10 Christmas Films

1. A Christmas Story: An absolute, must-watch holiday film! A Christmas Story is about a young boy named Ralphie in the 1940's who wants nothing more than a BB gun and is continuously shot down from every conceivable angle in his effort to get one. It's a great movie for adults and parents, who can understand and find the humor in the attempts children often use in order to get the toys they desire, and any kid can relate to Ralphie and his unwavering love for one gift that he knows will change his life. The acting is superb and the film really tells the story of an honest, middle class, slightly dysfunctional family in the funniest way possible.

2. The Nightmare Before Christmas: Sure, the title sounds more like something to watch on Halloween, but this movie is something to be desired on both holidays. Tim Burton's story of Jack the Pumpkin King is brought to life in an astonishing, stop-motion masterpiece, which follows Jack Skellington and his search for a meaningful existence, one he finds in Christmas Town. Jack, flushed with excitement over this strange event, wishes to become Santa Claus and must learn the true meaning behind Christmas.

3. Scrooged: This is a fantastic spin on the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, starring Bill Murray as Frank Cross, a cynical television executive who's less than stellar childhood has left him with no Christmas spirit. On Christmas Eve, Frank gets a visit from three ghosts that are bound to teach him a lesson in time for him to make things right before the live broadcast event of Dickens' A Christmas Carol on his station. This is definitely a film for older audiences not willing to watch children oriented specials, but who still want to get into the holiday feelings.

4. Home Alone: This movie has gone down in history as a classic holiday special. A great comedy for the whole family, Home Alone follows the McCallister family as they rush off to France for Christmas, accidentally leaving their youngest son home alone. Kevin, who thought he was better off without his parents and siblings comes to learn how special the holidays are when spent with family, even if they aren't the greatest and can test your nerves.

5. It's a Wonderful Life: A classic holiday film following the life of George Bailey, a business man in the town of Bedford Falls who has given up his own dreams his entire life to better the existence of others, now finds himself contemplating suicide on Christmas Eve, due to the loss of an enormous sum of money that will cause his business to shut down and result in him going to jail. An angel comes to convince George how everyone he loves will be at a loss or ruined without him and that miracles are possible, especially on Christmas.

6. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000): The recent remake of Dr. Seuss' classic holiday story, starring Jim Carry as the Grinch. A mean and nasty creature called the Grinch plans to steal Christmas from Whoville, where in the remake, wasteful materialism and fake sentiments drive the Grinch crazy, along with their blasted noise. Ron Howard's film respects the aesthetic look of Dr. Seuss' story and the updates to it work well as a fun, family film.

7. Scrooge (1951): Considered to be the best film adaptation of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, Alastair Sim plays the role of the miser, Ebenezer Scrooge, who has no love for anyone or anything, especially the holidays. Upon being haunted by three spirits of Christmas, Scrooge is given the chance for redemption and escape the cold, unloving future that is ahead of him, should he learn and embrace the meaning of Christmas and goodwill towards men. A film for all ages and especially those who love the classic movies of the 1950's.

8. Miracle on 34th Street: Hired as a last-minute Santa for the Macy store, the event director, Doris Walker, comes to discover the whiskered man believes himself to truly be Santa Claus, even introducing himself as Kris Kringle. Despite that she, nor her young daughter, believe in fantasy, they come to notice strange things about Kris and when he is placed in a psychiatric hospital for his claim, Doris' kind friend and lawyer, Fred, comes to defend Kris in court by proving that he is indeed, Santa Claus. This is a very sweet, delightful film that puts belief in magic into any heart, young or old.

9. The Muppet Christmas Carol: Starring Michael Caine as Ebenezer Scrooge, The Muppet Christmas Carol is a wonderful rendition of the tale, full of familiar characters like, Kermit the Frog as Bob Cratchit and Fozzie Bear as 'Fozziwig.' The film is especially popular with theatre groups, although it is perfect for any age, and has songs that will have audiences singing along for years to come.

10. The Santa Clause: Divorced father, Scott Calvin has his son spend Christmas Eve with him. When the two discover into the night that Santa is on their roof, Scott surprising him accidentally leads Santa to fall off the roof. To make his son happy, Scott dons the suit and is swept away in the sleigh, out delivering presents all night before being whisked away to the North Pole, where an enormous workshop of elves try to convince him he is the newest Santa. This is a funny and interesting Christmas tale that has plenty of laughs and all children more than excited for the big night to approach!