OCALA, FL (352today.com) – As the holiday season approaches, it’s time to bring out the old classics to get into the holiday spirit. Live action tales give impactful realities while animations provide children with whimsy and heartfelt moments. From heartwarming stories highlighting the importance of friendship, family and connection to hilarious and meaningful hits, these are some renowned classics for the family to enjoy.

“It’s A Wonderful Life” (1946)

This Christmas Classic, directed by Frank Capra, is based on “The Greatest Gift,” a short story by Philip Van Doren Stern that was originally self-released to his family and friends in 1943 before being published as a book a year later.

A charitable man, George Bailey, frequently helps friends and family but is unable to achieve his own ambitions. On Christmas Eve, his uncle loses the money intended to help his family business, leaving him in financial ruin and despair. As George climbs a bridge to end his life, he hears a man yelling for help before jumping in to save a man named Clarence Odbody and, in turn, himself. This leads to George discovering his importance in the lives of his friends and family.

“Miracle on 34th Street” (1947)

The comedy-drama directed by George Seaton is based on a story idea by Valentine Davies. Davies later wrote a novelization of the original screenplay that was released on the same day as the film. Although there were later adaptations of the film, the original is revered as a Christmas classic.

“Miracle on 34th Street” begins in the streets of New York City during the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. An intoxicated Santa Claus was replaced by Kris Kringle who gave an astounding performance that left the people wanting more. As he continued being a featured Santa Claus at the store’s main location, he comes out with a surprising claim to be the real Santa Claus. Kris Kringle was then put on trial to determine the validity of his sanity and authenticity.

“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” (1964)

This beloved, stop-motion animated film directed by Larry Roemer was based on a booklet by Robert L. May and a song by Johnny Marks of the same name. The original booklet was distributed as promotional Christmas material in 1939 and became highly popularized, inspiring the 1949 song, “Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer.” The film was the first full-length Christmas special aired and marked the beginning of multiple adaptations and renditions of the classic tale that would play in family households for years to come.

The movie is about a young reindeer named Rudolph who was born to Donner, the lead reindeer of Santa’s sleigh. Rudolph had a bright red nose that he was ridiculed for by the other reindeer before going on a journey with his two friends. As Christmas approaches, Santa has a problem that only Rudolph and his red nose can solve. This leads to Rudolph being celebrated for his unique ability and the other reindeer learning the importance of accepting differences.

“A Charlie Brown Christmas” (1965)

“Peanuts” began as a comic strip series titled “Li’l Folks” published in 1950 that quickly gained a large following before being turned into a book comprised of the comic strips made up to 1952. As popularity rose for the comic strips and first book, more books were created until the first 25-minute-long cartoon TV special was made, “A Charlie Brown Christmas.”

This classic animated film is about Charlie Brown and his struggle with the exaggerated consumerism he sees in friends and family around Christmas before his friend, Lucy, suggests he directs the school play. After a frustrating attempt at finding the true meaning of Christmas while tensions wind around the play, he finds that he needs a tree as the last set piece for the production. Through the search for a tree and differing opinions between Charlie and the cast, a meaningful speech from a friend helps them all find new appreciation for the season.

“How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” (1966)

The well-known book, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” by iconic children’s author, Dr. Suess was published in 1957, leading to multiple adaptations. The first of these adaptations was a 1966 animated TV special of the same name directed by Chuck Jones, following a similar plot to the book. Although there are later movie adaptations including “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (2000) and “The Grinch” (2018), the Chuck Jones film was the first to hit screens and continues to be known as a Christmas classic.

The animated film follows and green Suessian creature named the Grinch, who has a deep-seated hatred for Christmas and the town of Whoville. One year, he decided to steal the Whos’ Christmas by disguising himself as Santa and taking their gifts, food, trees and more. The Grinch expected the town to be devastated, but instead, the people came together and sang. Although this gesture was unexpected, the Grinch joins them, restoring Christmas to the Whos and learning the spirit of togetherness.

“Frosty the Snowman” (1969)

“Frosty the Snowman” was a popular song released in 1950, written by Walter Rollins and Steve Nelson. This song later inspired the 1969 animated TV special of the same name directed by Arthur Rankin, Jr. and Jules Bass. The film later had sequels, spin-offs and other adaptations, however, the original 30-minute animated short is known for being the original aired presentation of Frosty the Snowman.

The cartoon began with a discarded hat landing on a snowman named Frosty who was built by the neighborhood children. When Frosty came to life, a young girl named Karen realized he needed a colder environment to live in. As the children are pursued by the owner of the top hat, Frosty and Karen go on a journey to the North Pole to keep Frosty from melting.

“Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town” (1970)

Like “Frosty the Snowman,” the stop-motion TV special, “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town” was based on a song of the same name recorded by Harry Reser that was released in 1934. The 48-minute short film is the only adaptation of the classic song and was also directed by Jules Bass and Arthur Rankin, Jr., the directors of “Frosty the Snowman.”

The movie begins as a narration of a young boy named Claus who found his way to the Kringle elf family. Kris joined the family business, volunteering his time to make toys before they became outlawed by the mayor. Kris Kringle goes on a magical journey learning to adapt and find new way around the new laws before finding his place and delivering toys to the children of Sombertown after the death of the previous cranky mayor.

“A Christmas Carol” (1984)

This well-known story, directed by Clive Donner, is a movie adaptation of the Charles Dicken’s classic novel, “A Christmas Carol” published on Dec. 19, 1843. Although it isn’t the earliest or latest adaptation, it’s known as one of the most acclaimed versions. The film was preceded by multiple movies and shorts dating back to 1901 with another adaptation, “Ebeneezer: A Christmas Carol,” slated for 2026.

“A Christmas Carol” is about Ebeneezer Scrooge, a stern, lonely and miserly businessman who hates Christmas and is haunted by ghosts of his past, present and future who take him on a journey of self-discovery and change to learn an appreciation for charitable Christmas and newfound connections.

“Home Alone” (1990)

“Home Alone”is a Christmas classic renowned for its bizarre comedy and massive success. The story was based on the director John Hughes’s own paranoia around travelling during the holidays. There were later sequels though the original is considered a classic, played every year for the holiday season.

This classic comedy is about a young boy named Kevin who prepares to travel for the holiday season with his family. After an argument, Kevin wishes for his family to disappear before waking up the next morning to his family being gone. Kevin thrives being alone while his mom attempts to go back for him despite the busy time of year. However, when Kevin realized his house was a target for robbers, he tested the limit of his creativity and adaptability in a tense standoff while learning the importance of family.

“The Polar Express” (2004)

This modern Christmas classic directed by Robert Zemeckis is based on a book of the same name published in 1985 and written by Chris Van Allsburg. The animation of the train is based on the book and real-life Pere Marquette 1225 steam locomotive built in the 1940s to create the look, sound and motion.

“The Polar Express” (2004) is about a young boy who begins to lose his spark for Christmas, beginning to believe Santa isn’t real, when a steam locomotive appears outside of his house, offering to take him, along with other children, on a magical journey to the North Pole. On this journey, he and two newfound friends faced a slew of problems, overcoming them while learning the importance of friendship, courage and belief.