My 7 Top Christmas Movies

Everyone has their favorite Christmas movie. You know the one. The one movie they play every Christmas so it gives you a good dose of the Christmas spirit. Literally, watching it puts you into a better mood.

Well, when I was a kid I'd watch all of those old Rankin Bass clay animation films, like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman, and learn all the songs. Even now I know most of the words to "We're a couple of misfits, not a couple of nitwits." But over the years there were certain Christmas films that stood out to me, certain ones that made me smile, made me cry, and even made me laugh out loud.

Here's my list of my top 7 Christmas movies.  

1. ABC Family's Three Days

Three Days is a sweet ABC Family Original Movie about a man who has to learn how to appreciate everything he has in 3 days. In the beginning of the movie he puts his career first and neglects his wonderful wife, played by Kristen Davis. But when his wife gets hit by a car and dies he realizes that he should've done things differently. So, with the help of an angel, he goes back in time 3 days before the accident and spends as much time as he can with his wife. Ultimately, he saves her life by pushing her out of the way of the car the second time around and dying in her place. That part was really sad, but with the angel's help the man comes back to life and they live happily ever after. Christmas Miracle, check. Lesson learned, check.

2. Miracle on 34th Street

  While I love both versions of Miracle on 34th Street, my absolute favorite is the 1994 one with little Mara Wilson. She was so cute and cynical at the same time and when she says she doesn't believe in Santa you believe her. The movie basically tries to prove (in a court of law) that a department Santa is the real Santa Claus. And I must say the lawyers in both films were so convincing they almost had me believing again. It's the perfect movie to get you in the Christmas mood and I'd recommend both versions.

3. The Holiday

As far as Christmas films go this one doesn't actually focus on the holidays (despite the name) but it's still one of my all time favorite movies to watch at Christmas time because it's so funny, romantic, and relatable. It's about two women - Cameron Diaz & Kate Winslet - who live in completely different parts of the world - Cameron lives in sunny LA while Kate lives in snowy Surrey, England - and are having pretty crappy Christmases. Cameron caught her boyfriend cheating on her and Kate's in love with a total jerk who just uses her. In order to get away from their problems they switch houses for the holiday and have the adventures of a lifetime. Jack Black and Jude Law also star in this, but the leading ladies steal the show. 



4. How The Grinch Stole Christmas

   How the Grinch Stole Christmas is a Christmas staple around my house - both the live action one and the cartoon - mainly because it always reminded me of my grandma. We all know someone who isn't particularly fond of the holidays. You know the kind. Christmas songs get on their nerves, the thought of putting up lights annoys them, and they say things like "Humbug!" and mean it. Well, my grandma wasn't as bad as all that but she usually didn't get into the Christmas spirit until around December 23rd.

Anyway, as most of us know How the Grinch Stole Christmas is about the Grinch (duh) who hates Christmas and the Whos of Whoville, who love Christmas. The Whos sing, decorate, give gifts, and spread the Christmas cheer, which only sickens the Grinch. So, fed up with all the celebrating, the Grinch decides to dress up as Santa Claus, break into the houses of Whoville, and steal all their Christmas stuff. But in the end he actually helps them teach him a valuable lesson: Christmas spirit doesn't come from the store, it comes from your heart. The cartoon is adorable and Jim Carrey is hilarious in the live action film.

5. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

 Ok, so the first time I saw this movie I thought to myself, "How did they come up with an accurate representation of my family? I mean, did they plant cameras around our house?" Ok, maybe I'm exaggerating a little. My family isn't as bad as the Griswolds, but some scenes in this film seemed too familiar for comfort. It's the hilarious story of the Griswolds and their extended family who comes to stay for the holidays. Pretty much everything that could go wrong does and the shenanigans Chevy Chase gets into will have you rolling on the floor in laughter. So, if you're looking for a funny Christmas film this would be my pick.

6. A Royal Christmas

The last movie on my list is actually one that came out this year. It's a Hallmark Channel Original Movie and I fell in love with it the moment I read the name. I mean, hello! It has Christmas and royalty. Can't go wrong with that, right? So, I watched it and completely enjoyed it. It's about a girl who meets a guy and falls in love. End of the story, right? Wrong. The guy turns out to be a prince and he brings the girl to his country to meet his mother, the queen. Turns out the queen can't stand the girl because she doesn't think she's good enough for the prince so she does everything in her power to break the two up. It's kind of a cliché movie and you can tell how it's gonna end a few minutes in but still it's worth the watch.

7. The Santa Claus

This was probably one of the first Christmas movies I ever watched as a child and it still holds a special place in my heart even now. It's the story of a single dad named Scott Calvin (played by Tim Allen) who accidentally becomes Santa Clause when the real Santa falls off his roof and dies. Scott and his son hijack Santa's sleigh, deliver the rest of Santa's presents around the world, and go to the North Pole where they find out everything about Santa is real - the flying reindeer, the elves, the whole 9 yards. It's cute and really funny and a Christmas classic for me. So if you haven't already, check it out.



So those were my 7 favorite Christmas movies. Now it's your turn. What's your favorite Christmas movie?