With the holiday season coming up fast, here is a list of our top ten Christmas movies you need to watch this holiday season with a cup of hot chocolate surrounded by family and friends.

• It’s a Wonderful Life

This masterpiece of a film starring Jimmy Stewart as George Bailey is heartwarming, funny, profound and serves as a holiday reminder that Christmas is more than just presents.  These are the reasons we have this classic as number one on our list. 

• A Christmas Story 

The iconic scene of Ralphie, played by Peter Billingsley, getting his tongue stuck on a frozen flagpole will be embedded in most of our minds for a lifetime. In this Christmas comedy, the experience of a dream gift, a Red Ryder air rifle, shows the true childhood experience of the holidays. 

• A Charlie Brown Christmas 

This nostalgic childhood favorite of the Peanut kids brings a cozy warm experience of Christmas. Though Charlie Brown’s leafless, sad little tree in this classic will never fade with time, this film will always make you smile when watching these kids join together for the true meaning of the holidays. 

• The Polar Express

Do you believe in Old Saint Nick? The animated film is based off the book by Chris Van Allsburg of a young boy taking on a journey on a train known as “The Polar Express”. He travels to a frozen wonderland to clear his doubts about the man with the white beard who spends one night of the year delivering gifts to all children around the world. 

• The Nightmare Before Christmas

Tim Burton is one creative mind.  In this classic Halloween/Christmas motion film you can find Halloweentown’s Jack Skellington trying to take the role as Santa Clause as he is found without knowing where he belongs. 

• Home Alone

In this classic Christmas movie a mischievous 8-year-old boy, Kevin, is left home alone while his large, extended family is on vacation. While everyone is preparing to leave for vacation, Kevin is wishing his family would disappear.  He later learns to be careful what you wish for because you just might get it.

• Elf

Elf is an original Christmas movie starring Will Farrell. He was raised and grew up with elves and Santa Claus, thinking he was really an elf. He is put into the real world and challenged throughout the whole movie, trying to find his place in New York City after being in the North Pole all of his life.

•  Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer 

This old-fashioned Christmas movie was made in 1964. It is the story of a reindeer with a glowing nose who doesn’t fit in with the rest and tries to hide his imperfection. After Santa sees Rudolph, he sees beauty right away and wants him to be front and center on his sleigh Christmas Eve.

•   National Lampoons Christmas 

As the holiday season approaches, Clark Griswold wants the perfect vacation for him and his family. He wants everything in line, including the house and decorations, but things seem to take a turn for the worst.

•   How the Grinch Stole Christmas 

This is one of the most liked Christmas movies of all time. It is the story of a Grinch whose heart is two sizes too small.  He lives alone, hates Christmas and is mean to everybody in town until a little girl shows him the true meaning of Christmas. While this movie is comedic, it also shows the importance of appreciating others and giving back.