Every holiday season, there are so many great movies to choose from to join in on the celebratory spirit.
You may have seen most of these time and time again or maybe not, though there might be someone in your family who hasn’t seen one or two.
Here’s a look at some of the best holiday movies ever in no particular order.Â
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)
This list starts with the Christmas staple first starring Chevy Chase. This is the third movie in the series following the escapes of the Griswold family, this installment occurring during the Christmas season. Chase gets a strong supporting cast around him that includes Beverly D’Angelo, Juliette Lewis, Johnny Galecki, Randy Quaid and Julia Louis-Dreyfus. The movie is full of fun and laughs and is truly a hilarious take on one family’s Christmas experience. It is a movie about an entire family for the entire family.
A Christmas Story (1983)
This is another ‘80s Christmas movie that is played for 24 hours every Christmas and for good reason.
It is full of nostalgia and has a unique storytelling structure as a series of vignettes through the childhood of Ralphie Parker.
The combination of narration and an assortment of intriguing characters makes this a holiday staple every year.
It’s A Wonderful Life (1946)
This movie is almost a cliche at this point and it airs annually on Christmas. The Frank Capra classic includes an unforgettable performance from Jimmy Stewart as George Bailey.
It is a feel-good tale and a good place to start if you are looking for that Christmas movie for both old and young.
Home Alone (1990)
By most standards, Home Alone is the biggest Christmas movie to come out at least in terms of box office sales.
It is full of iconic scenes with young star Macaulay Culkin and it also has a very strong supporting cast with Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, John Candy, Catherine O’Hara, and John Heard.
It also gets a classic score from John Williams and a combination of slapstick comedy, smart dialogue, and family values. Â
The Santa Clause (1994)
Tim Allen’s foray into the role of a Santa Claus by accident is an excellent and unique take on the character.
There is a bit of humor for both adults and children in this one, and it is certainly worthwhile to revisit this holiday classic if you haven’t seen it yet.
Eight Crazy Nights (2002)
Although it isn’t one of Adam Sandler’s best movies, Eight Crazy Nights is probably the biggest movie to center around Hanukkah.
It combines animated humor and music and it features many of Sandler’s SNL buddies doing voiceovers.
The Night Before (2015)
This 2015 comedy pits Seth Rogen, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Anthony Mackie as a trio of friends who undergo a series of escapades on Christmas Eve in New York City. There’s a fair amount of stoner comedy in this one and it is a a worthwhile story about friendship and loyalty.
