My top 10 christmas movies

10. Mickey’s Twice Upon a Christmas (2004)
Now, I’m sure this isn’t on a lot of people’s lists, but it’s a staple for me. It’s what I think of when I think of childhood. I vividly remember being in my room or in the living room watching Disney Channel or Disney Junior, and this would come on. It’s just one of those movies that’s always stayed with me.

I love it because it has short stories of Daisy Duck, Minnie, the other ducks, and my favorite story is the one with Pluto, who is being bad and roughhousing in the house while Mickey is trying to decorate. Mickey is stressed and flustered, and it actually ends up going really badly. Mickey screams at Pluto and says something really hurtful, which results in Pluto running away after ruining Mickey’s Christmas decorations.

It was so sad because, at first, Mickey didn’t even realize Pluto ran away, he wasn’t paying attention until he finally started looking for him and noticed Pluto was gone. It always stuck with me: remember how you speak to people in the moment, whether you’re stressed or not—be kind and gentle. It’s just a sweet movie and one I always go back to.

9. Almost Christmas (2016)
I love this movie so much. I got to see it when it first came out, back in high school. It has a great storyline with an elite cast—Danny Glover, Mo’Nique, Gabrielle Union, Omar Epps, Nicole Ari Parker, Kimberly Elise, Romany Malco—so many stars.

It’s hilarious but also very gloomy. The family comes together for Christmas after losing the matriarch of the family, and it’s tough. Those first holidays without a loved one are always the hardest. Since before losing their mom, the sisters have had a strained relationship. Gabrielle Union plays Rachel, a single mom who’s broke and struggling. Her sister Cheryl, played by Kimberly Elise, is wealthy and successful but flaunts her marriage—even though her husband is cheating. Cheryl is nasty to Rachel, constantly tearing her down for being poor.

Their younger brother, Evan, was born years after them, and it actually takes a situation with him and a hospital stay for the sisters to start repairing their relationship just in time for Christmas. Overall, it’s timeless to me: funny, enjoyable, understandable, heartwarming, and thought-provoking. I watch this all year round.

8. How the Grinch Stole Christmas
I feel like I don’t need to say much about this one. I love both versions—the 2000 Jim Carrey version and the 1966 animated version. They’re both timeless staples in my household. I grew up on the living room floor watching these movies over and over with my sister.

I’m a huge Jim Carrey fan—he’s stellar in this movie. I love the Grinch, the story, Whoville, the cinematography, everything. It’s a perfect story with a perfect lesson, and it’s always in rotation for me.

7. Black Christmas (1974)
Y’all know I wasn’t going to not have a horror movie on this list. The 1974 Black Christmas is one of my favorite movies—not just Christmas movies of all time. It’s so well done.

It starts as winter break begins, but a group of sorority sisters decide to stay back. While they’re there, they start getting weird anonymous phone calls from someone saying very vulgar, outlandish things. One of the girls, Barb (played by Margot Kidder, one of my favorite actresses ever), starts playing along with the caller, and the other sisters are telling her, “Barb, this isn’t a joke. Stop.” Even watching the movie myself, I’m yelling, “Barb, stop talking to him!”

People in the house start going missing one by one. A girl from a different home is murdered, and everyone starts thinking there’s a serial killer—but no one knows who or where he is. Along with Margot Kidder, Olivia Hussey stars in this, and she is phenomenal. Her portrayal of fear, confusion, awareness, and suspicion is spot-on.

This movie is terrifying, especially the ending. It still makes me uncomfortable to this day. The cinematography, lighting, shots, zooms, sound effects! Everything is perfect. I love Black Christmas.

6. Home Alone 2 (1992)
The superior sequel. This movie is way better than the first one. First of all, I love that it takes place in one of the best cities in the world. It’s funnier than the first and has a deeper meaning.

I love everything about it—the setting, the plot. It made me want to stay at The Plaza Hotel so badly. I used to dream of visiting there when I was younger. I still do. It’s one of those movies I always watch whenever it’s on. A fantastic sequel.

5. The Best Man Holiday (2013)
Another one with elite casting—Morris Chestnut, Taye Diggs, Sanaa Lathan, Nia Long, Monica Calhoun, Terrence Howard. So many great actors. And again, a messy, emotional storyline. I love a messy drama-romance; I’m a sucker for it.

This group of college friends reunites for Christmas after a long time apart, and so much has happened. People are having affairs, some are going broke and pretending they’re not, someone is very sick with cancer, lots of unhappy married couples. It’s one of those movies that’s a comfort watch for me.

It also just makes me realize how many people are miserable in life. There’s so much going on in this movie; it makes you wonder how they even have a good Christmas. I love this one.

4. It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
A classic. When I was younger, my dad introduced me to this, and I’m so thankful, because I can’t imagine never seeing this movie. It’s essential in my Christmas replays.

James Stewart as George Bailey is fantastic. He has so much on his mind and many problems, and he begins thinking about ending his life. When he finally decides to jump from a bridge, he meets Clarence, a guardian angel who shows him what the world would look like if he had never existed. It makes him regret ever considering suicide.

I really enjoy this movie and its message. It makes you think and remember how much of a gift life is. Everyone should watch it.

3. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)
A necessity. Every time. I grew up watching this in the living room as a kid, feeling bad for Rudolph, hating the bullying he endured, and rooting for him. I love the music—it’s so cute and well done.

I’m an avid fan of stop-motion animation, so this movie and others like Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town are must-watches in my house. They make me feel the Christmas spirit.

2. A Christmas Carol (2009)
Again—Jim Carrey in Christmas movies is elite. I love the book A Christmas Carol. It’s a story that has stayed with me for years. The animation in this version is one of my favorites.

I love stories about people changing for the better. Scrooge is the perfect example. He’s miserable, cruel, and hard to root for at first, but he’s misunderstood. Watching him learn and grow is wonderful. (And I was delighted to see Tiny Tim get healthier)

1. Jack Frost (1998)
Greatest of all time. Hands down.

The story, the visuals, the casting, the cinematography—everything is elite. Jack, a musician, is a workaholic who doesn’t focus on his family the way he should. He even promises he’ll make his son’s hockey game, but he doesn’t. He gives Charlie a harmonica and tells him it’s magical and that no matter where he is, he’ll always hear it.

One night, Jack is driving home in a terrible snowstorm and ends up dying on Christmas Day, leaving behind his wife, Gabby, and their young son, Charlie. A year later, the pain is still there. This movie hits differently because I understand the deep feeling of grief. It makes me cry every time.

Charlie is depressed and lonely—you can see it. He builds a snowman to remember his dad and plays the harmonica for comfort. The snowman comes to life, it’s Jack. At first, Charlie is terrified and doesn’t believe it’s really him, but eventually he does. He’s thrilled to have him again, and he does everything he can to keep him from melting.

I won’t give away too much in case people haven’t seen it, but it’s a magnificent film—powerful in the way it portrays grief, depression, perseverance, and healing. I will always stand by this movie as the best Christmas movie of all time.