CHRISTMAS CLASSICS TO WATCH THIS YEAR

Elf

This classic movie, directed by Jon Favreau, was produced in 2003 but is absolutely timeless. Everyone knows the story of Elf, but on the slim chance you don't, this family/comedy film stars Will Ferrel, who plays the main character “Buddy.” As an infant, he lives in an orphanage, but he happens to find his way into Santa’s toy bag on Christmas eve. Later in life, he sets out on a journey to find his biological father. Elf was nominated for nine awards and ended up winning two. It's a movie so common, it can be streamed from almost any website. Although almost everyone has seen Elf, it's become almost a necessity for families to watch it every season.

Home Alone

Home Alone was produced in 1990 and features as its main character "Kevin," played by Macaulay Culkin. He is punished after a confrontation with his mother over some issues he had with his family at dinner. His mother sends him to the attic for the night as a punishment. He wishes for his whole family to all go away, and wakes up the next morning to find that it is just him left at home. He learns the value of his family and on his way, he makes a new friend. When a family gathers around the television to watch Home Alone, they learn the same lessons that Kevin and his family did on that fateful Christmas day.

The Polar Express

This fantasy/family film was produced in 2004 and is an animated film. It is about a boy who, in the middle of the night, hears a loud rumble outside. He sets out to explore the disturbance. He discovers that this train is full of children who are headed to the North Pole overnight. They are on the way to see Santa, and they later share experiences that bring them all together and they make memories they will never forget. It is a movie we can all relate to watching in elementary school right before Christmas break. Although the early animation can seem a little… creepy now, this movie is definitely a heartwarming classic. Besides, you can never have enough Tom Hanks in your life.

Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch

Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch is the second animated film on our list, and by far the most recently released. The character of the Grinch is voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch, and it takes a modern spin on the vintage feel of the Grinch. The classic story of the Grinch is known to all, but the part where the Grinch's heart swells in size is sure to melt audiences' hearts every time. It's a movie we all grew up watching and is a tradition for so many families.

A Charlie Brown Christmas

Produced in 1965 and directed by Bill Menendez, A Charlie Brown Christmas is part of the Charlie Brown Franchise. From incredibly popular comic strip to successful franchise, Charlie Brown has come a long way. In A Charlie Brown Christmas, in Charlie’s town, it is Christmas time and everyone is excited to celebrate. Everything is decorated for the season, and Lucy offers to direct a Christmas play. The only problem is that all of the trees are sold out. They resort to a small, thin tree that at first, everyone laughs at but that later brings out the true meaning of Christmas. It gives families the value of the holiday season in front of them and enjoy the company of others. This movie emphasizes that it's not about the materialistic things on Christmas but rather what they represent.