Stuck on which movies to watch this holiday season? Look no further! Here is our guide to the top 10 must-watch Christmas movies!
It’s a Wonderful Life
Often regarded as the world’s favorite Christmas movie, It’s a Wonderful Life is the perfect thing to watch with your friends and family. The movie opens on a snowy Christmas Eve when a guardian angel, Clarence, hears word that a man named George Bailey is considering ending his life. To save his soul, George’s guardian angel must remind him of the true meaning of life. Taking him back through various moments of his life, Clarence shows George the challenges he’s faced, the friends he’s made, the sacrifices he’s given, and so much more. In just 2 hours, this 1946 black-and-white film can show you the true gift of life and remind you of Clarence and other angels every time a bell rings!
RUDOLPH
A heartwarming classic, the 1964 stop-motion Rudolph movie is perfect for a quick watch full of holiday spirit. With its unique animation style, family-friendly plot line, and usage of many familiar characters, this movie is perfect for people of any age searching for some holiday spirit-packed nostalgia. The movie carries with it important life lessons that are great for kids, such as how to get over setbacks and differences. In Rudolph’s case, his difference is his bright red nose, but he is able to turn that into an advantage and overcome being outcasted. This development does not come without challenges— watch the movie to see how Rudolph leaves his town, gets stuck in a snowstorm, makes new friends, and more!
HOME ALONE
After being accidentally abandoned by his family while they go on their Christmas vacation, 8-year-old Kevin turns every kid’s worst nightmare into a thrilling experience with unique ups and downs. In a family of seven, it’s easy to get overlooked as the youngest child. This movie takes that experience to the extreme by following Kevin as he struggles with being left home alone during the holidays—while his family enjoys a trip to Paris—ultimately having to fight for his life against robbers hoping to steal from the homes of rich families on vacation. Regardless of the difficulties he faces, Kevin makes the most of his freedom and ends up having a rather exciting Christmas. Enjoyed the first movie? Don’t forget to check out the sequel!
A CHRISTMAS STORY
Oh, fudge! Of course, that’s not what little Ralphie really said. A Christmas Story is the perfect movie for some comedic relief on Christmas day. Between a leg lamp, a young boy’s tongue getting stuck to a pole, a chaotic visit to mall Santa, a Christmas dinner at a Chinese restaurant, and many more, the movie is packed with comedic scenes that will have the whole family laughing. The plot follows a 9-year-old boy throughout the ups and downs of his Christmas season, ultimately teaching viewers that maybe they shouldn’t ask for a BB gun this holiday season. Overall, it’s a perfect watch for someone looking to reminisce on the innocence of experiencing the holidays as a child. Don’t shoot your eyes out!
POLAR EXPRESS
Choo Choo! All aboard the one and only Polar Express! Our scene is set in Grand Rapids, with families decorating trees, shopkeepers selling all kinds of toys, and of course, all the children excited for the arrival of a certain red-hatted, present-bringing old man, all except for one… Billy. However, his friend and main protagonist, Hero Boy, is determined to change that! But how? Enter the conductor of the one and only, Polar Express! In an attempt to prove Santa’s existence, Hero Boy boards the conductor’s train, chugging on straight to the North Pole. While on this ride, Hero Boy meets two friends also looking to meet Santa! Together, they all learn about the true meaning of Christmas spirit and Hero Boy even finds a way to teach Billy it as well.
A Charlie Brown Christmas
With his head hanging low and a sense of lost faith in humanity, Charlie Brown frowns on the heavy commercialization of Christmas, feeling like it has steered too far off track. In hopes of regaining his spirit, he takes it upon himself to direct the local school’s Christmas pageant–only to once again be let down by the other children’s misinterpretation of Christmas. In adopting a shriveled Christmas tree and talking with his friend Linus, Charlie Brown remembers the true meaning of Christmas and spreads the joy with his friends and family. This short film is guaranteed to put you in the Christmas spirit and leave you grateful for your Christmas; however, it may look but surely with Charlie Brown Christmas tunes left ringing in your head.
Miracle on 34th Street
Is Santa Claus real? A question many seem to have a sure answer to with 9-year-old Suzan Walker being one of them. Living in the city, Suzan and her mom, Doris Walker, are content with the life they’ve built together; a life filled with love, care, and honesty (including the truth about Santa). But that contentment changes when two men enter their lives; Fred Gailey, their next-door neighbor, and a Mr. Kringle–who claims to be Santa Claus! Needing a house, Mr. Kringle keeps reappearing in the Walker’s lives as he is taken in by Fred Gailey, becoming the Walker’s new neighbor! And so Suzan’s attitude starts to change toward Christmas as she is introduced to a new world of red and green with her friend Mr. Kringle. Meanwhile, Doris Walker still tries to reject all ‘nonsense’ about Santa Claus and her hand-lending next-door neighbor Mr. Gailey. With Christmas spirit in the air, Mr. Kringle takes these girls on a journey, opening their hearts and minds to all the joy and love that Christmas brings.
LOVE ACTUALLY
Love, actually, is all around. Do you love rom-coms or holiday movies? This movie is both in one! By jumping between the plotlines of 8 very unique couples, this fan favorite encapsulates the feeling of love during the holiday season. It utilizes the emotion of love to show all the different ways people can be linked to one another—even in the most unexpected ways—and plays out by way of a 5-week Christmas countdown format. Viewers are kept entertained by the various characters, including a British prime minister, an Englishman looking for love in America, a grumpy singer, a Portuguese maid, and many more. The best part? They’re all connected in some way! If you’ve never watched Love Actually, this holiday season is the time to do so.
GRINCH
He’s a mean one… Mr. Grinch! Doctor Suess’s “The Grinch” has gotten a lot of different adaptations over the years, but the original 1966 cartoon remains an American classic. Our story takes place deep in the depths of Whoville where the green, hairy, grumpy Grinch and his dog Max live. The children of Whoville know to steer clear of his cave, but one little girl just can’t stay away. Sick of the town’s joyful holiday spirit, the Grinch starts to plot. His new master plan would involve stealing all the town’s gifts which in his eyes meant stealing Whoville’s Christmas. In a turn of events, Cindy Loo Who attempts to show Mr. Grinch the true meaning of Christmas. She shows him and the rest of the audience that Christmas isn’t just about gifts. The most important part is spending it with loved ones, which in some cases involves spending it with a green, hairy, not-so-grumpy Grinch!
ELF
Spaghetti topped with maple syrup? Yum! At least, as long as you’re in Buddy the Elf’s kitchen. Meet Buddy who was born a human and then turned into a North Pole Elf! Buddy and the rest of Santa’s Elves work hard every year to make sure Christmas is packed with the jolly cheers of children all around the world! This year something is different. The Christmas Spirit is lacking! His whole life, Buddy has been raised, taught, and worked with the elves of Santa’s workshop. But, he decided it was time for a new chapter in his life. He ventures out into New York City with hopes of meeting his biological father. There’s only one problem- his father is on Santa’s naughty list! Buddy decides that he is going to help his grumpy biological dad regain that Christmas spirit! However, this process may have involved the consumption of cotton balls, dancing on mail room tables, a snowball fight involving a bunch of middle schoolers, and even… a new potential love interest for Buddy? Stay off Santa’s naughty list this year by watching “Elf” and find out how Buddy saves his father and the rest of the world from certain Christmas spirit doom!
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