The Christmas season is right around the corner. The fresh smell of pine fills the air, Christmas lights brighten the streets and delicious treats satisfy our stomachs. While some may say November is too soon to bring out the Christmas spirit, I wholeheartedly disagree.
One of the most special parts of Christmas is watching your favorite Christmas movies with your friends, family, or classmates. The vibe of these movies is unmatched by any other piece of cinema and holds a special place in our hearts.
Recently, controversy has spread among students regarding what the best Christmas movie truly is. I will be settling this debate once and for all by rating the top three Christmas movies by nostalgia and storyline, as well as comparing the original movie with sequels, if applicable.
One of the first Christmas movies I ever watched was “The Polar Express.” The movie is a household name, and its popularity among Gen Z is only growing. When I think back to this movie, I imagine sipping hot cocoa with my family by my side, so I give it a nostalgia rating of 9/10. While I loved the storyline of “The Polar Express” when I was younger, I feel that the plot is a bit basic and tiresome for teens, thus, I regrettably dropped the storyline score to a 6/10. While there is no sequel to this movie, it is still one I hold near and dear to my heart, earning a respectable score of 15/20.
The next movie on the list is a rainy-day classic featuring UHS alumnus Will Ferrell. The 2003 hit movie “Elf” was an immediate hit at the box office, grossing over 376 million dollars when adjusted for inflation. “Elf” has an impeccable storyline. The story follows Buddy the Elf, a human who was accidentally sent to the North Pole, as he journeys to find his father in New York City. This plot earns a 10/10 in my book. Additionally, the movie is very popular among kids, teenagers and even adults, making it a Christmas classic for all ages. Today, “Elf” can be viewed on CD, pay-per-view streaming services and Paramount Plus. With millions of people still viewing this classic every year, it gets an 8/10 in terms of nostalgia. There were plans to make a sequel to the movie, but ultimately, those plans were shut down before the movie went into production. “Elf” is a classic Christmas movie, earning a score of 18/20 and the number two spot on this list.
While “The Polar Express” and “Elf” are among the best childhood Christmas movies, the most nostalgic of all time goes to the “Home Alone” series. This series was a staple for our parents and us growing up. It has managed to stay relevant through many generations and shows no signs of stopping with a remake made just a couple of years ago. While all six “Home Alone” movies are exquisite, the first two are unlike anything else. The plotline is very simple, yet it includes many childish elements that make it hilarious for people of all ages. The inclusion of adult humor with child humor makes this movie enjoyable for children and adults, earning itself a 10/10 in terms of storyline. The movie holds a special place in my heart as it was a major bonding moment between my father and me. This movie is one of the most nostalgic parts of Christmas for many, so it easily deserves a 10/10, making it, in my opinion, the best Christmas movie of all time.
