Christmas Classics

By Kristen Castillo

September 9, 2022 5 min read

This time of year, it's easy to fall into a familiar routine of listening to Christmas songs you listen to every year and watching Christmas movies you know so well that you can quote favorite lines.

Sure, there are new holiday songs and movies released every year, but these classics stand the test of time and they've shaped our pop culture. Here's a look at some of those classics:

*Songs

"All I Want for Christmas Is You" by Mariah Carey

Once you hear the bell chimes, you know what song is playing: "All I Want for Christmas Is You."

This song has been on the charts every year since its debut in 1994. It's still a fan favorite: Last Christmas, the singer and her fan's celebrated a big milestone when the song reached 1 billion streams on Spotify.

"Feliz Navidad" by Jose Feliciano

You don't have to speak Spanish to love this festive holiday song.

Featuring two messages on repeat, the song captures the season's well wishes:

"Feliz Navidad

Feliz Navidad

Feliz Navidad

Prospero ano y felicidad.

I wanna wish you a merry Christmas

I wanna wish you a merry Christmas

I wanna wish you a merry Christmas

From the bottom of my heart."

Singer-songwriter Jose Feliciano wrote this bilingual hit in 1970. He told NPR that when he penned the song, he was in Los Angeles and was missing his family in Puerto Rico, who were celebrating Christmas Eve.

He decided to write a song about Christmas joy, and over 50 years later, "Feliz Navidad" is still bringing Christmas joy to listeners.

"White Christmas" by Irving Berlin, famously sung by Bing Crosby

This song is all about nostalgia and yearning for a simpler time. American Songwriter says "White Christmas" was written by Irving Berlin in 1938 or 1939 for a Broadway show that never happened.

It made its debut in December 1941, just days after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Bing Crosby performed the song on the Kraft Music Hall radio show. It was an immediate hit and in 1942, Crosby rerecorded the song with an orchestra and backup singers.

"White Christmas" has been a holiday favorite for over 80 years. It was used in the 1942 musical "Holiday Inn" and earned Berlin his first Oscar for best original song in 1943.

With over 50 million copies sold, it's the bestselling Christmas song of all time and according to Guinness World Records, the bestselling single ever.

*Movies

"It's a Wonderful Life"

While "It's a Wonderful Life" came out in 1946, the black-and-white film wasn't an instant success. It took decades before the film became a Christmas classic.

Ranked No. 11 on the "100 Greatest Movies of All Time" list by the American Film Institute, the film follows main character George Bailey, played by James Stewart, as he contemplates the value of his life. Facing financial problems and thinking everyone is better without him around, he considers suicide on Christmas Eve. But his guardian angel Clarence shows him the impact he really has on the world and how he really does have a wonderful life.

Even though it was released 75-plus years ago, the popular movie still airs on TV during the holiday season and is available for streaming.

"The Grinch"

The Grinch character is one we love to hate because he steals Christmas. But he's also relatable at times, because he feels awkward and is troubled by his solitary life.

Whether you're a fan of the live-action Grinch from the 2000 "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," the modern "The Grinch" from 2018 or the original 1966 animated TV movie, "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" the character and the adaptations don't disappoint.

The Grinch concept, originated from a Dr. Suess story, inspired these movies and they're all successful. According to Screenrant, the 2000 film made over $345 million at the box office while the 2018 adaptation made $511 million.

"Elf"

A modern-day classic, "Elf" debuted in 2003, but has made quite a mark. Starring Will Ferrell as Buddy the elf who doesn't fit in at the North Pole where he's been raised, the film follows Buddy as he heads to New York City to find his biological father, cynical businessman Walter Hobbs, who's played by James Caan.

The Film magazine says the movie is a Gen-Z classic because it has absurd moments that make it funny and memorable; lots of quotes, which are fun to share on social media; a 2000s aesthetic; a great cast; and it has purpose by offering commentary on holiday burnout and commercialism.

What's your favorite classic Christmas song or movie?

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