A few days ago I did my favorite Christmas themed books, but what we really look forward to during the holidays are Christmas movies. From the classics to the cheesy Hallmark movies it’s something that a lot of families look forward to every year and sometimes it’s even a very important tradition. So here are my top 10 Christmas movies (in order). 

10. Twas the Night Before Christmas

This movie! I love everything from the score to the animation. If you’ve never seen it it’s about this mouse that ruins Christmas for everyone in his town by offending Santa Claus and then he needs to fix it with the help of the human dad in his house (I’m aware that makes no sense, you’ll just have to watch it!) It’s so cute and the clock song at the end always brings me to tears. 

9. The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus

This is an obscure one, but it’s so good! It’s another Santa Claus origin story but done in a really unique way. It almost feels like a Lord of the Rings type tale, but for Christmas. Loves of fantasy will love this one and I encourage you to watch it. Also, the tiger will always be my favorite character! Oh, and it’s from the creator of the Wizard of Oz!

8. Cheesy Christmas Romances

Some of my opinions in this post will be very controversial, but that’s okay! I love Hallmark Christmas movies (and Lifetime Christmas movies, and the ones that have been coming out on Netflix)! I love cheesy rom-coms in general and that even bleeds over into my taste of books. Josie and I make so much fun of these movies, but we love them so much in all their cheesy goodness. 

7. Elf 

This movie probably makes me cringe the most on this list (yes, more than Hallmark Rom-coms) but it’s just so funny it’s wormed its way into my heart. I’m so bubbly I become Buddy at Christmastime and I have no shame! 

6. The Santa Clause movies

These are the funniest movies! I love them so much and I have to watch them every year (which is easy because Freeform shows them pretty much every day). My favorite is the third one and Josie’s favorite is the second one (which is the one they show least often and she’s very upset about it). 

5. Santa Claus is Coming to Town

This movie always scared me so bad as a kid! Burgermeister was always so terrifying to me I hated watching this movie all except for the “Put One Foot in Front of the Other” scene. I loved the winter warlock! As an adult, the movie has grown on me, even enough to earn a spot on this list!

4. All the Frosty Movies 

This includes Frosty The Snowman, Frosty’s Winter Wonderland, and Frosty Returns. I love them all, they are amazing. Frosty’s Winter Wonderland is my favorite, though because Crystal is my favorite character! 

3. All the Rudolph Movies

So Rudolph and Frosty’s Christmas in July will be right in the middle at 3.5 okay? But this also includes Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer and Rudolph’s Shiny New Year! Two favorite things about these? 1. The island of misfit toys. 2. The Bumble! I also love “Have a Holly Jolly Christmas” at the end of the first one! And Clarice! 

2. The Year Without a Santa Claus

This is my favorite classic Christmas movie! It was always my favorite as a kid and I truly love it so much! I love the songs, I love the message about Christmas spirit, I love Heat Meiser and Snow Meiser, and if you don’t think this is the best iteration of Mrs. Claus– I’m sorry you’re wrong. 

Honorable Mentions

If you haven’t figured it out yet, I love Christmas movies! So there are still some I watch every year, but didn’t make top ten. They are Nester the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey, Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer, Yes, Virginia There is a Santa Claus, and Olive the Other Reindeer. 

1. The Polar Express

I know so many people hate this movie, but as I mentioned in my Christmas book list, it’s my favorite Christmas movie. The score is amazing and always makes me feel fuzzy Christmas feelings and I love the story so much. The literature analyst in my brain is fascinated by the hobo character, and overall I just love this movie so much. It’s my image of Christmas spirit encompassed in a movie! 

What are you watching this year? Do you agree with my list? Did I miss your favorite? Let me know in the comments!