NAKM: December 1, 2025

Science Says to Embrace Christmas Cheese and Two New Reviews!

Author

Brendan Knapp
December 01, 2025

Do You Cheese What I Cheese?

Courtesy: Netflix

The music. The movies. The sweaters. The cheese. Christmas is a time to revel in the velvety smooth comfort of nostalgia and immerse yourself in the savory emotional fondue of unapologetic sentimentality.

Why? Because it makes you happy. It boosts your mood during cold, dark nights. It creates family bonds and social connections. It gives you a feeling of meaning. And the spirit of Christmas allows you to keep your job after you do the running man on the boss’s dining room table with an alleged green West Elm lampshade on your head that you know is from Homegoods before you vomit the homemade Moon Nog Abby in accounting made that’s gotta be half moonshine into the guest bathroom shower. Ehhh — let’s move on.

If you read my articles, you know what’s coming next: Scientific proof!

I can’t just say Christmas makes you happy. I have to prove it. Here’s an enlightening lightning round of scientific proof:

  • Study: Holiday rituals strengthen family bonds (LINK)

  • Study: Christmas displays improve mood, self-esteem, and inclusion (LINK)

  • Study: Savoring holiday moments boosts joy, pleasure, and comfort (LINK)

  • Study: Holiday smells and sounds trigger positive nostalgia and boost mood — even in a retail setting (LINK)

  • Study: Christmas movies improve mood, satisfy social connection needs, defeat stress, and create family bonds (LINK)

That’s enough cheesy science bullet points to take down the abominable snowman — before his teeth were removed. It gives you a sense of what the holidays do for us. The days get shorter. The nights get colder. It’s easy to fall into seasonal depression.

Christmas — or whatever holiday you celebrate — keeps your family happy in winter. Why? The rituals. The nostalgia. The traditions. The gatherings. The cheese.

Corny rituals give us a sense of belonging. They connect us to lore. We become tradition — a link in a long familial line that will continue beyond your lives if we make the holidays memorable.

Glowing lights. Front lawn Santas. Sentimental songs. Predictable stories. They comfort us like a Hans Gruber plummeting sweater. 

Let us all celebrate our most earnest selves. Don’t hold back. Put your A Christmas Story leg lamp replica in your front window. Celebrate your favorite Scrooge — even if it’s Mr. Magoo. Pull out your Rudolph-nose socks and dance to “Last Christmas.”

The cheese is how we survive and thrive during Christmas.

To help you find that little nugget of cheesy nostalgia you left behind when you grew up, I put together The Top 50 Classic Christmas Specials Ranked (scroll down like 4 inches).

Find your cheese. Watch your cheese. Indulge in your cheese. Enjoy the nostalgia. Pass it on to your kids. You may not realize it now but this year’s choices will boost their self-esteem and mood when they’re making these decisions two decades from now.

Brendan

The Top 50 Classic Christmas Specials Ranked

Courtesy: MGM Television

The weebley-wobbly stop-motion. The red-nosed kindertrauma puppets. The songs about misfit toys and River Bottom Nightmare Bands. We love to bask in the warm nostalgic glow of classic Christmas specials. Whether they’re finely crafted or cheesy messes, they all can evoke our childhood wonder because we first saw them back when we still had wonder. After that, they only came out once a year. It's hard to get nostalgic over something you see on TBS year-round.

I’m here to help you find that classic Christmas special from your childhood — or find a new special that may not haunt your kids for years. Some are streaming on major platforms. Others may take more creative ways to locate.

The Best Holiday Yule Logs to Stream This Christmas

Courtesy: Disney+

Welcome to our definitive countdown of the ten best yule logs to stream this Christmas — perfect for setting a cozy, festive backdrop whether you’re soaking in the sweet glow of family time or a restorative snifter of Laguvalin. Click HERE for the ten best burning backgrounds — ranging from the classic log to Darth Vader cooking for five hours.

My Pint-Sized Review of Zootopia 2

I was a little worried about Zootopia 2 when that first teaser dropped — showing little more than just the characters dancing. No story, no stakes, and nothing to tell you this wasn’t a cash-grab sequel shoved into theaters. But the movie proves the opposite. The writers anchored it to a real-world social issue that rarely gets screen time in family films: gentrification. And The Goonies and Poltergeist don’t drive the message home like Zootopia 2.

This world’s strength is its diversity. Animal species represent race in the cleverly designed ecosystem of Zootopia, which allows the movie to explore everything from cultural stereotypes to systemic oppression without getting heavy-handed.

This time around, rookie cops Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde face new pressure after cracking the biggest case the city has seen in years. You know – the dreaded sophomore follow-up. Hopps and Wilde are a good pair because Hopps wants to make the world better but struggles navigating the city. Wilde understands how the city works but is afraid to stick his neck out to help make it better. Together, they turn each other’s weaknesses into strengths.

From the top, Zootopia 2 feels like it’s going to follow the first movie’s template. But it frees itself once the real conflict comes into focus, which is the forced exile of reptiles after a decades-old criminal investigation that reeks of prejudice.

See? Real stakes. Yet, again, the movie never gets too heavy. Zootopia is a lively, pulsing world where constant species interactions lead to funny bits that make you laugh and establish this world’s rules. There are also several clever cultural references — one Ratatouille joke had me dying.

And while the first movie’s story was a little tighter, Zootopia 2 has more heart. Hopps and Wilde have to face the cracks in their partnership if they’re going to stay best friends and true partners. Their developing friendship fuels both movies.

Zootopia 2 has a fast-paced energy and creative flair that pushes it beyond its police-procedural roots. And it’s a rare family film willing to talk about the displacement of minority communities and how their contributions get erased from history.

Pour a bubbly beverage to match the film’s pace. But keep your head mostly clear. You don’t want to choke up during one of the film’s well-earned emotional climaxes.

In Theaters: Now

Rating: PG (Me: 5+)

Director: Jared Bush and Byron Howard

Starring: Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Ke Huy Quan, Andy Samberg

Run time: 1h 48m

Post-credits scenes: A Burning Mammal concert (it’s a stretch of an animal pun — not mine) and a post-credits scene.

Sequel? Not formalized. But we all know it’s happening.

If you liked Zootopia 2, check out these films:

  • Inside Out (2015) (5+)

  • Animalympics (1980) (4+)

  • The Great Mouse Detective (1986) (5+)

  • Rango (2011) (6+)

My Pint-Sized Review of In Your Dreams

In Your Dreams feels a lot like Inside Out: After Hours — and I don’t mean some Cinemax version of the Pixar classic. In Your Dreams delves into the psychology of family relationships and how they shape who we become. Plus the whole Minnesota thing and even an imagined childhood friend riding a rocket.

If you’re going to emulate a movie, you may as well emulate one of the best family films ever made. In Your Dreams doesn’t quite reach the Inside Out stratosphere, but it is worthy of your family movie night.

It’s about siblings who team up — and dream up a plan to save their failing family. You see, one of their parents never escaped his dream of being a musician. The mom moved on from the dream and has settled in to her post-music life as a teacher.

The kids discover a book that lets them pursue their dream of a perfect family. The sister remembers a time before her brother when things were better. Don’t worry, though, it never reaches that screenwriter crutch of a trope where the sister suddenly becomes evil and wishes away her brother.

I’m lookin’ at you, Labyrinth.

Instead, the siblings learn to work together, and the sister begins to understand how critical her little brother is to her life. He’s also a critical part of the movie because he’s hilarious.

In Your Dreams is a legitimately funny movie. You’ll find recurring situational jokes, slapstick physical humor (with the sister taking the brunt of it), and funny one-liners.

That’s it — I’m looking up the writers. I need to know who put this together.

<pause for research>

I’m back. And it all makes sense. Writers Alex Woo and Erik Benson worked on art for Pixar. Benson even wrote The Good Dinosaur — an underrated Pixar movie. He directed In Your Dreams.

You see the Pixar DNA imprinted on the story: Figure out what the character wants most, then throw the opposite at them. The character is the sister. Her brother is the opposite force. Together, they go on sleep-induced adventures through a wonderfully designed dream world.

You won’t need a line of shots to dumb yourself down for this film. A session IPA or two will let the humor and heart wash over you.

Streaming: Netflix

Rating: PG (Me: 6+)

Director: Alex Woo and Erik Benson

Starring: Jolie Hoang-Rappaport, Elias Janssen, Craig Robinson, Simu Liu, Cristin Milioti

Run time: 1h 30m

Post-credits scenes: A quick gag.

Sequel? Nothing announced.

If you liked In Your Dreams, check out these films:

  • Inside Out (2015) (5+)

  • Rise of the Guardians (2012) (4+)

  • Mirai (2018) (5+)

  • Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland (1989) (6+)

Fresh Cuts

The latest family films to hit all screens. Not all are winners. Watch at your own risk!

🛜 Streaming 🛜

Netflix

(Dec. 1)

A League of Their Own (1992) (9+)

Big Mama’s House (2000) (8+)

Big Momma’s House 2 (2006) (8+)

Cheaper by the Dozen (2003) (5+)

Cheaper by the Dozen 2 (2005) (5+)

Christmas Break-In (2018) (5+)

Godzilla (2014) (9+)

Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019) (10+)

Kung Fu Panda (2008) (5+)

Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011) (5+)

Kung Fu Panda 3 (2016) (5+)

Over the Hedge (2006) (4+)

Paul, Apostle of Christ (2018) (9+)

Rio (2011) (4+)

Rio 2 (2014) (4+)

Troll 2 (2025) (8+)

(Dec. 4)

Forrest Gump (1994) (9+)

(Dec. 7)

Cast Away (2000) (9+)

Church People (2021) (6+)

(Dec. 8)

Elmo and Mark Rober’s Merry Giftmas (2025) (2+)

(Dec. 9)
(Dec. 14)

PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie (2023) (3+)

Hulu

(Dec. 1)

17 Again (2009) (10+)

Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son (2011) (7+)

Disney’s A Christmas Carol (2009) (5+)

Doctor Dolittle (1998) (4+)

Doctor Dolittle 2 (2001) (4+)

Full-Court Miracle (2003) (5+)

Gremlins (1984) (8+)

Home Alone (1990) (5+)

Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992) (5+)

Home Alone 3 (1997) (5+)

Home Alone 4 (2002) (4+)

Home Alone: The Holiday Heist (2012) (5+)

Home Sweet Home Alone (2021) (5+)

Mr. Popper’s Penguins (2011) (4+)

Planet of the Apes (2001) (10+)

Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011) (10+)

Roll Bounce (2005) (10+)

The Santa Clause (1994) (5+)

The Santa Clause 2 (2002) (5+)

The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause (2006) (5+)

’Twas the Night (2001) (5+)

The Ultimate Christmas Present (2000) (4+)

(Dec. 2)

Griffin in Summer (2025) (10+)

Amazon Prime

(Dec. 1)

The Birdcage (1996) (10+)

Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey (1991) (9+)

Hoosiers (1986) (8+)

Igor (2008) (6+)

Love Actually (2003) (10+)

Madagascar (2005) (5+)

Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (2008) (5+)

Max (2015) (7+)

Max 2: White House Hero (2017) (7+)

Penguins of Madagascar (2014) (5+)

(Dec. 2)

Oh. What. Fun. (premiere)

Disney+

(Dec. 5)
(Dec. 12)

The End of an Era (premiere)

HBO Max

(Dec. 1)

Christmas with the Kranks (2004) (6+)

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days (2012) (5+)

Hidden Figures (2016) (8+)

Igor (2008) (6+)

Jim Thorpe: All-American (1951) (7+)

Liz and the Blue Bird (2018) (8+)

Lu Over the Wall (2017) (7+)

Millennium Actress (2001) (10+)

Mind Game (2004) (10+)

Miss Congeniality (2000) (8+)

Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous (2005) (8+)

Ne Zha (2019) (7+)

Summer Wars (2009) (7+)

The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (2006) (7+)

The Goonies (1985) (6+)

The Merchants of Joy (2025) (6+)

The Shop Around the Corner (1940) (6+)

Wolf Children (2012) (7+)

X-Men: First Class (2011) (9+)

Peacock

(Dec. 1)

2012 (2009) (9+)

The Addams Family (1991) (7+)

Addams Family Values (1993) (7+)

Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989) (9+)

Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey (1991) (10+)

Bill & Ted Face the Music (2020) (10+)

Black Nativity (2013) (7+)

Cheaper By The Dozen (2003) (5+)

Creed (2015) (10+)

Creed II (2018) (10+)

Creed III (2023) (10+)

Jingle All The Way (1996) (5+)

The King of Kings (1961) (6+)

The Martian (2015) (8+)

Miracle On 34th Street (1947) (4+)

Miracle On 34th Street (1994) (4+)

Pacific Rim (2013) (9+)

Pacific Rim: Uprising (2018) (9+)

Paul Blart: Mall Cop (2009) (7+)

Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 (2015) (7+)

Pixels (2015) (9+)

Rocky (1976) (10+)

Rocky II (1979) (10+)

Rocky III (1982) (10+)

Rocky IV (1985) (9+)

Rocky V (1990) (10+)

Rocky Balboa (2006) (10+)

Unaccompanied Minors (2006) (6+)

(Dec. 9)

The Croods: A New Age (2020) (5+)

(Dec. 11)

The Fabelmans (2022) (10+)

Paramount Plus

(Dec. 1)

A Christmas Carol (1984) (6+)

Adam Sandler’s Eight Crazy Nights (2002) (10+)

The Addams Family (1991) (7+)

Addams Family Values (1993) (7+)

The Angry Birds Movie (2016) (6+)

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005) (7+)

Ella Enchanted (2004) (5+)

Ernest Saves Christmas (1988) (5+)

Father of the Bride (1991) (8+)

Forrest Gump (1994) (9+)

Hotel for Dogs (2009) (6+)

Jingle All the Way (1996) (6+)

Miracle on 34th Street (1947) (5+)

Miracle on 34th Street (1994) (5+)

Monster Trucks (2016) (5+)

Mr. Popper’s Penguins (2011) (4+)

My Little Pony: The Movie (2017) (4+)

Ocean’s Eleven (2001) (10+)

Ocean’s Thirteen (2007) (10+)

Ocean’s Twelve (2004) (10+)

Paddington (2014) (4+)

Peanuts: Bon Voyage, Charlie Brown (And Don’t Come Back) (1980) (3+)

Smallfoot (2018) (5+)

Tooth Fairy (2010) (6+)

The Truman Show (1998) (8+)

We Are Marshall (2006) (8+)

📽️ In Theaters 📽️

(Dec. 3)
(Dec. 12)

How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) (4+)

📀 On Disc 📀

(Nov. 1)

none

News You Can Use (and Sometimes Booze)

  • Box Office: Wicked: For Good continues the family movie dominance at the box office. The film earned $223 million globally on its opening weekend. That’s nearly a third of the way to the entire box office take for the first Wicked movie.

  • AI: A new study from McKinsey argues GenAI could upend everything from writing and preproduction visuals to editing, animation, and even how actors and musicians are replicated or replaced. The studios say it could reduce production time and money. But — and this is a Sir-Mix-A-Lot yellow music video but — it also raises real questions about what happens to the crews, crafts, and creatives who built the industry over the last century. Expect a fight from Hollywood’s powerful lobbies.

  • Whiskey: Because there is so little news happening, here are four whiskey advent calendars to power you through the holidays.

Papa Do Preach!

“It feels like Christmas, even for us.”

Kermit the Frog as Bob Cratchit, The Muppet Christmas Carol

Let’s Get Rec’d!

Check my list before you wreck yourself next family film night.

Kickin’ It Old School

Heidi (1937) (4+)

Heidi is Shirley Temple’s best film. Funny enough, it’s not her only film about helping a supposedly invalid child defy their supposed deficiencies to learn to walk. Developmental issues were common at the time and it was very Victorian to believe proper upbringing could heal the body. Heidi defied that notion with her rebellious positivity and sparkling can-do spirit. You can see why she was a depression-era star. In this adaptation of the 1880s book, the singing and dancing wunderkind is shipped off to live with her grumpy hermit grandfather and upends his lonely life in the Swiss Alps. Their bond grows — and when she’s taken away to be a rich child’s play toy, he barrels down the mountain to get her back. Even though it’s an antique of a film, Heidi isn’t boring. There’s a chandelier monkey incident, an aggressive butting goat, and even a horse-drawn sleigh chase. There’s also a Christmas scene, but this is not a Christmas movie. It’s a story about what happens when responsibility hits you from the rear like that goat and forces you to reconsider your hermit lifestyle.

Hidden Gem

Abominable (2019) (5+)

You find a giant, anxious yeti crouched on your apartment roof, and because life is apparently a series of escalating side quests, you’re now responsible for smuggling him across China. You know — the classic story of accidentally adopting a mythical creature and immediately becoming its full-time travel agent. Abominable throws its main character Yi (and you, basically) into a string of big, ridiculous sequences that work because the movie is an exercise of goofiness grounded with authentic characters. DreamWorks originally set out to make a film that would cash in on growing Chinese audiences. Usually that’s a disaster. But Abominable strings together enough fun moments that it clicks. Like the Yeti, the film is an offbeat and sweet discovery hiding in plain sight.

Keepin’ It Real

Togo (2019) (6+)

Disney continues to build its “Dogs on Sleds Save the Day” catalogue, and Togo is the one that feels the most real — probably because it actually happened. Willem Dafoe plays a musher who's unfazed by the Arctic cold until a powerful winter storm knocks him off track. He survives by leaning on the smallest dog in his team, the one whose grit and instinct end up driving the entire run. That reliance gives the movie its edge, turning a historical footnote into a tense, beautifully shot fight to stay alive.

The Man Behind the Mask

Thanks for reading and subscribing!

I am a former television news journalist who now writes about movies, parenting, and tech online (and occasionally on paper). My number one job, though, is making sure my girls grow up with steady heads on their shoulders. I think our shared movie nights have a positive impact on their self-esteem and develop an awareness of the world around them. I relish every night — except for maybe Baby Geniuses. I got through that one with my good friend George Dickel.

Brendan Knapp