The holiday season is a time for family, food and Christmas movie marathons. From the classic Rankin Bass films to cliché-filled Hallmark romps, everyone has their preferences, and as the year comes to an end, our team wanted to celebrate by sharing some of our favorite Christmas movies.

Rod: My favorite holiday movie is “It’s a Wonderful Life.” My youngest brother, Ryan, and I have watched this movie together every December since 2003. We both appreciate the story and its message about the value of family and dear friends, as well as the importance of helping others where and when you can. Other family members have jumped on the bandwagon in the years since, and it’s become a larger family tradition we all enjoy together. 

Eileen: My favorite holiday movie is “Elf.” “Buddy the Elf, what’s your favorite color?” may just become the team’s go-to phrase when picking up the phone. After watching this for years, the same jokes still crack us up! I look forward to watching it with my family year after year.

Kate: As soon as the holiday season starts to set in (which is admittedly very early in my house), my partner goes to pick up our annual Christmas PJ’s and we turn on my favorite Christmas movie, “The Santa Clause.” It was one of the few movies I never get sick of and brings me back to the years of quoting it all year long with my brothers as kids.

Bianca: “Elf” is always the first movie my siblings and I watched during the Christmas season, though our quoting along in the back of the car wasn’t as appreciated by our parents. I love Will Ferrell’s over-the-top, goofy humor alongside a very earnest story about family and belonging. Plus, it has an incredible soundtrack.

Logan: My family and I watch “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (the Jim Carrey version) every year. Although there’s lots of debate on this remake (you either love it or hate it), the jokes are undeniably funny, and the costumes and sets are extremely well done!

Alex: There are a lot of Christmas movies that try their hand at relatable, adult humor, but few do it as well as “Elf” with Will Ferrell. I am a Will Ferrell fan, so they may or may not have played a role in my choice. Regardless, Elf is one of those feel-good movies that reminds you that joy, kindness and family are the pillars of Christmas. I try to watch it every year, but the last few years have been difficult with a toddler, but I’m optimistic we will watch it this year.

Cassidy: My favorite holiday is “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.” My husband and I watch it every Black Friday as a tradition to kick off the holiday season and can quote practically every line. We like it because it takes a comical view of portraying how chaotic the holiday season can get. 

Liz: “It’s A Wonderful Life”. I enjoy old movies and this is one of my favorites to watch each Christmas. There are so many great lines in the movie and an assortment of characters to watch. It is a classic!

Paul: Tie between “It’s a Wonderful Life,” a gorgeous tale of gratitude and precious friendships, and “Die Hard,” a brilliant underdog action movie set on Christmas Eve.

John: My favorite is “Batman Returns.” Christmas, Christopher Walken and animatronic and real penguins—the early 90s were a good time. Hearing the operatic score by Danny Elfman in Batman Returns in theaters blew my mind. Clowns on motorbikes doesn’t sound like Christmastime, but Tim Burton made it so.