Happy December, friends! We’re officially starting the countdown to Christmas, which means you’ve only got 25 more shopping days. But, it also means you have 25 days of awesome Christmas movies to watch.
1. Jingle All the Way
(Amazon, iTunes)
What better way to celebrate the end of Black Friday and the beginning of Cyber Monday than with this family favorite about crazy shoppers on the hunt for that one elusive toy that everybody wants for Christmas? Basically, it’s the equivalent of everybody going bonkers for Elsa and Anna this year.
2. Nightmare Before Christmas
(Amazon, Netflix)
This Tim Burton classic is a favorite around Halloween and Christmas, my two favorite holidays. While it may not be your typical Christmas movie, its mixture of spook and festivities make for a fun night in front of the TV.
3. Prancer
(Amazon, Family Channel)
In this Christmas film, Jessica finds an injured reindeer in the forest and immediately becomes convinced that he is one of Santa’s very own. She vows to nurse him back to health, despite all the obstacles in her way. Who wouldn’t want to help one of Santa’s reindeer? I mean, if that doesn’t land you on the nice list, I don’t know what will.
4. Charlie Brown Christmas
(Amazon)
A Charlie Brown Christmas is the perfect movie to watch when you’re getting bogged down by all that Christmas shopping. Not only will it remind you what the real meaning of Christmas is all about, but it will also teach you that even the smallest, barest Christmas trees needs a home.
5. Disney’s A Christmas Carol
(Amazon, Family Channel)
Have you been walking around singing the Christmas time blues? Is ‘Bah Humbug’ a regular part of your vocabulary? Then maybe you need a visit from three ghosts this Christmas Eve. Or you can settle for watching Scrooge learn his lesson. This version of A Christmas Carol definitely makes my favorite city look amazing!
6. Love Actually
(Amazon, Netflix)
Frankly, I love this movie all year round! It follows the love lives of 8 different couples during the month leading up to Christmas. You’ll laugh. You’ll cry. You’ll love every cheesy moment of it.
7. Arthur Christmas
(Amazon, Family Channel)
Who knew Santa had such a hi-tech operation?! Well, even hi-tech operations can fail sometimes leaving Arthur to come to the rescue. If you’ve ever been the clumsy and awkward member of the family, then this movie is perfect for you.
8. Elf
(Amazon, Family Channel)
After crawling into Santa’s bag on Christmas Eve, Buddy is raised as one of Santa’s elves. When he finally learns that he isn’t really an elf, Buddy travels to New York to find his real family making for a culture shock of hilarious proportions.
9. Scrooged
(Amazon, Netflix)
In this updated version of A Christmas Carol, a selfish, cynical TV executive is visited by three ghosts on Christmas Eve. And trust me, these are three ghosts you don’t want to run into.
10. All I Want for Christmas
(Amazon, Netflix)
All this little girl wants for Christmas is her family back together. And she will do almost anything to make it happen. Lindsay Lohan and the Parent Trap have nothing on her!
11. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (cartoon)
(Amazon)
If Scrooge didn’t teach you about Christmas cheer, then maybe you should watch this Dr. Seuss Christmas classic. Maybe your heart will grow three times that day.
12. Miracle on 34th Street
(Amazon)
I bet you’ve never met a 6 year old as jaded as little Susan who knows the truth about Santa. He doesn’t exist. Or at least that’s what she thinks until she meets a special department store Santa who is convinced he’s the jolly old guy himself. This movie will make you want to believe in Santa.
13. Four Christmases
(Amazon)
When their flight to Fiji is canceled, this couple is forced to endure Christmas with their families. Embarrassing photos, childhood nicknames and plenty of dysfunction is shared during their time with their families. After all, what is a family get together without a little dysfunction?
14. Santa Claus is Coming to Town
(Amazon, Family Channel)
This classic is one that I’ve been watching since I was a child. I love the story of how Santa got the gig. I mean, who doesn’t like looking behind the scenes of a celebrity’s life?
15. Christmas with the Kranks
(Amazon, Netflix)
If you’ve ever been tempted to bypass Christmas, this movie just might make you think twice. Yes, a hassle free vacation in the tropics would be nice. But time with family and friends can be even nicer.
16. Home Alone
(Amazon, Family Channel)
This film is a must ever Christmas. Who doesn’t love to watch Kevin outsmart those two con men? Plus, it’s filled with awesome wisdom like always make sure your toothbrush is approved by the American Dental Association and never let your cousins drink soda after 6 PM.
17. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (movie)
(Amazon, Family Channel)
Jim Carrey brings the Grinch to life in this live action version of the Dr. Seuss classic. There’s still nothing quite as cute as Cindy Lou Who. Her adorableness would make any grump rethink his ways.
18. Bad Santa
(Amazon, Netflix)
In this dark comedy, the crotchety Willie T. Stokes (Billy Bob Thornton) and his partner (Tony Cox) spend every Christmas pulling a holiday con. But when Willie befriends a small boy he begins to wonder if there is still some hope for him.
19. It’s a Wonderful Life
(Amazon)
This heartfelt classic will make you cherish everything and everyone in your life. It’s basically the movie version of Chicken Soup for the Soul. So, grab a cup of hot chocolate and enjoy your dose of Christmas
20. The Holiday
(Amazon)
This movie will make you want to swap homes for the holidays in the hopes that you too can find love with a hot foreign man. I mean, you get to spend the holidays in a whole different country and land yourself a hot guy. Yes, please.
21. The Year Without a Santa Claus
(Amazon, Family Channel)
The Miser brothers make this film one to remember. It’s definitely one of my favorite holiday classics. Hell, maybe I’ll even rock Heat Miser’s hairstyle this year.
22. Christmas Family Vacation
(Amazon)
This family get together will make yours seem like a dream vacation. So gather round and watch the Griswalds do everything wrong.
23. The Santa Clause
(Amazon, Family Channel)
The movie that finally answered the question, “What happens if Santa falls off the roof?” also divulges so many other trade secrets. Now, if only our dad’s were the real Santa Claus.
24. The Polar Express
(Amazon, Family Channel)
The perfect movie for Christmas Eve, tells the story about a doubtful boy and his journey to the North Pole where he learns all about the power of believing. The inner child in you will be dying to hop on that train ride to the North.
25. A Christmas Story
(Amazon)
Last, but not least, the movie that taught us that you should never stick your tongue on the frozen flag pole, mall Santa’s are mean, and you will, indeed, shoot your eye out. Catch this movie playing on repeat for the annual TBS marathon.
What are your favorite Christmas movies? Would you change any on this list?
*Family Channel = ABC Family Channel will be airing the movie on that date
