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14 Scripts You Should Read During the Holidays

by Alex Edge - updated on December 18, 2023

The holidays are full of traditions that can vary from house to house, but without fail, December features the same classic holiday movies almost every year. And maybe instead of watching these winter weather classics -- you can read them.

Below, we list 14 festive scripts that are perfect for a good holiday read, from Home Alone to less obvious Christmas classics like Die Hard. Click on the links to download the scripts!

Love Actually (2003)

An easy-to-watch Christmas rom-com with plenty of cheese! This script makes for the perfect holiday read where you can follow 10 different love stories, as Richard Curtis demonstrates how to intertwine storylines for the protagonists through this multi-narrative film.

Download the script!

The Holiday (2006)

Oh yes, another fantastic Nancy Meyers romantic comedy, but this time make it festive!

This film script will take you through the firstly unlucky love lives of Iris (played by Kate Winslet) and Amanda (played by Cameron Diaz). Their lives come together when they decide to swap homes for the holidays to escape for a much-needed break. Iris makes the trip to L.A. whilst Amanda makes the trip to Surrey, England. While on their vacations in each other's homes, looking for everything but love, these ladies find two locals to lust over.

Download the script!

Home Alone (1990)

Young Kevin finds himself protecting his house during the holidays in a stand-off with two comedically idiotic thieves (Harry and Marv), after being forgotten by his family. Home Alone is a fun, festive, family adventure from a child’s perspective!

Download the script!

 

Home Alone

'Home Alone'

Die Hard (1988)

John McClane is a flawed individual with relatable family problems, but when met with a terror incident he decides instead of escaping, to battle the terrorists. This action-packed movie not only showcases the development of a brave hero from an average person but also a worthy and challenging villain, Hans Gruber.

Not to mention Die Hard is set during the holidays and features a Christmas party. Ho ho ho!

Download the script!

It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)

It’s a Wonderful Life is a true classic, heartwarming, and life-affirming movie for the holiday season. George Bailey, a businessman feeling close to suicide until an angel named Clarence is assigned to show George what a difference he’s made to the lives of others around him. If Clarence succeeds, he will earn his wings!

Download the script!

Tangerine (2015)

Tangerine is a comedy-drama about a transgender sex worker on a mission to find her pimp's new lover on Christmas Eve. This film is full of energy and will have you feeling so many ways! Oh, and to add to the brilliance... this movie was shot with an iPhone camera.

Download the script!

 

Tangerine

'Tangerine'

Black Christmas (2019)

Hawthorne College is preparing for the holidays. Sorority sisters, Riley, Marty, Kris, and Jesse decide to stay on campus and let their hair down with seasonal parties, but a masked stalker has other plans. Black Christmas will give you a thrill during the holiday season!

Download the script!

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)

The Griswold’s decide to have a big family get-together for the holidays and in true Chevy Chase fashion, this results in a comical disaster! National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation makes for a relatable family comedy. After all, over the holidays we sometimes, for tradition's sake, have to host obnoxious guests.

Download the script!

Gremlins (1984)

Gremlins is an 80s film that is a blend of the comedy, horror, and fantasy genre.

Billy Peltzer is given an unusual, adorable-looking pet for Christmas from his parents, a “mogwai” he calls Gizmo. Billy, like a typical teenager, breaks all the rules when caring for his mysterious pet which in turn creates mischievous monsters.

Read More: How to Write a Great Christmas Horror Movie

Download the script!

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

The Nightmare Before Christmas, a movie that you can watch over Halloween and the holidays. A Tim Burton film that encapsulates the perfect balance between creepy and festive to keep us all debating whether in fact this is a Halloween or a Christmas watch! Why not both?!

Download the script!

 

The Nightmare Before Christmas

'The Nightmare Before Christmas'

Carol (2015)

This romantic drama is an adaptation of the novel “The Price of Salt”.  Carol is a beautiful film following the story of two women (Therese and Carol) from different upbringings who unexpectedly fall in love, this movie is set in 1950s New York where their love challenges the social norms at the time.

Download the script!

Little Women (2019)

Little Women is unlike any other romantic-drama film out there, this movie shows the independent journey of the four March sisters (Jo, Meg, Amy, and Beth) who go on to find happiness on their own terms and this isn’t just to get married to a prince and live happily ever after!

Jo March sums this up perfectly “I am so sick of people saying that love is all a woman is fit for, I am just so sick of it”.

Download the script!

Edward Scissorhands (1990)

Edward Scissorhands is another one of Tim Burton’s Christmas films with his unique twist. This fantasy movie shows an unlikely love story between a humanoid (Edward) and a suburban girl. Unfortunately, not everyone accepts Edward but in the end, this film shows the spirit of the holidays and acceptance overshadows ignorance.

Download the script!

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is a neo-noir comedy. Petty thief Harry pretends to be an actor and travels to L.A. to audition for a lead role in a film. As part of his role, he trains under a private eye, Gay Perry. The duo finds themselves along with a struggling actress, Harmony Faith Lane getting caught up in a murder mystery.

Download the script!

Read More: The Psychology Behind Our Obsession with Christmas Movies


Alex EdgeAlex Edge has worked for companies such as MTV, Nickelodeon, and Comedy Central. His roles and specialties in these companies lie in production and script consultancy. He currently works at Screenwriters Network as a director. Reading and writing scripts whenever he can!

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