My Top 5 Christmas Movies To Watch Each Year
Let’s talk about the movies I can never miss during the Christmas season. There are plenty of Christmas movies that I enjoy, but there are only a handful that I will watch every year around Christmas. Usually multiple times. We’ll count them down from 5 to 1, and over the past few years of having kids a few of my movies were bumped out for some really good kids Christmas movies.
Before we get into it let’s memorialize the movies that don’t get as much play in my house just because of the kids… Love Actually, The Santa Clause, Home Alone, and Die Hard. These are all favorites, but they get bumped out because of the movies the kids have added to my list.
5. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
This will remain on my list no matter how many Christmas movies these kids try to add. It probably would be higher up on the list due to how many times I would watch it during Christmastime before children. I still make sure this is on a few times, even with the kids. It’s a classic that no amount of children will take away from me!
4. Elf
Buddy the Elf just had his 20th anniversary yesterday. It still holds up as one of the best Christmas movies I’ve ever watched. This one has a good crossover with my wife and I and the kids. They saw it for the first time last year and were hooked right from the opening. I can’t tell you how many times I had to rewind Bob Newhart explaining that they tried using Gnomes and Trolls in Santa’s workshop, but the trolls drank too much (*burp*) and the trolls weren’t toilet trained (*fart*). Dozens of times. I’m already exercising my thumb for the rewinding in a few weeks. The rewinding part starts at about 1:28 in the video.
3. Klaus
This is a bust-out, phenomenal animated Christmas movie. I didn’t know much about it until we stumbled upon it either last year or Christmas ’21. It has everything. Laughs, heartfelt moments, some tears. It’s just an overall great movie that crosses generations with the parents and kids. The Christmas rewatch factor is high.
2. The Polar Express
A book I was never really into. A movie that, before I had kids, I didn’t think I’d enjoy because of the way it was animated and the whole not liking the book thing. I was wrong about all of it. The book is great, the movie is even better. It helps that Tom Hanks is the conductor, and he’s great. It’s going to be on a whole lot in the house once we get through Thanksgiving.
1. Christmas Chronicles
If you didn’t know that Kurt Russell made a film as Santa Claus a few years ago, you’re missing out. This was the top Christmas movie in my house in December 2022 and much of January/February of 2023. If I had to rank the movie Santas Kurt Russell is on the list. The movie is so good, but they made one mistake after the movie’s success. They made a sequel.
After talking about Kurt Russell’s turn as Santa, I think I am going to do a ranking of the top movie Santa Claus coming up after Thanksgiving.
Christmas in Philadelphia: Santa Claus Hours at 7 Local Malls
King of Prussia Mall
Santa will be at the Plaza in the Nordstrom Court at King of Prussia Mall beginning on Nov. 9. The mall will extend its hours for the holiday season, closing at 9pm on most weeknights after Thanksgiving leading up until Christmas.
Hours (Before Thanksgiving):
Monday-Thursday: 10am-8pm
Friday-Saturday: 10am-9pm
Sunday: 11am-6pmHours (After Thanksgiving):
Monday-Saturday: 10am-9pm
Sunday: 11am-7pmCherry Hill Mall
The Cherry Hill Mall in South Jersey strongly recommends making an appointment to meet Santa Claus. They extend their hours beginning on December 8. They’ll hold special hours for the final three days before Christmas.
Hours (Before Dec. 8):
Monday-Thursday: 11am-8pm
Friday-Saturday: 10am-8pm
Sunday: 12pm-6pmHours (Dec. 8-21):
Monday-Saturday: 11am-8pm
Sunday: 10am-9pmDeptford Mall
Santa will meet at the Center Court of the Deptford Mall outside Macy’s beginning on Nov. 9. Guests are not required to make reservations, but wait times are usually shorter for people who plan ahead. A reservation also guarantees you a free personalized video and phone call from the North Pole.
Hours (Nov. 9-22):
Monday-Saturday: 11am-7pm
Sunday: 11am-6pmHours (Nov. 24-30):
Monday-Saturday: 11am-7pm
Sunday: 12pm-6pmHours (Dec. 1-17):
Monday-Friday: 11am-7pm
Saturday: 10am-8pm
Sunday: 12pm-6pmHours (Dec. 18-24):
Monday-Saturday: 10am-8pm
Sunday: 9am-4pmFashion District Philadelphia
The Fashion District Philadelphia will host a welcome parade leading Santa to the main entrance on Saturday, Nov. 25. They also recommend reservations to limit wait times.
Hours (Nov. 24-26):
Friday-Saturday: 11am-7pm
Sunday: 12pm-6pmHours (Dec. 2-17):
Saturday: 10am-8pm
Sunday: 12pm-6pmHours (Dec. 11-15):
Monday-Friday: 10am-7pm
Saturday: 10am-8pm
Sunday: 12pm-6pmHours (Dec. 18-24):
Monday-Friday: 10am-8pm
Saturday: 10am-8pm
Sunday: 9am-4pmSpringfield Mall (Delaware County)
Santa will start his appearances at Springfield Mall in Delaware County on Nov. 11. Hours will extend from Dec. 8 through Dec. 24. Springfield Mall also recommends making a reservation.
Hours (Nov. 11-Dec. 7):
Monday-Thursday: 11am-8pm
Friday-Saturday: 10am-8pm
Sunday: 12pm-6pmHours (Dec. 8-20):
Monday-Thursday: 11am-8pm
Saturday: 10am-9pm
Sunday: 11am-6pmHours (Dec. 21-24):
Thursday-Saturday: 10am-9pm
Sunday: 10am-5pmWillow Grove Mall
The Willow Grove Mall will offer pet photo opportunities every Monday from Nov. 13- Dec. 18. They also allow walk-ups with the recommendation for reservations. Santa takes breaks during the announced hours.
Hours (Nov. 11-Dec. 7):
Monday-Thursday: 11am-8pm
Friday-Saturday: 10am-8pm
Sunday: 12pm-6pmHours (Dec. 8-20):
Monday-Thursday: 11am-8pm
Saturday: 10am-9pm
Sunday: 11am-6pmHours (Dec. 21-24):
Thursday-Saturday: 10am-9pm
Sunday: 10am-5pmPhiladelphia Mills (aka Franklin Mills)
Philadelphia Mills in Northeast Philly encourages reservations and allows walkup guests. The Big Guy will meet at 1455 Franklin Mills Circle. Hours with Santa Claus are expected to begin on Nov. 24.
