Christmas is a magical time of year. For many, Christmas is an exciting time of year too, that is hotly anticipated each and every year. The festive season is full of exciting things to see and do. For many, one of the best things about Christmas is being able to watch Christmas movies.
There are even dedicated Christmas movie channels these days showing non-stop festive films. That’s a lot of movies! Admittedly, however, some are a lot better than others. Every year there are always a few turkeys released. But what about classic Christmas movies? The ones that you need to watch?
We’ve put together a list of our favourite Classic Christmas movies you need to watch.
This classic Christmas movie is one of the most celebrated and lauded festive films ever to be made. And it’s not hard to see why. It’s a Wonderful Life is an oldie but goodie. George Bailey has so many problems he is thinking about ending it all – and it’s Christmas! As the angels discuss George, we see his life in flashback.
As George is about to jump from a bridge, he ends up rescuing his guardian angel, Clarence – who then shows George what his town would have looked like if it hadn’t been for all his good deeds over the years. The movie holds a whopping 94% rating on rotten tomatoes.
Miracle on 34th Street is another classic Christmas movie. Like It’s a Wonderful Life, this film hails from the golden age of Hollywood and has become an integral part of Christmas culture and nostalgia. The story revolves around a department store Santa who claims to be the real thing and a little girl who wills it to be true.
This classic movie was one of the first full-length black and white films to be colourised and holds an unbelievable 96% rating on rotten tomatoes. A remake was done in 1994, so you may want to check that version out too.
Making a radical departure from the classic Christmas movies of yesteryear, Die Hard has still become a yearly Christmas fixture. The movie that kick-started Bruce Willis’ career. Just as Detective McClane (played by Willis) lands in LA to spend Christmas with his wife, he learns about a hostage situation in an office building.
Hans Gruber is the culprit and McClane’s wife is one of the hostages. It might not be a conventional Christmas film, but many people love it because of that. The film holds a 93% rating on rotten tomatoes.
Home Alone is a modern Christmas classic, and a personal favourite of mine. The story of a young boy, left alone by his ditzy (and downright irresponsible) family at Christmas time has fast become a classic.
Eight-year-old Kevin is accidentally left behind when his family leaves for France. At first, he is happy to be in charge, but when thieves try to break into his home, he has to put up a fight. The slapstick humour isn’t for everyone, and the movie holds a 60% rating on rotten tomatoes.
This funny and feel-good Christmas movie has melted the hear of millions of people worldwide. Watch it and you’ll soon see why so many people love it. Will Ferrell’s character, Buddy, a human, is raised amongst elves at the North Pole. When he discovers that he is not an elf, he travels to New York to search for his biological father. Fans and critics alike love it, with the moving holding an 84% rating on rotten tomatoes.
These are classic Christmas movies you should consider watching
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