Whether you are watching them for the first time or the hundredth time, these top-rated holiday movies are sure to put you in a good mood. Grab some popcorn, hot chocolate and your friends and family – and settle in for a festive movie marathon this winter!
10. It’s a Wonderful Life
This holiday classic from 1946, is the perfect feel good movie for the holiday season. Banker George Bailey, facing arrest and financial ruin, is feeling hopeless until an angel appears to remind him of all of the good he has done in his life.
9. Elf
We dare you to watch this star-studded comedy, featuring Will Ferrell and Zoey Deschanel, without laughing. Fun for the whole family, this light-hearted film will restore your faith in Santa.
8. Christmas Vacation
Chevy Chase brings the laughs as Clark Griswold, a man trying desperately to cling to his sanity while a cast of wild characters, including his wacky extended family, neighbors Margo and Todd, and his boss, threaten to ruin is happy holidays.
7. A Charlie Brown Christmas
This animated television special follows Charlie Brown and the entire Peanuts crew as they try to put on a festive Christmas play. However, they can’t perform the play until they find the perfect Christmas tree. Short and sweet, “A Charlie Brown Christmas” is a much watch movie for families.
6. White Christmas
Sing along with Bing Crosby and crew as they belt out what have become some of the best-known holiday classics while trying to plan a festive holiday show to save the Inn of an old war friend.
5. A Christmas Story
Ralphie has his heart set on getting a BB Gun for Christmas, but the adults in his life keep telling him, “You’ll shoot your eye out.” Follow along and find out if Ralphie’s Christmas dreams come true.
4. The Nightmare Before Christmas
While technically a Halloween movie, fans of this film watch it all season long, due to Jack Skellington trying to steal Christmas.
“Part avant-garde art film, part amusing but morbid fairy tale, it is a delightfully ghoulish holiday musical that displays more inventiveness in its brief 75 minutes than some studios can manage in an entire year,” says Kenneth Turan of the Los Angeles Times.
3. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
This stop motion Christmas classic that tells the story of everyone’s favorite reindeer is the perfect movie to cozy up and watch with your kids on a cold December evening.
2. Miracle on 34th Street
The story of a New York City department store Santa Claus who claims to be the real Santa has become an ultimate Christmas favorite across generations.
1. How the Grinch Stole Christmas
This movie has been a classic for years for a reason. The heart-warming story of an ostracized outcast who finds friendship and happiness, will be a favorite holiday movie for years to come!
