It is only a few weeks to Christmas, with hundreds of themed movies and specials to watch, however some stand out from the rest. The classics have remained a staple for decades to entertain families during the festivities.
Some of these timeless Christmas movies date back as far as the ‘40s, looking into how various generations celebrated the holiday. Here are the top Christmas classics to put on your watch list this year;
‘Home Alone’
What is Christmas without a Home Alone re-run? This 1990 classic featuring Macaulay Culkin shows the importance of family and self-reliance, as 8-year-old Kevin McAllister defends his home from two burglars.
‘White Christmas’
This classic holiday musical shows two war veterans, played by Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye, who help their former Army General bring his inn back to life by putting up a Christmas show. It features dance numbers and renditions of songs like “White Christmas,” which families can sing along to this Christmas.
‘A Christmas Story’
This Christmas movie set in the ‘40s sees a little boy who so badly wanted a Red Ryder BB gun for the holidays. Portrayed by a mix of comedic and touching scenes, A Christmas Story shows the importance of the simpler things in life.
‘A Christmas Carol’
One of the movie adaptions of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol novel, this Brian Hurst-directed film is considered one of the finest versions. Others like A Muppet Christmas Carol, and many more of the same name have followed, but the 1951 release remains a classic.
‘The Apartment’
This 1960 movie featuring Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine is perfect for romantic comedy-drama lovers. It won multiple Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Director, proving its acclaim in Hollywood cinema.
‘Die Hard’
While many would argue Die Hard is not a Christmas movie, it gets a pass for featuring festive songs like “Let It Snow” and “Winter Wonderland” and many holiday references. Playing John McClane in this ‘80s release remains one of Bruce Willis’ top roles.
‘National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation’
The timeless appeal of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation makes it one of the few modern Christmas movies to get replayed every year. It features humor from SNL star Chevy Chase, who plays a family man trying to pull off the perfect Christmas.
‘Miracle On 34th Street’
This Christmas movie does not promise much humor, but it portrays the touching story of an elderly man who tries to prove his identity as the real Santa Claus despite being accused of mental instability.
‘Elf’
Will Ferrell brought childlike humor to the screens in 2003 with his depiction of a grown-up elf who explores real life in New York with naivety. It is great for all ages, with fun and light-hearted messages to boost the holiday spirit.
‘Scrooged’
Yet another TV adaptation of Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol, but not as popular as the 1951 version. It features a unique musical twist with a mix of slapstick comedy, touching messages, and a few mildly spooky moments.