The 20 Best Christmas Movies to Watch
Christmas specials are a great part of the season, even if you’re supposedly ‘too old’ for them. I’ve compiled a list of some of my favorite ones. So uh, let’s get this party started! I also want to say that I just reaaaally recommend that if you have young kids you introduce them to some of these classics, because claymation and stop motion animation are really just…cool! Besides, who wants to watch Shrek The Halls every day until Christmas? (Not me.) You’ll notice I do have a big love for all of the old Rankin & Bass specials. Also, these are not in a particular order of descending favorites because I cannot make myself choose favorites – I love them all.
Jack Frost
1. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer – The ULTIMATE viewing experience. Luckily this is always on TV during Christmas. And it never gets old.
2. Frosty the Snowman – A cute cartoon from 1969 but always seemed more modern to me. So it’s weird to realize now that it’s from ‘69!
3. The Year Without a Santa Claus - Mickey Rooney voices Santa Claus in this one, like many other Rankin & Bass specials (maybe all). The infamous Heat Miser has his very own bobble head. Okay, so does his brother, the Snow Miser. Veronica Mars was a big fan of this movie. I watched this last week. 
4. Miracle on 34th Street – There is the original Miracle on 34th Street (Special Edition) from 1947, but I also love the version with Mara Wilson (the girl from Mrs. Doubtfire): Miracle on 34th Street (1994).
5. Jack Frost – The story is told by a groundhog voiced by Buddy Hackett! Um, what is better than that?! Also, there is a short 1934 cartoon about (a kinda creepy) Jack Frost that I always remember, which you can view on YouTube.
White Christmas
6. White Christmas – A musical from 1954 that was nominated for an Oscar. Ads for it proclaimed: “Joyous entertainment for every season, any year!!!!” So why not this year, eh? It stars Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney. I remember seeing it when I was younger and being mesmerized by the singing, costumes and sets.
7. How The Grinch Stole Christmas – The 1966 TV movie, NOT the movie from 2000. You shouldn’t mess with a classic.
The Nutcracker Ballet
8. It’s a Wonderful Life - What could I possibly say about this? It’s just a great film.
9. Rudolph and Frosty’s Christmas in July - Oh yeaaaah.
10. Santa Claus is Coming to Town – The future Mrs. Claus is named Jessica! This tells the story of how Santa came to be – even why Santa lives at the North Pole. This was already on TV this year and I watched it.
11. Pinocchio’s Christmas – Here is a link to a YouTube clip. I love it.
12. Nestor the Long Eared Christmas Donkey – Well, he’s just adorable. Nestor was mocked for his long ears – he probably would have gotten along with Dumbo. But he lived during the Roman Empire. I’m told this is usually on ABC Family during this time of the year.
13. The Little Drummer Boy – From 1968. Sweet movie.
14. The Nutcracker Ballet – Every version, ever! Why has Barbie taken over this? My favorite version is the one that is always on PBS which is from 1977.
Babes in Toyland
15. Babes in Toyland - I love the one from 1961 which has Annette Funicello with her perfect hair and yellow dress. It also starts memorably with a goose! The one from the 30’s is both more comedic and also way more creepy. Skip it for the kids or they honestly might get scared.
16. Home Alone - So very fun.
17. The Velveteen Rabbit – Reminds you to be grateful for what you have, especially your toys.
18. Madeline’s Christmas/Madeline and the Toy Factory – Madeline is the French girl with the orange hair, you remember?
19. The Santa Clause – Admit it, it’s cute.
20. I forget the name! What is it…what is the movie with an elf and he runs away to invent things in ‘the big city’ and there’s two children – one is a homeless boy, the other is a rich girl… Wait, is it… Santa Claus: The Movie? IT IS! Patch the elf!
Jack Frost clip:
White Christmas clip of the finale:
While doing my YouTube searches I came across two clips I wanted to share.
The first is a cartoon called ‘The Moth and the Flame‘ that I remember from childhood.
The second is something I’ve never seen before but looks cute if you like mermaids! (Which I do.) It’s a stop motion animation movie called The Daydreamer with a song ‘Wishes and Teardrops‘.
The Daydreamer
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kerstin | Dec 8, 2008 | Reply
Now I need to go watch “It’s A Wonderful Life.” I adore all those claymation movies. It’s been waaay too long since the last time I saw “White Christmas”. And I am so in love with “The Nutcracker” that it’s ridiculous.
but… BUT… HOW COULD YOU FORGET “A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS”????? It’s my absolute favorite! I always cry when Linus tells the Christmas story because I am a giant sap. And I love how the kids dance. And how emo Charlie Brown is when he whines about everyone going commercial. I need to go watch that, too.
I think this actually got me excited about Christmas! I’ve been to busy being annoyed that Target had Christmas displays up before Halloween to really realize it’s TIME to get into the spirit of the season.
Jessica Rae | Dec 8, 2008 | Reply
Kerstin, I have to tell you…I used to love Charlie Brown (and that time they went to France!) but I’ve grown a bit ‘meh’ of him…so he didn’t make the cut on my list :X I’m sorry! *Hides*
I’m glad you’re feeling ready to be excited for Christmas. After all, you did send me a dancing snowman
I happened upon a wonderful blog with lots of inspiration for gifts and also crafty DIY projects and I knew immediately I wanted to tell YOU of the URL. Especially this crafty page: http://creaturecomforts.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/12/fontastic-gift-wrapping.html
Sadly, I have no printer!
(Endorphins must reaaally work, I’ve been running around with my dog, and the neighbors dog, and I feel very cheerful!)
kerstin | Dec 8, 2008 | Reply
lol. I forgive you. I can’t stand most of the Charlie Brown specials.
And it’s easy to get sick of that kind of stuff. I have overdosed (to the point of not caring/ maybe even mild dislike) on Calvin & Hobbes.
That gift wrapping is AWESOME. I am definitely going to start reading that blog. I want to be more crafty.
I have an uncle who is really artistic and he always wraps gifts in that white waxy butcher paper and dark red velvet ribbon. It’s so simple but looks so elegant.
Jessica Rae | Dec 9, 2008 | Reply
The Charlie Brown special was on tonight but I watched ‘How I Met Your Mother’, instead :X (It rocked, though!) Heroes was lame, again.
That uncle really knows how to wrap things – that sounds amazing! I love unusual but elegant type things like that.
Gina | Dec 9, 2008 | Reply
Some recent “quiz” had asked what my favorite holiday movie was and I HAD to put “Love Actually”… okay, I realize, it isn’t family friendly but it really is a great holiday movie! Romance, cute kids, tons of laughs, and porn! What’s better than that?
Damn, I really need to watch it this year
Jessica Rae | Dec 9, 2008 | Reply
Aww, Gina – that is my friend, Myk’s secret favorite holiday movie! And I’m sure he’ll love that I’m declaring that online…hehehe. Well, it does have the porn!