Great Holiday Movies of the Past and Present

When the holiday season rolls around many traditions are celebrated by families. One of these traditions is the watching of holiday movies. Many families put on a holiday movie while they are decorating their home and Christmas tree. Many watch holiday movies to get into the holiday mood. There are many great movies for this season, some old and some are recent. Most holiday movies fall into the "feel good" genre. The following is a list of holiday movies.

• White Christmas (1954)

There is nothing that can get you in the holiday spirit as old Bing crooning. The plot of this movie is obvious, but it is filled full of great Irving Berlin music.

• Holiday Inn (1942)

Here is another Bing Crosby movie with lots of Irving Berlin music and throw in funny man Danny Kaye. This movie will have you dreaming of snow.

• Miracle on 34^th Street (1947)

If you are looking for a great holiday movie to watch with the kids, look no further. The little girl not believing in Santa is a classic storyline.

• A Christmas Story (1983)

Little Ralphie has to convince his parents, teachers and Santa that a Red Ryder BB gun is the perfect Christmas gift for him.

• National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)

Personally, this is my favorite holiday movie. You have to be a fan of the National Lampoon genre to truly appreciate this film. A nice slightly dysfunctional family makes plans for a great family Christmas that of course falls to pieces with comical mishaps.

Classic Christmas Cartoons

• How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)

This is the early cartoon version of the 2000 Jim Carey smash hit The Grinch. This is where it all began kids, so enjoy the cartoon that inspired the movie.

• Mickey's Christmas Carol (1983)

The Disney version of everyone's favorite Charles Dickens Christmas Carol.

• Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)

The song is probably better known than the movie. If you watched it as a child as you grow older, the abominable snowman becomes less scary and more comical. My favorite is Hermey the Elf who wants to become a dentist. The movie has a very good message about how a misfit of society becomes a very valuable part of society.

• A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)

Good ole Charlie Brown frets over the commercialism of Christmas in this cartoon classic.

• Frosty the Snowman (1969)

This is another cartoon that the song is better known than the movie. It is a very good cartoon for the kids. Recent Holiday Movies Bound for the Classics

• Polar Express (2004)

If you can catch this being replayed in IMAX, you really should. This magical journey will make you believe in Santa all over again.

• Elf (2003)

Who can really resist watching Will Ferrell in an elf suit? This movie has everything; it will make you laugh and cry.

• The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

If you are a Tim Burton filmmaking look no, further this is the holiday movie for you.

• Home Alone (1990) and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)

These movies probably do not have the most traditional plot for a holiday classic, but it will make you appreciate having your family around for the holidays.

• The Santa Clause (1994), The Santa Clause 2 (2002) and The Santa Clause 3 (2006)

Everyone loves Tim Allen especially kids. Each version of this film has a little different plot. The Santa Clause 3 can be caught in theatres now for a family outing.