Classic Christmas Movies: The 10 Best Holiday Films to Watch This Season

Little Lord Fauntleroy

A classic Christmas movie that children love and awakens nostalgic memories in adults: "Little Lord Fauntleroy" is one of the most beautiful Christmas movies. It is sure to make the holiday season a special time. Based on the novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett from 1886, the story takes us on an exciting journey to England. This is where cherubic little Cedric from the US ends up. Being the only heir, he has to move in with his aristocratic – and curmudgeonly – grandfather. With his childlike innocence and unshakeable belief in the good in people, he softens his grumpy grandfather's heart. But just as he has grown fond of his grandson, another boy suddenly lays claim to his grandfather's fortune. If you want to find out whether Cedric and his grandfather will find happiness after all, you shouldn't miss this classic Christmas movie.

Three Wishes for Cinderella

Christmas season is the perfect time for fairytales. The classic Christmas movie "Three Wishes for Cinderella" is nowadays an integral part of the Christmas and Advent season in Europe. But why is this relatively old fairytale from the 70s still so popular? In addition to the regularity of the broadcasts (almost all German speaking public broadcasters have been showing the film in their pre-Christmas programs for years), it is above all the lovable characters that breathe life into the film. The young orphan girl who is bullied by her stepmother and the rebellious prince who does not want to be married off by his parents and prefers to shoot his crossbow in the forest make it easy for viewers to identify with the protagonists and their dreams. All the more reason to root for the romantic cat-and-mouse game between the two squabblers, who meet by chance in the forest and are fascinated by each other despite their various banter. This classic Christmas movie should not be missing from your movie night, especially if your love a romantic movie. 

Home alone

Every child's (bad) dream: Forgotten at home by his parents after a hectic start to a Christmas trip, little Kevin is left at home without any supervision while his family goes on vacation without him. At the beginning, the little boy enjoys his freedom and makes himself really comfortable with movie nights and huge ice cream sundaes. If only there weren't two nasty burglars who disturb the peace of the house. They want to take advantage of the McAllister family's absence to rob the house. However, they didn't anticipate shrewd little Kevin. The inventive boy defends his house with all kinds of ploys and tricks, which the foolish thieves don't see coming and therefore fall for again and again. If you want to laugh a little during the holiday season, you should add this classic Christmas movie to your list of films to watch on movie night. A little tip: this comedy is also often shown on various channels leading up to Christmas. 

How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Just can't get into the Christmas spirit this year? Then you'll identify with the green monster, an avowed Christmas grouch who has a pronounced aversion to the holiday season. The story depicted in the film has not only developed into a true classic Christmas movie over the years, but also inspires young and old alike with the values it conveys in an entertaining way: It's never too late to look forward to Christmas. And for this to be a complete success, it doesn't need a mountain of presents, but above all a loving community.

Frozen

This classic Christmas movie is for all fans of animated films: released by Disney in 2013, the movie "Frozen" tells the touching story of a fearless princess in search of her sister. The fearless Anna embarks on a journey full of adventure with Kristoff and his reindeer Sven. Along the way, they encounter all kinds of fantastic creatures such as trolls and the talking snowman Olaf. If you want to know whether the sisters will find each other in the end, you should just "let it go" and definitely watch the movie to join in in the excitement.

Scrooged

Ever think that the true meaning of Christmas gets lost in the hunt for presents? Then it's time to revisit the classic tale of Christmas – and why not wrapped in an 80s guise? This classic Christmas movie stars the ruthless TV boss Frank Cross. A callous career man, he takes no interest in the worries and needs of his fellow human beings. Instead of Christian charity, all that matters to him are the ratings, which he wants to drive to unimagined heights on Christmas Eve. But then a couple of ghosts suddenly appear. They throw his plans into disarray and make him realize the true importance during the holiday season.

Polar Express

Who among us has not wanted to travel to the North Pole as a child to see Santa Claus in person? This wish comes true for a little boy in this classic Christmas movie. Although the boy doesn't really believe in Santa, he stays awake on Christmas Eve to maybe catch a glimpse of the sleigh after all. But instead of a reindeer sleigh, he suddenly hears the sound of a train. All of a sudden, the Polar Express appears at his door and takes the boy on an exciting journey to the North Pole. Through his meetings with other passengers, the little boy realizes that you simply have to believe in miracles for them to happen.

Christmas Vacation

At Christmas, you want everything to go as perfectly as possible so that you and your family can enjoy an unforgettable day. No classic Christmas movie embodies this urge for perfection and the associated stress and chaos that inevitably follows better than "Christmas Vacation". During the Griswolds' Christmas preparations, every imaginable thing that could go wrong really does go wrong. From broken windows to an overloaded power grid – no misfortune gets past the head of the family, Clark. And things get even worse when Cousin Eddie suddenly turns up on the doorstep with his clan without any prior notice...

Jingle All the Way

Looking for a fun time at Christmas? Then this Christmas comedy starring Arnold Schwarzenegger is certainly a great choice. As Howard, Schwarzenegger plays a very busy family man who regularly misses important events in his son's life. To make up for this, he promises to get him an action figure of the superhero Turboman for Christmas. But the absent-minded Howard doesn't remember his promise until the morning of Christmas Eve. And thus, a race against time begins to get hold of one last copies before the stores close.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Cookies, chocolates, candy canes – the holiday season is a time for indulgence. It would be a dream come true to be able to visit a real chocolate factory. That's exactly what the hero of this classic Christmas movie dreams of. Living in poor circumstances, little Charlie Bucket longs for nothing more than a bar of Willy Wonka's chocolate. By a stroke of luck, he and four other children win an exclusive tour of chocolatier Willy Wonka's gigantic chocolate factory. What the children don't know: The fantastic tour is a pretense that the eccentric Mr. Wonka is using to search for a worthy successor. The movie is definitely the perfect end to your winter movie night!

You would like to watch a movie from the list, but don't have it on DVD or Blu-Ray and also don't want to pay for it directly? No problem, just take a look at Netflix or Amazon Prime. Especially in the run-up to Christmas you will find some Christmas movies there. Which films do you think are among the best classic Christmas movies and should not be missing this holiday season?