Park your reindeer, grab some eggnog and start hanging the lights. It’s Christmastime and that means it’s also time for the definitive list of Christmas movies.
If you don’t watch at least one of these movies every year, no Christmas for you. Santa won’t even bother giving you some carbon-based energy. You are on the naughty list.
First off, some rules. Lots of movies take place during Christmas. They might even feature Christmas in a significant way. But to be a true Christmas movie, you have to celebrate the spirit of the holiday.
Peter Billingsley sits on Santa’s lap in a scene from the film “A Christmas Story,” 1983. (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer/Getty Images)
I’m looking at you, “Die Hard.” Yes, we all feel good watching Hans Gruber go falling out the window of Nakatomi Plaza, watch in hand, but that’s hardly the spirit of peace on earth, good will toward men. Great movie, but it doesn’t count here. (Happy trails, Hans!)
Honorable Mention
My list is all about movies. Still, Christmas wouldn’t be complete without a stocking filled to the brim with holiday specials.
Charlie Brown and Linus is a scene from “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” (ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)
- There’s the perennial great, “A Charlie Brown Christmas” from back when TV could teach the “true meaning” of the holiday. It features the best cartoon jazz and dance session in TV history. The YouTube version of that scene has nearly 7 million views. And Linus telling the story of the birth of Jesus quoting Luke and the King James Bible never sounded better.
- Then there’s the musical “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” that will have you singing along with the Burl Ives to “A Holly Jolly Christmas” and “Rudolph,” while smiling when the residents of the Island of Misfit Toys find homes of their own. Let Rudolph light your way, as well.
- No holiday is complete with the original Dr. Seussian, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” Horror movie icon Boris Karloff turns a children’s book into a narrative adults adore. He will never be topped.
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Dan Gainor is a freelance opinion editor for Fox News Digital. He is also a science fiction/fantasy author. His latest work is in a collection called, “Shoot the Devil 3: Militia of Martyrs.”
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