Nothing helps to brighten the holiday season quite like a classic Christmas movie. There are thousands of them out there, with remakes for nearly every story. Watching Christmas movies together can be a great way to connect with each other and have some fun in the process. So find your favorite classic or discover something new and kick back this winter for a festive movie night. Without further ado, here are our favorite classic Christmas movies.
Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer
"Rudolph is a legend, and as an adult in these trying times, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer feels a bit like the underdog story we need. There's clearly some social justice themes going on, but at the core of this story of Rudolph and his dental-savvy friends is a time-tested tale that proves that being different isn't something to be ashamed of—it's something to embrace."
A Christmas Story
"There's a reason why TBS plays A Christmas Story for 24 hours straight every Christmas. This classic gave us the infamous leg lamp and Red Ryder BB guns — and most importantly, it taught us to never lick a frozen pole."
A Charlie Brown Christmas
"Don't leave this classic holiday flick out of your viewing lineup. This beloved "Peanuts" tale reminds us all of the reason for the season, and adults and kids alike are sure to enjoy the sweet story and colorful animation."
Home Alone
"Culkin is unfailingly precocious, and watching an 8-year-old foil a pair of clueless adult burglars in inventive fashion is fine and all. What's often forgotten amid the kiddie shenanigans, however, is what the film has to say about the importance of family."
Miracle on 34th Street
"Maureen O'Hara and John Payne star in the original film about that time New York City authorities committed a man to a mental facility because he thought he was Santa Claus. And though it can be debated which version of the classic film—this one or the John Hughes contribution starring Mara Wilson—is your favorite, there simply would be no miracle without the George Seaton 1947 prototype."
A Christmas Carol
"Still the finest adaptation of Charles Dickens' legendary tale, this superb 1951 feature charts the familiar Christmas Eve ordeal of nasty miser Ebenezer Scrooge (Alastair Sim), who's visited by the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future."
It's a Wonderful Life
"This 1946 Frank Capra film isn't just one of the best Christmas movies of all time — it's one of the best movies in general. It's a Wonderful Life was nominated for six Academy Awards and ranks #11 on the American Film Institute's original list of the 100 Greatest American Films of All Time."
Frosty the Snowman
"Everyone knows the tale of jolly, happy Frosty the Snowman, but this animated classic is always worth a re-watch. When children accidentally build an enchanted snowman, some of them find themselves on a dramatic adventure to the North Pole to make sure he doesn't melt, and learn plenty about the true meaning of Christmas on the way."
