The Christmas Movie Check List

Christmas is right around the corner and there is no better way to get into the Christmas spirit than by watching Christmas movies. This year’s new Christmas movies included Bad Santa 2 and Almost Christmas, but let’s not forget about the fan-favorite and classic Christmas movies– the movies you can watch repeatedly every year around the holiday season because everyone enjoys them. Unfortunately, the Netflix selection of holiday favorites is not the best, and it only has one of the movies listed. Most people have the following films on DVD at home, and if not, they can be purchased at the store or streamed online. Here’s a list of eight movies to watch this holiday season that will never get old:

The Polar Express (2004)

The Polar Express revolves around Billy, a boy who is finding it difficult to believe in Santa Claus. This all changes on Christmas Eve when Billy boards a mysterious train where he meets new characters and is on a journey of Christmas discovery.

Home Alone (1990)

Home Alone is a family comedy about a young boy who is accidentally left behind when his family goes on vacation. Once he realizes he has been left behind, he begins to enjoy the peace and quiet– until he has to fend for himself and protect his house from two burglars who are planning on robbing every home in his neighborhood.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)

In the magical land of Whoville lives munchkin-like people who love Christmas. On the outside of Whoville lives the Grinch who hates Christmas. The Grinch plots to steal Christmas decorations and holiday cheer from the Whos. However, there’s a hitch in the Grinch’s plan when he meets a sweet little girl named Cindy Lou Who.

Elf (2003)

In this film, Will Ferrell plays Buddy, a regular-sized man who was raised in the North Pole as an elf. As an adult, he wants to find his biological father, so he travels to New York City in full elf costume in search of his real father.

A Christmas Carol (2009)

In the animated retelling of Charles Dickens popular novel A Christmas Carol, Ebenezer Scrooge is a mean miserable character. He is visited by the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future, who take him on an eye-opening journey while revealing truths about himself. This experience makes Scrooge realize he must become a better person, and in order to do so, he must make amends to the people he has been cruel to before it is too late.

The Santa Claus (1994)

On Christmas Eve, Scott Calvin has an unexpected visitor on the roof. Calvin startles the visitor, and the visitor falls and disappears, leaving a reindeer sleigh, a Santa suit, and instructions. Calvin follows the instructions, impersonating Santa Claus. He is soon taken to the North Pole and informed that he is now Santa. He loves his new job until his hair begins to turn white, he grows a beard, and he can’t explain his sudden weight gain.

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

Every year on Halloween, the monsters come out and perform their routine scare. On this particular year, Skellington is bored of this usual routine. He saunters off into the woods with his dog and finds himself in Christmas town. He becomes fascinated with the idea of Christmas, and he wants to share it with everyone in Halloweentown.

Miracle on 34^th street (1994)

This remake of the holiday classic tells a story of a young girl who does not believe in Santa Claus. Her mind is soon changed after meeting the department store Santa who believes he is the real Santa. He is believed to be insane and is taken to court. His lawyer, however, believes he is the real Santa, but he needs everyone to believe it for him in order to prove his case. (This movie is available on Netflix)