25 Festive Flicks to Jingle All the Way
When I first met my husband, and he proudly declared that "Die Hard" was his favorite Christmas movie, I admit, I raised an eyebrow. Fast forward 8 years, and I've become a true believer. Yippee-Ki-Yay! Luckily, he shares my love for a wide range of Christmas movies – from the magical to the cheesy, and even the so-bad-it's-good ones that bring a hefty dose of nostalgia. Every holiday season, we dive into our shared list of go-to holiday flicks for family and after-bedtime movie marathons. Whether we're laughing at the timeless slapstick in "Christmas Vacation" or getting teary-eyed over the heartwarming tale of "It's a Wonderful Life," these films never fail to give that extra dash of holiday joy!
I've ranked our list in age according to Common Sense Media’s recommendations because, let's face it, the rating system can be as confusing as figuring out how to untangle those twinkling Christmas lights. Take "Gremlins," for example – rated PG?! Stripe is the stuff of nightmares, and I still cover my eyes during the kitchen fight scene with Billy's mom. It's a classic, no doubt, but one that Alex won't be joining us for any time soon!
Did I miss your go-to Christmas classic? Let me know what I should add to my list! In the meantime, grab some popcorn, your favorite drink, and snuggle up with a cozy blanket. Let's soak in the holiday vibes with our loved ones. Here's to creating fresh traditions and enjoying the real happy hours!
Movies we watch with our son:
Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer (NR) - CSM rated 3+
Frosty the Snowman (NR) - CSM rated 3+
Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas (NR) - CSM rated 3+
A Charlie Brown Christmas (G) - CSM rated 3+
Miracle on 34th Street - the original! (NR) - CSM rated 5+
The Polar Express (G) - CSM rated 6+
Elf (PG) - CSM rated 7+
The Nightmare Before Christmas (PG) - CSM rated 7+
A Christmas Story (PG) - CSM rated 8+
How the Grinch Stole Christmas - 2000 version (PG) - CSM rated 8+
The Santa Clause (PG) - CSM rated 9+
Home Alone (PG) - CSM rated 10+
Movies we watch after Alex goes to bed:
Christmas with the Kranks (PG) - CSM rated 9+
It’s a Wonderful Life (NR) - CSM rated 9+
Scrooged (PG-13) - CSM rated 12+
Gremlins (PG) - CSM rated 12+
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (PG-13) - CSM rated 13+
Four Christmases (PG-13) - CSM rated 14+
Surviving Christmas (PG-13) - CSM rated 14+
Die Hard (R)
Bad Santa (R)
The Ref (R)
Movies I watch alone - ha!:
The Holiday (PG-13) - CSM rated 13+
The Family Stone (PG-13) - CSM rated 15+
Love Actually (R)
(Plus obviously all of the so-bad-they’re-good Hallmark Holiday movies!)
