By Heather Monahan
Features Editor
Christmastime is here, and what better way to spend it than take advantage of the hundreds of Christmas movies available this month? The holiday craziness is just beginning as students head home to shop, bake cookies and wrap presents. Admittedly, it would be hard to watch every Christmas movie this season, so I put together a list of the Top 10 Christmas movies everyone should make the time to watch.
10. The Polar Express (2004)
Based on the classic short story of the same name by Chris Van Allsburg, “The Polar Express” stars Tom Hanks as the charming, mustachioed conductor of a train that brings children to the North Pole. This movie is sure to leave viewers of any age wishing they could hear the ring of the silver bell.
9. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)
This claymation Christmas classic is as heartwarming as it is emotionally moving. Christmas lovers young and old can appreciate how touching it is when Rudolph is finally accepted by his fellow reindeer and the misfit toys find homes after years of exile. It’s hard to not be charmed by the zany prospector Yukon Cornelius, adore Hermy, the elf aspiring to be a dentist and even love the Abominable Snowman, “The Bumble.”
8.National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)
Admittedly, “Christmas Vacation” is not the best movie to watch if you’re really trying to get into the holiday spirit. But it is a go-to movie if you want to feel better about your family’s crazy antics. As Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) fights to host the picture-perfect Christmas for his family, it seems everything goes awry. Despite mishaps with trees, lights and certifiably insane relatives, the Griswolds do end up getting their merry Christmas, leaving a good message for viewers as well as many laughs along the way.
7. Love Actually (2003)
“Love Actually” features an all-star cast including Alan Rickman, Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson and Liam Neeson. The film brilliantly mixes humor with 10 different heartwarming stories of love around Christmastime. Although it’s a great Christmas movie, it’s one that’s better to watch with friends rather than family, as one of the storylines depicts two stand-in porn stars who end up falling in love.
6. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
It seems each holiday can be celebrated with the Peanuts gang, and Christmas is no exception. This Christmas special serves as a great reminder for everyone what the true meaning of the holiday season is. Even the most jaded among us can’t help but feel their childhood awaken when they spot a small tree that resembles Charlie Brown’s.
5. The Santa Clause (1994)
“The Santa Clause” shows that even the grumpiest and most work-obsessed folk can find the spirit of Christmas within themselves. When Scott Calvin (Tim Allen) puts Santa’s suit on after the jolly fellow falls off his roof, he’s appointed as the new Santa Claus, much to his dismay. He struggles to accept his new role while partaking in a custody battle for his son, but in the end it all works out and the Calvins live happily ever after in the North Pole.
4. The Grinch (2000)
Although either “Grinch” movie would suffice during the holidays, the Jim Carrey version really brings the classic Dr. Seuss tale to life. Carrey’s personality and sense of humor accommodate the role well, and it’s hard not to love the visuals of WhoVille. I must advise, if you don’t want your view of Cindy Lou-Who to be shattered forever, don’t Google current images of actress Taylor Momsen, who has since shed the Who look and taken on a goth persona.
3. Elf (2003)
If watching Will Ferrell hop around New York City in tights and a pointy hat as Buddy the Elf doesn’t put you in the Christmas spirit, I’m really not sure if there’s hope for you. This movie is sure to get you geared up to try and mimic Buddy’s incredible decorating skills. However, I would skip out on chopping down a pine tree in Central Park.
2. Home Alone (1990)
While being lost and separated from your family is a common fear for children, Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) proves that youngsters can hold their own. When Kevin is forgotten by his massive family, he alone has to defend his home from two burglars. Kevin’s creativity and penchant for mischief can make anyone wonder why they’ve been paying for home security systems when they could just use their children’s wit.
1. The Year Without a Santa Claus (1974)
Between the Miser Brothers’ epic theme songs, the idiotic but lovable elves Jingle and Jangle and Santa himself going undercover to rescue his North Pole friends, there’s really nothing about this movie that isn’t wonderful. When Santa falls ill, he speaks of canceling Christmas under the premonition that no one would care. His theory is proved wrong when the elves and Mrs. Claus herself rally children around the world to generate enough Christmas spirit to keep the holiday up and running.
