My Top 10 Favorite "Cheesy" Christmas Movies

When you mention the word "Christmas movie" right away people think of "It's A Wonderful Life" or "A Christmas Story." But there are many more out there that people either love or hate.

Last year it seemed like almost every night a brand new Christmas movie was coming on. Channels like Lifetime, The Family Channel and Disney have produced one Christmas movie after another. So being the Christmas movie buff that I am I try to watch them all. Thank the Lord for TIVO!

I wanted to share some of my Top 10 favorite "cheesy" Christmas movies. By "cheesy" I mean it is either so candy coated sweet it makes you roll your eyes yet you can't take your eyes off the screen or it is one of those "it's been done before" movies. Please note though that I am not putting down these movies. I love these movies and I don't want anyone to think I am making fun of them.

So in no particular order here are some of my favorite Top 10 "Cheesy" Christmas movies!

1. Christmas Every Day (1996) - Poor Billy Jackson just isn't having any luck. He isn't good at basketball, he's being bullied, has a crush on girl he can't have and to top it off his uncle wants to bring a Valu-mart to town which will put his dad out of business. Next thing he knows his adorable little sister wishes for Christmas every day and hoping to hush her up he too wishes it. He then starts reliving the same awful Christmas day after day.

Why I love this movie: I love movies where the day repeats. Plus what child doesn't think it would be great for every day to be Christmas? I like how the movie shows the different way things could have happened. Billy learns why it wouldn't be a great idea to beat up a bully in front of the girl he has a crush on. He also learns he can't save the world because something will always go wrong. Plus he learns how to connect more with his family.

My children are all old enough to finally understand this movie and it was funny watching my six year old son's reaction to the boy waking up to "Christmas Day AGAIN!" I think it's a great movie to watch as a family.

2. Unlikely Angel (1996) - Who doesn't think Dolly Parton is angel? I just love this movie and I look forward to watching it every year!

Dolly Parton stars as a (gasp) country singer who suddenly passes away. She has to pass a test first before she is allowed through the pearly gates. She LANDS into the home of a single father and his children. Her job is to bring Christmas back into the life of this family crushed by the death of their mother. The father is a workaholic and the children pretty are on their own. She has a tough job ahead of her.

Why I love this movie: Well first off as a southern girl myself I love Dolly Parton. This is the kind of movie that will make you laugh and cry. I get a kick out of how she has to control her "flirty" side now that she is working for her wings. She sings a few songs in the movie too and does a great version of "Jingle Bells" with a the little boy in the film. The clothes Dolly wears are funny too and the fact that a father would hire a nanny showing that much cleavage makes me laugh. A great family movie that I love seeing again and again!

3. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Clause (2002) - This became on of my favorite Christmas movies right away! Poor Justin Carver catches his mom giving Santa a kiss one night! He even has the picture to prove it! Justin's best friend's parents are having marriage problems and Justin starts to worry that since his mom kissed Santa his parents may divorce too. He also has to deal with his father working out of town so close to the holidays. He fears Santa will steal his mom away from his father! So Justin gets the idea to be bad so Santa won't come to his house on Christmas night!

Why I love this movie: The simple fact that the Sprouse twins are in it sell it right away. Cole & Dylan do a wonderful job playing bad boy Justin. My kids loved this movie and the fact that a little boy was being bad caught their attention right away. They laughed at the little to tossing snowballs at Santa, setting traps around his house to catch him and warning Santa to stay away! A big favorite at our house.

4. All I want for Christmas (1991) - Picture the "Parent Trap" with a Christmas twist and you get this movie. A brother and little sister set out a trap to get their parents back together. This movie has it all a little teenage romance, a cute stubborn little sister, a song and dance with "Baby, It's Cold Outside" and Leslie Nielson as Santa!

Why I love this movie: The main reason I love this movie that Thora Birch plays the role as the little sister perfectly. She is stubborn, self confidant and knows what she wants. The movie also shows the struggle of how Christmas is for kids when their parents are split up. The movie will touch your heart. My favorite part is Thora Birch and Lauren Bacall singing "Baby, It's Cold Outside".

5. A Mom for Christmas (1990) - At first glace you may roll your eyes and pass this movie after reading the plot. A little girl wishes for a mom for Christmas and she gets her wish when a department store mannequin comes to life. Sounds corny doesn't it? NO! This is a wonderful movie!

Olivia Newton John stars as the mannequin who comes to life for Christmas. She comes to the rescue of Jessica whose mom passed away when she was 3. Jessica lives with her father and she wishes more than anything she had a mom who could go shopping with her, bake cookies and just be there for her. Suddenly to her surprise her wish comes true!

Why I love this movie: My sister and I saw this movie when I came out years ago on the Disney Channel I think. We fell in love with it right away and we wore out the video tape we recorded it on pretty quickly! The movie shows how a preteen can quickly take for granted that she has mom. You see how much Jessica misses not having a mom when a young girl needs her the most. Yes, it is kind of cheesy seeing mannequins come to life and stuff like that but the movie is very touching.

6. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989) - One of the best Christmas movies ever in my opinion! I can't get enough of it.

You will spend Christmas with the Griswold family as they set off to have the best Christmas ever! Their Christmas may be just like yours from picking out the Christmas tree, cooking a great big supper and housing a house hold of relatives. You will laugh and cringe as their Christmas goes from bad to worse.

Why I love this movie: I could just say you don't have a funny bone if you don't think this movie is funny. Chevy Chase is one of my favorite actors and I still laugh at this movie even though I've seen dozens of times. I love movies that use simple every day things to make you laugh. Who knew sticky sap from a Christmas tree could be so funny? The movie is just one funny scene after another!

7. A Very Brady Christmas (1988) - Mr. & Mrs. Brady decide to get their whole family together for Christmas! All 6 Brady Kids and their loved ones return to the Brady house for the holidays! Little do they know that their kids are all dealing with their own family problems. Then Mr. Brady faces life and death when a building tumbles down trapping him inside!

Why I love this movie: I am a huge Brady Bunch fan and I grew up watching reruns of the show. I have not been to crazy about some of the sitcom reunion shows but I love this one! It is pretty sad to see that Susan Olsen couldn't be in the show but Jennifer Runyon does a good job as Cindy. Even Alice returns for the holiday!

8. A Diva's Christmas Carol - I am sure Dicken's didn't have this in mind when he wrote the unforgettable "Christmas Carol". This movie features Ebony Scrooge as famous pop singer. She has a heart as cold as ice and pretty full of herself. She is visited by her former singing partner with a warning to change her ways before it is too late!

Why I love this movie: I am a sucker for any "Christmas Carol" type movies. It is a plot I never get tired of but I will admit I have seen a few pretty bad versions! This one did a great job though. I like the idea of Scrooge being a woman. Plus the movie brings the story up to date. I like the fact that Ebony watches her own "Behind the Music" which is pretty funny. The movie also has some great Christmas songs in it too.

9. Scrooged (1988) - I remember seeing this movie in the theaters when it came out. What sticks in my mind was it was one of the first movies I saw where people didn't get up as soon as the credits came on! We didn't want it to end. Some people even sang with the people on screen! What a way to bring the movie alive!

This is another "Christmas Carol" remake and it is done very well! Bill Murray does a wonderful job almost to well playing a very unlikeable Frank Cross. He is a TV Executive who hates Christmas. He has the hard task of putting on a LIVE version of a "Christmas Carol". His old partner comes to warn him that he will be visited by three spirits who show him why he needs to change.

Why I love this movie: The movie is very funny! You can't help by love and hate Frank Cross. Carol Kane does a wonderful job of playing the Ghost of Christmas Present. I love how she keeps smacking stubborn Frank Cross and also blows raspberries on his stomach! The little boy who plays the part of "Tiny Tim" is adorable. I think it is one of Bill Murray's best films! A must see Christmas movie!

10. How The Grinch Stole Christmas (2002) - I must say I couldn't believe it when I heard this movie was going to be made. My first thought was "WHY?" I personally really never liked the cartoon version. I have no idea why since I love it now! I think this movie helped change my mind. My next thought was to wonder how in the world could they recreate a Dr. Seuss world?

Well, Ron Howard did a wonderful job recreating this book for the big screen. The sets are amazing and the costumes are just mind blowing. I love seeing how & why the Grinch became a Grinch. My children loved the little baby Grinch!

Why I love this movie: I grew up with Dr. Seuss books and I loved seeing the world of Dr. Seuss come alive! The movie brought out the child in me again and I almost clapped when I saw the movie screen light up with Whos. The little cars they rode in, their outfits just everything was amazing. The sweetness of Cindy Lou Who is almost contagious for your find yourself feeling sorry for the Grinch. I can't picture anyone else but Jim Carrey playing the Grinch. This is a must have for your Christmas movie collection.

I hope you have found some Christmas movies to add to your "Must See" movie list. I love watching Christmas movies all year round just for that warm and sweet holiday feeling. So even if the weather outside isn't frightening don't hesitate to snuggle up with your loved one to a great holiday movie!