scorecardThe best movies to watch on 12 major holidays, from July 4th to Christmas
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The best movies to watch on 12 major holidays, from July 4th to Christmas

New Year's Eve/Day: "When Harry Met Sally" (1989)

The best movies to watch on 12 major holidays, from July 4th to Christmas

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: "Selma" (2014)

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: "Selma" (2014)

Ava DuVernay's "Selma" may have been snubbed from some major Oscar categories in 2015, as it missed out on a director nod for DuVernay and acting for David Oyelowo, but it's still the definitive film about MLK, Jr.

Valentine's Day: "Casablanca" (1942)

Valentine

There's a plethora of romantic films to choose from that would be perfect on Valentine's Day, so why not go with the original, and arguably best?

Presidents' Day: "Lincoln" (2012)

Presidents

Is it safe to say that the Steven Spielberg-directed "Lincoln" is the best movie about a president ever made? Probably. Plus, it's always a good thing to revisit a Daniel Day-Lewis performance. He won his third Oscar for the role, and it could be his last, as he's said that he's retiring from acting.

Mother's Day: "Lady Bird" (2017)

Mother

One of the best, and most relatable, mother-daughter movies ever made, "Lady Bird" features career-best performances from Saoirse Ronan and Laurie Metcalf, and proved Greta Gerwig isn't to be messed with as an emerging, talented filmmaker.

Memorial Day: "Saving Private Ryan" (1998)

Memorial Day: "Saving Private Ryan" (1998)

Spielberg's "Saving Private Ryan" is one of the greatest war movies ever made, and embodies the sacrifice soldiers make to serve their country.

Father's Day: "The Lion King" (1994)

Father

At its core, "The Lion King" is a story about a son's relationship with his father, and what it means to step out of his shadow to be his own man. It's a story that many can relate to, even if the characters are lions.

4th of July: "Independence Day" (1996)

4th of July: "Independence Day" (1996)

Sometimes the obvious choice is the best choice. Roland Emmerich's sci-fi blockbuster about an alien invasion remains a fun and entertaining watch, despite a lackluster recent sequel.

Labor Day: "Office Space" (1999)

Labor Day: "Office Space" (1999)

There's no better movie to watch on Labor Day, a holiday that celebrates workers, than "Office Space," a cult-classic satire on mundane office work and the employees who can't stand it any longer.

Halloween: "Halloween" (1978)

Halloween: "Halloween" (1978)

Remember when I said that sometimes the obvious choice is the best choice? It's still true. A direct sequel is coming later this year, so maybe a terrifying double-feature will even be in order.

Thanksgiving: "Scent of a Woman" (1992)

Thanksgiving: "Scent of a Woman" (1992)

It's slim pickings when it comes to movies that have any relation to Thanksgiving. But "Scent of a Woman," which got Al Pacino his only Oscar win for his role as a blind retired Army Lt. Colonel, takes place on a Thanksgiving weekend, and features an awkward but dramatic holiday dinner scene that is a standout in the film.

Christmas: "Batman Returns" (1992)

Christmas: "Batman Returns" (1992)

Since there are so many great Christmas movies, it's hard to choose just one. Rather than opting for the traditional choices like "A Christmas Story" or "It's a Wonderful Life" or "Elf" that people would most likely watch anyway, I present a dark horse alternative. If "Die Hard" can be a Christmas movie, then so can "Batman Returns."

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