Take a look through my top 5 must watch Christmas movies to see before the end of the Holiday Season! Whether you like comedy or a heartwarming classic there is something on this list for you!

It’s A Wonderful Life (1946)

In my household, watching “It’s A Wonderful Life” is an unspoken Christmas Eve tradition. The film epitomizes family, friends, tradition and even sacrifice. “It’s A Wonderful Life” is a predictable cliche but it’s something you should still watch.

Following the life of George Bailey through the eyes of three angels, the audience meets a caring small-town man who sacrifices each of his opportunities to help others move on from their hometown to something bigger, while he stays back and foots the bill. He lives his dreams of escaping the walls of his father’s community bank and seeing the world, which never becomes reality, through those he helps along the way. 

Although he does marry the woman of his dreams and has a loving family, he faces a turning point in his life: to die or carry on and face the challenges ahead. As one of the angels intervenes to save his life, he looks back on all his decisions and actions of the past to really understand the positive impact he made on his community. 

The heartfelt moments as the entire town comes together to save him from his problems, which he had done for so many of them before, is what makes this a must-watch. The movie shows us loved ones coming together to recognize sacrifices that we all make and reminds us that even if your life doesn’t turn out how you pictured, it can still truly be wonderful. 

Home Alone (1990) 

Kevin McCallister, an 8-year-old boy in the shadows of his four siblings, faces the ultimate test in this holiday movie. Not only was this movie filmed in the North Shore area of Chicago, 30 minutes from LHS, it’s also a timeless ‘90’s classic that has been a staple for the Christmas season.

Kevin is mistakenly left “alone” and spends his winter break living life to the fullest: staying up late, eating sundaes and watching R-rated movies. It isn’t until his street is targeted by a string of burglaries that he realizes it might not be the best thing to be by himself. Through his list of tricks and traps, he’s left to defend his home alone. 

It’s a heartwarming, clever as well as hilarious story that families of all ages can enjoy throughout the season. For those who have and haven’t seen it, remember to “keep the change, you filthy animal!”

Elf (2003)

A somewhat “new” Christmas movie that hit theaters back in 2003 is now celebrating its 20th anniversary.

More recently made Christmas films don’t always capture the same level of spirit and nostalgia that older, more

established, holiday films have garnered. However, over time, this movie has grown on me and many others – leading it to become a hit for several Christmas seasons. 

The story follows Buddy the Elf, played by the comedian Will Ferrell, as he travels to NYC to meet his real father. For context, he’s been living his life in The North Pole alongside Santa and the other elves. As the movie progresses, the audience learns the special importance of believing in the Christmas spirit and “spreading joy for all to hear.” 

The theme of coming together for family, even if they might not be the normalest person (many can sympathize with this), is prevalent throughout this Jon Favreau classic. It’s a family-friendly yet still memorable and heartfelt movie that should be on the top of your holiday watch list this year. 

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989) 

“Can I refill your eggnog for you? Get you something to eat? Drive you out to the middle of nowhere and leave you for dead?” 

If heartfelt, emotional and touchy-feely holiday movies aren’t for you– then this comedic masterpiece, with a star-studded cast, is the one for your list! It tells the classic family Christmas rituals many middle-American families face each holiday season. Grandparents, in-laws and crazy cousins showing up at your door with the most ridiculous food platters and gifts start this movie off with a bang.

Clark Griswold, played by Chevy Chase, hopes of giving his family the most memorable Christmas memories they can dream of, whether that means “two hundred fifty strands of lights, a hundred individual bulbs per strand for a grand total of twenty-five thousand imported Italian twinkle lights” on the top of his Chicago-based home, or bring some holiday magic for the younger generation in his family as he dresses as Santa Claus.

Though things don’t go his way and he makes sure everyone knows it during a minute and half rant in front of the entire family, they still all come together in the end to appreciate the things they have and the family they share. 

This may not be a movie for the entire family, but it is one for those looking for a good laugh with some explicit and occasional cruel jokes.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966) 

The classic Dr. Seuss’ children’s tale tells the story of the Grinch, a fictional character who hates Christmas and all it entails. His disgust for presents, family, decorations and gatherings leads him and his small dog, Max, to go down to the small town of Whoville to steal the Christmas celebrations.

“All the Whos, still a-bed, all the Whos, still a-snooze, when he packed up his sled, packed it up with their presents! The ribbons! The wrappings! The tags! And the tinsel! The trimmings! The trappings!” 

Yet his heart changes once he hears the cries from the Who’s. Even the meanest and grouchiest creature can have a change of mind, something many of us need to hear this season. An extra bonus to this film is its short run time of 26 minutes for this classic 1966 Christmas cartoon.