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13 Favorite Holiday Movies

During the holiday season, it seems like you can't turn on the TV without coming across movies like Miracle on 34th Street and some version of A Christmas Carol. We decided to do a poll here at Encarta to find out what people's favorite holiday movies are and to get some new rental ideas for the holidays.


1. A Christmas Story (1983)
This wonderfully narrated memoir is a great family movie and was the hands-down favorite among MSN Learning & Research editors. The story of a boy growing up in the 1940s and wishing for the ultimate Christmas gift: a Red Ryder BB gun. Rated PG

2. Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
Starring Maureen O'Hara, Edmund Gwenn, and a very young Natalie Wood. Kris Kringle attempts to prove in a court of law that he is indeed the real Santa Claus. Meanwhile, most of the adults in the film think he is just an insane old man. Unrated

3. Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
A very Halloweenish Christmas from Disney and creative genius Tim Burton. The Pumpkin King gets bored with Halloween Town and tries to take over Christmas Town. Rated PG

4. Holiday Inn (1942)
A love triangle--musical style--that takes place at a resort that's only open during the holidays. Starring Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire. To top it off, the movie won an Academy Award for best song: the classic "White Christmas." Unrated

5. Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
Director Ron Howard's live-action remake of the 1966 animated television classic stars Jim Carrey as the Grinch who tries to end Christmas in Whoville. Rated PG

6. 29th Street (1991)
Luck is a funny thing. A New Yorker wins the state's first lottery on Christmas Eve, despite his bad luck. Based on a true story. Rated R

7. It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
Jimmy Stewart teamed up with Frank Capra? What more is there to say? Well, here's a little more: An angel gives Stewart a chance to see what life would be like if he hadn't been born. A real Christmas classic. Unrated

8. Trading Places (1983)
A new twist on the nature versus nurture argument: Two wealthy seniors make a wager on the lives of a snobby investor and a con artist. Starring Dan Aykroyd and Eddie Murphy. Rated R

9. A Christmas Carol (1951) (a.k.a. Scrooge)
This classic Dickens tale has been filmed numerous times, but we recommend the 1951 version. A bitter old man discovers the joy in life, thanks to the help of some ghosts. Unrated

10. Planes, Trains & Automobiles (1987)
Travel during the holidays isn't easy. Steve Martin does whatever he has to in order to make it home for the holidays--including taking on an obnoxious salesman (played by John Candy) as a traveling companion. Rated R

11. The Bishop's Wife (1947)
Cary Grant as an angel? How delightful! A minister's wife develops a crush on Cary Grant (who wouldn't?). Unrated

12. Home for the Holidays (1995)
Going home for the holidays can be difficult, as Holly Hunter's character proves in this Jodie Foster film about spending time with family during Thanksgiving. Rated PG-13

13. Home Alone (1990)
An eight-year-old enjoys the holidays after he is accidentally left at home while the rest of the family travels to Paris. This movie was the first of several Home Alone films. Rated PG