GBSM’s 2024 Holiday Movie Collection
From the heartwarming classics like It’s a Wonderful Life to timeless comedies like National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and modern head-scratchers like Hot Frosty, holiday films over the decades have brought warmth to our hearts and a smile to our faces as the weather grows cold. May our favorite holiday movies bring you joy and inspire a cozy evening-in during this special season!
Scroll over the movie posters below for a note from members of our team on why each film has a special place in their heart:
We moved away from the North Shore of Chicago the year this came out. Beyond the laughs and holiday cheer, it always takes me back to how much I loved my time there.
Andy Mountain
I love it because it has so many quotable lines and it just makes me laugh.
“It’s a one-year membership to the Jelly of the Month Club…”
“That’s the gift that keeps on giving the whole year.”
“That it is, Eddie.”
Victoria Erfurdt
It’s a classic. Wholesome fun for all ages.
Miles Graham
Growing up, after eating far too much for Thanksgiving dinner my family would all change into PJs to settle in and watch this. Inevitably, a little more pie or an extra helping of mashed potatoes would be eaten. Before the rush of the coming holiday season, it was a moment of calm and a lot of cozy.
Lauren Seibert
I remember seeing this movie in the theater when it came out – it’s a great story and lots of fun! I admit the animation is very creepy/uncanny but I also can’t get the “Hot Chocolate” song out of my head.
Kaitlin Aaby
It’s the perfect blend of romance, tears, holiday cheer and happy endings. And with Emma Thompson, Hugh Grant, Laura Linney, Liam Neeson, Bill Nigh and Colin Firth, it’s an unforgettable cast.
Abby Abel
This movie has always been a favorite of mine and my family’s! We always turn it into a big movie night with hot chocolate and popcorn and it feels so nostalgic to me.
Gabby Axner
Where do I begin? Our household randomly speaks in “Elfisms.” And it doesn’t need to be December. In fact, it can be mid-June and one of us may blurt out, “I’m singing! I’m in a store and I’m singing!”. The best way to spread cheer is singing loud for all to hear! Happy Holidays!
Jackie Brown-Griggs
This is my favorite Christmas movie because it captures the wonder of the season and magic of being together with family and friends over the holidays.
Kayleigh Cornell
My mom and I played this film as well as the soundtrack every holiday season. I’ve admired the ability of the illustrations to capture the sense of magnified wonder during Christmastime, especially as a child. Even as an adult, I feel a chill as if I was standing in the quiet, snow covered forest.
Anne Culbertson
Who doesn’t love a Vince Vaughn / Reese Witherspoon romcom?? I especially love it because it brings some much-needed levity to what can be a stressful holiday season, complete with family drama, gaffes and general hilarity.
Emma Devine
The humor is spot-on. Laughs and one-liners that have lasted four decades!
Mavis Fitzgerald
The Holiday is a cozy hug of a movie—corny in all the best ways and proof that trading houses with a stranger online won’t end in disaster but instead deliver cheer, a perfect score, and a dreamy Jude Law. It’s an annual must-watch for the major weepers and leading ladies in my family as we sip hot cocoa and dream of life in an idyllic cottage or a glamorous mansion.
Molly Gidley
While we have a ton of traditional favorites that have been in the rotation for years, a new(ish) standout is Klaus. This Netflix gem beautifully reimagines Santa’s origin story with stunning animation, a perfect mix of humor and heart, and timeless themes of kindness and redemption.
Janine Haan
Growing up, I always dreamed of having a New England Christmas like the March family. Their celebrations weren’t extravagant, but they were thoughtful, filled with love and centered on the simple joys of being together.
Victoria Holloway
Every year, Miracle on 34th Street played on Thanksgiving Day on one of our two TV channels. I absolutely love the scene where they prove Kris is Santa Claus through the delivery of the letters from the U.S. Postal Service. Now, it doesn’t feel like the holiday season until I’ve watched it!
Colleen Maleski
While you could argue whether Harry Potter films are holiday or Halloween movies, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire has the winter Yule Ball that evokes all of the snow-filled whimsy of the holiday season!
Alana Plaus
Growing up in North Carolina, a white Christmas was rare. My dad convinced my sister and me that singing the intro of the song “Snow” would bring us snow on Christmas and one year it worked!
Molly Sharp
Some may argue that this is a Halloween movie, and they might be right. But in my household, it’s a Christmas movie that’s the perfect way to add some spookiness to the holiday festivities.
Sam Stookesberry
I simply love this movie. I love the messaging around taking a step back and appreciating your chosen family for who they are and how a community can come together for each other.
Victoria Stutesman
I have watched it every Christmas since it came out and it’s the highlight of our holiday traditions. Last year, my wife and I went to New York City for the first time where we visited the Gapstow Bridge and I proposed in front of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree – making it that much more special!
Michael Teague
Andy Mountain
We moved away from the North Shore of Chicago the year this came out. Beyond the laughs and holiday cheer, it always takes me back to how much I loved my time there.
Victoria Erfurdt
I love it because it has so many quotable lines and it just makes me laugh. “It’s a one-year membership to the Jelly of the Month Club…”, “That’s the gift that keeps on giving the whole year.”, “That it is, Eddie.”
Miles Graham
It’s a classic. Wholesome fun for all ages.
Lauren Seibert
Growing up, after eating far too much for Thanksgiving dinner my family would all change into PJs to settle in and watch this. Inevitably, a little more pie or an extra helping of mashed potatoes would be eaten. Before the rush of the coming holiday season, it was a moment of calm and a lot of cozy.
Kaitlin Aaby
I remember seeing this movie in the theater when it came out – it’s a great story and lots of fun! I admit the animation is very creepy/uncanny valley but I also can’t get the “Hot Chocolate” song out of my head.
Abby Abel
It’s the perfect blend of romance, tears, holiday cheer and happy endings. And with Emma Thompson, Hugh Grant, Laura Linney, Liam Neeson, Bill Nigh and Colin Firth, it’s an unforgettable cast.
Gabby Axner
This movie has always been a favorite of mine and my family’s! We always turn it into a big movie night with hot chocolate and popcorn and it feels so nostalgic to met.
Jackie Brown-Griggs
Where do I begin? Our household randomly speaks in “Elfisms.” And it doesn’t need to be December. In fact, it can be mid-June and one of us may blurt out, “I’m singing! I’m in a store and I’m singing!”. The best way to spread cheer is singing loud for all to hear! Happy Holidays!
Kayleigh Cornell
This is my favorite Christmas movie because it captures the wonder of the season and magic of being together with family and friends over the holidays.
Anne Culbertson
My mom and I played this film as well as the soundtrack every holiday season. I’ve admired the ability of the illustrations to capture the sense of magnified wonder during Christmastime, especially as a child. Even as an adult, I feel a chill as if I was standing in the quiet, snow covered forest.
Emma Devine
Who doesn’t love a Vince Vaughn / Reese Witherspoon romcom?? I especially love it because it brings some much-needed levity to what can be a stressful holiday season, complete with family drama, gaffes and general hilarity.
Mavis Fitzgerald
The humor is spot-on. Laughs and one-liners that have lasted four decades!
Molly Gidley
The Holiday is a cozy hug of a movie—corny in all the best ways and proof that trading houses with a stranger online won’t end in disaster but instead deliver cheer, a perfect score, and a dreamy Jude Law. It’s an annual must-watch for the major weepers and leading ladies in my family as we sip hot cocoa and dream of life in an idyllic cottage or a glamorous mansion.
Janine Haan
While we have a ton of traditional favorites that have been in the rotation for years, a new(ish) standout is Klaus. This Netflix gem beautifully reimagines Santa’s origin story with stunning animation, a perfect mix of humor and heart, and timeless themes of kindness and redemption.
Victoria Holloway
Growing up, I always dreamed of having a New England Christmas like the March family. Their celebrations weren’t extravagant, but they were thoughtful, filled with love and centered on the simple joys of being together.
Colleen Maleski
Every year, Miracle on 34th Street played on Thanksgiving Day on one of our two TV channels. I absolutely love the scene where they prove Kris is Santa Claus through the delivery of the letters from the U.S. Postal Service. Now, it doesn’t feel like the holiday season until I’ve watched it!
Alana Plaus
While you could argue whether Harry Potter films are holiday or Halloween movies, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire has the winter Yule Ball that evokes all of the snow-filled whimsy of the holiday season!
Molly Sharp
Growing up in North Carolina, a white Christmas was rare. My dad convinced my sister and me that singing the intro of the song “Snow” would bring us snow on Christmas and one year it worked!
Sam Stookesberry
Some may argue that this is a Halloween movie, and they might be right. But in my household, it’s a Christmas movie and the perfect way to add some spookiness to the holiday season.
Victoria Stutesman
I simply love this movie. I love the messaging around taking a step back and appreciating your chosen family for who they are and how a community can come together for each other.
Michael Teague
I have watched it every Christmas since it came out and it’s the highlight of our holiday traditions. Last year, my wife and I went to New York City for the first time where we visited the Gapstow Bridge and I proposed in front of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree – making it that much more special!
