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NYC's Best Holiday Movie Screenings

elf
credit: Film Society of Lincoln Center

There's literally a classic holiday movie for every taste and creed, from the creepy to the silly, to the seriously scary. No matter where you fall on the spectrum, we can pretty much guarantee that a theater near you will be showing your ideal holiday film at some point this season. Check out our list of recommendations below. By Jessica Allen.

museumofthemovingimage
credit: Garrett Ziegler

See It Big! Holiday Films at the Museum of the Moving Image

36-01 35th Avenue
Astoria, NY 11106
(718) 777-6888
http://www.movingimage.us

More: Best Family-Friendly Holiday Events In NYC

Devoted to all things related to movies, television, and video production, the Museum of the Moving Image is a must-visit for anyone interested in moving pictures. Your museum ticket usually comes with free admission to whatever's screening on site -- including a slew of holiday fare, from "The Shop Around the Corner," "Christmas, Again," "A Christmas Tale," and, for a scary twist, "Eyes Wide Shut." Now through Saturday, December 24, see schedule for details.

nationallampoonschristmasvacationposter
credit: National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation / Wikipedia

Holiday Show Spectacular at Nitehawk

136 Metropolitan Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11249
(718) 782-8370

More: Must-See Holiday Shows This Season

Located in Brooklyn, Nitehawk lets you nosh while you eat -- with snacks way beyond your traditional popcorn and licorice. Here you can eat and drink based on what you're watching—in this case, can't-miss movies like "Christmas Vacation," "White Christmas," and "Home Alone." As far as food goes, we like the pork belly tacos, kale salad, and charcuterie plate. Saturday, November 26 through Sunday, December 25, see schedule for details.

elf
credit: Film Society of Lincoln Center

Elf at Lincoln Center

144 West 65th Street
New York, NY 10023
(212) 875-5232

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Your ticket to "Elf" at Lincoln Center comes with free popcorn, as if seeing Will Ferrell romp on the big screen wasn't incentive enough. The story of a boy raised by elves who goes in search of his human family in NYC is a joyful celebration of the ways in which each of us must accept those to whom we're related -- for better or worse. The screening is part of the 17th annual Winter's Eve at Lincoln Square extravaganza. Get there early and enjoy free performances from Ellie Steingraeber, Alicia Svigals, the world's leading klezmer fiddler, and others. Monday, November 28, see schedule for details.

gremlins
credit: Alamo Drafthouse Cinema

Gremlins at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema

445 Albee Square West
Brooklyn, NY 11201
(718) 513-2547

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While it might seem odd that a movie about demonic furballs has become a Christmas classic, nevertheless here we are. The movie is actually quite charming, in its way, and harks back to a time when New York was dangerous, the suburbs were staid, and cute creatures could suddenly turn sinister. Mark the screening at Brooklyn's Alamo Drafthouse Cinema by getting yourself a wicked cool collectible "Gremlinstiki mug. Various dates throughout December, see schedule for details.

its-a-wonderful-life-3
credit: It's a Wonderful Life / IFC Center

It's a Wonderful Life at IFC Center

323 Sixth Avenue
New York, NY 10014
(212) 924-7771

An alternative tagline for It's a Wonderful Life might be "it's not exactly how you remember it." Released in 1946, the classic starring Donna Reed and Jimmy Stewart, seen through adult eyes, is pretty dark and bleak -- as perfect for the country's troubled post-World War II mood as it is today. For an extra treat, get tickets to a screening featuring an introduction by Mary Owen, Donna Reed's daughter, who'll share secrets about her mom, insider details about the movie, and her very own holiday memories. Friday, December 9, through Tuesday, December 27, see schedule for details.

Jessica Allen is a New York-based writer.
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