10 films to watch at Christmas

It's nearly that time of year again. Christmas is just around the corner!

Now there are famous Christmas foods and famous Christmas songs but I am going to be running through a list of 10 Christmas films that I think go hand in hand with the festive season. 

These are films that many of you will have seen but if you haven't, find them immediately to watch, especially at this time of year.

Now, in no particular order, here are my 10 films to watch at Christmas time:

1) IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE

Plot: A desperate businessman is shown by an angel what life would be like if he never existed. 

One of the best loved films of all time is not only great viewing for any time of the year but because of its setting, It's A Wonderful Life is just that little bit more special at Christmas. The story of George Bailey (James Stewart) is enough to test the emotions of anybody.

2) WHITE CHRISTMAS

Plot: A male song-and-dance team become romantically involved with a sister double-act. They team together to put on the ultimate song-and-dance show on Christmas Eve to save a Vermont inn.

Now this one is pretty much a given. Christmas classics do not come anymore obvious than this. The singing and dancing is just great. Probably the best film to watch with the grandparents at Christmas.

3) HOME ALONE

Plot: An 8-year-old boy, accidentally left at home by his family for Christmas, must defend his home from the Wet Bandits, a pair of bumbling burglars.

One of the best family films of all time is just as much fun on repeat viewings. Who would have thought that so much fun could be had in such a horrific scenario?

Home Alone is one of those films that gets the whole 'You know it's Christmas when (insert name of Christmas film) is on TV' treatment.

4) GREMLINS

Plot: A boy gets more than he bargained for with his new pet after breaking the 3 important rules. As a result, a batch of Gremlins is released upon his small hometown.

What I love about Gremlins is its ability to provide both laughs and scares. I remember being terrified of it when I was growing up. If you want a film that isn't the traditional cosy Christmas film then Gremlins might just be the film for you.

5) BAD SANTA

Plot: A conman and his partner, who pose as Santa and an elf, plan to rob a department store on Christmas Eve. However, a paranoid store owner, a security guard and a kid who believes Santa is real throw a spanner in the works.

Billy Bob Thornton is fantastic as conman Willie in this seasonal tale of bad will. Like Gremlins, it offers something different and comes with the warning; do not watch this with the kids. This is one for the adults after the kids are asleep from all the Christmas dinner and playing with their toys.

6) THE GRINCH

Plot: A creature, seen as an outcast by the people of Whoville, sets his sights on stealing Christmas.

Based on the book by Dr Seuss, The Grinch finds Jim Carrey in his element as the titular character. Like Home Alone and Bad Santa there is a story of someone trying to ruin Christmas but inevitably for a family film, there is a happy ending. 

Oh yeah and it is set within a snowflake so it can only be watched at Christmas.

7) THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS

Plot: Jack Skellington, the King of Halloween, stumbles upon the concept of Christmas and sets about doing it his own way, with a Halloween twist.

Tim Burton brings his own quirky tale of Christmas and Halloween colliding in this brilliant animation. Some would argue it's a Halloween film and some would argue it's a Christmas film but it is great to watch at both times of year. 

And if you don't have a big smile on your face in the scene where Jack discovers Christmastown then clearly Christmas is not the time of year for you. Honestly try and watch this without smiling or singing along.

8) JINGLE ALL THE WAY

Plot: A father promises his kid the most sought after toy at Christmas, a Turbo Man action figure, totally underestimating the task of Christmas shopping on Christmas Eve.

Yes it's true! There is a Christmas film with Arnold Schwarzenegger in it. It is a guilty pleasure of mine that see Arnie himself take on his worst enemy yet, Christmas shoppers!

It does of course also feature a classic Arnie line.

9) ELF

Plot: After inadvertently wreaking havoc on the elf community due to his ungainly size, a man raised as an elf at the North Pole is sent to the U.S. in search of his true identity.

A modern Christmas favourite, Elf sees Will Ferrell at his childish best. He has an array of characters that he is well known for but when it comes to Christmas time, Buddy the Elf is the one that springs to the mind of everyone.

So get ready to spread the Christmas Spirit!

10) DIE HARD

Plot: John McClane (Bruce Willis) fights through 40 levels of German terrorists whilst attending the Christmas party at the Nakatomi Plaza.

I had to include it. And before you argue against it, the film takes place at Christmas so it counts as a Christmas film. I simply love this film!

Bruce Willis and Alan Rickman are on top form as the hero and villain and the action is just awesome. Undeniably, the daddy of action movies. So if you're looking for a film to entertain you this Christmas, look no further than Die Hard.