It's a Wonderful Life tells the story of a man who repeatedly sacrifices his dreams and reluctantly takes over the family business in order to save his fellow townsmen from Mr. Potter. George Bailey becomes depressed but before he commits suicide, an angel shows him how worse off people would be if he'd never been born.

Die Hard, made forty two years later and ranking John McClane 46th on Premiere's 100 Greatest Movie Characters of All Time list, is about a New York City police officer who battles terrorists who overtake the Nakatomi Company and hold the employees hostage. John McClane must single-handedly defeat the thieves and save the hostages.

What do these movies have in common? Some similarities are pointed out below.

The protagonists of each film are also heroes.

George Bailey is the only man in a position to help Bedford Falls.
John McClane is the only man in a position to help the Nakatomi hostages.

Both men wish things had happened differently.

George Bailey regrets having been born.
John McClane regrets initiating an argument with his wife.

The cast of each movie are in tight spots and need help.

The people in Bedford Falls are under the thumb of Mr. Potter.
The people in the Nakatomi Plaza are under the terrorists' thumbs.

The main characters of both films ask for help and are initially denied.

George Bailey is own his own after getting hit in the jaw in answer to a prayer.
John McClane cannot count on help from the police because the phone lines have been cut.

Both plots are heavily reliant on money.

The problem in It's a Wonderful Life is based on $8,000.00.
The problem in Die Hard is caused by $640,000,000.00.

The main characters from each movie pray.

John McClane prays: "I promise I will never even THINK about going up in a tall building again. Oh, God. Please don't let me die."
George Bailey prays: "...show me the way. I'm at the end of my rope. Show me the way, God."

Both men have a supporting character that helps them in times of crisis.

Clarence is George Bailey's angel.
Al Powell is similar to angel for John McClane.

Both protagonists bleed.

George Bailey has a bloody lip.
John McClane has bloody feet.

Both movies have scenes involving broken glass.

George Bailey and Martha break windows with rocks to make their wishes come true.
The thieves shoot glass windows so John McClane has to run barefoot through broken glass.

The main and most important similarity between It's a Wonderful Life and Die Hard is that neither one is a "Christmas movie."

Die Hard is not a movie that comes to mind when listing holiday films. People don't get the Christmas tree down from the attic with the decorations, the Christmas books, and... Die Hard. It's an action film filled with murder; it just happens to take place on Christmas Eve.

It's a Wonderful Life is usually categorized improperly, included as a holiday classic among National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, Mickey's Christmas Carol and A Christmas Story. It's a movie about a man who, on December 24th, contemplates suicide because of money. There's nothing festive about that.

Yes, it is a wonderful life, but not just at Christmas. Yippie-ki-yay.

It's a Wonderful Life: Liberty Films (II), 1946, directed by Frank Capra
Die Hard: Twentieth Century Fox, 1988, directed by John McTiernan
Source: imbd.com

Lew Aryes (as Edward 'Ned' Seton Jr.) is almost always “drunk”. Drunkenness seams difficult to demonstrate on camera. Cary Grant (as John 'Johnny' Case) was in love with 3 different people during Holiday. Dorise Nolan (as Julia Seton) seams so in love with Grant, but slowly stops loving him towards the end. Katharine Hepburn(as Linda Seton) impeccably portrayed her role (a sister that wanted her sister to be happy,so more then her own happiness that she practically asked her permission to “date” Johnny.)

Edward Everett Horton, and Jean Dixon (as Professor Nick Potter, and Susan Elliott Potter, respectively)did a stupendous job of playing there role. They were always so playful,fun and energetic. Henry Kolker (as Edward Seton Sr.) is excellent at playing a fatherly type in Holiday.

In this film love moves the plot of Holiday. A newcomer to the stock world falls in love with a member of one of the 60 most wealthy family's in the United States of America. This is also how wealth plays in. power is kept at bay during this film as the most powerful person in Holiday doesn't use it much.

Naturally, there are so many to choose from, but only a few truly stand out. Here's a short list of five all-time favorites that, to many, are considered the best of the best and are needed to be seen every year, no matter what.

A Charlie Brown Christmas

If there was ever an animated short that's on par with It's a Wonderful Life, this is it. Charles Schultz's famous characters celebrate the holidays, and of course, poor Charlie Brown is depressed. All the commercialization of the holiday has got to him, and no one seems to get the true meaning of Christmas anymore. Not even directing the school Christmas pageant seems to help. It'll take a little help from best pal Linus (giving one of the best holiday monologues ever written) and giving a sad little tree some love to lift Charlie Brown's spirits and get everyone on the right page. A wonderful little tale showing the Peanuts gang at their finest.

A Garfield Christmas

Everyone's favorite fat cat joins (okay, more like is dragged along) Jon and Odie to the family farm for Christmas. Garfield would rather lay about as usual than join in on the holiday cheer, but thankfully Jon's sassy Grandma is there to make things bearable. This little yarn is truly a holiday favorite, featuring one of the best scenes ever animated as Grandma shares a tender memory with Garfield. Add in Odie showing a rare sneaky side and Garfield, of all people, explaining his version of the true meaning of Christmas, and you get a funny and clever story all can enjoy.

Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas

This old HBO special from Jim Henson may not be seen on TV anymore (least not that I can see), but it remains a classic. It's Christmas time in Frogtown Hollow, and young Emmet Otter and his Ma would love to buy each other their dream Christmas gifts but lack the money to do so. A talent contest with a cash prize seems to be answer, but would require big sacrifices for both of them. To join his pals' jug-band, Emmet would have to put a hole in his Ma's washtub to make a bass. To do her solo singing performance, Ma would have to hock the tool chest Emmet uses for odd jobs to buy material for a costume. Narrated by Kermit the Frog and based on the book by Russell and Lillian Hoban, this is a wonderful story showing what it means to take risks to do something for those we love.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Forget that goofy movie that starred Jim Carrey and its unnecessary background story. This simple little short, based on the classic Dr. Seuss tale, is the true version of the story of the Grinch, who, sick of the all the holiday cheer in Whoville, decides to steal every tree, present and ornament he can get his hands on to “stop this Christmas from coming”, all while dressed up as Santa Claus. And who can beat that scene with Cindy Lou Who, who innocently wonders what “Santa” is up to when she catches him stealing the tree? Narrated by the late Boris Karloff, this little tale shows that even the most despicable of characters can learn the true meaning of Christmas.

Mickey's Christmas Carol

The best way to get the kids to enjoy classic literature? Trick "em into learning! And the best way to do that is to take a story and use Disney characters to act out the story. That"s what you get with this adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic novel, where the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge (played by namesake Scrooge McDuck) must learn to change his ways with the help of the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future. Also featured are Mickey Mouse as Bob Cratchit, Goofy as Jacob Marley and Jiminy Cricket as the Ghost of Christmas Past, who all fit the roles rather well. The special doesn't quite capture the full story at only 24 minutes, but you get enough to grasp the overall general plot and still enjoy it.

If you haven't seen any of these timeless tales, you need to hurry up and correct that. Check the TV listings or head out to the video store to grab the DVD. Then gather the family to sit back and enjoy the holidays.

1. Sixteen Candles (1984) Starring: Molly Ringwald, Anthony Michael Hall

   Although, this is not a Christmas movie, it is one movie that seems to start airing around the holidays. Watching a bunch of nerdy teenagers chase love while consistently creating goof ball situations that are embarrassingly funny.

2. The Breakfast Club (1985) Starring: Molly Ringwald, Ally Sheedy

   The first time that I ever seen this movie was three days before Christmas and every year since it has become a Christmas tradition in our family. This movie also triggers childhood memories for those of us that actually went to school during the 1980's.

3. The Scrooge (1970) Starring: Albert Finney, Alec Guinness

   While there were three Scrooge movies made since 1935, the Scrooge that was released in 1970, has best told the story of the Scrooge. The music, singing and acting in this movie is beautifully performed. Reminds me of my late grandfather and I sitting up late and watching the movie together.

4. Rudolph (1964) Starring: Burl Ives, Alfie Scopp

   The adventure of Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer in the original 1964 movie is one of the fondest Christmas movies from my childhood. While not as polished as the movies made today, this movie has endured the test of time and continues to bring Christmas cheer to children all over the world each and every year.

5. Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) Starring: Chris Sarandon, Catherine O'Hara

   In 1993, while visiting the local video rental store, I was in a weird mood and rented this strange Christmas movie that filled the house with laughter. Now, it has become part of our Christmas movie tradition.

6. White Christmas (1954) Danny Kaye, Bing Crosby

   White Christmas is a beautiful movie starring some of most gifted actors and entertainers of the era. The song and dance routines are spot on and wonderfully enjoyable. Best of all, the presence of the holidays can be felt everywhere.

7. Frosty The Snowman (1969) Starring: Jimmy Durante, Jackie Vernon

   I still get goose bumps when I am reminded of this Christmas classic that is a very big part of my childhood Christmas memories.

8. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989) Starring: Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo

   Spending a Christmas Eve with the Griswold's family is a delightful treat that continues to tickle the funny bone with all sorts of kooky goof ups and dysfunctional family reunions that somehow manages to fit perfectly in the end.

9. Miracle On 34th Street (1947) Starring: Maureen O'Hara, John Payne, Edmund Gwenn, Gene Lockhart, and Natalie Wood

   This endearing Christmas movie has moved the hearts of millions of movie watchers since the year of its release. Daring to believe in something miraculous like Santa Clause as six-year-old little girl named Susan and receiving her miracle from a chance encounter with a department store Santa. This is a must see, so to put you in the Christmas spirit.

10. A Christmas Story (1983) Starring: Melinda Dillon, Peter Billingsley

    The ultimate Christmas movie is “A Christmas Story” and not only will it start feeling like Christmas, but it will put a smile on your face as you watch the hilarious mishaps that has infected this family. The BB Gun scene is wonderful and the dog eating the turkey is tearfully funny. And, it's almost that time of the year again to curl up on the couch and sipping on a warm cup of cocoa, while watching “A Christmas Story” with good friends and family.

• It's a Wonderful Life - You knew it had to be here. But seriously, even the biggest Scrooge gets a little warm and fuzzy when the whole town comes to Jimmy Stewart's rescue, and the angel gets his wings.
• Die Hard - Okay, so its not what you'd expect to find on a list of holiday movies. But sometimes all the yuletide cheer gets to be a bit much, and it's time to see something blow up. The film does take place at an office Christmas party (albeit one gone horribly awry), and there are some pretty decent Christmas one - liners thrown into the mix. Plus, you've gotta love the end, when Bruce Willis and Bonnie Bedelia kiss, and “Let it Snow” plays in the background as the credits roll.
• A Christmas Story - “You'll shoot your eye out” has become one of the best loved phrases of the holiday season, and this flick about a boy who wants nothing more than a BB gun for Christmas has humor, nostalgia, a kid with his tongue stuck to a pole, a lamp that is shaped like a woman's leg, an evil Santa (along with some pretty nasty elves), and lots more.
• National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation - Probably the best National Lampoon movie featuring the Griswald family, this movie depicts Clark Griswald's epic (and often disastrous) quest to give his family the perfect Christmas.
• Anything claymation - My personal favorite is "Rudolph the Red - Nosed Reindeer", but there is a whole series of cheesy movies to bring you back to your childhood. And if these are too saccharine for you there is always Tim Burton's brilliant "The Nightmare before Christmas". Just remember, it's not truly Christmas without clay.

Happy Holidays!!