My Favorite Christmas Movies of All Time

I cannot even being to count the ways that I love the holidays and especially, Christmas. Other than getting together with family and enjoying amazing food, I also get a kick out of watching all my favorite classic holiday flicks. As of lately, I have been watching 25 Days of Christmas on ABC Family. The series started on December 1st, but if you have missed any, no worries, it doesn’t end until the 25th! All the movies they air give me that Christmas cheer, but of course, I have my favorites.

The Family Man

I love this one. It was made in 2000, which was apparently the last time Nicholas Cage seemed halfway normal and may I say, handsome? According to IMDB, “A fast-lane investment broker offered the opportunity to see how the other half lives, wakes up to find that his sports car and girlfriend have become a mini-van and wife.” This is a great one to watch if you may be having a difficult time appreciating what you have, and feel yourself wanting more during the holidays.

Elf

Who DOESN’T love this movie? Furthermore, who DOESN’T adore Will Ferrell? Obviously, the thought of an overgrown elf is comical in itself, but this movie has a lot more humor to offer than just that. According to IMDB,  “After inadvertently wreaking havoc on the elf community due to his ungainly size, a man raised as an elf at the North Pole is sent to the U.S. in search of his true identity.” If you need a good laugh, this one’s for you.

Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Yep, this one is a classic. In fact, I am sure there is not one American out there who has not at least read the book. According to IMDB, “Big budget remake of the classic cartoon about a creature intent on stealing Christmas.” And big budget it is! For being released in 2000, this movie has AMAZING graphics and the acting cannot be beat!

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

I actually watched this one last night. There is not one scene in this entire movie that doesn’t make me roll on the floor. I love all of the National Lampoon films, but this one blows them all out of the water. It’s a classic, must see. IMDB describes this comedy as,” The Griswold family's plans for a big family Christmas predictably turn into a big disaster.” On that note, what Griswold family adventure DOESN’T turn into a complete disaster?

Home Alone

I think all the Home Alone movies are really humorous, but the original takes the cake for me. I remember being a kid and wishing the same thing would have happened to me. Well, minus the crooks, I guess. IMDB says, “An 8-year-old boy, who is accidentally left behind while his family flies to France for Christmas, has to defend his home against idiotic burglars.” I love all the booby traps he sets for the bad guys. Kids really are smarter than we give them credit for.

The Polar Express

I saw this one in theaters when it was released and now that I think back, I was barely a teenager at the time. I cannot believe it’s been that long, because, thinking back on this movie, I remember it having the best special effects I have ever seen. If I remember correctly, it was one of the first movies that used the new animation (sorry, can’t think of the term), that makes the characters look eerily real. IMDB describes this movie as, “On Christmas Eve, a doubting boy boards a magical train that's headed to the North Pole and Santa Claus's home.”  This truly is a fascinating movie.

A Christmas Story

My list would not be complete without this movie. Where do I even begin describing this one? I guess you will just have to watch it yourself to find out. Even if I am so busy around Christmas, that I miss all of my above favorite movies, I NEVER miss this one. In fact, it’s tradition that I watch it on both Thanksgiving AND Christmas. IMDB says, “Ralphie has to convince his parents, teachers, and Santa that a Red Ryder B.B. gun really is the perfect gift for the 1940s.” I have been known to use the phrase “Ralphie, wait up!” on numerous occasions. I think I will throw this one in the XBOX right now.

I could go on all day telling you about all the classic holiday movies, but these are my top ones. Check them out if you haven’t seen them and also turn the channel to ABC Family and catch the last week of “25 Days of Christmas!”  Merry Christmas!