29 Christmas Movies, Specials, Shorts, and Episodes

Well, it's about that time again. If you really feel like milking the season this year (for cheap) you could try a movie every couple of days from here on out to get yourself in the mood for Christmas. And with the economy the way it is, we're all going to have to find cheaper ways to ring in the holiday cheer. I suggest pitch-in group viewings of any of the below recommendations.

It seems like every year, I tell myself I'm going to watch the old stand-bys and some childhood favorites. Then, before I know it, Christmas has come and gone and I've missed my chance. So this year, I thought I'd map out a nice selection in advance, and fill up my Netflix queue while I'm still thinking about it. There's something here for every mood and personality, whether Christmas gives you a taste for blood or the innate need for cartoon cheer. Or both. Please to enjoy...

Pre-Christmas - When it's too soon to break out the concentrated Christmas movies, but you can't wait any longer for festive cinema. These movies will get you safely in the neighborhood without making you holiday-weary too early.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles (1987) - The film that brought you the incredible quote-filled ETA late eighties rap(ish) song, "I can take anything". A rare and successful attempt at a Thanksgiving movie. John Candy at his loveable finest, Steve Martin at his irritated best.

Bridget Jones Diary (2001) - Witty English dialogue and an R rating manage to make this one more versatile than it might at first appear. Not technically a holiday movie, but including many cringe-worthy holiday moments you can probably relate to regarding weight gain, vodka, Chaka Khan, and "funny uncles".

Holiday Inn (1942) - It covers all the holidays, so you can be sneaky about wanting to get sentimental about Christmas a little early. (Awkward Alert: Um, how do I warn you about this delicately...racist material is a part of this one. It's a sad artifact found in many a old-movie musical, and painful to watch. But the movie is redeemable if you can manage to skip those scenes or get through them without bursting into tears of shame.)

Serendipity (2001) - Many people avoid this one because of the whole, "chick flick" stigma. But there are some serious laughs here. "Well, the problem is you can't fight off an army of blood-thirsty Vikings with a shenai, it's illogical." Give it a chance, would ya? Makes an excellent date movie.

Family Man (2000) - Because there are so few movies that showcase Tea Leoni's talents as a comic leading lady. True, it's not as brilliant as James L. Brook's indie-feeling, "Spanglish" and not as broad in the comedy department as, "Dick and Jane". (Both of which included Leoni's mad comedy skills.) But it does have some serious charm, and bonus points for the casting of Jeremy Piven and Don Cheadle. It's a surprisingly dignified take on the oft- attempted "what if" scenario. Should guilt you right back into relationship-line.

Funny Farm (1988) - The autumnal setting of the movie and the Christmas finale make it a perfect warm-up film. Sidebar: Madolyn Smith doesn't get enough credit for her hilarious performance in this film.

Christmas Action - When you're enjoying the season, but you still need some violence.

The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996) - This is an unsung classic. Yeah, I said it. Classic. There's much shooting, burning, charring, Samuel L. Jackson delivering some PERFECT one-liners, and the incredible and highly under-appreciated Geena Davis doing some pre-Angelina Jolie in Tomb Raider "take no prisoners" stunt work. It's Die Hard for women, and it's a fun 90's time capsule for men. Plus, there's plenty of, "Hey, it's that guy" moments, including some hilarious scenes with the ubiquitous Brian Cox.

Die Hard (1988) - I don't really need to explain this one at all, so I will instead use this space to discuss Reginald VelJohnson. Is he, or is he not one of the most amazing media cops ever? That is to say, an actor who plays cops, not one who polices our media. Discuss...

Tales From The Crypt (1972) - It may take a little fast-forward action to get to the Christmas segment, but this cheesy anthology offers the very scenes that made me afraid of Santa for the majority of my childhood. (It was one of my many kinder-traumas.) It's a campy thrill. And I do mean, really campy. Totally worth a watch for Grade B horror fans.

Tearjerkers - Because nothing says, "Christmas" like a fit of hysterical crying.

The Family Stone (2005) Admittedly, the distinct lack of funk music is a little disappointing. But this is a movie featuring characters you can relate to, and chalk full o' awkward family moments. A talented ensemble manages to play convincingly with both heavy plot elements and slapstick comedy. It will manage to make you feel better about your family, while making you sad that you can't go visit Craig T. Nelson and Diane Keaton for Christmas. (Which is an emotional hurdle you may deal with anyway...)

It's A Wonderful Life (1946) Really, need I elaborate? Zest for life increases by at least 50% upon viewing this movie.

Love Actually (2003) Highlight? Bill Nighy, playing Robert Palmer + Keith Richards = Genius. Feel good movie? Yes. Tear-jerking elements? Check. Has been known to inspire happy tears. The perfect movie to watch to get yourself into just the right emotionally vulnerable state to welcome relatives into your home. Chances are much slimmer that you will snap at them while riding the emotional high provided by, "Love Actually".

White Christmas (1954) This movie is a gateway drug to Danny Kaye, or should be. The added bonus to this one is the patriotic overtones perfect not only for Christmas but for our election year.

Shorts and T.V. Specials - Ideal for googling when the rental shelves have been picked bare of Christmas Classics

Mickey's Christmas Carol (1983) The greatest quality of this special isn't necessarily the Scrooge plot, but is instead the collection of classic Disney Christmas cartoons. It's like taking a shot of insta-childhood.

The Star Wars Holiday Special (1978) - The made for television Star Wars Christmas show may, in fact, be one of the most potently awful pop culture artifacts ever created. So bad, it's really really good. Featuring Chewbacca's extended family members, with names like, "Itchy" and "Lumpy". I'm not making this up. This one can be really hard to track down, so start looking early.

A Christmas Caper (2005) - A short film originally found on the "Madagascar" DVD, but easily found online. Clever to the maximum, highly kid-appropriate.

A Garfield Christmas Special (1987) - I sometimes fear that enthusiasm for Garfield is waning over the years. Prove me wrong, watch this special this season. If you're in your early twenties or beyond, this should have some highly sentimental value for you.

*While it's not technically a special or a short, I also like to recommend the season 6 X-Files episode, "How The Ghosts Stole Christmas". It's full of surprisingly relevant dark humor and keen insights into the human condition during the holidays. It also serves as a great atmospheric reminder that people used to tell spooky ghost stories at Christmas time. It works on so many levels, and has two very amazing guest stars, as well as a haunted house set that rivals Disney's Haunted Mansion.

So timeless, they need no summary.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)

How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)

A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)

The Old Stand-Bys - You just shouldn't do December without at least trying these...

Scrooged (1988) - 1988, a vintage year for Christmas classics. This darker take on "Scrooge" is balanced out by the high volume of laughs and excellent performances from Bill Murray, Carol Kane, and Alfre Woodard. How can you not like a movie that gives a cameo to Robert Goulet? Highly quotable as well, which never hurts.

Meet Me In St. Louis - Contains, hands down, the best version of "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" ever performed. Watching this before travelling home to visit relatives could help you don a rose-colored pair of glasses for your trip. No promises on how long the warm-fuzzies will last though.

The Muppet's Christmas Carol (1992) - If you could overdose on cute, this would be the movie that could cause it. So many good qualities, Michael Cain, adorable puppets, good songs, (Okay, except for the one that Clara sings...) if you don't like this movie, you have no soul. There, I've said it.

Elf (2003) - Absolute neo-classic, pre-over exposure Will Ferrell (I love him, I'm just saying, he had really thorough PR people for a while.) featuring a Rankin and Bass claymation tribute, jokes at the pace of Tommy Boy, and an amazing cast. So much to love, so little space to convince. (Not that anyone needs convincing.)

Home Alone (1990) - I can give you 3 reasons alone to watch this movie again even if you think you hate it. Classic soundtrack, Catherine O'Hara, and, "Fuller, lay off the Pepsi!".

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989) - Quite possibly the single most therapeutic Christmas movie ever made. May cause long bouts of sadness about the lack of good Chevy Chase movies post, "Memoirs of an Invisible Man". Cure with "Fletch".

Mixed Nuts (1994) - Written by the witty Ephron sisters, and directed by Nora herself, this is far less saccharine than some other Ephron films. One of Madeline Khan's quirkiest performances. Liev Schreiber in drag, looking distinctly like Louis Brooks. (Why doesn't he do more comedy?) A very young Adam Sandler, Rob Reiner as a veterinarian, Gary Shandling, and the list goes on and on. This movie is very over-the-top, in a good way. Even if you don't love it (And mysteriously, many don't.) it's worth a watch at least once just for its variations on normal Christmas movies and some of it's dark humor, which can make for a nice change of pace this time of year.

A Christmas Story (1983) - "You'll shoot your eye out."