Winter break is finally upon us. It’s time to unwind with some much-needed rest and relaxation.
As stated in Tis the Season: Christmas Traditions, the best thing about this holiday season is getting cozy by the fire and playing your favorite Christmas movies. With so many options, it’s hard to find one that gets everybody in the Christmas spirit.
Therefore, I have cultivated a list of my top 10 Christmas movies for everyone to enjoy, including people on the naughty list.
Before we get into the list, we must address the elephant in the room: Die Hard. Is watching Hans Gruber fall from the top of Nakatomi Plaza the ultimate Christmas movie conclusion?
No.
Die Hard is not a Christmas movie. The film could work without the Christmas setting.
Just because your movie is set during the holiday season does not make it a Christmas movie. If people believe Die Hard is a Christmas movie for those reasons, then, by their logic, Batman Returns is a Christmas movie.
The films on my list all find ways to spark the Christmas spirit, not just through their settings.
So get your fireplace crackling because it’s showtime, folks.
- The Nightmare Before Christmas
This is the only movie I can watch comfortably on Halloween and Christmas. For that reason, it’s also number 10 on the list.
Watching Jack Skellington find the magic of Christmas is delightful. The stop motion is top-notch, the character designs are fantastic, and the music is superb.
If you watch on Christmas Eve, be careful not to sing “This is Halloween” on Christmas Day. Your family might look at you weirdly.
- The Night Before
This is an R-rated raunchy comedy with heart.
The film follows three lifelong friends who celebrate Christmas Eve together. However, as they are at different points in their lives, they come together for one last hurrah.
The movie has all the elements of a classic Christmas movie, such as Mr. Green, a weed dealer who serves as the ghost of Christmas. This is also the only Christmas movie to include “Runaway” by Kanye West. Honestly, just the inclusion of that song earns the movie a spot on my list.
By Die Hard logic, “Runaway” is a Christmas song.
- The Year Without a Santa Claus
This movie will always have a special place in my heart. The film introduced me to the catchy tunes of Snow Miser and Heat Miser.
The film’s plot revolves around Santa wanting to work through his own “flu game.” Mrs. Claus, a couple of elves, and a little boy work hard to find a way for Santa to take a year off.
It’s a goofy movie, but honestly, it’s the best of the old claymation Christmas movies.
- Jingle All the Way
Put the cookie down!
This is a top-five Arnold Schwarzenegger movie. Watching Schwarzenegger run around town looking for a Turboman action figure is endless fun.
Honestly, the movie is a parent’s worst nightmare, but parents can agree that all the hijinks Schwarzenegger endures would be worth it to see their child’s smile on Christmas Day.
Sorry, Marvel, but Jingle All the Way has one of the best post-credits scenes for a film.
- Violent Night
This is a movie about Santa made by 87 North, the people who made John Wick. Do I need to say more?
Santa is out delivering presents when he finds himself in a hostage crisis. I was skeptical of watching a movie about Santa Claus brutally killing people. However, this is a modern-day classic that I watch every year.
The movie thrives on the Christmas spirit. Plus, everybody he kills is on the naughty list, so Santa is doing the world a favor. The action sequences are equal to those that you find in John Wick.
The movie features an R-rated Home Alone section that makes Kevin look like a saint.
- Elf
Who doesn’t love Buddy the Elf?
Buddy embodies the Christmas spirit. He spreads joy and laughter wherever he goes.
After discovering that Buddy is human, not an elf, he travels to New York to find his birth parents. The movie is very random at times, but it just brings you back to your childlike self.
Don’t be an angry elf, and watch this classic.
- Home Alone
We all get sick of our families from time to time, especially when we’re children. Someone telling you no to ice cream for breakfast is one of the biggest heartbreaks.
This is why the film’s plot is every child’s dream.
In Home Alone, there is not one person around to tell Kevin “no” to ice cream for breakfast. He gets to stay up late, watch whatever he pleases, and roughhouse.
But even with all of this freedom, as the movie progresses, we witness Kevin learn the importance of family.
Plus, who doesn’t love watching the incompetent Harry and Marv get beaten by a child?
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas
You’re a mean one, Jim Carrey.
Carrey is phenomenal as the Grinch. No matter how many times I watch the film, I still find myself laughing at his mannerisms.
The movie provides a much-needed background on this fan-favorite Dr. Seuss character.
If this movie weren’t about a guy who hates Christmas, it could have easily taken the number one spot on my list.
- Holiday Inn
Don’t be turned off by this black and white film.
Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire give some of their best performances in this film.
The movie is set around a music venue whose gimmick is that it is only open on holidays. Throughout the film, we watch Jim (Crosby) and Ted (Astaire) fight over the affections of a talented singer.
I could listen to Crosby sing and watch Astaire dance any day of the week. This film also debuted the classic holiday song, “White Christmas.”
This film is perfect for snuggling up next to your significant other during the holiday season.
So what are you waiting for?
- The Santa Clause
Tim Allen will always be my Santa Claus.
This is the one holiday movie I could not live without. I always watch in glee as Scott Calvin (Allen) learns to be a better father while being the man in the red suit.
Also, the film answers every question a kid might have about Santa. My favorite answered question is how Santa enters a home without a chimney.
I wish Disney still made movies with the same quality as this one. This film was also my introduction to contract law.
Always read the fine print, kids.
It’s crucial to do something you’ll enjoy over winter break. If you’re at home with family, give one of these movies a watch.
You might find a new Christmas favorite.
