I know you all have your favorite holiday or Christmas movies, I was raised on some true classics, so here is my list of movies I enjoy during the holiday season. Also, it should be noted I am not a big fan of remakes, even if the older film isn't as relevant today I like the originals. Click the video image to watch, rent, or purchase (affiliate links).
10. November Christmas - a Hallmark Hall of Fame Christmas movie starring Sam Elliott and John Corbett. You can rent or buy this on Amazon Prime Video. Video description from Amazon - With the support of his small town, a father's wish for his very sick daughter is realized. I randomly came across this a few years ago and have watched it every year since. Come on, who doesn't love Sam Elliott!
9. The Holiday/Love Actually - Yes I did it, I listed two movies in one spot - may happen again in this list. The reason I did it with these two movies is that for me I ALWAYS think of both of these movies together for some reason. I am not sure why, maybe it is because they both involve locations in the UK during the holidays in parts of each movie. I just tend to watch both these movies at the same time and enjoy them the same amount. Both are available to rent on Amazon Prime Video, video descriptions from Amazon are below:
Love Actually - From the makers of Bridget Jones's Diary and Notting Hill comes the ultimate romantic comedy about love's delightful twists and turns, starring some of Hollywood's brightest stars.
The Holiday - From writer/director Nancy Meyers comes a romantic comedy about two women on opposite sides of the globe who swap houses only to discover that a change of address can really change their lives.
8. The Gathering - My mom and I love this one, we always make a point to watch it each year. Ed Asner plays an excellent Scrooge father to a family whose matriarch Maureen Stapleton brings their family together again at Christmas. Ed Asner will make another appearance in this list below. Amazon Prime Video information - Edward portrays Adam and Maureen as his estranged wife Kate in a beloved holiday classic that celebrates the tender power of forgiveness and the profound gift of family love.
7. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever - This movie always makes me smile, starring Loretta Swit, if you are thinking where do I know that name from think Hot Lips Houlihan on MASH. This movie is only available for purchase on DVD, I remember watching it on TV as a made-for-TV movie as a lil kid. Amazon Prime Movie information - Loretta Swit of M*A*S*H stars as Grace Bradley who inherits the job of running her church's Christmas pageant when the woman who usually does it breaks her leg. Grace is indifferent about running the pageant. While she doesn't want one more thing to do, she also understands that she is needed, and so she takes on the challenge. And a challenge it is sure to be! Not only does Grace inherit this disaster, but it gets worse when the Herdman kids - all six of them - decide they want to be in the Christmas pageant as well. (DVD Purchase only)
6. One Magic Christmas - This was a Disney movie my family watched when I was little. I love Gideon the guardian angel in this one. Amazon Prime Video information - Award-winning actress Mary Steenburgen gives a solid performance as Ginny Grainger, a young mother who rediscovers the joy and beauty of Christmas, thanks to the unshakable faith of her six-year-old daughter Abbie and Gideon, Ginny's guardian angel.
5. Mame - with Lucille Ball (1974 version) - This is my one exception to the remake rule, this is a remake of an older version, but the older version doesn't have singing, and this movie has one of my favorite Christmas songs - We Need a Little Christmas, my mom also loves this one as well, can you tell we have similar great taste?! Amazon Prime Movie information - Lucille Ball stars in this film of the blockbuster Broadway musical that tells the story of the flamboyant, unconventional and, above all, glamorous Mame.
4. The Christmas Card - Another Ed Asner Christmas movie, he is much less Scrooge-like in this one. This is one of my niece's favorite Christmas movies, and I am a fan of it for sure, it is a newer Hallmark Christmas movie. Amazon Prime Movie information - Home on leave, a soldier visits a small town and falls for the woman who wrote a Christmas card to the troops. (DVD purchase only)
3. The Christmas Story/Christmas Vacation - Here are two classics that are on repeat on so many channels every holiday season, they make me laugh and smile, you must watch the original non-edited versions!
The Christmas Story - In this holiday classic, Ralphie, a young boy growing up in the '40's, dreams of owning a Red Rider BB gun. He sets out to convince the world this is the perfect gift.
Christmas Vacation - A family's Christmas plans go wrong. - Personal note this was a lackluster description just watch this movie and quote it all season long.
2. White Christmas - The classic Christmas movie. I remember my mom and aunts acting out the sister's song/routine when I was little and all watching this movie together, even though they all lived states apart. It has stuck and my sisters and I now all watch it every year and also embarrass my nieces and nephew with the sister's song whenever possible. Amazon Prime Movie information - Two talented song-and-dance men (Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye) team up after the war to become one of the hottest acts in show business.
1. It's A Wonderful Life - Another great Christmas classic with another special guardian angel, Clarence. Thank goodness for those guardian angels. Amazon Prime Video information - After George Bailey wishes he had never been born, an angel is sent to earth to make George's wish come true. George starts to realize how many lives he has changed and impacted, and how they would be different if he was never there.
Honorable Mention - As an 80's kid I enjoyed a bunch of made-for-TV Christmas movies, I recommend giving these a watch if you have a chance.
Babes in Toyland, The Christmas Toy, Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer and the Island of Misfits, Charlie Brown Christmas