It’s December! You know what that means? You guessed it! Another inevitable countdown of all the greatest Christmas movies that you should be feasting on this holiday season. Oh come on guys, I promise it’ll be fun! Worst comes to worst you can always defer back to the “pleasant” political conversations that one special uncle always seems to spew at family get-togethers…
11. A Christmas Story (1983)
The Red Ryder BB gun. The bunny costume. And of course, the leg lamp. A Christmas Story really has a little bit of everything and is just bonkers enough to set itself apart from all those other tame Christmas movies. Definitely make sure to grab a taste of this one over the holidays (just don’t shoot your eye out doing it).
10. Love Actually (2003)
Jumping 20 years into the future and we get the most impressive accumulation of British thespians since 2001’s Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. However, sorry to disappoint, there’s no witchcraft or wizardry here, just director Richard Curtis’ trying to jam in just about every romantic comedy trope every imagined into 10 separate, yet interconnected storylines. And all against the twinkling backdrop of the Christmas season. What could be cornier…er…romantic!
9. Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
This Christmas classic is also a major Oscar winner, netting Edmund Gwenn (aka Kris Kringle) a little gold statuette for his role as jolly old St. Nicholas and earning the movie three awards overall. Director George Seaton’s ingenious combo of a courtroom drama with all the typical Christmas trimmings makes it a must-watch before December 25th.
8. White Christmas (1954)
If you wanted to watch a show that’s just as much about showmanship, you came to the right place. Starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney (yes, of famous Clooney lineage), and Vera-Ellen, White Christmas is a great way to get in the holiday spirit. Sure, the two-hour runtime might be a bit of a drag, but when you’ve got Irving Berlin tunes to serenade you, the time almost seems to float by.
7. The Polar Express (2004)
The most recent flick that shows up on this list, Robert Zemeckis’ The Polar Express is a great adaptation of Chris Van Allsburg’s 1985 children’s book of the same name. Supposedly the first film to be shot completely with complete motion-capture animation, this one’s a certified Tom Hanks bonanza (he played six different roles in the film) but is also a wild ride all the way to the North Pole (all the puns intended).
6. All I Want for Christmas (1991)
Probably the least known and most critically derided on this list, All I Want for Christmas was particularly savaged by Roger Ebert during its original release. However, in the spirit of the season, I choose to suspend my disbelief and enjoy this rom-com in all of its yuletide joy, as two children do their best to reunite their estranged parents and show what second chances are really all about.
5. Miracle on 34th Street (1994)
Wait! Are you seeing double? Why yes, yes you are. Made 47 years after the original, this rendition, starring (coincidently) another famed British thespian in Richard Attenborough, never garnered as much fame and fortune as its predecessor, but still marks a major highlight in the pantheon of Christmas movies (and frankly, an improvement over the predecessor in my opinion). Stemming from the talents of the original’s George Seaton and Lord of the Brat Pack John Hughes, this Miracle is also very much a must-watch.
4. Home Alone (1990)
What do you know? John Hughes strikes again! The legendary 80s director writes and produces this Chris Columbus flick starring a youthful (and pre-drugged, pre-Pizza Underground) Macauly Culkin. If you were ever that kid that got left behind at the gas station (or if you’ve ever deliberately left your kid at the gas station) you know you’ll be in love with this one.
3. The Santa Clause (1994)
My personal favorite, Tim Allen is at his best as he transforms into “the Big Man” in this classic that also has a tad bit of courtroom drama, but is much more about the place of family in the Christmas season. Even if that sappy stuff isn’t what you’re looking for, the comedy in this one takes the (fruit)cake.
2. Elf (2003)
Will Ferrell (not always the family-friendliest of modern comedians) is particularly charming in his role as Buddy the Elf out to find his dad in the magical land of New York City. One of the most eminently quotable films since Forrest Gump, Elf boasts a fantastic ensemble cast that will have you believing “the best way to share Christmas cheer, is singing loud for all to hear”.
1. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)
Definitively the least family-friendly of those on this list, Christmas Vacation not only represents a highwater mark in the Vacation series, but also in Christmas movies in general. This John Hughes script (yeah, we get it, the guy’s kind of a big deal) boasts Chevy Chase at the height of his powers and is so great particularly for its relatability: long hikes to find the family Christmas tree? Annoying family forcing themselves on to you? Combative and dismissive boss at work? This classic’s got it all, earning it the top spot on your required Christmas viewing list.
