Number Ten: Klaus (2019)

Written and directed by Serigo Pablos, this breathtaking animation will make your heart flutter with joy. Our story begins with a selfish man named Jesper, voiced by Jason Schwartzman, who has proven himself to be the worst postman in history. As punishment for his laziness, his father sends him off to a cold and depressing island up north. The only way he would be allowed to return home is if he successfully delivers six thousand letters before the end of the year. But how could that be possible in a place with no letters? Thankfully, that’s when he discovers where Santa Clause is hiding.

Number Nine: The Santa Clause (1994)

Newly divorced father Scott (Tim Allen) gets the chance to spend Christmas Eve with his son Charlie (Eric Lloyd) After mistakenly killing Santa Clause, who Scott believed was fake, he is magically transported to the North Pole. At his arrival, an elf by the name of Bernard (David Krumholtz) explains to him that it’s his job to become the new Santa Clause until the next Christmas arrives. At first, Scott thinks he’s dreaming, but as time passes, he finds himself and his body changing. He comes to the conclusion that his trip to the North Pole may not have been a dream after all.

Number Eight: Christmas with the Kranks (2004)

A trip to the Caribbean seems like the perfect Christmas getaway for the Krank family. Luther (Tim Allen), and Nora Krank (Jamie Lee Curtis) have planned for the perfect Christmas get away to the sunny paradise of the Caribbean. Although this plan doesn’t bide well with their Christmas obsessed neighbors, who are set on winning the “Best Decorated Street” competition. And the Kranks find themselves social outcasts due to their lack of Christmas Spirit. Perhaps a bit of Christmas cheer and family could set the Kranks back in order and realize the true meaning of this holiday. 

Number Seven: It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)

Everyone has their problems. But for George Bailey, his problems are so overwhelming he thinks about ending it all on Christmas day. Just as the angles discuss George, the audience sees the events of his life in flashbacks. Just as George is about to jump off the bridge to his awaiting demise, he mistakenly rescues his guardian angel, Clarence. The angel then shows the man what the town he lived in might have been like if George hadn’t done all the things he did. Written by Phillip Van Doren Stern, and directed by Frank Capra, we follow the heart-warming story of a man realizing just how wonderful life can truly be.

Number Six: Christmas Vacation (1984)

The holidays are approaching fast, and perfectionist Clark Griswold, (Chevy Chase), is set on making this Christmas the best one yet. Desperately awaiting his Christmas bonus, Clark badgers his wife Ellen (Beverly D’Angelo) and kids to make sure everything is in order. When everything seems to be in line, his cousin Eddie (Randy Quaid) and his children show up unexpectedly and begin camping on their front lawn. Even worse: His Christmas bonus might not be the bonus he needs for the upcoming of a New Year.

Number Five:  Home Alone 1 & 2 (1990 & 1992)

It’s always nice to have some alone time. But no one should be left alone on Christmas. Kevin Mcallister (Macaluary Culkin) has never liked being around his family. Sometimes he wished they could all just disappear. The night before the Mcallister family leaves for a trip to Paris, they’re all in such a rush they mistakenly leave Kevin behind. Thinking that he magically made his entire family vanish, Kevin decides to use this golden moment to his delight. But even with all the freedom in the world, perhaps being alone on Christmas is the least of Kevin’s troubles. 

Number Four:  How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)

A twist of the Dr. Seuss classic, director Ron Howard brings this story to life in a spectacular live action film. The Grinch (Jim Carrey) is dubbed a monster due to his putrid hatred towards Christmas. But why exactly does the Grinch hate Christmas? Is it the holiday itself? Or perhaps the people? 

Number Three: The Polar Express (2004)

Based on the adored children’s book by Chris Van Allburg, Tom Hanks and director Robert Zemeckis bring the magical story alive in animation. This is a story of a young boy embarking on a thrilling train ride to the North Pole. He doubts the existence of Christmas itself, believing it to be some sort of hoax. Yet on his journey, he self-discovers that that magic will never fade.

Number Two: A Christmas Story (1983)

Written by Jean Shepherd, this classic holiday film will leave you cackling in your seats. We follow the story of a young boy known as Ralphie Parker, who dreams of his ideal Christmas present, a Red Rider air rifle. Spending his Christmas with his grouchy father (Darren McGavin), his adoring mother (Melinda Dillon), and whinny younger brother Randy (Ian Petrella), Ralphie struggled to keep his Christmas hopes and glasses intact.

Number One: Elf (2003)

When an orphan toddler is mistakenly transported to the North Pole on Christmas Eve, Buddy (Will Ferral) is raised to believe he is an elf. Thirty years go by and Buddy can’t help but notice he doesn’t fit in with the others. After a lifetime secret is revealed, Buddy travels to New York in search of his biological father, Walter Hobbs, (James Caan). After a DNA test proves that Buddy truly is his biological son, Walter reluctantly allows Buddy into his life.