Classic Movies You Need to Watch this Holiday Season

Here are some of the classics I’ll be enjoying this season with my loved ones.

Personally, I think that holiday movies should be watched year-round because they bring me so much comfort and joy. Realistically speaking however, it’s only right that they remain on standby until the holiday season. Being that this special time is upon us, I thought it would be interesting to provide some “Did you know” facts to coincide with a list of the top classic movies you must watch this season. You’ll definitely enjoy learning a few things about some of America’s most beloved films!

1. “Miracle on 34th Street” (1947)

miracle on 34th street

Did you know…?

  • At the 20th Academy Awards, Miracle on 34th Street won ‘Best Actor in a Supporting Role,’ ‘Best Writing,’ ‘Original Story’ and ‘Best Writing, Screenplay’. It was also nominated for ‘Best Picture’, but lost out to Gentleman’s Agreement. Miracle on 34th Street tied Gentleman’s Agreement for most awards that night. Needless to say, this movie is a timeless masterpiece!

2. “Elf” (2003)

elf

Did you know…?

  • Did you know, that infamous belch heard after Will Ferrell’s character finished a 2- liter bottle of Coca-Cola was real?! Try pulling that off this year at your family’s holiday dinner. (or maybe don’t)
  • The movie made a huge profit. International and domestic sales totaled over 220 million dollars; while it only cost 33 million to produce.

3. “A Charlie Brown Christmas” (1965)

THE PEANUTS GANG REJOICES IN THE TRUE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS

Did you know…?

  • A Charlie Brown Christmas debuted on CBS in 1965, with an estimated 50% of American televisions tuned in to its premier, and has been shown during the Christmas season every year since.
  • The movie has received an Emmy and a Peabody award. 

4. “A Christmas Story” (1983)

a christmas story

Did you know…?

  • Due in part to its cultural significance, A Christmas Story was selected to be preserved into the National Film Registry.
  • Jack Nicholson, one of my all-time favorite actors, was in the running to play the, “Old Man.”
  • Peter Billingsley, who played the main character Ralphie in the movie, has went on to lead a very successful career post child-stardom. He was featured in Elf, (how ironic). I challenge you to watch it back and see if you can spot him! Billingsley has also earned his place as a highly respected executive producer. He has worked on popular projects like The Break-Up and Iron Man

5. “It’s a Wonderful Life” (1946)

its a wonderful life

Did you know…?

  • It’s a Wonderful Life initially was not a box office hit.
  • Ultimately though, it went on to be nominated for five Oscars and was named one of the 100 Best American Films Ever Made by the American Film Institute.

6. “Home Alone” (1990)

home alone

Did you know…?

  • Home Alone is recognized as the highest grossing comedy of all time!
  • Catherine O’Hara, who played Kevin’s mother in the film, also starred in Beetlejuice and supplied the voice of Sally Skellington in The Nightmare Before Christmas.

7. “The Polar Express” (2004)

Onesheet

Did you know…?

  • Almost all of the characters in the movie were real actors that were made animated by using a technique called live action performance capture.
  • The Polar Express is in the Guinness World Book of Records for being the first all-digital capture film.

8. “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (2000)

grinch

Did you know…?

  • The Grinch was the first Dr. Seuss book to be made into a full-length feature film. 
  • Behind Home Alone, it is the second highest grossing holiday film. 
  • The film garnered three Academy Award nominations, including Best Costume Design and Best Art Direction, and nominees Rick Baker and Gail Ryan won the Academy Award for Best Makeup. At the Golden Globes, Jim Carrey was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy, but lost the award to George Clooney for O Brother, Where Art Thou?.(Wikipedia)
All fun facts courtesy of Wikipedia! Images: Miracle on 34th Street” image courtesy of moviepostershop, “Elf” image courtesy of designinterviews, “A Charlie Brown Christmas” image courtesy of a countryboycitybelle, “A Christmas Story” image courtesy of design-milk, “It’s a Wonderful Life image courtesy of parkcircus, “Home Alone” image courtesy of moviepostershop, “Love Actually” image courtesy of movieposterdb, “The Grinch” image courtesy of imdb, “The Polar Express” image courtesy of imdb. Featured image.

Lindsay is the the Director of Media Engagement for Coldwell Banker Real Estate and manages the brand’s media and social media department. She is also a licensed real estate professional. In 2017 & 2018, she was named a top 20 social influencer in the real estate industry in the annual Swanepoel 200 power rankings.

Lindsay lives in Livingston, NJ with her college sweetheart and now husband Joe and rwelcomed another Joe into her life as she became a mom in June 2016.

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6 Comments

  1. First Preston HT
    December 9, 2013

    These are classics. Love the fun facts. These movies will be great to re-visit over the holidays or during our next “iced-in” weather event. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  2. Dava Behrens, Broker
    December 9, 2013

    You left off one of my favorites “Scrooged” a modern interpretation of A Christmas Carol (Bill Murray).

    Reply
    • Matthew Parrott
      December 9, 2013

      Agree, Scrooged is Great!

      Reply
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