10 classic Christmas movies to watch with the family

Prefer keeping out of the rain indoors with the family? We have the perfect list to keep everyone entertained this festive season!

If you prefer cozying up with the family with a few mugs of steaming drinks and snacks (away from the rain), we have the perfect list of Christmas movies for you. These are 10 Christmas classics you can definitely pop into that DVD player in celebration of everything awesome that Christmas represents!

The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)

Charles Dickens' novella Christmas Carol has had countless adaptations, some great, some not so much. The Muppets interpretation of this classic is one of the greats and a must-watch for families with little children.

Its presentation of the significance of Christmas and portrayal of the infamous Scrooge are in wholly digestible and creative form with the pupeteers' deft manipulation of the puppets.

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Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

This is an authentic Christmas oldie but goldie, having received numerous accolades including being preserved in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress. A Christmas movie list just isn't complete without this one.

Miracle on 34th Street explores the importance of Santa Claus and what he really represents. It also subtly criticizes the commercialization of Christmas through the protagonist's struggles. Though an old show, we are pretty sure this will become an annual favourite after your family has watched it!

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Gremlins (1984)

This classic dark comedy starts off with an inventor, Randall Peltzer, visiting a store in Chinatown to get a Christmas present for his son. He finds an alien-like adorable creature, a Mogwai, in the store, which he buys off the store owner's grandson. And as we all know, the Mogawi spawns the horrific Gremlin which is neither as adorable nor as altruistic!

Perhaps not too suitable for the more timid young children, this is still a deliciously fun horror movie that the older kids will thoroughly enjoy.

In any case, the Gremlin is a classic pop culture icon, and there isn't a more suitable time to introduce your child to it than during Christmas!

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Christmas Vacation (1989)

This one is a comedy of errors where everything that could go wrong, does.

The protagonist, Clark Griswold, as played by Chevy Chase, is determined to make this Christmas the best Christmas for his entire family. Despite his best intentions, nothing goes quite as planned. After a series of tribulations, however, everything ends well for his family and they are able to make the best out of the festive season.

This will have your kids in stitches and it's a great feel-good movie about family togetherness.

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Home Alone (1990)

Quite possibly the most popular Christmas comedy ever made, Home Alone is all about a boy's resourcefulness and creativity.

Your kids will pobably identify with his wish to be left alone by his parents, and laugh uproariously at the events that subsequently unfold when his wish is granted.

The show that shot McCauley Caulkin to fame is a must-watch the entire family. We are sure they will enjoy watching (and re-watching) this one!

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Dr Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)

The first of Dr Seuss' amazing kids books to be made into a full length movie, this is a movie that explores the theme of giving and the true spirit of Christmas.

Jim Carey's portrayal of the mean-spirited, though tragic, Grinch, will keep the children riveted. It teaches lessons of empathy and shows how the most important thing is to rise above adversity and keep one's spirits positive even after setbacks. Even more importantly, it shows how we all have a Grinch in us, and we all need to work to not let it rear its ugly head by consistently doing good deeds and forgiving others' transgressions.

The rhymes are brilliants and so are the costumes - thoroughly entertaining for children and adults!

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Little Fockers (2010)

The third installment in a hilarious comedic series, Little Fockers reprises the old themes of family conflicts and the tensions between in-laws and their kids' spouses.

While not as witty as the first two, this is a feel-good show to watch and be entertained with the children during Christmas.

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Love Actually (2003)

The only British addition on this list, the story begins five weeks before Christmas and is played out in a weekly countdown, followed by an epilogue that takes place one month after Christmas. The romantic comedy weaves together the different love stories between characters who are all connected to each other in some way or other.

This is a must-watch not least because of its brilliant soundtrack. Its celebration of Christmas and romantic love during this festive period makes it a modern-day Christmas classic.

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Family Stone (2005)

The play of words on the film's titular 'stone' references both the family name as well as the family heirloom (or what it represents) that causes much conflicts.

This movie is all about the stresses that can occur when family dynamics change because of life-changing events such as death or marriage. Christmas, though a time of joy and warm togetherness, can bring these tensions to the forefront.

Helmed by veteran actresses like Claire Danes, Sarah Jessica Parker and Diane Keaton, this is a well-made Christmas movie that will warm and entertain your family.

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The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

Tim Burton, the maestro of goth takes Christmas on in this dark musical.

With a mish mesh of fantastical characters like Pumpkin King, talking mice and a life-sized doll, this is a film that enthralls kids with a mixture of jolly, macabre and romance.

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Written by

Leigh Fan

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