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25 best Christmas movies to watch during the holiday season

By Kimberley Spinney

NATIONAL LAMPOON'S CHRISTMAS VACATION - Deck the halls with boughs of laughter - the Griswolds are back! Hapless Clark (Chevy Chase), exasperated Ellen (Beverly D'Angelo) and their ever-changing kids (Juliette Lewis and Johnny Galecki) gear up for Christmas in this Vacation installment that became a holiday classic. As usual, all the good intentions in the world can't save them from disaster ... or Cousin Eddie (Randy Quaid), whose unannounced visit throws the house into further disarray. (WARNER BROTHERS)CHEVY CHASE
NATIONAL LAMPOON'S CHRISTMAS VACATION - Deck the halls with boughs of laughter - the Griswolds are back! Hapless Clark (Chevy Chase), exasperated Ellen (Beverly D'Angelo) and their ever-changing kids (Juliette Lewis and Johnny Galecki) gear up for Christmas in this Vacation installment that became a holiday classic. As usual, all the good intentions in the world can't save them from disaster ... or Cousin Eddie (Randy Quaid), whose unannounced visit throws the house into further disarray. (WARNER BROTHERS)CHEVY CHASE /
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17. Bad Santa

When it comes to great Christmas movies, Bad Santa might not be at the top of your list. In fact, it may not be on your list at all. Except, at least in my mind, there is a lot to love about this dark comedy movie, including Billy Bob Thornton’s performance, and the fact that it was John Ritter’s final live-action movie before his death (he did feature in two animated movies following this one).

While Bad Santa tells the story of two thieves, one of whom even portrays Santa Claus himself, it’s hard to think of this movie as a great holiday offering. And yet, with the help of not only the comedy, but also the fact that Thornton’s character is actually able to be more than just a degenerate, we end up getting a story of redemption.

The thing about Bad Santa is that if you go into watching it knowing that it is a dark comedy with a lot of vulgarity and bad behavior, you end up enjoying it more than if you expect Christmas cheer and goodwill towards all. The fact that it also shows a young boy learning how to defend himself against bullies and finding a new family of sorts certainly helps push it over into being an enjoyable holiday watch.

Are there moments that leave you wondering why this is considered a Christmas movie? Of course there are. But at the same time, it also delivers all the things that a good holiday film should – humor, excitement, and redemption. (And while the sequel, Bad Santa 2, is not included in this list of movies to watch, it is still worth an honorable mention.)

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