Their are so many wonderful holiday traditions that people cherish at this time of year. One that I think most take part in is watching Christmas movies as a family or with your loved ones. Whether it is a classic like “White Christmas”, or a new release like “Klaus,” sitting by the fire with a cup of hot coco cuddled in a blanket with the family should never be taken for granted.
Here I am going through a list of the top five Christmas movies you should make sure and watch every Christmas season. Of course, I took into consideration what other outlets had to say on the matter, but my expertise on the subject took final say in the rankings here.
- It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)– Okay so if you haven’t seen this film I need you to stop reading this right now and go watch it. Seriously. This movie encapsulates what truly matters and uses Christmas to tie it all together. Jimmy Stewart plays a man on the brink of suicide when an angel comes down and shows him all the good his life has done for other people and what would have happened if he wasn’t ever born. It’s a story that makes you warm in the heart and brings a smile across the face
- A Christmas Story (1983)– Woah everyone be careful watching this movie you wouldn’t want to shoot your eye out! This is a wonderful adventure of a boy on his mission to get the “Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle.” It’s a nostalgia filled wonderland full of quotes that I am sure you’ve heard at the annual Christmas party.
- Elf (2003)– Their aren’t a whole lot of movies that bring the childlike Christmas spirit like this one. Will Ferrell makes you bust your gut practically the whole film with his green tights and his childlike ignorance to the real world. The story of the human elf bringing Christmas spirit back to New York City is as wholesome as ever and is maybe the most popular Christmas movie of the century. Plus now we all know that Santa does not smell like beef and cheese.
- Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (1964)– It’s not a top 5 Christmas movie list without this movie on it. We all know the fun Christmas song about the tail of reindeer who lights up the way for Santa, but seeing the story unfold is even more marvelous than singing along. The stop motion animation is ahead of its time and watching Rudolph find his place among the other reindeer is always endearing. A simple lesson of judging someone by their character and not their appearance is perfect for this holiday season. As my mom always likes to quote to me during holiday dinners: “Eat papa! Eat!”
- Home Alone (1990)– I would be remised if I didn’t mention what maybe the most iconic Christmas movie ever in the list to watch this season. Macaulay Culkin’s boyish charm is still evident as ever and the endless slapstick pranks are timeless. Catherine O’Hara gives a hilarious performance as the mother and we all get that child like mindset back when watching this film. What would you have done at 8 years old with the family gone across the country? I like to think I could have been as half as clever as Kevin was.
Honorable Mentions- With a list of 5 wonderful Christmas movies, it goes without saying that thier are a few that were right on the brink but didn’t make the cut. Here are a few of those movies that are also great watches for the holiday season with the family:
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
