by Shannon Lintott
‘Tis the season again! Last year I made a not so Christmas Christmas movies list, but this year I am really feeling the merry spirit of the holidays, so this time I’m making a list that’s a little closer to the heart.
Tradition starts early, especially when it comes to the holidays, and for me and mine we watched the same handful of Christmas movies each and every year as do most families (we ended up watching them so many times that we forever ruined the VHS tapes they were on).
So, without further ado, here are my Top 10 Classic Christmas Movies of All Time:
Top 10 Classic Christmas Movies of All Time
A Muppets Christmas Carol
This is without a doubt my absolute favourite Christmas movie and has always been for as long back as I can remember Christmas. The Muppets are awesome as it is but with the addition of Michael Cane as Scrooge, a slight twist on the most classic of classic Christmas stories and some fantastic songs, this movie is the ultimate for me and my family. Not only is it amazing, but it’s a tradition.
Rudolf, the Red-Nosed Reindeer
This is up there with A Muppets Christmas Carol for favourites. The misfit toys, dentist elf and Yukon Cornelius will always have a special place in my heart. It’s funny, it’s scary at times, it’s filled with life lessons and the songs are so good that you are guaranteed to be singing them around the house after while nibbling on some shortbread snowmen.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
Not the Jim Carey one, the classic animated movie is far superior and is one of my mom’s favourites (which means a lot; she is the coolest lady I know). It’s funny, it’s cute, it’s interesting and when the Grinch lifts the sledge in the air when his heart grows you can’t help but smile a big ole’ smile.
A Christmas Carol
Not only do I think that this is the ultimate of ultimate Christmas stories, but my dad watches this movie before bed every Christmas Eve and has since he was a little boy. So this, for us, is the golden egg of our Christmas Traditional movies. There are so many re-makes of this film but the one we usually watch is also known as Scrooge (1951) and stars Alastair Sim.
Santa Claus is Coming to Town
This made for TV movie was next in line after Rudolf and was one of my brothers’ favourites. It’s a little darker than some of the other movies on this list but it’s still an amazing family Christmas movie. Fred Astaire narrates this tale about the origins of Santa Claus, so not only is it a tradition, but it’s educational too. Win.
Home Alone
This is still the coolest non-animated Christmas movie. Everyone loves this movie, and rightfully so. The scenes are insanely creative, original and hilarious. I like watching this movie year-round but on Christmas, it’s even more magical. I want to watch it again right now! Seriously. So good.
Frosty the Snowman
I think this was after Santa Claus Is Coming to Town on our recorded from TV ultimate Christmas VHS tape. I liked this one a lot but I’m not sure other people did but we always watched it together regardless and therefore it makes it on this list.
A Garfield Christmas
Now, I’m definitely not a Garfield fan and wasn’t when I was a kid either but for some reason, we all gathered around when this movie was on and we found ourselves watching it every year. It was nestled in there with Frosty and Rudolf so I have fond memories of watching it once every year.
A Charlie Brown Christmas
Everyone knows the little Christmas tree from this film, it’s iconic. I grew up with the Peanuts and I adored Snoopy as a kid so this movie always found its’ way onto our television. The soundtrack to this movie is also one of the best soundtracks ever!
The Little Drummer Boy
This is another of my mom’s favourite Christmas movies and her favourite Christmas song. It’s darker than most holiday films but it is a really good story. Also, seeing how Christmas is about Christ, this is an easy addition to our traditional Christmas movie feast. 
Editor’s Picks
Miracle on 34th Street
This is a touching movie about a little girl tries to save a nice old man who claims to be Santa Claus from being institutionalized as insane. You will be rooting for Kris Kringle too.
White Christmas
Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye head up this Christmas classic with Irving Berlin’s amazing score.
It’s a Wonderful Life
No holiday season would be complete without watching this classic starring James Stewart. No matter how many times you’ve seen Stewart discover what life would be like if he had never been born, It’s a Wonderful Life is a must-watch every year.
Elf
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
1989 — Johnny Galecki, Beverly D’Angelo, Juliette Lewis and Chevy Chase as the Griswold family in.
— Image by © Steve Schapiro/Corbis
What is your favourite classic Christmas movie of all time?
