If you're not in the holiday spirit just yet, there is no better cure for that than a classic holiday movie. Though new festive films are made every year, only a handful qualify as essential annual viewing. Here are a few cinematic classics that are a must watch over the holiday season...ranging from black and white, to more modern movies. Let this list be your guide.
It's a Wonderful Life- This movie is the most quoted, when George's daughter tells us how an angel gets its wings, but there are so many more memorable moments as well.
Home Alone- With a slightly outrageous concept, Kevin McCallister lives out all your childhood fantasies in this '90s classic.
Christmas Vacation (my ultimate favorite)- Clark Griswold goes absolutely crazy in National Lampoon's take on Christmas, and we love every minute of it. We all still aspire to be like Clark, decking our halls with as many lights as possible-- and if you really want to be like him, you can get your own moose mug.
Elf- Even though it's still a relatively new title compared to some other movies, Elf never gets old. Will Ferrell's Buddy sees the world through such sweet, rose-colored glasses for a movie that's hilarious and very quotable.
A Charlie Brown Christmas- Can you think of this movie and not hear the iconic music? Not only is this animated classic a favorite, it's probably the movie that first exposed us to the fact that Christmas might be commercialized... and that a tiny tree could be perfect.
Scrooged- The eternally cool Bill Murray takes on the holidays with the '80s version of A Christmas Story. You probably did not get half the jokes when you watched this movie as a kid, which makes it even more fun to watch now.
The Santa Clause- Nineties mainstay Tim Allen becomes the jolly fat man in this comedy, giving us a new Santa origin story.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas- Jim Carrey made the Grinch come to life in an inspired live-action version of this tale, but nothing gets better than the animated classic. It was first released in 1966.
Have you seen them all??
