It's a Wonderful Life
My absolute favorite Christmas movie. I tear up every time I watch it. After George Bailey wishes he had never been born, he is helped my an angel who shows him how the world really would be if he had never existed. It is such a powerful story that demonstrates how important every single person is in this crazy, wonderful life. We all need each other!
Elf
This movie is hilarious. Buddy lives in the North Pole after stowing away in Santa's toy bag as a baby. He finds out he isn't an elf and goes to New York to find his dad and save him from the naughty list, encountering many adventures in the Big Apple. Everyone in my family quotes this movie almost on a daily basis. We usually watch it the night we put up the tree. No matter how many times I watch this movie, I still laugh at the humor. It is so silly and so much fun!
The Santa Clause
If you're a 90's kid then you have probably grown up watching this Christmas movie. Scott Calvin becomes the new Santa after accidentally scaring Santa and causing him to fall off of his roof. Of course no one believes Charlie, Scott's son, who claims his dad is Santa, causing problems for Scott, who finally accepts his fate as the new Santa Claus.
The Santa Clause 2
This one is not quite as good as the first one, but it is still a fun movie. Santa has a lot of work cut out for him when he has to help his son, Charlie, get off the naughty list a find a Mrs. Claus before Christmas. While he's busy, a toy Santa makes a mess of things. One of my favorite scenes in this movie is when Santa gives a whole group of adults nostalgic Christmas gifts.
Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas
This movie makes me wish that Disney made more Christmas sequels. It's so good! My sister and I watched this so many times, even when it wasn't Christmas. The original songs are great, especially, "As Long as There's Christmas." The story is meant to portray the Christmas while Belle was still the Beast's captive.
Dr. Seuss plus Christmas, plus Jim Carrey equals a fantastic holiday film that is as zany as The Grinch is green. This movie is based on Seuss' book "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" which tells the story of Christmas crazed Whoville that is robbed of Christmas by the Grinch. The Grinch has a change of heart and the people of Whoville discover that Christmas is more than decorations and presents.
A Christmas Carol
This story has been told hundreds of ways, but this adaption with 3D animation is amazing. Jim Carrey plays Scrooge as well as several other characters. Just like Dickens' classic work, this movies tells the story of Scrooge, a cranky and selfish man who hates Christmas until he is visited by three spirits on Christmas Eve, showing him his past, present and future.
The Polar Express
Just like A Christmas Carol, this movie is a 3D animated film. It tells the story of a small boy who is skeptical about Santa until a train appears in his front yard to take him to the North Pole. It's a wild ride getting there that tests the boy's faith in Christmas.
A Princess for Christmas
Jules Daily becomes the legal guardian for her niece and nephew when her sister and brother-in-law are killed in a car accident. Her fate changes when she and the two kids are invited to a royal castle for Christmas. It's a total Christmas chick-flick!
A Season for Miracles
A struggling aunt faces the reality of losing guardianship of her niece and nephew, causing her to flee with the two kids to prevent them from being put into the system. She hides in a vacant house in a small town and lies about her identity, all for her love for the kids. It has a sweet ending, with a miracle and forgiveness.
The Nativity Story
This is the best nativity depiction I have seen. The story is the root of Christmas. Mary and Joseph welcome baby Jesus in Bethlehem in a drama that focuses on the trials that surrounded Mary and Joseph at the time of Jesus' birth, and the miracles of their faith.
Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas
Three different stories starring Mickey, Donald and Goofy share the magic of Christmas. I watched this movie so many times growing up. Disney and Christmas is a win!
Mickey's Christmas Carol
Another adaption of Dickens' story staring Mickey and Scrooge McDuck. The Disney short films are so good; they make me feel warm and fuzzy!
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
A very organized mom ends up having a stranger stay with her and her uncle for Christmas. The stranger ends up showing them a new way to do Christmas. Henry Winkler plays the mother's uncle and is as hilarious as ever.
Home Alone
Kevin is accidentally left home alone when his family goes on a Christmas vacation. He outsmarts burglars who are intent on stealing from his house. The movie has a great soundtrack and is always a fun watch.
The Ultimate Gift
Jason Stevens is a spoiled rich kid who just wants to collect whatever his grandfather left him when he died. Little does he know, his gift requires a series of tasks that helps Jason to change his perspective, especially when he encounters a young mother with a daughter who has cancer. This movie has a beautiful moral to the story.
It’s A Wonderful Life. Love it! Been watching that one since it was available only on VHS.
Me too! 😊
These are all Christmas classics in my books. Can't wait until my son arrives home for Christmas to enjoy some of these together.
It is so fun to watch Christmas movies with family!
Awesome post! I love Home alone and it’s a wonderful life! I also really like Christmas Story.
I've never seen Christmas Story!
Oh you should watch it! It’s very entertaining!
I will have to watch it, then! 😊
Thanks. Christmas it's a magical time. I'm adore Christmas movies, especially Hallmark channel movies.
I agree with you! Christmas movie are so good. 😊
Elf and Home Alone are my favourites. I have to watch them every year! Lots of people think Die Hard is the ultimate Christmas movie, which I think is a little weird!
Anyway thanks for sharing this list and giving me some more ideas of christmas films to watch with my kids.
I like Die Hard but I have never considered it a Christmas movie! I hope you enjoy some of these with your kiddos!
I guess my favorite X-Mas film is the George C Scott version of A Christmas Carol.
Bill Murray's version is always good for a hoot too. As is Chevy Chase's Christmas Vacation.
I have never seen those two versions of "The Christmas Carol." I will have to watch then!
Fantastic list, and I agree with almost all of your picks. Certainly number one is "It's A Wonderful Life." They don't make movies like that anymore, do they? The Ultimate Gift is another fantastic, 'make you think' movie. Great list, I'll be watching most all of them
I’ve never seen The Ultimate Gift but after reading what you think about it and then reading the story just now.. it’ll be watched before Christmas, looking forward to it
No, they don't make movies as good as "It's a Wonderful Life" anymore! So good!
I hope you enjoy it, @dandays!