Shepherd was a well-known radio personality, comedian, writer, and storyteller by the time "A Christmas Story" was released. The film is based on a set of short stories that were first published in Playboy before he compiled them into the collection "In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash" in 1966, per CBS.

Other elements of the film were taken from his 1971 collection "Wanda Hickey's Night of Golden Memories and Other Disasters."

Besides narrating the film, Shepherd also cowrote "A Christmas Story" with his wife, Leigh Brown, and the film's director, Bob Clark.

Shepherd and Brown appear in the scene where Ralphie and his brother Randy meet Santa at the department store Higbee's.

Clark plays one of Ralphie's neighbors who questions the
Old Man about the famous Leg Lamp.

This wasn't the first holiday film Clark worked on — he directed the Christmas-themed slasher "Black Christmas" in 1974.

Vanity Fair reported there was friction between Clark and Shepherd. Shepherd, for his part, was protective of his characters, while Clark was concerned with finishing the project on time and under budget — so he barred Shepherd from the set.

"Shepherd was a perfectionist with his own material, but Bob Clark had a budget and a schedule that he had to meet, and he already figured out how this all should be done, and he couldn't have Shepherd constantly interrupting," Shepherd's biographer Eugene Bergman told the publication.

The first theatrical sequel, "My Summer Story," was released in 1994, and was once again directed by Bob Clark. However, almost no one from the original cast reprised their roles.

Ralphie — originally portrayed by Peter Billingsley — was played by none other than Kieran Culkin, while his parents were played by Charles Grodin and Mary Steenburgen in roles that were originated by Darren McGavin and Melinda Dillon.

The only returning actor was Tedde Moore as Ralphie's teacher.

In 2012, "A Christmas Story 2" was released. It ignored the events of "My Summer Story" and once again starred an entirely new cast.

Ten years later, most of the surviving cast reunited for "A Christmas Story Christmas," which is a direct sequel to the original, and follows 42-year-old Ralphie as he comes home for Christmas after the death of his father.

It's easy to see the connections — "A Christmas Story" is told mainly from the point of view of 9-year-old Ralphie, who deals with an annoying brother, a somewhat strict mother, and a distant but loving father. It's also narrated by an older version of Ralphie.

That's basically the setup of "The Wonder Years," down to the older version of the main character narrating. It premiered in 1988, five years after "A Christmas Story" was released.

The connection was so strong that Billingsley himself had a cameo in the final two episodes of the show as a friend of main character Kevin (Fred Savage).

Astin and Wheaton were two of the biggest child stars of the '80s.

But in 1983, neither was that well-known. Wheaton's big break came in 1986's "Stand By Me" before he was cast in "Star Trek: The Next Generation" in 1987.

For his part, Astin starred in the 1985 adventure classic "The Goonies" before appearing in films such as "Toy Soldiers" (also starring Wheaton!) and, most famously, "The Lord of the Rings."

Wheaton wrote about his experience seeing Astin and Billingsley at auditions on his blog in 2001.

"I sort of knew Peter [Billingsley] because we'd been on so many auditions together, but I was always a little star-struck when I saw him," he wrote.

Throughout the film, all Ralphie wants for Christmas is a Red Ryder Carbine Action 200-shot Range Model air rifle.

But this gun never actually existed. The Red Ryder model didn't have the sundial (the "thing that tells time") or a compass that Ralphie's ideal gun had, but a different model manufactured by Daisy Outdoor Products did. So, the gun had to be constructed specifically for the film.

In 2020, Daisy finally released an official replica of the "Christmas Story" rifle, aptly titled the Christmas Dream.

Clark said he "loved" Nicholson, but was glad he didn't get the part "because Darren [McGavin] is the Old Man," according to Vanity Fair.

For context, this movie came out the same year as "Terms of Endearment," and just three years after "The Shining" — it might have been difficult to see Nicholson as a wholesome father figure.

In the beginning of the film, Ralphie has a dream sequence where he saves his family from a gang of outlaws, and you can clearly see he's got a hunk of what's supposed to be chewing tobacco in his bottom lip.

You might think that a kid wouldn't be given real dip, but you'd be wrong. Billingsley told Vanity Fair that a propman on the set gave him some chewing tobacco, and within a few minutes he was profusely sweating and the entire set had to be shut down.

"We shut down for an hour or so, when I just had to lie down on the couch. This was long before they knew what to do with kid actors," he said.

For the rest of the shoot, the kids were given ground-up raisins.

Shepherd's hometown was Hammond, the only city in Indiana to border Chicago. The film uses a real street in Hammond, Hohman Avenue, as the inspiration for its name.

"A Christmas Story" was originally released on November 18, 1983, a full month before Christmas. It never topped the box office and was out of theaters by the middle of December, which meant people couldn't even see the movie during the peak of the holiday season.

But the legacy of "A Christmas Story" was just getting started. It became a true cable classic — so much so that TNT and TBS each play the film for 24 hours straight on Christmas Day, and at various other times during December, meaning that millions more people have seen it on TV than ever did at the cinema.

"A Christmas Story: The Musical" had two limited runs on Broadway for the 2012 and 2013 holiday seasons.

Funnily enough, strengthening the connection between "A Christmas Story" and "The Wonder Years," Dan Lauria — best known as Kevin's father on "The Wonder Years" — originated the role of Jean Shepherd on Broadway.

The house, which is located in Cleveland, has been turned into a museum. It's been restored to look exactly like it did during the production of the movie and houses authentic props and costumes from the movie.

Super-fans are also able to spend a night in the Parkers' home.

Of course, there's also an online gift shop if you want to purchase your own leg lamp.

Favreau and Billingsley are frequent collaborators. Billingsley has been credited as a producer or executive producer on six movies that Favreau has directed or starred in: "Made," "Elf," "Zathura," "The Break-Up," "Iron Man," and "Four Christmases."

Billingsley's 2009 directorial debut, "Couples Retreat," was cowritten by Favreau, who also stars in the film.

"Carry-On" is essentially "Die Hard" in an airport — don't worry, "Die Hard" also appears on this list. It stars Taron Egerton as a lone TSA worker who is blackmailed into helping a terrorist known only as The Traveler (Jason Bateman) smuggle nerve gas onto a plane, all while his wife, Nora (Sofia Carson), is being held hostage.

What else could you ask for? We ranked this as our favorite of Netflix's six new holiday films this year. It should not be missed.

"Carry-On" is streaming on Netflix.

When Liam, a sixth-grader who has dyslexia, accidentally addresses his letter to "Satan" instead of "Santa," hijinks ensue. Instead of St. Nick, Satan, a low-level demon played by Jack Black, shows up to help Liam gain back some confidence ... for the low price of his soul, of course.

Anyone who loves to see Black going wild should fire this movie up. It will not disappoint.

"Dear Santa" is streaming on Paramount+.

In the world of "Red One," Santa Claus (JK Simmons) is totally ripped and loves to lift weights. He's also protected by a Secret Service-esque agency that knows him by the codename Red One. When Santa is kidnapped, his best agent, Callum Drift (Dwayne Johnson), teams up with a talented hacker and bounty hunter, Jack O'Malley (Chris Evans), to get him back.

"Red One" is streaming on Prime Video.

"Violent Night" stars David Harbour as Santa Claus, but not like any Santa you've seen before. When a rich family is targeted by a band of mercenaries at their mansion on Christmas Eve, Santa decides to stick around and take them down.

The mercenaries all have Christmas-themed code names, including their leader Scrooge, played by the always-great John Leguizamo.

If you're looking for some very visceral action and a Santa who used to be a bloodthirsty Viking, turn on your TV now.

"Violent Night" is streaming on Starz.

"Die Hard," released in 1988, stars Bruce Willis as John McClane, an NYPD detective traveling to Los Angeles to attend his estranged wife's holiday party at her building, Nakatomi Plaza. That same night, radical German terrorist Hans Gruber, played by Alan Rickman, decides to execute his plan to take the entire building hostage to steal hundreds of millions of dollars.

There's been much debate over the years whether "Die Hard" is a real Christmas movie, or a movie that just happens to take place on Christmas Eve.

Whichever side you fall on, it works as a thrilling action movie.

"Die Hard" is steaming on Disney+, Hulu, and Tubi.

The sequel to 1989's "Batman," 1992's "Batman Returns" stars Michael Keaton once again as Bruce Wayne, aka Batman. This time, he's joined by Michelle Pfeiffer as Selina Kyle, aka Catwoman, Danny DeVito as the Penguin, and Christopher Walken as sleazy businessman Max Shreck.

Director Tim Burton's gothic version of Gotham City is all decked out for the holidays in "Batman Returns," covered in snow, Christmas lights, and a huge tree.

Plus, one of the most famous lines from the movie involves the potentially lethal nature of mistletoe.

This sequel isn't for the faint of heart, with the Penguin's overall disgusting vibe, the multiple attempted murders of Catwoman, and the overall dour vibes of Gotham City.

"Batman Returns" is streaming on Max.

In the 2003 black comedy "Bad Santa," Billy Bob Thornton plays Willie, a small-time crook who secures a gig as a mall Santa every year — and this year, it works out in his favor as he meets Sue (played by Lauren Graham), a woman with a full-blown Santa fetish.

Along the way, Willie meets a young boy, Thurman, who he takes under his wing, gets blackmailed by a mall security guard (played by Bernie Mac), and learns a bit about the meaning of Christmas.

The less we say about 2016's "Bad Santa 2," the better.

"Bad Santa" is streaming on Paramount+ and Pluto TV.

A true '80s classic, "Gremlins" is the tale of Billy Peltzer, played by Zach Galligan, who receives a mogwai for Christmas from his dad, accompanied by three simple rules: Don't expose the mogwai to sunlight; don't let it touch water; and don't let it eat after midnight.

Of course, everything goes wrong, the entire town is invaded by gremlins on Christmas Eve, and more than one person dies at the hands of Stripe, Gizmo, and the rest of them.

"Gremlins" and its sequel "Gremlins 2: The New Batch" are both quintessential anti-Christmas Christmas movies.

"Gremlins"  and "Gremlins 2" are streaming on Max.

Starring Adam Scott and Toni Collette, 2015's "Krampus" follows the Engel family, who are more than a little dysfunctional. When Max, the youngest son and the only true believer in Santa, curses his family and loses his Christmas spirit, he inadvertently summons Krampus, a horned demon that punishes any family that doesn't respect the holidays.

Come for the surprisingly solid cast, stay for the festively gruesome kills and German folklore.

"Krampus" is streaming on Peacock and Max.

"Black Christmas," released in 1974, is a true '70s slasher. It follows three sorority sisters who are targeted by a mysterious caller only known as "The Moaner," who terrorizes them just before they're set to go home for Christmas break.

There won't be anything bloodier and less jolly on this list than "Black Christmas," but it has staying power — the film was remade in 2006 and 2019, though neither is as good as the original.

"Black Christmas" is streaming for free on various websites, including Peacock, Prime Video, Tubi, Crackle, YouTube, and more.

A California Christmas is already an odd combination, as many associate the holidays with cold temperatures, snow, and general coziness, not 85-degree weather, shorts, and sunshine.

Add in a dark criminal conspiracy, a thief played by Robert Downey Jr., a gay detective played by Val Kilmer, and a childhood crush played by Michelle Monaghan, and you have a solid neo-noir on your hands — and yes, it takes place at Christmas.

"Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" is available to rent online.

Starring Ella Hunt as Anna, a student who is planning to take a gap year before university, "Anna and the Apocalypse," released in 2017, is like "High School Musical" meets "Shaun of the Dead" meets Christmas.

Anna and her friends, on the night of their school's Christmas show, discover that their town (and later country) has been infected by a zombie virus ... all while singing about their feelings.

A particularly memorable set piece takes place at a Christmas tree warehouse.

"Anna and the Apocalypse" is streaming on Tubi, Pluto TV, and The Roku Channel.

With a cast of A-listers like Ben Affleck, Charlize Theron, and Gary Sinise, 2000's "Reindeer Games" is filled with action, multiple plot twists, stolen identities, and Affleck dressed up as Santa attempting to rob a casino.

"Ocean's 11" this is not, but "Reindeer Games" provides the laughs and only a little bit of Christmas cheesiness at the end.

"Reindeer Games" is streaming on Paramount+.

Geena Davis plays Samantha Caine, a schoolteacher with amnesia who discovers she has the skills of an expert assassin. To figure out who she really is, she hires a private investigator named Mitch Henessey (Samuel L. Jackson). 

"The Long Kiss Goodnight," released in 1996, also has an iconic action set piece at a Christmas parade where Davis dresses up as Mrs. Claus, if you needed any more convincing to turn this on.

"The Long Kiss Goodnight" is streaming on Pluto TV.

Sin-Dee Rella, played by Kitana Kiki Rodriguez, meets up with her friend Alexandra, played by Mya Taylor, on Christmas Eve, soon after she was released from prison. This 2015 film follows the two friends on their Hollywood escapades over the next few days as they catch up, look for clients, support each other's work, and more.

"Tangerine" is streaming on Disney+ and Hulu.

"The Ice Harvest," released in 2005, stars John Cusack and Billy Bob Thornton as unlikely allies who team up to steal from their mobster boss, played by Randy Quaid. When the two are stuck in town due to icy roads, they're left to their own devices to entertain themselves in Wichita, Kansas, during the holiday season.

Rounding out the cast is Connie Nielsen as a woman who runs a strip club in town (and is the object of Cusack's affection), Oliver Platt as one of Cusack's friends, and Mike Starr as a mob enforcer.

"The Ice Harvest" is available to rent online.

The 1987 film "Lethal Weapon" is the story of LAPD narcotics sergeant Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson) and homicide sergeant Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover) teaming up to take down a criminal conspiracy. It's also another California Christmas film.

Throughout the film, there are many reminders of the holiday season, including lights, Christmas trees — and frequent shootings, murders, and more. But it can still be considered a holiday classic!

"Lethal Weapon" is streaming on Hulu.

The Belgian city of Bruges has never looked better than in this 2008 film, as it's decorated for the holidays — too bad its charms are wasted on Ray (Farrell), who compares being in Bruges to being in hell.

This is a story of redemption and friendship, as Gleeson's character Ken sticks by his friend, even after Ray accidentally kills a kid.

If you enjoyed "The Banshees of Inisherin," which recently starred Farrell and Gleeson, try watching their first collaboration.

"In Bruges" is available to rent online.

Summary: As Norway's worst postal student, Jesper (Jason Schwartzman) is exiled to Smeerensburg and instructed to deliver 6,000 letters within a year. Through befriending a carpenter named Klaus (J.K. Simmons) and a teacher named Alva (Rashida Jones), Jesper is able to bring joy back to the town.

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 95%

Why you should watch it: Critics praised the beautiful animation and hopeful narrative.

Summary: In this magical musical, toymaker Jeronicus Jangle (Forest Whitaker) teams up with his granddaughter Journey (Madalen Mills) to recover an invention stolen from him long ago and restore his legacy.

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%

Why you should watch it: Critics said the film is creative and fun for adults and kids alike. If you love musicals and the magic of Christmas, "Jingle Jangle" is fun to watch.

Summary: "Let It Snow" is a holiday rom-com about a group of young people in a small town in Illinois who are forced together by a snowstorm.

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 85%

Why you should watch it: "Let It Snow" is more diverse than the typical Christmas rom-com, and critics praised the charming young cast.

Summary: The 1954 musical follows two former soldiers-turned-performers as they meet a beautiful sister singing duo. The two groups must work together to save the lodge owned by the soldiers' former commander.

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 77%

Why you should watch it: Critics said "White Christmas" is warm and cozy. Perfect for a winter afternoon.

Summary: Lacey Chabert stars as Kathy, a grieving widow who accidentally brings a snowman to life with a magic scarf. When she takes the responsibility of looking after the living snowman (Dustin Milligan), she gains a new perspective on life.

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 79%

Why you should watch it: On the surface, "Hot Frosty" seems like a silly film about a hot snowman, but it's also the perfect self-aware cozy movie to watch during the holidays.

Summary: Taron Egerton stars as a young, apathetic TSA agent who is blackmailed by a mysterious traveler (Jason Bateman) into allowing a mysterious package through security checks. The agent instead tries to stop the package from reaching its destination while protecting his loved ones.

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 84%

Why you should watch it: This is the closest thing to "Die Hard" on Netflix's catalog. A fun, electrifying thriller set on Christmas Eve, where one man takes on a team of highly trained terrorists.

Summary: In the "Princess Switch" franchise, Vanessa Hudgens plays numerous lookalikes who bump into each other during the Christmas season in the kingdom of Belgravia. Chaos ensues.

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 53% - 56%

Why you should skip it: While the first "Princess Switch" was received reasonably well, the sequels — "The Princess Switch: Switched Again" and "The Princess Switch 3: Romancing the Star" — overdid it with the switching.

Summary: This franchise stars Rose McIver as a magazine journalist who falls for a prince while trying to write an exposé about him.

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 36% - 50%

Why you should skip it: "A Christmas Prince" was fun, but sequels "A Christmas Prince: The Royal Wedding" and "A Christmas Prince: The Royal Baby" made this royal love story outstay its welcome.

Summary: Sloane (Emma Roberts) and Jackson (Luke Bracey) are sick of bad dates and meddling family members. When they have a chance encounter, they decide to pretend to be a couple for the holidays. The arrangement works until they start to grow feelings for each other.

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 45%

Why you should skip it: Roberts and Bracey have great chemistry, but critics thought the film was mediocre.

Summary: In the Christmassy sequel to "Bad Moms," Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell, and Kathryn Hahn return as three mothers living life to the fullest, defying social expectations. This time, they are rebelling against their mothers, who are making the holidays difficult.

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 32%

Why you should skip it: Critics said the sequel was not as funny or charming as the original "Bad Moms." "A Bad Moms Christmas" is fun to watch once, but it won't become a Christmas classic.

Summary: Ian Harding and Lindsay Lohan team up as two exes forced to be nice to each other at a family Christmas gathering when they discover their new lovers are siblings.

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 38%

Why you should skip it: Lindsay Lohan's Netflix holiday movies are divisive: you either love how bad they are or are completely bored by them. Critics said "Our Little Secret" is better than Lohan's other two movies but still formulaic, and the two lead stars have poor chemistry.

Summary: Charlotte (Heather Graham) is envious of her old college friend Jackie (Brandy Norwood), who sends a Christmas letter every year about her family's accomplishments. When Charlotte and her family get stuck at Jackie's house for Christmas, Charlotte attempts to expose Jackie for lying about her perfect life.

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 40%

Why you should skip it: Critics were not enthused by this film, with most saying that the story was poor and did not make much sense.

Fernwood Square is an off-the-beaten-path, cobblestone-lined town square that's become a favorite filming location for holiday-market scenes.

When the cameras aren't rolling, locals grab coffee at Little June, enjoy a romantic night under the twinkle lights at Stage Wine Bar, or shop for dreamy vintage finds at Cream.

At the heart of Fernwood Square is the Fernwood Inn. The charming neighborhood pub serves local brews in an inviting, festive atmosphere reminiscent of a small-town inn.

Unfortunately, the kind-eyed innkeeper with a heart of gold from half the Hallmark movie plots is not included — the pub looks like an inn but doesn't have rooms for rent.

Oak Bay Village is set up to feel like a quaint, small town featuring artisanal shops, independent restaurants, and seasonal decorations.

The luxurious spa at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel features stunning, heated mineral pools that are accessible year-round, making it the perfect escape from the stress of the holidays.

Pro tip: Locals love this place, so make sure to book treatments in advance.

Our local mall never looks better than when it hosts the Festival of Trees, an annual event that features 70 one-of-a-kind Christmas trees.

The iconic, fairy-tale-like hotel is a holiday favorite for tourists and locals alike.

The Empress is mainly known for its afternoon tea, but in the evenings, you can head to the veranda bar to roast s'mores over an open fire and sip on hot buttered rum.

What we lack in (real) snow, we make up for in holiday lights.

Every year, Butchart Gardens transforms its 55-acre display garden into a holiday wonderland full of colorful string lights.

Tucked away in the woods is the award-winning Shirley Delicious, a popular café and brunch spot.

But if you're in the mood for seafood, head to Shuck Taylor's, another playfully named spot known for its fresh oysters and on-tap cocktails.

My hometown lives up to its namesake (Queen Victoria). You'll find plenty of beautifully preserved Victorian homes and businesses all over the city.

Step back in time at Craigdarroch Castle before heading over to Hatley Castle — a popular filming location featured in the "X-Men" film series.

Named a national historic site in 1995, Victoria's Chinatown is now home to a diverse collection of restaurants, artist lofts, and even the design studio of the "RuPaul's Drag Race" alum Jimbo.

Behind San Francisco's, it's the second-oldest Chinatown in North America.

Named after the Chinese gambling game fan-tan, the alley was once notorious for its opium factories.

Now, it's home to boutiques, cafés, and record shops.

Victoria has more restaurants per capita than any other Canadian city.

Whether you're craving Vietnamese subs, El Salvadoran street food, or ethically sourced seafood sold out of a shipping container, you'll find it all within a five-minute walk of the city center.

In addition to being a foodie's paradise, Victoria has several award-winning cocktail bars and craft breweries.

Independent-coffee-shop culture is big here, and residents love a good tucked-away café that most tourists can't find.

A favorite, the aptly named Hide + Seek Coffee, is in the "backyard" of a pharmacy.

Hallmark movies are usually set in winter, but my hometown thrives in the summer.

No matter where you are, you're always within an eight- to 10-minute drive of a fantastic beach and an incredible view.

It's not unusual to stumble across a movie set while going about daily errands.

Summer is peak filming season, so don't be surprised if you arrive for a beach day and see a film crew setting up a Christmas-tree display or come across a city street flooded with fake snow.

It's moments like these that make me smile and remind me how unique it is to live here.

Palm trees aren't indigenous to the area, but Victoria is one of the warmest cities in Canada and one of the few spots in the country where they can grow.

Depending on the neighborhood, it's not unusual to see a peacock walking down the street or enjoying some birdseed outside a convenience store.

In Hallmark movies, there's always a juxtaposition between "big city" and "small town" life.

After moving back here, I have a deep appreciation for what makes Victoria unique. It's not a small town or a big city — it's something in between.

Whether you're looking to experience the charm of your favorite holiday movies, get a taste of the city's foodie culture, or enjoy a beach getaway, you can find it here. You just might need to step over some fake snow now and then.

Swift has directed the videos for "I'm Only Me When I'm With You," "The Best Day," "Mine," the vertical version of "Delicate," Me!," "You Need to Calm Down," "Lover," "Christmas Tree Farm," "The Man," "Cardigan," "Willow," "Anti-Hero," "Bejeweled," "Lavender Haze," "Karma," "I Can See You," "Fortnight," and "I Can Do It with a Broken Heart."

Bowyn also flexes her bicep, which Swift did when she performed "The Man" on tour.

Of course, "Fifteen" is a song from Swift's album "Fearless." Mira fittingly calls her jacket "a classic."

Bowyn also later notes she became famous when she was 15.

The number 13 is basically holy in the Swift fandom.

Swift was born on December 13, and has since made it a huge part of her relationship with fans. For years, she even drew a 13 on her hand for every concert, which meant that fans still did it at the Eras Tour, years after she stopped.

The very first lyrics of "Teardrops on My Guitar" are "Drew looks at me/I fake a smile so he won't see."

It's a reference to Swift's real-life classmate, Drew Hardwick, whom she had a crush on.

Unlike Jason and Travis Kelce, who never played on the same NFL team, Rob and Drew play for the same "NFO" team: the Bombers.

Is that a reference to the beloved Swift song "Daylight," which states that she "once believed love would be burning red" — or "black and white" — "but it's golden"? Perhaps.

In real life, Jason Kelce has three daughters, with one more on the way.

In-universe, they're called Arrowheads because of Bowyn's name containing the word "bow," as in bow and arrow.

There are plenty of colleges, including Harvard University and New York University, where you can take a class about the career and music of Taylor Alison Swift.

Drew also calls Bowyn a "feminist icon" and a "queer ally," which Swift has also been called in the past.

One of Swift's most important collaborators of the last four years has been Aaron Dessner, a member of the band the National.

The National has also appeared on Swift's "Coney Island." Conversely, Swift was featured on the National song "The Alcott."

She also appeared on two songs by Dessner's other musical project, Big Red Machine: "Birch" and "The Renegade."

The username "starryeyes23" could refer to a line from "Delicate": "Starry eyes sparking up my darkest night."

In fact, "starry eyes" have been mentioned a few times through Swift's discography. She says she thought she was "better safe than starry-eyed" on "loml," and that someone was "gazing at me starry-eyed" on "The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived."

Another commenter, "joynoise89," references the year Swift was born, 1989, which is also the name of her fifth album.

A third commenter, "skyesnation43," might be a reference to Taylor Nation, an official account run by her marketing team.

There's a Swift song on "Midnights" called "Bigger Than the Whole Sky."

Of course, Bowyn's is a bit more low-budget.

Much like Kelce, Drew attends one of Bowyn's shows and decides to broadcast his crush on her on the internet. However, unlike Kelce, who did this on his podcast "New Heights," Drew posted on Instagram.

Here's what Drew wrote: "Thank you, Bowyn for an amazing show and making my niece's dream come true. Swing by Bay Springs someday to watch the Bombers rock the stadium. The beer is on me!"

And here's what Kelce said on "New Heights": "I've seen you rock the stage at Arrowhead. You might have to come see me rock the stage at Arrowhead and see which one's a little more lit."

Bowyn appreciates Drew asking before touching her first. You might remember that a radio DJ sued Swift in 2015 for defamation after she claimed he had inappropriately touched her at a meet-and-greet in 2013. She counter-sued for battery and sexual assault, eventually winning a symbolic $1.

In real life, Kelce never got to meet Swift at her Kansas City concert. He said on "New Heights" it was because Swift didn't meet anyone at her concerts because she had to save her voice.

Swift's publicly known exes include actors and musicians including Jake Gyllenhaal, Joe Alwyn, John Mayer, Harry Styles, and Matty Healy.

Although Swift has a relationship with football, even debuting the second single from "Reputation," "…Ready for It?," on ESPN during a college football match, she has never performed at the Super Bowl.

Both Travis and Jason Kelce have appeared in their fair share of ads, especially the former. iSpot.tv pointed out he's appeared in 130 ads — more than anyone else in the NFL.

"Baby, let the games begin," is a lyric from "…Ready for It?" and were the first words heard during the "Reputation" tour in 2018. During the "Reputation" segment of the Eras Tour, "…Ready for It?" was the first song.

When Bowyn finally calls Drew, his niece picks up and says, "Uncle Gonzo can't come to the phone right now. He's dead!"

In Swift's song "Look What You Made Do," she sings a similar phrase: "I'm sorry, the old Taylor can't come to the phone right now. Why? Oh, 'cause she's dead."

In "But Daddy I Love Him" from "The Tortured Poets Department," there's the lyric, "Me and my wild boy/And all of this wild joy."

During the Eras Tour, she mashed this song up with "So High School," which is thought to be about Kelce.

In Swift's inescapable hit "You Belong With Me" from "Fearless," she sings, "She's cheer captain and I'm on the bleachers."

Also, not for nothing, one of Swift's closest friends and collaborators, Jack Antonoff, releases music under the name Bleachers.

One of the most memorable parts of the music video for "Look What You Made Me Do" takes place in an airplane hangar. There, the different versions of Swift argue.

Swift has also been in the headlines in the past over the use of her private plane, which was also seen in the Netflix documentary "Miss Americana."

Bowyn calls herself a "tough kid," as in, "I'm a real tough kid/I can handle it." Drew notes that she looks like she's having the time of her life, as in "I can read your mind/She's having the time of her life."

She tells Drew she can't remember if singing was ever fun. Swift sings a similar musing in the "TTPD" song: "I forget how the West was won/I forget if this was ever fun."

She also says she started performing at 13.

No one loves to leave secret messages, puzzles, Easter eggs, and anagrams more than Taylor Swift, who has self-identified as a "mastermind."

As Swift sings in the song "So Long London," "And I'm just getting color back into my face/I'm just mad as hell 'cause I loved this place."

Snakes were a huge part of the "Reputation" era, as Swift was called a snake by Kim Kardashian and then reclaimed the reptile for the album.

Before Kelce (and Matty Healy), Swift was in a six-year relationship with actor Joe Alwyn. They were intensely private and rarely photographed together. The two never walked a red carpet together, though they did sit together at the 2020 Golden Globes.

Sure, cardigans are popular, but no one has been more associated with the cardigan in recent years than Taylor Swift.

The lead single from her 2020 album "Folklore" was "Cardigan," which peaked at No. 1 on the Hot 100 and was nominated for both song of the year and best pop solo performance at the Grammys.

Since then, Swift has released various era-specific versions of the cardigan she wore in the music video for Swifties to purchase.

On "The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology," there's a song called "Cassandra."

Aimee is a reference to the song "Thank You Aimee," while the name Hannah is mentioned in "But Daddy I Love Him," in which Swift sings, "Sarahs and Hannahs in their Sunday best/Clutching their pearls crying 'What a mess.'"

Chad is a nod to something Swift said about people who were mad the NFL was showing her too much during football games — she called them "dads, Brads, and Chads" in an interview with Time.

And Marcus is a nod to another "Anthology" song, "Chloe or Sam or Sophia or Marcus."

There's a popular video of what seems to be Kelce spotting Swift at a Chiefs game and lighting up.

Of course, this is a nod to "Reputation."

This also connects to Swift — she has a song from "Lover" called "The Archer." During performances, she also does the same archer pose.

Swift sings about a similar desire in "Delicate" from "Reputation": "This ain't for the best/My reputation's never been worse, so/You must like me for me."

This movie aired on Lifetime, so no profanity allowed, but there is a video of Swift attending a Chiefs game where she screams a more R-rated version of this phrase after Kelce scores a touchdown.

On "TTPD," there's a song called "The Alchemy" that's widely believed to be about Kelce. The newscasters also reference a winning streak, which could be referencing a lyric from the song: "These blokes warm the benches/We've been on a winning streak."

The Kelce brothers have been vocal about how much they love that Swifties have been getting into football due to their relationship, and they even dedicate a segment on their podcast, "No Dumb Questions," to explaining rules to them.

According to this movie, Bowyn is a billionaire and doesn't need the PR, just like Swift.

It's uncanny.

"Frontlines, don't you ignore me/I'm the best thing at this party," Swift sings on the song "You're Losing Me."

"Alice in Wonderland" is an important text to Swift. She has a song called "Wonderland" on "1989."

She also references "Alice" in the "Evermore" song "Long Story Short." "And I fell from the pedestal/Right down the rabbit hole," she sings.

Swift originally wrote the song "Better Man" in 2016, but decided to give it to the country band Little Big Town, who went on to win a Grammy for it.

When Swift began re-releasing her albums, she included "Better Man" as a bonus track on "Red (Taylor's Version)" in 2021.

After Bowyn has a minor freakout about her relationship with Drew, Mira says, "You gotta calm down," a sly reference to this "Lover" track.

She also tells Bowyn "you know all too well" about bad relationships, — Swift's most beloved song by fans is probably the "Red" song "All Too Well."

On his side of the freakout, Drew tells his family, "I am calling my own shots." Swift sings "And you can't wait to move out someday and call your own shots" on the "Speak Now" song "Never Grow Up."

He also says Bowyn "gets rid of my doubts and fears."

In the album booklet for "Fearless," Swift wrote about what being fearless actually meant to her.

"To me, 'fearless' is not the absence of fear. It's not being completely unafraid. To me, 'fearless' is having fears. 'Fearless' is having doubts," she wrote.

Bowyn's ex-boyfriend Hudson leaks a taped conversation the two had, which he heavily edited to make it seem like Bowyn insulted Drew.

An edited recording of a conversation between Swift and Kanye West regarding his song "Famous" re-started their feud in 2016 (which began at the VMAs in 2009) and led to the public turning on Swift and declaring that she was "over."

In both cases, the unedited versions of the conversation eventually were released, vindicating Bowyn and Swift, as Variety reported.

The bridge of the "Midnights" song "You're on Your Own Kid," goes like this: "'Cause there were pages turned with the bridges burned/Everything you lose is a step you take/So make the friendship bracelets, take the moment and taste it/You've got no reason to be afraid."

Fans seized onto the "friendship bracelet" line and began trading bracelets at the Eras Tour, usually with references to lyrics or inside jokes in the Swift fandom. These bracelets became so associated with Swift that a giant bracelet began moving from stadium to stadium during the tour.

Swift and Kelce also attended a fundraiser together in April, and footage of them went viral. It's also when Kelce called her "my significant other" for the first time.

Obvious football reference aside, "Hold on to the memories/They will hold on to you" is a fan-favorite lyric from "New Year's Day" off "Reputation."

She also sings "Say you'll never let 'em tear us apart/And I'll hold onto you while we run" on the "Red" song "Run."

That's a direct reference to a lyric from the "Speak Now" song "Mean," which asks why a music critic who wrote negatively about Swift's performance at the 2010 Grammys "gotta be so mean."

Two years later, she performed "Mean" at the Grammys, and it won best country solo performance and best country song.

Kevin, played by Culkin, is the bratty youngest kid of the McCallister family, who, after being left home by mistake when his family rushes off on a flight to Paris, learns to appreciate them.

His mea culpa occurs after he spends days alone, having to fend for himself. Oh, and he also has to ward off burglars Harry (Joe Pesci) and Marv (Daniel Stern), known as the Wet Bandits.

The performance by Culkin, who was 10 at the time of filming, was so good it would define his career.

Culkin, 44, had unbelievable fame through most of his childhood due to "Home Alone" and its sequel, "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York." He continued to be one of the top child actors in Hollywood with movies such as "My Girl" and "The Good Son."

His fame was also heightened due to his friendship with Michael Jackson. Culkin even starred in his 1991 music video for "Black and White."

In 2005, at Jackson's trial for sexual child abuse, Culkin testified that he slept in the same bed with Jackson, but was never molested by the pop star, per Vanity Fair.

In 1994, he took a pause from acting and wasn't seen on screen again until 2003 when he made a guest appearance on "Will and Grace."

Since then, he's occasionally appeared on TV, even parodying himself in "Home Alone" for a Google Assistant commercial in 2018. Since 2019, he's appeared in episodes of shows such as "Dollface," "American Horror Story," "The Righteous Gemstones," and will appear in the second season of "Fallout."

He also is the cofounder of the pizza-themed comedy rock band Pizza Underground and the CEO of a satirical pop-culture website and podcast called Bunny Ears.

In terms of his personal life, Culkin has been in a relationship with fellow former child star Brenda Song since 2018. They have two children.

Pesci starred as Harry, a burglar obsessed with the McCallister house.

Pesci's Harry is the perfect villain for a kid-friendly movie. One-half of the "Wet Bandits" (because they flood the houses they steal from), Harry thinks he's got all the angles figured out. That includes how to do the big score of robbing a block of big fancy houses as their owners are all away for Christmas.

But Harry, with his shiny gold tooth, didn't count on Kevin to ruin his plans to rob the McCallister house, which he's always had his eye on.

When "Home Alone" came out, Pesci was known best for his tough guy roles in Martin Scorsese movies such as "Raging Bull" and "Goodfellas," which opened the same year as "Home Alone" and would earn Pesci an Oscar.

Pesci's silly performance as Harry showed a different side of the actor and led to more comedic movies, such as "My Cousin Vinny," and playing the bumbling sidekick to Mel Gibson and Danny Glover in the "Lethal Weapon" movies.

Since "Lethal Weapon 4" in 1998, Pesci, 81, has appeared in fewer movies. In 2019, he teamed up with Scorsese once more for the director's Netflix epic "The Irishman." Four years later, in 2023, he had a main role in the Peacock series "Bupkis," which was loosely based on the life of its star, Pete Davidson.

Stern played Marv, the other half of the "Wet Bandits."

Stern's Marv is so memorable because he plays perfectly across from Pesci's Harry.

Though Harry is the leader, Marv thinks he's his intellectual equal (though what neither of them know is that they are both idiots) which leads to great comedic moments as the two try to outsmart Kevin.

And then there's Stern's physical comedy, which is the secret sauce of this movie.

Stern has been a Hollywood fixture going all the way back to his first movie, 1979's "Breaking Away." But around the time of the "Home Alone" release, Stern was at the height of his fame.

He was the narrator of the hit TV show "The Wonder Years," and a year after "Home Alone," he starred in another hit comedy, "City Slickers."

Most recently, the 67-year-old starred in the Hulu series "Shrill" and the Apple TV+ series "For All Mankind."

O'Hara played Kevin's mom, Kate, who, after realizing he's home alone, travels back to be with him.

Kate, along with her husband Peter (John Heard), are definitely up there as a pair of the worst parents in movie history.

Not only do they not double-check the head count to make sure all the kids are with them as they rush to their flight to Paris in the first "Home Alone," but they also lose track of Kevin again in the sequel, "Lost in New York."

O'Hara, 70, has gone on to have an incredible career playing a wide range of characters.

For years, she was best known for her work on Christopher Guest mockumentaries, such as "Best in Show" and "A Mighty Wind." She also frequently collaborated with Tim Burton, with voice roles in "A Nightmare Before Christmas," "Beetlejuice," and "Frankenweenie."

More recently, she's found huge acclaim for her role on the hit TV show "Schitt's Creek." At the 2020 Emmys, she won for outstanding lead actress in a comedy series for her performance in the final season.

Since "Schitt's Creek" wrapped, she's busier than ever. Since 2020, O'Hara has appeared in "Elemental," "Pain Hustlers," "Argylle," "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice," and "The Wild Robot." In 2025, she's joining the cast of "The Last of Us."

Heartwarmingly, O'Hara was on hand to help present her on-screen son, Macaulay Culkin, with his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in February 2024. He even called her "mama," and she called him "darling baby."

Ratray played Kevin's older brother Buzz, who loved to bully and scare his younger sibling. In other words, the perfect evil older brother.

With no care at all for Kevin, he spends most of the beginning of the movie teasing, tormenting, and scaring his younger brother.

Buzz even tells Kevin that their neighbor Old Man Marley kills people with his shovel, which turns out not to be true.

As an adult, Ratray, 47, starred in Alexander Payne's "Nebraska" and has worked multiple times with Steven Soderbergh ("Side Effects," "Mosaic," "Kimi"). He also had a cameo role in the Disney+ sequel to "Home Alone," "Home Sweet Home Alone" as an older Buzz — he's a police officer now.

However, Ratray has also experienced legal troubles. In 2021, he was arrested in Oklahoma while attending a fan convention for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend, per Deadline. In 2024, he pleaded guilty to two counts of domestic violence, People reported.

After his arrest in 2021, another woman came forward accusing Ratray of raping her in 2017. CNN reported in 2022 that the NYPD was investigating the case. Ratray denied the accusations in a call with the outlet. He did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

In one of the first roles of her career, Davis plays the French airport ticket agent who has to give the McCallisters the bad news that there are no flights back to Chicago.

Though she has a great French accent, Davis is not French — she's from New Jersey.

Since her small role in "Home Alone," Davis, 60, has built a successful acting career.

She's best known for her dramatic work in movies such as "About Schmidt" and "American Splendor." Davis also played Tony Stark's mother, Maria, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

In 2022, she was nominated for an Emmy for outstanding guest actress in a dramatic series for her performance as Sandi Furness in "Succession."

This year, she had a guest role in the Apple TV+ thriller miniseries "Before," which starred Billy Crystal and Rosie Perez.

Culkin played Fuller, Kevin's youngest cousin.

Fuller is best known as the family bedwetter (and the character tasked with shameless product placement as he sips a can of Pepsi at the dinner table).

Unlike his brother, Macaulay, Kieran didn't experience the early pressure of superstardom, making it possible to steadily build a career in Hollywood — though he did appear in "Father of the Bride" and "She's All That" while he was still a kid.

Along with scoring great roles in movies such as "Igby Goes Down" and "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World," he found his stride playing the despicable (and somehow lovable) Roman Roy in "Succession."

He received four Golden Globe nominations in a row for playing Roman, winning on his fourth try for the final season. He also received three Emmy nominations, winning for the final season as well.

In 2024, he co-starred in the dramedy "A Royal Pain" alongside Jesse Eisenberg as a pair of cousins trekking through Poland on a Holocaust tour. He's receiving plenty of buzz for his portrayal of Benji.

Old Man Marley, Kevin's creepy-looking neighbor who Buzz says is a killer but turns out to be a nice grandpa, was played by character actor Roberts Blossom.

Having close to 60 roles over his career, including "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" and "The Last Temptation of Christ," Blossom will forever be known for his role in "Home Alone."

Blossom died at the age of 87 in 2011, per the Los Angeles Times.

John Heard played Kevin's dad, Peter, who stays back with the family in Paris when Kate returns to Kevin.

Heard starred in countless hit movies, including "Big" and "Awakenings," and TV shows. He earned an Emmy nomination for his role as Detective Vin Makazian on "The Sopranos."

Heard died in 2017 at the age of 71, according to The New York Times.

John Candy was good friends with "Home Alone" producer John Hughes, so he agreed to do a cameo in the movie.

In it he plays Gus Polinski, "the polka king of the Midwest," who helps Kate get back to Kevin by driving her home.

Director Chris Columbus told Business Insider in 2020 that most of the lines Candy said as Gus were improvised. Candy's contribution led to some of the funniest moments in the movie.

Candy was an established star when he showed up on "Home Alone." He had already starred in hits such as "Splash," "Trains, Plains, and Automobiles," "Spaceballs," and "Uncle Buck."

Candy died in 1994 at the age of 43.

As a fan of "One Tree Hill," "A Cinderella Story," "Freaky Friday," and even "Agent Carter," it pains me to say this Chad Michael Murray-led holiday rom-com is just bad.

Murray's love interest is played by Britt Robertson, and yet they just don't have chemistry. The plot is nonsensical — three inexperienced male dancers somehow bring in $30,000 for a struggling bar in a tiny town in less than a month — and it doesn't seem as if Murray's or Roberston's characters get a happy ending.

Robertson plays Ashley, who turns down a 25% raise and a three-year contract at her dream job and gives up her New York City apartment to become a choreographer for the male strippers and to date a man she barely knows. Why couldn't Luke (Murray) take his handyman skills to the Big Apple?

Spend your 87 minutes watching two "One Tree Hill" holiday episodes instead.

Christina Milian is one of Netflix's romance queens, and it's easy to see why. She's charming as Layla, our hero, who breaks up with her boyfriend after finding out he's cheating on her and decides to find the man she had a meet-cute with at an airport lounge the year prior.

Yet, that's not what the movie is about. Instead, it's the story of Layla actually falling in love with her personal concierge, Teddy (Devale Ellis).

But … why does she need a personal concierge? And why is the main driving force of this film Layla's desperate need to get tickets to a Pentatonix concert?

Yes, the a cappella sensation Pentatonix plays a huge role in this movie, which unfortunately dates it a bit. There's no denying that the members of Pentatonix are talented (and they're pretty funny in the film), but it's hard to believe anyone cares about them this much in 2024.

Maybe if this movie was made a decade ago when they were at the height of their virality and the a cappella craze led by "Pitch Perfect" and "Glee" was still all the rage, but not now.

I also found it hard to tell whether Layla lived in New York City or was just visiting — I think we're meant to believe she lives in NYC, but she acts like she's never left the suburbs. She unquestioningly trusts a ticket broker who's clearly scamming her, and she doesn't know her way around the city.

This film had its fun (if not a bit misplaced) moments — see: the drag show that happens mid-movie — but the romance ultimately left me a bit bored.

There's a lot happening in "Our Little Secret." Our story begins 10 years after Avery (Lindsay Lohan) and Logan (Ian Harding) have dramatically broken up after a failed proposal from Logan.

They reunite, only to find out that their current significant others, Cameron (Jon Rudnitsky) and Cassie (Katie Baker), are siblings. To avoid any awkwardness, they decide not to tell anyone they're exes — while this doesn't make any sense, it gives ample opportunities for hijinks.

This film lives and dies by its cast, which also includes Kristin Chenoweth and Dan Bucatinsky as Cameron and Cassie's parents and Tim Meadows and Judy Reyes as their family friends; yes, that makes this movie a "Mean Girls" reunion.

Harding and Lohan are both charming in this film, even if their chemistry isn't the strongest we've seen. But Chenoweth is truly off the wall in this film, bringing a "Monster-in-Law" quality to the proceedings.

This is easily the best of Lohan's three Netflix films, and one scene in which she has to act high while reading at a church proves her comedic chops are as strong as ever.

In "Hot Frosty," after Kathy (Lacey Chabert, another holiday-romance queen) is gifted a scarf by her kindly neighbors, she gives it to a strangely jacked snowman.

And wouldn't you know it, the very next day, the juiced-up snowman comes to life and is now a human man named Jack (Dustin Milligan, aka Ted from "Schitt's Creek").

He has the mind of a toddler but somehow speaks perfect English and can learn anything from YouTube except what cancer is. He essentially imprints on Kathy, who's still grieving the loss of her husband.

Does this movie make any sense? Of course not. But under the overwhelming thirstiness for Jack the Hot Snowman, there's a sweet message about learning to paddle your own canoe.

This movie is also elevated by supporting performances from Joe Lo Truglio, Craig Robinson, and Katy Mixon.

Of course, one of Netflix's best holiday films is the one written by the same person who wrote "Love Actually" and features the voice of Logan Roy (Brian Cox) as Santa Claus. Was it even a question?

"That Christmas" owes a lot to "Love Actually," actually, since it has a similar structure of separate yet overlapping stories. One follows a group of parents who have been stranded in a snowbank, another follows Santa as he's caught in a blizzard, and yet another is about a group of kids whose parents cannot get home for Christmas.

The sweet tale features an all-star cast. In addition to Cox, there's Fiona Shaw, Bill Nighy, Jodie Whittaker, and Lolly Adefope.

Plus, it's only 92 minutes, which makes it the perfect runtime for anyone with kids.

"Carry-On" is the exact type of action movie that we love to watch with the whole family during the holidays — it's a little dumb, but highly entertaining.

Taron Egerton (an actual movie star) plays Ethan, a TSA agent who wants nothing more than to become a police officer to support his girlfriend, Nora (Sofia Carson), and their unborn child.

Instead, he gets rejected from the police academy and is forced to work on Christmas Eve — which is when he meets the mysterious Traveler, played by the always-compelling Jason Bateman.

When the Traveler demands Ethan let a suspicious package through security or he'll murder Nora, all hell breaks loose. It's basically "Die Hard" in the airport. Sure, that might already exist as "Die Hard 2," but it doesn't mean it's not exceedingly fun to watch.

If you're part of a family who would rather chug expired egg nog than watch a rom-com, queue up "Carry-On." You won't regret it.