Christmas is coming right around the corner. Now’s your chance to get ready for the movie marathons you’ll be having all bundled up in front of the TV screen playing Christmas classics. Sit back and relax, here are the 5 must see Christmas movies. 

Home Alone

Released in 1990 this comedy and family Christmas movie is about a bratty 8-year-old Kevin McCallister that has become the man of the house, overnight. He accidentally gets left behind when his family rushes off on a Christmas vacation, Kevin gets busy decorating the house for the holidays. But two incompetent burglars are trying to break in, and Kevin’s rigging a bewildering battery of booby traps to welcome them. Kevin alone must protect the family home. This movie got a 65% on the tomato-meter and a %80 on the audience rating. Gabriel Khawaja, 10, enjoys this movie he says “this is dissimilar from the typical Christmas movie, as it includes action and suspense.”

The Polar Express

A family and animation movie that was launched in 2004 is based on a beloved children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg. It is about a doubting young boy who takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery that shows him that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe. Rotten tomatoes gave this movie a %56 with the audience rating being %63. I remember as a kid, watching this in school when we would be going into winter break. I really enjoyed the movie. 

A Charlie Brown Christmas

A 30 minute comedy which is one of my favorites that was released in 1965. Charlie Brown finds himself unhappy despite the onset of the cheerful holiday season. Lucy suggests he direct a neighborhood Christmas play, but his best efforts are ignored and mocked by his peers. After Linus tells Charlie Brown about the true meaning of Christmas, Charlie Brown cheers up, and the Peanuts gang unites to celebrate the Christmas season. There are no ratings on rotten tomatoes. 

Elf

Launched in 2003 this family comedy Christmas movie is about a boy named Buddy who was raised by Santa’s elves and returns to New York City to find his biological family. It scored a %84 on the tomato-meter and the audience rating is %79. Jaiden Schecter, 10, says this is one of her favorite Christmas movies, “it really brings out the holiday spirit, brings families together….their are so many comedic moments in elf it’s just too good to not hate.” I also enjoy watching this movie, it never gets too old or boring for me. 

The Nightmare Before Christmas

And finally last but not least the beloved animation that was released in 1993 about Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, that longs to spread the joy of Christmas. But his merry mission puts Santa in jeopardy and creates a nightmare for good little boys and girls everywhere. This scored a %95 on the tomato-meter and the audience rating %91. Lily Poska, 9, says that this is one of her personal favorites, “it is something i can watch over and over, i love the story line.”

To end things off I went on my Instagram and did a couple polls that are involved with these Christmas movies. Some of the results were very close. The first question was, if people are excited to watch Christmas movies this following month, with 100+ votes %89 of people said yes and %14 said no. Next are a couple battles between people’s choice of movies. I asked people which one they like better. Home Alone v Elf was the second question and it was super close, Home Alone won with the percentages of %57 to %48. And the last question was a very very close tie, A Charlie Brown Christmas v The Nightmare Before Christmas we’re the Nightmare Before Christmas won by 2 votes, %48 to %45. 

Now what you gotta do is bundle up tonight, turn on the TV, and watch at least one of these movies.