top of page
Jordan Beaudoin

Top 10 Christmas Movies

For many years, during the holidays, families love to get together, and besides eating, they love to do one thing together: sit down and watch Christmas movies together. Some are more popular than others. Here are our choices for the holiday season picked from our readers!

  1. Elf

Elf was the number one vote by our voters for our polls. There is no soul in the world that does not know about the film Elf; this is a fun film for everyone to know and watch. They have classic lines such as, "Santa! I know him!" or fun lines such as, "Bye Buddy, I hope you find your dad!" Initially released in 2003 following a star-studded cast such as Will Ferrel, James Caan, and others, this film has become well-known over the years.

In The film Elf, we meet Buddy the Elf, who mistakenly goes to the North Pole as a young child. Buddy ends up growing up with all of the other Elves but notices as he gets older that he is not like the rest of them. Buddy has come to terms with going to New York City in full uniform to find his father. Buddy Finds his dad, Walter Hobbs (James Caan), a cynical businessman. After a DNA test, Walter does his best to have a relationship with his son, but with Buddy's childish ways, things become more chaotic for him.


2. Home Alone

This one is fun and came in second from many of our readers. Home Alone and many all-time favorites for people who enjoy a good laugh and Christmas film. Initially released in 1996, the story of Home Alone is known by many. This film follows another star-studded cast, including Macaulay Culkin, Catherine O'Hara, Joe Pesci, and other well-known actors and actresses. This is one that the family can sit down together and genuinely enjoy, especially with the Antics of the protagonist that follows.

Home Alone is about an eight-year-old boy named Kevin McCallister. For a child, he often acts spoiled and slightly bratty. His entire family is set to go on a family vacation to Paris for several weeks. When the McCallisters wake up late and leave late the next day, they mistakenly forget about Kevin, who is now home alone. While Kevin is enjoying his peace, thinking that he wished his entire family away, Kevin learns that two criminals are trying to break into his family home. That being said, Kevin does everything to protect the house.


3. The Grinch (2000)

Over the years, there have been many adaptations of Dr.Seusses The Grinch. Many of our readers chose this third in our polls. The one that has always stood out to everyone is Jim Carrey's Grinch from the year 2000. This film has become a classic and delightful for the family. This brings smiles following the grinches' antics throughout the film. Many have said the movie has scenes relatable to everyday life. This film shows the message of love and friendship throughout this movie. One that many enjoy.

The Grinch (2000) follows the Grinch (Jim Carrey) in a live-action viewing. As the classic story goes, the Grinch hates Christmas and decides that one way or another, he will ruin Christmas for everyone who lives in Whoville. He steals Christmas trees, presents, and the roast beast, but he is stopped when he meets little Cindy Lu Who (Taylor Momsen), who puts things into perspective for him—a truly classic story for anyone.


4. Polar Express

The Polar Express was released in 2004. Starring Tom Hanks as most of the cast, among other names such as Josh Hutcherson, Eddie Deezen, and others, this film is lovable for all kids and families, regardless of age. Adapted from the book by Chris Van Allsburg, The Polar Express is brought to life.

The story follows a young boy who follows his doubt in Santa Claus. He takes an extraordinary ride to the North Pole, where he makes friends and self-discovery. He learns never to doubt Christmas or anything that he sees or believes.


5. National Lampoons Christmas Vacation

National Lampoons Christmas Vacation has become a family favorite over the years. Every year, people quote lines from this movie, such as "We're at the Threshold of Hell," or other lines, such as Clark Griswald's famous meltdown scene. This film was released in 1989 and has stood the test of time to be a family favorite.

National Lampoons' Christmas vacation starts with Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase), who wants a perfect family Christmas. Clark pesters his wife, Ellen (Beverly D'Angelo), and children as he tries to get his perfect Christmas together. However, things go downhill quickly. His hick cousin, Eddie (Randy Quaid), and his family show up unplanned and start living in their camper on the Griswold property. There is more that goes downhill in the fun old family, family-fashioned Christmas.


6. White Christmas

White Christmas has been around since 1954. It is a film full of beautiful music, happiness, and a story that can be followed. In today's world, this movie still stands as one of the best at Christmas time. This film stars Vera-Ellen, Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, and Rosemary Clooney. It is an enjoyable movie for the entire family.

The film follows the story of four protagonists, Singers Bob Wallace (Bill Crosby) and Phil Davis (Danny Kaye), who partner up with the sister act Betty (Rosemary Clooney) and Judy (Vera-Ellen) in rural Vermont. Upon their arrival, they run into the boy's old General, General Waverly (Dean Jagger). The boys learn that he has a failing Inn. The four decided to put on a musical extravaganza to get people and friends to come and stay at his inn. This is truly a great story in the history of Christmas films.


7. It's a Wonderful Life

It's a Wonderful Life has been a traditional Christmas movie for many years. Initially released in 1947, the film remains very popular: Donna Reed and James Stewart star as leading the characters in this classic.

The film It's a Wonderful Life shows a man named George Bailey (James Stewart) and his many problems. As George runs into many issues and ones that get him into serious trouble in the film, it makes him want to throw his entire life away. As George is about to jump off the bridge, he is greeted by his guardian angel, Clarence (Henry Travers), who shows him all of the beautiful things he has had in his life and all the wonderful things he did. This is a film that sends a message in the best way possible.


8. A Christmas Story

A Christmas story is another family favorite that everyone knows and loves by heart. This film stars Peter Billingsly playing the role of Raphie Parker. The film humorously follows the writings of Jean Shepard.

Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsly) is the main character in the film. The film follows the story of this boy who often dreams of getting a "Red Ryder air Rifle" and dogging one of his bullies. Ralphie often runs into issues with his father within the movie but gets along with his mother. He struggles to make it to Christmas day with his hopes and glasses intact.


9. The Santa Clause 2

The Santa Clause series is another fun set of films released since the early 2000s. Many people have said they like the first film, but more often than not, they have chosen the second film from this series. The second Santa Claus, starring Tim Allen, tells a story of love and family during Christmas time. The film also throws in other fun factors to focus on.

The Santa Clause 2 welcomes the return of Scott Calvin and his son Charlie. Scott has become the Santa Clause for the last eight years since the original release of the first film. He discovers his son Charlie has made the naughty list a month before Christmas. Scott also discovers that he needs to find a wife before Christmas, and he only has a month to do it. The Santa Clause 2 is a great film to look into for the whole family to watch together.


10. Jingle All the Way

Jingle is a favorite by a few, but it is not much talked about by many. This film was initially released in 1996, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger as the protagonist in the story. This film follows a relationship with a man, his job, and his family. Jingle, all the way, primarily focuses on putting family first before letting other things get in the way. It's an excellent film for the whole family to watch and has a fun story to tell with the meaning of Christmas behind it.

The story behind this film is that the protagonist, Workaholic Howard Langston (Arnold Schwarzenegger), wants to fix things with his son. After promising his son that he would get him the best Christmas present in the whole world, in this case, his son is a Turboman action figure. By the time Howard goes to get the toy around Christmas Eve, every store is sold out of Turbomans. Langston does everything he can to get this toy for his son. He even begins to question his morals but, in the process, learns about what Christmas means.

This is a film for the whole family.

Comments


bottom of page