Best Christmas Movies for Kids and Adults

From 1946 to present, these are the 10 best Christmas movies for kids and adults.

10. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989) A classic Christmas movie comedy, the Griswold's, especially disaster prone Clark (Chevy Chase) are always good for a laugh. This comedy has great examples of 'don't try this at home' and the humor in dealing with certain unruly relatives.

9. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) Tim Burton's "stop motion" musical film is a classic Christmas movie about a misfit Pumpkin King that thinks his purpose is to merge Halloween and Christmas. Perfect for those with a great imagination that like being taken to a strange place. Not for small children (rated PG).

8. The Santa Clause (1994) A Christmas movie comedy and heartwarming story of Santa in training with amazing images of the North Pole Workshop. Tim Allen is funny and he does a great job becoming Santa.

7. The Polar Express (2004) Based on Chris Van Allsburg's book, this animated classic holiday film for kids is about a little boy who lost his faith in Santa. He ends up on a train and trip full of adventure - their destination the North Pole, where the boy meets Santa and receives the first gift of Christmas. Tom Hanks plays the little boy and several other roles. The great thing about animated movies for children is that most adults enjoy this type of movie as well.

6. Disney's Christmas Carol (2009) The computer animated version of Charles Dickens' classic with voice of Jim Carrey as Ebenezer Scrooge and all three Christmas spirits. This classic Christmas movie follows the usual story of Scrooge and visits from ghosts of past, present and future. Disney's best movies are those based on old classics and this one is no exception. If you enjoy digital effects, Jim Carrey and the story of Scrooge - go see Disney's Christmas Carol now (in 3D at select theaters).

5. How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966) From a Dr. Seuss book, Chuck Jones brings us this animated family classic Christmas movie. Grinch tries to prevent Christmas and robs presents and decorations from the Whos of Whoville but Christmas still comes and he ends up with a change of heart. The narration by Boris Karloff is great, wordplay superb and music memorable.

4. Home Alone (1990) A Christmas movie comedy and family favorite that will surely make you laugh. Kevin (Macaulay Culkin) is an 8 year old that gets left behind when his family travels to Paris for Christmas vacation. He definitely makes the most of it and truly becomes the man of the house as he sets traps for two burglars. The mischief he gets into reminds me of Dennis the Menace, which was also good for a laugh. My kids also like Home Alone 2.

3. Miracle on 34th Street (1947) The popular classic Christmas film about a single mom, Doris, who shares her cynicism about Santa with her little girl. Everything changes when a new Macy's Santa is hired by Doris. Santa ends up institutionalized as insane, and a young lawyer and friend of Doris's decides to defend Santa by arguing that he is the real thing. This is one movie worth watching every year at Christmas. I love the message of hope and the importance of believing.

2. Fred Claus (2007) This holiday comedy stars Vince Vaughn as the jaded, bitter older brother of Santa Claus. Fred agrees to help at the North Pole but could end up jeopardizing Santa's entire operation. This movie received poor reviews but we enjoy it. The plot is simple enough and the elves are cute too.

1. It's a Wonderful Life (1946) A essential classic Christmas movie directed by Frank Capra Jimmy Stewart as George Bailey grabs our heartstrings throughout his masterpiece. When George wishes he'd never been born, an angel appears. He takes George back in time to make him realize how important his life has been and what life would be like had he never been born. This movie is not only on my best Christmas movie list it's also in my opinion, one of the best movies ever.