The Ultimate Christmas Movie List

One of the lovely thing about winter vacation is binge-watching seasonal movies, and as a film lover, I have plenty of favorites (and others I can't believe make it on lists year after year). Here are some of ones we'll be watching at our house this month:

Films for the Whole Family

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)

An obvious choice, but I'd be remiss to leave it off. This is stop-motion nostalgia at its best.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)

Opt for the 1966 animated version of Dr. Seuss' Christmas classic (because the Jim Carey version is  freaky). 

Frosty the Snowman ((1969)

Don't get tricked by Netflix and get the Burt Reynolds version. Your kids can tell the difference, and they want the 1969 version with the endearing Jimmy Durante. 

A Christmas Story (1983)

For the love of Red Ryder BB guns and dads cursing in the basement, this is one of those rare films that every age can get into. 

Home Alone (1990)

Our kids watched it for the first time recently and were in hysterics. They've also been making their own maps of how to booby trap the house against invaders ever since. 

Elf (2003)

Will Ferrel's portrayal of Buddy the Elf, and his unadulterated love for all things Christmas, is playful and a comedic delight. 

Films For Teens and Adults 

The Shop Around the Corner (1940)

Jimmy Stewart, 1940s Budapest, and the love story that serves as inspiration for You've Got Mail -- it's all charming and my favorite  black & white Christmas movie.

It's a Wonderful Life (1946)

Get out the tissues and watch Jimmy Stewart make you feel bad for being a capitalist consumer. Beause sometimes you need to have all the feelings. 

White Christmas (1954)

I fell in love with this film after attending a sing-a-long at our local art house theater (don't judge, it was awesome), and it's now one of my favorite Christmas movies. How can you go wrong with Bing and Rosemary?

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)

Growing up, this was my family's all-time favorite holiday movie, and we watched it on loop. From "Shitter's full!" to "I don't know, Margo" the movie is overflowing with great zingers waiting to be quoted. 

Rare Exports (2010)

I take my film classes to see this Finnish Christmas horror movie every year, and it doesn't get old. A hilarious parody of Swamp Thing-like movies, it is a funny and suspenseful Krampus flick. 

Carol (2015)

An edgier Christmas film, it's beautifully shot and tells the compelling tale of a daring romance in 1950s New York. 

What are your favorite holiday films?