OMG CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!! It has been a tradition in my life to watch ABC Family’s 25 Days of Christmas. But now, they’re called Freeform…apologies, but I’ll probably always call it ABC Family. The 25 Days of Christmas reminds us that Christmas is coming, the semester is about to end, and vacation is about to begin! So, here’s the top 10 movies I, and many others, are soooooo excited to see and when they’ll be aired this year! (Starting December 1st!!)
10) The Santa Clause
It’s not really a classic, but it is pretty cute. On Christmas eve, Scott accidentally kills Santa and has to replace Santa in order to save Christmas! He takes his son on his Christmas/Santa adventure and their father-son relationship begins to mend. I like this one because it’s a funny movie that incorporates family values and a father reconnecting with his young son through the power of Christmas spirit. Disney made way too many sequels, but those didn’t make this list.
9) Frosty's Winter Wonderland
Frosty’s Winter Wonderland was released in 1976 as a TV short. It’s only a half hour long and not the original Frosty the Snowman, but it is based off of that original. Frosty asks the children to make him a wife because he is lonely, but Jack Frost has other plans involving Frosty’s happiness. It is a bit disappointing that Frosty the Snowman is not being played this Christmas season, that is definitely one of my true favorites, but something Frosty – related is holiday centered is appreciated and so classic!
8) The Year Without Santa Claus
The Year Without Santa Clause is a tale about rediscovering the Christmas spirit and joy. Making Christmas joy for all of the world’s girls and boys must be exhausting; but that’s Santa’s job. One year, Santa is particularly exhausted and it’s up to Mrs. Clause and the elves to bring him back into the Christmas happiness. I, personally, would’ve played Home Alone in place of this movie (personal preference), but I do like The Year Without Santa Claus. It has that vintage feeling that Rudolph has and is all about being good and cheery during the holiday season. This movie was created in the 1970’s and we’ve loved it for all 40 years it has been out.
7) Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas
M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E!!! He was the original character that Walt Disney published. Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas is family friendly (like all of the movies Freeform is showing this holiday season) but this one helps teach kids that Christmas is not all about Santa and receiving presents; which is why I love this one so much. It’s the movie I watched on VHS as a child in my living room while my mom wrapped our presents in her bedroom upstairs. Mickey and his whole gang celebrate the holidays in this three-part film. Part one is about Donald Duck, part two involves Goofy, while part three is all about Mickey and Minnie’s magical Christmas.
6) Arthur Christmas
This movie came out in 2011, it is def not a classic. But it is pretty good! Arthur is Santa’s dysfunctional son and he is given the task of delivering a little girl’s present to save her Christmas morning! Santa’s son!!!!! The reason I love this movie so much is because, typically, no one shows Santa and Mrs. Clause having a family; other than their elves. Santa imparts some sort of responsibility onto his son because Arthur has to get ready to take over the Santa business eventually.
5) Disney's Prep & Landing
This film was introduced to the world on 2009; it is a gem! Everyone knows that elves are crucial to Santa’s operation; this short film is all about how they help Santa on Christmas Eve while he delivers presents to all of the children of the world. Wayne and Lanny are two of Santa’s key elves; Wayne is an elder elf and needs help being reminded of what the Christmas spirit is all about. This is the half way point of this list and where I truly get overly excited about the movies being listed. Prep and Landing was hyped up with so many commercials when I was young enough to be in love with everything on ABC Family. That’s probably why I love it so much. Wayne reminds me of all of the adults I know in my life, loving yet somehow bitter about their adult responsibilities. But Lanny reminds me of the children that I’ve babysat for years. He’s weird, hilarious, excitable, distractible, and loves Christmas. That dynamic duo and a story of reigniting that child-like excitement that comes around once a year.
4) A Christmas Carol (2009)
A Christmas Carol was originally released in the 1950s, but the version being shown this year is a remake that was released in 2009. Ebenezer Scrooge is all about being anti-Christmas; he has zero Christmas joy. When he’s being especially humbug about the holidays, Scrooge is visited by three ghosts who teach him to appreciate Christmas. This movie follows similar themes of discovering the Christmas spirit and I’m a sucker for all movies containing that idea. One reason I love A Christmas Carol is, when I was a child, Scrooge reminded me of my dad. Had a pouty face, was sort of humbug, but when he cheered up he was the most pleasant person in the universe! Ebenezer, like my dad, loves the people that are close to him. The 2009 version has great quality; It’s A Wonderful Life something I’d rather watch, but it isn’t all that family friendly. A Christmas Carol is a great replacement for It’s A Wonderful Life because both teach the main character to appreciate what they have.
3) Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas
A Halloween and Christmas classic! Jack Skellington, the King of Halloween Town, discovers Christmas and decides to take over Santa’s responsibilities; it’s a disaster. This movie was shown on Freeform’s 13 Days of Halloween and now is being shown on their 25 Days of Christmas, deservingly so. I’ve always been a fan of Tim Burton’s films and this is no exception. The music is catchy, the story line is ideal and the two holidays are my two favorite holidays of the whole year! I’ve always been excited about Halloween, the prospect of dressing up and having free candy is the best concept! Then, add Christmas to Halloween and it becomes epic. Jack Skellington has always been someone I’ve looked up to (yes, I know he’s a fictional cartoon), because he sees a dream and he goes to achieve it. He lets nothing get in his way.
2) The Polar Express
Definitely a classic. This is a movie about a train that brings the boys and girls who make Santa’s “nice” to the North Pole on Christmas eve. Those who believe can hear Santa’s reindeer’s bells ring, and one lucky child is given the first gift of Christmas. It’s a movie about friendship, spirit, loyalty, courage, love, and, obviously, Christmas. I always related to the main character because he was skeptical that Santa existed, until he met the man himself. Once he receives the first gift of Christmas he forever knows that Santa comes around, even when he is an adult with children of his own. I love this movie because it proves that if you believe hard enough in something it will come true with a little bit of luck, help, and faith.
1) Elf
SANTA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! One of this generation’s most amazing Christmas movies. Buddy the Elf is a human child who winds up in the North Pole as a baby. He is raised as one of Santa’s elves but knows he does not belong. As an adult, he finds out that he is not an elf and sets out to find his human family. This Christmas classic is my favorite Christmas movie, I watch it multiple times a year, and I get too excited whenever it airs. I honestly and obsessed with this movie. Every time I say “bye buddy” to a friend I always reply “I hope you find your dad”, because that’s one of the lines from this movie. It takes place in Manhattan, a place I know well and love a lot. It involves Santa, Buddy, a toy store, an epic Lego set, love, and finding where you belong and your own happiness. It isn’t just about Christmas so it can be showed year-round. Buddy is definitely me. He’s energetic, crazy about Christmas, a hard worker, just wants to fit in, wants to find love (and his true family), and has an awesome taste in clothes.
These are my 10 most anticipated Christmas movies of this year’s 25 Days of Christmas. Starting December 1st, the Christmas spirit will be in the air and these films can help you get further into that spirit! Freeform offers many more films, but they didn’t make this list. For when the movies listed above will be played and for the whole 2016 line-up please visit http://freeform.go.com/news/all-shows/25-days-of-christmas-schedule-2016 . Please do something charitable this winter for those less fortunate than yourself, may all your days be merry and bright, and may your family enjoy a warm, joyful holiday season.
