Coming in at number ten with 773 votes is the Nightmare Before Christmas. This slightly darker film made in 1993 was nominated for an Academy Award. The movie is about the inhabitants of Halloween Town who decide to take over Christmas.

Interesting Fact

Boris Carloff was the voice of the Grinch, but did not do the singing

9. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966 animated)

This classic animated version follows Dr. Seuss' original story to the letter. It received 809 votes and is always a favorite because in all the stress of the holidays it reminds us that "Maybe Christmas, doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!" to quote the great lines from Dr. Seuss.

8. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer came in at number eight with 939 votes. This classic tale tells the story of how Rudolph befriends other misfits of the North Pole like Hermey, an elf who wants to be a dentist. They find the Island of Misfit Toys, but are not allowed to stay. Rudolph returns home to find out that his family and a young doe name Clarice went looking for him and were captured by the Abominable Snow-monster (the Bumble). In the end Rudolph saves the day with the help of his misfit friends and Christmas.

7. A Christmas Carol

The original 1951 version filmed in Britain is the favorite version with 1,085 votes it earned seventh place. The movie follows Charles Dickens's novel very closely, about and old man named Scrooge who gives up family and friends in the pursuit of money. He is given a chance to change when three ghosts visit him.

Funny Moment

"Aunt Clara had for years not only perpetually labored under the delusion that I was 4 years old, but also a girl...."

6. A Christmas Story

This movie is narrated by the main character (Ralphie) relating the holiday season when he was nine years old. It is set in the 1940's and all Ralphie wants for Christmas is an official Red Ryder BB gun. Whenever he tells anyone this is what he wants he is told, "You'll shoot your eye out." If you're in the mood for a comedy this one is a must see.

Quotable Quote

Little Elf Judy: "Seeing isn't believing. Believing is Seeing."

5. The Santa Clause

This comedy received 1299 votes and came in at number five. When Santa Clause accidentally falls off of his roof, Tim Allen's career minded character gets the job.

Funny Moment

Ellen: Clark, Audrey's frozen from the waist down.
Clark: That's all part of the experience, honey.

4. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

Coming in at number four with 1275 votes is this crazy comedy starring Chevy Chase as the head of the Griswold family. It pokes fun at some Christmas traditions and situations that everyone can relate to.

3. Home Alone

Home Alone gained the number three spot with 1506 votes. This holiday movie was released in 1990 and tells the story of Kevin a little boy who wishes he could live all alone. When his family accidentally leaves him at home while they go to Paris, Kevin believes he got his wish. For a while he enjoys his solitude, but there are bigger problems a couple of bandits plan to rob the home and Kevin must defend his possessions. He soon learns that maybe having his family around isn't so bad.

2. It's a Wonderful Life

This classic film is a must see for many people during the holidays and rightfully earned the number two spot with 1554 votes. The movie is about a man named George Bailey who is having a hard time and thinks that everyone would be better off if he had never been born. An angel named Clarence grants him his wish and he sees what his town would be like if he had never existed. The movie teaches that everyone no matter how insignificant they may think they are touches the lives of those around them.

Quotable Quote

Fred Gailey: Faith is believing when common sense tells you not to. Don't you see? It's not just Kris that's on trial, it's everything he stands for. It's kindness and joy and love and all the other intangibles."

1. Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

This incredible classic comes in at spot number one with 1626 votes. The plot is centered around the question; "Is there really a Santa Clause?" A small girl and a lawyer must help prove to everyone even the viewers that yes, there is a Santa Clause.

Looking for some other holiday movies? Here is a list of honorable mentions:

Elf
Scrooge
Prancer
Scrooged
Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town
White Christmas (1954)
Miracle on 34th Street (1994)
The Family Man
Christmas With the Kranks
Jingle All the Way
Polar Express
The Grinch Who Stole Christmas
The Year without a Santa Claus
A Charlie Brown Christmas
The Muppet Christmas Carol
Frosty The Snowman
A Smoky Mountain Christmas
Home Alone 2: Lost In New York
The Santa Clause 2

This article first appeared in the 'Celebrating Christmas PDF Magazine' which is a FREE magazine that you can download and even print out.

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