Christmas movies are my Roman Empire.

Every December, I rewatch the same holiday films I’ve seen literally dozens of times…and still tear up like I didn’t memorize entire scripts. I know the endings. I know who gets the kiss, who learns the lesson, who saves Christmas, and yet? I’m still on the couch sniffling into a blanket like it’s brand new information.

There’s just something about holiday movies – the cozy lighting, the snow falling a little too perfectly, the chaotic families who somehow pull it together right at the last second, the soundtracks that drag your heart through the snow. Christmas movies are my cinematic comfort food.

Naturally, I decided it was time to unleash my official Christmas movie ranking upon the world. This list is a mix of nostalgic staples, chaotic comfort watches, and some newer favorites that have elbowed their way into my December rotation. We’re talking classics (well…classics to me), movies that raised me, movies that traumatized me a tiny bit, movies that healed my inner child, and movies that had absolutely no business being as good as they were.

And I will be accepting zero criticism at this time because December is for joy, not debates.

Let’s warm up with some Honorable Mentions, a.k.a. films that didn’t quite crack my Top 10 but still hold a warm spot in my heart.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Almost Christmas (2016)

Cast: Danny Glover, Gabrielle Union, Kimberly Elise, Mo’Nique, Romany Malco, Jessie T. Usher

This movie is HILARIOUS. Like, “I’m screaming at the TV and pausing to catch my breath from laughing too much” hilarious. The family dynamics? Messy. The shade? Crisp. The arguments? Felt very much like…okay, my family’s dysfunctional but surely not that dysfunctional, right? Right???

But we need to address the national crisis that is Kimberly Elise’s filmography:

Can Kimberly Elise PLEASE catch a break in movies??

Why is this woman emotionally suplexed in every single movie she’s in? Hollywood has had her in a chokehold of suffering since Diary of a Mad Black Woman and simply never let go. Give this woman a rom-com! A soft man who works at a bookstore. LET KIMBERLY ELISE BE HAPPY SUPREMACY!

The Nutcracker Prince (1990)

Cast: Megan Follows, Kiefer Sutherland, Peter O’Toole

One of the most criminally underrated animated Nutcracker adaptations EVER. It has a cozy, dreamy slightly melancholy vibe that’s basically the eqivalent of lying on the floor staring at Christmas lights and wondering if magic is real.

And the little romance between Clara and The Nutcracker Prince?? ADORABLE. I shipped it before I even knew what shipping was. My tiny four-year-old heart was eating it up!

The Mouse King, however, was terrifying. He wasn’t giving “children’s movie villain.” He was giving “therapy bills.” He was giving “I will haunt you in the dark hallway when you go get water at 2 a.m.”

This movie has lived rent-free in my memory palace for DECADES and it can stay.

Journey to Bethlehem (2023)

Cast: Milo Manheim, Fiona Palomo, Antonio Banderas, Lecrae, Joel Smallbone

Listen…

I went in fully expecting cringe.

And then…

PLOT TWIST.

Why did this end up being a Biblical musical rom-com about Mary and Joseph that I…genuinely loved? Why was it cute?? Why was it funny??

I wasn’t prepared for them to give Mary modern heroine energy, Joseph adorable soft-boy flustered charm, and King Herod a full musical number.

It’s camp. It’s joyful. It’s unexpectedly heartfelt. And I had a GREAT time.

Prancer (1989)

Cast: Sam Elliott, Rebecca Harrell Tickell, Cloris Leachman

This movie is pure childhood nostalgia. Prancer is one of those rare Christmas films that manages to feel both gentle and devastating at the same time.

Little Jessica’s unwavering belief in Prancer is the kind of earnest childhood optimism that adulthood tries so hard to beat out of us. Let’s be honest: As kids, we FULLY believed Prancer was real. We were (okay, maybe just me) CONVINCED. This movie had us ready to check the backyard for hoofprints and stare out of the window like “if I just believe enough, maybe a lost reindeer will show up.”

As adults? Prancer just hits different. It’s tender, hopeful, and bittersweet. It has been – and always will be – one of my favorite December comfort watches.

And that’s a wrap on Part 1 of my all-time favoritre Christmas movies!

I’ll see you tomorrow for Part 2, where we’ll be diving into the next batch – spots #10 through #6. Meet me back here for more festive cinematic chaos.