Must-watch Christmas movies

The holiday season is upon us, and with that comes all of the classic Christmas traditions. Christmas movies are a staple for most people during the holidays. Each member of the Rider Chronicle staff shares their favorite movie to watch during this jolly season.

Four Christmases

This holiday rom-com is one of my ultimate favorite Christmas movies. Not only does it bring holiday cheer, but it is hilariously relatable on a different level. Following Brad (Vince Vaughn) and Kate (Reese Witherspoon) in their relationship, you go through the roller coaster of their plans for the holiday season and the unexpected fate they end up with. This movie covers the family drama that most people deal with over Christmas while also shining light on the importance of family. I will be having this movie on replay during the holiday season. – Sara Pratt

The Nutcracker

My favorite Christmas movie, if you can call it that, is the 1993 adaptation of the Nutcracker ballet. I grew up in ballet from a young age, and The Nutcracker performance was something I looked forward to every year. One of the things I love about The Nutcracker is that it can be adapted in so many ways, and I enjoy seeing how different companies illustrate the classic story. This production is nostalgic and timeless. It holds a special place in my heart, and while I no longer dance, I love getting to watch it from home every year. – Allie Stubblefield

Christmas with the Kranks

 “Christmas with the Kranks” is my favorite Christmas movie because it is hilarious. The 2004 movie stars a couple that decided to save money and skip celebrating Christmas because their daughter was out of the country. The Kranks planned to not throw their annual Christmas party and partake in putting Frosty on the top of their house. The couple was shamed by their co-worker, friends and neighbors for not decorating their house, until the Kranks got a call their daughter was going to be home for Christmas. My favorite part of the movie is at the end when everyone in the neighborhood comes together to decorate the Kranks’ house for the last-minute Christmas Eve party. -Sidney Lott

Santa Clause 3: The Reserve Clause

Despite popular belief that original movies are better than their sequels, I believe that “The Santa Clause 3” is by far the best out of all in the franchise. With a minorly cliche storyline filled with an unexpected plot twist, this movie definitely made me hate Jack Frost. As Christmas approaches and we continue to go through the motions we’ve known for our lifetime, it’s necessary to keep in mind the memories we bring to others that can change their lives for the better. – Sandra Le 

It’s a Wonderful Life

Every year around Christmas time, my family and I   always make sure to watch a movie that is very near and dear to my heart: Frank Capra’s “It’s a Wonderful Life.” The movie itself is a masterpiece, from the iconic cast to the nostalgic feelings of home and family. However, it also teaches a valuable lesson. As we head into the holiday season and observe the annual changes of our world, I think it’s important to remember what we’ve been given and the people who have helped us along our journeys. George Bailey and his guardian angel Clarence remind us that it only takes one person to change our perspective and give us the hope we need to persevere. – Meghan Helton

Gremlins

 Around Christmas time a salesman in a hurry goes into a Chinese shop to buy his son Billy a present, but notices a pet. He doesn’t know what animal it is but gets it to surprise his son. Personally I really like the idea of a foreign animal and the consequences of having a pet that needs a ton of attention and care. Billy proceeds to not to take care of it right by feeding it past midnight which is a rule to keep the gremlin normal. One rule is not to pour water on them, and Billy’s friend drops water on gizmo making evil versions of a gremlin that cause mayhem and havoc throughout New York. The idea of having evil pets for Christmas is really funny to think about, and having big responsibility and not going through with it can have consequences. -Mason Chambers

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

There is no doubt in my mind that “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” is the best Christmas movie in existence. Starting off, we obviously can’t ignore the all-star cast, including Chevy Chase, Johnny Galecki and Doris Roberts. Honestly, however, the humor is what really brings this movie to life, from Clarke causing a few grids to lose power due to his overzealous Christmas lights to the Griswalds’ uncheerful neighbors to my personal favorite being Clark’s rant, to where he expresses the family will have the “hap-hap-happiest holiday.” If you’ve never seen this classic, your missing out on some hardcore belly laughs. -Olivia Davenport

Elf

For as long as I can remember, my family and I would curl up on the couch with the fireplace roaring and watch Christmas movies every weekend leading up to Christmas Eve. My favorite out of all the others is “Elf.” Buddy the Elf was on my list of favorite characters with his journey from the North Pole to New York, where he felt out of place. Then he slowly finds where he belongs. He finds his family, and falls in love. The story he goes through turns into a best-selling book, and inspires others to believe in Christmas again. It’s a funny movie and definitely worth the time taken out of a cold winter night. -Kylie Davenport