The holiday season is not just about celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanza. It’s a state of mind where you sit back, watch the snow fall, drink hot chocolate, and welcome the embrace the scent of a burning Spiced Apple Toddy candle and warm chocolate chip cookies baking in the oven.
The only proper way to enjoy this all at once is by having a holiday movie on in front of you (with the exception of a holiday playlist on shuffle). Here are the top 10 greatest movies I won’t let you get through the winter season without seeing. Grab your friends, family, significant other, or if you’re like me, a bag of Tate’s cookies, and take your pick.
How The Grinch Stole Christmas
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQV5Pr7pWtM
Jim Carrey as The Grinch is too iconic and entertaining. This film not only gets you motivated to get into the holiday spirit but is funny and relatable too. Watch with friends or with family to appreciate the true meaning behind the holidays, while laughing along to Carrey and Max’s adventure.
The Polar Express
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ve_fMwJ1GJY
This movie radiates pure nostalgia. Everyone watched this movie as a kid, and every time you watch it, it’s as if you still are. Between the mesmerizing graphics, catchy music, and heartwarming story, this film is a perfect mood for the cold winter season.
Elf
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a54yC1etmVc
Do I really need to persuade you to watch this? Will Ferrel coming to NYC as an elf from The North Pole is too hilarious. From the ‘Baby It’s Cold Outside’ scene to Buddy revealing fake Santa, there are endless moments throughout that are guaranteed to make you laugh and leave happy spirited.
A Christmas Story
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfjEZ88NHBw
A Christmas Story perfectly represents the traditional American family during the holidays. Wanting something for Christmas so bad as a kid and trying to make it as obvious as possible to your parents, being embarrassed by your overbearing mother or flashy father, and burning your holiday dinner making you opt in for Chinese are just some of the things that Ralphie experiences. Great for watching with friends or family, anyone is bound to laugh along with this one.
It’s A Wonderful Life
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewe4lg8zTYA
This movie is not only named a classic Christmas movie, but classic film in general. Its uplifting story consists of a man who considers ending his life from being fed up with a desired life unachieved, but learns the beauty in what he’s been blessed with. This is a great film to watch with friends on a cold snowy night as it a universal fan favorite.
Home Alone
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEDaVHmw7r4
Probably one of the most iconic Christmas films of all time. C’mon. Highly recommend watching this one with family. Every kid wishes their family would disappear every now and then, only in this film it happens. Or so Kevin thinks. This classic is not only funny, but also makes you appreciate the annoying members that make up your family.
Eloise At Christmastime
Eloise At Christmastime is so underrated. Another nostalgic film if you’ve watched Eloise At The Plaza growing up. Six year old Eloise who lives in the Plaza Hotel in NYC becomes a matchmaker to the hotel owner’s daughter, and it’s the sweetest thing ever. I recommend watching with your girlfriends and making a cute holiday girl’s night of it.
The Nightmare Before Christmas
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wr6N_hZyBCk
This movie iconically combines the two greatest holidays, Halloween and Christmas. A gothic way to get into the holiday spirit, but fun and festive nonetheless. It’s music and eery animation makes it an instant classic to one of the greatest Halloween and Christmas movies.
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBTTipJX-h4
This movie is really goofy, but is relatable to anyone who’s been on vacation with their family. Trying to achieve a perfect traditional holiday, Clark Griswold’s dream is interrupted by his cousin, Eddie, coming along uninvited. Much like Home Alone, it’s perfect for a movie night with the family to share a laugh all together.
The Santa Clause
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-z-JOub8Q0E
The Santa Clause recaptures the doubts as well as the strong belief you felt growing up when it came to the existence of Santa. They ask the same questions you asked when testing whether he was real, and is overall a humorous way of expressing the spirit of Christmas.
