Besides waking up to a pile of gifts, some of my most cherished memories are the ones of my family and I gathering together to watch a festive holiday movie. Over the years as my sisters and I have grown, everyone’s schedule never matches up and the tradition has come to a close. Still though, I remember the nights of hot cocoa (with the top covered in tiny marshmallows) and a holiday movie playing on the TV (if the VCR permitted it… a device that younger generations have no knowledge of). With Hanukkah in full swing and Christmas not too far away, the PromoVerse team and myself look back on some of the best holiday movies from our childhood.
10. A Christmas Carol (1938)
This movie is an absolute classic. I have seen the original and the countless remakes that have followed. Considered an old movie even as I watched it, A Christmas Carol paved the way for an array of other festive stories including How The Grinch Stole Christmas. A tale written by the talented Charles Dickens where an old crotchety man named Ebeneezer Scrooge has no problem telling everyone how much he hated Christmas. You learn why throughout the movie as he is visited by three mysterious spirits and the ghost of his co-worker and friend. Whether it’s the 1938 version or an updated one, this classic will always find it’s way onto a list ranking the best holiday movies.
9. A Christmas Story (1983)
Where do I begin? So many memorable lines and scenes come to mind as I think of A Christmas Story. I try to watch this great holiday movie at least once a year. Afterwards I can’t seem to stop myself from triple dog daring someone to stick their tongue on a frozen metal pole and I seem to have a vacant spot in my heart for a Red Ryder BB Gun. And no, I will not shoot my eye out! Watch this hilarious classic as it follows Ralphie and his little brother during Christmas time, as Ralphie yearns for a Red Ryder BB gun and a decoder ring that’s not a piece of junk!
8. Eight Crazy Nights (2002)
Now, this time of year is not just about Christmas, Hanukkah is an important holiday this month too! Adam Sandler made this movie to inform a younger age group about Hanukkah and the eight nights of celebration. Of course being this is an animated cartoon there is plenty of laughs and comedy, but the story is similar to those in A Christmas Carol. Appreciate those around you and enjoy your time together. Proof that it doesn’t have to be a Christmas movie to be considered one of the best holiday movies out there!
7. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)
From the whimsical mind of Dr. Seuss comes one of the best holiday movies that I remember most from my childhood. Now, I’m not talking about the live action version with Jim Carrey, I am talking about the cartoon. We follow the Grinch as he terrorizes the Whos and has multiple soliloquies about how much he despises this festive holiday. Watch him transform as he realizes the true meaning of Christmas!
6. Jingle All The Way (1996)
When I was younger it seemed like every December a toy came out that I could just not live with. I annoyed my parents like the fly you just can’t seem to kill as it buzzes past your head, constantly nagging them that I needed to have it! I remember one year my mom actually got into a tug of war match with a Stretch Armstrong she was trying to get me. Luckily I have a beast of a mom and was definitely a happy kid that Christmas. Now, replace my mom with Arnold Schwarzenegger and replace Stretch Armstrong with an action figure and you have the storyline for Jingle All The Way. See Arnold’s comedic side as he fights to get his son the only thing he wants. Wasn’t Sinbad in this movie too? Whatever happened to him?
5. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (1964)
“You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen…” you all know the song and you all know the tale! I don’t believe there is a child out there that doesn’t know about this red nosed reindeer and they would even say it glows. See this classic tale play out in a form of animation that hasn’t been used since the Pixar lamp stomped out the “I”.
4. Elf (2003)
Okay, so I wasn’t exactly a child when I first saw Elf. With that being said, the first time I saw Elf I was laughing so hard I didn’t care what age group it was for. No one could have pulled off Buddy the Elf the way that Will Ferrell did and I will always stop what I am doing if I see that Elf is on. A holiday season does not pass without me watching this great holiday movie at least once.
3. Miracle on 34th Street (1994)
I’ve seen the original and I have seen the remake from the 90’s. I like both, but I have added the more recent one because that is the one from my childhood. I remember seeing it for the first time filled with wonder and amazement as this little girl finds herself in the real Santa. That is every kid’s dream! This classic proves how powerful a child’s beliefs and faith can be.
2. Frosty the Snowman (1969)
Don’t lie. After you saw this movie for the first time as a child, you ran out into the snow and built a snowman. Then you wished it came to life and stole one of your dad’s hats thinking he would shout “Happy Birthday!” At least I can admit it! Everyone knows Frosty the Snowman and if you have not seen this classic, what is wrong with you?! A definite favorite, Frosty the Snowman easily makes the best holiday movies list.
1. The Year Without Santa Claus (1974)
This is definitely one of the best holiday movies from my childhood. Can anyone imagine a year without Santa? I remember being six years old freaking out hoping this would never happen to me in real life. Luckily I didn’t lose too much sleep over it and “Santa” got me what I wanted that year. The Year Without Santa Claus always stood out in my memories because of the array of characters, including Mother Nature, the Heat Miser, and Snow Miser. A great classic that never gets old.
As the holiday cheer grows embrace it! Don’t be a Scrooge! If you haven’t seen one or more of these holiday movies change that this season. Spend a night with the family and watch one of the best holiday movies that we have listed here. Now, if you have seen all of these, go watch them again. Any of these great holiday movies listed never gets old. How about you though, what are some of the best holiday movies from your childhood? Let us know!
*photo credit(s) to: imdb.com
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