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Top 10 Best Christmas Movies

Christmas is upon us! So, it's the right time to make a list of the best Christmas movies that gently fill our homes and hearts with the spirit of Christmas. Merry Christmas:)

1. "Love Actually" (2003)

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This movie is one of my favorite movies. So, you love rom-coms? Try eight in one. Though some storylines (Liam Neeson helps his son woo a classmate) work better than others (horny Brit has American threesome), even the grinchiest among us will find something to heart here. It's a valentine to love all wrapped up in a Christmas bow.

2. "A Christmas Story" (1983)

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Without question the sine qua non of Christmas movies. Based on Jean Shepherd’s story, the film tells the tale of Ralphie, who wants a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas, in spite of the fact that every single adult he encounters is convinced that he’ll “put his eye out”. The period Christmas of Shepherd’s story is timeless, and as Shepherd himself narrates the doomed quest of Ralphie and we meet his friends, neighbors, teachers and family (and what a great, weird family!) we all find something that we recognize from our own Christmases past.

3. "It's a Wonderful Life" (1946)

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Frank Capra's story of the life of everyman George Bailey, as told to his guardian angel Clarence Oddbody, who has been recruited to save him in his moment of need. Tops on any list. We watch it every year, and it just keeps getting better.

4. "White Christmas" (1954)

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Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye head up this Christmas classic. But the real star of the show is Irving Berlin's score. A little "Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep" anyone?

5. "Home Alone" (1990)

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Written by John Hughes, directed by Christopher Columbus, Home Alone featured Macaulay Culkin as Kevin McCallister, an eight-year-old who is mistakenly left behind when his family flies to France for a Christmas vacation. While initially relishing his time alone, he is later threatened with two house burglars, whom he outwits by rigging the house with booby traps.

6. "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" (1989)

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Chevy Chase is at the top of his game in this sight-gag-and one-liner-laden homage to the love/hate event that is the family Christmas. Where, besides this list, is there a place big enough for a movie with Yule laughs this huge? As Clark Griswold would say, "Bend over and I'll show you."

7. "Miracle on the 34th Street" (1947)

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The Academy Award winning story of a gentle old man, working as a Santa Claus at Macy's department store in New York City, who contends that he is the real deal. The film was colorized twice, remade for television in 1955, 1959, 1973 and was remade into a 1994 feature film by Ls Mayfield.

8. "Holiday Inn" (1942)

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Plot? Who cares? Starring the dream team of Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire and ringing with classic Irving Berlin tunes, the musical resulted in one Oscar (for "White Christmas"), two films based on songs from the movie ("White Christmas" and "Easter Parade") and a ginormous hotel chain. Irving would be... proud?

9. "Elf" (2003)

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Will Ferrell drives this great-for-the-entire-family Christmas comedy. Of course the uncredited appearance of Peter Billingsley is a special holiday treat.

10. "The Nightmare Before Christmas" (1993)

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