A Very Merry Movie Marathon

Your Guide to the Season’s Best Holiday Flicks

Written by Katie Ogletree

‘Tis the season to binge with purpose. 

The VIE team is dropping its holiday faves, so grab your cocoa and fuzzy socks, fluff your weighted blanket, and cue the sleigh bells. We’re getting settled in with some holiday movie classics—some oldies, some mood boosters, and some real tear jerkers. And, I’m sorry, but we’re leaving off Die Hard. The most wonderful time of the year deserves the most wonderful watchlist!

A Christmas Story

Few films capture the wonder of childhood Christmas quite like A Christmas Story. Set in the 1940s, this beloved classic follows young Ralphie, a wide-eyed dreamer who wants absolutely nothing more than a Red Ryder BB gun under the tree. There are multiple visual staples that no one can forget, including his father’s leg lamp, the bunny costume, and the tongue stuck on the flagpole. I think what really helps the film along is the witty narration from Jean Shepherd, who also wrote the short stories that the movie is based on.

FUN FACT: More than 8,000 kids auditioned for the role of Ralphie Parker. 

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

Nothing says “holiday spirit” quite like Clark Griswold with a staple gun, 25,000 twinkle lights, and a dream. Poor Clark is determined to give everyone a “fun, old-fashioned family Christmas.” And, naturally, that’s code for everything is about to go wrong. We’ve got Cousin Eddie showing up and parking his RV in the front, a rabid squirrel in the house, and a one-year membership to the jelly of the month club. Every character has their own storyline or problem, which makes it even more interesting to follow along. Personally, this is my number one favorite Christmas movie of all time. Sometimes I even watch it when it’s not Christmas—it’s that good!

FUN FACT: When Clark got “zapped” plugging in the lights, Chevy Chase actually got a mild electric jolt. He stayed in character and kept rolling!

A Charlie Brown Christmas

One of the most recognized illustrated shows on the planet, this version of Charlie Brown and the Peanuts gang is a top favorite. In the world of twinkling lights and tinsel, Charlie Brown just can’t seem to find his Christmas spirit. While everyone else is busy rehearsing for the school play and drooling over shiny presents, our favorite round-headed kid is stuck wondering what the holiday really means. He’s eventually put in charge of finding the perfect Christmas tree, and things take a hilarious turn. We can’t forget Vince Guaraldi’s jazzy soundtrack setting the mood and Linus delivering one of the most heartfelt speeches in holiday TV history.

FUN FACT: The Peanuts were voiced by actual children instead of adult actors. Some were so young they couldn’t read yet, so the directors had to coach them line by line!

Elf

What’s the saying? The boy who was raised by elves? Close enough! Buddy the Elf sets off on a heartwarming but extremely funny quest to find his real dad in the Big Apple. Clad in bright green tights and fueled by candy, candy canes, candy corns, and a massive plate of spaghetti and syrup, Buddy frolics through Manhattan with childlike wonder. After the eventual visit to Maury, they find out that Buddy is the son of Walter Hobbs. In the end, he is able to help to bring cheer to his new family and a world that has forgotten the meaning of Christmas. And, might I say, Will Ferrell having the sweetest singing voice was quite the pleasant surprise!

FUN FACT: Will Ferrell actually ate ALL of that sugar on camera…. My stomach hurts just thinking about it.

How The Grinch Stole Christmas

Oh, Jim Carrey, the comedic mastermind that you are! This is a nearly one-man show of sarcasm, sass, and surprisingly tender moments. The 1966 animated version will always be special, however this live action version gives us everything we need in a hilarious Christmas romp. Perched high atop Mount Crumpit, the Grinch has had just about enough of Whoville’s cheer. Thus begins a plan to swipe every ornament, gift, and cookie crumb from the citizens. Enter Cindy Lou Who, who attempts to show him the true meaning of the holiday, and we even get a Whoville version of the Winter Olympics! One thing I will never get over is Jim Carrey sitting in that makeup chair for eight and a half hours EACH DAY on set.

FUN FACT: Director Ron Howard wore the Grinch costume and makeup one day to experience what Carrey would go through.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)

Shiny noses, silver bells, and stop-motion magic make this a one-of-a-kind film that still holds up over half a century later! Born with a glowing red nose, Rudolph instantly becomes the talk of the North Pole—and not in a good way. After being teased by the other reindeer, he decides to run away and teams up with a crew of lovable outcasts, including Hermey the Elf, a future dentist, and Yukon Cornelius, the world’s most eccentric prospector. This is a movie that, once turned on, instantly transports me back to elementary school, where my teacher was passing out hot cocoa even though it was Florida and probably 83 degrees.

FUN FACT: The original puppets stood just six inches tall, and Santa was about a foot!

Frosty the Snowman (1969)

Who knew a top hat could contain enough magic to bring a snowman to life? A group of kids, including a very sweet Karen (before the name was made infamous), race to keep him from melting before they can get him to the North Pole. With Frosty saying his signature “Happy Birthday!” catchphrase along the way while a stalker magician keeps showing up around every corner, this adventurous movie still stands the test of time. They knew what they were doing in the ’60s with these holiday movies, because the same team behind Rudolph also created Frosty!

FUN FACT: The special first aired on December 7, 1969, and was the No. 1 television program for the week of December 1–7 that year.

Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town (1970)

Another fun, kid-friendly classic! Narrated by the postman, S.D. Kluger, this film tells us the origin story of how Kris Kringle became Santa Claus and how some of the most famous Christmas traditions came about. As a child, Kris was raised by a family of elf toymakers named Kringle. When Kris grows up, he wants to deliver toys to the children of Sombertown—but its Mayor is too mean to let that happen. And to make things worse, the Winter Warlock lives between the Kringles and Sombertown. We get some great songs from the film including “Put One Foot in Front of the Other,” which shows a constant theme that big changes, rewarding ones, come with patience.

FUN FACT: For some of the Gen Z readers, one of the songs in the movie became viral a few years ago by Mr. Heatmiser.

Home Alone 1 & 2

I’m just going to say what everyone else is thinking…. How does this child get left behind TWICE? Catherine O’Hara, we need to speak with you. Nonetheless, before there were smartphones and AirTags, there was one fearless kid who turned being left behind into the ultimate Christmas adventure. These movies have it all—booby traps, a Marv and a Harry, gangster movies playing in the background, and a showdown in Central Park. Also, do we need to acknowledge the fact that some of those injuries would have put somebody to sleep? Nah. I’m a sucker for the first one, because it introduced a lot of us to director Christopher Columbus, who later brought us the Harry Potter films. It all circles back to Harry Potter.

FUN FACT #1: The Pigeon Lady was inspired by real Central Park regulars.

FUN FACT #2: From the first movie, the screaming aftershave face was improvised by Macaulay.

The Santa Clause Movies

Tim Allen really said, “Move over, I’m the Holiday King!” Not one, not two, not even three because they also came out with a series—however we’ll keep this just to the first three movies. When Tim’s character, Scott Calvin, accidentally startles Santa right off the roof, he doesn’t just ruin Christmas, he becomes it! In order to keep the Christmas hamster wheel rolling, he must reluctantly take Santa’s place before next Christmas. And I know a few of us were crushing big time on Head Elf Bernard. The sequel faces two problems, where not only must Santa be married by Christmas Eve or he goes poof, BUT he also finds out his son Charlie landed on the naughty list. And the final film shows how Scott is having trouble balancing family life at the North Pole with his Christmas duties. Jack Frost, played by Martin Short—who I must say has never had a bad role in his life—tries to take over Christmas. Oh, and Scott and Mrs. Claus are awaiting the arrival of their baby. So, yeah, he’s kind of busy. 

FUN FACT #1: At the police station, you can spot Tim Allen’s real life mugshot number subtly worked into the scene. 

FUN FACT #2: Production used real reindeer for several close-up scenes, but they were so stubborn and unpredictable that they had to constantly bribe them with snacks.

FUN FACT #3: For the third movie, even though it’s full of frost, most of it was filmed in the middle of summer on various soundstages.

Polar Express

Another movie based on a book—a picture book! This white-knuckle adventure takes place on Christmas Eve and takes us on a journey to the North Pole aboard a mysterious train arriving in the dead of night. A young boy who begins to doubt the magic of Christmas is taken through shimmering snowstorms, cocoa fueled camaraderie, and a few heart-stopping moments on icy tracks with new friends who are also on the train. (One boy has a voice like shrieking cats.) The score of this film is hauntingly beautiful. The moment it got very real was when they arrived at the North Pole and laid eyes on Santa. Tom Hanks, even animated, made him larger than life. The boy is chosen to receive the first gift and asks for a single bell from the sleigh. Now of course it wouldn’t be an adventure if he didn’t lose the bell on their way back, of course. But on Christmas morning he finds magic under the tree.

FUN FACT: Tom Hanks voices the Conductor, the father, the homeless man, Santa Claus, and the narrator.

Christmas With The Kranks

After they’re finally alone for the holidays when their daughter leaves for the Peace Corps, Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis’s characters plan to avoid Christmas altogether and decide to take a cruise in the Caribbean instead. Their neighbors, who are Christmas obsessed, don’t take this information lightly. Actually, the whole town doesn’t take it too well, and eventually the pressure gets to them as they attempt to pull off a last minute celebration for their daughter and her new fiancé coming into town!

FUN FACT: The film is based on John Grisham’s book Skipping Christmas. The title was changed to avoid confusion with another holiday movie released the same year called Surviving Christmas. 

Jack Frost

Why is this the saddest Christmas movie of all time? It’s not just me, right? Michael Keaton was collecting holiday movies like they were infinity stones around this era. Beetlejuice in ’88 and then, ten years later, in ’98 with this Christmas film. His character, Jack, is a rock musician and father who is always chasing his big break, even if it means missing a few too many family moments. But when he tragically dies in a car accident, he gets one magical chance to make things right—as a snowman. Once he is able to convince his son Charlie that it’s actually him, together they rediscover the true meaning of family, forgiveness. and second chances before the sun melts their time away.

FUN FACT: George Clooney was originally cast as Jack Frost, and even the puppet snowman was designed to look like him!

Four Christmases

Now as someone who has divorced parents and is also married to someone with divorced parents, this movie makes me feel so seen, but in such a loving way. Vince and Reese’s characters, Brad and Kate, usually spend Christmas on vacation to avoid seeing family during the holidays. But their travel plans come to a halt and they are ultimately forced to bop around from house to house to house to house in one day. The first house is like a WWE Smackdown, the second house is mega church meets All My Children soap opera, and the third house is awkward when Brad’s mother is dating his high school friend and discussing all about their “alone time.” The last house is the most calm, where Kate shows up without Brad because they have issues all of their own. It’s a very star-studded cast as well. You can’t hide, Tim McGraw!

FUN FACT: Peter Billingsley, the actor who famously played the character Ralphie Parker in the holiday classic A Christmas Story, has a cameo role as the airport ticket agent.

Fred Claus

Vince Vaughn decided to give Tim Allen a run for his money on the whole, “Who can be in more Christmas movies?” thing. Of the two Claus brothers, Fred, played by Vince, is the troublemaker and polar opposite of his saintly sibling, Nicholas, played by Paul Giamatti. (I’m sorry, but every time I see Paul, I picture him covered in blue paint like he was in Big Fat Liar.) When Fred’s criminal ways finally land him in big trouble, Nicholas bails him out and brings him to the North Pole to work off his debt by making toys. The headaches mount for St. Nick, who not only must deal with his troublemaking brother but also an efficiency expert who has come to evaluate Santa’s operation. It’s a nice change of pace because we have always been given a Santa Claus origin story, but to get one of his brother is nice. And we get some fun cameos in the movie during the “Siblings Anonymous” meeting from a Baldwin, a Stallone, and a Clinton!

FUN FACT: Kevin Spacey, who plays Clyde, has a Superman cape given to him by Nicholas. Spacey played Lex Luthor in Superman Returns.

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