‘Tis the Season to Watch Cheesy Movies: The 15 Best Holiday Films

Thanksgiving has passed, everything is on sale, and Christmas carols fill the air of every store you go into–yes, the holiday season is in full swing. The next few weeks will be filled with parties, goodies, family time, shopping and avoiding those frigid temps when you can. A great way to do this? Put on some cozy PJ’s, bust out the popcorn, hot cocoa, cider or egg nog, and watch some heartwarming holiday movies.

Nothing puts me into a more jolly mood than these holiday classics (in no particular order)…

1) It’s a Wonderful Life: You’d have to be a total Scrooge not to tear up at this movie about a suicidal man who is reminded of how beautiful his life is (played by the always amazing Jimmy Stewart). It will forever stand as one of the greatest Christmas movies of all time.

2) Home Alone: This movie made Macaulay Culkin the biggest child star on the planet and had audiences around the world roaring as he gave two burglars a Christmas butt whoopin’.

3) Miracle on 34th Street: This classic story about a man claiming to be Kris Kringle being put on trial for legal insanity will make anyone a believer in Old Saint Nick.

4) Love Actually: Not only does this British flick have a fantastic cast (Colin Firth, Keira Knightly, Liam Neeson and Emma Thompson), but it’s a truly lovey dovey romantic comedy that is guaranteed to make ya feel extra cozy.

5) A Christmas Story: This hilarious 80’s movie about a truly American Christmas has stemmed so many famous lines and scenes, people all over the world recognize them: “You’ll shoot your eye out!” (Get’s me every time!) You can even buy that (in)famous sexy leg lamp.

6) How the Grinch Stole Christmas (the original cartoon): While the live action re-make with Jim Carrey was entertaining, nothing reminds me that it’s Christmas time like watching the 1966 animated version of the Dr. Seuss book. (Yup, I just watched it on Monday).

7) A Charlie Brown Christmas: This animated special about the beloved Peanuts and their sad little Christmas tree has been synonymous with the holiday for four decades.

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation: Clark Griswold is up to his usual antics in this movie. You can’t help but giggle at his crazy Christmas decorations and, of course, the Christmas tree/squirrel scene.

9) The Nightmare Before Christmas: Shrunken heads, skeletons, ghosts and ghouls; not exactly what you associate with Christmas, but this Tim Burton film has become a surprise Christmas classic.

10) Elf: Will Ferrell is one of the most hilarious comedians of our time and his role as Buddy the Elf, a human who was raised as an elf in the North Pole and goes to New York City to find his birth father as an adult, is one of his greatest.

11) Scrooged: This off-beat version of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” is hilarious, and Bill Murray plays the role of a grinchy TV exec perfectly.

12) White Christmas: Bing Crosby is famous for the tune, and the movie of the same name brings just as much joy.

13) Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman: I decided to place these two kiddie classics together because they seem to go hand-in-hand. There’s a reason Rudolph is the longest running TV Christmas special of all time (it originally aired in 1964); this claymation 30 minute special about “the most famous reindeer of all” with the glowing red nose pleases kids and grown-ups alike. Frosty came out in 1969 and is an animated classic about a snowman who comes to life with a magic hat that also has a highly recognizable theme song (thumpity thump thump, thumpity thump thump, look at that Frosty go!). God, I love ‘em both.

14) A Chipmunk Christmas: As a kid, I looked forward to watching this Christmas special every year. Something about those adorable chipmunks with their squeaky voices gets me every time. And how can you not love “The Chipmunk Song” (“Christmas Christmas time is here, time for joy and time for cheer…”)?

15) Die Hard: If you’re looking for a great Christmas movie your man won’t moan about, look no further than Die Hard an action/comedy/Christmas movie all in one. Believe it.

What is your favorite holiday flick?