It doesn't quite feel like the holidays without our favorite seasonal TV shows and movies. "A Charlie Brown Christmas," which came out in 1965, is the story of bypassing the commercialization of the holidays in favor of something more uplifting.
It doesn't quite feel like the holidays without our favorite seasonal TV shows and movies. "A Charlie Brown Christmas," which came out in 1965, is the story of bypassing the commercialization of the holidays in favor of something more uplifting.
Lee Mendelson Film Productions/IMDB
"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer": It's been more than a half-century since Rankin/Bass's animated "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" premiered on NBC, and it's still just as beloved. It doesn't quite feel like the holidays until we spot this old-school stop-motion special on TV, and it's hands-down one of our holiday favorites.
"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer": It's been more than a half-century since Rankin/Bass's animated "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" premiered on NBC, and it's still just as beloved. It doesn't quite feel like the holidays until we spot this old-school stop-motion special on TV, and it's hands-down one of our holiday favorites.
Rankin/Bass Productions/IMDB
"How the Grinch Stole Christmas": No offense to the 2000 film, but when we want to see an adaptation of this Dr. Seuss classic, we stick with the original animated version.
"How the Grinch Stole Christmas": No offense to the 2000 film, but when we want to see an adaptation of this Dr. Seuss classic, we stick with the original animated version.
The Cat in the Hat Productions/IMDB
"Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town": With Fred Astaire narrating and Mickey Rooney voicing Kris Kringle -- a.k.a. Santa Claus -- this 1970 special never fails to make us nostalgic. And just like "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," it's done in Rankin/Bass' quaint stop-motion style.
"Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town": With Fred Astaire narrating and Mickey Rooney voicing Kris Kringle -- a.k.a. Santa Claus -- this 1970 special never fails to make us nostalgic. And just like "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," it's done in Rankin/Bass' quaint stop-motion style.
Rankin/Bass Productions/IMDB
"Frosty the Snowman": For a lot of kids, the dream of seeing a hand-crafted snowman come to life can be traced directly to another Rankin/Bass special, "Frosty the Snowman."
"Frosty the Snowman": For a lot of kids, the dream of seeing a hand-crafted snowman come to life can be traced directly to another Rankin/Bass special, "Frosty the Snowman."
Rankin/Bass Productions/IMDB
"It's a Wonderful Life": It doesn't matter how often you rewatch "It's A Wonderful Life"; that fantastic, emotional ending's going to get you every time. Beyond being a tradition during the holiday season, this is also a sparkling example of top-notch movie-making.
"It's a Wonderful Life": It doesn't matter how often you rewatch "It's A Wonderful Life"; that fantastic, emotional ending's going to get you every time. Beyond being a tradition during the holiday season, this is also a sparkling example of top-notch movie-making.
Liberty Films (II)/IMDB
"A Christmas Story": This enduring '80s comedy has taught us three things: 1. Never lick a frozen flagpole. 2. "You'll shoot your eye out!" 3. We're incapable of celebrating the holidays until we've watched this movie at least once. OK, more like twice.
"A Christmas Story": This enduring '80s comedy has taught us three things: 1. Never lick a frozen flagpole. 2. "You'll shoot your eye out!" 3. We're incapable of celebrating the holidays until we've watched this movie at least once. OK, more like twice.
MGM/IMDB
"Miracle on 34th Street": After so many decades, this is still a mainstay each holiday season. (And that's even after a 1994 remake.) Starring Maureen O'Hara, John Payne and a young Natalie Wood, this story never loses its magic.
"Miracle on 34th Street": After so many decades, this is still a mainstay each holiday season. (And that's even after a 1994 remake.) Starring Maureen O'Hara, John Payne and a young Natalie Wood, this story never loses its magic.
Twentieth Century Fox Film/IMDB
"Home Alone": If you think about it, this definitive Macaulay Culkin film is really kind of disturbing. What family gets so busy that they forget a kid over the holidays?! But what it lacks in human decency, "Home Alone" more than makes up in charm and humor. Plus, it's educational. Who among us hasn't tried to pull off some of those robber-catching traps?
"Home Alone": If you think about it, this definitive Macaulay Culkin film is really kind of disturbing. What family gets so busy that they forget a kid over the holidays?! But what it lacks in human decency, "Home Alone" more than makes up in charm and humor. Plus, it's educational. Who among us hasn't tried to pull off some of those robber-catching traps?
Twentieth Century Fox Film/IMDB
"The Preacher's Wife": This heartwarming movie had us at Denzel Washington and Whitney Houston, but the story's really good, too. Washington plays a suave angel who shows up to help a struggling preacher (Courtney B. Vance) who has disconnected from his wife (Houston) and young son during the Christmas season.
"The Preacher's Wife": This heartwarming movie had us at Denzel Washington and Whitney Houston, but the story's really good, too. Washington plays a suave angel who shows up to help a struggling preacher (Courtney B. Vance) who has disconnected from his wife (Houston) and young son during the Christmas season.
Mundy Lane Entertainment/IMDB