As much as I love talking about being prepared, whether it’s making sure you have a winter emergency kit ready to go or planning resourceful meals for the week ahead, sometimes life calls for a different kind of preparation: the kind that involves a cozy blanket, hot chocolate, and the perfect holiday movie lineup!
In a couple of weeks, I’ll be diving deep into making the most of the food we have. But before we get organized with recipes, my son, Cole, and I decided to focus on getting our hearts ready for the holidays.
Every year, we have the serious (and sometimes controversial…hello Gremlins, you’re not what I remember!) job of compiling our official Must-Watch Christmas Movie List. It’s a huge undertaking! But after much debate, some popcorn-fueled negotiating, and a lot of happy viewing, we’ve finalized the definitive Top 10 movies that kick off the holiday season in our house.
These are the classics, the comedies, and the heartwarming tales that bring out the best faith, fun, and family spirit in all of us. Grab your cocoa and see if your favorites made the cut. I’d love to hear which ones we missed!
The Official Top 10 Countdown
We put these movies (plus a few other key ones) on a spinner wheel and hit spin once the calendar turns to November!
10. The Star (2017)
Our Tradition: We absolutely love this one! It’s an animated retelling of the Nativity story from the perspective of the animals, and it is just beautifully done. It immediately grounds our season in the true, faith-based meaning of Christmas and reminds us why we celebrate. It’s the perfect movie to set our hearts right!
9. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
Our Tradition: You can’t beat a classic. This is the ultimate short and sweet reminder that the holiday isn’t about the commercial chaos. When Linus steps onto the stage and recites the Bible passage, it gives me chills every single time. It’s the simplest message, delivered perfectly.
8. Miracle on 34th Street (1994)
Our Tradition: This was a new one for our family this year. I’ve seen it, but Cole had and to my surprise…he loved it! Pull this one out when you need a healthy dose of pure, old-fashioned belief. It’s a wonderful story about faith, hope, and what happens when you decide to believe in the magic that’s all around you. It’s a powerful lesson in seeing the good in the world, which is exactly what the season is all about.
7. Mickey’s Christmas Carol (1983)
Our Tradition: We love the Dickens tale, but this short Disney version is our absolute favorite. It’s quick, funny, and Scrooge McDuck is the perfect miserly protagonist. It offers a great lesson in redemption and generosity. And, let’s be honest, it’s just fun to see all the classic Disney characters in new roles!
6. Noelle (2019)
Our Tradition: This is our family’s newest classic. Anna Kendrick is delightful as Santa’s daughter, Noelle. It’s a hilarious, modern story about finding your purpose and proving that anyone, even a girl who just wants to spread holiday cheer, can lead. As a woman who grew up second-guessing her worth, this movie holds a special place in my heart. It’s a great reminder never to underestimate yourself!
5. Elf (2003)
Our Tradition: You can’t be sad while watching Elf. This movie is pure, unadulterated joy. We have to watch it while drinking hot cocoa, with way too many marshmallows. We try to spot all the silly little details, and we quote Will Ferrell’s lines for the rest of the year.
4. Klaus (2019)
Our Tradition: This animated gem is visually stunning and tells one of the most heartwarming origin stories of Santa Claus. It focuses on how one small act of kindness can inspire another, and another, until an entire community is transformed. It’s a beautiful message about service, and it’s unlike any other Christmas movie out there.
3. Home Alone (1990)
Our Tradition: It wouldn’t be Christmas without Macaulay Culkin defending his home. This movie is our go-to for big laughs, and it reminds us to never take family for granted. We all secretly love the booby traps, and the moment his mom finally finds him? Pure holiday relief. Almost immediately after watching this one, we follow it up with all the other spin-offs! It can truly make a snowy day movie marathon complete.
2. The Santa Clause (1994)
Our Tradition: This is one of the ultimate magic-of-Christmas movies. Tim Allen as Scott Calvin is the perfect cynical dad who slowly finds his faith in the holiday again. It’s a beautiful, imaginative story about believing in the impossible and accepting an unexpected, and amazing, calling. This is another good one to kick off a movie marathon because there are several sequels AND a mini-series! Bring on the snow days!
1. Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch (2018 Animated Version)
Our Tradition: This is our #1 champion! The newest animated Grinch movie is our absolute favorite for its gorgeous animation, heartfelt story, and incredible humor. It perfectly captures the spirit of Christmas: it’s not the gifts or the feast; it’s the singing, the communal joy and love that can’t be stolen. It is the perfect movie to end our countdown and prepare our hearts for Christmas morning, always reminding us that the Grinch’s heart grew three sizes, just like our joy watching it! Plus, who wouldn’t want to live in Whoville? Sled to work? Sign me up!
Ready for the Coziest Time of Year
And there you have it, the official, 100% subjective, and totally necessary list that gets our family into the holiday spirit every year.
Taking the time to build these small traditions, like making a movie list with my son, is the best way I know to slow down the rush of the season and focus on the joy, faith, and fun of family.
Now that our hearts are ready, we can get back to practical preparations! In two weeks, we’re going to dive into a different kind of resourcefulness: turning the food you might receive from a food shelf into a week’s worth of nourishing, budget-friendly meals. It’s a great way to think about making the most of what we have this holiday season.
But first, tell me! Which movie did we miss? What’s the number one, undisputed, must-watch Christmas movie in your house? Share your family’s favorite in the comments below!
