Holidays, especially Christmas, can be stressful. Still, the heart of this holiday is spending time with the people you love and, oddly enough, relaxing. Gathering around a movie is a wonderful way to take a load off and be with people at the same time. Make it a holiday movie, and you're getting into the spirit of the season, too. Many people have a traditional movie or two (or three, or more) that they watch around this time. If you are looking to start your own tradition, change up an old one, or give yourself a little holiday shot in the arm, here are a few Christmas classics to choose from:
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation – Chevy Chase plays the bumbling head of the house trying to navigate finances, relatives, and some inanimate obstacles in order to pull off Christmas without a hitch. There are, of course, many hitches.
A Christmas Carol – The 1938 version is a deserved classic, telling Charles Dickens' familiar story of Scrooge and his visits from the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future. This tale of redemption is as universal as they come.
A Christmas Story – Christmas as seen through the eyes of 9-year-old Ralphie Parker, an average boy in the 1930s Midwest. Chock full of classic scenes and dialogue, a charming and honest take on adolescence and family.
Miracle on 34th Street – Once again, the original is the best. A department store Santa Claus claims he is the real thing, and only a little girl believes him. That is, until Santa goes to court. Winner of three Academy Awards.
A Charlie Brown Christmas – Even at over 40 years old, Charlie Brown's earnest struggle to find the true meaning of Christmas is ageless. Ending on a note of hope and community, this animated classic is even further lodged into the canon thanks to Vince Guaralidi's indelible score.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas – The animated version of Dr. Seuss' book is as fun and moving today as when it first came out. The Grinch's theme song is a holiday classic in its own right.
The Santa Clause – This 1994 film starring Tim Allen has slowly but surely become a holiday staple. He plays a recently divorced dad who unwittingly becomes Santa Claus after the man himself meets an untimely death on his roof. Humor and heart in equal measure.
Image courtesy of Liberty Pictures
It's A Wonderful Life – Maybe the king of all Christmas movies, Frank Capra's 1946 classic initially bombed but has since come to represent the spirit of the season more than any other piece of popular culture. James Stewart portrays George Bailey, a man who gets a second chance on Christmas Eve after a guardian angel shows him a world in which he was never born. Powerful, uplifting, and beautiful.
The Bishop's Wife – This warm comedy stars the great Cary Grant as an angel sent to help a local bishop. The bishop alone knows who this man really is and watches in exasperation as he charms everyone around him, including the title character. This strange love triangle is the center of one of the great Christmas comedies.
Elf – Will Ferrell's strangely believable performance drives this recent holiday favorite. He plays a human, raised by elves, who travels to New York City in search of his father (James Caan). Lighthearted and very funny.
Home Alone – Macaulay Culkin shines as Kevin McCallister, an eight-year-old left, you guessed it, home alone on Christmas vacation. Intercut with his mother's frantic attempt to get home to her son are precocious Kevin's battles with a creepy neighbor, being man of the house, and, most memorably, two inept burglars played by Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern.
Frosty the Snowman – This animated classic brings the song to life. A magical top hat placed on Karen's snowman turns him into the walking, talking title character. Young children love this one, and with good reason.
Image courtesy of Twentieth Century-Fox
Of course, this is a list of more or less traditional fare. The great part of the holidays is making it your own. Here is a brief list of some more left-of-center Christmas pictures:
- We're No Angels
- A Muppet Christmas Carol
- The Nightmare Before Christmas
- Edward Scissorhands
Just remember, the most important part is having fun and enjoying what the holidays have to offer. Happy viewing!