Top 20 Christmas Movies Of All Time
Almost as soon as you've put the tree up and there's tinsel twinkling over the mantlepiece, the festive dam breaks, and there's an endless stream of Christmas films to choose from. What makes a Christmas film is a subject of debate. Is it that it's set at Christmas? Is it because the characters and events are directly affected by the fact that it's that time of year? Regardless, before you start wrestling over the remote, here's our definitive list of the top 20 Christmas movies of all time.
It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
The best of the classic Christmas movies, It’s a Wonderful Life stars James ‘Jimmy’ Stewart as the central figure, George Bailey. As a younger man, Bailey was full of hopes and dreams but set them aside to help the poorer parts of his local community. Just as Bailey decides that life isn't worth living, he's visited by his guardian angel, Clarence Odbody. Odbody shows what life would've been like had Bailey never existed. With a whiff of Dickens' A Christmas Carol about it, It's a Wonderful Life is widely recognised as one of the most uplifting family Christmas movies ever made.
Die Hard (1988)
Bruce Willis takes centre stage as the beleaguered John McClane who, following in Chris Rea's tyre tracks, is driving home for Christmas, where he hopes to repair his marriage and see his kids. However, on arrival at a party in the sky-scraping Nakatomi Plaza, he discovers that a group of terrorists has taken his ex and the employees hostage. As the only cop at the scene, it's up to McClane to save the day. Bold, brash, blockbusting fun.
Scrooge (1951)
Starring the hollow-eyed Alistair Sim as the titular Scrooge, this film combines all the elements that make Christmas just what it should be. Ebeneezer Scrooge is a cold-hearted businessman who finds the whole concept of Christmas infuriating. However, on Christmas Eve, Scrooge is visited by three ghosts, who teach him the error of his ways. Look out for other stars, such as Michael Hordern, that those of a certain age will remember as the original voice of everyone's favourite bear, Paddington.
Home Alone (1990)
The film that rocketed Macaulay Culkin to fame, Home Alone is consistently ranked as one of the top Christmas movies for families to enjoy together. In a riotous romp of a film, Culkin plays the eight-year-old Kevin McCallister, who is accidentally left home alone when his family go to Paris for Christmas. Although Kevin initially enjoys his family-free freedom, things take a different turn when two burglars, Harry and Marv, set out to rob his home on Christmas Eve. Let the games begin!
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)
If you've ever wondered how Rudolph became Santa's most famous reindeer, this film tells it as it was. One of the most engaging ###b
Straddling the line between family Christmas movies and funny Christmas movies, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation is packed with fun for kids and jokes that only the grownups will get. Starring Chevy Chase and directed by Jeremiah S. Chechik, who went on to direct The Avengers movie, it follows the Griswold family who decide to go away for Christmas. In typical National Lampoon-style, everything that could go wrong does go wrong. Sit back and enjoy the ride.
A Christmas Story (1983)
Based on a book by Jean Shepherd and directed by Bob Clark, A Christmas story is one of the most popular family Christmas movies in the United States. Set in the 40s, it follows Ralphie Parker, who has set his heart on a Red Ryder Carbine Action 200-shot Range Model BB gun as the one thing he wants for Christmas. We see what unfolds through a series of memories narrated by his adult self. Fun, funny, and with plenty of nostalgia for adults, don't pass it up.
Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
Is it possible to prove, in a court of Law, whether Father Christmas is real or not? That’s the premise behind Miracle on 34th Street, earning it a well-deserved place on our list of classic Christmas movies. We're introduced to Kris Kringle, who starts as a superstore Santa. However, after he's fired, Kringle finds himself desperately trying to prove his identity as the real deal. A funny and heart-warming film for all the family.
Elf (2003)
Since its release, Elf has established itself as one of the top Christmas movies of all time. The central character, Buddy, played by Will Ferrell, discovers that he was adopted and raised by elves at the North Pole. Deciding to head out into the big, wide world to find his biological father, Buddy finds his way to New York. However, having been raised by Santa's elves, his perception of life is vastly different to everyone else’s. Family festive fun.
Gremlins (1984)
The velvet-voiced Hoyt Axton plays the impoverished inventor, Randall Peltzer, looking desperately for a Christmas gift for his son, Billy. In Chinatown, he buys a small, cute creature known as a Mogwai. However, there are three conditions: don't get it wet, don't expose it to sunlight, and never feed it after midnight. When Billy's friend accidentally spills water on the mogwai, the creature spawns the malicious lizard-like Gremlins. Funny but with a darker edge, this is one of the best Christmas movies for teens and adults.
Bad Santa (2003)
If you’re looking for funny Christmas movies with a grownup edge, check out Bad Santa. Willie T. Soke (played by Billy Bob Thornton) is an alcoholic thief posing as a department-store Santa. When Soke meets Thurman Merman, what starts as a manipulative plan sets our anti-hero on the road to redemption. Not one for younger viewers, but definitely one for adults who like their comedies black.
Scrooged (1988)
A 20th Century take on Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, Scrooged sees the leather-faced Bill Murray playing cynical TV executive Frank Cross. Cross wants his employees to work through Christmas and completely disregards the poverty around him. Cue ex-Dynasty star John Forsythe, as the spirit who lets Cross know that he'll be visited by three ghosts. This slick and irreverent version of the classic story ranks among the best funny Christmas movies.
Edward Scissorhands (1990)
From the hands of director, Tim Burton, comes a stylishly eccentric tale about an automaton whose own hands are made from scissors. Starring Johnny Depp and Winona Ryder, this is one of the most well-loved romantic Christmas movies to have hit the silver screen. Look out for horror veteran Vincent Price, as the inventor of the wonderfully innocent humanoid.
Trading Places (1983)
Starring Eddie Murphy, Jamie Lee Curtis and Dan Akroyd, Trading places tells the story of what happens when the lives of two men are swapped as the result of an unscrupulous bet. Louis Winthorpe (Aykroyd) is fired from his high-flying job and finds himself living on the streets, while hustler Billy Ray Valentine (Murphy) is pulled from poverty as his replacement. However, what will the two men do when they discover the truth behind their change in circumstances?
The Santa Clause (1994)
What would you do if you found Santa on your roof? Unfortunately, Scott Calvin (played by Toy Story's Tim Allen) startles him, and the man in red falls off before disappearing. However, Christmas isn't over, as Calvin finds that he's legally bound to step into Santa's shoes. Over the following year, Calvin slowly transforms into Father Christmas, wreaking havoc over his personal and professional life. One of the classic Christmas movies that everyone can enjoy.
Joyeux Noel (2005)
Not all the best Christmas movies revolve around tinsel and gifts. Joyeux Noel tells the story of what happened before, during, and after the famous Christmas truce of the First World War. Told from the perspective of English, French, and German soldiers, it's a moving and thought-provoking film. Look out for the last performance by the late, great Ian Richardson.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
One of the most imaginative animated Christmas movies you’ll see, The Nightmare Before Christmas is a creepy creation from the mind of Tim Burton. The king of Hallowe’en Town, Jack Skellington, accidentally discovers the existence of Christmas Town. Not understanding the concept, Skellington decides to hijack Christmas and improve it the only way he knows how. Fun, packed with songs, and with a gothic edge, this is Christmas as its kookiest and spookiest.
The Shop Around the Corner ticks all the requisite boxes if you're looking for romantic Christmas movies. Set in Budapest, it stars James Stewart, Margaret Sullavan, and Frank Morgan. High-flying salesman Alfred Kralik (Stewart) has been exchanging letters with a mysterious woman. However, his boss, Hugo Matuschek, thinks the mysterious woman might be his wife. When Klara Novak (Sullavan) turns up looking for a job, things take an unexpected turn.
A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
While there are plenty of cartoon Christmas movies, A Charlie Brown Christmas is one with heart. Based on the comic strip, Peanuts by Charles M Schultz, it follows the melancholy Charlie Brown, who's looking for the true meaning of Christmas. Aided and abetted by his dog, Snoopy, friend, Lucy, and a host of memorable characters, it seems that the true meaning of Christmas might be closer than he first thought.
A Christmas Story Christmas (2022)
While it might be one of the most recent, A Christmas Story Christmas is easily one of the top Christmas movies you can watch this year. Directed by Clay Kaytis, who directed the Angry Birds Movie, it's the direct sequel to A Christmas Story. Similarly episodic, it follows the now grownup and would-be novelist Ralphie Parker. On hearing of his father's death, he decides to try and give his family the perfect Christmas back at the old homestead. Sincere, funny, and nostalgic, it's the perfect winter warmer.
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