Festive faves Cast of RMTC’s Elf: The Musical weigh in with top picks for Yuletide flicks By: David Sanderson Posted: 2:00 AM CST Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025 Last Modified: 11:35 AM CST Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025 Updates

The ho-ho-hottest ticket in town this holiday season is Elf: The Musical, on until Dec. 28 at the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre’s John Hirsch Mainstage.

Earlier this week, there were fewer than 10 seats available for four of the remaining 11 performances, including a matinée on Christmas Eve and two shows on Boxing Day.

The show’s popularity with ticket-buyers shouldn’t come as a big surprise.

After all, Elf, the 2003 comedic film the stage adaptation is based upon, routinely ranks alongside 1946’s It’s A Wonderful Life (“Every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings”) and 1983’s A Christmas Story (“You’ll shoot your eye out, kid”), when the topic of best Yuletide movie, all-time, is raised.

With another right jolly old elf due to shimmy down a chimney near you later this week, we polled people associated with RMTC’s production of Elf: The Musical, asking about their own festive flicks of choice.

Ryan Brown (Buddy)

My favourite holiday movie to watch every year is definitely Jack Frost (1998). I’ll watch it alone, with family and friends, and whoever else I can convert into a fan. I believe I saw it for the first time when I was around eight or nine years old. It’s a classic father-son bonding story with tons of humour, charm, sentiment and Michael Keaton — who is also the best Batman — as Jack Frost. Plus, it finishes with the Chicks’ cover of Fleetwood Mac’s Landslide. What’s not to love?

Allison Loat (director of production)

Believe it or not, it’s Elf. I can’t recall the first time I saw it, but it stays on our PVR permanently so we can watch it each year. I sometimes even watch it when it’s not Christmas. It’s hard for me to pin down exactly why I love it. It’s like a modern story of Christmas, but also a story about family, trust and love. To me, love isn’t a feeling, but rather an action word, and this story shows love in action in all sorts of ways.

Kyle Mroz (apprentice director)

My favourite holiday movie to watch every year is definitely Home Alone (1990). I watch it with my family and it has become a beloved tradition for many years. The first time I saw it was when I was probably about 10 years old. It is such a classic movie that never gets old. I love it because I can recite all of the popular quotes and it is very funny. My favourite scene is when Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) is screaming in the mirror with the aftershave on his face.

Kelly Thornton (artistic director )

It’s Elf. I saw it in the movie theatre when it was first released. I still laugh when I think of when Buddy first lands in New York City’s Central Park and goes in for a cuddle with a wild raccoon — “Does someone need a hug?” — and is viciously attacked. Hilarious.

Xaiden Garcia (Michael Hobbs, age 11)

My favourite holiday movie is Spirited (2022), based on A Christmas Carol (by Charles Dickens). I first saw it when it came out in 2022, and I thought it was awesome. I really love musicals and Will Ferrell (Ebenezer Scrooge) and Ryan Reynolds (Clint Briggs) are super-funny. The songs, the story and the part where they yell “Good afternoon!” always makes me laugh.

Daniel Bogart (Santa Claus, Mr. Greenway)

My pick isn’t a holiday movie, but rather a television special, A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965). I don’t remember the first time I saw the animated show, because I grew up watching it every year of my life. This was back before streaming or even DVDs, so it was an event you awaited because it would only appear on network television. I love it mostly because it is nostalgic. It reminds me of my youth and family. Furthermore, the jazz soundtrack by the Vince Guaraldi Trio is the absolute best.

Julie Tomaino (director/choreographer)

Elf. I saw it when it first came out. I’m a huge fan of Christmas movies. Love all the Home Alone films and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989). Elf was the new classic for me. I watch it every year while decorating the tree. It connects me to my inner child and fills me with so much joy.

Luke Opdahl (Chadwick)

My favourite holiday movie is Meet Me in St. Louis (1944). Many years I have watched it alone but I try to show it to anyone who hasn’t seen it, whenever I can. I believe the first time I saw it was when I was in college. I love MGM musicals and this one very much delivers with catchy songs, a great story and, of course, Judy Garland. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas was already my favourite Christmas tune even before I had seen the film. I cry every year when Judy sings that song.

Silver Tennant (youth ensemble, age 15)

My favourite holiday movie is Home Alone, because I’ve tested Kevin McCallister’s traps on my sister. Shockingly, we’re both still alive. I remember watching it and thinking, wow, this kid is a genius… and slightly dangerous.

Michael Duggan (stage manager)

Die Hard (1998). I began watching it every Christmas with my wife when we started dating. Every element has a payoff that doesn’t feel forced. From (NYPD detective) John McClane taking off his shoes and socks (on the advice of a person he meets on a plane) to Holly (Bonnie Bedelia as McClane’s estranged wife) using her maiden name.

Jada Tackie (youth ensemble, age 14)

My favourite holiday movies are either Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000), because Jim Carrey (the Grinch) is hilarious, or Home Alone. My mom loves to play Christmas movies during the holiday season. I also have a big movie marathon with my cousins right after Christmas. It’s something I look forward to every season.

Alex Schaeffer (Michael Hobbs, age 16)

As a Jewish person, I enjoy my friends’ shared excitement of Christmas, but there’s never buzz in my house about watching an annual holiday movie. Lots of times, we’ve been picking movies we haven’t seen before. One from this year’s selection that I hope becomes a tradition is Rise of the Guardians (2012), an animated movie with Alec Baldwin as Santa Claus, the leader of the guardians. It balances humour and heartfelt emotions beautifully.

Julie Husband (pit band)

I have three favourite holiday movies. One is Home Alone, which I saw when it first came out in the theatres in 1990. It makes me laugh every time. The second is Elf. I saw it in 2003, also in the movie theatre. Will Ferrell is brilliant. And third is White Christmas (1954), starring Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye. It reminds of my parents. We would always watch it when it was on TV. The tradition still continues at my sister-in-law’s place on Christmas eve.

Joseph Sevillo (Macy’s manager)

My favourite holiday movie has to be the first Home Alone. I was seven years old and watched it during Christmas break with my family, I believe at the old St. Vital Cinema. I love all the iconic lines of the movie. “You’re what the French call ‘les incompetents.’” “Guys! I’m eating junk and watching rubbish. You better come out and stop me.” And the best line, “Keep the change you filthy animal.” Being seven when I first watched it, I was amazed by the lead character Kevin played by Macaulay Culkin who was eight, and how he made the best of being left at home by accident. Ultimately the film reminds you to be grateful for family.

Sophie Sewell (youth ensemble, age 8)

Elf. I saw it for the first time when I was five years old and love it because it is funny, awesome and sparklyjollytwinklejingley. I love it even more now that I am in Elf: The Musical.

Evan Klassen (executive director)

Miracle on 34th Street (1947). I first saw it in in the ’80s. I was about six years old, sitting around our family room, watching on an old push-button television. You know the one, that big box set. I love its old-time charm. It pulls on all the heartstrings and is a classic.

Jocelyn Unrau (director of marketing and communication)

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. I enjoy it with my husband, but have watched it with both our families as well, because it’s just so good. I don’t recall the first time I saw it, I believe at some point in the ’90s. I was pretty young, but I think my appreciation has just grown, the older I get. Now that I have a home of my own, with my own Christmas lights up, I strive to keep it bright and tacky during the holiday season. Plus, Clark (Chevy Chase) and the whole Griswald family are such great characters. And those moments. Adjusting the cord to get the lights to work. The snow saucer. The dried-out turkey. The family dynamics. You don’t need anything extra in your eggnog to enjoy this one.

winnipegfreepress.com/davidsanderson