18 days until Christmas means plenty of time for binge-watching. Binge-watching Christmas movies is a December must. I don’t care how old you are, what state you’re from, or if you are even Christian. We all love Christmas movies! There’s just something about them that gets me in the holiday spirit. Last year when I was living in Spain, watching Christmas movies was a great reminder of home. Because ABC Family’s 25 Days of Christmas countdown just isn’t enough for me, I have put together a list of the 18 Christmas Movies to Binge-Watch Right Now. Like, right now. In reverse order, of course. Start today! Only 18 days until Christmas!
18 Christmas Movies to Binge-Watch Right Now
18. It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
Due to its dark and grim nature, this holiday classic comes in at number 18 on the 18 Christmas Movies to Binge-Watch Right Now list. The film is strange and twisted. Life is not wonderful at all. Reminiscent of Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol, the film follows the life of a suicidal boy who is shown how life would be without him. Can you say tearjerker ?
17. I’ll Be Home for Christmas (1998)
I’ll Be Home for Christmas follows actor Jonathan Taylor Thomas’ struggle to get home from college for Christmas. I probably only added this one to the list because I had the biggest crush on him in the 90s. Like most Disney movies, it mixes humor with a learning experience. He learns about family and why the holidays are so important.
16. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)
“Now Dasher, Now Dancer, Now Prancer and Vixen! On Comet, on Cupi, on Donner and Blitzen”….and Rudolph…? One of my all-time favorite animated films. How cute is that glowing red nose! I don’t understand how anyone could be so mean to Rudolph.
15. Jack Frost (1998)
Perhaps the most depressing movie on the list, Jack Frost is a tale about a father who dies in a car accident and comes back as a snowman. He and his son are best friends and he finds joy in life as a snowman. Of course there is some comedy thrown into the mix, how can you have a talking snowman without laughing?
14. Frosty the Snowman (1969)
Another snowman tale. Frosty the Snowman is a made-for-TV animated classic, based on the even more popular song “Frosty the Snowman”. A super fun family film filled with holiday cheer, a grinning snowman, and love.
13. Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas Original (1966)
The original Dr Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas will always have a place on my Christmas watch list. The Grinch is a pinnacle Christmas character, just as popular as Rudolph and Frosty. His mean green face is known by children and adults worldwide. Although the new version ranks higher on my list, I will never forget it’s roots.
12. The Ultimate Christmas Present (2000)
This list wouldn’t be complete without a Disney channel original movie. I am a 90s baby afterall. The Ultimate Christmas Present was one of my favorites growing up! Two girls steal a weather machine from Santa’s cabin in the woods and bring a treacherous snowstorm to California for Christmas. Poor acting and a crazy invention, what could be better?
11. A Christmas Story (1983)
TBS plays A Christmas Story for 24 hours straight on Christmas day every year. A marathon even non-runners can enjoy. In case you are not familiar with the story, Ralphie is a little boy in suburban 1940’s America who desperately wants a BB gun for Christmas. The story follows the events leading up to Christmas for his rather peculiar yet somehow normal family.
10. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
My mom’s favorite and a classic in every household. The approach of the holiday season depresses Charlie Brown. His friend Lucy suggests he direct the school Christmas play to cheer up. The play is a disaster, and the viewers have plenty of laughs, while Charlie Brown and friends discover the true meaning of Christmas.
9. The Santa Clause (1994)
The Santa Clause is a bizarre tale of actor Tim Allen’s, wild transition from average Joe to Santa Clause. Tim Allen must take Santa’s place before next Christmas and deliver all the toys with the help of an interesting team of elves. The red suit, the boots, the Christmas cookie tummy, the unstoppable white beard, and even a sleigh full of toys.
8. The Year Without a Santa Claus (1974)
ABC Family loves this one! The Year Without a Santa Claus is a charming story of a depressed and exhausted Mr. Claus. When Mrs. Claus realizes that Santa does not want to deliver all the toys this year, she and the elves come up with a way to solve this Christmas nightmare.
7. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)
Chevy Chase films are always a good laugh. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation follows the Griswold family and their mission to have the perfect Christmas. Of course, nothing is ever perfect with the Griswolds. Especially not when your hick cousin rides into town uninvited and parks his RV in your driveway.
6. The Family Stone (2005)
Sarah Jessica Parker plays the outsider girlfriend nobody likes. She is stiff, awkward, and not exactly the most loving person in the world. When she invites her sister into town to help her future in-laws fall in love with her, everything goes awry. A twisted and sappy love story with all the comedy you need. The ultimate Christmas chick flick.
5. Love Actually (2003)
Ultimate Christmas chick flick number 2. This is one of those movies where it seems like they asked every remotely famous actor to play a role and made a story to incorporate literally everyone who said yes. Love Actually follows nine loosely intertwined love stories during the weeks leading up to Christmas.
4. The Polar Express (2004)
Okay, I may be biased here, because Chris Van Allsburg’s Polar Express has always been one of my favorite reads. When Hollywood decided to make a movie, I was overjoyed. Honestly, Tom Hanks doesn’t disappoint and it’s amazing to see the magic of Christmas come alive. If only I could hop aboard The Polar Express.
3. Home Alone (1990)
Home Alone is The Ferris Bueller’s Day Off of the holidays. This is the best 90s kids movie of all-time, never mind Christmas. Even if you’ve seen this classic dozens of times, the trickery and imagination never get old. Who wouldn’t want to watch a little kid get left at home on Christmas vacation, eat junk food, make a mess, and fight off the bad guys?
2. Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
I told you this was one of my favorites. For the first time, the 2000 version outdoes the original. With modern animations and amazing actors, Dr. Seuss’ original characters come alive. Jim Carrey awakens the Grinch to all his glory and the characters of Whoville are spectacular.
1. Elf (2003)
It is no surprise that Will Ferrel’s character is hilarious and lovable. Elf ranks in as my #1 Christmas movie to binge watch right now. The story line is light and heartfelt and the comedy is laugh-out-loud funny. Elf is a story about one of Santa’s elves who just never fit in. He travels to New York City to find his birth parents and winds up spreading Christmas cheer and causing ridiculously unnecessary problems wherever he goes.
All GIFs are adopted from www.giphy.com unless otherwise noted. Have any Christmas classics you love?
