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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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11. The Nightmare Before Christmas

There has long been a debate over whether The Nightmare Before Christmas was a Christmas movie or a Halloween movie. And while we think it qualifies under both categories, it really does fit as a slightly darker look at Christmas.

We love watching Jack Skellington explore Christmas Town and trying to capture the joy and happiness of the holiday. And the fact that he is to Halloween what Santa is to Christmas means that as viewers, we expect to see him more jolly in his role than he is.

The fact that this is also a musical fantasy certainly helps to give it more love as a Christmas movie, although the darker aspects and more Halloween based approach to the holiday is definitely something that will make other people reject it as one of the great Christmas movies.

Personally, I love this story, these characters, and the overall look at what makes Christmas and Halloween so different from each other, while also pointing out the magic behind both holidays. And of course, the fact that Jack actually has to save Santa Claus after being the reason he is in trouble makes the entire story come full circle. (Plus, just like any other holiday movie, The Nightmare Before Christmas even features a few life lessons and a romance.)

While this story could probably have landed higher on this list, for me it is still just this side of being a bit too much Halloween to be the ultimate Christmas movie. But the fact that it delivers both makes it near and dear to my movie-loving heart.

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