Lifestyle of a Fashionista

updated 12/5/24

Thanksgiving is over; it’s time to focus on the next big holiday, Christmas. So take out the decorations, cue your holiday playlist, and watch your favorite holiday movies.

I have organized some of my favorites (as well as popular picks) into categories: the classics, rom-coms, action-packed, and Christmas for kids (and those who are kids at heart).

My lists were created using the following criteria: I would watch it if it was on television while flipping channels (when you had cable), it is part of a family movie night, and the season isn’t complete without watching it.

The Classics

The classics are mostly family-friendly.

It’s A Wonderful Life (1946) – “It’s a Wonderful Life reflects on the life of George, a man who has put others in his life before himself, but when an innocent mistake threatens to upend the life he’s built, he begins to wonder if everyone would be better off without him.” A family-friendly movie with a great message. “Remember, no man is a failure who has friends.” — Clarence

Home Alone (1990) – A young kid left at home during Christmas, it that fun or scary? Home Alone is a fun, family-friendly movie. Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992, on Disney+) is also a fun, family movie set in New York City. “Guys, I’m eating junk and watching rubbish! You better come out and stop me!” — Kevin

A Christmas Story (1983) – It’s officially Christmas once I see at least one scene from this movie. Of course, it helps that TNT or TBS usually plays this movie for 24 hours on Christmas day. My favorite things about this movie: are the major award, the family craziness and fun, and the innocence of being a kid at Christmastime.“He looks like a deranged Easter bunny.” The Old Man Parker. Two sequels: A Christmas Story Christmas (2022) on Hulu and A Christmas Story 2 (2012) on Pluto.

The Family Man (2000) – This movie is a holiday drama where a busy, successful bachelor wakes up in another version of his life.“You can’t keep coming in and out of people’s lives, messing things up. It’s not right.” Jack played by Nick Cage

Elf (2003) – A human-sized elf searches for his birth father in New York City. This movie is full of silly Christmas fun and jokes. “The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.” – Buddy the elf.

Scrooged (1988) – This 80s movie has big stars, lots of laughs, and a positive message about Christmastime (I tear up every time during the final scene.) “Sometimes the truth is painful, Frank. But it’s made your cheeks rosy and your eyes bright!” Ghost of Christmas Present (Carol Kane)

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989), As the holidays approach, Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) wants to have a perfect family Christmas, so he pesters his wife, Ellen (Beverly D’Angelo), and children, as he tries to make sure everything is in line, including the tree and house decorations. However, things go awry quickly. His hick cousin, Eddie (Randy Quaid), and his family show up unplanned and start living in their camper on the Griswold property. Even worse, Clark’s employers renege on the holiday bonus he needs.

An Action-packed holiday

These are not your typical feel-good Christmas movies, but they take place at Christmastime, and I enjoy watching them this time of year.

Die Hard (1988) – Is it a Christmas movie? The debate about whether or not it fits in the Christmas movie category has gone on for years. For: it takes place at Christmas and features many decorations and references to the holiday. Against: can a violent, action-packed movie fit into the Christmas category? Read more, Reginald VelJohnson Is ‘Fine’ With Die Hard Being Considered A Christmas Movie. Spoiler, Bruce Willis does not consider it a Christmas movie. “‘Come out the coast, we’ll get together, have a few laughs…’” John McClane

Gremlins (1984) – Cute, furry creatures that turn deadly if you feed them after midnight; that sounds like the perfect Christmas movie! It may not be a warm fuzzy Christmas story, but it is a classic 80s Christmastime movie.“First of all, keep him out of the light, he hates bright light, especially sunlight, it’ll kill him. Second, don’t give him any water, not even to drink. But the most important rule, the rule you can never forget, no matter how much he cries, no matter how much he begs, never feed him after midnight.”

The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996), Government agents come after a amnesiac woman, who gradually remembers her past.

The Rom-Coms

While You Were Sleeping (1995) – I love this movie; it has a cute love story, a loving and sometimes wacky family, and many Christmas traditions and decorations. “I have a house, and family, and things like that… not like I’m complaining or anything, because I have a cat, I have an apartment, sole possession of the remote control. That’s very important. It’s just, I never met anyone I could laugh with.” Lucy played by Sandra Bullock

The Holiday (2006) – A Nancy Meyers film starring strong female leads navigating their loves lives during the holidays. My favorite relationship in the movie is between Iris and her neighbor. “He’s really cute. I feel great when I’m with him, which is an entirely new experience. And he’s about ninety years old.” — Iris

Love Actually (2003) – There is a lot I love about this movie, including the opening airport scene (fun fact- from IMDb, “The airport greeting footage at the beginning and end of this movie is real. Writer and director Richard Curtis had a team of cameramen film at Heathrow airport for a week, and whenever they saw something that would fit in, they asked the people involved for permission to use the footage.”), the Christmas pageant, the relationship between the stepfather and stepson, Hugh Grant singing Christmas carols with his bodyguard, and there are a few cute love stories sprinkled in. There is some drama and bad behavior I’m not crazy about, but this movie deserves a spot in the top 5. “Well, we need Kate and we need Leo, and we need them now.” – Daniel. FYI: there is a special airing this month, “The Laughter & Secrets of ‘Love Actually’: 20 Years Later – A Diane Sawyer Special” airs Nov. 29 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC, streaming on Hulu after it airs. From CNN, ‘Love Actually’ cast to reunite for 20th anniversary TV special

The Family Stone (2005) – Taking home your perfect girlfriend to meet the family at Christmas, what could go wrong? I love the complicated relationships presented in this movie, with Diane Keaton playing the matriarch. There is a lot of drama with some laughs mixed in. From Entertainment Weekly, A holiday diamond in the rough: An oral history of The Family Stone. Ben Stone: (to Meredith) “Don’t dilly-dally there, pretty lady. We’re all gonna be down here talking about you.“

Ghosts of Girlfriends Past (2009), Celebrity photographer Connor Mead (Matthew McConaughey) lives life in the fast lane, committed to bachelorhood and simultaneous relationships with multiple women. On the eve of his brother’s wedding, Connor receives a visit from the spirits of his jilted lovers, who take him on an odyssey through his many failed relationships to try to find out what made him such a cad — and if there is any hope of Connor finding true love.

Last Christmas (2019), Nothing seems to go right for young Kate, a frustrated Londoner who works as an elf in a year-round Christmas shop. But things soon take a turn for the better when she meets Tom — a handsome charmer who seems too good to be true. As the city transforms into the most wonderful time of the year, Tom and Kate’s growing attraction turns into the best gift of all — a Yuletide romance.

Christmas Movies for kids (and those who are kids at heart)

Charlie Brown Christmas (1965) – My favorite Christmas movie for kids, and it has a great soundtrack.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966, on Hulu) Can the lonely Grinch learn to get along with the people of Whoville? The animated version is appropriate for all ages. The Grinch movie with Jim Carrey (2000, on Sling or rent) is rated PG, and The Grinch (2018, on Peacock), is an updated, animated movie. “Maybe Christmas (he thought) doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas perhaps means a little bit more.” — The Grinch 

The Nightmare before Christmas (1993) – Is it a Christmas movie or a Halloween movie? It may fit into both categories. Kids seem to enjoy watching it around Christmas.

Polar Express (2004) – This movie is an inspiring adventure based on the beloved children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg. I placed it in the number one slot because you can usually find a local event or activity tied to this movie. For example, some schools have special viewing parties, or you can take the kids on a Polar Express train ride.

The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992), The Muppets perform the classic Dickens holiday tale.

Frosty the Snowman (1969), A discarded magic top hat brings to life the snowman that a group of children made, until a magician, professor Hinkle, wants it back, and the temperature starts to rise. Frosty will melt or no longer be a jolly soul, if the kids cannot get him away from Hinkle and warm weather, so he hops a train to the North Pole with young Karen.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964),