Part of living a healthy lifestyle is getting the proper amount of rest and relaxation. Without rest our bodies can not recover from stress, and we end up getting sick.
One method of relaxation that I frequently use, is watching movies. I personally love the horror and sci-fi genres, but a good comedy is always welcome.
During the Christmas and Holiday season I love to watch the traditional Holiday movies that I grew up with as a kid like The Christmas Story, as well as some of the excellent newer flicks like Bad Santa, and some unpopular films that I personally love like Ernest Saves Christmas.
Updated for 2016!
Warning: some of the videos below (like Bad Santa) contain R-rated content. Don’t view them if you are easily offended.
Movies you should see every holiday season:
- National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989) Rated PG-13
- Bad Santa (2003) Rated R
- Fred Claus (2007) Rated PG
- Elf (2003) Rated PG
- Jingle All the Way (1996) Rated PG
Extra points for a Schwarzenegger flick! - Die Hard (1988) Rated R
- The Santa Clause (1994) Rated PG
Also see the two sequels! - A Christmas Story (1983) Rated PG
- Home Alone (1990) Rated PG
Another one with a couple great sequels - A Muppet Christmas Carol (1992) Rated Ghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NA-JJ10lqQ
- The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) Rated PG
- Scrooged (1988) Rated PG-13
- Ernest Saves Christmas (1988) Rated PG
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas (live action Jim Carrey version 2011) Rated PG
Holiday Cartoons
- A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965) Rated G
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas (cartoon version 1966) Rated G
- A Garfield Christmas Special (1987) Rated G
For You Horror Movie Fans
Granted, we’re not talking about Halloween here, but some of us are year-round Die-Hard horror movie fans. I am one of them and if you are too, then this list is for you.
Selections range from the more mainstream Krampus, to the underrated Finnish indie flick Rare Exports, and even features Bill Goldberg playing old Kris Kringle in Santa Slay. William Shatner makes an appearance in A Christmas Horror Story, and be sure to check out Silent Night, Deadly Night if you like those old 80’s slasher flicks. This one specifically was banned in theaters!
- Krampus (2015) Rated PG-13
Probably one of the highest quality, mainstream Xmas horror movies ever made - A Christmas Horror Story (2015) Rated PG-13
Extra points for William Shatner! - Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale (2010) Rated R
- Black Christmas (original – 1974, remake – 2006) Rated R
The Original
The Remake - Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984)Rated RThis movie was banned from the theaters in 1984 and release unedited on VHS in 1986. It was scheduled to be remade for Christmas 2008, but never made it into production. Here’s hoping we see Silent Night, Deadly Night directed by Rob Zombie in Christmas 2009.
Also has 4 sequels of decreasing quality.
This also has a remake from 2012.
- Santa’s Slay (2005)Rated R
Let me know what you all think about these flicks by leaving comments!
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Die Hard; nice! Love it!! Christmas Vacation, Elf, and John Denver’s Rocky Mountain Holiday (with the Muppets) are my faves. Merry Christmas everyone!
I would rather not to choose any Christmas horror movie because Christmas is for happiness. I like the last video in the first list, Garfield movie. Garfield has been my favorite cartoon character during my early years. I think it is a good idea to spend time to check all of these movies.
I just can’t miss the Garfield or Peanuts Christmas specials every December. It just wouldn’t feel right without them.
What about the original Die Hard?! I watch it every Christmas.
While not necessarily a classic Christmas movie, Die Hard is no doubt a classic and should definitely be watched once every December.
Wow! What a great list with many of my favorite Holiday Christmas Movies! I always look forward to: ELF! Charlie Brown Christmas, The Santa Clause Series, Christmas with the Kranks, Deck the Halls, the Grinch, and of course, Christmas Vacation!
ELF has quickly become a Yuletide classic!