Christmas is the perfect time to watch movies that bring joy and laughter.  The holiday season has inspired countless cinematic treasures, but a few timeless classics stand out as must-watch films year after year. These include National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, Home Alone, A Christmas Story, Elf, and How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Each of these movies captures the magic of Christmas in its own unique way. Let’s take a closer look at what makes them so memorable.

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

In this hilarious 1989 movie, Clark Griswold tries to create the perfect Christmas for his family. With a massive tree, way too many lights, and crazy relatives, things quickly spiral out of control. It’s chaotic but shows how important family is during the holidays. It’s a laugh-out-loud holiday adventure. The movie celebrates the importance of family, resilience, and finding joy even when things don’t go as planned. Christmas Vacation is Apex High School freshman Kaylie Bowman’s favorite Christmas movie.

Home Alone

This 1990 classic tells the story of eight-year-old Kevin McCallister, who is accidentally left behind when his family flies to Paris for Christmas. While home alone, Kevin discovers his house is the target of two burglars and uses clever traps to fend them off. The movie is funny, action-packed, and heartfelt, reminding viewers to appreciate their loved ones and the true spirit of the holidays. Apex High students Taylor Mele, Madeline Jorgensen, and Neiva Parikh all love to watch this movie during the Christmas season.

A Christmas Story

Set in the 1940s, this movie tells the story of Ralphie, a kid who dreams of getting a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas. With funny scenes like the triple-dog-dare and the leg lamp, it’s a heartwarming story about childhood dreams, holiday traditions, and the warmth of togetherness during the Christmas season.

Elf

In Elf, Buddy, played by Will Ferrell, is a human raised by elves at the North Pole. When Buddy discovers he’s not an elf, he travels to New York City to reconnect with his biological father, spreading holiday cheer wherever he goes. It’s a funny and sweet movie full of Christmas cheer. Its themes of love, belonging, and the magic of Christmas make it a favorite among Apex High School students Meredith Snell, Kenna Bray, and Callie Beyer.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Bitter and isolated, the Grinch plots to steal Christmas from the Whos of Whoville. However, his heartwarming transformation reveals that the holiday season is about much more than material gifts. With its whimsical humor and touching message, this movie delivers a joyful reminder of kindness and community.

While all these movies are great, Home Alone was clearly the favorite Christmas movie among  Apex High School’s student body. These movies are classics because they make us laugh, feel nostalgic, and remind us what Christmas is all about: love, kindness, and spending time with family. Watching them is a holiday tradition that brings people together every year.