Tis the season to be jolly — and with plenty of good reasons. The gift-giving, fruitcake-binging, tree-decorating and so many more make Christmas truly the most wonderful time of the year. As families and friends get together for the ultimate season, we have yet one more thing to make this time extra special: Christmas films!
There’s nothing better than having everyone cozied up in the couch with a bucketful of truffle popcorn and nothing but the Christmas lights illuminating the movie room. To help you set up the best Yuletide movie marathon, we’ve lined up our top pics for the greatest Christmas movies of all time.
- It’s A Wonderful Life (1946)
Some may find that they aren’t feeling as festive as the rest of the world. For George, he is leaning towards ending it all, after constantly wishing he has never been born. All of a sudden, an angel is sent to earth in attempt to change the way George thinks and lives. He realizes how many lives he has impacted and how things would have gone poorly if he wasn’t there. “A Wonderful Life” is heart-warming, gut-wrenching and soul-satisfying. The perfect Yuletide movie that would make you want to count your blessings and be truly grateful.
- Miracle On the 34th Street (1947)
This film is proof that a major dose of sentimentalism is what gets us during the holiday season. In this masterpiece, an old man by the name of Kris Kringle fills in for a drunken Santa in Macy’s annual Thanksgiving Day parade. He is the splitting image of the Santa Claus, Kringle proves himself to such a hit. He then becomes a regular at the main store in midtown Manhattan. After Kringle surprises customers and employees alike by saying that he is indeed, the real Santa Claus, it leads to a court case to determine his mental well being and authenticity.
- A Christmas Carol (1951)
In terms of timelessness, “A Christmas Carol” continues to be among the top of the list. The 1951 version is the closest adaptation of Charles Dickens’ novel. It follows Ebenezer Scrooge, a grouchy, rich Englishman who refuses to exert charitable efforts until he is visited by the ghost of Christmas past, present and future. It’s both a warming and chilling tale of lessons and values that until now, we hold near and dear to our hearts.
- A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
Peanuts is one of the most-loved comics across the world. When the 1965 television special, “A Charlie Brown Christmas” premiered, it inspired countless people of all ages to revisit what the holiday season truly means. It tells the story of Charlie Brown who finds himself depressed despite the air of joy and the holiday spirit. Sure, it’s animated but it does make a very strong point on the over-commercialization and secularism of Christmas.
- Home Alone (1990)
In what has been an unexpected hit turned into a full-franchise Hollywood success, “Home Alone” has got to be one of the best Christmas movies out there. It’s the perfect kid’s fantasy: You’re left home alone to a refrigerator full of food, a huge house all to yourself with all the movies you can watch. Plus, no bedtime! But what happens if a couple of goony burglars come around? A true family film you can’tmiss out on!
- The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Yet another timeless masterpiece, “The Nightmare Before Christmas” is a visually-breathtaking experience everyone should watch. This stop motion delight is not just a feast for the senses. It’s a heartfelt story about Jack who lives in Halloweenland and discovers the true meaning of Christmas upon stumbling on Christmastown.
- Bad Santa (2003)
Everyone’s gotten used to the old jolly, well-behaved Santa who comes in and makes every good kid’s dream gift come to life. However, in this refreshing and equally hilarious take, “Bad Santa” shows us a different side of our favorite bearded character — a thieving store Santa at that. So if you want a fresh film that will fill you with chuckles and warmth this season, this should be part of your list.
- Elf (2003)
For more dose of Christmas laughs, “Elf” is one film that will take you from the edge of your seat to rolling off the floor. It follows Buddy who was accidentally transported to the North Pole as a little boy and was raised to adulthood among the rest of Santa’s elves. Buddy continues to feel that he doesn’t belong so he travels all the way to the Big Apple, in full elf uniform in search of his real father. It will give you more than enough laughs to get you through the season. Plus, it will give you a certain kind of warmth that deserves a long, tight hug afterwards.
- Love Actually (2003)
For the lovers and couples, “Love Actually” examines the complexities that come with love, particularly during the holiday season. It intertwines nine stories, all of which will tug in our heartstrings differently and will move us into empathizing with every character. Plus, the film comes with a master class in casting, which has inspired other movies like “New Year’s Eve” and “Valentines’ Day”.