I live for Christmas. I separate my year into three parts: pre-Christmas months of excited anticipation, Christmas month, also known as December, and post-Christmas months of mourning. I can think of no better way to spend the holidays than watching some movies, so I bring to you the top five films you need to watch this Christmas.

5. It’s A Wonderful Life

First on this list is the quintessential Christmas film It’s A Wonderful Life. Jimmy Stewart plays George Bailey. George wishes he had never been born, and an angel (Henry Travers) comes to earth to grant his wish. He soon realizes his impact on others and his town, learning to appreciate family, friends, and the holidays.

 

 

4. The Polar Express

The Polar Express is the perfect animated film for Christmas. Based on the Children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg, The Polar Express will help you find the joy of Christmas once again. The film follows a young boy who loses faith in Christmas magic; but, once he boards a mysterious train heading to the North Pole, he rediscovers the wonders of the holidays. If the beautiful animation does not capture your fancy, the amazing score certainly will.

 

 

3. Miracle on 34th Street

Of course I’m referring to the original 1947 film, not the 1994 remake. This classic film has just the right amount of heartwarming moments and advertisements for Macy’s. The film follows Kris Kringle (Edmund Gwenn), who saves the day by filling in for the inebriated Santa Claus in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. Kringle is such a success as Santa that he begins to work at the main Macy’s store in midtown Manhattan. However, he ends up going to court because he claims he actually is Santa Claus, and the case is meant to test his mental health and, more importantly, to determine his authenticity.

 

2. White Christmas

This 1954 iconic movie stars Bing Crosby as Bob Wallace and Danny Kayne as Phil Davis. They are singers who pair up with a sister act, Betty (Rosemary Clooney) and Judy Haynes (Vera-Ellen), to perform a Christmas show in rural Vermont. However, the four meet up with Wallace and Kayne’s old commander from World War II and learn that his inn is having some financial difficulties. The quartet decides to save the inn by putting on a musical to try to bring in customers. This is a holiday classic because, let’s be honest, what is better than a Christmas musical?

 

1. Elf

What Christmas is complete without at least one viewing of the side-splittingly-funny film Elf? The film stars Will Ferrell as Buddy the elf, who was accidentally transported to the North Pole as a baby and was subsequently raised by the elves. With the slight suspicion that he may not actually be an elf, Buddy travels to New York in hopes of finding his real family. Soon enough, he reconnects with his father, cynical businessman Walter Hobbs (James Caan). Walter reluctantly takes in Buddy, and whimsical chaos ensues.

 

 

I hope this list helps you in your quest for Christmas cheer. In the wise words of Tiny Tim: “A merry Christmas to all. God bless us, everyone!”