Christmas is host to many traditions, like the food, decorations and, of course, movies. Each year, it is common to set aside time to watch all the great Christmas classics from over the years while sipping on some hot chocolate or taking a bite of a Gingerbread cookie. However, there’s almost too many to be able to know which ones are “must-watch” caliber, and it’s hard to pinpoint when movies will be playing on television.
So, to help you keep up your Christmas spirit as you relax over winter break, here is a list of 5 must-watch Christmas movies along with a good time to catch them on television.
Elf
The Christmas classic that came out of nowhere. Will Ferrell’s “Elf” is one of the Christmas movies that never gets old. It is easy to quote, because let’s face it, who doesn’t think about screaming “SANTA!” every once in a while? “Elf” takes one of the funniest guys in all of Hollywood, and dresses him in Christmas spirit. The result is an essential Christmas comedy with heartwarming family values at its core.
Where to Watch: ABC’s 25 Days of Christmas on Dec. 4 at 9:30 p.m.
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
Before there was Will Ferrell in an elf costume, Chevy Chase and the Griswolds were the comedy kings (and queens) of Christmas. It’s hard to beat this wacky Christmas comedy because of its hilarious predecessor and its heart. This is the perfect movie to watch if you really enjoy laughing until you cry, because all of the jokes are in place to get you there. This is the ultimate combination of Christmas classic and Christmas comedy, and it is going to be a hard one to pass up this holiday break.
Where to Watch: ABC Family’s 25 Days of Christmas on Dec. 6 at 10 p.m.
The Polar Express
It would be unheard of to have this list and not include one of the animated Christmas classics, so here is one of the better ones. The “Polar Express” is a fairly recent movie, but it is also one of the most important Christmas movies there is, because it really focuses on the true meaning of Christmas. In a time where a lot of Christmas spirit has been overtaken by getting gifts, “The Polar Express” digs up the true meaning of what the Christmas holiday is supposed to be about. This movie has all the marks of a Christmas classic, and even has Tom Hanks as six different characters. Of all the movies on this list, “The Polar Express” is the best to watch with your family over this winter break.
Where to Watch: ABC Family’s 25 Days of Christmas on Dec. 1 at 7 p.m.
A Christmas Story
It is hard to decide which Christmas classic reigns over all, but this one is a heavy favorite for #1. It’s a movie that never gets old and seemingly just keeps getting better each year. A great way to get into the spirit is to sit down and watch through this movie, because it’s almost the equivalent to decorating the Christmas tree.
Where to Watch: TBS will run “A Christmas Story” continuously for 24 hours, starting at 7 p,m, Christmas Eve.
It’s A Wonderful Life
After all is said and done, this is the classiest Christmas classic there is. It’s a movie headlined by the famous James Stewart, and it has an amazing story that has been used countless times since its first release. “It’s A Wonderful Life” is the epitome of Christmas movies and it will be a long time until another movie can top it. It’s a movie you can watch with your family, your friends, and your boyfriend or girlfriend. If you haven’t seen it, go ahead and try it out, because it is guaranteed to put a smile on your face and seriously pump up your Christmas spirit.
Where to Watch: NBC on Dec. 5 at 8 p.m. and USA on Dec. 13 at 8 p.m.
