Top 10 Classic 
Holiday Movies

A list of our favourite Christmas movies for a festive holiday season.

With the holidays fast approaching, few things are better than hot chocolate and a movie. Here are 10 of the best classic holiday movies to get you in the spirit of the season!

10. The Santa Clause (1994)


When Scott Calvin (Tim Allen) is accidentally held responsible for Santa’s death, he is magically transformed into the jolly old elf with intentions to replace him. Calvin’s demeanour changes as time passes in the film, from cynical to sweet. I’m a sucker for the heartwarming stuff, and this movie is full of it. The success of this family-oriented Christmas film also spawned two mediocre sequels that pale in comparison to the original, which in my opinion still remains as one of Tim Allen’s better performances in a Disney family movie.


9. Home Alone (1990)


Home Alone is the movie that made Macaulay Culkin a child star. When Kevin McAllister (Culkin) is accidentally left behind while his family goes on holidays, he enjoys the freedom of being an eight-year-old at home by himself – until two idiotic burglars try to break into his house on Christmas Eve. Kevin spends much of the movie creating elaborate booby traps to threaten the ne’er-do-well nincompoops. This film has brought families together with hilarious slapstick comedy, and will continue to do so for many more years to come.


8. Jack Frost (1998)


Jack Frost stars Michael Keaton as a distant father who passes away in a car accident right around Christmas. One year later, Jack is reincarnated as a snowman and must make things right with his son before it’s too late and he’s gone forever. Jack Frost is emotionally touching and rife with tongue-in-cheek humour. I watch this movie every time it’s on TV, and it makes me smile and cry each time.


7. The Polar Express (2004)


This Christmas classic began as a well-loved children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg, and features stunning animation to accompany the story of a young boy on the cusp of not believing in Santa Claus. The magical story of The Polar Express will be immortalized in both film and literature for years to come.


6. How the Grinch Stole 
Christmas! (1966)


In this Dr. Seuss favourite, the town of Whoville discovers the true meaning of Christmas when the sinister Christmas-hating Grinch arrives at night and attempts to stop the arrival of the holiday by stealing all the presents and decorations. In the end, the Grinch learns that Christmas is not about fancy food and new toys, but is about being together and celebrating with loved ones. No matter how old you are, the story of the Grinch will make your heart grow three sizes.


5. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)


The Peanuts gang stars in this beloved holiday romp. Charlie Brown, sick and tired of the commercialization of the holidays, sets out to find the true meaning of Christmas. Lucy persuades him to direct the school Christmas pageant, which he accepts only to find the task extremely frustrating. It takes the help of Charlie’s friend Linus to discover the true meaning of Christmas. This film has been a holiday television tradition for years and remains a staple in popular culture.


4. Love Actually (2003)


This star-studded film (Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson) features intertwining storylines about eight couples and their individual struggles with love as the holiday season draws near. With brilliantly charming and witty dialogue, great plot lines and lovable characters, Love Actually is easily one of the best more recent Christmas films.


3. Miracle on 34th Street (1947)


When a Macy’s department store Santa Claus claims he’s the real deal, he’s put on trial for a lunacy hearing. A young lawyer defends Mr. Kringle, claiming his statements are true. The original film was directed by George Seaton and features a young, adorable Natalie Wood as Susie Walker, a girl who doesn’t believe in Santa – until she meets Kris Kringle, of course. This marvelous film is heartbreaking and sweet at the same time.


2. A Christmas Carol (1951)


This early film version of Charles Dickens’ classic tale stars Alastair Sim as the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge. For those unfamiliar with the story, Scrooge is visited on Christmas Eve by the spirit of his dead business partner Jacob Marley, who warns him that if he doesn’t change his evil ways, nothing good will come of it. The arrival of the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future convince Scrooge to have a change of heart. This film shows that the story Dickens wrote in 1843 is completely timeless.


1. It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)


It’s a Wonderful Life stars James (Jimmy) Stewart as George Bailey, a compassionate and frustrated businessman in danger of losing the family business. When George attempts suicide, he is met by his guardian angel, who decides to show George what life in the town of Bedford Falls would be like if he had never been born. This movie’s lesson that life is a precious and wonderful thing is still relevant today.