WE ARE BACK!!! With another “Free Form” style movie list for the holiday season! These are my favorite Christmas movies to watch, I watch most of them every single year. I will warn you now, there is no Christmas Story on my list because I do not enjoy Christmas Story… at all. I find it creepy and unpleasant. But hopefully you’ll be delighted with the rest of my list! So let’s get into it:
1. NATIONAL LAMPOON’S CHRISTMAS VACATION
Christmas Vacation is my all time favorite Christmas film, and yet again we are book ending the Christmas season with this movie. Beacuse it’s the best. I’ve always loved it, but it just keeps getting better as I get older. And Bradley shares a love for it as well which is fun. Correct me if I’m wrong, but are we not quite literally Clark and Ellen Griswald?? I think we are.
2. ELF
I mean…. obviously. Who doesn’t love this movie!? It wraps up the joy of Christmas perfectly. And it’s so frickin’ funny, I remember dying of laughter when I saw it in theaters. I will watch it many times this season, so I wanted to throw it in there pretty early in this list to kick it off properly! “Buddy the Elf, what’s your favorite color!?”
Streaming: Hulu, Starz, Sling TV, Amazon Prime Video, Philo
3. Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
While I do prefer the original cartoon, I do LOVE this movie. Jim Carrey makes me giggle like no other and it’s just a fun watch. Maybe if you’re lucky I’ll get Bradley to do his Grinch impression on instagram stories someday ;0)
Streaming: Netflix
4. THE HOLIDAY
This is not just one of my favorite Christmas movies, but one of my favorite movies of ALL TIME. I mean, Nancy Meyers + Christmas just makes sense. This movie is so cozy but also like much better than it needed to be? I CAN’T WAIT TO WATCH IT!!!
Streaming: furbo TV
5. MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET (1994)
I’ll be honest, I’ve never seen the original of this film but I do really enjoy this version every time it’s on. I didn’t see it until later in life, but the 90’s vibes are PRESENT and I love it for that. Plus Mara Wilson is great in everything she’s in!
Streaming: Disney+
6. THE SANTA CLAUSE
This movie is also a top contender for my favorite Christmas movie. For the nostalgia but also it’s just frickin’ funny. Bradley and I quote this movie year round. (I’m not kidding).
Streaming: Disney+
7. SANTA CLAUSE 2
I am including this movie for one reason and one reason only… Molly Shannon. And none for Santa Clause 3, bye.
Streaming: Disney+
8. JACK FROST
GET READY TO SOB!!!! Bradley makes fun of me every year for my love for this movie, but I truly do think it’s great! I am the biggest Michael Keaton fan, and when I was young I had the biggest crush on the little boy in this. But seriously, it is a tear jerker… so be ready. And let’s honor the beautiful Kelly Preston who recently passed as we watch this! She’s so wonderful in this movie.
Streaming: JUST BUY IT
9. DISNEY SHORTS
You guys enjoyed the Halloween shorts so much, I thought we should do it again for Christmas! These are some of my favorite Christmas/wintery Disney short cartoons! And if you’re surprised not to see Mickey’s Christmas Carol on this list, it’s coming later! And all of these can be streamed on Disney+!
1. Once Upon A Wintertime- Melody Time (1948)
I am a BIG fan of both Make Mine Music and Melody Time. We watch them often around here. And the Once Upon a Wintertime short is very nostalgic for me as I grew up watching it. There’s not a ton to it but it’s delightful to watch. And so so cute.
2. Pluto’s Christmas Tree (1952)
I had this one on VHS as a kid so it’s super nostalgic to me! It’s just basically Chip & Dale giving Pluto hell as Mickey tries to decorate for Christmas lol. Poor Pluto.
3. Silly Symphony Santa’s Workshop (1932)
This one dates all the way back to 1932! I think that’s so cool. Bradley and I recently watched all of the Disney shorts from the 30’s & 40’s and I am excited to watch this one again. It’s simple, just very festive and cute!
4. Toy Tinkers (1949)
Oh look, Chip and Dale are being dicks AGAIN. But this time to Donald. This one is also super nostalgic for me so I thought I’d throw it in!
There’s a few more, so check out Disney+ for all the fun and festive Disney cartoons from over the years!
10. FOUR CHRISTMASES
GOD I LOVE THIS MOVIE! I feel like it gets forgotten about so I definitely wanted to make sure it was on my list. But also, because I love it and we never miss it this season. Another movie we quote all year long. Mostly, “GOOGLE ME BITCH!”
Streaming: fubo TV, Philo
11. THE MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL
This movie gets me HYPE. Not only does it involve the Muppets and stars Michael Cane, BUT IT’S A MUSICAL! A Christmas Carol has a very special place in my heart because my dad loves it. He’s taken me to see the play countless times and it’s just a very special memory for me. And I love that it’s in several movie forms too! This is my 2nd favorite version of A Christmas Carol (we’ll get to my favorite version later) and I just think it’s so well done for a Muppets movie! LOL, You won’t find Jim Carrey’s version on my list, because *HOT TAKE*: I like this one better 😬
Streaming: Disney+
12. SCROOGED
A fun twist on Ebenezer Scrooge! I won’t lie, I haven’t seen this movie in forever. But I do remember absolutely loving it so I’m excited to revisit it. Let’s watch it together!
Streaming: Sling TV, Philo
13. LOVE ACTUALLY
I hadn’t seen this movie until my 20’s! My brother very passionately sat me down over Christmas vacation a few years ago and made me watch it and I loved it. Lot’s of great acting and interesting story lines. And if you’re curious, my brother’s favorite scene is the scene where Hugh Grant is dancing :0)
14. TV SHOW NIGHT
Let’s watch a few of mine and Bradley’s favorite Christmas episodes from our fav TV shows! This is kind of all over the map so bare with me, but it’s all pure perfection.
1. The Office – “A Benihana Christmas”
Season 3, Episode 10
I mean, I don’t need to say anything about this. Pure Christmas perfection. & I’d kill for some Benihana right now.
Streaming: Netflix, fuboTV, Philo
2. Lizzie McGuire – “Aaron Carter is Coming To Town”
Season 1, Episode 7
I feel like as far as Disney Christmas episodes go, THIS IS IT! Lizzie McGuire really living the dream by getting a smooch from Aaron Carter. It’s a classic and now thanks to Disney+ we can all relive the magic!
Streaming: Disney+
3. Hey Arnold – “Arnold’s Christmas”
Season 1, Episode 18
You guys, this episode is actually really great and heart wrenching. They do a secret santa gift swap in the apartment complex, and Arnold really comes through with the help of sweet Helga. It’s an incredible episode. Show it to your kids! KEEP HEY ARNOLD ALIVE!!
Streaming: Hulu’
4. Friends – “The One With The Holiday Armadillo”
Season 7, Episode 10
I mean, yes. It’s the obvious choice but for good reason. It’s hilarious.
Streaming: HBO Max
15. LAST CHRISTMAS
I didn’t get a chance to see this in theaters last year and I was super bummed about it, because I heard such good things! But Bradley noticed they recently added it to HBO Max so we are excited to watch! Looks like it’s gonna be a bitch of a tear jerker. And we think we have the ending figured out but we shall see!!
Streaming: HBO Max, Hulu, Amazon Prime
16. HOME ALONE
Another movie I saw way too late in life, but I’m happy I’ve seen it now and it’s added to my yearly watch list. It’s just an absolute classic, a perfect film if you will. I think I thought it was a boy movie growing up so I never cared, but I was wrong! I STAND CORRECTED!
Streaming: Disney+
17. HOME ALONE 2
I’ve never actually seen this! And I know that some people say they enjoy this one even more than the first, so I’m excited to watch it!
Streaming: Disney+
18. THE FAMILY STONE
Alright now, last December I sat down to watch this for the first time expecting a happy Christmas film… and it was not that. This is a movie of SUBSTANCE! LOL But it was great! I loved it and can’t wait to watch it again. And such a good cast! I’m always down if SJP is involved!
Streaming: Hulu, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video
19. A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS
I am so excited that they made all the Charlie Brown specials available to stream on Apple TV! I feel like they gave everyone a free year so hopefully everyone already has that haha. But we are major fans of the Charlie Brown holiday episodes in this household. Halloween is my absolute favorite, but we just watched the Thanksgiving one and it’s so cute. So I’m so excited to watch this! And the soundtrack is 10/10
Streaming: Apple TV
20. THE FAMILY MAN
Y’allllllll this movie doesn’t get enough credit. I rolled my eyes at my dad every year as he forced me to watch this movie (lol) but in my old age I’ve come to realize it’s an excellent film. I believe it’s a play on It’s A Wonderful Life? (I’ve never actually seen that movie 😬) But it’s a very well done film. Not your average cheesy Christmas movie.
Streaming: Hulu
21. GEORGE BALANCHINE’S THE NUTCRACKER
I VERY much enjoy watching ballet. I could watch ladies on pointe for like, hours at a time. And since going to the ballet isn’t really an option this year, I though I’d include this filmed version that’s available on Amazon Prime! I watched it last year and totally loved it. And bonus! It has little Macaulay Culkin and Kevin Kline!
Streaming: Amazon Prime
22. WHITE CHRISTMAS
I won’t be able to see my dad for the Holidays this year, I’m sure like many of us, and I am missing him so much. So let’s have a movie night to honor my dad! (I just realized this sounds like he’s passed, but he’s very much alive lol. He’s just across the country and can’t see him due to Covid). His 2 absolute Christmas movies are Holiday Inn and White Christmas. But since I could easily find White Christmas on Netflix, we’re going with that one! Plus, I love the Sisters number!
Streaming: Netflix
23. DIE HARD
Let’s switch things up this Christmas Eve Eve and give ourselves the gift of a PANIC ATTACK at we watch Die Hard together 😂 I actually really enjoy this movie. The Thompson family likes to gather around the couch and watch it close to Christmas and since I’m missing my fam, I wanted to watch this. DIE HARD BITCH!
Streaming: Hulu, HBO Max, Amazon Prime
24. DR. SEUSS’ HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS + MICKEY’S CHRISTMAS CAROL
Let’s have a Christmas Eve double feature!! It’s tradition for us to watch these on Christmas Eve, so I do hope you’ll join us! Both of these are on the shorter side so you’ll have time for both! You can’t beat the original How the Grinch Stole Christmas. It is PERFECT. And my very favorite version of A Christmas Carol is MICKEY’S! Just like Disney’s version of Sleepy Hollow, they really nail A Christmas Carol. Excellent story telling with lots of familiar faces. It’s a Christmas must for me!
Stream Mickey’s Christmas Carol: Disney +
25. NATIONAL LAMPOON’S CHRISTMAS VACATION
And because it’s the best, let’s watch Christmas Vacation again! If you’re reading this on Christmas day, MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
Thank you guys so much for joining along for Amy’s 25 Days of Chrismtas! Here is the image you can save to your phone so you don’t have to check this page everyday!:
Love you guys so much! And I hope you have an incredible holiday season. I know things are different this year, but I hope we can all feel a sense of community by watching all the same movies :0) Tag me on instagram if you watch along with us! See you soon,
-Amy
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