My Top 10 Must See Christmas Movies
My movie addiction is legendary in certain circles. I’ll give just about anything a chance, and 99.9% of the time I can find something redeeming about a film.
Addiction aside there are very few instances where I HAVE to watch a movie. One of those instances would be in October, leading up to Halloween. The other would be December with, you guessed it, Christmas movies.
When it comes to these two seasons, I’m fairly boring. I keep going back for the same movies over and over again. Every once in a while a new movie is good enough to get added to my “must see” holiday lists, but overall this list is pretty static.
Without further ado, here are the 10 Christmas movies that I MUST watch every year:
10. It’s A Wonderful Life
There’s nothing like kicking off a list like this on a controversial note. There are a lot of people out there that consider It’s A Wonderful Life the end all, be all of Christmas movies. And I can’t blame them.
The movie is dark in ways that modern movies just can’t seem to match. We feel a real sense of loss along with George Bailey. And just as quickly our emotions are turned to joy as George realizes everything he DOES have.
I’ll admit, I cry nearly every time. Zuzu’s petals? Fuggedaboutit.
There is only one reason It’s A Wonderful Life is so low on my list: I honestly didn’t see it until about 4 years ago. I know, I know. But I am a convert, and if you ask me in 10 years this movie will likely slide WAY up the list.
9. Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer
Plain and simple: I grew up with Rudolph. The stop motion animation. The musical numbers. It works its way into your heart and sets up shop.
8. Miracle On 34th Street
I LOVE the original Miracle On 34th Street. It’s the quintessential Christmas miracle story. Who HASN’T wished that they had a direct line to Santa Claus?
I do have a dirty secret, though: I like the remake too.
They each have their unique charm, and both are must watch films for me every December.
7. How The Grinch Stole Christmas
Unlike Miracle On 34th Street, I’m strictly talking the original here. The classic, animated TV special with none other than Boris Karloff as the Grinch. A great story of how the spirit of Christmas can soften ANY heart.
This one generally makes its way to several different networks during the holiday season.
6. The Santa Clause
Yeah, yeah. Thing is, when it comes to Christmas movies I lean toward those that I grew up with. At the risk of dating myself Tim Allen first donned the big red suit when I was just 10 years old, at the absolute height of Christmas spirit.
I can also admit to liking The Santa Clause 2, though I would steer away from 3. The idea feels a little played out the third time around.
5. Jingle All The Way
I’ve actually seen quite a few articles on the intertubez hating on this movie lately. Poster child for the commercialization of Christmas or somesuch.
Can’t say that I care. It’s funny. It’s charming. And like quite a few other actors, I think Ahnold is actually a better actor when playing comedy as opposed to the straight man.
4. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
I have to admit, I hadn’t seen this one until a couple of years ago. It was one of those movies that I was going to get around to watching. Now, I’m sorry that didn’t happen sooner.
From non-functional Christmas lights to exploding chemical toilets, if you can’t find something to laugh at in this Christmas/comedy classic there is something seriously wrong with you.
3. The Polar Express
I pretty much ignored The Polar Express when it was released. One of my wife’s absolute favorites, it sort of automatically made it onto my Christmas radar. And all I can say is IT’S ABOUT TIME.
THIS MOVIE IS GORGEOUS. I’m going to go out on a limb and say that this could be the perfect Christmas movie. It touches on just about every aspect of the Holiday, from how Santa delivers all his presents to what happens to unused toys.
Seriously, if it weren’t for some serious personal bias The Polar Express would be number one.
2. A Christmas Carol
A Christmas Carol HAS to get some serious props. The underlying story is better than 160 years old and STILL being adapted for modern audiences.
This is THE quintessential Christmas story, as it deals with the magic the Holiday has to allow each of us a fresh start, no matter what mistakes may lurk in our past.
Note I didn’t say WHICH version of A Christmas Carol is on this list. That’s because I’ve seen about a dozen versions, from film to TV to high school drama clubs. I love this story in just about every incarnation. Keep an eye out for an upcoming post for my favorite versions…
1. A Christmas Story
You’ll shoot your eye out.
Despite having heard that a time or two, is there any other Christmas movie that truly captures the feeling we, as kids, had during the Christmas season? The trees. The Christmas displays. Waiting (not so) patiently, counting the days, wishing Christmas would just come already.
This movie bounces between TNT and TBS from year to year, but one or the other ALWAYS plays it non-stop from 8 pm on Christmas Eve to 8 pm on Christmas Day, giving you plenty of chances if you’ve never seen it.
Personally, it’s not Christmas unless I’ve seen A Christmas Story at least 3 times.
How about you, are there any favorite movies that you HAVE to watch come Christmastime?
photo credit: kevin dooley via photopin cc/ / Brightness reduced from original