The holiday season is the most wonderful time of the year! Out of all the holiday festivities, watching Christmas movies is, by far, the best. There are hundreds of Christmas movies, and it can be hard to pick which one to watch. Here is a list of my top five Christmas movies and where you can find them this holiday season.
- “Frosty the Snowman” (1969)
This 1969 film is a Christmas classic. Everyone needs to watch this movie at least once as a child. The animated special radiates childhood movie magic and only runs 22 minutes in length. The show features a young girl, Karen, who befriends a jolly, talking snowman wearing a magical hat that the film’s antagonist, Professor Hinkle, wants. It can now be streamed on Hulu and Disney+ with a connected Hulu subscription, and NBC will air the special on the evening of December 11. Fans can also enjoy the 1992 sequel, “Frosty Returns.”
- “A Charlie Brown Christmas” (1965)
At the number four spot is another oldie but goodie: the 1965 special, “A Charlie Brown Christmas”! To the surprise of CBS network executives at the time, the special first aired to nearly 15 million viewers tuning in. Based on the “Peanuts” comic, it follows Charlie Brown and his friends as they discover a deeper meaning to Christmas beyond materialism. The lively music and fan-favorite characters like Lucy and Linus make this film ageless! “A Charlie Brown Christmas” is exclusively available to stream on AppleTV+. For those without an Apple TV subscription, you’re in luck! This year the special will stream for free on the platform for two days: December 14 and December 15.
- “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (2000)
While you can’t go wrong watching the original 1966 animated version of Dr. Seuss’ “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” the 2000 live-action adaptation featuring Jim Carrey as the Grinch is a Christmas comedy classic! The movie follows Cindy Lou Who, a young girl from the small town of Whoville, who tries to befriend a green, hermit-like creature named the Grinch, who hates Christmas. The film chronicles his plan to ruin Christmas for the happy town of Whoville, while Cindy Lou learns that Christmas is about being with loved ones rather than materialistic greed. The Grinch’s witty and often brutal humor makes this a must-watch. It is available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime or AppleTV, but it will also be shown a number of different times during Freeform’s 25 Days of Christmas programming, along with the 2018 animated version, “Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch.”
- “Home Alone” (1990)
At number two on the list is “Home Alone.” The film features an 8-year-old boy named Kevin who misbehaves the night before his family trip. As punishment, he is forced to sleep in the attic. As a result, his family accidentally forgets him and leaves for vacation without him. Left behind, Kevin must defend his home from two burglars trying to rob the house. This movie is a comedy, but it also resonates deeply with many who relate to the family dysfunction the McCallister family faces. Its large fanbase, silly characters, and exciting plot makes it a movie everyone can enjoy! “Home Alone,” as well as its sequel, “Home Alone: Lost in New York,” is available to stream on Disney+ and will also be shown throughout Freeform’s 25 Days of Christmas.
- “Elf” (2003)
The number one Christmas movie is, of course, “Elf!” This lovable film follows Buddy, a human who accidentally hitched a ride to the North Pole in Santa’s bag as a young child and grew up as an adopted elf at Santa’s workshop. Buddy always felt different from the other elves, so he travels to New York City to find his biological father. His biological dad reluctantly forms a relationship with his recently discovered, quirky son. “Elf” is a family-friendly Christmas comedy, but what sets it apart from the others on this list is its originality and creativity. This movie’s plot is unique and authentic. It’s sweet, silly, and so much fun to watch. Overall, it is an excellent movie that warrants rewatching every year! It is available to stream on Hulu, but AMC is also showing it throughout the holiday season.
