My Top 5 Christmas Movies

Photo by Sleeba Thomas on Unsplash

There are certain movies I can watch every year that instantly put me in holiday mode. Most, if not all, come from my childhood and are still enjoyable to watch as an adult.

Whether it’s the stellar casting, whimsical music, silly storylines, or timeless quotability, these movies will always be the classic Christmas movies in my book. 

5) How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)

Photo by Geoffrey Moffett on Unsplash‍ ‍

Dr. Seuss’ Christmas tale about the grouchy green monster who hates Christmas became a favorite when Jim Carrey brought the Grinch to life in a way that made him ironically lovable. I can’t imagine anyone else playing the role better.

Beyond Carrey’s acting, the set and costume design were memorable. The live-action Whoville feels true to Dr. Seuss’ drawings and the wackiness of it all gave me a bubbly Burton-esque vibe, but it’s actually directed by Ron Howard! 

4) The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

Photo by Elin Melaas on Unsplash

Of course this Tim Burton classic had to be on my list. I love that it blends Halloween and Christmas, so I get to enjoy it twice as much.

I don’t usually like musicals, but this one gets a pass because it’s such a vibe. One of my favorite songs is “Oogie Boogie’s Song” because it has a jazzy and bluesy feel that I like for some reason.

And no other animated movie can make me feel spooky and merry at the same time, which is more of a reason why it’s on my list. 

3) The Holiday (2006)

Photo by Siora Photography on Unsplash

Kate Winslet (Titanic), Cameron Diaz (Charlie’s Angels), Jack Black (School of Rock), and Jude Law (Sherlock Holmes) star in this holiday rom-com about two women who escape their love lives by swapping homes for the holidays.

It’s cheesy, as rom-coms usually are, but I love Hans Zimmer’s whimsical score and the charming little cottage Kate Winslet’s character lives in. 

2) Home Alone (1990)

Photo by Theo Crazzolara on Unsplash

This is such an entertaining holiday movie about a kid left home alone during Christmas who has to defend his house from a pair of burglars. A smart kid would’ve called the police, but a slightly dumb and ballsy kid like Kevin sets booby traps instead. 

As a kid, it’s hilarious to watch a kid outsmart grown men, but as an adult it feels wildly dangerous. And why didn’t a huge house like that have a security system? It was the ‘90s, not the 1800s.

My favorite scenes were of course all the booby traps, especially the scene where Kevin puts his brother’s pet tarantula on the burglar’s face and the scream gets me every time. 

1) Elf

Photo by Elias Andres-Jose on Unsplash

Will Ferrell stars as Buddy the Elf, a human raised by Santa’s elves who grows up believing he’s one of them, finds out the truth of his human origins, and travels from the North Pole to New York to find his biological father. I love Buddy’s innocence and cheery disposition, even when the real world and his own dad aren't so kind. 

This is also one of the most quotable holiday movies, with lines like “I’m a cotton-headed ninny muggins” and “Buddy the Elf, what’s your favorite color?” It’s my number one holiday movie because it’s silly and always makes me smile.