15 Christmas Movies That Filled Your Childhood With Wonderful, Wintry Magic

 

The holiday season is officially in full swing, and with it comes the overwhelming urge to watch Christmas movies. While we now have Netflix and Freeform's 25 Days of Christmas to cuddle up with on those cold and snowy nights, sometimes you need to pull out a classic that really reminds you of what it was like to experience the magic of the holidays as a kid. 

 

That feeling of leaving school for Christmas break, sledding with your friends, and watching movies under mountains of blankets while your mom makes hot chocolate is something we never grow out of, much like these classic movies.

 

1 To Grandmother's House We Go

Image Source: Warner Bros.

While all the Olsen twins' movies are basically classics, To Grandmother's House We Go is exceptionally amazing. Who didn't want to run away from home at some point when they were a kid? Between their cute escape plan (which didn't involve crossing the street without an adult) and their desire to give their mom a much-need break, we were there for every step of their holiday-themed adventure.

2 A Charlie Brown Christmas

Image Source: CBS

If you're ever feeling down about the state of the world, this movie will definitely make you smile. Everyone can relate to feeling a little lost during the holidays, but if you look inside people's hearts instead of under their trees, you'll always find what you're really looking for: love. Oh, and you can't listen to "Christmas Time Is Here" without immediately being transported back to watching this in front of the TV as a kid.

3 National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

Image Source: Warner Bros.

While this movie has a lot of adult humor mixed in, it's without a doubt a great family classic. Your dad probably quotes Clark Griswold every year ("And when Santa squeezes his fat, white ass down that chimney tonight, he's gonna find the jolliest bunch of assh*les this side of the nuthouse!"), and you probably relate to squeezing family members in every room of the house. And above all, this taught you to never underestimate the power of a house covered in Christmas lights.

4 Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! TV Special

Image Source: MGM

Before Jim Carrey embodied one of Dr. Seuss' most iconic characters, the Grinch was an animated villain on TV. There's something about the old-timey cartoon that puts you right in the Christmas spirit (despite, you know, the Grinch taking it away from all of Whoville).

5 Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas Movie

Image Source: Universal Pictures

We've been blessed with this live-action version of the Grinch since 2000, and it will never, ever get old. In addition to Jim Carrey's signature humor and ridiculously funny quotes ("6:30, dinner with me. I can't cancel that again"), the way Whoville was brought to life was so magical. And if you can get through Faith Hill's "Where Are You Christmas?" without crying, you're a champ.

6 The Preacher's Wife

Image Source: Walt Disney Studios

Whitney Houston's magical voice aside, this movie includes all of the things that make up our Christmas dreams: angels, snow, singing, friendship, love, and family. While Dudley (Denzel Washington) doesn't always have it easy during his time back on earth, his goal of bringing a broken family back together is what the holidays are all about.

7 Ernest Saves Christmas

Image Source: Walt Disney Studios

Long story short: he did it. Ernest really saved Christmas.

8 A Christmas Story

Image Source: MGM

Despite the fact that this movie takes place in the 1940s, there's a reason they have a 24-hour marathon of it on TV every Christmas. Ralphie's intense desire for that one big present is something we've all experienced at one point or another, and his dad's pronunciation of "Fragile" still makes us LOL every time.

9 Richie Rich's Christmas Wish

Image Source: Warner Bros.

What kid didn't want a big wishing machine for Christmas? Also, our crush on David Gallagher was pretty intense back in the day.

10 Home Alone

Image Source: 20th Century Fox

It goes without saying that Home Alone is a classic. While being left alone in a big house is something we all desired (and feared) as kids, lines like "I'm eating junk and watching rubbish" are still perfectly acceptable in your adult vocabulary. We also still cry every time Kevin reunites with his mom.

11 White Christmas

Image Source: Paramount Pictures

Even though White Christmas is an oldie, if you have a sister, you probably know a thing or two about throwing on your old tap shoes and dancing around the room to "Sisters." And there's something super comforting about Betty Haynes waking up in the middle of the night because she couldn't sleep, only to be put to rest with a glass of milk from Bob Wallace. Also, musicals.

12 Prancer

Image Source: MGM

Prancer is one of those movies that doesn't get a whole lot of credit, but you know that you've definitely seen and loved it. Despite the heartbreaking storyline of a girl being forced to go live with her aunt after her dad realizes he can't handle her (her mother recently passed away), she finds the magic of Christmas in a local reindeer. Her firm belief in Santa is what ultimately brings her and her dad back together.

13 While You Were Sleeping

Image Source: Walt Disney Studios

This movie is so ridiculously charming that you probably end up with a huge smile on your face every time you watch it. Lucy (Sandra Bullock) perfectly delivers as the woman who kinda of lies about being engaged to a rich businessman only to fall head over heels for his brother (side note: Bill Pullman is extremely sexy in this movie). You also probably laughed until you cried when that paper boy flung himself off his bike.

14 Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas

Image Source: Walt Disney Studios

It's not really Christmas until you throw a little Mickey Mouse in there somewhere. This movie delivers three very different stories about the holidays, but they all teach you valuable lessons. The one where Huey, Dewey, and Louie get their wish to have it be Christmas every day is something we all wished for as kids.

15 The Santa Clause

Image Source: Walt Disney Studios

This movie will always be one of the most magical rides we've ever been on. From the spot-on North Pole re-creation to being the reason we all asked our own dads to push Santa off the roof so he can take over the job, The Santa Clause got it all right.

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