I love Christmas movies all year long. They usually make you feel good and give you hope. Whether you like to watch Christmas movies during the holidays or at other times of the year, here are ten great ones that give you hope and show the holiday spirit.
Dear Santa
Crystal, a rich, single 30-year-old woman whose Christmas list includes Chanel, Prada, and Tiffany, finds a letter to Santa from a little girl who is seven years old. The letter told Crystal that the child’s Christmas wish was for her single dad to have a new wife.
When Crystal learns that Derek is a normal guy who runs a soup kitchen and isn’t interested in her romantically, things get interesting and funny. One of my favorite scenes is when Crystal and Derek’s girlfriend fight over batter in the kitchen. I promise that there will be no violence.
The Christmas Candle
Based on the original story by Max Lucado, this movie shows the problems that a new minister faces when he moves to Gladbury, where the miracle Christmas candle has been a tradition for a long time.
When the reverend tries to get rid of a tradition that he thinks is silly, his congregation fights him. In the movie, the reverend’s inner search for truth is shown in the context of Protestant and Roman Catholic beliefs. A story that makes you think about faith, hope, and what Advent is all about.
The Tree That Saved Christmas
Molly returns to her old home in Vermont to try to keep her family’s tree farm from turning into a golf course resort. She runs into Lucas, her childhood best friend, and high school sweetheart.
Years ago, they had a misunderstanding that made them separate. She followed her dream of becoming a writer in New York City, while he followed his father’s advice and went to work at a bank in his hometown.
Things get awkward and tense between Molly and Lucas now that he is in charge of finding investors for the golf course project. A story about hope, hard work, and starting over.
The Little Women
From my humble point of view, this is by far the best adaptation of Little Women into a movie. The acting is great, the scenery is beautiful, and the movie is well-made. Based on a book written by Louisa May Alcott, the story portrays the lives of the four March sisters, Beth, Jo, Meg, and Amy, as they grow up during the last days of the American Civil War.
The girls go in different directions, but tragedy brings them closer together in the end. Because of this loss, Jo, the central protagonist of the movie, finds her fortitude and voice as a writer. A movie that men and women of all ages will find moving.
Magic Stocking
When an old, worn-out Christmas stocking is given to a young girl at a craft fair, the girl’s widowed mother isn’t sure if it will help her get through Christmas without her husband.
As a planner for her municipality, she also has to meet the mayor’s time limit for rebuilding the historical city pavilion in time for the Xmas light show. This film is about the courage to believe, move on, and try new things. The plot may sound corny, but I can assure you that this movie is good.
It’s a Wonderful Life
Who hasn’t been moved by this well-known Christmas song? George Bailey is a businessman who is sad and thinking about killing himself. He is about to do it. Clarence Odbody, George’s guardian angel, comes to see him before it’s too late. He demonstrates to George what life would be like if he had never been born.
The angel tends to take him back to the individuals and lives that George touched and changed in ways that George didn’t understand. His view changes when he finds new hope and purpose in his life.
The Polar Express
When I first saw this movie, I thought, “Wow!” No matter how many times I’ve seen it, it still makes me feel the same way. The animation in this movie is amazing, and the whole thing is great. This charming and magical story about a boy who isn’t certain that Santa is real is a hit with both kids and adults.
One night, when he is in bed, he hears the roar and whistle of the train. As he walks outside, the conductor invites him to take the train to the North Pole to see Santa. He gets a special gift for believing. A fresh story about having faith even when you have doubts.
A Charlie Brown Christmas
Charlie Brown is sad and down during the holidays in this classic movie. Lucy, his friend, tells him to direct the annual Christmas play because she thinks it will make him feel better.
Charlie Brown’s friends tease him when he chooses a real but sad-looking Christmas tree for the achievement, but they eventually help him show off the little tree in all its glory. At the end of the movie, everyone sings, “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.” Even a hard heart can be moved by a simple, raw, honest message of hope.
Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer
Rudolph’s father is a member of Santa’s reindeer, and Rudolph wants to be one too. But because of his red nose, the other reindeer don’t like him, so he runs away to the Island of Misfit Toys.
Rudolph is the one Santa asks for help on Christmas Eve to get him and his team of reindeer through the stormy night. This movie will touch your heart because it is pure and innocent and shows how a disadvantage can turn into an advantage.
Frosty the Snowman
A group of kids builds a snowman, and the snowman comes to life when they put a magician’s old hat on it. When the magician discovers his hat has magical powers, he wants it back. The children try to get to the North Pole before Frosty melts, but the magician keeps trying to get it back. When you watch this short film and hear the kids sing, “Frosty the Snowman was a jolly happy soul,” you’ll want to sing along and smile.