Jason's Big List of Christmas Movies
Welcome to my December! Each year, my wife and I watch all of our favorite Christmas movies and programs as a way to get into the spirit of the season. In addition to some classics, we watch movies and TV shows that many people wouldn't even consider for the season.
The movies are organized somewhat randomly. However, I tried to put those that are available on Netflix at the top of each list. The rest of them can be found on Amazon. I included links to each service where appropriate.
Enjoy!
First, Actual Christmas Movies
The first category is for movies that most people agree are actually Christmas movies. The stories are about celebrating the holiday and quite often Santa Claus himself makes an appearance. There are some classics here as well as some very new movies.
Miracle on 34th Street
A Christmas classic! For those of you who don't believe in Santa Claus, this movie should set you straight.
Miracle on 34th Street on Netflix or Amazon
Nativity!
Very funny. Martin Freeman plays a school teacher who accidentally promises more than he can deliver for his school's annual Nativity production. I really enjoyed this one.
Nativity! on Netflix or Amazon
Snow
Snow is a cheesy ABC Family movie. It may not be worth your time, but it's pretty easygoing and has its funny moments.
Snow 2
This is the sequel to the movie above. It's not any better than the first but I can't watch only one knowing there's a sequel.
Elf
Will Ferrell stars as Buddy, a man who, raised among the elves at the North Pole, doesn't realize he's not an elf until he travels to New York City to visit his father. I love this one and sometimes even watch it other times of the year.
A Charlie Brown Christmas
We have a Charlie Brown Christmas tree in our living room right now.
A Charlie Brown Christmas on Amazon
The Santa Clause
Tim Allen plays Scott Calvin, a suburban father who unwillingly becomes Santa Claus after the previous Santa falls off Scott's roof. The second and third films continue the story of Scott being Santa and how his family deals with it. This series is good family fun.
The Santa Clause on Amazon
The Santa Clause 2 on Netflix or Amazon
The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause on Amazon
The Holiday
This one really caught me by surprise. Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz play two lonely women who trade locations for Christmas. It's a sweet story and kind of a chick flick but I love it.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
You can't miss this cartoon classic. You'll probably find it on TV every year, but if you miss it, Amazon's got you covered.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas! on Amazon
Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas
Yes, I'm one of the few people who enjoy Jim Carrey's version of the Grinch. For a live action film, this one has plenty of imagination.
Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas on Amazon
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
Another classic, only this one originated during my own childhood. It's crass but all kinds of funny.
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation on Amazon
A Christmas Story
"You'll shoot your eye out!" I love this movie and I've never met anyone who doesn't.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
I've been watching this one every year since I was a kid. I don't plan to ever stop.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer on Amazon
Frosty the Snowman
Another legend among annual Christmas specials. Who didn't cry just a little bit when they opened the greenhouse door?
The Family Stone
This one also surprised me. It's a great movie about a big family that will have you laughing and crying all evening. It's got lots of depth to it and tells so many stories very well.
The Night They Saved Christmas
This one was my favorite Christmas movie growing up. It's the reason I still believe in Santa Claus.
The Night They Saved Christmas on Amazon
Scrooged
Bill Murray plays a modern day Ebenezer Scrooge in this silly adaptation. It's easier to watch than any of the more serious versions of A Christmas Carol showing on TV now.
Home Alone
Total guilty pleasure! I like the first two movies in this series. (Yes, there's a third.) They're good for the family, funny, and have a little bit of heart, too.
Home Alone on Amazon
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York on Amazon
Fred Claus
Vince Vaughn plays Santa's brother who never got quite enough attention growing up. Watch this one for the cameos during the group therapy scene. And try to ignore the terrible effect they used to make the elves.
Deck the Halls
Matthew Broderick and Danny DeVito play neighbors who just can't get along, even during the Christmas season. This is another one that's funny enough to sit through each year.
Four Christmases
Vince Vaughn is back but with Reese Witherspoon this time. The families are even weirder in this movie and that makes for some good laughs.
Second, TV Shows with Christmas Episodes
There are a few TV shows that we just love to watch and many of them have Christmas episodes. We make sure to watch those each year.
The Office (U.S.)
This is my all-time favorite TV show. I enjoy revisiting all of the Christmas episodes each year but the one from the second season is my favorite.
The Office on Netflix
The Office Season 2, Ep. 10 "Christmas Party" on Amazon
The Office Season 3, Ep. 10 "A Benihana Christmas-Parts 1 & 2" on Amazon
The Office Season 5, Ep. 10 "Moroccan Christmas" on Amazon
The Office Season 6, Ep. 13 "Secret Santa" 
The Office Season 7, Ep. 11 "Classy Christmas, Part 1" on Amazon
The Office Season 7, Ep. 12 "Classy Christmas, Part 2" on Amazon
The Office Season 8, Ep. 10 "Christmas Wishes" on Amazon
30 Rock
This show always cracks me up. They've made a few Christmas episodes, too, that are fun to check out this time of year.
30 Rock on Netflix
30 Rock Season 2, Ep. 9 "Ludachristmas" on Amazon
30 Rock Season 3, Ep. 6 "Christmas Special" on Amazon
30 Rock Season 4, Ep. 8 "Secret Santa" on Amazon
30 Rock Season 5, Ep. 11 "Christmas Attack Zone" on Amazon
MythBusters
There's a MythBusters Christmas episode on Netflix we watch each year where they make a Rube Goldberg contraption. I'm not sure if the Amazon link below is for that exact episode but it's hard to go wrong with MythBusters.
MythBusters on Netflix
MythBusters Season 5, Ep. 1 "Holiday Special" on Amazon
The Office (U.K.)
The U.K. original of The Offic is fantastic! They made a Christmas special after the show had run its course. Check it out.
The Office (U.K.) on Netflix
The Office Christmas Specials on Amazon
Psych
I know. I know. This is kind of a goofy show but it makes me laugh. I must say, the Psych Christmas episodes really aren't that great, but I can't pass them up this time of year.
Psych on Netflix
Psych Season 2, Ep. 10 "Gus' Dad May Have Killed an Old Guy" on Amazon
Psych Season 3, Ep. 9 "Christmas Joy" on Amazon
Psych Season 5, Ep. 14 "The Polarizing Express" on Amazon
American Chopper
This won't appeal to everyone. If you like watching dysfunctional families yell at each other and try to make kids happy, then you might enjoy these episodes.
American Chopper on Netflix
American Chopper Season 1, Ep. 29 "Christmas Special" on Amazon 
American Chopper Season 2, Ep. 11 "Christmas Sleigh" on Amazon 
American Chopper Season 3, Ep. 21 "Make-A-Wish-Bike - Special" on Amazon
Dr. Who
Dr. Who has a tradition of actually airing a special episode on Christmas Day. If I lived in England, I'd definitely make an occasion of watching these each year. Until then, I'll just watch the previous year's specials.
Dr. Who on Netflix
Doctor Who Season 2, Ep. 1 "The Christmas Invasion" on Amazon
Doctor Who Season 3, Ep. 1 "The Runaway Bride" on Amazon
Doctor Who Season 4, Ep. 1 "Voyage Of The Damned" on Amazon
Doctor Who Season 4, Ep. 15 "The Next Doctor" on Amazon
Warehouse 13
This one is new to me, but I like it. It's kind of a cheesy science fiction show but I like what they've done with it.
Warehouse 13 on Netflix
Warehouse 13 Season 2, Ep. 13 "Secret Santa" on Amazon
Warehouse 13 Season 3, Ep. 13 "The Greatest Gift" on Amazon
Third, Movies With Just a Little Bit of Christmas
This next list has a handful of movies that aren't really Christmas movies but they do have some sort of connection to the holiday. We tend to watch each of these movies this time of year, as well.
The Hudsucker Proxy
This one has more to do with New Year's Eve, but it spans through the Christmas season. Besides, this used to be my all-time favorite movie.
The Hudsucker Proxy on Netflix or Amazon
About A Boy
Hugh Grant's character is rich because his father wrote a hit Christmas song. If you watch only one movie from this list, make it this one.
Almost Famous
I don't really watch this one each year, but I mentioned it on the podcast. The movie opens with The Chipmunk Christmas Song .
Serendipity
This one spans a whole year or more but some of the key moments take place around Christmas. It's a fun romantic comedy.
The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe
The kids save Narnia from the White Witch and Father Christmas makes an appearance about halfway through the movie.
The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe on Amazon
Sleepless in Seattle
This is another romantic comedy that has a couple Christmas scenes in it.
Sleepless in Seattle on Amazon
Harry Potter
Every Harry Potter movie spans a school year and in most of them, a major event takes place during the Christmas holiday. Plus, I don't need much excuse to watch these.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone on Amazon
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets on Amazon
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban on Amazon
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire on Amazon
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix on Amazon
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince on Amazon
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1 on Amazon
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2 on Amazon
Catch Me If You Can
The two main characters talk to each other every Christmas.
Finally, Other Movies We Watch This Time of Year
Okay, these have nothing at all to do with Christmas but we find ourselves watching these movies around the holidays because there's not much else to do when it's cold and snowy outside.
The Lord of the Rings
Come on. Don't you watch these once a year, too?
Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring on Amazon
Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers on Amazon
Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King on Amazon
