Latest twist in trans volleyball player controversy rocking the nation
San Jose State University is off to the Mountain West final, but it seems like they wish they had earned their place on the court.
The Spartans are off to the championship game after Boise State announced on Thursday that they would be forfeiting their semifinal match amid the controversy surrounding trans player Blaire Fleming.
The Broncos made the announcement shortly after defeating Utah State in the first round of the playoffs. Boise State forfeited both of their regular season matches against SJSU, while Utah State had forfeited its only one.
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In response to the Broncos’ forfeit, SJSU said they were “disappointed” by the move.
“In this time of Thanksgiving, we are especially thankful for those who continue to engage in civil and respectful discourse,” San Jose State’s statement said. “We celebrate and support all of our students, including our student-athletes as they compete for our community on this holiday weekend.
“While we are disappointed in Boise State’s decision, our women’s volleyball team is preparing for Saturday’s match and looks forward to competing for a championship.”
SJSU now awaits the winner of top-seeded Colorado State and No. 5 San Diego State; neither team forfeited against them in the regular season.
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Boise State, Wyoming, Utah State and Nevada were among the conference teams to cancel games against the Spartans amid Fleming’s presence on the team. They were aware the forfeiture would result in a loss on their records, which ultimately helped SJSU secure their high seed.
Earlier this week, Federal Judge Kato Crews in Colorado, appointed by President Biden in January, denied a motion for injunctive relief in a lawsuit by college volleyball players against the conference, in efforts to have Fleming not play in the tournament and their forfeit losses rescinded.
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A dozen women jointly filed the suit against the Mountain West and its commissioner, alleging violations of Title IX and their First Amendment rights. Among the women are SJSU co-volleyball captain Brooke Slusser and two former Spartans as well as athletes from other Mountain West schools.
Israel cease-fire deal has critics pointing fingers at Biden, Obama officials
JERUSALEM— Amid the start of a cease-fire on Wednesday between Israel and the Iranian regime-backed Hezbollah terrorist movement in Lebanon, some leading Republican lawmakers accused President Biden of browbeating Israel into a temporary suspension of the war as the Jewish state staged a near-take down of the terror group’s leadership and military structure.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reached the Litani River in Lebanon on Tuesday. A key war goal for the IDF is to push Hezbollah forces north of the Litani River. Under the cease-fire deal, Hezbollah is required to move its forces north of the Litani, which in some places is about 30 kilometers (20 miles) north of the border.
Yet, the reported threat of Biden imposing a weapons embargo on Israel pulled the plug on Israel’s penetration of Hezbollah-controlled territory in southern Lebanon, according to regional experts and several lawmakers.
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“The cease-fire agreement does not diminish what Israel managed to achieve in short order against Hezbollah. Within two months, it dismantled its infrastructure along the border, decapitated its entire senior command structure, destroyed a large percentage of its arsenal, and killed and injured thousands of its fighters,” Tony Badran Levant, analyst and news editor at Tablet Magazine, told Fox News Digital.
Describing the move by former officials from the Obama administration who now work in the Biden administration, he said, “What the Obama-Biden team did on their way out was to coerce the Israelis, reportedly with the threat of an arms embargo at the Security Council, into signing onto Obama’s vision for the U.S. role in Lebanon, which is part of his broader pro-Iran realignment. This is the downside of the agreement: it consolidates this Obama framework that should have been dismantled—and that’s separate from the tactical and strategic gains that Israel achieved on the battlefield. Rather, this pertains to U.S. policy and how the Obama-Biden team used Israel to lock in their regional preferences.”
He continued, “The deal puts the incoming Trump administration and the Israelis in a weird situation, not just because it saddles the new administration with Obama’s preferences in Lebanon—including hundreds of millions in additional aid to the Lebanese Armed Forces—but also it makes the U.S. an arbiter for Israeli action against Hezbollah moving forward and the possibility for friction that may create between the Trump administration and Israel.
“Meanwhile, the Obama-Biden team have set their structure in place. If the incoming administration keeps it, that would be great for the Democrats, who will pick it up on the other end and expand on it. In any case, they have a document—a bilateral side agreement—that will be there for a future Democratic administration,” he warned.
Amos Hochstein, the presidential envoy who brokered the deal, told Israel’s Channel 12 evening news anchor Yonit Levi that he had informed President-elect Donald Trump’s team about the tenets of the deal “because it’s very important for them to understand and support it, because they are going to have to carry it forward and implement as they took office in just a few weeks.”
Echoing Badran’s warning, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas., noted in a statement that “I am deeply disturbed both by reports that Obama-Biden officials exerted enormous pressure on our Israeli allies to accept this cease-fire and by how those officials are characterizing Israel’s obligations. This pressure and these statements are further efforts to undermine Israel and constrain the incoming Trump administration. Obama-Biden officials pressured our Israeli allies into accepting the cease-fire by withholding weapons they needed to defend themselves and counter Hezbollah, and by threatening to facilitate a further, broader, binding international arms embargo through the United Nations.”
Hezbollah launched rocket attacks a day after the Hamas massacre of nearly 1,200 people on Oct. 7, 2024 in southern Israel. The Iranian regime-backed Hamas terrorist movement slaughtered more than 40 Americans during the invasion.
According to the left-wing Israeli Haaretz newspaper, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s aides said Biden threatened a weapons delivery stoppage for Israel if Jerusalem continued to prosecute its war in Lebanon. The second Biden threat reportedly involved a U.S. refusal to veto a potential U.N. Security Council resolution that would hurt the Israelis.
The Biden administration denied the punitive measures targeting Israel to bring about a cease-fire in Lebanon. A senior administration official during a Tuesday press briefing flatly denied that Biden threatened to sanction Israel at the council. The official said, “This topic never came up, not once. It’s only that we didn’t threaten it … literally the topic never came up, so, I don’t even know how to answer the question any other way. It is completely new to me. And none of us has heard of this before.”
Backing this up in his interview with Israel’s Ch. 12, Hochstein also denied the Biden administration threatened Israel over use of its U.N. Security Council veto if it did not sign the deal, saying, “There was no such discussion at any point,” adding “it never came up.”
The U.S. State Department did not immediately respond to a Fox News Digital press query.
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Biden’s carrot-and-stick approach toward the delivery of weapons to Israel as the tiny Jewish state fights a seven-front war against Islamic Republic of Iran proxies has been a source of friction between Netanyahu and its main ally, the United States.
Lt. Col. (Res.) Sarit Zehavi, president and founder of the Israel-based Alma Research and Education Center, told Fox News Digital that the IDF eliminated Hezbollah leadership, most of its rockets were eradicated, and it was pushed away from the border. She said “The big question at stake remains, will Hezbollah recover and smuggle rockets and store them in Lebanon and south Lebanon again?”
Zehavi answered her question, “I am pretty sure that this deal will not.”
Lebanese experts have long argued that Hezbollah is the de facto ruler of Lebanon. The U.S., Canada and many European countries classify Hezbollah as a terrorist organization.
Zehavi said “The Lebanese government is not willing to change its relationship with Hezbollah. Hezbollah is a member of the Lebanese government.”
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She said she does expect enforcement of the terms of the cease-fire from The United Nations Interim Force In Lebanon (UNIFIL), the Lebanese armed forces and the Lebanese state.
According to the cease-fire, the Lebanese government is required to stop the smuggling of weapons to Hezbollah, Zehavi noted.
“I accept this cease-fire with mixed feelings. As a resident of the north, I am happy that we have a cease-fire. I am happy that my daughter can go back to school. I am happy to go back to normality and to stop hearing sounds of war and running for shelter all the time.”
Mayors and local leaders in the northern towns ravaged by Hezbollah’s missile attacks opposed the cease-fire deal because the terms of the deal did not ensure they could safely reside in their homes.
Biden said that over 70,000 Israelis were forced to flee their homes in northern Israel because of Hezbollah’s rocket attacks. The number of displaced Israelis, according to experts in Israel, may be as high as 100,000 people.
UNIFIL spokesman Andrea Tenenti told Fox News Digital that, “The proliferation of weapons outside state control in Lebanon has been an undeniable fact, and that in south Lebanon – south of the Litani River – is a flagrant violation of Resolution 1701. But, as stated earlier, UNIFIL is not mandated to disarm Hezbollah or other groups by force. The Mission does not have the mandate to forcibly enter any location unless there is credible evidence that actions leading to hostile activity are taking place in that location.”
Fox News Digital reported on the alleged failures of UNSC 1701, whose aim is to dislodge Hezbollah from southern Lebanon and disarm the terrorist organization.
When asked by CNN about incoming Trump National Security Adviser Rep. Mike Waltz, R-Fla., attributing the cease-fire deal to the Trump effect, Jake Sullivan said, “This peace deal was reached because Israel achieved its military objectives, because the stakeholders in Lebanon decided they didn’t want war anymore, and because of relentless American diplomacy led by President Biden, driven by her envoy Amos Hochstein, coordinated in this building behind me by the National Security Council. That’s how this came to pass.”
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Waltz wrote on X, “Everyone is coming to the table because of President Trump. His resounding victory sent a clear message to the rest of the world that chaos won’t be tolerated. I’m glad to see concrete steps towards deescalation in the Middle East. But let’s be clear: The Iran Regime is the root cause of the chaos & terror that has been unleashed across the region. We will not tolerate the status quo of their support for terrorism.”
A Trump-Vance transition official told Fox News Digital that, “President Trump has been crystal clear that his support for Israel and his commitment to peace in the Middle East is steadfast. Hezbollah understands this is their best opportunity to get a more favorable deal done. Iran-backed proxies clearly see the clock ticking as President Trump will soon return to the White House with a strong national security team, including Marco Rubio, Mike Waltz, and Pete Hegseth, with U.S. intelligence led by Tulsi Gabbard and John Ratcliffe. President Trump rightfully predicted that actors in the region would make moves toward peace because of his historic victory — and that’s exactly what we are seeing take place.”
Former Dem megadonor says Trump’s teen son is ‘smarter’ than Harris’ entire campaign
Morgan & Morgan founder John Morgan said on Fox News Wednesday that Barron Trump, President-elect Donald Trump’s young son, insisting on his dad going on Joe Rogan and other popular podcasts was critical to beating Vice President Kamala Harris.
“It turns out that Barron Trump, who looks like a runway model, was telling his father, ‘you need to go on podcasts, you need to go on Joe Rogan,'” he said.
Morgan criticized the Harris campaign team for not doing more podcasts and other forms of media like Joe Rogan’s show. Harris appeared on a number of podcasts with large followings during her campaign, but none with the pull of Rogan’s.
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Trump’s lengthy Oct. 25 appearance on Rogan has more than 50 million views on YouTube, while a clip of Harris’ appearance on the popular women-focused “Call Her Daddy” podcast has failed to break 1 million since being uploaded Oct. 6.
“Barron Trump is a lot smarter than everybody in the Harris [campaign],” Morgan added. “The progressives didn’t want to go on Joe Rogan.”
“They played hide the ball, they lost badly, she should go away and never, ever come back,” Morgan said.
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Morgan also criticized Harris as a poor imitation of former President Barack Obama, who campaigned heavily for Harris.
“[Harris] thinks she’s Obama,” Morgan said. “She goes to Hawaii since Obama goes to Hawaii. She started talking like Obama, imitating Obama. She is not Barack Obama. She has no talent. She can never run for president again.”
The former Democratic donor said that he advocated against picking Harris as the top of the ticket to replace Biden.
“She was going to be tethered to Biden no matter what,” he said of Harris.
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Fetterman’s blunt message for Dems freaking out over Trump victory
Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., is urging his party to stop hyperventilating over their loss to President-elect Donald Trump earlier this month.
In a new interview with The New York Times, Fetterman said the pearl-clutching and outrage that his party has shown following Trump’s victory has only served to make him stronger and liberals irrelevant.
“We’re not even at Thanksgiving, and Democrats just can’t stop losing our minds every fifteen minutes. We really need to pace ourselves, or, you know, FFS [for f—‘s sake], just grab a grip,” he told Times reporter Jess Bidgood.
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The lawmaker made the point in response to Bidgood asking if Democratic leaders “need to do an analysis of what went wrong,” noting that the party should take its time to reassess its strategy rather than flying off the handle.
“Realize that this is how elections go. At least for the next two years, they’re going to have the opportunity to write the narrative and to drive the narrative,” he said.
The reporter probed for more specifics, asking Fetterman how the party should respond to the president-elect’s cabinet picks. His advice was to be patient and avoid over-the-top resistance.
“I’m just saying, buckle up and pack a lunch, because it’s going to be four years of this. And if you have a choice to freak out, you know, on the hour, then that’s your right. But I will not,” he said, adding, “I’m not that dude, and I’m not that Democrat. I’m going to pick my fights.”
Adding a word of warning to his colleagues, he said, “If you freak out on everything, you lose any kind of relevance.”
Bidgood followed up by asking if liberals have “done too much freaking out” about Trump.
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“It’s symbiotic. One feeds off the other. The Democrats can’t resist a freakout, and that must be the wind under the wings for Trump,” Fetterman said.
Fetterman added the “freakout and all the anxiety and all that should have been before Nov. 5.”
“Does clutching the pearls so hard — does that change anything?” he said. “Did it work? Did it change the election? Was it productive? And, like, I can’t believe the outrage. That has to be candy for Trump.”
Trump won Fetterman’s home state of Pennsylvania in the 2024 election. It marked the fifth straight election the winner of the state also won the White House. Fetterman was elected to his first term in 2022 and repeatedly warned of Trump’s strength in the state despite Joe Biden winning it in 2020.
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Anti-woke university’s innovative approach to admissions shuns DEI blueprint
At this Texas university, getting accepted is “mind” over matter.
The University of Austin (UATX) – founded on free speech principles to push back against “woke” ideology – is shunning diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies for what some call MEI – merit, excellence and intelligence, and it’s just another way the school is shaking up higher education.
“We don’t take any of that into consideration in admissions,” Pano Kanelos, president of the university, told CBS News of race, ethnicity and gender. “The primary thing that we’re interested in is the mind.”
Merit, excellence and intelligence (MEI) centers on qualifications and abilities, particularly emphasizing the “capacity to think deeply,” according to Kanelos.
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It’s an idea that pushes back on increasingly controversial DEI policies that prioritize specific ethnicities, racial backgrounds or other demographics in admissions and hiring processes. Once a staple among many companies and institutions of higher education, the concept appears to be losing steam as some dial back its presence.
The University of Florida, for instance, eliminated all of its DEI positions earlier this year to comply with state law. Universities in Alabama, including the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, also dissolved their DEI offices to comply with state law.
Companies are also backtracking from DEI, including retail giant Walmart, who hopped onboard the trend this week after companies like Ford, John Deere, Toyota and others did the same.
Critics of DEI suggest such policies prioritize appearance and basic qualities over credentials or experience. MEI critics have a different concern, however. “60 Minutes” correspondent Jon Wertheim remarked that UATX’s student body appeared to not be “particularly diverse” as he discussed the admissions policy with some school founders.
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Diversity looks different at UATX, its founders say.
“We are putting resources into finding talent of an intellectual variety. And if you’re interested in diversity, I recommend you look at the social backgrounds of our students, at the family circumstances of our students,” British-American historian Niall Ferguson, another member of the university’s founding group, responded.
Another of its founders is Bari Weiss, the former New York Times opinion journalist who now runs the independent site The Free Press, which values free speech and debate.
The admissions process – and the school itself – offer a more conservative alternative to the overwhelmingly left-leaning elite universities like Harvard, Yale, Columbia and their public rivals, some of which, like universities in Florida and Alabama, have downsized or entirely dissolved their DEI departments as seasons change.
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Currently, UATX relies on donor generosity to thrive, but the assumption that all donors are conservative business moguls is flawed. In fact, the free speech policy resonates with liberal donor Nadine Strossen, according to the article.
She insists that “punishing expression” does more harm than good. As she replied to a question about “hateful speech” at UATX, she replied: “My concern is to try to eliminate the underlying discriminatory attitudes. You don’t do that by punishing expression. You do that through education, through more speech, not less.”
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Americans are flocking to southern states — and it’s not for the warm weather
There’s a southern migration happening in the U.S. right now, and it’s not because of the weather.
The National Association of Realtors’ 2024 Migration Trends report released this week shows Southern states dominated in attracting the most people to move within their borders last year, and only 1% of those who moved said they did so because of climate-related reasons, according to its analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data.
The study found 42% of the Americans who moved to a different state last year cited housing reasons, while 26% did so for family reasons and 16% jumped borders for employment reasons. Only 2% said they moved due to return-to-office policies.
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Here are the top states people moved to in 2023:
1. Florida – 372,870 net migration
2. Texas – 315,301 net migration
3. North Carolina – 126,712 net migration
4. South Carolina – 91,853 net migration
5. Georgia – 88,325 net migration
Tennessee came in at No. 6 with a net migration of more than 76,000, followed by Arizona (57,814), Alabama (36,128) and Oklahoma (31,967). Ohio rounded out the top 10 and was the only state north of the Mason-Dixon Line to land on it, after drawing in a net migration of 28,718.
According to the Census Bureau, the South, the nation’s most populous region, is the only region to have maintained population growth throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The growth is largely attributed to migration, with 706,266 people added via net domestic migration.
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California, the nation’s most populous state, was the biggest loser of 2023, with the state shedding 75,423 people.
California saw its first-ever population decline in 2020 when the state imposed rigid lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic. From January 2020 to July 2022, the state lost well over half a million people, with the number of residents leaving surpassing those moving in by almost 700,000.
In 2023, Hawaii (-4,261), Illinois (-32,826), Louisiana (-14,274), New York (-101,984), Oregon (-6,021), Pennsylvania (-10,408), and West Virginia (-3,964) also all saw their populations fall.
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Across all generations, the top reasons for why Americans chose to move in 2023 include: To have more affordable housing or lower cost of living; move to a safer area; relocate for a new job; be closer to friends and family; and live in an area more aligned with their beliefs.
Fraudsters’ scheme to bankrupt the little guy foiled by president at Black Friday’s origin
Black Friday 2024 has finally arrived, and as shoppers across the country spend hours sweeping through online and in-store deals, many Americans may not be familiar with the dark and criminal history of the day that spans back centuries.
“The original term Black Friday actually comes from Sept. 24, 1869,” financial adviser Bryan Kuderna told Fox News Digital. “What happened on this day was a very famous market crash … where in one day, the stock market dropped over 20%.”
Kuderna added that this event was a “huge financial crime” in history, explaining how two infamous American financiers, Jay Gould and Jim Fisk, concocted a criminal scheme to corner the gold market, leading to widespread panic across the country as many were driven to bankruptcy.
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“They were true ‘robber barons’ of the Gilded Age,” Kuderna said. “The gold circulation in the U.S. was roughly $20 million of gold … so Jay Gould and his friend, Jim Fisk, thought about this, and they said, ‘You know what? With a set amount of $20 million of gold in circulation, if some really wealthy people with deep pockets were to go and try and buy up all that gold, they could effectively corner the market.’”
“They both were very wealthy,” Kuderna said. “They had done a lot of shady deals in the past, and they said, ‘You know what? Let’s go out there and buy up all the gold we can and actually corner this market.'”
Gould and Fisk planned to do just that, but they needed a bit of help from someone in the government on the inside.
President Ulysses S. Grant planned to release more gold into the economy and limit the amount of greenbacks (paper dollars) in circulation, and this would foil the criminal duo’s plan by driving the price of gold down.
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“They befriended the president’s brother-in-law, and they let him in on this scheme,” Kuderna said. “They paid them off and said, ‘Can you get in your brother-in-law the president’s ear and try and get an assurance from him that he will not sell any more gold into the market.”
The president listened to his brother-in-law, Abel Rathbone Corbin, and he didn’t release gold into the market for a period of time.
“As a result of controlling the supply and shrinking that supply and concentrating it just to these two individuals, the price of gold skyrocketed,” Kuderna said. “And at this time, Jay Gould and his investing partner, Jim Fisk, went about cornering the market and getting their hands on all the gold that they possibly could.”
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President Grant soon became uncomfortable with his brother-in-law’s interest, believing something “fishy” was going on, and he ordered the sale of millions of dollars in gold, Kuderna said. Meanwhile, Gould and Fisk had started to buy up gold.
On Sept. 24, 1869, the government’s gold hit the market, and the price of gold plummeted almost immediately.
“They flood the market with gold. The price of gold comes crashing down, and at the same time, the price in the stock markets comes crashing down on what is now known as Black Friday,” Kuderna explained.
The stock market crash affected many across the country, and some were even driven to bankruptcy.
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The next period of dark history surrounding the term Black Friday began in the mid-20th century in Philadelphia.
“In the 1950s … in between Thanksgiving and what was often the Army-Navy football game on the following Saturday, particularly in Philadelphia where the game was played, the city just got overwhelmed with football fans, tourists and shoppers that were off for the weekend,” Kuderna said. “And this was the time that Philadelphia’s police department was really pushed to the limit that everybody had to be working overtime. They were just at a shortage of manpower … there were a lot of reports of shoplifting, of just stores being completely overwhelmed … and that’s where that term ‘Black Friday’ really started to kind of rear its head.”
Kuderna explained that at this time, retailers changed the term from Black Friday to Big Friday.
“It got rid of a little bit of the negativity, the connotation with that name and made it more about the sales, the excitement of the holiday season and that we’re kicking it off with a Big Friday,” he said. “Frankly, I wish that that term stuck around.”
The more recent background behind the Black Friday term is a financial interpretation that began as it moved past its historically dark origins.
“The most recent knowledge of the term came from the ’80s when accountants of all the major retailers would say, ‘OK, before Thanksgiving, you know, perhaps we were operating in the red, we were operating at a loss, and then on this Friday, after Thanksgiving, we would just have this huge boom in all of our sales.’ And so they would go from operating in the red, at a loss, to in the positive, in the black,” Kuderna said. “That’s the Black Friday that we all know today.”
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Despite Black Friday’s evolution into a positive highlight of the year, symbolizing the start of the holiday shopping season, Kuderna noted the importance of understanding the darker history of the day.
“I would love people to be aware of where it actually came from,” he said. “I think it’s important to kind of know where we’ve come from so we don’t make mistakes again.”
The countdown to Christmas is on—and there’s something magical about cozying up with a hot steaming cup of cocoa and a great movie during the yuletide season. Whether you’re a fan of heartwarming classics, animated adventures, laugh-out-loud comedies, or romantic tales, holiday movies capture the season’s spirit and bring us together.
From timeless tales like It’s a Wonderful Life and A Christmas Story to modern favorites like Elf, these films offer a festive escape filled with joy, warmth and sometimes a little bit of holiday mischief. With so many options now streaming, it’s easier than ever to enjoy a movie marathon that captures the charm and magic of Christmas right from your own home. So grab some cocoa, curl up under a cozy blanket and enjoy a Christmas movie marathon this season!
“Home Alone”
Don’t sleep on Home Alone! Kevin McCallister’s antics to protect his home from a duo of bumbling burglars have made this family comedy a cult classic. It’s funny, heartfelt and full of holiday spirit. And if you want to make a night of it, stream Home Alone 2: Lost in New York and Home Alone 3.
You can stream this movie and thousands more if you’re an Amazon Prime member. You can join or start a 30-day free trial to start your streaming today.
“Elf”
In the aptly named Elf, Will Ferrell shines as Buddy, a human raised as an elf in the North Pole. The film’s humor and heart come from Buddy’s wide-eyed innocence and hilarious attempts to navigate the human world—like eating spaghetti with chocolate syrup. Buddy’s childlike wonder gradually melts the cynicism of those around him and brings laughs and warmth as he seeks to discover his roots and learns the true meaning of Christmas.
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“It’s a Wonderful Life”
Every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings. This black-and-white classic holiday flick has stood the test of time because it tells a heartfelt story of hope, love and our impact on those around us. The story follows businessman George Bailey, who sacrificed his dreams to help his family and community. On Christmas Eve, overwhelmed by personal struggles, George is visited by his guardian angel, Clarence, who shows him a vision of what life in his town would have been like if he had never been born. Through this journey, George realizes the value of his life and the far-reaching effects of his kindness.
“The Grinch”
The animated adaptation of Dr. Seuss’s tale features everyone’s favorite holiday-hating heel, the Grinch and his eventual heartwarming transformation, perfect for family viewing. You can stream multiple versions of The Grinch on Peacock Premium, including the original 1966 animated classic that started it all or the hilarious 2000 version How the Grinch Stole Christmas starring Jim Carrey, which streams on Amazon Video.
“A Christmas Story”
Sometimes what you want the most isn’t actually what’s best for you, as evidenced by Ralphie’s quest for a Red Ryder BB gun that could potentially cause him to shoot his eye out! The hilarious holiday flick (featuring the famous leg lamp) set in the 1940s has entertained generations, mixing nostalgia and a hearty dose of humor.
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“National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”
Starring Chevy Chase as the well-meaning but perpetually unlucky Clark Griswold, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation captures the chaos, humor and heartwarming moments many experience during the hectic and stressful holiday season. Clark’s quest for a memorable Christmas brings one hilarious disaster after another. With its unforgettable characters and quotable lines, Christmas Vacation has become a favorite tradition that families return to year after year for its laugh-out-loud charm.
“The Polar Express”
The Polar Express is an animated Christmas classic that tells the story of a little boy who doesn’t believe in the magic of Christmas until he’s taken on an enchanting train ride that shows him otherwise. Along the way, he learns about friendship, bravery and the importance of believing in the spirit of Christmas. The film’s animation style and its themes of wonder and belief make it a holiday favorite for families, offering an inspiring reminder that the magic of Christmas is often found in the simple act of believing.
“Die Hard”
Yes, it’s a Christmas movie! Join the tremendous age-old debate and follow NYPD officer John McClane’s action-packed quest to save hostages at a Christmas Eve party. What makes Die Hard an unexpected holiday classic is its underlying theme of loyalty and determination, paired with a setting filled with Christmas trees, decorations and festive music. It’s the perfect blend of action and holiday spirit for fans, proving that Christmas cheer can come in many forms—even through broken glass and daring feats of heroism. And if you really love this flick, don’t forget there are four more Hulu streams to enjoy—Die Hard 2: Die Harder, Die Hard with a Vengeance, Live Free or Die Hard and A Good Day to Die Hard!
“Miracle on 34th Street”
The timeless Christmas classic captures the magic of believing in Santa Claus and the true spirit of the holiday season. Miracle on 34th Street revolves around Kris Kringle, a kindly elderly man hired as a department store Santa. When Kris insists his true identity is the real Santa Clause, it leads to a court case that inspires a citywide debate on faith, generosity, and the importance of belief. The feel-good flick reminds audiences that the holiday season is about more than presents—it’s about connecting with the childlike magic within us all.
“A Christmas Carol”
There are many versions of the Charles Dickens’ classic (including a 2004 musical starring Kelsey Grammar!) and there’s a reason it remains one of the most enduring and teachable Christmas stories. A Christmas Carol tells the tale of Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserable old man who undergoes a profound transformation on Christmas Eve. Visited by the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come, Scrooge is forced to confront the loneliness, greed, and bitterness that define his life.
Through this journey, Scrooge discovers the importance of compassion, generosity, and the joy of embracing the Christmas spirit. If this movie gets you in the mood for Scrooge, try following it up with the hilarious Bill Murray-helmed version about a grumpy TV exec who discovers the meaning of Christmas in Scrooged.
“Christmas on the Ranch”
In Christmas on the Ranch, an unlucky-in-love TV relationship expert gets a run for her money when she encounters a handsome and charming rancher who convinces her that love is worth the risk in this new Hulu movie.
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“Red One”
This new holiday action film follows Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson as the North Pole’s head of security and a bounty hunter played by Chris Evans as they race against the clock to find a kidnapped Santa (code name: Red One) and save Christmas. Although it’s only in theaters now, Red One will be streaming on Amazon Video after its big screen run.