Counting down LevinTV's top ten videos of 2021



As we gear up for 2022, LevinTV counts down the top ten videos of 2021.

#10


Let's start with #10. Remember when Joe Biden launched a commission to examine "Supreme Court Reform"? We do. Revisit Mark's recounting of the history of the nine-judge system as it stands today and how Biden seeks to damage the republic with his court-packing.

#9


This is #9: “Milley Gets Blackburned.” Rewatch how General Mark Milley squirmed under the intense questioning from senators over the withdrawal from Afghanistan — especially from powerhouse Marsha Blackburn.

#8


Here is #8: How badly did Joe Biden bungle our exit from Afghanistan, abandoning Americans and allies alike? According to Mark, enough to anger Jake Tapper.

#7


Coming in at #7 is "The Secret Texts." New encrypted texts revealed his hypocrisy after Joe Biden preached that he would "leave no American behind."

#6


Joe Biden is in trouble again in #6. His reproachable "leadership" left our men vulnerable, our allies distrustful, and our country ashamed. For what could be more shameful than a leader who disrespects our fallen soldiers?!

#5


MSNBC’s coverage made the #5 LevinTV video from 2021. The far-Left praised Biden when his moral compass appeared broken. Watch as U.S. Army veteran Matt Zeller schools them on decorum and leadership.

#4


"Obama Palooza" made the #4 video from 2021. With the Omicron variant emerging, it's important to remember when Barack Obama ignored the dangers of the Delta variant to throw a flashy, maskless, three-day birthday extravaganza like the affluent aristocracy he is.

#3


Coming in at #3 is “Medical Fascism.” In July, the CDC threatened to mandate masks for vaccinated people while millions of illegal immigrants stream across our southern border — most of them unvaccinated. Mark asked the right question: If illegal immigrants get a free health pass into our nation, why were Americans treated like medical prisoners?

#2


“Jim Crow Joe” is #2. Joe Biden is the liar in chief, and Ami Horowitz exposed the voter ID fictional narrative propagated by Biden and the Democrat Party.

#1


The #1 LevinTV video: "Chaos in Kabul" saw the military disaster of the Afghanistan withdrawal and the cowardly leadership known as the Biden presidency. Our "commander in blame" stood by his decision while Kabul imploded under the Taliban invasion. See Mark fire away at Biden's foreign policies that still threaten to set fire to America's reputation and security on the world stage.

Want more from Mark Levin?

To enjoy more of "the Great One" — Mark Levin as you've never seen him before — subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution and live the American dream.

Horowitz: 7 ways conservatives can fight back at the state and local levels



Everyone is hoping and assuming 2021 will be a better year than 2020. But it will not happen on its own. We must get on the playing field and make it happen.

Assuming Joe Biden is sitting in the White House on January 20, there is little we can do to influence the direction of federal policy in the coming years. And given that too few Republicans in the Senate plan to stand against Biden's fraudulent election victory this week, we are out of options at the federal level to fight back against voter fraud. Many parts of the country are irrevocably lost, and certain federal policies, particularly foreign policy, are headed down a dark path. But does that mean that in conservative parts of the country, we must submit to unconstitutional tyranny, especially from an illegitimately elected president? Only if we allow it. Now is both the time and the opportunity to fight back.

Republicans control state legislatures in 31 states. They control the trifecta in 24 states plus Kentucky, where there is a Democrat governor but veto-proof GOP majorities in the legislature. Additionally, Trump won the vote in 83% of the counties, and a large portion of them have GOP elected officials or officials who can certainly be influenced and pressured into going along with local popular sentiment. With legislative bodies going back into session this January, now is the time for us to make a stand for freedom throughout the country.

Did New York and California ever cooperate with Trump? Not a chance. They became even more liberal under his tenure and even resisted federal enforcement of the law against foreign criminals who violated federal sovereignty. Why can't we do the same in the states and counties we supposedly control to at least return to constitutional governance?

To that end, here is a list of seven immediate agenda items for conservatives to focus on at the local and state levels to ensure that at least pockets of this country remain a sanctuary for ordered liberty and constitutional governance.

1) Constitutional sanctuaries against COVID fascism: Conservatives must immediately organize and push for the adoption of a declaration of rights and principles in the county and state legislative bodies over which they wield the most influence to make those jurisdiction sanctuaries against mask mandates, forced business closures, and draconian treatment of children in school. These declarations will affirm our rights to life, liberty, and property, terminate all emergency delegated authority to governors, and use the doctrine of lesser magistrates to fight unconstitutional suspensions of liberties from higher-ups in government.

2)Focus on local offices: Groups of patriots in each county need to assess, communicate with, pressure, and, if need be, recruit against the existing school board members, sheriffs, county judges, county prosecutors, county executives and commissioners. This is where all the power lies. There is no reason why in the 2,000+ counties Trump carried by easy margins that all of the aforementioned officials should not be on the same page to resist state or federal enforcement of unconstitutional lockdowns, mask tyranny, and abuse of our children at school. If not, we should immediately be working on candidates for those offices who share the values that reflect the presidential voting patterns of the county.

3) Immediately primary every lockdown governor: How is someone like Mike DeWine even able to stand for re-election this cycle, given that he has instituted the same lockdown policies as Andrew Cuomo in conservative Ohio? The answer is because we are not doing our job. Governors like DeWine in Ohio, Bill Lee in Tennessee, Brian Kemp in Georgia, Kay Ivey in Alabama, Brad Little in Idaho, Chris Sununu in New Hampshire, Greg Abbott in Texas, and Mark Gordon in Wyoming should easily attract a primary challenge. Trump should be recruited to support and rally for challengers. Why should we only have two anti-lockdown governors (DeSantis and Noem) of the 27 alleged Republican state executives in the country?

4) Vote on anti-crime/anti-riot and pro-self-defense legislation: While our governments took away our liberty with coronafascism in 2020, they also took away our safety by publicly blessing, rather than deterring, BLM and Antifa rioting. Additionally, they have released thousands of criminals, which has, in part, led to the sharpest increase in crime in a generation. Every Republican-controlled state legislature should immediately push legislation toughening sentencing on repeat violent offenders, clamping down on mob violence, and expanding self-defense laws. Ron DeSantis' anti-rioting bill he plans to propose to the Florida legislature should be a model for two dozen other states.

5) Strengthen election integrity: The first order of business in states Republicans control should be to ban mail-in voting and ballot harvesting. They must make sure all elections are secure. I've detailed a list of nine ideas that should be pursued at a minimum. What about the federal courts inevitably inserting themselves into these laws? That leads me to #6.

6) Tell the federal courts to pound sand: If states had the "right" to thwart federal immigration law under Trump, according to these courts, and if they had the right to ignore their own election laws in a presidential election that affects the entire country, then it's time for states to control areas of law that legitimately fall under their jurisdiction without judicial intervention. After turning down Trump's lawsuits, the federal courts have forfeited any ability to get involved in election law. Red states need to stand up to them once and for all and teach them that federalism is a two-way street.

7) Block refugee resettlement: If Joe Biden becomes president, he will immediately increase the number of refugees we admit and force them upon the states. Additionally, he will try to resettle more Central American teens who crash our border as refugees. Although states don't control the visa admission process, refugee resettlement requires state cooperation to place large numbers of refugees in local communities. While Americans are locked down, it makes no sense to admit more people from around the world. If states can welcome illegal aliens, then states can close their doors to the antiquated institution of refugee resettlement.

Notice a pattern? Most of the power on the relevant issues resides in the states where Republicans control a significant amount of power. They make it seem as if the world hinges on a razor-thin RINO majority in the Senate in Washington, yet they refuse to use the power in meaningful ways even when they control all of state government with supermajorities. The same legislatures that declined to challenge the election results refuse to fight on any other issue as well. That can all change if conservatives train their fire on local officials and candidates and fight national issues at the local level.

So, the next time Republicans give the excuse of "but Biden" and "but Pelosi" to justify their inaction on an issue, remember there are two dozen states that should look like a conservative version of California. They have their sanctuary states for tyranny and criminals. We should have ours for ordered liberty and the Constitution.

Here are the 10 worst Christmas songs of all time. Careful, they just might kill your holiday spirit.



One of the greatest things about the Christmas season is the music. In our house, we have a hard and fast rule that no holiday tunes may be played until after we finish the Thanksgiving meal.

If you put on the right song, it can lift your spirits, put a spring in your step, and make wrapping gifts tolerable.

But the wrong song can send you in to an emotional spiral causing you to regret your life choices and wish for Boxing Day to arrive so you can just be past it all.

Last year, I got a lot of kudos — and even more gruff — for my list of the definitive recordings of the 35 best Christmas carols. It truly was a perfect list, despite the claims from naysayers.

Apparently I'm a glutton for punishment. This year, at the risk of being labeled a Grinch, I've compiled the 10 worst Christmas songs of all time. And because I play fair, you can listen to each song below so that you, too, can judge each song for yourself ... and then acknowledge my obvious correctness about the awfulness of each.

Just don't let it ruin your Christmas.

#1: LAST CHRISTMAS — Wham!


This song is just objectively bad and an obvious first choice. There is not an American alive with two working ears and any sort of taste in music who would disagree that this is the world's worst Christmas tune.

It's everything that is wrong with '80s music — from the bad vocals, obnoxious keyboards, sulky attitude, and goofy lyrics. And as if the song wasn't bad enough, Wham! thought it would be a good idea to create this video to go with it.


***

#2: MERRY CHRISTMAS, DARLING — The Carpenters


I post this one at great personal risk. There are friends who will leave me and family members who will disown me for this, but honestly, the only redeeming quality for this Carpenters disaster is that it isn't "Last Christmas" by Wham!

Sentimental Carpenters fans who long for Karen's resurrection need to understand that there are not enough Christmas miracles in the world to keep this song from its placement at No. 2 on the all-time list of terrible songs. From dreaming of "Christmassing with you" to being filled with desire based on seeing logs on a fire, there is no saving this song from the weight of its own silliness — and lousy instrumentation and background vocals.


***

#3: WONDERFUL CHRISTMASTIME — Paul McCartney and Wings


C'mon, Paul. You're better than this. You're a Beatle for crying out loud.

Yes, I know it charted bigly. Yes, I know lots people have covered it. No, that does not make it a good song. As Craig Outhier wrote for the Phoenix New Times in his list of the worst Paul McCartney songs, this tune "torments" the public, and its chorus likely "is at least partially responsible for the yearly spike in holiday suicide rates."


***

#4: THE CHRISTMAS SHOES — NewSong


I'm probably going straight to Hell for this one. But it had to be included.

Though it has a nice message about a boy buying fancy shoes for his dying mother and a stranger paying for the footwear when the young lad winds up not having enough money, it's a depressing song that has no business being in anyone's holiday playlist. All of that, combined with the sappy vocals, super-awkward video, and the fact that it is overplayed on Christian radio and 24-hour Christmas stations, make this song nausea-inducing and obnoxious.


***

#5: MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY HOLIDAYS — NSYNC


Justin Timberlake is one of the greatest entertainers of our generation: He can write, sing, act, and do comedy. Surely if there are any regrets he has in his career, this song has to be near the top of his list.

The song is like a poorly conceived musical number for a sub-par network holiday special. Speaking of sub-par, the video, featuring "Diff'rent Strokes" star Gary Coleman, is really ... something.


***

#6: DOMINICK THE DONKEY — Lou Monte


Dominick is supposed to be the hero of the song, having saved Christmas by helping Santa because the reindeer can't climb the hills of Italy. Instead, this silly song attempts a "Funiculi Funicula" vibe, but even for a novelty song — a genre that is typically given a lot of leeway when it comes to criticism — it is just painful.

Hee haw. Hee awful.


***

#7: HAPPY XMAS (WAR IS OVER) — John Lennon


It's a sad day when two songs written by Beatles make a "worst songs" list, but such is life. You write a bad song, it doesn't matter who you are, you're going to get called out.

I know I'll get raked over the coals by Beatles fans who feel Lennon could do no wrong, but this is a terrible Christmas song. The music is well done and everyone knows Lennon was a peacenik, but this tune has no business invading the joy of the holiday.


***

#8: A HAND FOR MRS. CLAUS — Idina Menzel & Ariana Grande


You know who the real hero of the North Pole — and therefore Christmas — really is? No, not St. Nick. Nope, not the elves or Rudolph.

The real hero is Santa's ball-and-chain. She does all the real work up north — and Idina Menzel and Ariana Grande really want you to understand that in this badly written, poorly performed (particularly Ariana's portion), and inferiorly produced pile of feminist nonsense.


***

#9: DO THEY KNOW IT'S CHRISTMAS? — Band Aid


This song was created with the most talented artists alive in 1984, and that stable of amazing musicians makes this a tough one. And anyone with a soul can appreciate their efforts to help the people suffering in Ethiopia.

But that does not make it a good Christmas song. Despite the talent involved, the tune is mediocre at best — some took to calling the supergroup "Bland Aid" after the record's release. And the words, again, do not capture the joy and magic of Christmas — which is what holiday songs are supposed to be about. When the song came out, NME called it a "turkey" and ripped the song as "Millions of Dead Stars write and perform rotten record for the right reasons" — which, honestly, was a pretty generous review.


***

#10: WARM AND FUZZY — Billy Gilman


Yes, only a monster would mock a record cut by a kid, and this is probably enough to get me labeled Mr. Potter reincarnated, but seriously ...

This song serves no purpose, tells no story, and contains zero originality. It isn't even cute. There's nothing about this song that should give it any acclaim, yet here it is — every stinking year.


***

Dishonorable mention:


There are some songs that are pretty ridiculous or silly or just downright dumb. But unlike the songs listed above, they do bring some joy to the season.

I couldn't bring myself to list them as terrible, but their questionableness should at least be noted.

These 15 Christmas TV specials are the best ever made



The Christmas season offers some of the greatest television ever made — from touching commercials to holiday episodes of your favorite shows to seasonal specials. There is always something available for families to gather and watch this time of year.

Yesterday, you experienced the “Top 15 Christmas family-friendly Christmas movies of all time." Today, enjoy a look at the 15 best Christmas TV specials ever made. Like the movie list, there were a few rules needed to set boundaries for the TV list: Each item had to be “Christmas-y" and family-friendly; had to be created for TV and not a theatrical release that's now replayed on TV annually; and had to be an actual “special" created for Christmas and not just a Christmas-themed episode of a regular series.

#1: A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)


This is one overtly Christian cartoon that has become and annual must-see — even among secularists. When Charlie Brown becomes depressed over the commercialism of Christmas, he turns to the school's Christmas pageant for inspiration. But as the director of an unruly cast — not to mention his disappointing tree — he finds himself more frustrated than ever. All of that changes when Linus reminds everyone about true meaning of Christmas by reciting the Nativity story from Luke's Gospel. Plus, the special put the musical genius of Vince Guaraldi into the mainstream of American pop culture.


***

#2: Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966)


Featuring the incredible vocal talents of Boris Karloff, this tale of a nasty … well … Grinch who hated Christmas because of the happiness it brought to the lives of others offers a poignant story of redemption and change. Determined to keep Christmas from coming, the Grinch steals all of the gifts, decorations and food from the entire town of Whoville. When the Whos still celebrate sans gifts, ol' Grinchy Claus realizes that Christmas will come without ribbons, come without tags, come without packages, boxes or bags.


***

#3: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)


The "Rudolph" tale of a band of misfits' journey across the North Pole trying to find where they fit in inspires kids everywhere and is probably the best-known of Rankin/Bass' many stop-motion Christmas programs. The characters who'd been cast-off save Christmas and become the heroes. Throw in the beloved voice of Burl Ives, and you've got a classic that will continue to endure.


***

#4: Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town (1970)


This is another one of several Rankin/Bass gems chock-full of great songs and characters. The Mickey Rooney- and Fred Astaire-led creation delves into Santa Claus' origins and pits him against one of the best comic "villains" of all time — the evil Burgermeister Meisterburger


***

#5: A Christmas Carol (1984)


George C. Scott's turn as the miserly Scrooge is the most famous of the made-for-TV movie adaptations of the Dickens tale (though the 1999 Patrick Stewart version may be closing in). The film stayed true to the story and earned Scott an Emmy nomination.


***

#6: Frosty the Snowman (1969)


Based on Gene Autry's 1950 hit song, it features Frosty "dying" so he can save a little girl. Kids are taught about love and laying-down-your-life-for-others sacrifice, all with palpable Christian parallels — even the bad guy changes his ways in the end.


***

#7: John Denver & the Muppets: A Christmas Together (1979)


In 1979, Jim Henson's team worked with country folk artist John Denver to create an LP of 13 Christmas songs (which eventually went platinum). From that album came a one-hour special for ABC featuring great Muppet takes on holiday classics, plus the typical Muppet humor.


***

#8: The Star of Bethlehem (2007)


The Magi followed a star in the heavens to find the Christ child. Explore the truth of God's stellar handiwork in this documentary that uses historic and scientific evidence to tell the real story of the Star of Bethlehem.


***

#9: Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol (1962)


Call it a history-maker. It was the first-ever animated Christmas special produced for TV, according to IMDB.com. The cartoon was created to give the feel of a Broadway production — a feel that was enhanced by the musical work of two Broadway show writers, Jule Styne and Bob Merrill.


***

#10: The Little Drummer Boy (1968)


This old-school, stop-motion 1960s production about the little orphan boy who didn't have anything to give to the infant Jesus except his drumming ability teaches kids that the best things we offer each other have nothing to do with money or "stuff."


***

#11: Mickey’s Once (and Twice) Upon a Christmas (1999/2004)


Both of these shows are a series of cartoon shorts all about the importance of friends and family and doing good for others at Christmas. From Donald's repentance for his selfishness to Goofy's expressions of love for his son Max to Mickey and Minnie's selfless giving of everything they have for each other, these specials offer great lessons for the little ones.


***

#12: A Flintstone Christmas (1977)


The story in Fred Flintstone's one-hour special begins with Fred begrudgingly agreeing to play Santa Claus at a party for the Bedrock Orphanage on Christmas Eve. On the night of the party, an injured and sick Santa Claus recruits Fred to fill in for him (and Barney takes the role of an elf) to make sure all the presents get delivered. The boys work through a massive storm, make a trip to the North Pole and barely make it back to Bedrock in time for the orphanage party.


***

#13: Prep & Landing (2009)


The North Pole has gone super-hightech in Disney's Emmy-winning special. Elves Wayne and Lanny, while prepping the world for Santa's annual trip, are the only members of the command team available to make possible a visit by St. Nick in the midst of a terrible storm. They save Christmas for Sector 7 using sweet gadgets and a little creativity.


***

#14: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (1983)


Grace (played by Loretta Swit aka "Hot Lips Houlihan") is tasked with the job of leading her church's annual Christmas pageant. The disaster of a job gets even worse when the six Herdman kids, who are known troublemakers from a broken home, decide to be a part of the play. By the end, the Herdman children, from whom no one expected anything worthwhile, learn the power of the Christmas nativity story and teach the church the true meaning of Christmas.


***

#15: Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey (1977)


One of the lesser-known Rankin/Bass creations, "Nestor" is a very religious special that shares the story of an outcast and abused long-eared donkey who goes on to fulfill his special purpose—to carry a very pregnant Mary to Bethlehem. The message, combined with the musical talents of the estimable Roger Miller, make this a powerful show for kids.

A version of this list first appeared in the December 2014 issue of TheBlaze magazine.

Here are the top 15 family-friendly Christmas movies of all time



One of the many great things about the Christmas season is the entertainment available for families. Whether you prefer recordings of your favorite Christmas songs from Nat King Cole and Perry Como or Mariah Carey and Cee Lo, TV specials you grew up with as a kid or new specials created for your kids, or holiday movies in black and white, Technicolor, or 3-D, there's always something for everyone looking to submerge themselves in the spirit of the season.

If you've got kiddos at home now for Christmas break, you're probably looking for things to fill the hours before the big day arrives. Here are some ideas for TV time.

Below are the 15 best Christmas movies for your family. There are just a few rules behind these selections: Each movie had to have been a “Christmas-y" movie shown in theaters (no TV specials), couldn't be rated worse than PG (keep it clean, so no "Die Hard"), and had to have a hook for families to actually want to see it — just having a good message wasn't enough, it also had to be worth watching.

#1: Miracle On 34th Street (1947)


STORY: The Macy's store Santa Claus, Kris Kringle, says he is the real Santa Claus—a claim he eventually has to defend in a court of law, which sends the locals into an uproar.

WHY YOU SHOULD LOVE IT: Though it was first filmed in 1947, this story has continued to be an American favorite for generations. Families love seeing the no-nonsense Doris Walker and her daughter Susan let down their defenses to experience the true gifts of Christmas: hope and love.


***

#2: It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)


STORY: A man on the verge of losing it all and taking his own life is visited by an angel who shows him what life would be like if he'd never existed. And it's not a pretty picture.

WHY YOU SHOULD LOVE IT: Filmed in the 1940s, it's family friendly and contains a ton of moral messages, from sticking out rough situations, self sacrifice, and how communities can come together and help each other in tough times to how much worth each life actually carries.


***

#3: White Christmas (1954)


STORY: WWII Army buddies Bob Wallace and Phil Davis team up to create a hugely successful song-and-dance duo after the war. They and the Haynes Sisters put together a Christmas spectacular in a Vermont inn owned by the men's former commanding officer.

WHY YOU SHOULD LOVE IT: The acting and choreography are great. The Christmas spirit shared by all is, of course, prevalent. But it comes as no surprise that the music of the film is what everyone remembers.


***

#4: The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)


STORY: In this musical depiction of "A Christmas Carol," Jim Henson's magical Muppets play second-string to Michael Caine's performance as Dickens' skinflint.

WHY YOU SHOULD LOVE IT: The original songs and scoring are tremendous. Caine's turn on the miserly Scrooge is masterful. And the brilliance of the Muppet casting defies description. (Gonzo as Charles Dickens; Miss Piggy as Mrs. Bob Cratchit; Statler and Waldorf as the Marley brothers? C'mon, it doesn't get any better.)


***

#5: Elf (2003)


STORY: Buddy, a human raised by elves at the North Pole, sets out from Santa's workshop to New York City to find his dad who is on the "naughty list."

WHY YOU SHOULD LOVE IT: The quotes — "Smiling's my favorite"; "I'm a cotton-headed ninny-muggins." The humor—an elf-costumed man treks through Manhattan, finds his dad and becomes a part of his family. The morals—everyone wants to be loved. Christmas is not about physical gifts, it's about family. And this movie highlights that journey in one of the funniest ways possible.


***

#6: The Nativity Story (2006)


STORY: The Biblical account of Jesus' birth comes to life in this film that faithfully adapts the account found in Matthew and Luke.

WHY YOU SHOULD LOVE IT: This film reminds us how very revolutionary Jesus' message of peace and love truly were. Christmas movies typically avoid any mention of Christ, but this film serves to remind us of the true reason for the holiday.


***

#7: The Santa Clause (1994)


STORY: After accidentally killing the real Santa Claus, a divorced dad finds himself as the reluctant replacement.

WHY YOU SHOULD LOVE IT: This movie cleverly details Tim Allen's transformation into Kris Kringle, everything from sprouting white facial hair to massive weight gain to having a desire to wear red and green. Families who have been touched by divorce will also be encouraged by the happy ending.


***

#8: The Polar Express (2004)


STORY: A young boy on the verge of giving up his belief of Santa Claus boards the Polar Express train on Christmas Eve. His astonishing journey to the North Pole that teaches a lesson on the spirit of Christmas.

WHY YOU SHOULD LOVE IT: The animation does an incredible job of bringing this beloved story to life. The kids experience action, adventure and mystery all in one night — reminding us that Christmas is truly a magical time of year for children.


***

#9: A Christmas Story (1983)


STORY: Ralphie dreams of getting a Red Rider BB gun for Christmas — he's obsessed with it. Now he has to convince his parents, who are sure he'll shoot his eye out.

WHY YOU SHOULD LOVE IT: The movie portrays what it's like, through the life of an Indiana 9-year-old, to grow up in middle America around 1940 (or even today) — dealing with family, friends, bullies, and teachers — all while wishing for what every kid wishes for: that perfect present from Santa under the tree on Christmas morning.


***

#10: Mickey’s Christmas Carol (1983)


STORY: Mickey Mouse and his fellow Disney all-stars offer their version of Dickens' 1843 masterpiece.

WHY YOU SHOULD LOVE IT: The Oscar-nominated short isn't just a Disneyesque portrayal of Scrooge and his ghosts, it serves as a faithful adaptation of a life-changing story that's accessible for children.


***

#11: Home Alone (1990)


STORY: This is what happens when a mischievous 8-year-old boy is left to his own devices to defend his family's home against a pair of hooligan crooks during the Christmas season.

WHY YOU SHOULD LOVE IT: While the antics that young Kevin McCallister employs to protect his home are hilariously entertaining, the true message of the movie showcases how everything is better when you can share it with your family.


***

#12: Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)


STORY: Everyone in the city of Whoville embraces Christmas, except for the Grinch — until he experiences the ultimate transformation of the heart.

WHY YOU SHOULD LOVE IT: Dr. Seuss' classic is brought to life complete with delightful rhymes, colorful imagery and the always adorable Max the dog. The Grinch's lesson about love is the icing on the cake.


***

#13: Scrooge (1970)


STORY: In a performance for the ages, Albert Finney brilliantly transforms Ebenezer Scrooge from super-grump into the giddy Scrooge of Christmas morning. The fact that it's a rare musical interpretation of the holiday story makes it even more powerful.

WHY YOU SHOULD LOVE IT: The music from the film is unforgettable, the redemption story is, of course, powerful, and the film itself is very well done. The whole thing is worth watching just for Alec Guinness' loopy performance as Jacob Marley.


***

#14: The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)


STORY: The king of Halloween Town, Jack Skellington, stumbles into Christmas Town, is moved by the spirit of Christmas and decides the residents of his hometown need to get in on the act.

WHY YOU SHOULD LOVE IT: Tim Burton's tale celebrates the generous spirit of Christmas with a lesson on being yourself using great humor, award-winning stop-motion cinematography and a fabulous score from Danny Elfman.


***

#15: Ernest Saves Christmas (1988)


STORY: The 1980s' favorite bumbling neighbor, Ernest P. Worrell, helps an aging Santa Claus with his eye on retirement find a replacement.

WHY WE LOVE IT: Ernest's unwavering faithfulness and innocence leads not only to comical scenes but also to heartwarming lessons about loyalty, friendship and the child-like wonder that permeates Christmastime. "KnowhutImean?"


***

Honorable Mention


A version of this list first appeared in the December 2013 issue of TheBlaze magazine.