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Culture > Entertainment

TV Marathons You Must Watch this Christmas

The holidays are hectic. But when you’re finally done rushing from one family gathering to another, we bet you won’t know what to do with your spare time. Why not sit down and watch one of the dozens of Christmas films that will be inhabiting your television on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day? Instead of making you flip through the channels mercilessly, we’ve compiled a handy list of our favorites, with old and new films alike, to binge watch—below. Quick! Grab the cookies and hot chocolate.

TBS

If you’re looking for: A 24-hour marathon of A Christmas Story.

Our pick: This movie… on loop.

It’s the network’s fifteenth year to marathon the flick, proving little Ralphie’s exploits never get old. Beginning Christmas Eve at 8 p.m. EST, you’ve got 24 hours and 12 opportunities to see him finagle his way into getting that Red Rider gun. 

ABC Family

If you’re looking for: Family friendly.

Our picks: Snow (Wed. 11 a.m.), National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (Wed. 7 p.m.), Home Alone (Thurs. 11 a.m.), Elf (Thurs. 7 p.m.)

Sit down with the fam as the festivities wind down to relive some of the best holiday films from your childhood!

Hallmark Channel

If you’re looking for: Shameless holiday spirit and over-the-top romance.

Our picks: The Christmas Parade (Wed. 10 a.m.), A Bride for Christmas (Wed. 2 p.m.), Best Christmas Party Ever (Wed. 8 p.m.), The Nine Lives of Christmas (Thurs. 1:30 p.m.), A Royal Christmas (Thurs. 10:30 p.m.)

While the network has been airing original movies since early November, chances are, with Christmas shopping and finals, you haven’t had the opportunity to catch them all. So they’re playing again!

AMC

If you’re looking for: A mixture of old and new(ish).

Our picks: Miracle on 34th Street (Wed. 10:30 a.m.), White Christmas (Wed. 12:45 p.m.), The Santa Clause 2 (Wed. 3:30 p.m.)

You’ve probably seen these films over and over again, but that’s what makes them Christmas traditions. Plus, we’re guessing you haven’t seen the original 1947 version of Miracle on 34th Street. No matter how much you love the remake give this one a try!

Lifetime

If you’re looking for: Romance with a touch of dramedy.

Our picks: All About Christmas Eve (Wed. 6 p.m.), Christmas with the Kranks (Wed. 8 p.m.), All She Wants for Christmas (Thurs. 6 p.m.)

Maybe you wouldn’t watch Lifetime movies at any other time of the year, but the holidays are the perfect time to reconsider. The channel is not only playing original films but also fun ones to revisit like Christmas with the Kranks.

TCM

If you’re looking for: Classic movies everyone will love.

Our picks: The Shop Around the Corner (Wed. 4 p.m.), A Christmas Carol (Thurs. 11 a.m.), A Holiday Affair (Thurs. 12:15 p.m.)

Is your family disagreeing over whether to watch Elf or Christmas Vacation for the thousandth time? Settle the argument with this roster of classic films. With the exception of A Christmas Carol, most likely no one in the family has seen these yet and the sheer element of not knowing exactly what’s going to happen will excite!

 

What’s your go-to channel for Christmas movie marathons, collegiettes? Will you be watching any of these films on Christmas Eve or Christmas?

Erin was previously the Entertainment Editor of Her Campus. She graduated from Belmont University in 2015, where she studied English and Elementary Education. Before joining the team full-time, she was a national contributing blogger, viral content writer and editorial intern at HC. In addition to her work for Her Campus, Erin was formerly an editorial assistant at Nfocus Magazine and has been published by HelloGiggles and Man Repeller. In her free time, you can find Erin falling for yet another TV boyfriend (her long list of ex-lovers includes Nathan Scott, Chuck Bass and Pacey Witter, to name a few), reading chick lit and/or celeb memoirs and hanging with her puppy/soulmate, Cooper.