Meg’s Top Ten Favorite Christmas Movies, Number One: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Our very merry countdown comes to a close with my absolute favorite Christmas film of all time.

Meg's Top Ten Favorite Christmas Movies

Number One: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)

Technically this one's a "made-for-tv" special and not a movie, but I am here to spread holiday cheer, not debate semantics. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is my favorite Christmas movie because to me, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer IS Christmas.

There is no other secular Christmas story that I hold near and dear to my heart as the tale of Rudolph, Hermey, and the Island of Misfit Toys. Bear with me, because I am about to get seriously sentimental. The thing that's tough about growing up is that, sometimes, you don't fit in. Kids can be nasty and cruel to those who are different, and as a geeky little girl with glasses, I knew (and still know) what it feels like to be on the outside looking in.

Why won't they play with me? What's wrong with me? Why don't I fit in?

It seems superficial, but as a child, man, it really hurts. I had an instant bond with Rudolph and Hermey, just a couple of kids who decided to take off on their own in search of that all-too evasive love and acceptance. I remember seeing the Island of Misfit Toys and thinking, "That's me! That's where I belong!" and falling in love with that square-wheeled choo-choo and polka-dotted elephant.

The best thing about Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is that in the end, Rudolph and Hermey are celebrated for their differences. Rudolph's incandescent nose saves Christmas. Hermey saves everyone from tooth decay. Even the misfit toys find loving homes. Everyone is able to let his or her freak flag fly and still find true love and acceptance.

If only the world worked the same way. It breaks my heart to hear stories of children being bullied in school today. I think everyone could benefit from watching Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and really, truly taking the time to discuss its message with their children. The world is a better place when we all get along, when we can all love and appreciate one another regardless of our differences.

Okay. Serious stuff over. Now I have to twee about how adorable this movie is. It is a masterpiece. Rankin-Bass captured the child-like magic of Christmas perfectly. The reindeer, Santa, the elves, everything at the North Pole looks just the way you always imagined it to be.

And can we talk about Burl Ives as Sam the Snowman? I love this character soooo much, y'all. I can't even. It's like everyone's grandpa magically transformed into the most awesomely whimsical character of all time. Are there any other original tunes better than "Silver and Gold" or "Have a Holly Jolly Christmas?" Trick question: no; there are not.

*Fun Fact: my younger sister was obsessed with this movie, too, and my parents bought her a Burl Ives Christmas album on cassette tape (Yes, cassette tape. Google it. We're old.). For whatever reason, she thought his name was "Pearl Eyes" and not Burl Ives. For, like, a solid week after Thanksgiving, she'd run around the house shrieking that she wanted to listen to PEARL EYES! PEARL EYES, MOMMY! Man, that story will NEVER get old. I still tease her about it to this day.

Now I am getting sentimental again... No other movie represents the holiday season to me more than Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. I remember my Dad checking the TV Guide (back when that was an actual thing and not just a button on the remote) and then eagerly counting down the days until we could all sit cross-legged in front of the television, our eyes as big as the saucers that held the mugs of cocoa my Mom made for us.

Things have changed over the years. My parents divorced. My sisters, brother, and I all grew up. We moved away, started families of our own. We may not all be together any more, but no matter where we are, we still have Rudolph.

And that's Christmas magic.