Snuggling up to watch a holiday movie is the perfect way to get into the Christmas Spirit. Along with decorating the tree, making Christmas cookies, and opening gifts, watching a Christmas movie with a hot cup of hot chocolate is one of the merriest moments of the year. Whether you’re in the mood for a classic like “Home Alone”, or something a little different like “Die Hard”, there is something for everyone. Here are my hot takes on some of the most popular Christmas movies:

“Home Alone” – “Home Alone” is a good-natured, unrealistic, and goofy movie that everyone loves. It is not only one of the most common favorite holiday movies in the Prep community, but everywhere. It follows an endearing story starring Macauley Culkin which makes “Home Alone” a standout holiday favorite. The heavy use of slapstick and innocent humor to convey the story makes this film especially heartwarming. The plot is a bit simple, but it certainly makes you smile. This holiday classic always makes you feel a little merrier. This is one of the holiday classics that you can watch every year.

“National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” – For those of you who have seen the original “National Lampoon’s Vacation”, this holiday edition has a near identical story line. This makes the movie predictable but this doesn’t take away from the joy that this film brings. While the movie is still a little raunchy, it has toned it down from the original. This movie has some great but does have some inappropriate scenes. If you are looking for a great holiday movie and a good laugh, I would definitely recommend this film.

“The Grinch” – Jim Carrey was made to play the Grinch. His performance matches perfectly with the character we all love. The script has some clever lines but does feel a little slow at some points. The costumes and sets are magical and illustrate Christmas. The Whoville clothes and hairstyles are fantastic and playful. “The Grinch” is a bright, colorful, and family-friendly option to bring on the Christmas spirit.

“Elf” – This Christmas comedy makes you laugh and tugs at your heartstrings. “Elf”, directed by Jon Favreau and written by David Berenbaum, follows a heartwarming story. Some people criticize the pace of the movie and don’t like the element of animation but it is something you don’t see every day. Will Ferrell’s performance is great and this film will certainly make you feel something.

“Die Hard” –”Die Hard”, staring Bruce Willis is a great Christmas movie, but many argue if it is a Christmas movie at all. While the holiday theme is far more subtle than the other movies, this action-packed film is definitely worth the watch. The movie follows a New York cop who has flown out to Los Angeles for Christmas and finds himself in the middle of an extreme and horrible event. This movie will keep you on your toes and is perfect for those who love action.

“A Charlie Brown Christmas” – For a movie that is over 50 years old, “A Charlie Brown Christmas” proves to be timeless. Some find this movie more philosophical than merry. While it is a children’s movie, it tells an important story that is often left out of holiday films. For those who have a little trouble getting into the holiday spirit, the characters in this movie and everyone’s favorite, Charlie Brown, reminds us that everyone feels a different way about Christmas. While this isn’t my favorite movie, if you are looking for something nostalgic this is a great pick.

“Polar Express” – The “Polar Express” is honestly a little creepy. The animation has been classified as what is called the Uncanny Valley which means the animation is almost ‘too good’. This movie strays away from other Christmas movies because there seems to be an underlying eerie tone instead of the regular, mindless jolliness of other Christmas movies. All and all, this movie isn’t my favorite but definitely has good take away morals and is great for putting on in the background on a snowy (or more likely rainy) winter day.