The holiday season can be a whirlwind of to-do lists and last-minute errands, but it’s important to take a moment to pause and rediscover your festive spirit. What better way to unwind than by curling up with a cozy blanket, a bowl of popcorn, and a hot cocoa for a holiday movie marathon? Whether you love timeless classics or modern hits, there’s nothing like a feel-good film to bring a little extra joy to the season. We asked our agents to share their favorite holiday movies—read on to see if yours made the list or to find a new one to add to your lineup!
It’s a Wonderful Life – Often featured at the top of holiday movie lists, this Frank Kapra movie sees an angel visiting a despairing businessman (James Stewart) to show him what life would have been like if he had never been born.
Elf – Will Ferrell stars as Buddy, the human raised as an elf who travels to New York City to find his biological father.
A Christmas Story – A classic 80’s movie set in the 1940’s, when young Ralphie tries to persuade his parents and Santa that the perfect Christmas gift is a BB gun.
A Christmas Carol – opinion was divided amongst our realtors on which is the best version of this classic Dickens tale about miser Ebenezer Scrooge learning the error of his ways on Christmas Eve. The original 1938 version gets as much love as the more recent update with Jim Carrey in the lead role – and special mention must go to the The Muppet Christmas Carol with Michael Caine.
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation – Chevy Chase stars as Clark W. Griswold, attempting to create the perfect family Christmas with hilarious results.
Home Alone – Follow the adventures of unlucky 8-year-old Kevin McAllister (Macauley Culkin), who is accidentally left behind when his family go on a Christmas vacation and has to defend his home against two hapless burglars (Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern).
Miracle on 34th Street – the Oscar-winning 1947 version got the vote among our agents. It’s the story of Kris Kringle, a department store Santa who claims to be the real thing, and a little girl who helps him prove it.
The Christmas Chronicles – a brother and sister (from Lowell!)’s plot to catch Santa in the act take them on a magical journey. Starring real-life couple Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn as Santa and Mrs Claus.
Die Hard – a controversial but nevertheless popular choice, the first movie in the franchise sees NYPD officer John McClane (Bruce Willis) saving his wife and other hostages from a group of terrorists, led by Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman), who have hijacked her Christmas party to perform an elaborate heist.
White Christmas – this 1954 classic, starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye and Rosemary Clooney, sees the successful performers and producers team up with a sister act to save their former general’s failing Vermont inn.
The Polar Express - animated movie featuring Tom Hanks as the conductor of a train on its magical journey to the North Pole.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas – Jim Carrey stars in the Dr. Seuss tale of the miserable green Grinch who plans to ruin Christmas for the residents of Whoville.
Daddy's Home 2 - this story of the competitive co-dads (Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg) at Christmas deserves a special mention for featuring many local landmarks - including (if you look closely) our very own Barrett Sotheby's International Realty office in Concord!
Happy Holidays from everyone at Barrett Sotheby's International Realty!
(Thanks to IMDb.com for the movie info.)