Top Five Christmas Movies

So, this may be a hard one, but I think this list of five Christmas movies can help many decide on movies to watch with family and friends during the Christmas season. This selection was based on the messages from each movie. It also takes the whole “recycled Hallmark plot” out of the equation.

A Charlie Brown Christmas

This Christmas movies list is not complete unless Charlie Brown is on it. This classic has stood the test of time. Everyone’s favorite part is when Linus recites the opening of Chapter two of St. Luke’s gospel. That part was almost cut out, but it still made the final cut during the program’s production and release in 1965. This is actually a personal favorite of mine. After all, the peanut gang makes the Christmas season complete.

It’s A Wonderful Life

Another great Christmas classic tops the list. Every year, NBC airs this beloved Christmas movie. This movie follows George Bailey who gets through the biggest predicament of his life with the help of his friends and even his guardian angel, Clarence. The movie even has a deep message about the sanctity of life. There’s even a scene of Mass happening in the movie. Quite fitting for the director and lead star to both be Catholic.

I recently wrote a reflection on this timeless classic as it turned 75 years old.  

Elf

This modern classic will stand the test of time. This movie has humor and tells what happens when one elf helps a big city get into the Christmas spirit while helping his father come up with the next children's book idea.

The main character’s enthusiastic attitude about Christmas wins over many including his brother, love interest, and his father’s wife. They all would come together to help Santa escape New York and get Buddy to spread more cheer.

Home Alone

This great classic has everything you can find in a modern Christmas movie. This story follows an eight-year-old left behind only to stop a pair of bandits from robbing his neighborhood.

One iconic scene in the movie is when his mother sacrificed everything to nearly be stalled at an airport. As a ticketing agent skips over her, she holds her ground and delivers a line that resonates with what Christmas is about. At that moment, a polka band offers her a ride to Chicago to help reunite her with her son.

White Christmas

Rounding out the list is a beloved Bing Crosby classic which is the title of the greats Christmas song of all time (Take that, Mariah Carey).

Serving as the sequel to Holiday Inn, White Christmas tells the story of two WWII veterans who help a former general in their division to save his business from going bankrupt in Pine Tree, Vermont.

They scramble to invite the surviving members of their unit to help their beloved leader. It also helps Bob and Betty rekindle their romance after nearly going their separate ways in the film.

These five classic Christmas movies have stood the test of time. Enjoy them. There is something for everyone.