It’s time to prioritize. There are 21 days until Christmas, but many more Christmas movies. You can only watch them one time of year. However, I do wonder if this genre has more movies that are rewatched than any other genre. I have made a manageable list to ramp up my Christmas spirit.
In order of it’s BLASPHEMY if we don’t watch it to BAH-HUMBUG don’t make me watch it:
Elf— Note above I intentionally didn’t say once/year, but one time OF the year. Elf gets a watch every time we see it broadcasting and of course it gets its own dedicated watch at least once. You may be able to watch it only during the holidays but you can quote it ALL year!
Charlie Brown Christmas—This is nostalgic, so my opinion is completely clouded. But how can you have Christmas without Linus telling you what it’s all about?
Arthur Christmas—A Santa story that answers some of the typical questions of incredulous kids. It’s a sweet Christmas story, and a cautionary tale about relying solely on technology for a relational
A Muppet Christmas: Letters to Santa—I watched this for the first time last year. We had just gotten Miles, so the fact that we get a lot of Pepe the King Prawn definitely helped. However, I also love it for the song:
Mickey’s Christmas Carol—This is our preferred version of the classic story. We often do a double dose, and include Muppet Christmas Carol in there too.
Nightmare Before Christmas—This may get a rewatch in December, but it is our tradition to watch it on Halloween night. It serves as the transition between Halloween and Christmas due to the never ending debate whether it’s a Halloween or Christmas
Noelle— Anna Kendrick and Bill Hader, what could be bad about that? Nothing :)
Die Hard—After the kids go to bed on Christmas Eve, @cleverdevil and I watch as we tie up Christmas loose ends. Yippee Ki-Yay
Love Actually—This one has slipped down the list over the years, and I know this a bah-humbug for many. But Christmas isn’t complete without this duo:
Now we move into the more BENIGN Christmas movies. They’re fun and brighten spirits, but aren’t missed if we don’t have time for a dedicated family watch.
Home Alone—A reliable laugh for any age and some iconic moments. I just can feel other’s pain a little too much, so the Kevin v burglars climax is a bit uncomfortable for me.
While You Were Sleeping—It’s the typical “I thought I loved this guy, but really I’m meant for that guy. And I’m not going to accept it until the last minute.” However, there are such sweet moments, and Sandra Bullock and Bill Pullman draw you in.
Klaus—A new Santa legend with familiar themes. It has a great edge with endearing characters.
Christmas Chronicles 1 & 2–In the realm of live action Santa stories, this soars past The Santa Clause and its sequels.
The Grinch—I’m not a huge fan of the movies, but if I am going to watch one, it will be the most recent one with Benedict Cumberbatch.
Guardians of The Galaxy Holiday Special—Its quite silly, as any box office holiday spin off will be, but there were enough laughs to keep it on. And this song had me laughing out loud :)
How the Grinch Stole Christmas—Mostly because I’m not sure I won’t be smote if I put it in the bah-humbug category. I’d much rather have a family read than a family watch of any versions of the movie.
BAH-HUMBUG! I will watch some of these with mild complaint, but the ones at the bottom are no-go
A Christmas Story—I’m open to seeing the new one out this year
The Polar Express—The book is better. I find the movie chaotic and overstimulating. You’d think I’d be on board for an ode to hot chocolate, but the song and dance feels overwhelming. Maybe I’d be more appreciative of a live stage musical.
Miracle on 34th street—It’s a bit painful to watch. If I’m going to watch, it’s going to be the 1990’s version.
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation—Talk about painful to watch. We will let our kids make their own decision about this classic, but it nears the bottom of my list.
Most Hallmark Christmas movies—I don’t really relate to the storylines. It’s as if every love story is someone in a committed relationship is in the wrong one, but then finds the right one. I may be naive because I married my high school sweetheart. Is this a typical real life love story? It just feels a bit icky to me.
It’s A Wonderful Life—I know. It’s a favorite. A classic. But I just don’t love it.
White Christmas—Some fun music, but it grates on me. I prefer other movie musicals.
Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, Santa Claus is Coming to Town—I just can’t with these animated classics. I don’t find them cute or endearing.
The Santa Clause—I didn’t love it when it first came out. To be fair, I haven’t watched it again, but Tim Allen lost me a while back.
Christmas horror movies—Why? Just why??
I’m hoping to be able to add Spirited to the blasphemy list, but I haven’t had a chance to watch it yet.