Grab your santa bags, we're approaching the most wonderful time of the year. Once the clock struck 12:00am on November 1st, it was already the countdown till christmas for me. Well.. all year is really the countdown for me. Yes, I'm that person that enjoys seeing christmas decorations being sold in September, listens to christmas music in July and starts counting down for next christmas on December 26th. It's my favorite season and no matter how much people give me a hard time for loving it so much, I will never stop loving christmas and all the cheer that comes with it!
So in general, I watch christmas movies on the reg to remind myself why it's my favorite season and to always feel like the season is with me. But for those of you who don't really get into the spirit until after thanksgiving, then you should keep these movies on your christmas radar. Santa sees you when you're watching and knows if you're a scrooge.
1.) Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
When they play this in the middle of April on TV, you can hear my screams of excitement from my apartment. Everything about this movie makes me loves christmas. I know what you're thinking "how could you possibly say this one is better than the first one?". Well my answer for you would be because...it just is. I think a big reason is because I've always wanted to live in New York (yay college for letting me do that) and seeing Kevin roam around new york city at the age of 9 was something I thought was amazing and ridiculous. As my favorite comedian John Mulaney would describe this movie "this is the height of luxury!!!"
2.) Elf
CHRISTMAS CLASSIC. If you have never seen this movie then I'm sorry you're deprived and have never experienced joy before. This will forever be my favorite Will Ferrell movie and I really think he deserved an oscar nom for this. It's also the most quotable christmas movie in my opinion. Buddy the elf, what's your favorite color?
3.) A Christmas Story
The 24 hour marathon of this on TBS starting on christmas eve lasting until christmas night is a family tradition in my house. NO we don't watch all 24 hours obviously but we do watch it at least 4 times and act like we hadn't just watched it 3 hours before. It's an actual christmas classic and they really do feel the red Ryder bb gun at stores. Don't ask for one though, you'll shot your eye out kid.
4.) Christmas with the Kranks
The best christmas movie to make you laugh so hard you'll cry. I would watch this in August or September when I really needed a christmas pick me up. Also Tim Allen is the father of christmas movies so you know it's going to be good if he's in it. It may be super funny and make you smile but it also has a really great family message and reminds you that christmas is a time for giving! Don't forget to put your frosty up or the neighbors will come for you.
5.) Surviving Christmas
I feel like no one really talks about this movie that much but it's been a favorite of mine since I saw it for the first time when I was 14. Ben Affleck is the fake son that none of this family wanted. It's hilarious to watch them try to take him in for the christmas holiday since he has no one to share it with. But it's also kind of sad to see that he doesn't have any family during the one time of year that everyone should be with family on. In the end there a sweet message as all christmas movies have, but this one I hold close to my heart and will never let it go.
6.) Four Christmases
Speaking of Vince Vaughn, this man literally kills the christmas movie game. He does great in other movies but his christmas movies hit the mark. I actually saw this in theaters I was so excited about it when it premiered. The story line is so different from any other holiday movie and I had never seen any other like it. Just think of it as the rom-com of christmas.
7.) Santa Claus 1, 2 and 3 ( counting them as 1 ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ )
You can't watch one without the others. For my generation, I feel like these movies were always on at christmastime whether it was on disney channel or ABC family. You're rooting for Tim Allen while everyone else thinks he's crazy for "pretending to be santa claus". Nah honey, he's the real SC. SPEAKING OF SC, it's mind blowing that his character's name Scott Calvin has the same initials as Santa Claus. Clever. Also should mention that the sequels are really good too! They keep the storyline going and they keep the christmas spirit alive!
8.) Love Actually
Another solid christmas rom-com. It's one of those movies that gather up every celebrity and their mother to create a masterpiece. Whether its a storyline about a prime minister falling in love with his assistant or an old rock star who is trying to get back in the public eye by creating a really crappy christmas song, this movie will make you fall in love with love and all its different forms. Also it's Hugh Grant's Prime. The best scene is when he dances around his entire house. Just look at him!
9.) Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas
I am 20 years old and I cry overtime I watch this movie. Growing up watching disney channel, you're bound to have watched this at least once. And you understand the emotion that is packed into what should be a movie for children under the age of 8. When Mickey sells his harmonica so that he can buy a chain for Minnie's necklace and then Minnie sells her necklace to buy a case for Mickey's harmonica, you know damn well there are hot tears streaming down my cheeks. IT'S SO EMOTIONAL. I also really love how there's multiple stories in this one movie that include Donald duck and his family and also goofy! Gotta bring the whole family together.
10.) The Polar Express
Don't even get me started with this movie. This is my favorite christmas movie. AND HOW COULD IT NOT BE. It's so magical and full of wonder that we all used to feel when we were younger. Not to mention that Tom Hanks plays literally almost every character. My one friend and I can quote pretty much the entire movie, and I don't take that as a sign of a problem. I take it as an accomplishment that we can text it word for word like we have the script in front of us. You'll always be able find the music on my spotify playlist all year round.
It was so hard to narrow it down to these 10 since there are so many other great ones that I couldn't even mention. And the Hallmark/lifetime christmas movies deserve and entire article to explain how amazing they are. But if you're one of those people that just CAN'T watch christmas movies until it's December first, I'm sorry you're missing out. Me and all my christmas loving friends will be waiting for you on the other side. SO MERRY MOVIE WATCHING TO ALL, ALL TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!
