Calling all Christmas lovers! I need your input.
Since I’m going to be laid up for the week of Christmas due to a pending ACL reconstruction, I decided to save all of my Christmas movies in order to watch them that week while I’m bored out of my mind. Or comatose. Whatever the case may be.
I was rattling off a list of my favorites to a friend of mine. She smiled politely while I talked about my love of the following:
1. White Christmas
Oh to have a big, ice blue feather fan for Christmas. That would come in handy during spontaneous outburst of “Sisters” when I’m in the kitchen with my own sister. Of course, we’ll have to find some tinsel or sequins to dress up the crutches a bit, but that’s fine.
2. Christmas Vacation
This show has some of the funniest one-liners that we repeat during the entire month of December. And I love how Aunt Bethany sweetly recites the Pledge of Allegiance at the dinner table.
Adorable.
3. The Grinch
Jim Carey at his absolute finest. It might be my opinion, but it’s true.
4. A Christmas Story
Ohhhhh fuuuuuuudddddgggggee. (Only I didn’t say fudge…)
I could have gone on and on for days: Miracle on 34th Street, Charlie Brown Christmas, The Santa Clause (parts 1 and 2. Part 3? Not so much.) It’s a Wonderful Life and the original Grinch that plays 24-hours on TBS when A Christmas Story isn’t playing 24-hours on TBS.
My friend then offered a few of her own that just floored me:
Love Actually and Home Alone.
Dear reader…never in my years of owning BOTH of these movies has it occurred to me to watch them during CHRISTMASTIME. Which makes perfect sense because THEY ARE SET AT CHRISTMASTIME.
Are there any others that I’m blatantly missing? It’s going to be eight hours a day in the bendy machine. And traditionally (remember…I’ve been down this road twice before) my body refuses to sleep in the bendy machine. So I’m going to need movies to watch to keep my mind off of the evil bendy machine.
Before you mention Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, please note that claymation sort of freaks me out. And the sound that Rudolph’s nose makes when it lights up is like scratching a chalkboard to me. I don’t know. I’m weird.
OK. Sound off in the comment section. I’m totally stoked about the possibilities of new holiday movie-watching traditions!
The two movies I love that take place during Christmastime are ‘The Holiday’ with Cameron Diaz and Jack Black and ‘The Family Stone’ with Rachel McAdams and Luke Wilson.
Ooo, “Little Women”, good one! I’m not quite sure why its a Christmas tradition (can’t think of any Christmas scenes), but my family used to watch “The Sound of Music” every year around Christmas time. Don’t forget “Home Alone 2″ as well! Hope your surgery goes well and that you recover quickly!
Good call Linds. I love The Holiday and Family Stone too. Charlie Brown Christmas is the absolute best though. Linus telling the Christmas story is the most precious thing ever (that and Sally drafting her letter to Santa…”All I want is what I have coming to me; all I want is my fair share!”) Lincee, you’re right on about Rudolph’s nose noise–very annoying!
Our family Holiday tradition movies include: (keep in mind we are a family of all girls)
1. Little Women – any of the versions are great but the most recent (read Winona Ryder, Kirsten Dunst and Claire Danes) feels the most Christmas-y to me.
2. Meet me in St. Louis – given that it is a musical you may have already seen this one and not necessarily classified it as holiday but the whole climax of the movie is the Christmas season. Judy Garland is great and the soundtrack is so fun! If you haven’t seen it yet, check it out. Even if it isn’t at Christmas!
3. In recent years we have added Love Actually but you already have that one on your list!
Good luck with your surgery!
Agree with everything on your list. In addition, Meet Me in St. Louis, Frosty the Snowman, The Holiday (with Cameron Diaz), A Boyfriend for Christmas. As a fellow knee-problem-haver (not a word, I realize), I wish you all the best with your surgery!
I can’t believe no one has mentioned Elf.
1) Full Metal Jacket – the sing “Happy birthday, Jesus” on Christmas and the Drill Instructor physically beats a recruit for not loving the virgin Mary.
2) Lethal Weapon – movie starts with “Jingle Bell Rock” and ends with Christmas dinner at SGT Murtaugh’s house.
3) Christmas Vacation – Chevy Chase and Randy Quaid. YOu can’t beat that combo.
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Little Women, The Holiday (my oldest daughter forced me to watch this and I love it!), Charlie Brown’s Christmas. Good luck with the knee thing.
Definitely Elf, The Santa Clause, and my favorite A Muppet Christmas Carol. Happy watching!
Everyone is forgetting ELF!!!! That is one of my all time favs. You can also turn on Fa La La La Lifetime Channel or Hallmark and they have sappy/cheesy movies that make you think why in the Hell am i crying but you cry anyway like Hallmark’s the Christmas Letter about a solider in Iraq that gets a Christmas card from someone and tracks her down. The muppetts Christmas Carol is also a riot.
How about Polar Express and Die Hard. You need a variety I think. Good Luck.
Isn’t Gremlins set at Christmastime too?
Elf is awesome! Funny, funny, funny. And a little sweet with a good Christmas message.
• Elf
Because everything should be served with maple syrup! Also, I have tried to get on an escalator while doing the splits . . . props to Will Ferrell cuz it isn’t easy!
• Grumpy Old Men
The funniest of family/friend relationships, because it is so REAL! And because who wouldn’t want to have a roof avalanche hit a government worker!!!
• Planes Trains and Automobiles
John Candy & Steve Martin at their best!
• Scrooged
Bill Murray is now “What about Scrooge?” not Bob!
• Muppet Christmas Carol
Kermit & Mrs Piggy at Christmas? Can’t go wrong!
• A Muppet Family Christmas & A Christmas Together (with John Denver)
Our favorite muppets with a holiday/broadway flair!
• Christmas on Sesame Street
It’s an oldie, but a goldie in my book. How I LOVED this as a kid. Also the interviews with children explaining how Santa gets down the chimney . . . PRICELESS! Plus, the song “Keep Christmas With You” will be stuck in your head!
• The Polar Express
Beautiful depiction of the North Pole and GREAT music!
• Chronicles of Narnia
The world that is always winter-time!
• Prancer
A heartfelt reminder of what Christmas is all about!
• Meet Me in St Louis
Has a holiday scene where Judy Garland sings the now famous “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”
• Forrest Gump
Again has a holiday scene, but most of all it’s just one of those “good” feeling movies that motivate you when you’re bedridden!
• Little Women
Always makes me think of when the holidays used to be just about family! The gorgeous snow scenes are truly “spot on” for the true Christmas feel! Plus the obvious, Christian Bale is hot!
• The Cutting Edge
So it’s not Christmas, but the ice skating and comedy are too good! Plus, I was a figure skater so maybe I am biased? TOEPICK?!?!
• The Bishop’s Wife
The Whitney Houston version back when she really could sing!
okay – I had to put together the ‘all time’ list of Christmas movies for a website so here are some you may have missed (doesn’t include those that have already been mentioned above):
The Preacher’s Wife (or the original “The Bishop’s Wife”)
Four Christmases
Fred Claus
The Santa Claus (Tim Allen)
Christmas with the Kranks
Bridge Jones’ Diary (starts and ends at Christmas)
Alvin and the Chipmunks
Miracle on 34th Street (the newer one w/ that hot actor from The Practice)
Polar Express
Holiday Inn
Jingle All the Way
Gremlins
Prancer
Die Hard
The Night before Christmas
of course: It’s a Wonderful Life and any of the Christmas Carol movies
and my personal ‘most obscure favorite’: Santa Claus Conquers the Martians
While You Were Sleeping (Sandra Bullock)
The Holiday (Cameron Diaz)
Borrowed Hearts (Roma Downey – total CHEESE! LOVE IT!)
Elf
Die Hard
The Preacher’s Wife (Whitney Houston)
Recipe For a Perfect Christmas (Bobby Cannavale)
OK, pretty much any cheesy Lifetime and Hallmark and ABC Family Channel Christmas movie…..
My favorite topic–Christmas movies!! I LOVE White Christmas. My sister and I also sing Sisters at the top of our lungs, only to embarrass our husbands profusely. I love Christmas in Connecticut too. Old school black and white, but it really is very good and funny. I also think of Meet me in St. Louis at Christmas time and cry every time Judy Garland sings Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas. Also, Home Alone is still pretty funny, even if Macauly (sp?) Culkin is all grown up now.
My favorite Christmas by far is “Christmas in Connecticut” from 1945 with Barbara Stanwyck and the amazing S.Z. Sakall. The plot is hilarious and very Christmassy…it’s a classic!
ELF!!! Talk about GREAAAAT one liners!
That is so funny your friend mentioned Home Alone and Love Actually. Those are the two movies I watch every year when putting up my Christmas decorations. They get me into the holiday spirit! In fact, I watched them this weekend when the tree went up!
My favorite has to be Holiday Inn with Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire. The movie is set at an inn which is only open on holidays, a singer and a dancer vie for the affections of a beautiful up-and-coming performer. Of course, it begins and ends at Christmas time. Classic!
Elf for sure! And the Family Stone.
I seriously want to wear that blue outfit sometime. One of my all time fav’s is Christmas in Connecticut. But make sure you get the old version. It is so cute. I’ll admit, the first part in the hospital is slow, but once you get to the real part of the story (when Barbara Stanwick enters the story), it gets pretty funny. I also usually watch While You Were Sleeping, Elf, and the Holiday.
The Holiday with Jude Law, Cameron Diaz, Jack Black and Kate Winslet!! Classic love story!
Oh Lincee…
THE HOLIDAY.
We used to always watch “While you were sleeping” on Christmas Eve.
I think you should watch The Holiday and White Christmas back to back. I always thought they were the same movie. Report back to me the differences between the two.
Favorites, most of which have been mentioned, are Elf, While You Were Sleeping, and Family Man in addition to all of the other ones you already had. Best wishes for a speedy recovery!
Amen to While You Were Sleeping! We always watched that at Christmastime and now I watch it when I miss being home for the holidays. My mother, sisters and I can all quote that movie in it’s entirety.
These mashed potatoes are so creamy.
Sleepless in Seattle has Christmas in it and really who doesn’t need another excuse to watch that?
My faves are all here: The Holiday, Love Actually, Meet Me in St. Louis, While You Were Sleeping, Bridget Jones, Holiday Inn…
Also:
Sleepless in Seattle! It starts off at Christmas – I love it! Dr. Marsha Fieldstone would totally recommend it, too.
When Harry Met Sally! It’s Christmas-y, too. It’s so good.
White Christmas. Nestor the Long-Eared Donkey (AWESOME!).
PS: SGT Cole needs to watch Christmas movies with my husband. Seriously.
PPS: I am so sorry that you missed the year that the Baylor Pi Phis sang “Sisters” during rush. You would have loved it. (The outfits, however, were atrocious.)
I had forgotten about While You Were Sleeping! I love that, but Love Actually is my most favorite movie of all time. Especially during the holidays!!
Elf…although it’s been said.
Love Actually and The Holiday are two of my favs.
my all time fav is A Christmas Story, but WOW! look at all the other entries, some I forgot about. So glad I read all the comments so I can put a few of these in the Netflix queue and move ‘em up in a few minutes!
Love Actually (I soooo wish those love stories were real life, silly dreamer that I am)
Elf is just so stinkin funny!
Adam Sandler’s 8 Crazy Nights (Hanukkah, but that’s a great holiday too!)
The Family Man, Tea Leoni and Nick Cage–takes place at Christmas
I wish you well in your surgery and a speedy recovery!
Christmas Eve on Sesame Street. Best Christmas Movie. EVER. (I actually own the dvd—and I’m jewish). Trust me on this one.
Love Christmas With The Kranks, very funny. Also, I too love TOEPICK! I say that all the time and made my daughter watch the movie so she would know what I was talking about.
Sgt. Cole – I immediately thought of Lethal Weapon but wasn’t going to mention it for the backlash I was likely to receive. Glad you had the huevos to mention it. Word Rog!
My mom, brother, and sister-in-law kicked off our “holiday season” with “Love Actually” on Thanksgiving night. My brother totally loves that movie…I think it’s Bill Nighy that makes him laugh through out. And then after the family left…my mom and I had some wine and watched “The Holiday”. Seriously? What single-lady doesn’t dream of Jude Law showing up drunk on her front stoop at Christmas time? Ahhhh…Jude.
I always cry when I watch “Meet Me in St. Louis” and “The Family Man”. A Christmas season isn’t complete without “While You Were Sleeping” and “Scrooged”.
But my all time favorite is…don’t laugh…”Mickey’s Christmas Carol”. I cry like a 6-year-old every time I watch that and am lead to believe that the little “Tiny Tim” mouse dies. Ugh! Tears! I don’t think they show it anymore on the networks. They are all about “Shrek the Halls”. Whatever! Who can’t love Donald Duck as Scrooge’s nephew?
How about the Homecoming? I think it is the movie that started the Walton’s. Also, no one has mentioned all of the different Christmas Carol movies.
I just discovered an old black & white one that was adorable… “Christmas in Connecticut” about a gal who writes a Martha-Stuart-like cooking/housekeeping column in a magazine, all about her grand life on a farm with her husband and baby, but in reality she’s a single gal living in an apartment in the city… and she can’t cook. And of course she falls in love with the most handsome guy ever, as is the proper thing to do at Christmas time.
And every time my family eats at meal in December, we quote the Chevy Chase movie before we say our prayer together…
Since this is Aunt Bethany’s 80th Christmas, I think she should lead us in the saying of Grace.
What, dear?
Grace!
Grace? She passed away thirty years ago.
They want you to say Grace.
The BLESSING!
I know it’s been said, and I wouldn’t call it a “classic”, but I watch The Holiday at least three times each December. Love, love, love it!
I also love White Christmas, Love Actually, Elf, and While You Were Sleeping.
Mixed Nuts. Didn’t see if it was alteady listed (doing this on my phone). Steve Martin leads an all star cast in how NOT to help others at Christmastime. Oh, and he’s a suicide hotline operator. My Mom and I crack up at all the same parts when we can watch it together.
Elf is a must! Hilarious one liners that you’ll carry with you year after year. I also enjoy The Holiday…not a huge fan of Cameron Diaz but the movie is sweet and Jack Black’s character is adorable.
Okay, so I am a total Christmas movie junkie (at least with the few that I watch over and over)! Here is my collection that get watched multiple times in December and all throughout the year when I wish it were Christmastime!
Christmas Vacation (of course), Home Alone and Home Alone 2-Lost in New York, Elf (HILARIOUS), Grinch (animated and the Jim Carrey one), and The Holiday is also a good one and one that needs to make it into my personal collection! And re-watching any of the Harry Potter movies for the umpteenth time is not a bad idea! They always go on Christmas break and something usually happens then (at least in a couple of them)! Good luck with your surgery!
Die Hard and Love Actually would be my picks.
After those 2, this suggestion is going to sound crazy, but each year my kids and I watch “The Very First Noel”. It is a 30 minute animated movie that is narrated by Andy Griffith and it a wonderful retelling of the wise men’s journey to see the new King. It has cool funky music and it definitely helps center our thoughts on the “reason for the season”. I’ve never seen it on TV, but we bought our copy at the Christian book store.
Love, Actually is a great one! How about The Santa Clause? Or It’s a Wonderful Life?
Hey there! I love this one particular Hallmark Christmas movie called “A Season for Miracles”. It’s sweet and just enough of the cheesy corny to make your heart warm!
Don’t forget “Elf”! (Santa, I know him!!!)
OMG! I have goosebumps guys! Great suggestions! Lincee, what a smart way to get through the recovery!
My all time favorite is Emmet Otter’s Jug Band Christmas by Jim Henson! It’s on DVD and is just the best! I remember watching it on HBO as a kid every Christmas. So good! Love Actually is my other favorite one too.
If I named all my fave christmas movies, we’d be here all night. But I agree with those who have said, that its good to just turn on Lifetime, Hallmark, or ABC Family and watch the cheesey made for tv Christmas movies. Faves= 3 Days (ABC Family) Holiday in Handcuffs(ABC Family) A Christmas Wedding (Lifetime) and Borrowed Hearts: A Holiday Romance totally an old one, it has Eric McCormack and Roma Downy in and it is awesome!
Other than the obvious ones you mentioned like Christmas Vacation and Christmas Story, my favorites are:
1) The Family Stone – this movie is awesome, and i feel like it’s undervalued. From the sounds of your family (little bit of craziness), i think you’d relate and love it if you haven’t seen it.
2) Love Actually – So many different stories…about Love!
3) The Family Man – someone earlier mentioned this…Tea Lioni and nicholas cage. Really good movie.
4) Planes, Trains, and Automobiles – I had a boyfriend who said he watched this every thanksgiving..but i was thinking it was around christmas?
5) The Holiday – Jude law is yummy in this one!
Hope you find lots of good suggestions to tide you over during recovery time!
Love actually is a MUST
Its a Wonderful Life
A Christmas Carol (only the Alister Sim version in black and white…fear and want are not nearly as freaky in colour)
The Holiday
Family Stone
Plans Trains and Automobiles
It’s kinda a Thanksgiving movie but it is all about families getting together during the holidays. “Home For The Holidays” with Holly Hunter, Robert Downey, Jr., Steve Gutenburg and Anne Bancroft. I love, love, love that movie. And of course Elf is an all time favorite along with Christmas Vacation. Good Luck with the surgery!
All my favorites are already listed, so I won’t list any movies. But if you want an interesting read, I finished “Emily’s Ghost” not too long ago. It is a fictitious biography of Emily Bronte, the author of Whuthering Heights. Very interesting story……
You listed all my faves! Let me add one more that always makes me feel all Christmas-y and makes me want to have a big family one day…Family Stone….SO GOOD!
ELF is a must, although I think almost everyone has already mentioned that one!
- The Night They Saved Christmas – my family and I discovered this movie years ago (1984 or so) on TV and we watch it every year. Kinda corny but you will get hooked.
- Last Holiday (Queen Latifah) it takes place at Christmas time. She’s awesome and LL Cool J is super hott!
- The ORIGNIAL Miracle on 34th Street
- The Nightmare Before Christmas!!!! Greatness!
Hope the surgery goes well!
My favorite Christmas themed movie is The Ref. I don’t see that anyone else mentioned it and it always makes me laugh.
Even though “claymation” freaks you out, the sweetest Christmas movie of all time that no one has ever heard of: “Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey.” My mom, sister, and I have been watching it since I was about 3, and I am now 30 and still tear up every time!
You’ve already got my absolute favorites up there. How ’bout Just Friends?
I think Serendipity would be a great one….it starts off with them fighting at the Macy’s counter of all places, and during a Christmas shopping rush!
The Holiday- Jude Law (need I say more…nope)
Prancer- all-time favorite
Happy Feet- my family always watches this one. Singing penguins, what more do you need?!!
Family Stone
Muppet Christmas Carol
Nightmare before Christmas- admittedly kind of an odd choice but still wonderful
PS- clamation freaks me out too! I thought I was the only one. Wallace & Grommet=CREEPY!!
Die Hard!!
#54 – Stacey! Finally! I was so surprised nobody had mentioned that one. (The Ref) Not exactly the warm fuzzy kind of movie – but hilarious!!! I love Dennis Leary when he looks clean and isn’t chain smoking!
Totally loved THe Holiday too!
Is Love Actually raunchy? I went with my mom and aunt and we left.
I liked Comfort & Joy- a Lifetime movie. its like The Family Man, but its a woman instead.
My sister and I danced to “Sisters” at my wedding. No one else had really heard of it, but thats my favorite scene from White Christmas. LOL
I know people already said A Muppet Christmas Carol, but I have to say it too. It’s my favorite Christmas movie.
Did anyone mention Nightmare Before Christmas? Is that too claymationy? The music in it is brilliant.
Smokey Mountain Christmas with Dolly Parton from the 80s…..corny but I LOVE IT
Family Stone and The Holiday. Four Christmases just came out on DVD and it was pretty funny. Also, Fred Clause (love me some Vince Vaughn).
Hubby and I always watch Family Man and Emmett Otter’s Jugband Christmas
GREMLINS! I almost forgot!
Okay, I have to agree with many, I love:
It’s A Wonderful Life
The Family Stone
Home for The Holidays and Always (Holly Hunter and guardian angel)
Frosty
White Christmas
The Holiday
While You Were Sleeping
Scrooged
When Harry Met Sally
Lethal Weapon #1
i almost forgot: The Nightmare Before Christmas (love the songs…Christmas Town, “What’s This?”
Yes, totally agree with those that said…
*Love Actually
*The Holiday
*Elf
*The Family Stone
*Serendipity
*Bridget Jones (wouldn’t have thought of this one but it does start/end with Christmas!)
Thanks for sharing… I will have a lot of movies to watch again over Christmas break!
Okay, just one more: The 3 Godfathers (John Wayne and a baby!)
I love Love Actually! It’s one of my favorites!
Others that are good: Four Christmases, Bad Santa, Scrooged, Elf, The Sound of Music (I’m not sure why this one is Christmas, but they play the song My Favorite Things at Christmas time), and Miracle on 34th Street.
Most of these were already mentioned, but:
1. Elf
2. A Christmas Carol starring George C. Scott
3. Little Women
4. A Muppet Family Christmas (the one where they all get stranded at Fozzie Bear’s mom’s house and the Sesame Street gang and Fraggles show up)
I love White Christmas above all these, though. Have to watch it every single year.
Oh, one more…Jack Frost (with Michael Keaton). Makes me cry every time.
Ok, way back when….like mid 90′s, I was stationed on a tiny island called Diego Garcia. My room mate worked with the air crew that were flying missions to the middle east. The guys at the other end wanted to watch “White Christmas”. She saw that I had the movie and asked if she could put it on a plane for the squadron guys could watch it. I said sure..in return I received a bucket of Iraqie sand. Every year I watch the movie and know that I have a video (old) that has traveled around the world.
My favs are:
Scrooge
White Christmas
Holiday Inn
The Holiday
Love Actually
All the Christmas Cartoons
Elf
The Santa Clause (1 & 2)
Frost
Miracle on 32nd Street
While You Were Sleeping and Elf
MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS! I realize it’s not technically a “Christmas” movie, but I watch it every year if only for Judy Garland dancing with her grandpa at the Christmas ball in that fabulous red velvet dress. And for her “Have Yourself a Very Merry Christmas” solo in the windowsill. It gets me everytime=)
And THE HOLIDAY. Great flick.
Definitely Elf and how about Santa Clause: The Movie with Dudley Moore, John Lithgow and Burgess Meredith??? I think I default back to this one because of the cast every time.
My two favorites are totally obscure. They were TV movies of the early nineties and my recorded VHS copies are so worn out! Christmas on Division Street starring Hume Cronyn and Fred Savage and Seasons of the Heart. Both super cheesy heart-wrenchers. Good luck finding them, though!
SCROOGED!!! One of my favorties! But I also like a couple other some people pointed out, Family Man and The Ref. My 8 year old just saw Elf for the 1st time-sheloved it. SANTA!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Definitely Elf and the Holiday!
I can’t believe no one has mentioned Dutch. It’s a classic (Thanksgiving) movie. We love it! Lots of great one-liners.
Ok, I read through everyone’s suggestions and thought of 2 that no one else did: Ernest Saves Christmas and The Christmas Shoes. One is goofy and always makes me laugh and the other is heartwarming and always makes me cry my eyes out. Sounds like a good combo to me! Also, who wouldn’t love to have a giant ice blue fan and a lace dress to match and be able to dance and sing with their sister?!? I know I would! My sister and I dressed up, sang and danced (with fans!) for a talent show one year…SO MUCH FUN!
One obscure one that not many people know about, but is a tradition in my family. March of the Wooden Soldiers with Laurel & Hardy. Santa orders 600 1 foot toy soldiers and Laurel & Hardy make 100 6ft soldiers. Set in a Mother Goose type land. Besides Laurel & Hardy main characters are Tom Tom the Piper’s son and Bo Peep. There is a Scrooge type character and Boogie Land….funny.
#61 – there is some somewhat gratuitous nudity, but it’s not exactly raunchy – kind of a lot of sexual themes – I probably wouldn’t watch it with my mother.
The only thing I watch every year at Christmas that hasn’t been mentioned is that mini-series of Anne of Green Gables that was on PBS when I was a kid. Love it. Not exactly Christmasy, but a lot of it is during the winter…I guess they always broadcast it at Christmas time and that’s why I associate it with Christmas. Trading Places is also a good one.
What’s the name of that movie with Sarah Jessica Parker, Diane Keaton, and Luke Wilson? Is that Family Stone? It was good!
I also liked The Ice Harvest, although it is a little dark…
Isn’t there one with Ryan Reynolds where he used to be fat and comes home for Christmas vacation and tries to impress the people who used to bully him? There is, just looked it up – it’s called “Just Friends” I’ve never seen the whole thing, but parts of it viewed while channel surfing seemed decent – and you like Ryan Reynolds, don’t you Lincee?
I have to put in my vote for When Harry Met Sally. I love the old couple interviews “We never met.” “We never met” and “And then I married this other girl” “Barbara” So sweet!
I was introduced to Little Women last year and will be making it a tradition starting this year.
When I was a kid I remember watching Babes in Toyland. I can’t remember if it was any good. I looked it up and I believe it was the Disney version I saw. I guess it was also released by the title March of the Wooden soldiers that someone else mentioned. Not sure who put that one out and which version is better. I think you’ve got time to watch both and let us know.
Oh, Melanna – I LOVE Babes in Toyland and was reading through these wondering if anyone would mention it. I’ve only seen the Disney version, but I watched it so much as a kid. You know, when that kind of thing was on the Disney channel!
Besides Love Actually, Elf, The Family Stone, The Holiday and Family Man, you can’t forget those classic Christmas shows that come on TV all the time, like Frosty the Snowman and Rudolph. They sell them all together now on one DVD and it makes you think of your childhood all over again!
Elf and Fred Clause. Both are hilarious!!
OK- you had me at hello… I mean White Christmas. It is my fav of all time!! ESPECIALLY the “Sisters, Sisters…there was never more devoted sisters….” My sister and I sing it often. Good times! Thanks for the reminder, I think I will pop it in tonight, right after I put the kids down to bed. Good luck with the knee – you have a lot of good wishes from all of us here! HUGS!
One of my favorite Christmas movies is It Came Upon The Midnight Clear (Mickey Rooney & Scott Grimes). I have it on VHS and that is the only reason I still have a vcr.
I’m in agreement with Love Actually and Polar Express.
I also love White Christmas (“You’re off your nut about a mile and a half”)
and Miracle on 34th street. I can’t miss either of those (even though I have both on DVD)
I know it isn’t really a movie, but I always love to watch the Nutcracker ballet.
#3 heather–Totally agree!! “Charlie Brown Christmas” is the OFFICIAL start of the Christmas season for me! There is absolutely nothing cuter than Linus telling the story of Christmas: “Lights, please”
I don’t think I’ve ever missed one year of the forty-plus that it has been on TV! Pay attention to your TV guides–it’s coming up, soon!
I love your list of Christmas movies! I agree completely. To change the subject….how sad is it that you, Lincee, were the first person I thought of today as I tried to feed my seven month old grandson strained green beans. His expression was priceless, and as he spit them out and screamed hysterically, all I could do was think of you and laugh. I threw them away and watched him devour baby sweet potatoes instead.
You gotta watch A Muppets Christmas Carol. My sister and I watch it every single year together.
My all time favorite is “White Christmas”!!!!!!!!! My family used to watch it every Christmas Eve. We now also watch “The Family Man”. My dad loves the movie. It takes place at Christmas – such a sweet story! You also have to include classics “Meet me in St. Louis” and “Miracle on 34th Street” and newbies “Elf” and “Love Actually” to your list. Elf has the best one-liners! Happy Watching!
I should probably be embarrassed to admit this, but I love “A Very Brady Christmas”
I know they’ve already been recommended, but I’m going to have to add my votes for you to watch Elf and The Holiday. I think you’d like them both.
For myself, I think I’m going to have to take Sgt. Cole’s recommendation and rewatch Full Metal Jacket. Just reading that made me laugh (in a twisted way).
Yes, definitely Love Actually and Home Alone. Also, Nic Cage in Family Man. Finally, get the TSO Christmas DVD for both the story and the rockin’ music!
#53 KT – Love Last Holiday with Queen Latifah. Such a cute movie! The Family Stone bummed me out.
I didn’t have time to read through all of the posts, but did anyone mention Babes in Toyland?
First, I have to say that I know now why I love your website and everyone that reads it… we all think alike!
The Ref is the best! That is one of my family’s favorite! We actually have a running joke about it because one year my brother hit a porno in the case (he was in high school) and my sister and I went in his room to get it because we wanted to watch it… hmmmm, I think you have an idea of how that turned out. Needless to say, every year we watch it together and laugh…
So my picks are – The Ref, Scrooged, Love Actually, The Holiday, The Sound of Music (I have no idea why), Elf, Charlie Brown Christmas…. basically all the movies everyone mentioned before me – LOL!
My sister and I watch Little Women (Winona Ryder – Susan Sarandon – Christian Bale edition) at Christmastime.
I thought of one on the way home tonight… early 90′s with Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen- “On the way to Grandmothers House We go”. My sister and I would watch that everytime it came on tv.
Just watched Four Christmases on the plane, it was actually pretty good, and would mix nicely with all the other recommendations.
While you were sleeping.
Kristi!!!! I love love love a very Brady Christmas!!!!!!
I can’t believe that no one has mentioned “Santa Claus: The Movie”! Hello! John Lithgow as the swarmy, greedy businessman and Dudley Moore as Patch the Christmas Elf? The Super Dooper Looper? It’s a classic!
So Christmas always brings back such nostalgia for my childhood. Does anyone remember:
The Christmas Toy (a Jim Henson made-for-tv movie in the 80′s)
One Magic Christmas (with Mary Steenburgen and a snow globe?)
Good stuff!!!
I agree with everyone above. So many great movies to watch at Christmas! When I was a kid I remember watching Pollyanna with Hayley Mills on TV—–pure bliss.
ahhh one magic christmas is a good one!!!
The Ref is a good one as is Mixed Nuts. I usually watch them when I do Christmas in July…
Ohhhh…wait! I just thought of another one. Does anybody remember “The Trouble with Angels” starring Hailey Mills? Lindsey, if you get to reading this far down, I can bet that you would love that one!!
#92, Sara–I was going to suggest “The Nutcracker” . . . I think there was a TV movie for it (and according to IMDB, it came out in ’93)–I remember seeing it years ago and enjoying it. . . .
Best wishes on a speedy recovery, Lincee!!
How about “The Best Christmas Pagaent Ever?” It’s a super cute book and movie- I remember watching it when I was a kid, and now my 5th grade classes read it every year before the holidays!
I love “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever”!!!!!!
#55–Ryce–I love “Nestor, the Long Eared Christmas Donkey too”! I have it on VHS, and fear that it’s probably not going to make it to DVD.
Lincee, you’ve got lots of great reader suggestions!! Wishing you a complication free surgery and speedy recovery. Take care.
Christmas in Connecticut with Miss Barbara Stanwyck and Fred MacMurray. Super hoky, but good. Saw in on Turner Movie Classics and it is available on DVD.
Haven’t read all the comments to see if it’s been mentioned, but one of my favorites is Serendipity!
I like Nicole’s list (#70), but don’t forget Trading Places.
tvguide.com has a “Holiday TV Calendar” section under their TV listings tab. Included is the TV Guide Network’s 12-hour marathon of “Dirty Dancing.”
Who knew that counted as a Christmas movie?
I suggest you set your DVR for all the movies on Hallmark channel, Lifetime, Family Channel, and don’t forget AMC. You can always fast forward the commercials or just delete if it gets too bad.
Another suggestion is on FLN (Fine Living Network). I have just recently found a 30 minute show called Three Sheets…..this guy goes around the world trying out the local drink, partying with the locals, etc. What a great job!!! He is cheesy sometimes but it is hilarious. It’s channel 225 on comcast or go to Fancast on comcast.com and you can watch on your computer. That will take care of your holiday “cheer”! LOL!
Take care of that knee…you only have two of them.
)
Has anyone mentioned Emmit Otter’s Jugband Christmas yet???? That’s a Jim Henson Muppet kind of movie – it’s adorable.
Love Actually has been said many times, but it bears repeating. My FAVORITE movie ever, and even better at Christmas!
I know I’m a sick person, but I love Bad Santa. It’s sick and twisted but so, so, so funny. If you can stand Billy Bob Thornton, check it out.
Have a safe surgery and a speedy recovery, Lincee!
I just found out that “Wonderful Christmas Time” aka WORST HOLIDAY SONG IN HISTORY is performed by none other than Sir Paul McCartney.
So maybe we can all agree now that the Beatles were no-talent hacks, and the KCVO honors from the British Royal family is a dubious honor at best.
I am usually not this bitter – I just got this absolute monstrosity of a song stuck in my head last night.
I agree, sgt cole. wonderful christmas time is the worst christmas song ever! I’ve heard versions that weren’t by sir paul mccartney, and its still the worst song ever!
Sheesh, finally someone verbally agrees that the Beatles are not the most wondrous band on the planet. I had an employer once tell me “You’re an idiot” because I voiced that very sentiment. I haven’t heard that song, nor do I care to!
Has anyone but me seen “The Night That Saved Christmas”? When that company is going to blow up North Pole City with dynomite and the kids save the day?! Anyone, anyone??
East Texas Girl, YES! My family and I started watching that when I was a kid and we continue to watch it every year when we all get together. No one else has ever heard of it! I told my fiance about it and he looked at me like I was crazy! So glad you mentioned it!!
Ha! I was just discussing the other day on FB how the Beatles were completely over-rated. I got a lot of crap for it. Oh well, I still think they’re sub par with elementary melodies and mediocre lyrics.
Ah, Christmas Vacation. Inevitably I’m up beyond midnight on Christmas Eve wrapping last-minute Christmas gifts with toothpicks holding my eyelids open and watching Christmas Vacation on repeat. LOVE IT! We (including my son) love the Polar Express, the Nativity Story, GOTTA HAVE ELF! We can almost quote it completely, it’s got a cheese factor, but Will Ferrel does the trick in those tights and one-liners. Must be that 10-yr-old boy humor we like at our house.
I am so proud to have spawned a Beatles-bashing! They were the Backstreet Boys of the 1960s! I wouldn’t have gone off so harshly if that song hadn’t got stuck in my head. It is worse than “Mmm…Bop.”
My awesome sister will soon be blasting her way through Afghanistan as a Kiowa Warrior helicopter pilot!
I’m hoping Lincee will profile her when she goes overseas. She is smart, pretty, and a great cook, so she probably won’t need any pimping assistance.
Thanks SGT Cole, now I have that awful song going through my head!
hey now, lets leave the backstreet boys and hanson out of this.
Elf with Jim Carey. Definitely one of my favorites…well, my second actually. Right behind Christmas Vacation.
My sister and I also have the tradition of watching White Christmas every year, by far my favorite. But if you haven’t seen New in Town (one of Harry Connick and Rene Z.’s latest) I recommend it. I thought it was really cute, not too Christmas-y but all the snow could help you feel like its winter especially with the lack of winter in Houston usually.
The Family Stone
The best one!!! You need to find MRS. SANTA CLAUS
Oops, #138 continued…you would love MRS. SANTA CLAUS which is a Christmas musical with Angela Lansbury from 1996. It has every aspect of what you love! We have it on VHS and I will be trying to find it on DVD this year. Merry Christmas and happy healing!
Serendipity, The Holiday and Santa Claus are all a must!
I am also surprised you didn’t have Love Actually on your list. It’s probably the only movie I’ve ever bought for myself to watch each year – at Christmas-time. And I watch a lot of movies.
Enjoy your down-time and I hope the recovery goes smoothly!
Holiday Inn, Christmas Carol, and Elf
You should watch them in order of them being made – it will tell you a lot about Americans’ views of Christmas and add all the others in that you can manage
1942 – Holiday Inn – Where White Christmas was first sang on screen
1944 – Going My Way – lead to the making of The Bells of St. Mary
1945 – The Bells of St. Mary – Bing as a priest – need I say more but there is more Ingrid Bergman as a sister
1945 – Christmas in Connecticut – dated but charming
1946 – It’s a Wonderful Life – Angel Wings & Zu zu’s petals – if you don’t love this movie you don’t embrace life
1947 – It Happened on 5th Avenue – Frank Capra was suppose to direct but he was doing the movie just mentioned
1947 – Miracle on 34th Street – Natalie Wood, Maureen O’Hara and Edmund Gwenn
1954 – White Christmas – Bing back for more
1956 – All Mine to Give
1957 – Desk Set – getting laid off for Christmas with Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy
1959 – Rally Around the Flag Boys – Paul Newman and Joann Woodward – not Christmas but July 4th for a break from the Christmas stuff
1960 – The Apartment – Jack and Shirley
1961 – Pocketful of Miracles – Bette Davis as a homeless woman – I think of Christmas while watching
1965 – A Charlie Brown Christmas –
1969 – Angel in my pocket – Another movie that will having you thinking of Christmas
1971 – The Homecoming – The Waltons was based on this I believe
1978 – The Gift of Love – with Marie Osmond – the story is better than the movie but it’s precious
1978 – The Gift of Magi – with Debby Boone – and Jm Backus
1980 – Mr. Krueger’s Christmas
1983 – The Best Christmas Pageant Ever – Loretta Swit – story better than movie but still love it
1986 – Christmas Eve – with Loretta Young
1988 – Scrooged – Bill Murray before he was nominated for an Oscar
1995 – The Christmas Box – Richard Thomas
1995 – While You Were Sleeping (can you believe it’s this old?)
2007 – Christmas is Here Again – Andy Griffith is the voice of Santa Claus
Ok, I totally LOVE Home Alone, as well, but let me remind you of a couple more Holiday FAVES:
Just Friends (Ryan Reynolds, too adorably hilarious)
Elf (oh, come on!)
The Nightmare Before Christmas DOES have an overwhelming Christmas theme
Edward Scissorhands
Batman Returns (With Catwoman and the Penguin) Hello, SWEET!
Good luck with your Robo-Knees!
Anyone mentioned “Earnest Saves Christmas”?
Love Actually is my favorite movie of all time. I watch it every Christmas, but I typically watch it at least once during the months between Christmases, too. It truly restores my faith in love, relationships, and humanity. The part where Mark (Andrew Lincoln) is outside of Juliet’s (Keira Knightley) door, holding up pieces of poster board that say, “For now let me say, without hope or agenda, just because it’s Christmas, and at Christmas you tell the truth. To me you are perfect, and my wasted heart will love you until you look like this” (with a picture of a mummy)? Gets me every time. Also, the part where Daniel (Liam Neeson) tells Sam (his son) to tell his crush that he loves her. He says, “You’ve got nothing to lose and you’ll always regret it if you don’t. I never told your mom enough. I should have told her every day, because she was perfect every day.” Ugh. I get chills just typing it!!! So yeah. Clearly I’m a bit obsessed with this movie. But for reals. If any of you haven’t seen it, please do! It’s such a heartwarming film.
I also like Elf and Christmas Vacation, for their humor, and Miracle on 34th Street and It’s a Wonderful Life for their nostalgia. I am inspired to go home and watch one tonight, in fact. After SYTYCD, of course
I vote for Love Actually…
Where are you comments on the new bachelorettes for Jake!!
The first time I saw Love Actually- right when it was released on DVD- I HATED it. I’m not sure why. But reading here how much everyone loved it, I thought it might just be me. So I watched it on demand the other day, LOVED it, and promptly ordered my own copy. Thanks IHGB readers and Lincee for giving me a new movie to love!
Love. Actually is definitely one of my favorite Christmas movies. the other one I like is The Holiday with Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law and Jack Black. It is the one where they switch houses for the holidays. It is great I think. Enjoy!
I absolutely love White Christmas. But, another oldie is Holiday Inn. Pretty much covers all of the holidays. But, Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire are awesome in it. And, another one set at Christmas – the original Lethal Weapon.
Just watched Holiday in Handcuffs for the very first time… with Mario Lopez and Melissa Joan Hart. It was much better than expected, and you get to look at Mario….I am in the only girl in a house full of guys and they were all laughing too.
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