Ten Must-See Holiday Movies

Tanya Davis

Are you looking for something to do with the family this holiday season? It’s almost that time of year again! Whether you want to laugh, cry, or just have some family down time, there should be something that suits you. Here are my top 10 suggestions, in no particular order:

A Christmas Carol – George C. Scott
The 1938 version is still the best. Scrooge’s life unfolds before him and he sees his past, present and future when the sprits come to take him away on Christmas Eve. He leaves the journey a changed man.

A Christmas Story - Yano Anaya
Set in the 1930s, this is a charming story about a 9-year-old’s dream of the ultimate Christmas gift and his funny ways of dropping hints whenever he can.

Miracle on 34th Street – Maureen O’Hara
With wide, beguiling eyes, she tries to believe in Santa – even after her mother tells her that Santa doesn’t really exist. Is Santa able to make the little girl believe in him? Somebody became a believer; the show won three Oscars.

A Charlie Brown Christmas – Ann Altieri
Charlie Brown and friends react to the true meaning of Christmas. The show contains references to the “real” meaning of Christmas, and although animated it carries a special meaning for many. Created in 1965.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas – Chuck Jones
The 1966 version of this story reigns, even though it’s been done over a few times, including once with Jim Carrey. The story is based on the book by Dr. Seuss. The Grinch has lost his sprit for Christmas and his goal is to rid the world of Christmas joy. Old-time animation, but hey—the entire show is only 26 minutes, and it will appeal to the younger crowd.

The Santa Clause – John Pasquin
This 1994 flick stars Tim Allen, who must take over to ensure that Santa still comes on Christmas when the “real” Santa falls to an untimely death. Allen’s character is full of doubt, but the story is hilarious and at the same time sincere.

It’s a Wonderful Life – James Stewart
The classic of classics, this 1940s movie is about a small town hero who gets a wish and finds out how important that wish was to everyone in town. This movie will draw you back in again and again.

The Bishop’s Wife – Henry Koster
This is one of the best Christmas comedies. Cary Grant plays a stranger who comes to town to build a new church and falls in love with a married woman; Grant’s character turns out to be an angel. In 1996 this show was remade as The Preacher’s Wife.

Elf – John Favreau
If you’re into more recent slapstick, this might be the show for you. Made in 2003, it’s the story of a boy who was raised by elves at Santa’s North Pole. Once grown, he travels to New York City to look for his biological father. Along the way he finds romance and silliness.

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation – Jeremiah Chechik
Chevy Chase plays an accident-prone gentleman whose family hosts the relatives for what turns into a terribly difficult holiday. All the predictable tasteless comedy exists in this 1989 flick. The sequel was created in 2003.