8 of Our Favorite Holiday Movies As the weather cools down and the days shorten, the team here at The Back Store is looking forward to cozying up on the couch for regular movie nights — and with the most wonderful time of the year just around the corner (pun intended), we’re ready to fill our queue with holiday films!  First order of business: Get cozy! Maybe you’re looking to stretch out solo in your perfect recliner or squeeze onto a luxurious sofa with the whole family — or you may even consider giving yourself an early gift in the form of home-theater seating that will make staying in seem like more of a treat than going out.  Not a Christmas fan? Bah, humbug! Don’t worry, though: No matter how you celebrate the holidays (or don’t), there’s a movie for you. Here are just eight of our favorite holiday movies to watch this season:

1. It’s a Wonderful Life

No holiday movie list is complete without It’s a Wonderful Life. This 1946 classic tells the tale of a family man faced with financial failure — and potential prison time — on Christmas Eve. A bumbling angel is sent to convince him to keep on living, and the result is a grim but bittersweet look at small town America. Shockingly, It’s a Wonderful Life lost money when it first came out, but has since become a holiday classic.

2. Miracle on 34th Street

A second oldie-but-goodie, Miracle on 34th Street has undergone several remakes over the years, but the 1947 version remains a fan-favorite. When a department store Santa insists he’s the real deal, a story of kindness, cooperation, and belief in magic unfold in a truly touching way. 

3. A Charlie Brown Christmas

Looking for something a little more colorful than the first two — literally? The half-hour, in-color Peanuts special A Charlie Brown Christmas has been a hit since it first aired in 1965. Poor Charlie Brown has the blues, and everyone makes fun of the Christmas tree he gets for the school play. Will the gang learn the real meaning of Christmas? The answer, of course, is yes — and all to an unforgettable soundtrack.

4. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Another ’60s classic that wows with its stop-motion animation, even 50-plus years later, is Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Irresistibly charming characters and storytelling combine for a powerful and heart-warming message of acceptance that resonates just as much today as it did then.

5. How the Grinch Stole Christmas

If all of these suggestions are a little too jolly for you, you can temper them with How the Grinch Stole Christmas. While the 2000 and 2018 remakes are certainly a fun watch, the original 1967 animated version is the most loyal to the classic Dr. Seuss book. Even the grinchiest people may find their hearts grow a size or two after watching this one.

6. The Santa Clause

The ’90s saw a boom in wholesome family movies, and The Santa Clause was one of them. A light-hearted, family-friendly comedy, The Santa Clause is a magically modern take on Santa that also manages to take a sensitive look at divorce.

7. The Nightmare Before Christmas

If you’re the type of person who mourns the end of Halloween season and dreads the coming of Christmas, then The Nightmare Before Christmas might be the perfect movie for you. When the king of Halloween tires of his job and decides to take Christmas for himself, this quirky, animated film follows Jack as he learns what the holidays (all of them!) are really all about.

8. Die Hard

Last but not least, although perhaps the least obviously festive choice on this list, if you’re looking for something a little more action-packed this Christmas, go for Die Hard.  Sure, star Bruce Willis says it’s not technically a Christmas movie, but others (including the producer) insist it is. When a corporate Christmas party turns into a hostage situation, a cop visiting his estranged wife has to save the day. Fair warning for this one: You might want to invest in a theater-themed side table to hold your eggnog and avoid spilling it during the more thrilling bits. Holiday parties will be in full swing soon if they aren’t already. With all the chaos that comes with the festivities, hosting a movie night or hunkering down for one by yourself or with the family can offer a much-needed evening of rest and relaxation. And if you want to take your home theater to the next level, check out the furniture and home decor advice from the experts at The Back Store.