Every family has their own favorite go-to Christmas movie that you watch while you are decorating the tree or getting Christmas day dinner ready. There are so many to choose from; some are classics, some are budget films, and some are brand new right out of the box office. But, which one is the best? I know many family has debated this topic, and it is hard to decide on the best Christmas movie. However, after comparing list after list from websites, I’ve made my own list and checked it twice, and I think I have found the Top Ten Christmas Movie List.

Let’s start at the bottom:

#10 Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer (1964), an animated film showing the story of the mistreated reindeer who is finally needed one Christmas Eve by Santa Claus and his reindeer.

#9 How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966), another animated film telling the story of Whoville’s most hated resident. Through a special Whoville citizen, the Grinch finds Christmas.

#8 Miracle on 34th Street (1947), when a nice old man who claims to be Santa Claus is thought to be insane, a young lawyer decides to defend him by arguing in the court that he is the real thing.

#7 A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965), an animated TV short where Charlie Brown is repelled by the commercialism he sees around him. He tries to find and show everyone the true meaning of Christmas.

 #6 White Christmas (1954), a song and dance team become romantically involved with a sister act team who is up to saving the failing inn of their former commanding general.

#5 National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989), the Griswold family’s big extravagant Christmas plans turn into a big (hilarious) disaster.

#4 A Christmas Story (1983), a young boy named Ralphie attempts to convince his parents, his teacher, and Santa that a Red Ryder B.B. gun is really the prefect Christmas gift, causing his  family’s Christmas to spiral out of control.

#3 Home Alone (1990), an 8-year old troublemaker must protect his home from a pair of burglars when he is accidentally left home alone by his family during Christmas vacation.

#2 Elf (2003), after wreaking havoc on the elf community due to his ungainly size, a man raised as an elf at the North Pole is sent to the U.S in search of his real Dad and his identity.

#1 It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) ranks #1 on almost every list! An angel named Clarence (Henry Travers) is sent from heaven to help George Bailey (James Stewart), a desperate businessman who has dedicated his whole life to the people of Bedford Falls. On Christmas Eve his uncle Billy (Thomas Mitchell) loses $8000, causing George to believe he is worth more dead than alive. After George jumps off a bridge into a river to “save” Clarence, Clarence shows him what the lives of the people he cares about would be like if he was never born. After realizing that his life is a wonderful life and worth living, he asks Clarence to live again!  It’s a Wonderful Life is a great, feel good movie, and shows how wonderful life really is.

Clearly, the Christmas classics stay the same whether they were released in black and white, VHS, or on ABC Family. These Christmas classics have been family favorites for decades. They continue to be shown now Netflix, Hulu, DVDs, and on Christmas movie marathons. From the whole Arrowhead staff, we wish you and your families a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!