The festive season is almost upon us and this time of year gives us the chance to revisit some of the best Christmas movies - and every year we are treated to something new.
![Get Santa](/image-library/land/1000/g/get-santa-first-image.jpg)
Get Santa
Get Santa is the festive family film to watch out for this year, as Jim Broadbent takes on the role of Santa alongside Rafe Spall, Warwick Davis, and Jodie Whittaker.
To celebrate the release of Get Santa this week we take a look at some of the Christmas movies that all kids should be watching over the next few weeks.
1. The Grinch (2000)
Set in the magical town of Who-Ville, How the Grinch Stole Christmas tells the tale of how the coldest of hearts can be warmed by the magical spirit of Christmas.
The Grinch (Jim Carey) attempts to destroy Who-Ville's Christmas celebrations by dressing up as Santa and stealing everything to do with it.
The Grinch is a character that was made for Jim Carry and his outrageous central performance really is the heart and soul of this movie - had any other actor been cast this just wouldn't have worked.
This is a movie that really does pay tribute to the weird and wacky Dr Seuss world and is a Christmas movie that kids will enjoy again and again, as it is action packed, scary, and laugh out loud funny.
2. Elf (2003)
A Christmas story with a real heart- this film follows Buddy the Elf (Will Ferrell) on his journey as a human raised as an elf, who travels to America in search of his true identity.
Hard to believe but Elf hit the big screen back in 2003, and celebrated its tenth anniversary last year. However, it remains a firm festive favourite and a movie that kids and parents all look forward to watching during the festive period.
The movie saw Jon Favreau back in the director's chair, while Ferrell was at his funny and outrageous best - and yet this is a movie that has a lot of heart and soul to it.
Elf is a movie that is packed with Christmas spirit and will go on to be a real festive classic as the years go on.
3. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Tim Burton classic, The Nightmare before Christmas follows Jack Skellington, the King of Halloweentown, on his discovery of Christmas Town. Halloween Town soon fall in love with the magic of Christmas, after learning just what it is all about.
The stop motion animation movie saw Henry Selick in the director's chair, while Tim Burton was on both writing and producing duties with the project.
The Nightmare Before Christmas is one of the most stunning and original Christmas movies that you will ever see - and it remains a personal favourite of mine twenty years on; yes, it was released back in 1994.
This movie musical is a fantastic piece of stop motion animation that has some terrific characters at its core. Selick, Burton and co has created a truly unique and wonderful world that you can't help but get lost in as a viewer.
The movie mixes magic with a slight touch of horror, and it really is a delight no matter how many times you find yourself watching it.
4. Home Alone (1990)
The Home Alone series are the perfect Christmas films but for many the original is the best. The film stars Macaulay Culkin as Kevin, a young boy who is accidently left behind when his family go on holiday for Christmas.
Kevin loves being home alone until he has to fend off two potential burglars, in this hilarious comedy classic.
I have to say, Home Alone is not a personal favourite, but it has gone on to be regarded as one of the best Christmas movies of all time.
Home Alone is the movie that really did put Macaulay Culkin on the acting map - he really is terrific in the central role of the mischievous Kevin who defends his home against two hapless burglars.
Home Alone is a good old-fashioned family movie that is perfect for the festive season.
5. Miracle on 34th Street
If there is one movie that I have to watch over the Christmas period then it is the 1994 version of Miracle on 34th Street - a movie that is celebrating twenty years this December.
The movie follows six-year-old Susan, who has been told that Santa Claus doesn't exist. However, she has beliefs tested when she comes face to face with Kris Kringle, who is the department store Santa where her mother works.
Miracle on 34th Street is one of the best Christmas tales of all time; it is uplifting and heart-warming and explores the ideas of belief and the power of myths.
David Attenborough is perfectly cast as Kris Kringle, a man with nothing but joy and love for children in his heart - no other actor could have delivered a performance that is so touching and so real.
Miracle on 34th Street is the first Xmas movie I watch every festive period, and it is as good a movie now as it was twenty years ago.
Other great Christmas movies that the kids cannot miss include The Polar Express, Arthur Christmas, Santa Claus The Movie, and A Muppets Christmas Carol.
Get Santa is released 5th December.
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