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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at UFL chapter.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Red and green decorations cover stores and houses, holiday harmonies play aloud over airwaves and best of all, Christmas movies are on TV to help celebrate the season. Even TV channels like ABC Family and TBS have a full lineup of Christmas classics to help spread the cheer. In light of this magical Christmas spirit, here is my list of the top 10 Christmas movies of all time.

 

10. Deck the Halls 
This Christmas movie is a shining example of a movie the whole family can enjoy. Two neighbors battle it out after one of them is on a mission to decorate his house so bright that it can be seen from outer space. This movie will be sure to illuminate the Christmas spirit in everyone.

9. Christmas with the Kranks 
This movie highlights the harms in being the Scrooge in the neighborhood. When a husband and wife decide to simply skip the Christmas traditions for a cruise in the Caribbean, they quickly find themselves deemed the social outcasts of the neighborhood due to their lack of Christmas spirit. This movie will transform the most un-merry folks. Ba humbug.


8. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer 

Everyone nose the story of this classic Christmas cartoon, which is why it’s a tradition to watch it as Christmas rolls around, landing it at No. 8 on my list.


7. The Holiday 

There’s no surprise that at least one romantic movie had to make it onto my list. The Holiday exemplifies how love can arise in the most unexpected of places. Nothing warms my heart during the holiday season like a Christmas romance.

6. The Year Without a Santa Claus 
When a discouraged Santa hears children no longer believe in him, he vows to skip Christmas. In order to prove the holiday spirit is still alive, his right-hand elves travel to Earth to prove the essence of the holiday is still there. I grew up watching this movie every year, and it’s a classic in my family.

5. How the Grinch Stole Christmas 
In this action-filled rendition of the beloved children’s classic by Dr. Seuss, Christmas is in trouble when the un-jolly Grinch tries to swipe every holiday item away from the town of Whoville. This mean-and-green monster makes for a Christmas movie that can be enjoyed by all.  


4. The Santa Clause 

When a man unintentionally kills Santa, he finds himself magically recruited to take his place: beard, belly and all. This Christmas movie transports you to the North Pole with all of its whimsy and wonder. This is one of my favorite Christmas movies because it helps everyone realize the importance of believing.

3. Home Alone 
This comedy shows you to be careful what you wish for. When a family mistakenly leaves for their Christmas vacation without their 8-year-old son, he is left to defend his house from foolish burglars. A childhood classic with a successful franchise of films, you can even make this one a Christmas movie marathon. What sounds better than that?

  

2. Elf 
This iconic Christmas movie is one of the best the season has to offer. After being raised as an elf in the North Pole, a man travels to New York to discover his true identity. This jolly character brings a whole lot of Christmas spirit with him wherever he goes, along with a lot of laughs for whoever watches the film. It not only brings magic to the season, but also reminds us that the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear. Since I can basically quote the entire movie, it comes in at No. 2.


1. The Polar Express 

All aboard! Coming in at No. 1 on my list, The Polar Express takes you aboard a magical and dreamlike train ride to the North Pole. Amid hot chocolate, festive songs and a childlike wonder, this journey to meet Father Christmas is one of a kind. All those who embark on the journey are shown that the miracle of Christmas never fades for those who always continue to believe. This is undoubtedly my favorite Christmas movie because it not only warms my heart, but also I am always overcome with a strong dose of the Christmas spirit.

The best Christmas movies are all about magic, miracles and faith. These Christmas films contain nothing but good cheer beneath their shiny wrapping paper. With all these holly jolly movies to watch, you’ll be sure to have a very merry holiday.
 

Photo Credit: ‪www.filmetari.com

Cara oversees Her Campus Media's community department and serves as strategic lead for the expansion, development and management of all HCM communities, including the Her Campus Chapter Network, InfluenceHer Collective, College Fashionista, Spoon University, Campus Trendsetters, alumni and high school. She works closely with company leadership to develop new community-related sales offerings and the Integrated Marketing team to support all community-focused client marketing programs from end to end. Cara has experience working with high-profile talent, such as Jessica Alba, Andrew Yang, Amber Tamblyn, Aja Naomi King, Troian Bellisario, Jessica Marie Garcia, Nico Tortorella, Nastia Liukin, Rebecca Minkoff, Cecile Richards and Samantha Power, as well as brands like Coca-Cola, L'Oréal Paris, The New York Times, HBO, Uber, H&M and more. Having been a part of the HC family since 2011, Cara served as Campus Correspondent of the HC chapter at the University of Florida where she studied journalism, women’s studies and leadership. A New Yorker turned Floridian, Cara has a Friends quote for any situation. You can usually find her with her friends and family at the beach, a concert or live sports event or binge-watching Grey's Anatomy or Sons of Anarchy. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter @thecararose.