The SUN Staff’s Picks: Top 5 Christmas Movies

The weather has dropped below 70 degrees and Californians are bundling up in Patagonia jackets, fuzzy socks, and blankets. Starbucks has released their limited edition coffee cups, and every conversation starts with “I’m freezing!” It can all only mean one thing—winter is coming. As the cold season takes root, Christmas movies are rising to the top ranks on streaming services. The SUN Staff would like to present their top five Christmas movies to watch while you’re cuddled up at home this year.

1. Elf (2006) – “The idea of putting a six-foot man in the uniform of one of Santa’s helpers is brilliant” – Prisha Puntambekar
2. Home Alone (1990) – “Home alone is a perfect holiday movie to watch together as a family. It’s very entertaining with a nostalgic feel, especially because we watch it every year as a tradition.” – Victoria Trieu
3. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966) – “It’s the only Christmas movie that the teacher could fully play before class ended!” – Grant West
4. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964) – “I really enjoy watching Rudolph as a kid and even now because it’s just a classic, cute story and always makes me ready for Christmas.” – Layne Cochran
5. The Mistletones (1970) – “The Mistletones [is] a creative take on Christmas caroling. The movie tells the story of a woman eager to join the Christmas singing group that her mother founded, but after a long list of complications arise, she is forced to create her own group if she wants a chance to sing on Christmas Eve. The light and fluffy plot portrays the ideal Christmas season and creates a fun, unique, and festive holiday movie!” – Roxy Hudson

Here are some honorable mentions that didn’t quite make the cut but are certainly worth listing!

1. 12 Dates of Christmas (2011)
2. Mariah Carey’s All I Want for Christmas is You (2017)
3. The Princess Switch (2019)
4. Eight Crazy Nights (2002) 
5. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)