We love when Pittsburghers post their latest library books, movies and albums to social media. So, when CLP-West End patron Alexander Campbell tweeted the photo above, we had to know more. Turns out he was able to procure this entire epic stash of favorite holiday movies from the Library! Nothing warms our hearts like a good list of recommendations, so we invited Alexander to curate this guest post of all his top Christmas movie picks.
Settle in and get ready to binge watch—CLP is here to help you do it!
The holiday season is here! Well, at least at my house it is. My wife and daughter are in the Christmas spirit early this year and have already fully decorated the house prior to thanksgiving. I am not complaining one bit, in fact, I have even contributed to the holiday festivities myself. No, I did not partake in the decorating, but I did make a list of my favorite 25 Christmas Movies. My list may not be up to your standards, I may have missed some, or excluded a true top 25 film, but I have posted my list below and have linked it so you can borrow a copy from your local Carnegie Library in Pittsburgh. So, get out your overpriced matching jammies, grab a candy cane, get a mug of hot cocoa, and prepare yourself for this Christmas season with my Christmas movie list!
P.S. I’d like to hear from you! Please let me know what movies I have missed out on and what recommendations you have. Maybe I can add some new selections onto my list next year! Also, Diehard is not a Christmas Movie! It does not provide any Christmas spirit whatsoever, and it will never be on this list!
Let the Countdown Begin!
Just missed: Frosty the Snowman, Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Animated), A Charlie Brown Christmas
25. I’ll Be Home for Christmas
I mean JTT is in this movie so, how could you go wrong? This movie is so cheesy it is incredible and the character of Eddie “The Ed Man” is phenomenal. If you like old school Disney channel-type movies, this is a must-see.
The animation of this movie is unique and gives a refreshing take on A Christmas Carol, and Jim Carrey is Scrooge. Jim Carrey is awesome.
The main character lays in bed restless. He is struggling to sleep because he thinks Santa may not exist. Then, BOOM A HUGE TRAIN APPEARS AND HE GETS ON THE POLAR EXPRESS.
If you have kids with a very short attention span this is a quicker, kid-friendlier version of A Christmas Carol. Everyone loves Mikey Mouse. Charles Dickens would approve.
21. Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town
This DVD includes multiple classic Christmas movies that everyone has seen and loved. Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town is basically a musical that features numerous old school tunes. Also, the best part of the film is that it has a villain named Burgermeister Meisterburger.
20. The Grinch
How could they even make a new Grinch after Jim Carrey performed his masterpiece!? Well, they did it. This new, modern animated version is funny and the kids like it.
19. The Santa Clause
A divorced dad and his son enjoy a classic Denny’s Christmas Eve dinner only to have their night interrupted by Santa falling off their roof. Scott Calvin then inherits the role of Santa and along with it comes a sweet tooth, weight gain, and unusual rapid hair growth. What a classic!
This is my wife’s favorite movie. She watches this movie in July, and I’m not sure what that is about. The Krank’s call off Christmas for a cruise, until their daughter decides to come home for Christmas. Major sacrifices are made in order to acquire Mel’s hickory honey ham, and there is a peculiar character named Marty.
Everyone has seen this movie and they either love it or hate it. I love this movie. I love the major award, the Bumpuses, and Scut Farkus’s yellow eyes. My family had this on every year when we unwrapped presents, and it never got old.
16. Office Christmas Party 15. The Night Before 14. Bad Santa 2 13. Bad Santa
Now 16-13 are all hilarious. HO! HO! HO! Don’t let your kids watch these!
This movie is all about Turbo-Man. Turbo-Man is an amazing superhero action figure toy, and everyone wants one. However, the supply for Turbo-Man does not meet the demand and mass chaos ensues because Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sinbad wait until Christmas eve to get their kids one. That’s right Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sinbad star in this film.
11. Just Friends
Ryan Reynolds and Anna Faris in the same movie is gold. This is maybe the most underrated Christmas movie ever. Ryan Reynolds is a national treasure. If you want to laugh this is the movie to watch.
10. Home Alone
“Fuller, go easy on the Pepsi!” Kevin McCallister’s inspiring survival story is captured on film. Young Kevin is forced to learn valuable skills to raise himself in a 6,000-square-foot house because his entire family forgot about him and went to Paris. Kevin vs the wet bandits is one of the all-time Christmas showdowns.
We have all been here before, trying to skip the holiday with the family. Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon are heading to Fiji to avoid their families for the holiday, or so they thought!
8. ELF
“Son of a nutcracker!” This is Will Ferrell’s best movie. Families everywhere enjoy this Christmas comedy. Watch and learn that “The Best Way to Spread Christmas Cheer is Singing Loud for all to Hear.”
7. How The Grinch Stole Christmas
Jim Carrey brings you into the world of Who’s who live in Whoville. The traditional Dr. Seuss children’s book is brought to life. Martha May is to blame for the Grinch’s heart problem and the other add-ins create an interesting story for the whole family to watch.
Danny DeVito and Matthew Broderick duel off for having the most Christmas spirit. This is the classic story of two neighbors fighting for the best-decorated house. During the fighting, they again forget the true meaning of Christmas and scramble to piece everything back together. Also, Danny DeVito is one of the greatest humans to ever live.
5. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
When I was younger, I didn’t really like this movie. Over the years it truly grew on me. This movie has so many little things that are hysterical. We all learn to truly appreciate the process of installing Christmas lights after watching this classic.
4. Rudolph
This one is for all the misfits out there! This is one of the Christmas essential classics for sure. Rudolph is bullied and mistreated for his red nose. However, his journey of discovery helps him find the thing that makes him unique is his biggest asset. Lots of lessons to be learned from this movie, especially how not to treat your kids! (Rudolph’s dad is so mean!)
Gonzo and Rizzo the Rat narrate this amazing version of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Yes, the Muppet’s play all the characters except the outstanding Michael Caine who plays Scrooge. This is the best-told version of A Christmas Carol and all families love this movie.
This is one of the all-time greatest movies. When you watch this movie, you learn how to be thankful for what you have rather than what you want. Family and friends are more valuable than anything. Also, “every time a bell rings an angel gets its wings.”
1. Fred Claus
It may come of shock to you that this movie is rated #1 on my list. However, this is indeed the best Christmas movie I have ever watched. “There’s no naughty kids, Nick. They’re all good kids. But some of them are scared. And some of them don’t feel listened to. Some of them had some pretty tough breaks too. But every kid deserves a present on Christmas.” With a quote like that, how could you rate this movie anything less but #1!?
About the author:
My name is Alexander Campbell, and I live in the West End with my wife Hannah, 16-month-old daughter Kenzlee, our cat Russell, and dog Lincoln. I am a huge Pittsburgh Sports fan and my favorite hobby is sports gambling (because I always win). I have a bachelor’s degrees in Personal Financial Planning and Corporate Finance from Clarion University and a MBA from Coastal Carolina University. I am a senior management consultant for SDLC Partners.
I go to the West End library every Saturday with my daughter and check out seven books for us to read before bed each night. She loves playing at the kitchen set in the library and loves the floor mat that changes colors when she steps on it.