Before I start this list I want to say it was hard to pick 20 movies because there's so many terrible Christmas movies such as Christmas with the Kranks, Surviving Christmas, Deck the halls, and Four Christmases to name a few. These movies are all movies I have seen so if there is a movie that you feel should be on here there's a chance it does but I just haven't seen it. These movies are not in order of best to worst. I have chosen to put them in rating order so you can get an idea if these are movies to watch with the whole family or not. Which brings me to my next point some of these films are sick,twisted,raunchy, or all three. If there's a film you find offense than don't watch it. Please don't comment on how you can't believe I'd put a movie like that on this list because Christmas is a time for happy stuff or things like that. If you don't like a movie on this list don't watch it there are plenty of good family films on this list. Anyway without further waiting here's my list
1. It's a Wonderful Life (G) 1946
I saw this film believe it or not for the first time Christmas 2009. I was visiting some friends in Singapore. They didn't arrive until the next day so I was at the guesthouse by myself and didn't feel like going out. All that was there was a VHS player and a few films one being this movie. I watched it and instantly fell in love with this great movie. It's the story a man who decided that his life would be better if he wasn't born. So an angel shows him what a life without his birth would look like.
Reason to Watch- It's just all around a great movie. The story is good and heart warming, Jimmie Stewart and Donna Reed star both amazing at acting, and you can watch it with the whole family which makes it an all around great movie
2. Miracle on 34th Street (G) 1947
This is one that I can remember watching as a kid on TV this is also a favorite of my mom's so she would watch it at Christmas time. It's basically about a man who claims he's Santa they institutionalize him and a lawyer fights for the guy in trail claiming he's the real deal.
Reason to watch it- Besides the fact that it's a good family film. I would have to just point out it's a movie where they put a man on trail for being Santa Clause what more can I say to make a plea for this movie.
3.Holiday Inn (G) 1942
This is another one I didn't see until later. It was 2010 when I saw this one. I friend told me to check it out. I was surprised how much I loved this one especially the music. The main plot is I man who gets the boot from his girlfriend and is basically betrayed by his friend opens a club that is only open to celebrate the holidays.
Reason to watch it- Once again good family film with good acting. Also one of the songs is the beloved song White Christmas. I do need to point out for Lincoln's birthday there is a song and dance number in black face which is pretty stinken funny. Understand the reason it's funny is because it was unintentional racism in the since it wasn't done out of hate or spite which would make it not only not funny but not on this list. The whole reason for the black face is actually to disguise a woman's face I can't say more or I'd start telling parts of the plot. There is also a black lady who is the the house keeper. This is a very stereotypical character. The thing is now we can look back at a movie like this and see the ignorance and also see although things are still not perfect how far we have come from the racism of the past.
4. The Muppet Christmas Carol (G) 1992
I love this movie I can remember being a kid and seeing it with my dad at movies. It was one of those movies both of us could enjoy and has remained one my dad and I can enjoy together even now. The plot is basically Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol but with Muppets.
Reason to watch it- As I said above it's a Christmas Carol told by Muppets I mean is there a better reason than this?
5. Home Alone (PG) 1990
I could talk about this movie forever I saw this one in theaters also and it became one of my favorites.The plot is basically a family gets on a plane headed to Paris when they realized we might have left something oh yeah we forgot our 8 year old Kevin. But don't feel to bad for Kevin he may be home alone but he befriends an old creepy guy who everyone thinks killed his family but turns out to be a normal and nice man who walks the street with a shovel. Not everyone wants to be Kevin's friend and he is forced to torture a pair of criminals who try to break into his house.
Reason to watch it- I am well aware my description of this movies makes it sound different than it is but I dare you to watch this movies and find any part of my description that is false. That being said the other reason to watch it is Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern as the wet Bandits and John Candy makes an appearance. These reason alone should be enough but if it's not this movie also is a great resource for learning how to stop burglars from breaking into your house by using everyday household objects and that's just a great lesson for all.
6.Home Alone 2 (PG) 1992
I love this movie I realize it's basically the same thing as part one but it was still a childhood favorites. My uncle worked at a movie theater and he gave me this poster that looked like a wanted poster and it said escaped Wet Bandits I wish I still had it. Basically the plot is Kevin's parents forget him again because apparently they are awful people this time in New York. But Kevin manages to stay in a luxury hotel until they find out he has his parents credit card but is there alone so he leaves the hotel goes to his aunts and uncle's house. They are gone but he stays there. While doing this Kevin befriends a crazy bird lady who turns out to be nice just like the creepy shovel guy from the first one. Guess who also happens to be in New York the two criminals from the first movie. This time they plan to rob a toy store of money for orphans. Since my guess is Kevin has a a soft spot for orphans and toys he once again beats up the criminals and saves the day.
Reason to watch- First off for the moral lessons. Lesson 1 crime doesn't pay if you commit a crime a 9 year old child will beat you up. You hear that children who are reading this if you see a crime being committed the best thing you can do is take it into your own hands like Kevin. Lesson 2 don't judge people. Crazy people walking down the street are really nice people so the next time you see a man with a shovel in his hand talking to himself or a woman covered in birds make friends give them hug maybe invite them to stay with you because there's no way it would end bad. Other reasons for this movie It's funny, Stern and Pesci are back, and the hotel staff is played by Tim Curry aka that transvestite from Rocky Horror Picture Show and Rob Schneider aka that short guy who's always with Adam Sandler
7. Elf (PG) 2003
Ok a have to start with a confession I can't stand Zooey Deschanel. I don't find her attractive I think she's weird looking with an annoying voice and she's not funny at all. Also what's up with that cutesy weird act she puts on. No one can be that weird and if she is she should be in a mental institute not making movies. I know I just got a little mean but I just don't understand how she is so popular. Anyway the point is this is a movie a like even though she is in it. If you haven't seen this movie it's about a human who was raised by elves and once he realizes he's a human leaves the North Pole to find his father in New York who works for a book company and is also on the naughty list.
Reason to watch- Because if you don't see this film you are depriving yourself of a modern classic. I admit when this film came out I was in college and like every other college guy at the time was convinced that Will Ferrell was the funniest man alive. I don't dislike Farrell now but my ideas of comedy have broaden since then. I say that to say even with my changing point of view I still love this movie. The reason why is you can watch it with your family. Also Ferrell's childlike portrayal of Buddy the elf who has never been seen the human world so everything is amazing is not only funny but also fun to watch as he figures things out. Like when he sees I sign that says worlds greatest cup of coffee(which obviously is just a marketing tool and not truly the worlds greatest coffee) he goes to congratulate the store on their achievement This innocence in the charter makes him really likeable. The other reason are James Caan and Bob Newhart are both in this movie two great actors so with all these reasons if you haven't seen it see it now you will thank me.
8.Ernest Saves Christmas (PG) 1988
I remember being a kid and loving the Ernest movies I honestly can't remember a whole lot from this film but it's on here because It's a Ernest movie and I still enjoy Ernest. The plot is Ernest a lovable goofball tries to help Santa find a replacement.
Reason to watch- Because it's a goofy mindless movie and sometimes it's good to watch those kind.
9. The Santa Clause (PG) 1994
I remember seeing this one in the theater with my parents and my little brother It's another fun movie. The plot is a man accidentally kills Santa Clause then makes the mistake of putting on Santa's suit which turns him slowly into Santa by making him really fat and old looking.
Reason to watch- Ok once again I have made the movie sound horrible when I described the plot I promise it's not as bad as it sounds it is ok for kids. You should see this movie because it is pretty good and you learn the lesson of if you find Santa's suit just lying around somewhere or because you killed him leave it be unless you want to become old and fat and live in the North Pole which is a cold place to live I imagine.
10. Jingle All The Way (PG) 1996
This is a movie that gets panned alot but I really enjoy it. The plot is a dad waits until the last minute to try to get the most popular toy which a action figure called Turbo Man he then spends the rest of the movie in compettion with a mailman to find a Turbo Man action Figure.
Reason to watch- My main argument for this movie is Arnold Schwazenegger. I personally think that because of his accent anything he is in is gold. Think about the plot of Kindergarten Cop it's not that good. Anyone else in the role would have made it a forgettable movie but Arnold's butchering of the English language gives us lines like "it's not a tumba" which of course is Arnold's way of saying tumor. Just like Kindergarten Cop Arnold's accent is in full swing in this film. Another reason is Arnold fights everyone from Mini Me, The Giant who is a wrestler for WWE, and my favorite fight Arnold vs Sinbad. This fight is the best I can't think of a more worthy opponent than Sinbad. Also the late Phil Hartman is in it. He truly was a funny comedian.
That's it for now I will put the next 10 up in the next few days. The first 10 were all family films these next 10 even though some PG will start to stray away from Family friendly
