Top Christmas Movies for Your Holiday Enjoyment

The holidays are coming up and if you'd like some family friendly holiday entertainment here's a list of some of the most entertaining holiday movies. This list should keep you going for at least a week up to Christmas. That is, unless you watch them back to back.

A Christmas Carol
This is the original Christmas classic. Based on the story written by Charles Dickens and presented in many forms, live and cartoon, you'll have plenty of versions to choose from. A favorite is the 1951 version also titled "Scrooge" starring Alaster Sim as Ebeneezer Scrooge. This black and white version is the definitive Christmas Carol.

Love Actually
Disclaimer: Parts of this movie are not exactly "family friendly" so you may want to pre-watch before you watch as a family, or simply keep this movie for adults only. This movie is about as feel good as it gets. A movie that's completely dedicated to love in all it's forms and functions, even the flawed parts, this movie will really make you believe in love, even if you've been burned before. My personal favorite mini-story line is a man and a woman who don't even speak the same language falling in love.

It's a Wonderful Life
This has been one of my family's favorite traditions. Every Christmas Eve we sit down and watch this movie with some steaming hot apple cider and enjoy this classic Frank Capra/ Jimmy Stewart movie. Here's an interesting fact, the scene where George Bailey is crying in the bar was originally filmed as a long shot but Jimmy Stewart was so moving that they zoomed in for a closer performance.

Miracle on 34th St.
If you didn't believe in Santa Claus before watching this movie, you certainly will afterward. This movie will soften the heart of even the most hardened cynic. There are two versions the original one made in 1947 and then a more recent one made in 1994. Stick to the original... originals are almost always better.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas
This is probably the most fun Christmas movie and perhaps the most favorite classic for children. There's the classic kitchy cartoon version and then there's the newer version directed by Ron Howard, narrated by Anthony Hopkins, and starred in by Jim Carrey. Here are some interesting facts, Anthony Hopkins completed all of the narration for the movie in one day. In movies, this is incredibly fast. It normally takes several takes and therefore several days to complete as much narration as this movie has. Another fun fact, hundreds of versions of non-animated scripts for The Grinch were proposed to the now aged Mrs. Seuss before she finally allowed any movie studio to produce a movie. Both versions are very entertaining.

Frosty the Snowman
When a magical hat brings a child's snowman to life, the two quickly realize that Frosty the Snowman will melt in spring if he doesn't make it to the North Pole in time. With an endearing ending this movie is a sure-fire favorite. So cuddle up with some hot cocoa and enjoy this Christmas favorite.

While You Were Sleeping
This movie isn't explicitly a Christmas movie but it centers around the Christmas season and the Christmas spirit. When a lonely woman (Sandra Bullock) gets accidentally thrown into a quirky family during the holiday a bizarre yet endearing situation ensues. With one of the best happy endings around this movie will leave you feeling oh-so-happy.

The Santa Clause
Tim Allen as Santa Claus... does it get any better? A normal guy accidentally takes over the role of Santa Claus. Inevitably this complicates his family life and his current job. However, having a dad who is Santa Claus definitely has it's perks. This movie was so good it spurred two sequels. If you want the whole story see the sequels for even more entertainment.

The Nightmare Before Christmas

Rudolph the Red-nosed reindeer
Who hasn't heard the Rudolf song? It's piped through department stores and your radio every Christmas season. Fortunately the claymation movie is just as enjoyable as the song. The classic story of the innocent teased reindeer becoming the holiday hero is a movie your kids will want to watch over and over again.

White Christmas
With plenty of singing and dancing routines this movie will keep you humming along. With Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney, Danny Kaye, and Vera Ellen this movie is a delight to watch. With a little bit of romance and a stirring reunion at the end, this movie will leave you feeling very happy at the end.

Home Alone
The classic pose of Macaulay Culkin with his hands on his cheeks screaming, mimicking the famous painting by Edward Munch, garners immediate recognition. One thing to know about this movie is that there is a lot of kitchy violence, mostly the home along child beating the would-be robbers at their own game. However if your kids are at all sensitive to this kind of material or if you prefer to keep them unexposed to that kind of kitch this would be another movie to pre-watch or leave for adults. However, this movie does espouse the value of family during the holidays and some very basic Christmas values. It's quite a fun movie to watch.