‘Tis the Season for Christmas Movies

“Look Daddy. Teacher says every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings.”

Can you name the Christmas classic that this famous line originated from? I bet some can. That is the thing about classics — everyone knows them. Word for word and breath for breath. They are a part of our culture and are staples in our family movie cabinets.

So, with Christmas right around the corner, it is time to choose the movies to get you into the holiday spirit.

As a movie enthusiast, who owns more than 200 movies myself, here are my top four movies to watch this season.

1. “It’s a Wonderful Life”
This now-classic movie was a flop when first released, but decades later the film found new life and popularity that continues today, according to National Review. Wrestling with the age-old question of the meaning of life, this movie brought to light struggles that are still relevant in today’s society, such as poverty and suicide.

This movie handles these topics with effortless grace and ends with Clarence, a guardian angel receiving his wings as bells on a Christmas tree ring.

This movie is listed at No. 20 on the American Film Institute’s list of 100 greatest American films of all time and No. 1 on the list of most inspirational American movies of all time. Nominated for five Academy Awards, including best picture, according to Oscars.org, “It’s a Wonderful Life” is one of the best movies to watch this, and every, Christmas season.

2. “White Christmas”
I love the classics, and who does not want to listen to Bing Crosby sing with Danny Kaye for an hour and a half?

Filled with light-hearted comedy and charm, this feel-good movie shares a name with the best-selling single of all time, according to Guinness World Records. Crosby’s version of “White Christmas” has been credited with selling over 50 million copies worldwide. It was also one of the biggest money makers of the year in 1954, according to Variety Weekly.

This story of two war-buddies-turned-partners finding love and helping out an old friend could make anyone want to pack up and relocate to Vermont for the holidays.

3. “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”
This stop-motion animation narrated by Burl Ives is a sweet story about the origins of our favorite red-nosed reindeer. With the cuteness factor running the show, you cannot help but smile while watching Rudolph learn to embrace his glowing nose.

The 55-minute special originally aired on NBC in 1964, according to IMDB.

As one of the longest running TV specials, having aired on TV at least once a year since its release, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” is a staple in Christmas TV.

If classics are not your cup of tea, there are plenty of more modern movie options to get your Christmas juices pumping this season.

4. “The Rise of the Guardians”
This movie, made by Disney, tells the story about how all of the characters we believed in as children came to life. Santa Clause, the Tooth Fairy, Jack Frost, the Easter Bunny, the Sandman and the Boogieman tell a story of fear versus hope, disbelief versus wonder and finding your place in the world.

An equally pleasing movie for little kids and adults alike, this 3-D cartoon brings all of our old heroes back to life on screen, reminding us why we believed in them in the first place.

Movies tell stories that everyone can understand and appreciate. And while Christmas movies are amazing all year round, they have some added magic and sparkle that make them resonate with us even more every December.

So sit down with popcorn and hot cocoa and throw in a Christmas movie.

Stefanick is an opinion writer.