'90s Movies That Will Bring Back the Magic of Your Childhood Holidays

You know the phrase “If you want a job done right, you have to do it yourself?” Well, that totally backfires for Scott Calvin (Tim Allen). After he and his son startle Santa on Christmas Eve, he stumbles off the roof and vanishes, leaving behind his sleigh of reindeer and gifts. Trying to make up for a disastrous night, Scott puts on the Santa suit and finishes the job of delivering presents. The sleigh returns him to the North Pole where he learns that, due to a “clause” in a contract, he has inadvertently accepted the job of Santa Claus.

Soon, the divorced businessman gains a shocking amount of weight, grows a beard, and develops a boisterous laugh. Despite his best efforts to live a normal life, he learns to become Santa and, along the way, a better father. It’s heartwarming, hilarious, and yes, perhaps a little creepy to watch as an adult.

Watch The Santa Clause on Disney+.

Though he’s known for his parts as The Terminator and California’s governor, one of Arnold Schwarzenegger‘s best (though not critically acclaimed) roles was that of Howard Langston, a workaholic who neglects his family. To redeem himself, Howard goes on a quest to find his son the coveted action figure Turbo-Man. But an aggressive postal man (played by funny man Sinbad) and a pesky police officer continue to get into his way. Needless to say, hijinks ensue.

Watch Jingle All The Way on Amazon Prime Video.

One of Tim Burton’s most beloved characters, Jack Skellington aka “The Pumpkin King” is the darling of Halloween Town, a place that is all Halloween all the time. Craving a change, Jack wanders out of town and stumbles upon the portal to Christmas Town. Awed by the snow, lights, and “Sandy Claws,” Jack returns to Halloween Town determined to plan his own Christmas. The stop-motion flick has fabulous songs and is perfect for anyone who can’t decide between Christmas and Halloween.

Watch The Nightmare Before Christmas on Disney+.

When the large and loud McCallister family plans a Christmas vacation out of town, 10-year-old Kevin (played by an adorable Macaulay Culkin) is mistakenly left behind during the hustle and bustle. At first, Kevin is excited about his newfound freedom and takes advantage of his independence. But when he discovers that the local Wet Bandits plan on robbing his supposed-to-be-empty house, he booby traps his home to catch them. If you haven’t seen this, I don’t know what to tell you.

Watch Home Alone on Disney+.

You’d think that after the first time, the McCallister family would’ve learned their lesson. But just a couple of years later, Kevin McCallister is, once again, accidentally left behind as his family goes on their annual Christmas vacation. After mistakenly getting on a flight to New York, Kevin decides to explore the city on his own. He runs into the Wet Bandits, who have recently escaped from prison. After hearing their plans to steal from a philanthropic toy store, Kevin thwarts the robbery and lures them to his uncle’s vacant townhouse, where the bandits suffer a second round of painful but hilarious booby traps. Normally, sequels aren’t great, but Home Alone 2 is, arguably, even better than the original.

Watch Home Alone 2: Lost in New York on Disney+.

If you were a young girl in the ’90s, there’s a good chance that you were probably in love (definitely obsessed) with teen heartthrob Jonathan Taylor Thomas. And, like every good fangirl would, you definitely saw every movie that JTT starred in, including I’ll Be Home For Christmas.

It follows 18-year-old Jake Wilkinson (played by JTT) who makes a deal with his father: return home in time for Christmas Eve dinner and get a vintage Porsche in return. But after school bullies abandon Jake in the California desert wearing nothing but a Santa suit, he has only three days to find his way across the country to New York, or else he can kiss his Porsche goodbye.

Watch I’ll Be Home For Christmas on Disney+.

A remake of the 1947 classic, Miracle on 34th Street follows single mother and department store director Dorey Walker. After firing a drunk, Dorey hires an elderly man named Kris Kringle to be the new store Santa. However, Kris does such a fantastic job that a rival department store finds a way to get him arrested. Dorey and her lawyer boyfriend (Dylan McDermott) bring Kris’s case to court. Not only do they have to prove that Santa exists, but they have to get everyone – including Dorey’s nonbelieving daughter (Matilda Mara Wilson) – to believe that Kris is the real one. There’s romance, humor, and an insane amount of holiday spirit.

Watch Miracle on 34th Street on Amazon Prime Video.

Before Belle got the Beast to love her, she got him to love Christmas. Because the Beast was cursed during Christmas time, he always banned any celebration from the castle. That is, until Belle arrived. Slowly but surely, she helps him open his heart to the holiday. While all of your favorite characters return, including frenemies Cogsworth and Lumiere, many more are introduced, along with new songs! If you haven’t heard Angela Lansbury sing a Christmas carol, then you’re missing out.

Watch Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas on Disney+.

Michael Keaton stars as Jack Frost, the frontman of The Jack Frost Band. Jack loves his wife and son but consistently puts his music first, attending gigs and recording music instead of spending time with his family. After giving his son, Charlie, a harmonica (that happens to be magical) Jack is tragically killed in a car accident. One year later while reminiscing, Charlie finds and plays his dad’s harmonica. The harmonica’s magic brings Jack back to Earth for the holiday . . . in the form of a snowman. Jack, in his new state, does his best to be the father he never was before he melts away. You might want to line up the tissues for this one.

Watch Jack Frost on Amazon Prime Video.

Charles Dickens, the Muppets, and Michael Caine come together to expertly create this must-see Christmas film. Gonzo the Great (as Charles Dickens) and Rizzo the Rat narrate the classic 19th-century tale of a grumpy old man who hates Christmas. Ebenezer Scrooge (played by Michael Caine) is forced to learn the error of his ways after being visited by the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future, all of whom are portrayed by your favorite Muppets. Need we say more?

Watch The Muppet Christmas Carol on Disney+.

After getting her big break in action thriller Speed, Sandra Bullock was cast in romantic comedy While You Were Sleeping and instantly warmed her way into our hearts. Bullock plays Lucy, a lonely train ticket attendant who saves her crush, Peter, from being run over by a train on Christmas Day. But, while visiting the comatose would-be victim in the hospital, Peter’s family mistakes Lucy for his fiancé. To complicate things, Lucy begins to fall for his brother (Bill Pullman)! It’s both problematic and perfect. After all, it wouldn’t be the holidays without a little family drama.

Watch While You Were Sleeping on Disney+.

Before starring in Halloween classic Hocus Pocus, Thora Birch played the younger sister in a different holiday-themed movie: All I Want For Christmas. Birch and a young Ethan Embry play siblings who, with a little Christmas magic from Santa Claus, do their best to get their parents back together. With classic actress Lauren Bacall playing the grandmother, All I Want For Christmas is a holiday Parent Trap you need to see.

Watch All I Want For Christmas on Amazon Prime Video.