Your Ultimate Holiday Movie Guide | The Odyssey Online
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Your Ultimate Holiday Movie Guide

Grab a warm blanket, a cup of hot cocoa, and get ready to watch the best holiday movies of all time.

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Your Ultimate Holiday Movie Guide
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Whether you are in search for a classic, rom-com, animation, action, or a family movie for all, there is a go-to Christmas movie for each and every one of us. Check your Netflix and Freeform's 25 Days of Christmas for your favorite holiday movies along with the ones below.

"A Christmas Story" (1983)

This oldie but goodie can be seen by nearly everyone with a TV. TBS airs it 24 hours straight from 8 p.m. Christmas Eve to 8 p.m. Christmas Day. Many viewers loved the story of Ralphie wanting a B.B. gun for Christmas that the movie was adapted into a Broadway musical. A Christmas Story is the full package when it comes to a Christmas movie, comical dialogue, iconic scenes like the leg lamp, or Flick gets his tongue stuck to a pole.

"Love Actually" (2003)


Nearly a dozen intersecting love stories make a Love Actually the best holiday rom-com of all time. A star-studded cast with Liam Neeson, Keira Knightly, Alan Rickman, Emma Thompson, Colin Firth, Martin Freeman, Hugh Grant, and many more. You will laugh, you will cry, and you will have all the happy feels when it is over. This movie will prove to you that "love, actually, is all around us."

" Miracle on 34th Street" (1947)

When Kris Kringle goes on trial, he will have you along with everyone else believing that Santa is real. This Christmas classic has the perfect amount of heart that gets you in the Christmas spirit.

"Elf" (2003)

This tale of a human man (Will Ferrell), raised as an elf in the North Pole, in search of his biological father in New York City has become a holiday classic. The utter joy Will Ferrel has as Buddy the Elf will guarantee to put a smile upon your face. As Buddy says, "I just like to smile, smiling's my favorite." This beloved holiday comedy will put you in the perfect Buddy-like Christmas spirit.

"The Polar Express" (2004)


If you have either read or listened to The Polar Express, then you surely will love the movie. The graphics take mesmerizing to a whole new level. The lovely story of a young boy, who has little faith in the meaning of Christmas, will take you on a magical journey to the North Pole on Christmas Eve. "Hot Chocolate," the joyful performance, performed by the waiters on the train will surely make you dance and wanting a a cup of hot cocoa. The important message throughout is to take the spirit and music of Christmas beyond the season and to share it with others.

"The Holiday" (2006)

This rom-com about house-swappers stumbling upon love on opposite ends of the world will make you want to spend next Christmas in a charming English cottage. This cast including Jude Law, Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, and Jack Black give The Holiday the perfect comedy between comedy and romance. The Holiday nowadays is highly considered to have knocked out Love Actually out of the top spot of rom-coms.

"How the Grinch Stole Christmas" (2000)

This whimsical Christmas tale, originally a Dr. Seuss classic Christmas story, turned into a holiday go-to. The hilarious Jim Carey plays a scrooge-like guy who learns to love Christmas with the help of six-year-old Cindy Lou. All the Whos in Whoville love celebrating Christmas and spread their Christmas cheer through happiness and joy. How the Grinch Stole Christmas put Faith Hill's "Where Are You Christmas" on the map of best Christmas carols.

"Home Alone" (1964)

Kevin McCallister's family accidentally left him behind when they go on Christmas vacation. This eight-year-old must scheme and defend a goofy set of burglars from robbing his family's home. His crazy antics will make you laugh throughout the movie. Don't worry, if it leaves you wanting more of this slapstick glory, there's Home Alone 2 and Home Alone 3. "Merry Christmas, ya filthy animal."

"Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer" (1964)


Even though it is a TV special, Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer is a Christmas classic. It has been aired on TV every single year since its debut in 1964. Some of the greatest Christmas songs came about from this 1964 film, such as "Holly Jolly Holiday" along with its theme, "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer." It is such a jolly good time singing along to this Christmas classic and never gets old.

"National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" (1989)

Before Elf and Home Alone came along, this Christmas classic was highly noted as the best holiday movie of all time. The Griswold family had many joyful Christmas plans which spiraled into one big disaster. This movie will show you that anything your family does will seem completely normal in comparison. This comedy will make you laugh until you cry throughout the whole movie.

"The Santa Clause" (1994)

Christmas is simply not Christmas without The Santa Clause. After Santa falls off the roof, a divorced businessman, Scott Calvin (Tim Allen), must take the place of Santa Clause. He and his son, Charlie, experience the magic of the North Pole. This Christmas essential has been loved so much that just like Home Alone, there have been two sequels.

"It's a Wonderful Life" (1946)

Frank Capra's 1946 film is not just one of the greatest Christmas movie's of all time, but it is one of the best movies in general. It is viewed as the most cherished, quoted, and viewed Christmas movies. The heartwarming and true message how everyone's life is meaningful makes It's a Wonderful Life the ultimate Christmas classic. It is nearly impossible to avoid happy tears at the end.

"A Christmas Carol" (1938)

This adaptation of Charles Dickens's 1843 novelette is the first of many adaptations, but this is the classic. The bad-tempered miser Ebeneezer Scrooge hates Christmas and mistreats his long-suffering employee, devoted family man Bob Cratchit. "Bah Humbug!" A visit from a ghost and three Christmas spirits may sway him to become more kindhearted. The most recent modern adaptation stars Jim Carey as Scrooge along with Gary Oldman and Colin Firth.

"Scrooged" (1988)

This modern version of A Christmas Carol starring Bill Murray as Frank Cross, a crazy successful TV executive. With his cold ambition and irritable personality has driven the love of his life away. On Christmas Eve, he is paid a visit by a series of ghosts that give him the opportunity to amend his wrongdoings. Through this Dicken's fashion on Christmas Eve, Cross learns the true meaning of Christmas.

" Harry Potter" Series

Even though not one of the brilliant movies in the Harry Potter series consist of a Christmas theme, they are still considered holiday classics. The HP series is played constantly on TV networks, like Freeform. The holiday scenes and decorations at Hogwarts are some of the grandest you will see on TV. While cooped up in your house and staying out of the snowy cold, this would be the best time to have a Harry Potter marathon. So pop some popcorn, brew up some homemade butterbeer, and make it a viewing party. This would be the perfect idea to reunite with your best friends while everyone is home for winter break. You'll be quoting the beloved series like old times.

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