Holiday Movies

It's the holiday movie season! Our DVR is filling up with some of our favorite holiday flicks, and a few times a week we try to cozy up on the couch in the warm light of our Christmas tree and enjoy them. (Guess I should post some pics of our holiday house.)

I thought I'd give you my list of favorite Christmas movies, in no particular order. But first, let me review the ones that didn't make my holiday movie list.

The Omissions
You'll probably notice some glaring omissions to my list, ones the even my husband is appalled that either I haven't seen or just don't care for --


Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. (The stop-action version with the Misfit Toys.) Honestly, I don't ever remember seeing this from start to end. Michael cannot believe this, so we have a date tonight to watch this in its entirety. Who knows, it may end up on my list below.

A Charlie Brown Christmas. Now this one I've actually seen, and I do remember and love the end message when Linus tells the nativity story. Yes, it is about Christ! But my problem with this movie, as well as It's a Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (and no, I haven't seen that one fully either) is the pace. These are sloooowww movies, and well, it just doesn't keep my attention well enough.

A Christmas Story. I just don't get it. Period.

Griswold Christmas.  I think the bottom line with all these omissions is that I didn't grow up with them, and therefore they don't hold any nostalgia for me. And I'm not a fan of the Griswolds.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Animated or live action (which is a bizarre film in and of itself), I just don't give a Who.


So on to those I do love --


The Classics

White Christmas. Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, oh my!

Miracle on 34th Street. The original or remake, I enjoy both.

It's a Wonderful Life. A holiday Must.

A Christmas Carol - Mickey Mouse, Muppet or Otherwise


Nostalgic - Holiday Movies I Grew Up With:
A Disney Christmas Gift. A VHS tape we had from 1982, featuring film snippets of Chip, Dale, Pluto and Mickey decorating a tree, Bambi and Thumper on ice, Donald wrapping gifts, Arthur and Merlin and the sword, two lovers' dangerous icecapades, and more. {I was excited to find it in 5 parts on YouTube!}

The Nutcracker. Anytime I see a production on TV I will absolutely stop to watch it. Having danced The Nutcracker ballet in high school (as a Prologue dancer, Mirliton, Harlequin Doll, Snowflake, Flower, party guest, and Dew Drop Fairy, to boast a little), this ballet holds a special attraction for me. I love watching the various interpretations of the scenes, and the professional dancers are always phenomenal.


Muppets Christmas Carol. To clarify, anything featuring the Muppets! Who doesn't love them?  {Anyone else really want to see the new Muppet movie just released in theaters?}


Santa Claus: The Movie  - still my favorite "real" Santa. So Magical!


Modern Favs (admittedly, mostly chick flicks)
Family Man. This may be the only Nicholas Cage movie I love, and this may be one movie that's flown under your radar. It's a good story about what's important in life, a modern take on A Christmas Carol, if you will.

The Family Stone. A story about the Stone family gathering at Christmas and all the drama and hilarity involved with that. I love family.

Love Actually. Lots of story lines expertly woven together at the end.

The Holiday. Can't watch this movie without wanting Kim and Christie loafed on a couch beside me!

The Santa Clause. The first one is the best.


But my favorite Holiday Movie???

Elf! Every time I watch Buddy attempt the escalator I laugh out loud. What a fun movie to remind us of the childlike excitement of Christmas.


So...  what's your favorite holiday movie???