This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at West Chester chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.
Christmas is my favorite holiday for many reasons. From the decorations to the songs, cookies, family gatherings, presents, and vibes. But one of the biggest reasons I love Christmas so much is the movies. To me, watching Christmas movies evokes the ultimate cozy holiday feelings, making it truly feel like Christmas. Every holiday season, I try to watch all my favourite movies before the end of the year, which has helped me compile a solid list of my top 10 favourite Christmas movies of all time.
Number 10: Elmo Saves Christmas
This movie is definitely one of the most nostalgic out of this whole list, considering that, according to my parents, I watched it every single night for an entire year. I have always been a Muppets/Jim Henson lover, as you will see throughout the rest of this list, so I had to include this classic. Elmo Saves Christmas is sort of a take on the movie Groundhog Day, where Elmo wishes for Christmas to be every day, but once this wish comes true, he realizes it isn’t what he thought it would be like. My favorite part of the movie, other than the catchy songs, is Elmo’s new friend Lightning the reindeer, who I think is one of the cutest Muppets I have ever seen. Other than the nostalgia, I think this movie is very good for being a kids’ television special and definitely deserves at least a one-time watch.
Number 9: Elf
I feel like this one is a little controversial because some people really don’t like it, but I think it’s a perfect family Christmas movie. Elf to me seems like a new-age Christmas classic, even though it came out over 20 years ago. I think it has done a great job at still feeling modern, and if I had to guess when it came out without knowing when it actually did, I would probably say sometime in the 2010s. It still has charm to it, though, and each character fits the story so well. I love Christmas movies that mix the whimsy and magic of holiday tales into the mundane real world and push everyone to have a little bit more fun in life.
Number 8: The Muppet Christmas Carol
This is the second Muppet movie on the list, with still many more to come. The Muppet Christmas Carol is, by far, my favorite adaptation of the Christmas Carol story. I might be biased, but I think the Muppets work best in these kinds of movies that need heart and depth, but also humour and occasional hijinks. Michael Caine, who plays Scrooge, does such an amazing job acting with the Muppets, and many, including myself, have pointed out how he literally treats them like real, living actors. This movie also holds a special place in my heart because it marked a huge transition for the Muppets due to Jim Henson’s death. The Muppets could have easily disappeared, but instead they came back better than ever, proving that they could carry on Jim’s legacy for years to come.
Number 7: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
As much as I hope that Christmas will go perfectly every year, most times it doesn’t, and this movie shows that it’s okay to have a few disasters throughout the day. From the light fiasco to the exploding turkey, Christmas Vacation always gives me a good laugh and proves that no matter how bad your Christmas may be going, it can’t be as bad as the Griswolds. But what I love is that through all the mishaps, they all still enjoy being with each other and embrace the holiday spirit, which really is what Christmas is all about.
Number 6: Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
I enjoy this movie so much, just based on the Christmas atmosphere in New York City. I am obsessed with Christmas, but more specifically, Christmas in New York and Home Alone 2 use its beauty in such a good way. From the Plaza Hotel to Central Park, they definitely used their budget to the fullest. But other than the scenery, this movie is just as good as the first one and is one of the very rare occurrences where the sequel holds its own and isn’t a flop.
Number 5: A Muppet Family Christmas
I feel like this movie is the most underrated on this list. Once again might be biased, but I think the Muppets and Christmas go together so well. Muppet Family Christmas is a heartwarming, wholesome, chaotic Christmas special where all the Muppets, including Sesame Street and Fraggle Rock, get together to celebrate the holidays. The songs are probably my favorite part of the movie, especially the song “Pass It On” sung by the Fraggles, but also the sarcasticness is unmatched. This movie is also a little bittersweet, with it being one of Jim Henson’s last human appearances, where he makes a quick joke about all the Muppets and says, “I like it when they have fun” (most wholesome thing ever). Unfortunately, A Muppet Family Christmas isn’t available on any streaming platform, but you can find the whole movie on YouTube for free.
Number 4: Home Alone
Nothing beats the original. I went back and forth between Home Alone 1 and 2, but in the end, I decided that Home Alone 1 is slightly better. I love all the aspects of this movie, like the family dynamics, sarcasm, reactions, scenery, world-building, and suspense at the end. I find it so important for movies to explore the world that they take place in and not focus too much on one location, and Home Alone definitely succeeds at that. This movie also does such a good job at showcasing the Christmas vibes while also playing into the main storyline of the robbery and being home alone, making it easy to watch at any time of year without getting too many Christmas blues.
Number 3: Christmas with the Kranks
I still don’t understand why this movie is not as beloved as it should be, because to me, it is simply iconic. I get it, who throws a fit when their neighbors don’t celebrate Christmas, but also that’s the whole point of the movie. Christmas with the Kranks to me is supposed to be taken facetiously and almost like a satire of the classic sappy Christmas movies, and I love it for that. Sometimes you need to watch a slapstick comedy movie to break up all the serious ones, and Christmas with the Kranks gives you that while still having emotion sprinkled throughout. For me, it’s a yearly must-watch.
Number 2: How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
Personally, I think this is the best Grinch movie out of them all. Jim Carrey basically went through torture being the most sarcastic, unhinged mascot of Christmas, but still managed to deliver an energetic, scene-stealing performance that I don’t think could ever be topped. His, as well as all of the other performances, made this adaptation of How the Grinch Stole Christmas into a standout rendition of the classic Dr Seuss storyline. Not to mention all the staple Christmas songs featured throughout it. Ever since I watched this movie when I was little, I have always wanted to visit Whoville and attend Whobilation and experience a “Who-Christmas”, due to the dazzling visuals, whimsy, and funniness spread throughout the movie. This movie also doesn’t just offer excitement; it also dives deeper into the Grinch’s past and makes the outcome of his heart growing even more satisfying and rewarding to see. In this case, for me, this is a once-in-a-lifetime scenario where the new version beats out the classic.
Number 1: Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas
This is what I mean when I say Muppets can do heart and depth. Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas is by far the most nostalgic movie on this list for me, and also the only one that has ever made me cry. I think that’s why in the end it had to be number one. Something about this movie just feels so personal to me and almost like home. The puppeteering is on a whole other level, especially during the ice skating and sledding scenes. The worlds of Frogtown Hollow and Waterville are built beautifully. And the characters are brought to life so effortlessly through the beauty of the songs and fit the story so well. Though this movie isn’t super bright, bubbly, or in your face, the quetiness is what really brings the holiday magic and universal love. Though I don’t think anyone could love this movie as much as I do, I still think everyone should add it to their holiday watch list, give it a watch, and be prepared to fall in love with the world of the Muppets.
As you can see from this list, I adore Christmas and especially the many movies that come with it. It was such a struggle to have to decide which movies to include and which not to, but I feel pretty happy with the final product. Definitely give all these movies that you might not have seen a chance, because they all deserve some more recognition.
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