10 Christmas Movies That Will Make You Feel Like a Kid Again
Christmas Tree by Artur Staszewski licensed by CC BY- SA 4.0
Home Alone
“Home Alone” is Macaulay Culkin in his prime. It’s not Christmas if you don’t catch this movie on television at least once or twice. It’s likely you may even be able to find old DVDs and VHS tapes of the movie still floating around in your closet. This film is a must for the holiday season, and if you’re going to watch “Home Alone,” you may as well make a marathon of it and watch all three of its sequels, too.
Miracle on 34th Street
Whether you watch an on-stage production or any of this movie’s multiple adaptations, you're in for a timeless treat. While the setting may be outdated, the movie still touches on relevant themes of capitalism, commercialism, and a dwindling Christmas spirit. By the end, you’ll feel that childlike joy of believing in the magic of the holiday season again.
A Christmas Story
My grandfather has marathoned this movie every Christmas Eve since I was a baby. If it can make him feel like a kid again, it can make you feel like one, too. The story of wanting toys we can’t have and doing regrettable things - like getting our tongues stuck to frozen poles - is one every child can relate to, no matter what generation they’re from.
A Charlie Brown Christmas
Watch the movie, relive your childhood, and recreate it for yourself. Charlie's sad little tree is the perfect Christmas decoration for college students who live in a dorm and can't put up a bigger one. Charlie Brown reminds us that Christmas doesn’t have to be perfect in order for us to make the best of the season.
Elf
Nothing says relive your childhood like watching a grown man do his job as one of Santa’s elves. “Elf” reminds us that we’re never too old to grow out of the Christmas spirit, even if we may feel like we are sometimes.
Frosty the Snowman
If you're like me, this was probably one of the first Christmas movies you remember watching as a kid. The songs are sure to take you back to that time. Don’t act like you don’t remember the words anymore.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Rudolph's story is a classic one, and if you’re looking for traditional Christmas films to remind you of your childhood, this original 1964 movie is sure to do it. Despite being over fifty years old, it still holds up to this day as a favorite.
The Polar Express
After watching the classic animations like “Frosty the Snowman,” “The Polar Express’” realistic style will seem even more impressive, and make you feel like you really are witnessing a magical winter wonderland. You’ll be jealous of every kid in the movie.
The Santa Clause
Gone are the days when we believed in Santa Claus. You can never truly go back to that childlike innocence and gullibility ever again, but you can set foot in a middle ground by watching this movie where Tim Allen’s son finds out that his dad must assume Santa Claus’ duties. Let’s be real, we all wished our dad could be Santa Claus at some point.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Dr. Seuss was such a big part of so many people’s childhoods that, whether you watch the 1966 animated version of this film or Jim Carrey’s 2000 live adaptation, the nostalgia is sure to get to you.