Stanford Court Holiday Movie Bracket

'Tis the season for holiday movies and we thought we'd share our favorites tournament bracket style. One side of the bracket consists of newer movies (after 1980) and the other side of the bracket is comprised of older movies (pre-1980). 

Newer Holiday Movie Finalists: 

1. A Christmas Story (1983) - In the 1940s a young boy named Ralphie Parker attempts to convince his parents, teacher, and Santa Claus that a Red Ryder BB gun is the perfect Christmas gift for him
2. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989) - Clark Griswold wants to have a perfect family Christmas but things quickly go awry. 
3. Home Alone (1990) - 8-year-old brat Kevin McCallister is left behind while his family heads overseas for a holiday vacation and he's soon battling two bumbling burglars on his own. 
4. Elf (2003) - Buddy is an overgrown elf who doesn't fit in with the other elves and embarks on a journey to find his real father in New York City.
5. Die Hard (1988) - OK, there is a LOT of debate about whether this is a holiday movie or not, but we give it the benefit of the doubt. One of the great action movies of our time! But is it one of the great Christmas movies of all time? 
6. Scrooged (1988) - A modern take on A Christmas Carol with Bill Murray assuming the role of Scrooge. 
7. Bad Santa (2003) - This dark comedy features Willie T. Stokes posing as a mall Santa intent on ripping off shopping outlets on Christmas Eve.
8. The Polar Express (2004) - Based on the beloved children's book, a doubting boy takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole. 

Classic Holiday Movie Finalists: 

1. It's a Wonderful Life (1946) - George Bailey has so many problems he's thinking of ending it all - on Christmas. But he's rescued by his guardian angel - Clarence. 
2. White Christmas (1954) - This holiday musical classic features a group of signers who put on a Christmas show to help a friend in need.
3. A Christmas Carol (1951) - Ebenezer Scrooge hates just about everything - including Christmas until he's visited by 3 ghosts who show him his Christmas past, present, and future - and ultimately change his outlook. 
4. Miracle on 34th Street (1947) - An old man fills in for an intoxicated Santa at the annual Macy's parade and becomes a hit until he claims to be the real Santa Claus and is taken to court to determine his mental health - and authenticity. 
5. Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964) - This slow-motion animated TV special tells the "real" story of your favorite reindeer. 
6. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965) - Charlie Brown is depressed at the commercialism he sees around him and tries to find a deeper meaning to Christmas. 
7. How The Grinch Stole Christmas (1966) - This 1966 television special brings Dr. Seuss's famous character to life - the story of a lonely and heartless creature who decides to dress up as Santa to steal the Christmas decorations, gifts, and feast of the people of Whoville. 
8. It Happened on 5th Avenue (1947) - One of the most humorous holiday movies ever made featuring two homeless men who move into a mansion while its owners are wintering in the South. 

The competition was fierce between these memorable holiday movies but in the end A Christmas Story took home the title of Stanford Court's favorite holiday movie of all time. You can see the entire bracket below and we encourage you to watch as many of these as you can this holiday season as they are all outstanding in their own way!