A CrossFit Christmas Special: Alexis Raptis, Aimee Cringle, and More Share Their Favorite Holiday Movies
Cozy season is here, and with it comes one of our favorite traditions: hunkering down and watching holiday movies.
While many of us have a go-to film that we watch year after year, others take a less conventional approach in their viewing habits.
Last year, we reached out to some of the world’s top CrossFit athletes to see what they were watching. One that stood out to us was Dallin Pepper’s recommendation of Die Hard. Andrea Nisler rewatches Mean Girls every season, while Chandler Smith recommended The Holdovers. Last year, he told us:
- “We just watched The Holdovers, and it’s our new favorite! Reminds me of a lot of the experiences I had at my all-boys school, at West Point, and coaching at a private school like the one in the movie.”
This winter, we asked around again for new recommendations. Here’s what we found.
The Classics
Alexis Raptis told us that two movies she watches each year are The Santa Clause and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, the latter being a favorite of Emily Rolfe’s as well.
Rylee Beebe agreed, mentioning that Christmas Vacation is one of her favorites too. She added The Grinch to the list, which we learned last year is a favorite of Kelsey Keil and Hattie Kanyo. Beebe also included Elf.
- Last year, we received many votes for Elf. Arielle Loewen, Tia-Clair Toomey-Orr, and Emma Lawson all said it was their favorite. Lawson told us she watches it every year, as it is her all-time favorite Christmas movie.
Some Romance
Last year, we heard from Annie Thorisdottir, Jayson and Grace Ann Hopper, and Katrin Davidsdottir, all of whom said The Holiday was their favorite.
- Aimee Cringle recently shared with us that it gets her vote, too.
Family Films
A few new ones we heard this year include Home Alone, a favorite of Olivia Kerstetter, and Jingle All the Way, which is Scott Panchik’s holiday go-to.
- Last year, a few wholesome flicks that Arielle Lowen suggested were Klaus, A Muppets’ Christmas Carol, and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
Non-Traditional Favorites
Dani Speegle told us that she re-watches the Harry Potter movies each year. And with extra time spent at home, a movie series is a cozy, holiday fit. Taylor Williamson agrees and shared that she watches the Lord of the Rings series this time of year.
The biggest standout, and perhaps the movie we can most get behind, was Jorge Fernadez’s choice, Labyrinth.
- What makes this the best holiday movie? Maybe it’s David Bowie’s dance moves. Maybe it’s the unsettling puppetry. Or perhaps it’s the M.C. Escher-like architecture. Whatever it is, we’re here for all of it.
