Top 15 Favorite Holiday Movies

There is a lot of debate out there on which are the best holiday movies.  Some find the choices as sacred as their political affiliations, coffee choices, or football teams.  But, I thought I would share, with all of you folks, my top holiday movie choices.  These choices are not in any particular order.  That would make this post far too difficult for my brain at this time of the year.

Of course, the Alastair Sim version of A Christmas Carol is fabulous.  This version is not the original, but it far surpasses any prior or after (and that includes the creepy Jim Carey version).  I remember watching this movie when I was a kid, and I still watch it (it doesn't count that I consider myself to still be a kid).  Alastair Sim will forever be Scrooge.

An American classic! To not have this movie on a top holiday movie list is a criminal action, and should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law (not matter what country you are in).   Anyone who cannot relate to this simple fact is not human.

Christmas in Connecticut... Okay, I first saw this in my early 20s when I was an aggressive feminist and the very thought of the 1940s reality of a woman's role made my physically ill.  As I got older, I have found the humor in this little ditty and a deep understanding of Barbara Stanwyck's attempts of trying to be a successful single woman in a world where a woman's success was measured by her husband.  Sure, there is a mushy love story in there, but I'm certain you'll appreciate it like I do.

Uh? What planet are you from?!?! Elf is a bowl full of spaghetti topped with maple syrup.  This movie actually deserves rock star status amongst the holiday movies.

And then there is Fred Claus... Right up there with Elf.  Vince Vaughn pretty much plays the same character in every movie, but in this one - it is the other character s who make this movie a bright star and holds a solid place on my holiday movie list.

A classic.  'Nuff said.

I do love this movie.  A precocious child, bumbling robbers, and plenty of hi jinx.  The movies that followed pushed the formula too far and became ingratiating.  However, the original still is a must watch during the holidays (and after the holidays too).

Mum's all time favorite.  We end up watching this movie several times during the holiday season.  It typically starts around Halloween, and it doesn't end until Valentine's Day.  At least I can say Mum knows what she likes.

I like this one.  It is a bit of a ketchy storyline, but Queen Latifah is fabulous in it. And, quite frankly, is sends a great message... Life is too short, so life it!

A childhood favorite that turned into an adulthood favorite.  Dawn and I grew up on these puppet and clay-mation movies.  When I watch them as an adult, it reminds me of what a great childhood I had.

This movie is, in a word, poetry.

Hammered by the critics, but I believe this little ditty is severally under-rated.  

I LOVE this movie.  I love all the supporting characters, how Sandra's Lucy talks to herself, and how the story just slowly falls into place like snow.  I love they used Chicago as the backdrop of this sweet story, and I love how Peter Gallagher's character is so profoundly shallow - even when he's in a coma.

Danny Kaye? Check! Rosemary Clooney? Check!  The song "Sisters"? Check! A total classic that epitomizes the holiday season.

How can you go wrong with the Miser Brothers? You can't!  Mickey Rooney's Santa Claus is totally upstaged by the bad guys... I'm convinced this is what set the foundation for Alan Rickman's work.

Now many of my friends will have an issue with me not including the British classic, Love Actually.  And I will tell you why I didn't include this movie...

Liam Neeson becomes the wing man to a 10-year-old; Hugh Grant has an inappropriate relationship with his employee; the husband and wife of Emma Thompson and Alan Rickman have a dissolving marriage thanks to Rickman's behavior toward an employee; and Kiera Knightly's character is being wooed by the best friend of her husband.  Not to mention the weird dynamic between two body doubles on a movie set, where the majority of their interactions are in the nude (the guy being played by Bilbo Baggins... Martin Freeman).  This movie is creepy, weird, and an HR Manager's nightmare.

So, what are your favorite movies? Is there anything I missed? Share, and if I haven't seen them before - I'll definitely check them out.