5 Must See Christmas Classics

There exists a vast selection of Christmas movies to sit down and enjoy during the holiday season. Everyone seems to have differing opinions on which one is the best but there are 5 classics that will definitely help boost your Christmas spirit. Whether watching with the entire family or draped with a blanket on the couch by yourself, these movies will make you laugh, cry and reminisce on Christmas days of old.

5. ELF (2003)

This movie tells of an Elf named Buddy played by Will Ferrell who grows up in the North Pole. Upon discovering that he has a father Buddy sets out on a quest to to meet him and win his affection. Buddy's father played by James Caan initially deems Buddy to be a nut job but grows to accept Buddy as his son by movies end. Two classic scenes are Buddy confronting a Santa impostor in front of a line of kids waiting for a photo op with jolly St.Nick at the local mall and singing a duet of "Its Cold Outside" with co-star Mary Steenburgen. Watching Buddy transition from the North Pole to big city life makes for an enjoyable movie that whips up plenty of laughs.

4. Scrooged (1988)

Bill Murray came back from a 4 year Hollywood hiatus to team up once again with Harold Ramis on this remake of the old Charles Dickens Christmas Classic. The movie tells of a less than festive figure TV Executive Frank Coss played by Murray who gets visited by 3 ghosts to show him how his life was, is and how it could turn out.. Murray delivers a great performance as the uptight and sarcastic ego-centric executive who is eventually humbled and forced to change his ways before its too late.

3. It's A Wonderful Life (1946)

A perfect movie for those that are down trodden and feeling like the world is against you this holiday season. The film tells of George Bailey played by James Stewart, a man who is struggling financially and emotionally and considers ending his misery by taking his life. Only to see how his being gone would affect all those around him. The movie is definitely a tear jerker that helps put things in perspective and show that no matter how tough the times are there are always things to rejoice and take comfort in.

2. National Lampoons Christmas Vacation (1989)

This installment of the National Lampoon series places Clark Griswold played by Chevy Chase as a joyous father anticipating Christmas Day. Through out the film Clark's Christmas spirit is dampened by a string of unfortunate events. Be it the in-laws coming to stay in his home, problems at work, the dilemma of getting the Christmas lights up and functioning, the Christmas tree burning down or cousin Eddie making an unexpected arrival in his R.V., Clark's enthusiasm is put to the ultimate test. Randy Quaid as always delivers a hilarious performance as the dreaded cousin Eddie and Chevy Chase is at his comedic best in this memorable holiday hit.

1. A Christmas Story (1983)

The number one spot however goes to a film that keeps gaining a bigger fan base each and every year. A Christmas Story starring Peter Billingsly as Ralphie Parker, a kid who wants only one thing in the whole wide world for Christmas, has developed a cult like following as there are millions who must get their Red Ryder B-B gun or the "you'll shoot your eye out" fix each and every holiday season. The movie which is narrated perfectly by Jean Shepherd makes one feel as though they themselves were there living a 1940's Indiana Christmas. The best part of the movie has to be Darren McGavin's character as Ralphie's dad, whether he's haggling the Christmas tree vendor, dealing with the Neighbor Bompous' pack of hound dogs or admiring his leg lamp from the street, he absolutely makes this film a must see classic. "Fra-gee-le" must be Italian" I think it says fragile...this film is an absolute Christmas masterpiece.