Top 10 Family Friendly Holiday Movies
In a little more than a week, the holiday madness will begin. Christmas carols will begin playing non-stop at all your local stores and your children will move into overdrive on their holiday gift requests. But there's an easy way to get into the holiday spirit while toning down all of the stress and preparations: Family Movie Night.
In the weeks leading up to Christmas, schedule some evenings as a family to cuddle up on the couch watching your favorite holiday movie classics. With a large bowl of buttered popcorn to pass back and forth, all the stress will melt away as you rediscover these old movies.
Here are a few holiday favorites that should please kids and adults of all ages:
- A Charlie Brown Christmas - The soundtrack alone of this timeless Charlie Brown classic makes me misty eyed. Seeing poor Charlie Brown get abused over and over again is a great reminder to be kind to others during the holiday season.
- Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer - Although your older children may complain when you suggest this kiddie title, as soon as the opening credits fill the screen, everyone will be thrilled to reunite with Rudolph as he realizes that he really can be of help to Santa. No one is too old for this classic cartoon.
- It's a Wonderful Life (1947) - It's hard to believe that one of the most beloved Christmas movies was initially a flop. It's a Wonderful Life didn't become widely popular until it was shown on TV repeatedly in the 1970s. Now we wouldn't dream of making a favorite holiday movie list without this James Stewart classic.
- The Santa Clause - Not all holiday movies need to be sickly sweet and sentimental. Tim Allen is funny every time as he struggles to come to terms with this massive Santa paunch in the Santa Clause.
- The Search for Santa Paws - The inclusion of this musical puppy movie in this list of timeless classics may raise some eyebrows, but do not underestimate the power of the animal movie genre for kids. Although the plot may leave a little to be desired, the cuteness of the puppies combined with the jolliness of Santa makes this a feel good Christmas movie.
- Home Alone - Although Macauley Culkin's comic defenses against Joe Pesci and his acolytes is not exactly a traditional holiday film, Home Alone never fails to entertain. Beware of the ages of the audience however, as younger viewers may be a little scared to have "bad guys" go after a child.
- Frosty the Snowman - This classic Christmas cartoon is a wonderful DVD to have around for the entire holiday season. It's the perfect length to keep little ones occupied as you whip up a pie or a side dish!
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas - Jim Carey was absolutely terrifying in this remake of the Dr. Seuss classic. His elaborate facial expressions bring the story to life and will have everyone on the couch in stitches while Anthony Hopkins recites the well-known Seuss story with just the right gravitas.
- Miracle on 34th Street (1947) - What Christmas could be complete without watching this timeless classic? Seeing Maureen O'Hara regain her belief in the magic of Christmas can make a believer out of the most jaded tween.
- Elf (2003) - Every year, a host of Christmas comedies are released: tepid, not-funny movies that we suffer through in the name of Christmas. But Elf is the exception to the rule, a truly hilarious and intelligent Christmas comedy about a human adopted by Christmas elves who heads out on a quest to find his human parents. Will Ferrell is a joy to watch in this family friendly Christmas film.
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