Christmas is quickly approaching and we understand this holiday season might have been much more stressful than ever. Here’s a short list of lighthearted Christmas movies that’ll help melt away holiday tensions. With Christmas right around the corner, what better way to get even more into the spirit than by watching Christmas movies?
1. Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
Jim Carrey’s Grinch easily became iconic. His improvised humor is really what made the film stand apart from the 1966 original cartoon. This movie features a grouchy hermit with a hate for Christmas who formulates a plan to steal the holiday from the Whos.
2. Elf (2003)
Buddy the Elf discovers he’s a human who was raised by elves in the North Pole. Upon learning this, he travels to New York in search of his father. This film is full of laughter and inspires the audience to love their family a little harder. Definitely a classic!
3. Home Alone (1990)
In this iconic Christmas movie, Kevin is the youngest in his family and accidentally gets left behind when his family takes a trip to Paris. This 8-year-old finds himself in a situation where he has to defend his home from a pair of burglars.
4. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
The Pumpkin King, Jack Skellington, finds himself worn out from the repetition of having a stellar Halloween every year. He stumbles upon a door that takes him to Christmastown and falls in love with the joy the holiday brought him. Jack later comes up with a plan to have the citizens of Halloweentown host Christmas. His attempt to have a spooky Christmas causes confusion and he realizes the importance of having a great Halloween each year.
5. The Santa Clause (1994)
Tim Allen stars in this Christmas classic where he becomes Santa Claus and takes on his responsibilities after St. Nick takes a tumble off a roof. Scott Calvin accidentally causes Santa to fall off his roof. Afterwards, he is magically selected to not only finish delivering the gifts on Christmas Eve. Once Christmas is over, Scott tries to hide the truth from his family. This movie is such a family fun classic!
6. The Polar Express (2004)
In this classic tale, a young boy goes on a magical adventure to the North Pole. He and other children get the invite on Christmas Eve by being able to hear the bells. They all travel on the Polar Express with hopes of meeting Santa Claus himself.
7. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)
This iconic story about a misfit reindeer and his friends is the underdog tale we could all use. Rudolph and his friends set out on an adventure to find somewhere where they’ll be accepted. Throughout their journey, they learn that being different is what makes them special.
8. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
A true classic! In this movie, Charlie Brown finds himself upset with the commercialism and materialism of Christmas. He then takes it upon himself, with some help from the gang, to find the deeper and true meaning of Christmas.
9. A Christmas Carol (1951)
This legendary Christmas tale is one where an old man, Ebenezer Scrooge, hates the Christmas season with his entire being. Year after year, he curses the holiday and utters his famous “bah-humbug”. On the night of Christmas Eve, he is visited by 3 ghosts who take him on a journey through Christmases past, present, and future.
10. Gremlins (1984)
Billy is given a mythical Chinese creature called “mogwai” named Gizmo. Strange things happen to these creatures, such as they multiply in water and shouldn’t be fed after midnight. Billy accidentally gets Gizmo wet and he produces a couple eggs. These eggs hatch but when they are fed after midnight, begin to wreak havoc on the town and everyone in it.
Sources:
https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/movies/a50565/best-christmas-movies-of-all-time/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls000096828/
Author: Alaina Newman