Top 8 Christmas Movies
These are my personal favorite Christmas Movies. I consider these movies that you can watch more than once and enjoy them each and every year. Each has a bit of personal meaning for me
Every year, it seems, we get an influx of new Chirstmas Movies, most of which are probably on the hallmark channel. I was thinking about what people are watching on this wonderful holiday, and I decided create a list of my own personal favorites. It would be my guess that most of these would live on your personal list too. I don’t love the older classics that you find on most pundits’ lists, like “It’s a Wonderful Life” or “Miracle on 34th Street”. I do recognized that these are classics films, but just not favorites of mine. You can either agree or disagree, but it is what it is….
It’s Christmas Movie Time!
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8 – A Christmas Story
A Christmas movie wouldn’t be a list without a Christmas Story, but it’s no longer one of my favorites (if it ever was). It could just be exhaustion from the last 20 years of seeing it so many times. I think it’s TNT that plays this for 24 hours straight on Christmas eve (It’s a Major Award!). I do think that everyone needs to see this movie multiple times to really appreciate the season. It is a good addition to any Christmas movie collection, but I will keep it at the bottom of my list for now.
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7 – How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)
To fully appreciate this version of the story, you might have had to been a fan of Dr. Seuss books growing up. The animation, the poetry and the pure creativity really is one of a kind. For a cartoon created in 1966, it has two things going for it. One, it is a classic story that everyone seems to know and enjoy, and two, it’s only 30 minutes. A fantastic quick hit for Christmas that everyone can enjoy. I do prefer this classic to Jim Carey’s live action remake. He was a little too over the top for me in that version.
6 – Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)
I recently made my 11 year old sit through this one, and to her credit, she made it all the way through. Made in 1964, the claymation/animation effects, while cute, are hard to watch for too long. I can also do without the length of some the Christmas songs. With the blatent discrimanation aside, the overall nostalgia was in high gear for me. I had, however, forgotten how many times I find myself quoting this movie and don’t even realize it. If you havent watched this one is a long time, take a journey back to the land of misfit toys and give yourself a laugh.
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5 – The Santa Claus
I do love me some Tim Allen, and oddly enough this was a great fit for him. As any adult would be, he’s very sinical and snarky about Santa Claus, until he becomes him. It’s easy to enjoy all the imagination put into what becoming Santa Clause would actually entail. Holding it together is the belief and hope that his son has in him throughout the movie, is heartfelt, and it pays off when Tim Allen comes around at the end and realizes the true meaning of Christmas
4 – National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
A classic comedy, no doubt about that. This is a movie that you can watch any time of year, not just during Christmas time. Clark Griswold is his usual self destructive self, with a little help from cousin Eddie. This film touches on most of the pains of hosting Christmas with a larger family and In-Laws. But despite its predictability, it’s a like a car wreck that nbody can turn away from.
3 – Muppets Christmas Carol
My only disappointment in this movie, is that I could never get my older kids to sit and watch it. The Muppets were before their time, and I never broke down and forced them to sit through it. Without a history of knowing who the main muppets are, some of the enjoyability could be lost. Michael Caine is as good in this, as he is in the Batman trilogy. I am also not afraid to admit, that I get emotional at the end every time, without fail. That Tiny Tim….
2 – Elf
What’s not to love about this movie? Will Ferrell is at his funniest in this film and seems move than comfortable playing an oversized elf. It’s a great original story that keeps you laughing the entire time. Its a fresh and entertaining story that is just really rewatchable. Elf is another movie that I can’t help myself from quoting all year long. And of course, like all Christmas movies should, it pulls at your heart strings just enough to know, that you too, have the Christmas spirit in you.
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1 – Home Alone
Having watched this one recently (and recorded a podcast episode about it) I was pleasantly surprised how much this movie has held up throughout the years. I’m very thankful that I didn’t grow up with mom and dad McCallister. All the antics from the “Fun House” are still a joy to watch and make me cringe just enough. Home Alone still ranks at the top of my list Christmas movies and should be the go-to Christmas movie for anyone with a heart
What movie would you add to this list?
