Best Christmas Movies To Watch While Waiting For The Holidays

If there ever was a Christmas staple movie, Home Alone is it. Call it distasteful for adult bashing or stretched-thin; Home Alone is a truly iconic film of the '90s. To us die-hard fans, the gags are hilarious, the premise is unexpected (how is it possible to forget your own child?), and Macaulay Culkin is adorable beyond words.

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation was released in 1989 and is the third installment in National Lampoon magazine's vacation film series. The movie tells us a story of the Griswold family and their attempts at having themselves a merry little Christmas. Sure enough, their plans go impressively wayward - from kidnappings to a SWAT team storming the house, it's a great and very entertaining example of Murphy's Law in action. To make this movie even better, we'll disclose this - the original soundtrack was written by the mastermind Angelo Badalamenti, who's responsible for giving the sound to numerous creations of David Lynch.

The Grinch, a surly antisocial heel, has been trying to steal Christmas since the very day his story was published in 1957. His debut on the screen, though, was in 1966 - an animated TV special that revived Mr. Grinch and showed his evil intentions to the world. This cartoon also gave us one of our favorite Christmas songs - You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch by Thurl Ravenscroft. And, if classy cartoons are your preference for the season, How The Grinch Stole Christmas will hit the bullseye.

Elf is a 2003 Christmas comedy, and it goes like this - an orphan baby crawls into Santa's sack on a cold Christmas Eve. The baby is unknowingly transported to The North Pole, where Santa's elves adopt him. However, the baby, now named Buddy, soon grows to the size of an adult human towering over his family of elves. Right about then, he discovers that he is, in fact, a human and sets out to visit his biological father. Buddy, played by Will Ferrell, is a hilarious character - kind yet aloof, he causes a ruckus anywhere he goes. And, although it is a comedy in all its sense, Elf is also filled with that magical Christmas spirit and joy.

We all know 1988s Die Hard to be one of the greatest action movies, but why is it on our list? Well, for several reasons - it takes place during a holiday office party, there's Christmas music, there are presents involved, Bruce Willis, and it snows in the end. What else would you need to turn high-octane action into a Christmas movie? Nothing much, if you'd ask us! It also caters to the needs of those sharing a preference for 'heavier' movies, so try this awesome experience of watching Die Hard during the holidays.

Every season must have its misfit story, and Christmas is no exception. Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer, tells us that being different is good and having a beautiful heart is what's most important. In this 1964 version of Rudolph's tale, we get to see his adventures in a stop-motion fashion - a timeless type of animation that easily transports you to fantasy land.

A Christmas Story is a 1983 Christmas comedy that's made in quite an unconventional way. The movie shows us twelve vignettes loosely related to each other and stitched together in a 94-minute entirety. It came to be as it is because A Christmas Story is based on Jean Shepherd's semi-fictional anecdotes and short monologs written in the 1966 book In Good We Trust: All Others Pay Cash. But, no matter the unusual style, A Christmas Story is one hilarious, so very Christmassy movie that has gained the title of a holiday essential in North America.

The Santa Clause is a 1994 comedy-drama that has since become a bona fide season's staple. It follows the story of Scott Calvin, a Santa non-believer, who accidentally kills the real Father Christmas. Because of that, he must assume Santa's position, deliver the presents and report back to The North Pole. Here, he finds out that he is, indeed, the next Santa, which, in turn, causes some pretty awesome misunderstandings. If giggles are what you need this next holiday - put this movie on your roster.

It's A Wonderful Life is a 1946 Christmas fantasy drama based on a short story by Philip Van Doren Stern. It's a story of one George Bailey - a man who has selflessly abandoned his own dreams to help others. However, he doesn't see the good that he has done and attempts suicide right on Christmas Eve. Thankfully, his guardian angel appears on time and shows him the miraculous ways he's made the lives of those around him so much better. It's a beautiful story, one that's oh so perfect for the holidays, and if you love classic movies, you'll adore this one.

A Charlie Brown Christmas is a 1965 animated TV special. There's plenty to like about this cartoon - its unorthodox way of storytelling and slow pace, its astonishingly beautiful soundtrack (jazz compositions by Vince Guaraldi), and even Charlie's sadness about the commercialization of Christmas. Which, in the end, turns the tables around and makes the characters (and those watching) understand the true spirit of this festivity. Although producers and the network predicted disaster for A Charlie Brown Christmas, it proved to be anything but. A heartwarming and exceptionally beautiful film to mark the most important celebration of the year.

The Muppet Christmas Carol is a 1992 musical comedy starring all the beloved Muppet characters from the series. It's based on Charles Dickens’ classical holiday story A Christmas Carol and, although the story itself is quite unchanged, the aesthetic is definitely that of The Muppets. This adaptation might not be the most graceful per se, but it is one of the funniest indeed. It also serves perfectly well to introduce younger viewers into the story without traumatizing them too much with the original's grim aspects.

Though it's the second time you have seen Mr. Grinch on our list, this Grinch movie is the third screen adaptation of this green grouch's story. Once again, we get to see Mr.Grinch trying to sabotage Whoville's Christmas by stealing all the town's decorations and gifts. His loyal pet dog Max is always at its owner's heel, helping in any way he can in his master's evil plan. Unexpectedly so, the original song for this movie - I Am Mister Grinch - was created by the rapper Tyler, The Creator.

Home Alone 2: Lost In New York is, of course, a sequel to the original and was released two years after (in 1992) after the massive success of its predecessor. Here we once again get to meet the McCallister family, gladly, Macaulay Culkin too, as they once again fail to keep the right count of their kids. This time it's set in New York, which in its own right is a scary city, all the more if you're young Kevin all lost and alone. And if this sequel may lack in originality, then it makes up in abundant holiday cheer and Macaulay's adorable acting.

Frosty The Snowman is an animated Christmas TV special that first aired in 1969. The story follows a group of kids who build a snowman and place a special magician's hat on his head. A magic spell makes Frosty come to life, but due to quickly rising temperatures, the children fear that Frosty will melt. Thus, they set out on a trip to The North Pole, where Frosty would never melt. It's a truly beautiful hand-drawn animated story that finds fans in every generation.

Once you hear the name Tim Burton, you know what you're about to see. This director's iconic style includes, of course, stop-motion animation, gloomy settings, and thoroughly original (and a bit scary) characters. In The Nightmare Before Christmas, the story revolves around Jack Skellington, the king of Halloween Town, who stumbles upon Christmas Town and gets joyfully obsessed with celebrating this festivity. The movie proved to be very impactful, creating a legacy of table games, video games, books, figurines, and all kinds of collectibles throughout the decades.

The Polar Express is a 2004 animated movie co-written and directed by Robert Zemeckis of Forrest Gump fame. A record budget allowed the animators to use the latest computer animation technologies of the time, resulting in the first-ever all-digital capture film. Because of that, The Polar Express might be the most visually stunning entry on our list! Besides being glory to the eyes, its story is also not any less beautiful. It follows a group of kids journeying to the North Pole in hopes of visiting Santa, but, between the lines, it talks about the beauty of belief and innocence. A truly heartwarming and effective movie that has become a real Christmas staple.

How many direct A Christmas Carol adaptations can there be, you ask? Why just a little over twenty! But this one, the 1984 version, is probably the closest in the atmosphere and in the grimness of Dickens’ original. To show its fidelity to the classic story, this Christmas Carol was even filmed in an ancient English town called Shrewsbury, where all the medieval buildings that you see are very real. It definitely adds to the gothic and very moral feel of the tale, all the better if your kid is one to deserve coal for their present.

Miracle On 34th Street is a 1947 Christmas comedy-drama based on a story by Valentine Davies. This classic movie's plot employs all the Christmas tropes before they even were tropes - the need for faith, the pureness of a heart, and real-life miracles happening before your very own eyes. It also shows the story of Kris Kringle evolving into a bona fide Santa Claus, as real as he can be. It's truly a classy movie full of heartwarming naivete that'll soften even the coldest of hearts.

Mickey's Christmas Carol is a 1983 animated featurette starring our beloved Disney characters from the Mickey universe. This animated movie was also the first original Mickey theatrical cartoon produced in over thirty years, and since the audiences (and us) have missed Mickey badly, the Christmas Carol adaptation was right on time. Critics praised it for clever writing and for being animated with real spirit, exactly the words you want to hear before investing your time into a movie!

Scrooged is a 1988 fantasy comedy starring the almighty Bill Murray. And the instant you see Murray's surname in the credits, you know it's going to be darkly funny and original. Even if it's based on Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, in fact, it might be the only adaptation oriented to adult audiences - we, grown-ups, also sometimes need a reminder who gets coal and who gets presents on Christmas. Scrooged is praised for being a great alternative for traditional Christmastime movies and also for its forward-thinking, which made it relevant for decades to come.

White Christmas is a 1954 musical film featuring songs of Irving Berlin, many of which later became genuine Christmas classics. It also stars two of the biggest stars - Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye - whose performances are unarguably top notch. The story itself once again tells us that the best thing you could do during Christmas is to believe in miracles and open up your heart to those around you. A heartwarming story crowned with gently falling snow and beautiful performances.

Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town is a 1970 stop-motion Christmas TV special. Here the characters are voiced by legendary stars of the time such as Fred Astaire and Mickey Rooney, which, of course, spells stellar performances. The movie is based on the hit song of the same name and the story of Saint Nicholas. Following this animation, we get to see the origins of Santa and feel the joyous atmosphere of Christmas.

This is the second adaptation of Miracle On The 34th Street on our list, but it is as worthy of an entry as its predecessor. This 1994 version stars the young Mara Wilson, the same Mara that we later get to meet in an all-time classic, Matilda. Besides employing one of the most adorable child actors, Miracle On The 34th Street retells the story in a more modern setting, highlighting the importance of giving and believing, helping us find the true meaning of Christmas.

The Santa Clause 2 is a 2000s sequel to The Santa Clause and is the second installment in the series. All of the main actors from the original movie reprise their roles, and the story unfolds further. Scott Calvin is now a fully-fledged Santa, but there's another clause that he needs to fulfill - the 'Mrs. Clause.' And thus, a hunt for Santa's bride begins! Though the mission was successful, it was a long and winding road to the desired conclusion - all the more fun and entertainment for us!

The Year Without A Santa Claus is a stop-motion animated film created in 1974 and based on Phyllis McGinley's book of the same name. Here, our beloved Santa wakes up one morning feeling blue and forgotten, and with a recommendation from his doctor, decides to take a holiday instead of delivering gifts. News spreads quickly, and the world's children send their own gifts to Santa to make him feel better, which definitely helps. Touched by the kid's generosity and with new strength, Santa sets sail to deliver the presents just in time for Christmas. Decades later, this beautiful story got a live-action remake, but to us, it's the nostalgic stop-motion animation that will always be the best.

Christmas With The Kranks is a 2004 Christmas comedy film based on the novel Skipping Christmas by John Grisham. It tells the story of the Kranks, a couple who, despite their friend's and neighbor's dismay, decide to skip Christmas entirely for a year. But, of course, there's a change of plans, and now their daughter's coming home for Christmas, which sets off a frantic hunt for a tree, decorations, foods, and all the stuff needed for holiday spirit. It's a fun and original movie if you want to alternate from the classic Christmas stories!

Love Actually is a 2003 Christmas-themed romantic comedy starring predominantly British actors. It is set five weeks before Christmas and each week coming to Christmas, we get to meet different pairs and see how they are experiencing love. All of their stories are linked in one way or another, and it is truly fun to try and decipher all of the connections—a beautiful, heartwarming, and most importantly, Christmassy romance that will swoop you away.

The Little Drummer Boy is a 1968 stop-motion television special based on a song of the same name. It tells the story of a boy named Aaron whose parents give him a drum as a gift. To everyone's great amusement, it makes a trio of animals - a donkey, a sheep, and a camel - dance to its beat. Soon a great tragedy befalls Aaron, and he's forced to search for his fate wandering. Though his story is a tear-jerking one, everything is saved by baby Jesus at the very last moment. A heartwarming story about a boy's journey in finding the good in life.

Jingle All The Way is a 1996 family comedy film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. The story's main idea is very simple as it is based on real-life Christmas toy sellouts; the movie is here to talk about the true meaning of Christmas. And though it all starts with a frenzied hunt for a Turbo-Man action figurine, it ends up shunning all commercialization of this holiday just as it should be! Jingle All The Way is an entertaining movie that's totally appropriate for the whole family's merriment.

Bad Santa is a 2003 black comedy starring Billy Bob Thorton as a mall Santa. However, being a mall Santa is just a disguise for clever robberies his dwarf assistant and he plans every year. The movie is dark, the plotlines are dirty, and it's all just hilarious. A very alternative movie for Christmas, but that's just the way we like it! Oh, and yes, it all ends up on a quite warm and Christmassy note, after all.