Warm up for the holidays with these joyful movies

Ready to bundle up with a cup of hot cocoa and watch Christmas movies all day? Here are a few movies sure to give you some holiday cheer:

It’s a Wonderful Life

This bittersweet classic has entranced audiences of all ages since 1946. George Bailey (James Stewart) has an unexpected surprise after he wishes that he never existed. He quickly learns how much of an impact he has in the lives of the people around him. Perhaps the most memorable thing he learns is that every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings.

Home Alone

Home Alone pulls viewer's emotions in all different directions with a comedic theme combined with an undertone of loneliness. Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin), a bratty but resourceful 8-year-old from Chicago, has to grow up quickly when his family mistakenly leaves him behind as they travel to France for Christmas. Unaware that they left, Kevin wakes up to an empty house and, of course, throws himself a party. Little does he know what is to come as burglars case the neighborhood of empty houses. While Kevin’s first instinct is to hide in his parents bed at the sight of the burglars, he motivates himself to defend his own house, and the burglars have no idea what they are up against.

Miracle on 34th Street

Susan Walker (Mara Wilson) is a six-year-old Santa Claus skeptic whose disbelief comes from her Santa-doubting mother. Because of this, Susan does not expect much from the magic of Christmas, until she meets a special department store Santa Claus, who gives her the most important gift of all: something to believe in.

Die Hard

For people who are not overly fond of cheesy Christmas movies, Die Hard is an action-packed thriller. New York police officer John McClane (Bruce Willis) is visiting his family in California for Christmas. McClane must take actions into his own hands when a terrorist takes over the building where the company his wife works for is holding a Christmas party.

The Santa Clause

Tim Allen stars as Scott Calvin, a non-believing businessman who doesn’t know how to cook a Christmas turkey. His life suddenly changes when he causes a man dressed in a Santa suit to fall off of his roof on Christmas Eve. He and his son Charlie (Eric Lloyd) are magically transported to the North Pole, where Scott is told by an elf that he is the new Santa Claus because he put on the old Santa’s jacket, as stated in the Santa Clause. Scott wakes up the next morning thinking it was all a dream, but he is in for a rude wake-up call.

Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas

Jack Skellington, The Pumpkin King, just presided over another successful Halloween, but he can’t help but feel like there is something missing in his life. That is, until he discovers Christmastown, and decides to take Christmas as his own holiday as well.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer had a very shiny nose. And if you ever saw it, you know the rest of the song. This traditional family favorite about a beloved red-nosed reindeer always brings Christmas cheer. As an outcast, Rudolph must find a way to redemption in the eyes of his parents, friends, Santa, and himself. This sets him on an adventure to silver, gold and the island of misfit toys.