The website Ranker.com uses interactive lists to help rank things, and it looks like (so far, anyway) there’s a clear winner for best family family Christmas movie of all-time, and the award goes to: Elf, starring Will Ferrell.
While the Ranker list included modern favorites like the Home Alone movies and The Polar Express, it initially appeared to be lacking some older hits (check out the full results HERE). Fans have started to add in classics like It’s a Wonderful Life and Miracle on 34th Street to the list, and we at Faithwire decided to put together a roundup of some of our favorite family-friendly holiday films:
A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
We’d watch this Peanuts favorite for the soundtrack alone, but it also offers an important lesson on the true reason for the season.
A Christmas Carol (1951)
Charles Dickens’ timeless redemption tale proves that it is never too late for a second chance.
Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas (1967)
While there have been many adaptions of this Dr. Seuss masterpiece over the years, including a 2000 live action version starring Jim Carrey, we remain partial to the animated original.
Elf (2003)
There’s a good reason it’s darn near impossible to get through the holiday season without hearing someone quote one (or many) of elf Buddy’s endearing witticisms. After all, who doesn’t love to smile?
Home Alone (1990)
An all-to-important reminder that, no matter how crazy they may drive us, there is nothing more important than family.
Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Only Tim Burton could combine the joy of Christmas and the spookiness of Halloween with such festive flair.
It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
We laugh. We cry. We learn that every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings. But, most importantly, we are reminded just how blessed we are to be alive.
Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
Aesthetically speaking, has there ever been a better movie Santa than Edmund Gwenn?
Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)
The stop-motion animatic version of the beloved Christmas story has an enduring charm, and Burl Ives’ narration is the cherry on top.
The Polar Express (2004)
Who hasn’t dreamed of hopping aboard the North Pole-bound locomotive with a hot coco in hand and hearing the sweet sound of Santa’s bell?
The Santa Clause (1994)
It’s hard to decide which is cooler: Finding out your dad is Santa Claus, or having Tim Allen be your dad.
White Christmas (1954)
The singing and dancing talents of Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney are too good to resist in this World War II-era classic.
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