With the holiday season just beginning, family holiday movies are essential. The following movies are classics and are guaranteed to put anyone in the holiday spirit.

Elf (2003)

Rated PG

This kid-friendly and comedic movie starring Will Ferrell playing Buddy the Elf. He lives in the North Pole his whole life and is finally sent down to New York to live with his father that doesn’t believe his is an elf. This movie is filled with adventures and good and wholesome for the whole family.

Dr. Suess’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)

Not Rated

A classic movie and especially easy to find on cable during the holiday seasons is especially ideal for small children. A small-hearted villian that every citizen in Whoville fears will ruin the holiday season tries to steal all Christmas related items in the town as well as the Christmas spirit of the town citizens. The Grinch soon finds out that the holiday spirit cannot be stolen and learns how to embrace it instead.

Home Alone (1990)

Rated PG

Kevin (played by Macaulay Culkin) has to protect his house by himself from robbers when he is accidentally left home alone as his parents fly across seas for the holidays. The robbers are planning on robbing every house in little Kevin’s neighborhood. This movie is filled with clever booby traps and humorous jokes. This is strongly recommended for children and tweens.

Frosty the Snowman (1969)

Rated G

The classic holiday song “Frosty the Snowman” by Gene Autry is converted into the animated TV special that creates a heart warming story along to the lyrics to the song. Many adventures such as the sunlight about to melt Frosty and ice skating with all the kids in the neighborhood. This is found on DVDs, but commonly found on TV all holiday season.

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (1964)

Rated TV-G

A young reindeer named Rudolph is picked on for being different from all the rest of the reindeer in his area. He adventures into an island of misfit toys and realizes that there are many others just like him. ‘Then one foggy christmas eve…’ Rudolph was picked by Santa to be the lead reindeer on the sleigh and finds out his unique features were actually a positive towards his life.