As winter break approaches, many students are turning to Christmas movies as a way to relax, celebrate the season and reconnect with traditions from their childhood. From heartfelt classics to modern holiday hits, these films continue to shape how students experience the holidays.
To find out which movies stand out the most, The Extra interviewed students and ranked the top five Christmas movies on campus, based on how often they were mentioned and how strongly students felt about them.
#1 – How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
Released in 2000, the live-action version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas follows a grouchy outsider who slowly learns the true meaning of the holiday. Known for its humor, memorable characters and festive visuals, the film has become a staple of many families’ holiday traditions.
Junior Andrea Cuevas said the movie’s balance of comedy and holiday meaning is what keeps her coming back each year. “It’s about the holiday spirit and comedy for me,” she said.
Senior Vanessa Moreno Rodriguez also ranked The Grinch as her number-one Christmas movie, explaining that it has been a favorite since childhood. “It’s iconic. I remember watching it when I was younger—it’s an entertaining movie,” she said. She added that she prefers the live-action version because of its personality and humor.
Junior Alijah Sheppard, while discussing holiday movie recommendations, agreed that the original version stands out. “The older one is better than the newer versions. Not enough people watch it anymore,” he said.
#2 – Home Alone (1990)
Home Alone tells the story of a young boy accidentally left behind during the holidays who must protect his house from burglars. Its slapstick humor and creative traps have made it one of the most recognizable Christmas movies of all time.
Sheppard ranked Home Alone as his all-time favorite Christmas movie. “It’s really funny and classic, and there’s more than one movie, which makes it even better,” he said. He also shared how the movie influenced him growing up. “I used to try to recreate the traps at my house.”
Moreno Rodriguez emphasized that the original movie remains the strongest in the series. “The very first one is really underrated,” she said, noting that the later sequels did not live up to the original.
#3 – The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Released in 1993, The Nightmare Before Christmas blends elements of both Halloween and Christmas through stop-motion animation and imaginative storytelling. Its unique style sets it apart from traditional holiday films.
Moreno Rodriguez ranked the movie as her second favorite and said she still watches it every year. Its darker tone and creative visuals continue to appeal to students who enjoy something different during the holiday season.
#4 – The Polar Express (2004)
The Polar Express centers on a magical train ride to the North Pole and explores themes of belief, imagination and childhood wonder. The movie has become known for its emotional soundtrack and festive atmosphere.
Cuevas recommended the film as one that deserves more attention. “Not a lot of people watch it, and it’s so good,” she said. Many viewers are drawn to the movie for its message about believing in the magic of the season.
#5 – The Christmas Chronicles (2018)
A more modern holiday movie, The Christmas Chronicles follows two siblings who team up with Santa Claus on a chaotic Christmas Eve adventure. Its fast-paced storytelling and comedic moments have made it popular on streaming platforms.
Sheppard mentioned the film while discussing overrated holiday movies, explaining that he felt it followed familiar storylines. Even with mixed opinions, its popularity helped it earn a spot among the top five, showing that newer Christmas movies still play a role in students’ holiday viewing.
Final Thoughts
After speaking with students, one clear pattern emerged: movies tied to childhood memories and tradition remain the most popular. Many students expressed that nostalgia is a major reason they return to the same holiday films year after year.
As Sheppard explained, newer holiday movies sometimes “lose that Christmas feeling,” which is why classics like Home Alone and The Grinch continue to dominate student favorites. These films remind viewers of family traditions, laughter and the joy of the holiday season.
With winter break approaching, students may find themselves revisiting these favorites—or discovering why they have remained classics for generations.
