As the holiday season rolls around, people are starting to look for good holiday movies to watch. But what qualifies as a holiday movie? Personally, a holiday movie is defined as a movie that keeps a holiday as an integral part of the story. So with that being said, here are the top 5 holiday movies.

The Grinch:

Dr. Seuss has a plethora of famous books from Horton Hears a Who, Cat in the Hat, to Sam I am. But one of his greatest works is the Grinch. “The Grinch” has been transformed into three different movies. All of them are notable for different reasons. But the core of the story remains the same. It’s about a cold cut-off man learning about the true meaning of Christmas and opening up. It’s a heartwarming tale that everyone should know. As for which version you should watch, that really depends on what you want. The original made in 1966 is a classic cartoon with animation closely resembling the art in the book. The 2000 Jim Carrey remake also isn’t bad. Jim Carrey stands out as the Grinch and overall makes a good movie. The latest version, starring Benedict Cumberpatch, is a more modern version with up-to-date references.

Elf:

The Christmas comedy is a classic movie genre. One of the better and more famous ones is “Elf”, starring Will Ferrel as main character Buddy. The movie tells the tale of Buddy finding out he is, in fact, not an elf. He then travels to New York to find his real dad and learn to be a regular person. The film is full of wacky stunts and over-the-top dialogue. If you are looking for a movie that has less childish jokes and more adult themes then “Elf” is a great movie to see.

It’s a Wonderful Life:

“It’s a Wonderful Life” differs from the other movies on this list because of the fact that it isn’t a comedy movie. It tells the story of a man regretting his decisions throughout life. Clarence, his angel, then shows him a version of the world where he isn’t alive. He learns about the beauty of life and finds a reason to continue living. It is a very heartwarming movie and is appropriate for all the family to watch. One downside is that it is old and in black and white. But once you look past that part, you will be in for a good time.

Home Alone:

“Home Alone” is one of the most well-known Christmas movies. It tells the tale of Kevin as he is left alone for Christmas and has to defend his home from burglars. The movie is not only funny but also has great action moments. The most notable moment is in the third act when Kevin defends the house. From heated doorknobs, to paint cans thrown down the stairs, almost every trap is memorable. The movie is a great time to watch with the family or with friends.

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation:

If you’re looking for a good laugh then “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” is the perfect movie for you. It tells the story of Clark, played by Chevy Chase, and his family dealing with all of their relatives visiting. It’s silly and can have more mature jokes at times, but it’s a great film that will have you laughing.