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

December 14, 2008 11:30 am     Posted in Cool Stuff  Lauren - University of Michigan g+ page

elf_poster.jpgThanksgiving 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.


By Lauren

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.

8) 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?

19 Comments on "‘Tis the Season to Watch Cheesy Movies: The 15 Best Holiday Films"

  1. Gina says:
    Sun, 14th Dec 20087:58 am 

    Dude…what about How the Grinch Stole Christmas?!

  2. Michelle says:
    Sun, 14th Dec 20088:07 am 

    I started to watch Elf last night, but then went and put the tree up. It's my favorite holiday movie.

    "Buddy the Elf, what's your favorite color?"

  3. Casey says:
    Sun, 14th Dec 20088:19 am 

    Garfields Christmas was one of my favs as a kid. I also loved The Berenstain Bears Christmas Tree, The Snowman by Raymond Briggs, The Snow Queen (the version voiced by Sandra Dee and Tommy Kirk), The Santa Clause, and all the old Christmas Shorts like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Jack Frost, The Little Christmas Burro, Santas Pocket Watch, A Gift For Santa, The Christmas Toyshop, Christmas Comes But Once a Year, etc.

    Two of my favs that arent exactly Chrismas movies but take place around Christmas time are Little Women, and Serendipity.

  4. Cath says:
    Sun, 14th Dec 20088:20 am 

    YES!! I cannot believe you put Die Hard on here…my dad and my brother and I seriously watch that every Christmas. Love it!

  5. Ellie says:
    Sun, 14th Dec 20089:07 am 

    how about…the Rugrats holiday special, since it includes holidays other than Christmas.

  6. carla says:
    Sun, 14th Dec 20089:34 am 

    santa's coming!

    SAAAAAAANNNTTAAAAA!!! I KNOW HIM!!!!

    love tht bit off elf!!

  7. Kelly says:
    Sun, 14th Dec 20089:43 am 

    Such a great list. I'm out of the country right now and can't wait to get home and start a Christmas movie marathon the day I get back! Gotta add the Island of Misfit Toys… always makes me tear up.

  8. Amy says:
    Sun, 14th Dec 200810:13 am 

    um, helloooooo The Santa Clause?!?!!? It's not Christmas without watching that one either.

    I watched Christmas Vacation with the commentary on. Pretty funny. Look for the Evian bottle in the pants of cousin Eddie!

  9. Kirsten says:
    Sun, 14th Dec 200811:51 am 

    Oh God, I love, love, love Love Actually. It's one of my favourite movies of all time- my family and I have watched it year-round since it came out. The best part of the movie is probably Hugh Grant as the British Prime Minister.

  10. Erin says:
    Sun, 14th Dec 20081:31 pm 

    I love the Muppet Christmas movies! haha :)

  11. bandit says:
    Sun, 14th Dec 20083:09 pm 

    ditto on the Love Actually and The Holiday. And the claymations? LOVE them. ESPECIALLY jack frost.

    and let us not forget good ol' Chronicles of Narnia (snow EVERYWHERE!) and Edward Scissorhands (i mean, there is a christmas tree and snow involved, soo… kinda christmassy!).

  12. Olivia says:
    Sun, 14th Dec 20083:45 pm 

    How about I'll Be Home For Chirstmas with the kid from Home Improvement, Jonathan Taylor Thomas, and Jessica Biel. So very cheesy, but then what is Christmas without a little cheese?

  13. Kay says:
    Sun, 14th Dec 20085:43 pm 

    Agree with the Santa Clause noms…

    and HOLY CRAP, what about one of the most famous christmas stories of all time, A Christmas Carol? (???)

    (???)

  14. Jess T. - Columbia U says:
    Sun, 14th Dec 20087:43 pm 

    The Grinch is on the list (#6)and I'll be honest, I've never actually seen The Santa Clause, so I didn't feel right putting it on the list, but now I'm thinking it's necessary for me to watch it. A Christmas Carol is also awesome, as are the Muppets movies. Man, there are just too many good ones! I wanted to give a wide array (animated, comedies and even action) for everyone. But I'd love to hear YOUR personal favorites.

  15. nikki says:
    Sun, 14th Dec 20088:20 pm 

    The original Grinch. The new one is pretty much sacrilege.

    And my sisters and I loveeee A Muppet Christmas Carol. I haven't seen any christmas movies yet. I've been so busy that i just haven't gotten into the spirit

  16. ashley says:
    Mon, 15th Dec 20086:12 am 

    ahhh I love jingle all the way.

    It's a really good christmas action comedy!

  17. Gina says:
    Tue, 16th Dec 20084:32 am 

    Oops. The brain is a little dead. White Christmas, Christmas Vacation, and Little Women are definitely my faves. "Bend over and I'll show ya!"

  18. Cindy says:
    Mon, 22nd Dec 20082:05 pm 

    yo elf is the best holiday movie EVER!!

    I memorized like every line from that movie cuz I watched it so many times. I just LOVE elf.

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