It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Christmas lights are up, and just the overall feeling in the air is happiness. Freeform’s 25 days of Christmas has started, and along with Hallmark, Christmas movies are being played everywhere. So let’s take a look at what I believe to be some of the best.

First, let’s set some ground rules. I can only rank Christmas movies that I have seen. I’ve seen a lot, but I haven’t seen “Christmas Vacation” or “Night Before Christmas” (It has Christmas in it. It’s a Christmas movie.), so I can’t include those in my rankings. Next, I’m going to set the limit to five movies so that I can get a good ranking, and it’s not just a list of Christmas movies. Finally, I’m ranking these based on my opinions. These opinions are my own and don’t necessarily represent those of the PawPrint.

OK, first, some honorable mentions. 

In no particular order, “Home Alone,” every Hallmark movie ever made (because they are all the same, but I always get stuck watching them), “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “Frosty the Snowman,” and “The Santa Clause” trilogy.

Favorite quote: Rudolph: “She thinks I’m Cuuuuuute.”

Coming in at number five: “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (Jim Carrey version). Many people like this movie and may think that it should be higher. This is a great movie, but I even struggled to put it here at number five. It’s a great story based on the book by Doctor Seuss, but for me, at least, this movie takes away from the cartoony look that it’s supposed to have. There’s a lot that I do like about this one; Jim Carrey is one of the funniest actors out there, and he does an amazing job in this one. The rest of the cast does a great job, and the makeup department did a fantastic job of making the Whos look realistic. All in all, it’s a great movie, but five is the highest it can go, in my opinion, and my favorite quote barely sneaks it in the top five.

Favorite quote: Grinch (while in his cave): “You’re an idiot!” Echo: “You’re an idiot!” Grinch (mad at his echo and trying to get revenge on it): “I’m an idiot!” Echo: “You’re an idiot!”

Coming in at number four: “The Grinch” (animated 2018 version). This is an unpopular opinion, but I like this one and think it’s the best of the Grinch movies. I like the modern approach that they take on this. It shows who the grinch is, and it doesn’t start with him being this mean old grump like the other ones do. Instead, it takes into account his relationship with the Whos more than any other movie starring the grinch, and I like that.

Favorite quote: Grinch: Max, we’ve hit the mother lode. We’ll have a hundred reindeer to pull our… [looking at Fred] Well, Santa had eight. He looks like he ate the other seven.

Number three is a newer movie: “Christmas Chronicles.” This movie was released in 2018 and is one of the better newer Christmas movies that have come out, if not the best one. This story takes the classic tale of Santa being seen by the kids and expands on it. Most movies fail at this aspect, but this one hit it right on the spot as they have to help him escape from prison. I don’t have much to say about this one, other than that it’s a must-watch.

Favorite quote: Santa: “Who can eat millions of cookies in one night and not get fat? Well, I can.”

Coming in at number two is “The Polar Express.” One of the best classic Christmas movies. Based on a children’s book, this movie captures that children’s book. It’s a story about having to believe in Santa Claus to hear the bell ring. Its message of keeping believing is not only applied to Christmas but life in general. The great message of this movie has made this one of my favorites, so I’ve slotted it at the number two spot. Plus, they know it all kid has a stunning resemblance to Hillcrest 2018-2019 Student Body President Landon Nipko.

Favorite quote: Random kid caught lying to his parents: “I didn’t do it. I didn’t do it. I didn’t do it.”

The number one Christmas movie of all time is…drum roll, please… “Elf.” We all knew it was coming. Will Ferrell and the rest of the cast did an absolutely amazing job with this. I would even rank this movie among my top movies of any genre. It’s that good. I love movies that I can quote and just ask my friends. I’m quoting this movie all the time. It’s just that good. Nothing will ever top this.

Favorite quotes: 

Buddy: “Son of a Nutcracker!”

Buddy: “You smell like beef and cheese.”

Mr. Narwhal: “Bye, Buddy. Hope you find your dad.” Buddy: “Thanks, Mr. Narwhal.”

Buddy: “Francisco. That’s fun to say. Francisco…Franciscoo…Franciscooo.”