The two key questions to ask yourself when finding a good Christmas movie to watch:

1. Is it funny to all ages? Something that’s funny to an adult maybe not be appropriate and funny for a child. So basically, it needs to have a PG rating.
2. Is it heartwarming? And/or does it have a positive message(s) at the end?

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

Genre: Animation/Fantasy. This movie has always been a childhood favorite of mine. It’s so unique and very memorable, probably the greatest stop motion movie of all time in my opinion. It’s about the Pumpkin King of Halloween town- Jack Skellington, who becomes bored with doing the same thing every year for Halloween. He discovers Christmas Town and tries to bring Christmas to his hometown. Confusion and chaos amongst the ghouls and goblins of Halloween town pursues.

This Christmas (2007)

Genre: Drama/Comedy. I liked this movie so much because it was the first holiday movie that I saw with a realistic black family going through realistic family drama. Representation matters, okay? This film authentically portrays themes facing not only African Americans in particular but Americans in general. It’s not your average happy go lucky feel-good film. It’s a star-studded cast including Chris Brown, Idris Elba, Lauren London, Columbus Short, Regina King, and many more. ‘This Christmas’ is a Christmastime drama centered around the Whitfield family’s first holiday together in four years.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)

Genre: Fantasy/family. Now this is definitely a feel-good film, so sweet and heartwarming. I love Jim Carey. Without giving too much about the plot, this movie is about a green, revenge-seeking Grinch who is set on destroying Christmas. He lives on the far outskirts of town outside of Whoville where everyone in town loves Christmas.

Home Alone (1990)

Genre: Family/Comedy. An 8-year-old troublemaker- Kevin McCallister (played by Macaulay Culkin) must protect his home from two burglars when he is accidentally left behind by his family during a Christmas vacation. This movie brings all the laughs and a wild adventure that everyone in the family will love. Home Alone 2: Lost in New York came out two years later.

The Best Man Holiday (2013)

Definitely one of my favorite holiday movies ever and I can’t believe I almost forgot to add it. I remember seeing this in the theater and literally laughing out loud and also bawling my eyes out. This was probably the first movie to ever make me become so emotional. I’m praying for another Best Man movie because I absolutely love the entire cast. Nearly 15 years later, a group of friends get together for the holidays where long-forgotten rivalries and passions are reignited. You would have to watch the ‘The Best Man (1999)’ to fully understand this sequel.

Hey- can somebody confirm this: Is the movie Die Hard really considered a Christmas movie?

Till next time,