CHANGE MY MIND: Top 10 Christmas movies of all-time

It’s the holiday season where the stores are packed, kids are crying, and Christmas movies capture our attention once again.

Cinemas are great other days of the year, but there is something special that warms your heart when a Christmas film hits the screen. I’ve narrowed down my favorite ones and am expecting some disagreement.

Movies I haven’t seen worth noting: Die Hard, Bad Santa, The Muppets Christmas Carol, Miracle on 34th Street, White Christmas, Bad Santa, Mickey’s Christmas Carol, Love Actually, etc.

The Christmas Carol play is fantastic, but I’ve never liked any of the movies. Just wanted to toss that out here.

Spoilers are involved. If you haven’t seen these movies, I wouldn’t keep reading.

Honorable Mention: The Polar Express

Santa is not real, but faith is. This could pertain to religion, humanity, hope and along the lines of many areas. Faith goes a long way in life and this movie always reminds me of that.

10. Fred Claus

When I go to my aunt and uncle’s house around the holidays, we always watch this movie. Some people hate Vince Vaughn. I’m not a member of that club. This isn’t his best flick by any means (that is reserved for Wedding Crashers.) It is a film that makes me giggle every 15 minutes or so.

9. The Holiday

Cameron Diaz, Jude Law, Jack Black, and Kate Winslet delivered when I watched this before I hit the hay Wednesday night. Rom-coms are hit or miss for most dudes. This is not must-see, but enjoyable to watch around the holidays.

8. Frosty the Snowman

It’s been so long since I’v watched this movie. To be honest, the only thing I remember is that the snowman comes to life… Nevertheless, it’s a classic.

7. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

I don’t know how I lasted 23 years on Earth without watching this movie. John and Tommy gave me a hard time about it and deservedly so. It was solid, but doesn’t belong in my Top 5.

6. How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Everyone has a person they know who is a “Grinch” around the holidays. Back in the day, it was genuine fear of mine that a green creature would steal my presents. Luckily, that never happened.

5. A Christmas Story

This may be junvile, but I’ve always wanted to get into a fight. We joked about it in college, but it never amounted to anything. There were a few times things got heated, but nothing ever escalated to physical assault. Ralphie got to experience taking his anger out on a bully who had it coming. Major FOMO buddy.

4. Elf

Big New Girl guy. Zooey Deschanel is hilarious and this movie is no exception to the rule. She pairs perfectly with Will Ferrel in this timeless comedy. This will be funny to my kids (hopefully).

3. Home Alone

So if you didn’t know, I eat like a garbage disposal. By the time my brother and I hit middle school, our dad would get us each a pizza. Before that age, we always had to share which left me starving for the rest of the night. Listen, if I order a pizza, I’m eating the whole thing. When Kevin finally got his shot at glory, he took full advantage.

2. A Charlie Brown Christmas

Charlie got roasted for his tree selection. From someone that experiences the brunt of friends’ jokes on a daily basis, I know his feeling. Still, the gang figured it all out and had a Merry Christmas. BTW, Lucy van Pelt is quite rude. Don’t know why Charlie keeps putting up with her crap movie after each movie.

1. It’s a Wonderful Life

Anytime I watch and old movie, I think of my Daddy Joe and Grandmother. It cracks me up how things have changed. Some for the better. Some for the worse. It’s cool to see how much one person can impact so many around them.