Best holiday movies...

Bad Santa and Elf.

It's a Wonderful Life (1946) - Tops on any list. We watch it every year, and it just keeps getting better.

Miracle on 34th Street (1947) - Definitive proof that Santa really does exist.

A Christmas Story (1983) - I double dog dare you not to like this one.

White Christmas (1954) - Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye head up this Christmas classic. But the real star of the show is Irving Berlin's score. A little "Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep" anyone?


A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965 - TV) - I know it's a made-for-TV movie, but to ignore it would be stupid. Generations of kids have grown up on it.

Elf (2003) - Will Ferrell drives this great-for-the-entire-family Christmas comedy. Of course the uncredited appearance of Peter Billingsley is a special holiday treat.

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) - Tim Burton's stop-motion feature has already become a holiday classic. "And they call him Sandy Claws!"

The Chronicles of Narnia (2005) - Not really a Christmas movie but Santa Claus does make an appearance so it must be added to the list! A fantastic movie experience!


Bad Santa (2003) - Come on, admit it! You know it made you laugh. There's just something funny about a drunken Santa.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966 - TV & 2003 cinematic) - It's fun to watch the TV version and the movie version back-to-back.

The Bishop's Wife (1947) - Who doesn't like Cary Grant as an angel? Features a great movie quote: "The only people who grow old were born old to begin with".

Batman Returns (1992) - The magic of Tim Burton, the grotesqueness of Danny DeVito and the cat suit of Michelle Pfeiffer. The third best Batman flick.

Home Alone (1990) - The first one, not the sequels! A really good family film for the holidays, except there's no family! Funny gags, hilarious antics and truly feel-good moments as well.


A Christmas Carol (1938) - The best version of the well-worn Dickens literary classic. At only 70 minutes in runtime, it's short but sweet classic. Beautiful set designs and powerful acting performances put this one of the must-see holiday film list.

The Santa Clause (1994) - Features one of Tim Allen's few successful big screen performances. So full of heart and charm it's becoming a holiday season staple.

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989) - Gotta love the holidays with the Griswalds. Watching Clark's ineptitude makes us all feel a little better ourselves.

Joyeux Noel (Merry Christmas) (2005) - The true story of how the French and Scottish soldiers of World War I left their trenches and celebrated the holiday with their enemies, the Germans. A bit more serious than most listed here, but none are more heart warming and hopeful.

Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Claus (1991 - TV) - Richard Thomas, Ed Asner and Charles Bronson star in this cheerful and uplifting version of the 1974 original. Will challenge you to look at things a little differently.


Holiday Inn (1942) - Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire bring this oldie-but-goodie to life. Bing Crosby does Christmas so well! Crescendoes to the magnificent debut of "White Christmas". "I'm dreaming of a ...."

King Kong (2005) - I know! I know! It's not a Christmas movie. But it is such a magnificent piece of filmmaking and Christmas does play a significant enough part, that it must be included on the list. Ahhh...Christmas in New York. Nothing like it!

Swiss Family Robinson (1960) - Another one that's not really a Christmas movie but the big holiday plays an important role in keeping the stranded family together. Kind of dated Disney fare, but a classic nonetheless.

Trading Places (1983) - A hilarious comedy starring Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd. Oh and another rendition of the drunken Santa Claus. A timeless holiday comedy.

The Polar Express (2004) - Adapted from Chris Van Allsburg's Caldecott Medal winning children's book of the same name. If you can look past the creepy computer-generated characters, this one's pretty good. The animation is spectacular as it features a rousing song and dance number in the train's dining car as well as a truly harrowing runaway train sequence.

BEST holiday movie of all time... drum roll please.... "While You Were Sleeping" ....with Sandra Bullock.. its definitely the best:)