Holiday music in the background, cookies baking in the oven, warm blankets and Christmas themed pajamas, hot chocolate with marshmallows and whipped cream, Christmas lights and decorations, and of course Christmas movies lift up the spirit in the houses of so many every time the holidays come around.
Holiday classics and favorites help make Christmas, well Christmas. But which are a must watch and which can be skipped over when binging holiday movies as a family? This season, I ranked a mix of movies that define Christmas, as well as some new holiday favorites that have appeared in recent years to help you make the most of the holiday movie season.
- Frosty the Snowman
Frosty the Snowman was released by Rankin/Bass Productions in 1996. With a running time of around 22 minutes, the movie is short, but a classic. This movie is so low down on the list because it just wasn’t very engaging. The plotline is so nostalgic and I remember watching this movie as a kid around the holidays, but even back then, I found this movie less entertaining than the others.
The movie is about a group of kids building a snowman and a magic hat that brings it to life. A magician is trying to get this hat back and as temperatures start to rise, Frosty begins to melt. The kids are forced to go on a battle against the clock and the magician to try and save Frosty.
This movie just wasn’t for me, but if you want to mix Christmas with a hint of nostalgia, I definitely recommend adding it to your must watch Christmas movie list.
- The Princess Switch
This romantic Christmas comedy is so down on the list not because it isn’t good, but because it just isn’t as good as the movies further down the list. “The Princess Switch” is the first movie in the franchise and it can be currently streamed on Netflix after being released in 2018.
The movie follows the lives of two identical women living completely different lives. One of them is a duchess engaged to Prince Edward of Belgravia, while the other is an ordinary woman from Chicago engaged to an ordinary guy. When the woman from Chicago travels to Belgravia for a Christmas baking competition, the two girls swap places and fall in love with each other’s beaus.
This movie won’t fail to get you into the Holiday Spirit and it has a plot line that can engage kids as well as teens. If you love a good romance and want to mix it with a lot of Christmas spirit I highly recommend watching this movie this Christmas season!
- Elf
This one is a classic and loved by so many. It was released in 2003 and I was a bit late in watching it, only having watched it for the first time last Christmas season, but I didn’t get the hype surrounding this movie.
The movie follows Buddy, a man raised as an elf, even though he was a human. He could never fit in among everyone at the North Pole so he takes a trip to New York in hopes of reuniting with his real father, who doesn’t really want a relationship with his elf-like son.
This comedy just didn’t entertain me that much the first time. It is one of the most popular Christmas movies out there, and to be honest I was disappointed that I didn’t love it as much as everyone else. However, I definitely recommend giving it a try this Christmas season, or a second chance if you didn’t like it the first time like me.
After giving it a second chance this movie became even better, but still not as good as the others on this list.
- The Royal Treatment
This one isn’t a classic but I loved it anyway. Released not that long ago in 2022, this movie is sure to get you caught up in a Christmas romance.
A normal hairdresser gets the opportunity to work at the wedding of a Prince! This once in a lifetime opportunity takes her all the way to the royal kingdom of Lavania and there she finds a spark of love between her and the engaged Prince. As the Prince’s wedding approaches, conflicts arise and the Prince must make a decision that will change his life, as well as his fiancee’s.
To be honest the plot line is what kept me hooked here. It was a lot like “The Princess Switch” but better and I fell in love with the main character Izzy and her personality. This movie is a must watch, especially if you love a good romance! Since this movie isn’t a classic, not that many people have watched it, which gives you the perfect opportunity to try something new and make this a new movie on your Christmas movie list every year.
- Home Alone 2
Of course the Home Alone movies had to make this list! They’re classics, especially the first two. These movies can not be skipped over especially if you really want to get into that Christmas Spirit. The first one is further down the list, but in 6th place we have Home Alone 2.
After being left behind by his family the previous Christmas, Kevin McCallsiter and the rest of his family were determined not to make the same mistake again, but things didn’t go as planned. At the airport Kevin gets left behind and accidentally boards a flight to New York all by himself. In New York he works up a bill on his fathers credit card and meets up with the robbers who tried to rob his house in the first movie.
This movie is a fan favorite! It’ll give you a good laugh and it’s such a classic. I’m sure that you’ve watched the movies in the Home Alone franchise so many times over the years, and it won’t hurt to do one more rewatch.
- Christmas Chronicles 2
I can not begin to describe how much I love the Christmas Chronicles movies! After watching the first one, I couldn’t wait for the second one to be released on Netflix in 2020, and I have so much praise to give this movie!
The plot line follows Katie Pierce and her family as they celebrate Christmas on the beach in Mexico. To Kate, Christmas means home, not the sun shining and palm trees. When she tries to get on a flight home, she ends up in the North Pole needing Santa’s rescue. She isn’t the only one who needs help though, Santa needs her help because one of his elves has gone bad, and it’s up to Kate, Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, and Jack(her moms boyfriend’s son) to save Christmas.
You’re sure to fall in love with the characters in this movie, enjoy the plot line, and after watching it once, be tempted to rewatch it so many times. This movie is such a must watch on your Christmas Movies bucket list and it can’t be skipped over.
- Home Alone
This ones probably the most classic movie on here. Who hasn’t heard of Home Alone and Kevin’s adventures when he was left behind by his family on Christmas and had to stop the robbers breaking into his house?
This movie was released in 1990 and people are still watching it to this day. It’s a perfect family movie that will bring plenty of laughs and valuable lessons like how to stop robbers from breaking into your house.
Kevin is such a loveable character because of his personality and the viewers are sure to fall in love with him.
Freshman Avery Rapel claims that this is her all time favorite Christmas movie. Avery Rapel claims that her favorite scene is,“When the people intrude the home, it’s funny and there’s a bunch of traps that Kevin sets up.”
Freshman Naisha Prasad agrees with Avery. Prasads favorite scene is also when, “When Kevin makes the traps for the burglars.”
I’m sure you’ve seen this movie dozens of times already, but I’d give it another watch for old times sake!
- All I want for Christmas is You
This ones for the dog and Christmas lovers out there. Released in 2017 and starring Mariah Carey, this movie has an entertaining and silly plotline that will capture the hearts of everyone who has ever asked for a dog for christmas.
The only thing on Mariah’s Christmas list is a dog and she has the perfect dog in mind. Her parents need some convincing though. When her dad brings home a troubled puppy named Jack, Mariah is pushed to persevere and prove her responsibility in order to get her perfect pup.
This movie can be watched on various platforms such as Prime Video, and if you want to see something you may not have watched before, with some great Christmas music, including Mariah Carey’s song “All I Want for Christmas is You” then I highly recommend this movie.
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Who hasn’t read the book by Dr. Seuss and watched the movie? Released in 2000 by Universal Pictures this movie gets thousands of views every year.
The movie follows the Grinch, a man who has isolated himself from the people in Whoville and despises Christmas. In Whoville everything is about Christmas and it’s the most anticipated time of the year. However, this year the Grinch plans on ruining Christmas but has a change of heart when he meets Cindy Lou Who, a young girl with a heart of gold.
The contrast between the Grinch’s personality and Cindy Lou Whos, the Christmas Spirit in Whoville and the styles of the caracter, and the quirkiness of everything in this make believe town created from Dr. Seuss’ imagination is sure to captivate the attention of all, even those who hate Christmas.
1.Christmas Chronicles
We’ve finally reached number one on the list. Released on Netflix in 2018, this movie has been on my Must Watch Christmas Movie List every year since the first time I saw it.
I watched the first half at a friend’s house and I was captivated. I knew I had to finish this movie and by now I think I have the plot line memorized.
Kate Pierce’s dad had recently died and he made Christmas, Christmas. Nothing is the same anymore. Kate’s brother Teddy has gotten himself into a lot of trouble through illegal activities but when they are forced to spend Christmas Eve together they go on a mission to catch Santa Clause in the act. Spoiler alert, they do, but in the process they also ruin Christmas. It becomes up to them to help Santa save Christmas and their efforts take them on a trip that will make memories which will last a lifetime.
Naisha Prasad also loves Christmas Chronicles. One of her favorite scenes has to do with Kate and the love she has for Christmas. She claims that she likes, “how the girl tries to record her message for Santa.” Even though Kate is growing up she still continues to have so much Christmas spirit.
I’m also a huge fan of this scene and it’s adorable to see how big Kate’s love for Christmas is.
This movie is the first thing that comes into my mind when I think of Christmas movies. The storyline is amazing, the relationship that the characters form is entertaining to watch, and you’ll get to see a side of Santa Claus you’ve never seen before(Spoiler alert! he doesn’t like to say HO HO HO). It’s a must watch on my list, and I’m sure that if you give it a shot, you’ll love it too.
