A Movie Marathon for all 8 Nights of Chanukah

By Elana Spivack

It’s almost time to fry up some latkes and fulfill the 11th commandment by observing a movie marathon for each day of Chanukah. Here are some Jewy suggestions that are perfect for the occasion:

Night 1: “Little Fockers”
(Available on Amazon Prime and YouTube)

This third installment of the “Meet the Parents” saga is a phenomenal way to start the holiday for five reasons:

1. Barbra Streisand
2. Barbra Streisand
3. Barbra Streisand
4. Barbra Streisand
5. The classic trope of neurotic Jewish family meets WASPy family for the holidays, and chaos ensues.

Night 2: “An American Tail”
(Available on Amazon Prime and Netflix)

Steven Spielberg’s first animated production tells the story of plucky young Fievel Mousekewitz. The film opens with a Chanukah celebration where Papa Mousekewitz gifts Fievel his hat before they embark to America.

Oh yeah, and it’s a musical. Bring latkes and tissues.

Night 3: “Full-Court Miracle”
(Available on Amazon Prime and YouTube)

I’m livid that this Disney Channel Original Movie hasn’t reached the heights of “High School Musical” or “Cadet Kelly.” Based on a true story, this uplifting 2003 movie puts a modern-day spin on the story of the Maccabees as a Jewish boys’ basketball team search for a coach to lead them to victory.

Night 4: “Hitched for the Holidays”
(Available on Amazon Prime and YouTube)

Would any holiday season be complete without a Hallmark TV movie? This cheesy romance from 2012 shows yet another Chanukah-meets-Christmas, but with a twist: Julie finds a temporary boyfriend, Rob, to placate her Jewish mother for the holiday season (#relatable). Will the nice Jewish girl really fall for a Catholic schoolboy? Yes. Obviously. It’s a Hallmark TV movie.

Night 5: The TV specials

Binge these excellent holiday specials and skits all at once! Here is the absolute correct order in which to watch them:

“Saturday Night Live”: “Hanukkah Harry”
“Saturday Night Live”: Adam Sandler’s “Hanukkah Song”
“Friends”: “The One with the Holiday Armadillo”
“The OC”: “Best Chrismukkah Ever”
“Rugrats”: “A Rugrats Chanukah”

Night 6: “Hanukkah the Movie”

Consider this the experimental day of Chanukah. Give the gift of funding the Indiegogo for this bizarre Chanukah-slasher film. Then go call your parents.

Night 7: “The Hebrew Hammer”
(Available on Amazon Prime)

This Jewish sendup of Blaxploitation films, starring Adam Goldberg, gives us the perfect Chanukah hero. Or at least a Chanukah hero.

Night 8: “8 Crazy Nights”
(Available on Amazon Prime and YouTube)

You knew this one was coming. It sums up the last eight days: animation, basketball, Adam Sandler, Chanukah and lots of grownup humor.

Elana Spivack is a New York-based freelance writer. This article was provided by Alma via the JTA global news source.