After growing up, Santa Claus asks the grown-up Rudolph to lead his sleigh on Christmas Eve. It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) The 1946 romance is one of the earliest holiday hits in cinematic history.

From left, Bing Crosby, Danny Kay, and Rosemary Clooney in “White Christmas.”Credit...Paramount Pictures The cinematic equivalent of flannel pajamas, a crackling fire and a generously spiked g ...