The holiday season is near, joy is in the air. The most wonderful time of the year calls for Top 5 Christmas movies of all time, let’s begin.
Rattling off our Top 5 is 
5) National Lampoons Christmas Vacation (1989)
The best way to describe this movie is simply fun, I’ve seen this movie probably 10 -12 times, and it gets better each time. The plot follows Clark Griswold’s over-the-top efforts to create the perfect Christmas for his family, despite a series of misfortunes, including the arrival of unexpected relatives like his brother Eddie, the disastrous installation of Christmas lights, and the pressures of holiday expectations. Clark’s attempts at holiday cheer—whether it’s his ambitious plan to decorate the house or his struggle to secure a Christmas bonus from his employer result in hilarious mishaps that have made the movie a beloved holiday tradition.
Some notable scenes and quotes from the film are the Christmas lights scene in which his effort to light up his house, lights up the entire neighborhood, which literally blinds the audience, but makes it for a very funny and wholesome scene. Cousin Eddie’s appearance gives us some more tomfoolery than we had prior, his classic RV he brings and his wife and children.
This isn’t the greatest movie whatsoever when it comes to critics, but it gives a great blend of humor, slapstick comedy, and fun to make it a good watch every Holiday season
4) Die Hard (1988) 
Saw this one for the first time when I had COVID, and it was the greatest thing quarantine gave me.
Some consider this to not be a Christmas movie, they are simply haters that this turned out to be one of the greatest films ever.
The plot follows NYPD officer John Mcclane played by Bruce Willis, who puts on a show. From there, the film is set on Christmas Eve, when McClane travels to Los Angeles to reconcile with his wife, who is attending a holiday party at Nakatomi Plaza. However, things take an unexpected turn when a group of German terrorists, led by Hans Gruber one of the best cinematic villains ever, takes over the building and holds everyone hostage. McClane, who happens to be separated from the group at the time of the takeover, finds himself in the right place at the right time, and must use his wits and resourcefulness to stop the terrorists, save the hostages, and take down Gruber’s crew, all while navigating the Christmas chaos. Definitely a fun watch, would highly recommend it.
A majority of Christmas movies are either rom-coms or straight-up comedies, I adore how this took a different route and went action, crime, and suspense all at the same time.
3) The Polar Express (2004) 
Get cozy, by the fire, grab some hot chocolate.
This movie gave me my obsession with the holiday season, vividly remember watching this with my class, back in first grade. Since, it has been a core memory of my childhood, if you don’t know The Polar Express, you’re living under a rock.
The story follows a young boy, who is skeptical about the existence of Santa Claus. On Christmas Eve, a mysterious, magical train, The Polar Express, arrives at his house to take him on a journey to the North Pole. Along with other children aboard the train, the boy embarks on an extraordinary adventure, meeting a series of colorful and extremely interesting characters along the way in including the train conductor (voiced by Tom Hanks), a hobo, and a girl who seems to have her own doubts about the journey.
Through his journey on the train, our main character learns about the importance of belief, friendship, and the true spirit of Christmas. This film is made for all audiences to enjoy is what I’ve realized as getting older, which is amazing to see.
It’s a film that, despite being a modern CGI-animated movie, captures the same sense of awe and wonder as well as hope, that is central to the best holiday stories. For many, it remains a heartwarming reminder of the magic of Christmas, a time when belief is all it takes to make the world a little bit brighter.
2) Home Alone (1990) 
The Instant Classic never gets old. Such a quotable and unforgettable film here. The characters have aged so well in today’s society, so much love for this movie. Puts you right in the Christmas Spirit.
The story begins with Kevin McCallister who happens to be one of my favorite movie characters ever, an 8-year-old boy who feels overlooked and mistreated by his large family. After an argument with his relatives the night before they’re set to leave for a Christmas trip to Paris, Kevin wishes he could live alone. The next morning, his wish seemingly comes true when his family accidentally leaves him behind as they board their flight.
As Kevin wakes up the next morning, he is so excited his wish has come true, but quickly learns that two burglars, Harry (Joe Pesci) and Marv (Daniel Stern), have targeted his house for a robbery. Realizing that they plan to break in, Kevin decides to defend his home using a series of inventive and increasingly elaborate traps. Along the way, he learns the importance of family, love, and the holiday spirit, all while fending off the bumbling burglars.
My favorite aspect of this movie aside from the Christmas vibe, is the slapstick genre, from the Villains, who make it a hilarious to watch each and every time, they have so much on-screen chemistry and feed off each other.
While Home Alone could have easily been a one-off, low-budget holiday comedy, its mix of slapstick humor, memorable characters, and heartwarming themes helped it become a Christmas staple. It’s the kind of movie that resonates with kids and adults alike, thanks to the combination of clever humor, emotional beats, and a relatable story about growing up and learning to appreciate what you have.
Oh, and the “Merry Christmas you filthy animal” scene is a top 10 scene off all time.
1) Elf (2003) 
“That’s why he’s the GOAT”
My favorite comfort movie of all time, November 1st comes along, this Christmas Classic goes right on, right away.
Will Ferrell cemented himself as the greatest Christmas movie character ever.
Buddy the Elf was accidentally brought to the North Pole as an infant, after crawling into Santa’s bag of toys one Christmas Eve. Raised by Papa Elf (RIP)and the other elves, Buddy grows up thinking he’s one of them, despite his unusual size and lack of toy-making skills. As an adult, Buddy learns the truth about his origins that he is actually a human and his real father, Walter Hobbs, who lives in New York City.
Buddy travels to New York to meet his biological father, who turns out to be a grumpy, workaholic businessman who doesn’t even know he has a son. As Buddy navigates the unfamiliar world of Manhattan, his childlike innocence, relentless Christmas spirit, and peculiar elf-like behavior clash with the cynical, fast-paced city life. His mission is to reconnect with his father, spread Christmas cheer, and help save the holiday spirit, all while dealing with a series of funny and heartwarming challenges.
Since its release, Elf has become a Christmas favorite for families around the world, especially mine. Its appeal comes from its mix of humor, charm, and heartwarming messages, making it suitable for all ages. The film balances zany comedy with genuine emotional beats, reminding viewers of the importance of having fun, family, kindness, and believing in the magic of Christmas. It’s a film that feels as fresh and joyful as Buddy himself, full of laughter, love, and holiday cheer.
While some holiday movies are beloved for their deep, sentimental messages, Elf succeeds by tapping into the pure joy and innocence of the season. It’s a reminder that Christmas isn’t just about presents or traditions, but about embracing the spirit of the holiday with an open heart, enjoying it with the ones who you love most, and if you’re like Buddy maybe some syrup on your spaghetti.
