All the Holiday Films Michelle Williams, Kate Hudson and More Watch to Get in the Spirit

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Here’s what these celebs watch to get them into the festive spirit.

Austin Butler – Elf

“Will Ferrell is a comedic genius and a Christmas miracle,” the 34-year-old said of the star of the 2003 instant classic about a human brought up by Santa’s helpers in the North Pole. Billy Eichner, 47, another fan, feels even more strongly about the star. “Will Ferrell should have gotten an Oscar for Elf,” he said. “I truly feel that way!”

Greta Gerwig – Miracle on 34th St.

The Barbie director fondly recalls going to a local theater as a kid to see the 1947 classic about a department store Santa who may or may not be the real St. Nick and the little girl (Natalie Wood) who believes in him. “I associate it with being a kid, and it felt magical,” said the 42-year-old.

Jake Gyllenhaal – A Christmas Story

Double-dog dare ya! As a kid, the Oscar nominee, 44, was transfixed by a memorable scene from the 1983 flick about a kid and his pals going through the highs and lows of the holiday season in 1940s Indiana. “All I remember is his tongue getting stuck to the flagpole… There were many times where I wanted to do that,” he joked. “Thank God for that movie because, you know, I wouldn’t be able to taste certain things now!”

James Marsden – It’s a Wonderful Life

Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings! Frank Capra’s 1946 holiday fantasy about a man (Jimmy Stewart) who, thanks to an angel, gets to see how much worse the world would have turned out if he hadn’t been born is a favorite of the 52-year-old, who’s said, “I can still watch that movie and be moved and touched, and it’s still profound and resonates.”

Michelle Williams – White Christmas

“My daughter and I have probably watched it a hundred times — we watch it out of season,” the 45-year-old said of screening the 1954 musical about a post-war song and dance duo (Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye) who meet-cute a sister act (Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen) and put on a show. “We’re real Christmas fanatics at our house.”

Kate Hudson – Home Alone

Ka-ching! Sure the Running Point star, 46, loves the “great family holiday movie,” about a Chicago-area kid (Macaulay Culkin) who must fend for himself — and fend off bandits — after being accidentally left behind by his vacationing family. But she also sang in the children’s chorus on the 1990 film’s soundtrack. “So I still every once in a while get a little check for like, three cents from Home Alone!”