Now that Thanksgiving is long gone and Christmas is coming up unbelievably fast, it’s time to get into that Christmas spirit! Of course, many people associate Christmas with snuggling on your sofa under a heated blanket with a glass of hot chocolate in hand, clicking away the remote trying to find the perfect movie to match your mood. However, there are a few classics that need to be watched this holiday season in order to have the full Christmas movie experience. Here are my top five movies that I love to watch every winter break: 

#1: Home Alone

If you’re feeling comedy or need a movie to watch with your family, watch the classic Christmas movie Home Alone, starring Macaulay Culkin. This movie tells the cheeky story of 8-year-old Kevin McCallister, who gets left behind on a family vacation during the holidays and is forced to take care of himself while taking down two con men who try to rob his house. To prove that this movie is worth watching, Kathleen Carol, a Rotten Tomatoes  movie critic, said “[the] warm-hearted comedy will have both children and grownups giggling.” Lila Corwin from IMDB also said the classic “never ceases to get old.” Overall, if you’re looking for a family comedy that will have you doubling over in laughter, Home Alone is the movie for you. You can stream on Hulu, Disney+, and Amazon Prime if you have a subscription. 

#2: Elf 

This is another comedic childhood movie that can make anyone laugh. Elf, starring Will Ferrell, portrays a young man named Buddy, who was taken to the North Pole by accident as a baby and grows up as an elf. Later in the movie, Buddy accidentally finds out that he is not a true elf and impulsively travels to New York to find his real father. This feel-good movie provides a great sense of “Yuletide cheer,” according to Rotten Tomatoes, which is completely accurate, in my opinion. To conclude, this movie is known for its heartwarming attributes, which make it a great family-friendly movie to watch. It can be found on Hulu, HBO Max, and Amazon Prime if you have a subscription.    

#3: A Wonderful Life 

This movie is one of my personal favorites to watch on Christmas. A Wonderful Life depicts the story of George Bailey, who is deeply frustrated with himself and even wishes for his death. In his moments of self-hatred, an angel then comes down from heaven to show him how different the world would have been without him and how he has helped countless people throughout his life. According to IMDB , the film is “a timeless masterpiece.” Movie critic Jon Larsen also states it is “one of the best films of all time.” This movie is very heartwarming and brings the Christmas spirit into households every year. If you are interested in watching this movie, it is available on Amazon Prime, FuboTV, and Hoopla. 

#4: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation 

The film portrays the character Clark Griswold, who desires a perfect family Christmas holiday. In order to accomplish this, he persistently aggravates his wife to ensure everything is in line. However, when things are finally going well, Clark’s cousin and the rest of his family unexpectedly move into his property in a trailer, which sends his original plan astray. According to Rotten Tomatoes, David Nusair describes the movie as “an affable yet thoroughly erratic comedy.” In my opinion, this is a feel-good comedy and a great film to watch with loved ones. If you are interested in watching it, it is available on Hulu, HBO Max, and Amazon Prime. 

#5: The Holiday

The Holiday is great for romance/comedy lovers. The movie portrays the life of  Amanda and Iris, played by Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet. The two women who live in different parts of the globe—Amanda in California and Iris in England— both have their hearts broken right before the holidays. In order to take their minds off of their situation, they decide to swap houses with each other, where they both end up having new and pleasant experiences. If interested in watching it, this movie is available on Amazon Prime. 

Now, if you ever happen to be sitting on your couch during the holiday break looking for the perfect movie to watch, there will be no more hesitation. I guarantee you that if you choose to watch one of these five movies, you’ll have a great time!