Top Ten Christmas Movies

(Image from Creative Commons)

By Jake Price, Entertainment/Opinions Editor
Published: December 20, 2017

  1. “Elf”– This movie is about a grown man who was raised by elves at the North Pole. He ventures off to the real world to find his real dad and explore life beyond the North Pole during Christmas. This movie has such a pure heart. The story is charming, the characters are likable, and the musical score puts the audience in a warm, comfortable mood that is so desperately needed during the holiday season.
  2. “How The Grinch Stole Christmas”– A live action adaptation of the celebrated book written by Dr. Seuss tells us a story of nasty, naughty, green man called the Grinch. He hates Christmas, so he tries to steal the holiday away from citizens of Whoville. It’s quirky and fun. With the combination of Jim Carrey’s wacky performance as The Grinch, and the amazing make-up/hair design, the movie becomes an instant holiday special.     
  3. “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town”– An old, charming classic, takes you on a journey about the true origin of Santa Claus. It’s a very old, stop-motion animated movie which creates such a charming quality for the movie. Some might say these kinds of movies were creepy, but they aren’t. Christmas movies have a unique tone that makes them so watchable and this movie fits that criteria.  
  4. “A Christmas Carol”– One of the most famous Christmas stories ever told gets a CGI animated film adaptation. Ebenezer Scrooge, a pessimistic old man, is awakened by three spirits on Christmas Eve who teach him the true meaning of Christmas. The story is the real Christmas present. The film is so heartwarming and so relatable. It brings out the true Christmas spirit inside of everyone.       
  5. “Miracle On 34th Street”– Another amazing classic Christmas film. This film tells the story of a lawyer who tries to convince the court that a man who claims to be Santa, and who is institutionalized, is the real deal. It’s a such an original, far-fetched story to the point where it becomes a wonderful movie to watch during the holidays. It really reminds you what a heartfelt story can do to someone.  
  6. “Frosty The Snowman”– This animated film tells the story of a snowman, a magical snowman that is. He awakens after a magic hat is placed on him by a sweet, little girl, and both try to stop an evil magician from stealing his hat. The key word is magical. From the animation, to the voice acting, to the music this movie brings so much magic to the audience’s TV screen.  
  7. “It’s a Wonderful Life”– Probably regarded as one of the most emotional, classic stories of the holiday season. “It’s A Wonderful Life” is about a man who is shown, by an angel from heaven, what life would’ve been like if he had never existed. The story has such a pathological structure, people can’t help but to enjoy this movie. It hooks you from the beginning, and it ends with a perfect zinger.
  8. “Polar Express”– This is the second CGI animated movie on the list. The film stars Tom Hanks as the conductor of a train called The Polar Express. It takes three young children on a journey to the North Pole to meet the one and only Santa Claus. The movie is a wild adventure. The animation fits with the story they were trying to tell, and it’s one of the few Christmas movies to feature actual thrilling, action sequences.
  9. “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”– Everyone knows the character and his story; this movie adapts that story into a charming stop-motion picture. The movie tells the story about Rudolph, a reindeer with a glowing red-nose, who overcomes the discrimination from his peers, and helps save Christmas. The film is pretty much the same as all of the other old, stop-motion Christmas movies, but the story is much more relatable and heartwarming compared to the others.  
  10. “The Santa Clause”– This Christmas movie is one the most iconic. It stars Tim Allen as a man who gets the burden of being the new Santa Claus after he accidentally kills him on Christmas Eve. The film’s biggest strength is its humor. It’s a very funny film, and the humor sophisticatedly handled. “The Santa Clause” is definitely a Christmas classic that all families will enjoy.