It’s December, so I can officially say the Christmas season has begun. It’s time for hot cocoa with marshmallows, cozying up under blankets or snuggies, and most importantly: a great Christmas movie. I’m not talking about the Hallmark ones either, though don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with those. I’m talking about the classic Christmas movies we have watched through the years.
There really is nothing like a great Christmas film. They always help to get me in the Christmas spirit when I’m not feeling it. They also take me back to my childhood, those times when we were carefree and all we had to think about was what we were getting from our parents.
These are a few of my favorite Christmas movies of all time.
Home Alone
Now, who doesn’t love this film? Seriously, if you tell me you hate Home Alone we can’t be friends. Macaulay Culkin, who stars as Kevin McCallister is delightful in this film about a kid who, after wishing for his family to disappear, wakes up to find that they have. FYI, they didn’t actually disappear, they forgot him when they left for their trip to Paris (which, by the way, I am still asking how the hell they did that). Some burglars (played by Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern) then try to rob his family home, and he sets some of the greatest traps to deter them. It’s a laugh out loud film, especially the pizza delivery scene. It’s also got some very heartwarming moments because no Christmas film would be complete without some warm fuzzies.
Home Alone is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video
A Christmas Story
“You’ll shoot your eye out.” If you know this line, chances are you’ve seen A Christmas Story. One of my all time favorites. It’s safe to say it doesn’t feel like Christmas until this movie comes on. That’s probably because it comes on all day on Christmas. Ralphie (Peter Billingsley) is on a mission to get a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas. Everyone even Santa is telling him it’s not a good choice because he can shoot his eye out. He does eventually get the BB gun and well, if you want to know what happens, you just have to watch.
A Christmas Story is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video and will air all day on TNT on Christmas day.
The Kid Who Loved Christmas
No Christmas movie list would be complete without including a nice and sad one. I watched this film when I was a kid, and I have loved it ever since. This was the first Christmas movie I recall watching that actually made me sad. I think what was even more important to me when I watched it was that it was a Christmas movie with a POC cast. Reggie, played by Trent Cameron is such a delightful little boy, who just wants a family for Christmas. He’s going through the process of being adopted by Tony and Lynette Parks (played by Michael Warren and Vanessa Williams) when tragedy strikes and she is killed in a car accident. After her death, the adoption agency takes Reggie away because they believe Tony, who is a musician, will be unfit to care for him. Tony won’t stand for it though and he goes on a mission to get Reggie back. This movie isn’t just a Christmas film, it teaches you about determination and what you will do for the ones you love. It also shows that family doesn’t always mean you’re related by blood.
The Polar Express
The Polar Express is such a magical film. It deals with one of the greatest struggles of children; believing in Santa Claus. Growing up I believed in Santa Claus and I am not ashamed to admit that. It made Christmas that much more special so it honestly made me sad to know some kids didn’t. The Polar Express takes you on a journey, to the North Pole, to be exact, and the cinematography is just incredible. Tom Hanks plays the train conductor and he is so entertaining. Let’s not forget Josh Groban’s beautiful song Believe, because it will make you light up like a Christmas tree as you sing along.
The Polar Express is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video
It’s A Wonderful Life
Now this is a Christmas film I actually still haven’t watched but I know it’s a favorite for others so it made the list. This is a 1940s classic film about a man named George Bailey (James Stewart) who has reached a point in his life where he believes it would be better if he never existed. His guardian angel (Henry Travers) shows up to prove otherwise by taking him on a journey to show him just how much of an impact he has made on others lives.
It’s a wonderful life is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video
Which of these Christmas movies is your favorite? Which ones are we missing? Tell us in the comments below!