By: Alyviah Sanchez
It’s almost Winter Break which means funny heartfelt Christmas movies to get you in the holiday spirit. Many Christmas movies have been made over the years and Hollywood continues to make more, but there are some true classics that are undeniably rewatchable and irreplaceable. Below are 12 Christmas movies that are perfect for family movie nights this holiday season.
How the Grinch stole Christmas (2000)
Rent or Buy – Rated PG
The live action adaptation of How the Grinch Stole Christmas starring Jim Carey as the Grinch who decides to take any holiday related item away from the cheerful citizens of Whoville and ruin Christmas. But when he runs into the endearing Cindy Lou who his plans change.
Home Alone (1990)
Streaming on Disney+ – Rated PG
8-year-old Kevin is left home alone when his family goes on their Christmas Vacation. Kevin thinks this is the perfect opportunity to do whatever he wants, but then a pair of burglars plan to rob the house. Kevin must do what he can to defend the home.
Elf (2003)
Streaming on Hulu & MAX – Rated PG
Buddy (Will Ferrel) raised as an over sized elf feels out of place at the North pole. And when he learns he’s actually a human he travels to New York City to find his biological father. Yet, Buddy and his father struggle to connect and it leads to chaotic results. Elf is a spirited family comedy perfect for the holiday season.
The Polar Express (2004)
Streaming on Hulu & MAX – Rated G
A film made entirely of motion capture animation. A young boy is woken up on Christmas Eve by a steam locomotive outside his home ready to take him to the North Pole. When he boards the train he is in for a magical adventure filled with friends, laughter, and tap dancing waiters.
The Santa Clause (1994)
Streaming on Disney+ – Rated PG
When divorcee Scott Calvin (Tim Allen) accidentally kills Santa on Christmas Eve he must take his place and finish delivering the rest of the presents. Reluctant Scott takes his son Charlie with him to the North Pole and find out that he has one year to become the New Santa, but when his custody agreement is jeopardized he must mend his broken family.
Frosty The Snowman (1969)
Rent or Buy – Rated G
A magical top hat brings to life a snowman that a group of children created, but when the temperature starts to rise and the owner of the top hat wants it back, Frosty must figure out a way to get to the North pole or he will melt and no longer be jolly.
A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
Streaming on Apple TV – Not Rated
This Christmas special is a pure heartfelt comedy. Charlie is worried that children now are only worried about presents during the holidays. When he becomes the director of the school’s Christmas pageant no one pays attention to him. This film discusses the true meaning of Christmas and to this day still remains as an important holiday movie standard.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)
Rent or Buy – Rated G
A stop motion animation of a classic Christmas story. The little reindeer Rudolph is bullied for having a glowing red nose. When he finds a friend who is an outcast just like him the pair struggle to be accepted.
Miracle on 34th street (1947)
Streaming on Disney+, Prime Video, & Hulu – Not Rated
An old man claiming to be Kris Kringle takes over for an intoxicated Santa in a Macy’s annual Thanksgiving Day Parade. Kringle becomes a crowd hit and continues to appear at the main store in Manhattan. When Kris lets it slip to others claiming he is the real Santa Claus it leads to a court case. The court now must determine Kringle’s mental health and also his true identity.
A Christmas Carol (2009)
Streaming on Disney+ – Rated PG
Ebenezer Scrooge is a cynical man who believes Christmas to be a bunch of Humbug. He hates all joy and cheer but when Scrooge encounters the ghost of his late business partner he is warned three more spirits will appear. He is then stuck with reliving his past, present, and future in hopes of changing his bitter attitude.
A Christmas Story (1983)
Streaming on MAX – Rated PG
The film follows the story of 9-year-old Ralphie days before Christmas dreaming of his perfect gift, that he is most unlikely to get. Ralphie and his family experience the dreams and disasters of the holiday season. A Christmas Story has the occasional dark comedy while also bringing in the nostalgia and sentiments the holiday season entails.
The Christmas Chronicles (2018)
Stream on Netflix – Rated PG
This Netflix Original Movie follows a sibling duo determined to catch Santa, but then they accidentally end up hitching a ride on Santa’s sleigh. When the plan goes awry the kids team up with Saint Nick and his elves to save the holiday before the time runs out and it’s too late.
Honorable Mentions
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Streaming on Disney+ – Rated PG
A Halloween and Christmas film rolled into one. Jack Skellington is “The Pumpkin King” of HalloweenTown. Jack slowly grows bored of the same scaring routine of his town. And when he stumbles upon Christmas town he’s determined to celebrate the holiday of cheer.
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)
Streaming on Disney+- Rated PG
Kevin McCallister is back! In this film young Kevin gets separated from his father in an airport and catches a ride on a plane to New York City while his family heads off to Florida. Kevin now alone in New York staying at the Plaza must stop the sticky bandits from robbing a toy store before Christmas.