8 Holiday Movies to Get You in the Festive Spirit

Between the last-minute gift shopping, tree trimming and holiday baking, many of us will delight in the time we spend on the couch with family and friends watching holiday movies.

Grab the hot chocolate and sugar cookies as we share our top picks for the holiday that will entertain you while you’re cozying up in warmth of your living room fire.

Elf

Perfect for the big kid in all of us, this classic finds a man mistakenly raised as one of Santa’s elves in the North Pole searching for his real identity in the Big Apple. From singing to dancing and Will Ferrell’s amiable goofiness at the reins of this holiday gem, it’s one the whole family will love.

A Charlie Brown Christmas

As the first of nearly 50 Peanuts TV specials and longest-running cartoon in history since its debut in 1965, A Charlie Brown Christmas is the ultimate family classic. With hopes to fend off the commercialism of the season, Charlie Brown sets out to find the true meaning of Christmas. It remains a film of great significance, especially in this technology-centric age.

It’s a Wonderful Life

Well, hot dog! Christmas isn’t complete without watching Frank Capra’s parable of small-town life, parallel universes, and redemption. Chock-full of tremendous lessons, this evergreen classic starring James Stewart and Donna Reed touches on true love, family and the morals and practicalities of life, while pointing to the divine purpose we serve for one another. In the words of Clarence, “Remember, no man is a failure who has friends.”

Love, Actually

Considered an adult rom-com, this schmaltzy Christmas film is perfect to watch over the holidays with girlfriends because it is incredibly impossible to turn off. With the multiple stories (10 to be exact!) between kids, family and friends, there’s something for everyone. From cutesy comedy to heartbreaking romance, the film is a festive heart-warmer.

A Very Murray Christmas

This Netflix holiday musical directed by Sofia Coppola finds amazing human being Bill Murray worrying that no one will show up to his TV show due to a terrible snow storm in NYC. With celebrities like George Clooney, Chris Rock and Amy Poehler  lending their support, audiences are in for a real treat seeing Murray as his lovable and fun self go from cranky to snapping into the holiday spirit.

The Holiday

When was the last time you swapped houses and came across such catching gentlemen like Jude Law or Jack Black? Yeah, we thought not — but a girl can dream! In this holiday film, two women decide to exchange homes and find romance in their travels after hard breakups. With light laughs, this Nancy Meyers rom-com adds a pleasant dose of holiday cheer.

Meet Me in St. Louis

Though this Vincente Minelli musical covers a year in the life of the Smith family, whose hardships arrive during Christmas, it is a memorable classic no less. The holiday plays as a central device to the family, and the film resonates with audiences as many face changes during the season. A beautiful moment comes from Judy Garland when she uses the power of song to tell her younger sister to, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.”

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

It’s not a stretch to say this gem is regarded as the perfect comedy with all the Christmas trimmings. Lots of things go wrong during the holidays for a many of us, but never as much as they do for Clark Griswold. Somewhere between joy and nightmares, the third installment of the Lampoon franchise explores the festive problems we face during the holidays — especially with relatives.

What are some of your favorite festive movies to get you in the holiday spirit? Share with us in the comments below.