The most wonderful time of the year is upon us! We all love celebrating Christmas whether it'd be spending time with our families, exchanging gifts or drinking egg nog. It's a fun and sweet time for all of us. But, my favorite aspect is watching the Christmas movies, whether it'd be with my family or friends, I love it! So, in honor of this enchanting season, I decided to compile a list of my 25 movies to watch this Christmas.
25. Just Friends (2005)
This is a nice, charming film that you could watch anytime of the year. But, it takes place during Christmas, so it counts. It's one of Ryan Reynolds' best works and it's pretty overlooked. The film also stars Amy Smart, Anna Faris and Chris Klein. It looks stupid when you see the poster, but when you watch, it has a nice, feel-good vibe to it that can't put nothing but a smile on your face.
24. Batman Returns (1992)
23. The Family Stone (2005)
Sure, this film is a typical dysfunctional family comedy. But, what makes it work, for me at least, is the heart from all the cast. I love everyone here and this movie will make you realize Christmas can be a pain-in-the-butt, especially if you're in the footsteps of Sarah Jessica Parker's character.
22. Eyes Wide Shut (1999)
It's cool to see that Stanley Kubrick's final film about a troubled married couple (Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman) be set during Christmas. There's a lot of sexual tension in this, as it would show why it's not a film for everyone. But with the talent of the two leads and Kubrick, it's hard to not see this as a Christmas film that should be seen.
21. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)
From the wacky mind of writer-director Shane Black, we have Val Kilmer and Robert Downey Jr. in this meta-noir. The Christmas feeling drives the action of the plot, as in the opening we have RDJ doing some shopping. I love Black's work and this is a film that should been seen no matter what.
20. The Holiday (2006)
19. Lethal Weapon (1987)
When I tell people that this is a Christmas movie, they forget and I can't blame them honestly. Mel Gibson and Danny Glover are so good together in director Richard Donner's brilliant, hysterical buddy comedy. The movie begins with "Jingle Bell Rock", which is already a plus for me since it's one of my favorite Christmas songs.
18. The Polar Express (2004)
From the imaginative mind of Robert Zemeckis, we get the film that at least every kid has seen in elementary school every Christmas. While I don't love this one, I still really, really enjoy it. It's magical, honest and somewhat terrifying. Also, be sure to drink hot chocolate when watching this!
17. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)
While this is a TV special, it's been a classic for nearly 50 years. The stop-motion work is what I call "extreme dedication." If you don't love this special, then you have no heart.
16. The Santa Clause (1994)
When Tim Allen was the king of Disney, with Home Improvement rocking ABC's ratings and Toy Story releasing the following year, he took on the role as a divorced man who takes on the role as Santa Claus after "killing him". I loved this movie as a kid and it's been quite a long time since I saw it. It's a classic for people from my generation.
15. Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
One of the greatest comedies ever made... the end. See it and if you don't like it, then I don't know what to say.
14. Scrooged (1988)
Richard Donner has returned on the list! Bill Murray stars in this modernization of A Christmas Carol, as I can say it's the funniest adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic. Murray is a genius in this film and it's worth watching for him, and him only. There's also quite a bit of great meta to the story when Murray's character says, "Well, I'm sure Charles Dickens would have wanted to see her nipples."
13. Arthur Christmas (2011)
I remember 2011 being a great year for animation, as we had Rango, Winnie the Pooh and Kung Fu Panda 2. But, we had this brilliant, well-realized, heartwarming family Christmas flick that barely gets love! After losing one girl's present, Arthur, the son of Santa, teams up with his grandfather to make sure it gets to her in time. James McAvoy stars as Arthur and if you love animated Christmas films, this is one that deserves more attention.
12. The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
If you love The Muppets, musicals, Christmas and A Christmas Carol, then this is your movie! It's very engaging, sweet and honest. The songs too are incredible, with "Bless Us All" always putting tears down my face. While not my favorite Muppets theatrical movie, I've always loved watching this since I was a little kid. Plus, Michael Caine is amazing as Scrooge and Gonzo is playing Charles Dickens... uh, yeah that's awesome!
11. A Very Harold and Kumar Christmas (2011)
I've been a fan of the Harold and Kumar franchise for quite some time. The third installment in this comedy franchise is my personal favorite. The movie was released in 3D when it came out and pokes fun at the cliches of a 3D film, which is a delight. The stop-motion sequence is a huge perk of the film, by the way!
10. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
If you haven't seen this, then there's an issue. One of my all-time favorites, in terms of Halloween films, Christmas films and films in general.
9. Die Hard (1988)
Yippie-kay-yay! My all-time favorite action movie takes place during an office Christmas party. Bruce Willis is perfect as John McClane in this exciting and enthralling film. Also, this is one of the best roles from the late Alan Rickman as terrorist Hans Grubber.
8. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)
Christmas doesn't go well for some people, especially if you're like Clark Griswold! Watching this film will make you realize that your family is definitely normal compared to this dysfunctional family that we can't help, but enjoy watching!
7. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
I can't even tell you how many times I've watched this when I was little. It has been a yearly tradition, probably since I was born in 1998. Our hero Charlie Brown seeks out the meaning of Christmas with the help of his friends, Snoopy and a little tree. I love it so much that it gets better as I get older!
6. Love Actually (2003)
I'm not a romance film fanatic, but this is close to being my personal favorite of all time. This is what films like Valentine's Day and New Year's Eve fail at being, because nothing can top Love Actually as the best ensemble romance film ever. For fans of The Walking Dead out there, this was our introduction to Rick Grimes himself, Andrew Lincoln!
5. It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
It's not Christmas without watching this classic, that I consider the greatest and most-influential Christmas film ever made. It turns 70 this year and I plan on calling my mom so we, along with my dad and my sister, can watch this on Christmas Eve! I hear there might be a sequel... I hope that's a joke, something this film isn't.
4. A Christmas Story (1983)
After I watch It's a Wonderful Life, I plan on repeating this movie on Christmas Day, because this is one that everyone can't hate. If you do, then what is wrong with you? You might just have to shoot your eye out!
3. Bad Santa (2003)
This is my favorite R-rated Christmas comedy and it's all due to the incredible Golden Globe-nominated performance from Billy Bob Thornton. He's crude, loves drinking and bangs any women. But, there's a lot of heart to this movie, which is another reason why this is a fantastic movie. I don't plan on seeing the sequel eventually though.
2. Elf (2003)
It's hard not walking into a room during Christmas time and not bringing up Elf. It's one of Will Ferrell's best films and performances. It's engaging, quotable and sincere. You killed it, Jon Favreau.
1. Home Alone (1990)
This is my favorite Christmas movie of all time. It never gets old and it never will! We all have Kevin McCallister in us! #LongLiveTheWetBandits
