10. Mickey’s Christmas Carol - Disney compressed the classic Christmas Carol story into 24 minutes. What’s not to like?
9. White Christmas - When global warming melts the polar ice caps and snow becomes a figment of the past, this film may very well be the only way to prove to our children that “snow” actually existed.
8. The Reason For The Season - This festive yuletide film features the shenanigans of kleptomaniac Fred Maloney as he tries to pull a Grinch on an unsuspecting family. However, Santa Clause is coming to town… My friends and I made this film for the 48 Hour Film Festival my freshman year of college. To see what this film is all about, click here!
7. Frosty The Snowman - This one used to creep me out, big time. I’m still not sure what kind of holiday voodoo magic makes that hat bring Frosty’s bulky ice crafted body to life, but once he’s alive - it’s a party.
6. A Christmas Story - Love the scene where Ralphie punches that kid’s face in. Merry Christmas!
5. A Flintstone Christmas - Without a doubt my favorite childhood Christmas flick. The scene where Fred and Barney venture through Santa’s techno workshop was almost too aesthetically vibrant for my young eyes to handle.
4. Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer - Beautiful story of misfits finding their place in a cold world. Even the most conservative viewers can over look Hermie the bi-curious elf and find the Christmas joy Rudolph has to offer. P.S. Donner undoubtedly wins the worst dad of the year award.
3. Jingle All The Way - In 1996, director Brian Levant lost a bet that resulted in the casting of Arnold Schwarzenegger in a Christmas movie. The result was a piece of cinematic gold. There’s not way he’ll ever know how much Christmas joy, (actually, joy in all seasons) this film has blasted into my heart. It’s Turbo Time!
2. Christmas Vacation - AMC shows Christmas Vacation all day Christmas day for a reason - it’s amazing. I wish it was on right now.
1. Elf - I’ve rediscovered Elf this holiday season, and it’s truly warmed my heart time and time again. The days leading up to Christmas just didn’t feel the same, but this film sparked the Christmas spirit for me. Thanks, Buddy.
Honorable Mentions:
- How The Grinch Stole Christmas - The Grinch if terrifying. A scary, pant-less monster sneaking into your house while you’re asleep. Look me in the eye and tell me you’re seriously cool with that.
- It’s A Wonderful Life - Boohoo, life is so sad… Rudolph had to spend most of his childhood with a sweaty gold-crazed miner, a malnourished dog pack, and a gender confused elf while running from the most terrifying figure in clay-mation history! Still think your life is sooo bad?
You may be outraged that some of your holiday favorites did not make my personal list. Please not that this list is not set in stone. If you’d like to advocate for your favorite, I’m more than willing to hear you out.
