Extra time with family can have you wondering what to do. Why not try a Christmas movie marathon?
This list of 25 movies is ment to be done one per day for the 25 days before/including Christmas, but can be done in a one shot run for 39.43 hours of Christmas movie watching. I will say that not all of these are kid friendly, but they are easy to leave out.
A Charlie Brown Christmas
1965 - TV-G - 25 min
December 1st - This is a great movie to start the season out with. Not only is it a shorter flick, just in case the marathon was a last minute addition to your holiday season, to ease your way into it, but it talks about finding the deeper meaning of Christmas.
"When Charlie Brown complains about the overwhelming materialism that he sees amongst everyone during the Christmas season, Lucy suggests that he become director of the school Christmas pageant. Charlie Brown accepts, but it proves to be a frustrating struggle. When an attempt to restore the proper spirit with a forlorn little fir Christmas tree fails, he needs Linus' help to learn what the real meaning of Christmas is."
Why Him?
2016 - R - 1h 51m
December 2nd - While not conventional, this Christmas movie is a great one for the adults in the crowd. Filled with laughs, this is quite relatable to anyone who has ever had a "meet the parents" moment. I will warn you it is rated R for a reason; lots of strong language and sexual material.
"Over the holidays, Ned, an overprotective but loving dad and his family visit his daughter at Stanford, where he meets his biggest nightmare; her well-meaning but socially awkward Silicon Valley millionaire boyfriend, Laird. The rivalry bevelops, and ned's panic level goes through the roof when he finds himself lost in this glamorous high-tech world and learns that Laird is about to pop the question."
Home Alone
1990 - PG - 1h 43m
December 3rd - A holiday classic that is a must have on every Christmas movie list. This fun movie tells about a kid from a large family being left home alone, something every kid has wished for at one point or another.
"It is Christmas time and the McCallister family is preparing for a vacation in Paris, France. But the youngest in the family, Kevin, got into a scuffle with his older brother Buzz and was sent to his room, which is on the third floor of his house. Then, the next morning, while the rest of the family was in a rush to make it to the airport on time, they completely forgot about Kevin, who now has the house all to himself. Being home alone was fun for Kevin, having a pizza all to himself, jumping on his parent's bed, and making a mess. Then, Kevin discovers about two burgalars, Harry and Marv, about to rob his house on Christmas Eve. Kevin acts quickly by wiring his own house with makeshift booby traps to stop the burgalars and bring them to justice."
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
1989 - PG-13 - 1h 37m
December 4th - While not for young children, this movie will have you and your older kids in stiches with lots of slap-stick humor and situational comedy.
" It's Christmas time and the Griswolds are preparing for a family seasonal celebration, but things never run smothly for Clark, his wife Ellen and their two kids. Clark's continual bad luck is worsened by his obnoxious family guests, but he manages to keep going knowing that his Christmas bonus is due soon."
Holidate
2020 - TV-MA - 1h 44m
December 5th - This is honestly one of my new favorite rom-coms and a perfect date night movie. Definintely one to watch after you put the kids to bed though.
"Randomly meeting at a store return counter introduces Sloane to Jackson. Both tired of nightmare dates (him) and meddling family (her) during the holidays, they strike an arrangement, whereby they meet as a couple only during the holidays to make life at the very least tolerable. Slowly, so slowly, while scoffing at the cliches of romance (and to their surprise), their relationship grows into something deeper."
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
2000 - PG - 1h 44m
December 6th - This retelling of the classic Dr.Seuss book has the world devided. Either you love it or you hate it. Personally, I love Jim Carrey as an actor and think he did a phenominal job with this portrayal. If you don't, you also have the option of the 1966 film, the 2018 film, or the 2020 musical verson.
"Inside a snowflake exists the magical land of Whoveille, wherein live the Whos, an almost-mutated sort of Munchkin-like people who all love Christmas. Just outside of their beloved town lives the Grinch, a nast creature that hates Christmas and plans to steal it from the Whos, which he equally abhors. Little Cindy Lou Who decides to befriend the Grinch."
A Christmas Story
1983 - PG - 1h 33m
December 7th - This is another Christmas classic that most people think of when they think about Christmas movies. Hailed as an "All-American" Christmas movie, there are more than a few things we can all relate to in this movie.
"Christmas is approaching and 9-year-old Ralphie Parker wants only one thing; a Red Ryder Range 200 Shot BB gun. When he mentions it at the dinner table, his mother's immediate reaction is that he'll shoot his eye out. He then decides on a perfect theme for his teacher, but her reaction is like his mother's. He fantasizes about what it would be like to be a Red Ryder and catch the bad guys. When the big day arrives, he gets lots of presents including a lovely one from his aunt that his mother just adores. But what about the BB gun?"
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
1964 - TV-G - 47m
December 8th - Another classic kids Christmas movie. The origin story of Rudolph and Santa.
"Sam the snowman tells us the story of a young red-nosed reindeer who, after being ousted from the reindeer games because of his beaming honker, teams up with Hermey, an elf who wants to be a dentist, and Yukon Cornelius, the prospector. They run into the Abominable Snowman and find a whole island of misfit toys. Rudolph vows to see if he can get Santa to help the toys, and he goes back to the North Pole on Christmas Eve. But Santa's sleigh is fogged in. But when Santa looks over Rudolph, he gets a very bright idea..."
A Bad Moms Christmas
2017 - R - 1h 44m
December 9th - Unconventional but exactly what young parents need; a story about the pressures that parents face to make everything 'perfect'. This will make any parent feel seen. A must see for parents this season. Parents, not children.
"A Bad Moms Christmas follows our three under-appreciated and over-burdened women as they rebel against the challenges and expectations of the Super Bowl for moms: Christmas. And as if creating a more perfect holiday for their families wasn't hard enough, they must do all of that while hosting and entertaining their own mothers. By the end of the journey, our moms will redefine how to make the holidays special for all and discover a closer relationship with their mothers."
Noelle
2019 - G - 1h 40m
December 10th - This new take on a generational Santa story is quite refreshing and fun for the whole family. One of our new family favorites, this one is usually seen at least 5 times before the Thanksgiving turkey is cold.
"Noelle has always been supportive of her brother Nick, who was ordained to take over as Santa. When Nick disapears right before Christmas, Noelle goes on a funny and heartfelt journey to find him and, ultimately, what Christmas is really about."
A Christmas Carol
2009 - PG - 1h 36m
December 11th - This is a classic take on "A Christmas Carol" with just the little quips that can only be from Jim Carrey. A must see for the holiday season.
"Mister Ebenezer Scrooge is awakened on Christmas Eve by spirits who reveal to him his own miserable existance, what opportunities he has wasted in his youth, his current cruelties and the dire fate that awaits hin if he does not change his ways. Scrooge is faced with his own story of growing bitterness and meanness, and must decide what his own future will hold; dealth or redemption."
The Santa Clause
1994 - PG - 1h 37m
December 12th - This is THE all around best Christmas movie, in my opinion. Not a week goes by in the Christmas season that we don't watch at least one of the movies from the series.
"Scott Calvin is disgusted to learn that his ex-wife, Laura, and her husband, Neil, have tried and failed to break it easy to their 6-year-old son, Charlie, that Santa Clas isn't real. On Christmas Eve, Scott reads "The Night Before Christmas" and then receives an unexpected visitor on his roof. When Santa is startled by Scott's calling out and falls off, he disappears, leaving only an 8-reindeer sleigh and a suit with instructions to put it on if he's involved in an accident. Scott does so and is transported around the town dropping gifts through chimneys until he's taken to the North Pole and informed by a group, who claim they're elves, that he is now Santa. Charlie is proud of Scott's new job, though he's convinced it was a dream. Then his hair turns white, his beard refuses to stay shaved, he gains weight inexplicably, and he has a sudden love of junk food. Now he's accepted it, there's just one problem: how to keep it a secret from his disbelieving family."
The Santa Clause 2
2002 - G - 1h 44m
December 13th - The second movie in 'The Santa Clause' series. There are many sequals that don't measure up to the original, but I don't think that is the case in this instance.
"Scott Calvin has been Santa Claus for the past eight years, and his loyal elves consider him the best Santa ever. But he's got problems, such as a mysterious weight loss, and then he discovers that his son, Charlie, has landed on this year's naughty list. Desperate to help him, Scott heads back home, putting a substitute Santa in charge of the North Pole. But when the substitute institutes some strange redefinition of naughty and nice that put Christmas at risk, Scott must return with a new bag of magic to save Christmas."
The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause
2006 - G - 1h 32m
December 14th - While I still hold by the trilogy being a masterpiece, this would be my least favorite of the three. Nonetheless, still an amazing movie.
"Now that Santa Claus/Scott Calvin and Mrs. Claus/Carol Newman Calvin have the North Pole running smoothly, the Counsel of Legendary Figures has called an emergency meeting on Christmas Eve. The evil Jack Frost has been making trouble, looking to take over the holiday. So he launches a plan to sabotage the toy factory and compel Scott to invoke the little-known Escape Clause and wish he'd never become Santa."
The Santa Clauses
2022 - TV-PG - ~34m each (~3h 24m)
December 15/16th - These are brand new out from Disney and while I have only seen the first few, I'm excited to include these in the Christmas repertoire.
"Scott Calvin is about to turn 65 and, realizing he can't be Santa forever, sets out to find a suitable replacement Santa while preparing his family for a new adventure in life south of the pole."
Klaus
2019 - PG - 1h 36m
December 17th - A truly wholesome Santa Claus origin story, this movie has quickly become another staple in our house when the traditional big man in the red suit has just become too much. This movie also show how a simple selfless act can snowball into big change.
"When Jesper distinguishes himself as the postal academy's worst student, he is stationed on a frozen island above the Arctic Circle, where the feuding locals hardly exchange words let alone letters. Jesper is about to give up when he finds an ally in local teacher Alva, and discovers Klaus, a mysterious carpenter who lives alone in a cabin full of handmade toys. These unlikely friendships return laughter to Smeerensburg, forging a new legacy of generous neighbors, magical lore and stockings hung by the chimney with care."
Frosty the Snowman
1969 - TV-G - 25m
December 18th - Another one of the classic, kid-oriented movies that everyone thinks of when they think Christmas.
"A discarded silk top hat becomes the focus of a struggle between a washed-up stage magician and a group of schoolchildren after it magically brings a snowman to life. Realizing that newly-living Frosty will melt in spring unless he takes refuge in a colder climate, Frosty and a young girl who he befriends stow away on a freight train headed for the north pole. Little do they know that the magician is following them, and he wants his hat back. This animated short is based on the popular Christmas song of the same name."
Elf
2003 - PG - 1h 37m
December 19th - A fun take on Christmas with classic Will Ferrel humor, while being kid appropriate.
"Buddy was a baby in an orphanage who stowed away in Santa's sack and ended up at the North Pole. Later, as an adult who happened to be raised by elves, Santa allows him to go to New York City to find his birth father, Walter Hobbs. He, who is on Santa's naughty list for being a heartless jerk, had no idea that Buddy was even born. Buddy, meanwhile, experiences the delights of New York City (and human culture) as only an elf can. When Walter's relationship with him interferes with his job, he is forced to reevaluate his priorities"
Miracle on 34th Street
1994 - PG - 1h 54m
December 20th - A sweet take on Santa Claus for those who believe.
"Six-year-old Susan Walker discovers that dreams do come true if you really believe. She has doubts about childhood's most enduring miracle, Santa Claus. Her mother, Dorey, told her the "secret" about him a long time ago, so she doesn't expect to receive the most important gifts on her Christmas list. But after meeting a special department store Santa who's convinced that he's the real thing, she is given the most precious gift of all, something to believe in."
It's a Wonderful Life
1946 - PG - 2h 10m
December 21st - A true Christmas Classic.
"George Bailey has spent his entire life giving of himself to the people of Bedford Falls. He has always longed to travel but never had the opportunity in order to prevent rich skinflint Mr. Potter from taking over the entire town. All that prevents him from doing so is George's modest building and loan company, which was founded by his generous father. But on Christmas Eve, George's Uncle Billy loses the business's $8,000 while intending to deposit it in the bank. Mr. Potter finds the misplaced money and hides it from Uncle Billy. When the bank examiner discovers the shortage later that night, George realizes that he will be held responsible and sent to jail and the company will collapse, finally allowing Mr. Potter to take over the town. Thinking of his wife, Mary, their four children, and others he loves will be better off with him dead, he contemplates suicide. But the prayers of his loved ones result in his guardian angel named Clarence Odbody coming to Earth to help him, with the promise of earning his wings. He shows him what things would have been like if he had never been born."
The Man Who Invented Christmas
2017 - PG - 1h 44m
December 22nd - A different take on 'A Christmas Carol' as we look at it from how it was written.
"In 1843, celebrated British novelist Charles Dickens is at a low point in his career with three flops behind him and family expenses piling up at home. Determined to recover, Dickens decides to write a Christmas story and self-publish it in less than two months. As Dickens labors writing on such short notice, his estranged father and mother come to bunk with him. Still haunted by painful memories of his father ruining his childhood by his financial irresponsibility, Dickens develops a seemingly-unsolvable writer's block. Dickens must face his personal demons epitomized through his characters, especially in his imagined conversations with Ebenezer Scrooge. With a looming deadline, Dickens struggles for inspiration against his frustrations and his characters' opinions in a literary challenge creating a classic tale that would define the essential soul of modern Christmas."
Christmas with the Kranks
2004 - PG - 1h 39m
December 23rd - This movie plays out everyone's worst nigthmare during the holidays; last minute plan changes. This movie takes paln changes to the extreme and brings murphy's law along making it a true comedy.
"Strange as it may sound, Luther and Nora Krank, the neighborhood's award-winning couple for their cheerful Christmas spirit, have decided to skip this year's annual festivities when their daughter, Blair, departs for Peru after joining the Peace Corps. Now, instead of spending the staggering amount of $6,000 on the holiday season, just like the previous year, they are determined to invest the money on a sun-drenched, ten-day Caribbean cruise, much to the chagrin of their friends and neighbors. However, this is easier said than done, and before long, they, who have turned their backs on Christmas, will face the consequences. And then, as if that weren't enough, Blair and her new fiance, Enrique, announce that they are coming home, utterly unaware that the empty family nest is far from ready for the event. Can Luther and Nora "generate" Christmas out of nothing in less than a few hours?"
The Polar Express
2004 - G - 1h 40m
December 24th - The movie realization of the classic Christmas book. This movie teaches lessons about doing the right thing, being kind, listening, and the magic of Christmas.
"This is the story of a young hero boy who boards on a powerful magical train that's headed to the North Pole and Santa Claus' home on Christmas Eve night. During this ride, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery which shows him that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe."
White Christmas
1954 - NR - 2h
December 25th - In my opinion, the original Christmas movie. This is a sweet Christmas story about taking care of friends who have turned into family during the Christmas season.
"Having left the Army following W.W.II, Bob Wallace and Phil Davis team up to become a top song-and-dance act. Davis plays matchmaker and introduces Wallace to a pair of beautiful sisters (Betty and Judy) who also have a song-and-dance act. When Betty and Judy travel to a Vermont lodge to perform a Christmas show, Wallace and Davis follow, only to find their former commander, General Waverly, as the lodge owner. A series of romantic mix-ups ensue as the performers try to help the General."
Happy holidays.
All descriptions have been provided by IMDB.com. List compiled by Kevin, post written by Valerie.
Comments