad”.

Dec 1 & 4 (Regal Gallery Place), Dec 3 & 4 (AFI)

A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story at Regal Gallery Place and AFI Silver

A 2021 British theater production filmed for cinemas in 2021 – great for Anglophiles who prefer their holiday classes with a heavy British accent.

Dec 2 & 4 (Miracle) & Dec 12 (Alamo)

a Christmas Story at the Miracle Theater and the Alamo Drafthouse

All weapons are bad.

December 2nd and 8th (Sun), 13th, 16th and 17th (E Street) and 14th (Drafthouse)

Batman returns at Suns Cinema, Landmark E Street Cinema and Alamo Drafthouse

The second Michael Keaton Batman is becoming a new Christmas tradition, and we’re all for it. Somewhat related, the Venn diagram of Danny DeVito’s Penguin and Danny DeVito’s Frank in it’s always sunny in Philadelphia is just a circle.

2 and 8 Dec (Sun) and 6 Dec (E St)

gremlins at Suns Cinema and Landmark E Street Cinema

CHILDREN SHOULD NOT BE GIVEN SO MUCH RESPONSIBILITY! IT’S UNFAIR AND BAD PARENTING!

3 Dec

eyes wide closed in the sun cinema

Ah, nothing like New York over London during the holidays.

December 3rd and 4th

dr Seuss’ The Grinch (2018) at Regal Gallery Place

A 1pm matinee for the family who prefer the cartoon version. The modern cartoon version.

3 Dec (Alamo) and 10 Dec (Miracle)

The Polar Express Movie Party at the Alamo Drafthouse and PJ Party at the Miracle Theater

What a lovely way to spend an evening with your kids! And what a way to welcome them to the uncanny valley.

4 Dec

The holidays at the Alamo Drafthouse

Is there a movie more holiday than The holidays? no

Dec 4 & 11 (Alamo) Dec 9 & 11 (Miracle)

Christmas holidays from National Lampoon at the Alamo Drafthouse and at the Miracle Theater

Don’t google Randy Quaid. Or do it. It’s your spiral.

6 Dec

Christmas in Connecticut at the Alamo Drafthouse

Do you suffer from Imposter Syndrome? Do we have the movie for you!

Dec 7 (Art Atrium) 10 & 11 (Alamo) & 16 & 17 (Miracle)

Eleven at the Bennett Park Art Atrium, the Alamo Drafthouse and the Miracle Theatre

This movie is 19 years old. 19. You’re old.

10th of December

“A December to Dismember” double feature at the Alamo Drafthouse

Spend a chilly December afternoon in a warm theater surrounded by fellow horror fans who also happen to be embracing the holiday cheer with an added ugly sweater contest bonus.

December 10th and 16th

Die Hard in the sun cinema

Yes, yes, yes, it’s a Christmas movie.

December 10th and 17th

The Wizard of Oz at the National Museum of American History

Not technically a Christmas movie – but what better movie to watch with the whole family than The Wizard of Ozand what better time to see a movie with the family?

11 Dec

Batman at the National Museum of American History

Not technically a Christmas movie, but considering how many Batman-related toys there are for the kids in your life is a Christmas movie.

The Muppet Christmas Carol at the Kennedy Center

A classic story told with felt.

Holiday Family Movie Night at the Metrobar

Do you have a family? Do you prefer to watch your holiday movies in a bar? Do you want to watch a holiday film with your family in a bar?

11 Dec (Alamo) and 17 Dec (Miracle)

white Christmas at the Alamo Drafthouse and at the Miracle Theater

I’ve seen this movie 20 times. It’s great but I absolutely don’t understand why it’s a holiday classic.

13th December

“The Jinkx and DeLa Holiday Special” at the Alamo Drafthouse

Their live Christmas show on December 4th at the Lincoln Theater is sold out and has been for months. This is your best chance to see the show with an audience without spending a few hundred dollars.

Krampus at the Alamo Draft House

How creepy could Krampus be with Adam Scott around?

14 Dec

Bad Santa at the Angelika Pop-Up at Union Market

Does violent night exist if this movie doesn’t become a cult/holiday classic?

December 14th and 17th

Black Christmas in the sun cinema

A beloved slasher that is somehow not a blaxploitation film.

December 17th

Don’t open until Christmas in the sun cinema

If you need a movie about Santa Claus that includes castration.

Silent night, dead night in the sun cinema

The best Christmas horror movie poster?

18 Dec (Kennedy Center), 18 & 21 (Shelf)

It’s a beautiful life at Kennedy Center and Regal Gallery Place

I will cry every time I see this movie. every time

21 Dec

love actually at the Angelika Pop-Up at Union Market

Do not stand in front of the front door with billboards.

December 22nd and 23rd

area code Santa Claus in the sun cinema

When Santa needs to be a little more grindhouse.

Alone at home sun cinema

The film that proves child support needs more money.

Related The Byrd Theater in Richmond, Virginia, although quite a drive from DC, is one of the top theaters in the country to enjoy a vacation movie. You will sift love actually, The nightmare before Christmas, Miracles on 34th Street and other popular holiday movies throughout the month.