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The Top 15 Christmas Movies to Watch This Holiday Season

Looking for a good holiday movie to watch? Check out one of these flicks.

Looking for something to do after a long day of shopping or cooking or wrapping presents? Why not kick back and relax with a holiday classic. Here are our picks for the top 15 Christmas movies to watch this holiday season:

15. Shrek the Halls (2007) - A Santa Claus made of waffles? That and more are featured in this half-hour television special. It is available on DVD and is guaranteed to please the little ones and the grown ups.

14. Christmas in Connecticut (1945) - A writer (Barbara Stanwyck) who has created a certain persona for her food column suddenly finds herself having to come up with a country home, a husband and a baby in order to keep up the ruse with her boss. This movie is worth watching for the glimpse of 1940s Christmas cheer alone.

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13. The Bishop's Wife (1947) - Cary Grant is absolutely marvelous as the angel Dudley sent to help a bishop and his wife find the true meaning of Christmas. Everything about this movie is completely delightful.

12. The Year Without a Santa Clause (1974) - This movie is worth watching just for the Heat Miser song -- without a doubt one of the catchiest songs ever. Children will enjoy this movie about Santa Claus and parents will enjoy the childhood flashback.

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11. Die Hard (1988) - If you are tired of all the Christmas cheer and ready for a little action, enjoy a Christmas party gone very, very wrong at Nakatomi Plaza. Alan Rickman stars as the bad guy to Bruce Willis' John McClane. It may not be your typical Christmas movie, but it is a lot of fun.

10. Christmas with the Kranks (2004) - If you haven’t seen this movie yet you should. Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis are hysterical as they plan on skipping Christmas. With their daughter out of town the Kranks don’t participate in any of their usual holiday activities including the annual "Frosty" neighborhood decorating tradition.

9. Home Alone (1990) – This fun Christmas movie featuring Macaulay Culkin makes us all wonder what we could get away with if our family left for vacation and forgot to take us.  Being home alone seems like lots of fun for young Kevin McAllister until he discovers two burglars are attempting to break into his house on Christmas Eve. The fun really starts when Kevin sets booby traps and creates more surprises to stop these would be burglars.

8. Santa Claus is Coming to Town (1970) – Have questions about Santa Claus? The Mailman has all your answers in this animated story about a baby named Kris who was left on the doorstep of the Kringle family. 

7. It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) – Here’s another classic movie that remains a holiday favorite for everyone. George Bailey and his Christmas awakening is a story you wouldn’t want to miss.

6. Elf  (2003) – This Christmas comedy featuring Will Ferrell tells the story of an elf that just doesn’t fit in at the North Pole. Follow Elf as he heads out on a humorous adventure to New York to find his real human father played by James Caan.

5. The Polar Express (2004) – Need some help believing in the magic of Christmas? This movie features a doubting boy who chooses to board a train headed to the North Pole on Christmas Eve. My favorite quote from this movie “Remember, the true spirit of Christmas lies within your heart."

4. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966) – This story is fun for all ages as the ever-grumpy Grinch carries out his plan to steal Christmas from Whoville. “Your a mean one Mr. Grinch,” don’t laugh, before the end you will be singing too! 

3. Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer (1964) - Do you recall the most famous reindeer of all? You knew Rudolph and the misfit toys would make the list. A great holiday film to enjoy with the whole family!

2. A Christmas Story (1983) – Everyone remembers Ralphie and his quest for a Red Ryder BB gun along with his mother’s response “You’ll shoot your eye out!” This movie set in the 1940’s is a true Christmas classic.

1. Miracle on 34th  Street (1947) – This classic has weathered the years and continues to be a holiday favorite. Claiming to be Kris Kringle himself, this movie follows “Santa Clause” as he performs miracles during the holiday season and tries to convince a young girl of his true identity.

Did I miss your favorites? What movies will you be sure and catch this holiday season? List your favorite holiday movies in the comment section below.


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