9 Must-Watch Classic Christmas Movies This Holiday Season | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

9 Classic Christmas Movies You MUST Watch This Holiday Season

The perfect movies to end the holiday season with.

80
9 Classic Christmas Movies You MUST Watch This Holiday Season
Photo by Jakob Owens on Unsplash

In This Article:

The Christmas season is coming to a close, the cookies are almost gone, and the Michael Bublé is about to be shelved for another year. But that doesn’t mean you can’t take the time to watch one more Christmas movie before the magic is gone. The only question is: which one should you watch?

ELF

If you’re in the mood for a funny, heartwarming, insanely-quotable Christmas movie that’s fun for the whole family, then Elf is the movie for you. Buddy is a human, raised by Christmas Elves, who goes on an adventure to find his real family and bring Christmas cheer to all of New York City. Get ready to eat spaghetti and get festive, because the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.

The Polar Express

If you’re looking to experience the magic of Christmas, the wonder of childhood, and also you love Tom Hanks, then look no further than The Polar Express. Based on an illustrated children’s book we’ve all probably read at some point in our lives, the movie creates a magical, musical experience perfect for the Christmas time of year.

It’s a Wonderful Life

Into classics? Want something to lift your spirits? Time to pop in one of the most iconic Christmas movies of all time - It's A Wonderful Life. It’s been parodied in almost every cartoon and tv special ever - a man sees what the world would be like if he’d never been born. If you’re not emotional by the time a bell rings and an angel gets its wings, then you’re just one big Scrooge.

A Charlie Brown Christmas

Shown year after year without fail, watching this is like seeing an old friend. We know the Christmas play, jazz music, and the iconic little tree like the back of our hands. It’s short and sweet and has the perfect combination of humor, spirit, and a great message. Nothing lives up to the moment when Charlie Brown declares “I’ve killed it.”

Home Alone

What’s better than negligent parents, home invaders, and a spunky kid who can outwit two grown adults? If you’re forgetful, this is probably your worst nightmare scenario, but it’s hilarious either way. If you’re into a humorous yet heartwarming story of a boy forgotten at home for Christmas, a mother trying desperately to get back, and two criminals trying to break into said home, this is the movie for you. Merry Christmas, ya filthy animal.

The Nightmare Before Christmas

Still not out of your emo phase? Does part of you wish it were still Halloween? Or, have you been celebrating Christmas since the second the calendar flipped to November? If you enjoy the darker parts of life, The Nightmare Before Christmas is the movie for you. Although it could technically also be a Halloween movie, it’s really the best of both worlds, it’s where Halloween infiltrates Christmas. Creepy yet festive.

Christmas Vacation

A completely dysfunctional family? 25,000 Christmas lights? An overcooked turkey? A tree on fire? If this sounds anything like your family Christmas, definitely check out Christmas Vacation. Every second of the movie is laugh-out-loud chaos, and despite everything, it works out alright in the end, because it’s Christmas.

A classic animated Christmas movie

There are so many of these, and they’re all probably short enough that you can watch them in one long sitting. You have your choice of Frosty the Snowman, How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Santa Claus Is Coming to Town, or The Year Without A Santa Claus (aka the Snow Miser-Heat Miser special). Every one is a classic, and every one will invoke nostalgia. Pick your favorite, and the whole family will enjoy.

A Christmas Story

One of the most iconic, quintessential Christmas movies of all time, A Christmas Story includes all the important facets of a Christmas movie and has some of the most memorable moments and quotes still remembered fondly to this day. You don’t even need to seek out this one: there are bound to be multiple TV channels showing 24-hour marathons of this movie all Christmas day. You don’t need to be in a particular mood for this movie, this is one everyone should watch. But be careful, or you’ll shoot your eye out.

Of course, this doesn’t cover every Christmas movie. You could be into The Santa Clause, Love Actually, one of many versions of A Christmas Carol, Die Hard, or any number of infinite Christmas movies out there. I can’t talk about them all, we’d be here all day. But no matter what you pick, be sure to revel in the Christmas spirit before it’s gone for another year.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

12 Midnight NYE: Fun Ideas!

This isn't just for the single Pringles out there either, folks

13536
Friends celebrating the New Years!
StableDiffusion

When the clock strikes twelve midnight on New Year's Eve, do you ever find yourself lost regarding what to do during that big moment? It's a very important moment. It is the first moment of the New Year, doesn't it seem like you should be doing something grand, something meaningful, something spontaneous? Sure, many decide to spend the moment on the lips of another, but what good is that? Take a look at these other suggestions on how to ring in the New Year that are much more spectacular and exciting than a simple little kiss.

Keep Reading...Show less
piano
Digital Trends

I am very serious about the Christmas season. It's one of my favorite things, and I love it all from gift-giving to baking to the decorations, but I especially love Christmas music. Here are 11 songs you should consider adding to your Christmas playlists.

Keep Reading...Show less
campus
CampusExplorer

New year, new semester, not the same old thing. This semester will be a semester to redeem all the mistakes made in the previous five months.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

Let's face it, last semester you woke up with enough time to brush your teeth and get to class and even then you were about 10 minutes late and rollin' in with some pretty unfortunate bed head. This semester we will set our alarms, wake up with time to get ready, and get to class on time!

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

The 5 Painfully True Stages Of Camping Out At The Library

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

2622
woman reading a book while sitting on black leather 3-seat couch
Photo by Seven Shooter on Unsplash

And so it begins.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

Camping out at the library is not for the faint of heart. You need to go in as a warrior. You usually have brought supplies (laptop, chargers, and textbooks) and sustenance (water, snacks, and blanket/sweatpants) since the battle will be for an undetermined length of time. Perhaps it is one assignment or perhaps it's four. You are motivated and prepared; you don’t doubt the assignment(s) will take time, but you know it couldn’t be that long.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

The 14 Stages Of The Last Week Of Class

You need sleep, but also have 13 things due in the span of 4 days.

1601
black marker on notebook

December... it's full of finals, due dates, Mariah Carey, and the holidays. It's the worst time of the year, but the best because after finals, you get to not think about classes for a month and catch up on all the sleep you lost throughout the semester. But what's worse than finals week is the last week of classes, when all the due dates you've put off can no longer be put off anymore.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments