10 Best Christmas Movies

The Christmas season is my favorite time of year. Notice I didn't just say Christmas I said, the Christmas season, because it isn't just December 24 and 25 that contribute to it. I love when Christmas music starts to play on the radio, decorations are put up all around and best of all you can't turn on the TV without finding a Christmas themed program.

I know some people get annoyed by the commercialization of Christmas and how the season seems to be longer and longer each year and to some extent they are right. But, instead of letting it turn me into a Scrooge, I just go with the flow and embrace cheer and try and spread it around as much as possible.

So here are a list of my 10 all-time favorite Christmas movies.

1. Home Alone - 1990

This movie is a classic and because of it, I think its every kids dream to get stuck at home by yourself and be able to do anything you want.

2. The Family Stone - 2005

With a cast full of great actors this movie is a Christmas can't-miss. It highlights the hilarity involved with being a part of a big family and the pressure of bringing a significant other home for the holiday.

3. Elf - 2003

No best of Christmas movies list would be complete without this hilarious addition. Will Farrell at his finest playing Buddy an Elf  in the middle of an identity crisis and highlighting the Big Apple at Christmas time.

4. Its a Wonderful Life - 1946

This movie is a must see for every Christmas season, a tad more depressing than I remember but, the final scene makes up for it in the end.

5. Four Christmases - 2008

All I can say is this movie is laugh out loud hilarious. You have to check out the scene when they play Taboo, it my favorite part!

6. White Christmas - 1954

Its a Christmas tradition in the Matney household to watch White Christmas on Christmas Eve and it never gets old. Its old Hollywood at its finest.  Every year I hold out hope that I'll have a true White Christmas, so far no luck, but I'll keep my fingers crossed this year will be the one.

7. The Polar Express - 2004

Do you want to take a journey to the North Pole? Well this is the movie for you, all you have to do is ... believe.

8. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation - 1989

Christmas is a time for spending time with your family ... even when your family is the Griswolds.

9. How The Grinch Stole Christmas - 2000

If you are one of those people who thinks the Christmas season a little much sometimes then this is the movie for you, if this can't get you in the holiday spirit, nothing can. Take a journey to Whoville to learn about the true meaning of Christmas.

10. Love Actually - 2003

Set in London in the weeks leading up to Christmas, this movie always gets me in the holiday spirit. Follow as the love lives of  several people around the holiday season. What I love though is that it shows that there are so many kinds of love out there, not just romantic love and that it is important to be with the ones you love at Christmas.

It was hard to make this list because there are so many great Christmas movies out there, but, these are the ones I go back to year after year.

What are some of your favorite Christmas movies? Any that you can't believe didn't make the list?