Does the holiday season evoke a sense of nostalgia for days spent sledding and building snowmen before warming up with hot chocolate and a blanket in front of your favorite seasonal movie?
Over the years, many holiday movies have come and gone—some have even been remade a time or two. But there’s something about watching the classics again, especially when you haven’t seen them in years.
Here are five holiday movies to revisit with your family this winter.
Miracle on 34th Street (Approved, 1947)
Edmund Gwenn, Maureen O’Hara, John Payne, Natalie Wood
If you’ve seen the 1994 version, but not the original, spend an evening watching this black-and-white film. It just might become your new favorite.
White Christmas (Approved, 1954)
Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye
If you’re the type who can’t wait to start listening to holiday music, a holiday musical is the best way to spend a snowy evening indoors. And who’s better at singing the Christmas classics than Bing Crosby?
A Charlie Brown Christmas (TV-G, 1965)
Peter Robbins, Bill Melendez
Although this TV movie airs every year around the holidays, you might not have seen it for a few years. Gather the kids, turn off your phones, pop some popcorn and really get into this childhood favorite.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Not rated, 1966)
Boris Karloff, June Foray
The Jim Carrey version has received a lot of love since it’s release in 2000, but the original cartoon version more closely follows Dr. Seuss’ book. It’s another great film to enjoy with your children—or just to make you feel like a kid again.
Rankin/Bass Seasonal TV Specials (Not rated)
Burl Ives, Fred Astaire, Jimmy Durante
No holiday season is complete without watching “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “Frosty the Snowman” and “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town,” among other Rankin/Bass Productions, Inc. classics. The best part? They’re all short enough to make it a holiday movie marathon. Buy the whole series here.
