I wait for cheezy holiday movies all year! Hallmark, Lifetime, and 25 Days of Christmas! Come one, you know you watch ALL.THE.TIME. too! They just define the Christmas season for me. I usually don’t watch TV, but this time of year, if there is a television, it better be tuned to a holiday movie! I just like having them on in the background, emanating their holiday spirit through the TV speakers.
Now, there are some movies I just have to see to complete the season and make it really feel like Christmas. Then there are others that…well, I could do without. But let’s start with the good, the best, my must-sees!
A Year Without A Santa Claus. Well this is obvious, right? Who doesn’t love Heat Miser and Snow Miser! They are so cute and creepy and perfect. This movie is so good and I always make sure I don’t miss it! I’ve already seen it twice!
Holiday In Handcuffs. I mentioned this one in this post. Even though it is SO cheezy, it is also one of my favorites! Out of boredom two weeks ago, I played this on Netflix to bring in the cheer! It always just puts me in a good mood!
The Christmas Box. This movie is so legit! I’ve only seen it a few times (it’s really hard to find, let alone catch on TV), but a few times I was lucky and got to see it! It remains one of my favorites and I really hope I get to see it this year!
Noel. If you want to cry and see the saddest Christmas movie ever, watch this! It is so terrible and never fails to make my mom and I cry. But it’s also so good and has such a beautiful message! Just looks at the cuteness too!
Miracle On 34th Street (1994). The new one, this one, with the girl from Matilda. Love it! Watch it! Classic!
A Carol Christmas. Okay, I know! Another really corny movie and this ones with Tori Spelling! But really, I love this movie so much! The best “Scrooge” story ever!
Rudolph. The good old original 1964 movie! If this isn’t a classic, I don’t know what is! Why don’t they make movies like this anymore? Why!?
Once Upon A Christmas. (And the second one as well!). This one is just so good! I can’t get enough! It just defines the Christmas holiday season for me! Thank you Kathy Ireland!
The Sons Of Mistletoe. This is such a good movie! A boy’s orphanage, a crisis, a love story, it’s perfect!
Eloise At Christmastime. Am I the only one who has always dreamt of living in this hotel too? Since I was a little girl, this has been my fantasy! Who doesn’t want to live in a hotel that is absolutely perfect! (P.S. I totally love this girl! Such a good movie!)
Ri¢hie Ri¢h’s Christmas Wish. This is by far the best Richie Rich movie in the series! So dorky and I’m a little embarrassed to put it on here, but I love it!
And now the movies that just…should not be aired.
The Polar Express. This movie. Just look at the animation! It’s horrifying! When this comes on I have to change the channel. I can’t stand the Polar Express. One of the worst movies ever created! Ah!
The Nightmare Before Christmas. Why is this even played during Christmas season? It is terrible and SO horrifying! I just don’t get it. No. This movie has creeped me out my whole life. I don’t think I’ve ever actually seen the whole thing, but I don’t have to know I don’t want to!
The Little Drummer Boy. I just can’t. This movie just leaves me so, ugh! It’s hard to explain, but it is not pleasant!
A Christmas Carol (2009). Same thing with the creepy “modern” animation here like the Polar Express. I just can’t do it! It freaks me out! I’m pretty sure this movie must scare little children…and me.
Elf. Okay, I can already see myself getting blasted for this one, but I just don’t like it. I really don’t like comedies in the first place, but this movie really isn’t funny, it’s annoying. I saw it for the first time back in my terrible English class sophomore year of high school right before we left for break. It made me hate my teacher even more! Haha!
Now that recapping the horror is over…haha! I hope you got a chuckle from my commentary. Really, I love so many holiday and Christmas movies, I wish they were played year-round! They are just so great and always make me feel good (except for the ones I just listed!). I’ve been watching some random ones on Netflix to help satisfy my addiction. My cable provider here in the dorm does not offer the Hallmark channel! AH! The Hallmark movies are the best…just another reason I can’t wait to get home for break! Haha! Now…
So tell me:
+ What is your favorite(s) holiday movie?
+ What is your least favorite(s)?
(P.S. I have to wish a HUGE happy birthday to my Daddy! So excited we get to be reunited again in just a few days! I love you!)
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kimmythevegan says
December 18, 2014 at 10:36 pmI love this post! I sometimes feel like we could be besties if we lived closer ;p
I’m totally the same way – not much for t.v., but as soon as December 1st hits – watch out ’cause it’s holiday movie marathon time!!
I haven’t seen a few of your favs, I’ll have to check them out. I do really like Elf. I think my favourite all time Christmas movie is Home Alone 2. I don’t know why – it’s kind of a weird choice, but I love it. I also really like Christmas in Handcuffs – you would probably also really like 12 Dates of Christmas.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 18, 2014 at 11:01 pmHaha, I bet we would too 😉 XOXO
I literally have a day of mourning when the Chrustmas movies are over! Haha, Home Alone just really annoys me. It’s okay to see a few times but then it get’s so over played.
Totally need to see 12 Dates then! Ah!
Stephanie says
December 13, 2014 at 3:35 pmI haven’t seen most of these, to be honest. But I don’t have any sort of TV service except Netflix and I’m usually busy binge-watching tv shows during the Christmas break lol. My favorite holiday movie is Love, Actually. I find things I missed about it before every time I watch it, but it’s DEFINITELY not a kid-safe movie!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 13, 2014 at 5:46 pmI really need to see that! I feel so left out!
Michelle @ Vitamin Sunshine says
December 11, 2014 at 10:43 pmFunny– I haven’t seen half of those! Not even 1/4 of them. I guess I don’t pay attention much to Christmas movies. The only ones I can get over here in Malaysia are the Lifetime specials, and although I’ve recorded a few just to get in the spirit, they are so terrible!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 11, 2014 at 11:39 pmBut the more cheezy and dorky the better 😉
Tracy says
December 11, 2014 at 11:11 amLast weekend my husband and I went to a double feature showing at the movies. They played the original Christmas Carol and Christmas in Connecticut. Christmas in Connecticut is one of my new favs!! Great romatic comedy.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 11, 2014 at 11:14 amI totally have not seen Christmas in Connecticut! Need too!
Sharon @ What The Fork Food Blog says
December 9, 2014 at 3:13 pmWould you believe I’ve only seen two movies on this list? Rudolph and Elf, which is my FAV. Funniest movie EVER!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 9, 2014 at 4:51 pmWell now it’s time to watch some GOOD movies then 😉
Kristy @ Southern In Law says
December 9, 2014 at 2:36 pmOh I agree with you on SO many of these movies – and now I have a heap to add to my to-watch list!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 9, 2014 at 4:50 pmHaha, awesome! Time to get watchin’ 😉
Linda @ Veganosity says
December 9, 2014 at 10:09 amWhat!!!!! You don’t like Elf?! Okay, I still like you, but really? 🙂
I love Rudolph and A Miracle on 34th Street. Classic, wonderful movies. Good picks! The others I haven’t seen, but I’m going to try Noel.
Funny, I would put all of the movies that you don’t like on my like list, except for the Little Drummer Boy. I don’t even like the song. The Polar Express is such a wonderful movie, I cry every time.
My favorites: Elf, A Christmas Story, It’s a Wonderful Life, The Holiday, A Charlie Brown Christmas, Polar Express, Christmas with the Kranks, Home Alone, Miracle on 34th Street, The Santa Claus, The Grinch with Jim Carrey, Christmas Vacation,and many others that I can’t think of at the moment.
Don’t like at all: Bad Santa and anything with Muppets.
The Nightmare Before Christmas is more of a Halloween movie, in my opinion. But I love it, and I think Tim Burton is a genius.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 9, 2014 at 10:24 amNoel is really hard to find anywhere! You won;t find it on TV, that’s for sure. My mom has it recorded on an old VHS tape!
Ah! That song, yea! Whenever it would come on in the car…I would freak! I hate it so much, haha!
I don’t like the Christmas story…it is so OVER played (i.e. the all day marathon) and it just…it’s not good, haha! I need to see this Bad Santa movie, no one seems to like it!
Tim Burton is a disturbed man 😛
Linda @ Veganosity says
December 9, 2014 at 10:27 amLOL! He is disturbed, but that’s part of his genius. 🙂
I agree, A Christmas Story is overplayed, but I only watch it once a year and I adore the simplicity of those times, and I love Ralphie.
Kelly says
December 9, 2014 at 7:47 amI love old school Christmas. I like White Christmas and the Holiday. And I’m a fan of Love Actually, although less and less the more I think about it. Great list. Noel is a sad one…agreed.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 9, 2014 at 7:48 amI feel like the only person now who has not seen Love Actually. I will watch it this weekend for sure and weigh-in 😉
Noel 🙁 It is never played, but my mom has it on tape when she recorded it on TV YEARS ago!
Kristen says
December 9, 2014 at 2:22 amI totally agree with you on the old school christmas movies like Rudolph and The Year Without A Santa Claus! And I was totally agreeing with you on every bad Christmas move (Nightmare Before Christmas is truly the worst) until I saw Elf. I don’t even know how I can continue to be your friend considering the fact that I have watched that movie at least 10 times this year already and can probably say every line in it. It’s my favorite movie, period. Although you seem to be pretty awesome so maybe I can look past this…maybe…
On another note, I had no idea there were so many Christmas movies out there! Did you see the Grumpy Cat Christmas movie? It didn’t seem to really be about Christmas at all but it did take place around Christmas time and starred Audrey Plaza as Grumpy Cat so it was worth a watch. It’s pretty bad though!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 9, 2014 at 4:39 amHahahaha 😉 Well I’ll look past the fact that it is your FAVORITE movie 😉 Haha! It was on last night so I was forced to watch the tail end 😛
And no, I’ve never seen nor heard of this Grumpy Cat one, haha!
Emily @ Zen & Spice says
December 9, 2014 at 12:05 amLove the miracle on 34th Street from 1994 🙂 I think it’s so much better than the older one! Great list!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 9, 2014 at 12:21 amRight!? That one is so good!
genevieve @ gratitude & greens says
December 8, 2014 at 7:08 pmThere are so many movies on your list that I haven’t seen! I really love Love, Actually, The Holiday (although I’ve seen it way too many times), all the Home Alone films, and Frosty. I agree that the animation in The Polar Express is off-putting but the soundtrack is SO good! Give the suite from the Polar Express a listen, it’s full of Christmas cheer!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 8, 2014 at 7:13 pmEh, maybe 😉 As long as it’s just the music and I don’t have to see it, hahahaha!
Frosty is great of course! I think he is the cutest 😛
Rebecca @ MyEagerFeet says
December 8, 2014 at 6:14 pmI think my favorite Christmas movie is Joyuex Noel. It is on the depressing side though. I’ve never actually seen all of Nightmare Before Christmas either, but to me it seems much more like a Halloween movie than a Christmas movie.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 8, 2014 at 6:15 pmNever seen that one!
That’s how I would catogorize it….but ABC Family insists on playing it sooo much during December!
Chickgettinfit says
December 8, 2014 at 6:05 pmI totally forgot about Eloise at Christmas time. This movie used to be one of my favorites when I was younger. My least favorite is Elf only because my brother insists on watching it twice a day for all of December for the last 5 years. Way too much elf if you ask me.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 8, 2014 at 6:12 pmI almost forgot Eloise when I was making this list, but then I remembered! I love the movie! (I love all her movies though!)
Haha, I think that would make anyone hate it!
Rachel says
December 8, 2014 at 5:44 pmI haven’t seen some of the ones on your Favorites list! I think I need to go search Netflix for them now!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 8, 2014 at 5:50 pmYes you do! Netflix doesn’t have a lot of them though :/ Makes me sad!
Brea says
December 8, 2014 at 5:43 pmI haven’t seen (or even heard of) most of the movies on your ‘good list’?! I have got some catching up to do! I’ve enjoyed reading your reader’s favorites, too; I have seen Love Actually and remember being really touched by it…but it’s been a long time since I’ve seen it. So long that I don’t recall any Christmas component about it
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 8, 2014 at 5:49 pmYea, I didn’t think it was THAT much of a Christmas movie to begin with. I thought it just took place in the winter time and the movie came out during the holidays, haha!
Brea says
December 8, 2014 at 6:08 pmAw man! There was so much more to my original comment and it mysteriously disappeared?! Too much to retype from my phone but thumbnail: My faves are the old stop-animation (Rudolph, Frosty), I LOVE Tim Burton and NBC, and I *really* want to see Eloise. I adored those books!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 8, 2014 at 6:10 pmYes! The old stop-animation ones are the best. I wish they still made those movies!
(I hate that you like Tum Burton movies, hahahaha!)
Eloise is the bomb! I’ve never read the books though 🙁 I guess I was a deprived little girl!
Sonali- The Foodie Physician says
December 8, 2014 at 5:19 pmLove Actually is hands down my favorite holiday movie! I’ve lost track of how many times we’ve watched it. Worst…your list is pretty good but you need to add Jingle All the Way!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 8, 2014 at 5:26 pmAlright I totally need to see Love Actually STAT!
Melanie says
December 8, 2014 at 3:15 pmHaha! This post was amazing! I am right there with you on a lot of your favorite and least favorite Christmas movies. Holiday in Handcuffs is a classic. The Nightmare Before Christmas has always looked waaaayyy too creepy for me. I absolutely LOVE the Hallmark channel Christmas movies and am so sad you don’t get it at your dorm! They are so cheesy and predictable, but I love them! My favorite one from this season is called “Christmas Under Wraps” with Candace Cameron-Bure. You should definitely look it up and see if you can get access to it online!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 8, 2014 at 3:23 pmRight! They are all cheezy and pretty much have the same story line, but each one has a unique spin and I love them! (No shame!)
Don’t worry, I’ll have access to Hallmark in T-5 days! YAY!
Chrystal @ YUM eating says
December 8, 2014 at 3:01 pmI really enjoy the classics from the 60s-80s. Frosty, Rudolph, things like that. Home Alone was my favorite for the longest time when I was younger. Elf is actually a fave in our house and the Polar Express is near and dear to our hearts. Two years in a row we were able to take kiddo on the actual Polar Express the movie was modeled after.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 8, 2014 at 3:21 pmYes! Those classics are the best! I wish they were played more often on TV 🙁
Well I guess that is cool! Haha, to actually go on the train. But alas, I still can’t stand it!
Elizabeth @ Enjoy Every Bite says
December 8, 2014 at 1:00 pmI’m right there with you on The Nightmare Before Christmas… I’ve never understood that movie. But Elf? That’s a classic… haha but I’ll forgive you for that 😉
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 8, 2014 at 1:28 pmTim Burton is just a horrible movie creator, hahahaha! It really doesn’t make sense 😉
Well I will at least WATCH Elf if I have to 😉 It’s way better that the other one, haha!
Nikki Vergakes says
December 8, 2014 at 11:57 amLove a year without a santa claus, there’a a joke that my dad looks like the heat miser
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 8, 2014 at 11:58 amHaha, really!? That’s great 😉
That movie is SUCH a good classic though! I love it all!
Rebecca says
December 8, 2014 at 11:44 amI’ve never seen most of your favorites! I’ll have to get watching 🙂 How about the Home Alone movies? I love the first 2!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 8, 2014 at 11:45 amI’m not a Home Alone fan. They are just to OVER-played!
Jennifer F says
December 8, 2014 at 10:23 amHA, that heat miser / cold miser one is a TRUE CLASSIC, I watched it over and over as a kid and I am way older than you . . . . my kids always liked Olive the other REindeer
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 8, 2014 at 10:26 amThose classics are the best Christmas movies! Everyone needs to watch them!
I have never heard of that one!
Alanna says
December 8, 2014 at 10:22 amI was always a big fan of Holiday in Handcuffs Haha I totally get the freaked out feeling of modern animation, but I do like Polar Express just playing in the background. One of my all-time favs will always be Christmas Vacation!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 8, 2014 at 10:24 amIt is such a good movie! Plus it has a happy ending 😉
I can’t even have the Polar Express on the TV! It was on last night and I had to switch to the Food Network 😛 Haha!
Christmas Vacation is always a good one!
Jill says
December 8, 2014 at 10:07 amI don’t think I’ve even seen half of these! My favorite is It’s A Wonderful Life (I love old movies). I can’t think of a dislike right now but I def would not like anything scary or creepy associated with Christmas! Never saw the Nightmare before Christmas.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 8, 2014 at 10:20 amAll the old movies are the best! Movies now-a-days have just lost their touch! (And are creepy, haha!)
char eats greens says
December 8, 2014 at 9:55 amThat new A Christmas Carol is definitely creepy! I watched parts of it last year! My faves are National Lampoons Christmas Vacation, Mickey’s a Christmas Carol (or is it Tale? haha), How the Grinch Stole Christmas (saw a bit of it the other day!), and Four Christmases. We watched some of it last night when it was on TV! I haven’t really gotten into Christmas this year. Maybe it’s because of moving from where snow used to exist to where it doesn’t!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 8, 2014 at 10:19 amKeep Nia away from that movie, haha! So scary!
National Lampoons is a classic!
The Jim Carry Grinch Stole Christmas scared me when it came out! I refused to go to the movies with my family to see it, haha!
I haven’t even heard Christmas music yet :/ And there are now decorations in my dorm…but next week that will all change and I will REALLY be in the Christmas spirit! (I’d take the warm/no snow temps any day 😉 Christmas on the beach!)
Ali the Skinny GF Chef says
December 8, 2014 at 9:52 amI’m a huge fan of Christmas movies too! I can’t believe you have ones I haven’t seen 🙂 printing the list now! xo
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 8, 2014 at 10:16 amI love so many obscure ones! They need to play them more! Like the Christmas Box…that one is SO good, but never on!
Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment says
December 8, 2014 at 8:59 amLove Actually is my favorite and Bad Santa is my least liked!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 8, 2014 at 9:23 amI really need to see Love Actually!
Natalie says
December 8, 2014 at 8:34 amMy absolute favorite TV Christmas movie is Snow. It’s on ABC Family, and it’s so cheesy but I love it 🙂
I gotta say, I’m actually kind of a Polar Express fan. Yes the animation is creepy, but the songs are quite catchy and it still gets me singing! Haha 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 8, 2014 at 8:44 amAh, yes! Snow is is a good cheezy one too 😉
O boy…I just can’t do it. TOO MUCH creepiness, haha!
Michele @ paleorunningmomma says
December 8, 2014 at 8:32 amOh gosh I don’t even know if I’ve seen any of these! I agree with Emily that Home Alone would probably be my favorite, if it counts as a holiday movie. And some of the older holiday classics are good. I have a limited attention span for movies! My hands down favorite was the muppet christmas special from when I was a kid, not even sure if you can find it anymore!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 8, 2014 at 8:41 amNo muppets and no Home alone for me 😛
ALL of the classics are good, but they never get played enough!
Haha, I have no attention span for movies either! But I ALWAYS have them on in the background!
Megan @ Meg Go Run says
December 8, 2014 at 8:16 amI too am not into Elf! I have never understood it!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 8, 2014 at 8:19 am**High Five** Really, it is such a weird….not good…movie! Haha!
Tracy says
December 8, 2014 at 8:15 amThe Muppet Christmas Carol!! So fantastic, my sister and I watch it every year. Home Alone and While You Were Sleeping are two other favorites that take place during the holidays.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 8, 2014 at 8:18 amAh, the muppets creep me out too, haha!
I’ve never seen While You Were Sleeping though!
Emily @My Healthyish Life says
December 8, 2014 at 8:06 amOh girl I gotta disagree with you on Elf 😉 I also love Home Alone, but I guess that’s not technically a Christmas movie. No holiday season is complete without watching some Heat Miser and Cold Miser!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 8, 2014 at 8:14 amO man, I don’t like Home Alone either! AC Family over plays those way to much. We have opposing tastes girl 😉
But yea, heat miser and cold mister are THE best!
Farrah says
December 8, 2014 at 7:48 am…I’ve come upon the horrible realization that I’ve apparently never really seen any holiday movies. o_o I haven’t seen any of the ones you listed other than A Nightmare Before Christmas, which terrified me too as a kid, haha. x_x
I like Love Actually though? :D??
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 8, 2014 at 7:52 amYOU’VE NEVER SEEN RUDOLPH!? Frosty? Any of the classics? I don’t believe you!
Farrah says
December 9, 2014 at 12:04 amI apparently had a super deprived childhood!? o_o We were banned from TV at a young age! :O!!!
Come to think of it though, I may have seen Frosty in elementary school. It was freakishly depressing. ;_;
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 9, 2014 at 12:20 amO gosh! 🙁
Haha! Frosry is really sad 🙁 But I love him!
Sonali- The Foodie Physician says
December 8, 2014 at 5:24 pmFarrah, Love Actually is my favorite too!
Farrah says
December 9, 2014 at 12:05 amThat movie always fills me with warm fuzzies! 😀
Carla says
December 8, 2014 at 7:08 amLOVE LOVE LOVE ACTUALLY IS MY FAVVVVVVVVE.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 8, 2014 at 7:09 amHaha! I’ve never seen it!
Cat says
December 8, 2014 at 6:57 amWhoah there are so many here I haven’t seen! I think I have a lot of catching up to do… TOTALLY with you on the Polar Express – it’s really bloody boring too! And I won’t go ape over the Elf bashing, but Nightmare Before Christmas is amazing! I do always think if it as a Halloween flick, rather than Christmas though… Great list!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 8, 2014 at 7:09 amWhen I started this list I had like 3…and then I kept remembering more and more that I loved! I know I am forgetting some, but these cover the absolute best!
Haha! It is boring! It is just a gloomy creepy (not kid-friendly by any means) movie!
Annmarie says
December 8, 2014 at 6:49 amPolar Express is hands down my least fav Christmas movie!!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 8, 2014 at 7:05 amYay! Haha! It always seemed like I was the only one who DIDN’T like it! I’m glad I’m not the only one 😉