Top Christmas Movies

Christmas_dvd_It’s that time of year again. Here in Utah, we’re getting hit with sporadic snowstorms. Christmas lights are shining around the neighborhood and my family is consuming hot chocolate frequently to “warm up”. There are many traditions people have for Christmas. One popular thing is to sit down as a family and watch Christmas-themed movies.

I have a big list of movies that I like to see around this time of year, but in the interest of time (mine as well as yours), I’m keeping this to a top ten. So, my personal favorite list of Christmas movies:

1:White Christmas. I’ve watched this movie every year since I can remember. Danny Kaye remains hilarious and the musical numbers are still entertaining. Who could ever forget Danny Kaye and Bing Crosby impersonating the Haines sisters with their Sisters song. Even Bing couldn’t help but laugh during that one!

2:Scrooged. Bill Murray playing a Scrooge-like character is awesome. Yes, the movie screams 80’s, but I still love to see it every year. It’s a fun twist on a classic tale.

3:Miracle on 34th Street. I grew up on the original, but love the remake as well. I try to watch both versions each year. This movie has reaffirmed the existence of Santa to my five year old. My nephew tried to convince my son that Santa wasn’t real, and my boy kept telling him to watch this movie. “It proves Santa is real!”

4:A Christmas Story. What is it about this movie? I mean, it really doesn’t have much of a plot, but I love it! I love the character dynamics and the cheesy lines. “Frag-il-e. It must be Italian!” “Honey, I think it says fragile.” (Come on, you know the part I’m talking about!)

5:National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. What can I say? I like the comedies. Again, this is a movie I grew up on. It brings nostalgia to me as well as laughter.

6:Muppet’s Christmas Carol. I like classical movies as much as anyone else. But do we really need to see another version of a Christmas Carol after watching this one? It’s great! And I was able to introduce this story to my kids at a young age because of this movie.

7:Elf. I think this is one that my kids will watch every year until they die. It’s silly, fun, and has a good moral.

8:It’s a Wonderful Life. Were you waiting for me to mention this one? I know I would be cast into the deepest pits in hell if I didn’t. This movie is not only popular, it’s become a Christmas icon. Enough said.

9:The Bishop’s Wife. Again, a movie I’ve watched since I was a toddler. It’s more serious, but still entertaining. I do like the remake version as well, but tend to watch this original version more often.

10:How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Another classic that is fun for the whole family. Note: I also liked The Grinch, but it didn’t make the top ten list. The original animated version is what I enjoy more.

Honorable mention: Arthur Christmas. Obviously, I haven’t watched this every year since it recently came out, but we’re definitely planning to add it to our list. I thought it was witty and engaging, and my children loved it. Maybe Santa will give it to us for Christmas this year. 😉

So what do you think of my list? Have I missed one that you think should be on here? If so, what movie would it replace? What order would you put it in? I’d love to hear what movies are dear to your heart during Christmas.