This is my first article of December, and my goal is to make each article of this month Christmas themed in one way or another. I couldn't think of a better way to kick off the season than with a list of my favorite Christmas movies to share with you all! They are in no particular order because I just couldn't bring myself to rank them. I recommend watching these movies at least once per holiday season.
1. Elf
Elf, starring Will Ferrell and Zooey Deschanel, is a heartwarming story about a human baby adopted by elves who goes to New York to find his biological father. Known as one of the best Will Ferrell movies because he sings, Elf is sure to brighten your holiday season and guaranteed to make you chuckle.
2. Nestor, The Long-Eared Christmas Donkey
For the longest time, no one believed me when I said this movie existed. It is normally shown on Freeform in the early morning or late at night, and tells the story of Nestor, a donkey with unusually long ears. Similar to Rudolph, Nestor is teased for his ears until he uses them to help transport a pregnant Mary to Bethlehem. If you have never seen this movie, watch it! It will not disappoint.
3. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town is a classic Christmas movie shown on basically every major network through December. Origin stories of Santa Claus will never grow old, similar to my love for this movie.
4. Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer
Another time-honored classic, every young child has heard the song about Rudolph, the reindeer who was mistreated for being different until it was of use to people. Despite the somewhat lackluster message of this movie, it still makes this list because of the cute characters and catchy songs.
5. The Year Without A Santa Claus
In The Year Without A Santa Claus , we learn how selfish we can be by placing such a large burden on Santa without so much as a thank you. We are also introduced to the Miser brothers who try, and fail, to make their own spin-off movie. However, it does teach a good lesson about being thankful and for that, it is worth a watch.
6. The Little Drummer Boy
The Little Drummer Boy stop motion film by Rankin and Bass is one of the only biblical Christmas movies out there and deserves its place on this list. Also, there is that part at the end with his lamb that just gets me every time.
7. Miracle On 34th Street
Personally, I prefer the version with Matilda in it as opposed to the older version, but both offer the same message. Miracle On 34th Street is the perfect transition movie because the beginning takes place on Thanksgiving. So spend your early weeks of December watching Santa take the stand to defend Christmas.
8. Rare Exports
If you have never heard of this movie, fret not. It is not your typical Christmas movie because it portrays Santa as a demon. If you are an avid horror movie fan and also love Christmas, you have to check this one out!
9. Frosty The Snowman
The only acceptable Frosty movie is the original one, the sequels and spin-offs are cash grabs. The original Frosty movie with the magic hat and time-honored song, though, is the perfect movie to sit down and drink a hot chocolate to. My only critique would be that I wish it were longer than 30 minutes.
10. Jack Frost
The Jack Frost I'm talking about is the 1979 stop motion version, not the 1998 version where the dead father turns into a snowman. That version is a disgrace to Christmas movies everywhere. But the Rankin and Bass version is adorable. The songs are catchy and the story is a unique one where there isn't necessarily a happy ending.
11. A Christmas Carol
Unlike some other titles I've mentioned, there is not a version of A Christmas Carol that will not be enjoyable. The black and white versions, the Disney version, the Muppet version, they're all great. Which honestly shocks me because it is based on a Charles Dickens book. I read Charles Dickens in high school and it was very Hard Times.
12. Prancer
If I were to rank these movies based on my favorites, Prancer would be in the top 5. Mostly because I relate to Jessica, but also because there is so much child innocence in it that it hurts me a little bit.
13. The Polar Express
The Polar Express came out in 2004 and was an instant success. I remember having Polar Express day at school and everyone was allowed to wear pajamas and they gave us hot chocolate and candy canes while we watched. It was the best day of the school year.
14. How The Grinch Stole Christmas
Both the animated and live action versions of How The Grinch Stole Christmas are golden Christmas movies. The songs of the Whos will ring throughout generations and grow hearts around the world.
15. Joyeaux Noel
This is another non-traditional Christmas movie. I am a war movie fanatic, and this World War I movie is one of the best. Watch as groups of rival soldiers come to an agreement that they will refuse to fight on Christmas and try not to cry.
16. A Charlie Brown Christmas
Every time I watch a Peanuts movie I think of my Granny. She would always call us and make sure we knew when the Holiday specials were coming on, and now I watch them all in her memory. Hearing Linus tell the story of Christmas is something everyone needs to hear.
17. Mickey's Once/Twice Upon A Christmas
I lumped these movies together because they are basically the same movie, but still worth watching both. I am a Disney fanatic so I love all of the Mickey Christmas movies, and these two are the cream of the crop.
18. Yes, Virginia
I remember watching the premiere of Yes, Virginia and thinking it was such a neat creative story. I loved having the adults in a Christmas story actually foster the belief and imagination of the children.
19. Beauty And The Beast: The Enchanted Christmas
While I haven't seen this movie since I was a little girl, I can still remember all of it. It was such an amazing story watching Belle not only fall in love with the Beast but teach the whole castle about how special Christmas really is. If you are still a little girl at heart or have a little girl in your life, this movie is for you!
20. Rudolph And Frosty's Christmas In July
I have always been a fan of the non-conventional Christmas movies (as you can probably tell by this list) and having Rudolph and Frosty bring Christmas to the 4th of July is awesome! And don't get me started on the circus aspect, LOVE IT!
So there you have it! A comprehensive list of the 20 Must-Watch Christmas Movies I recommend. What better way to kick off the holiday season and get into the Christmas spirit!
