The time for gifts and fun are upon us. The Holidays are here. It is also the time to be overloaded with the many Christmas films that are on TV (especially from the Hallmark Channels). Everyone has their favorite Christmas movie (s). However, there are some Christmas movies, in my opinion that stand above the rest. Here are some of my favorite 12 Christmas movies for the season:
1- A Christmas Story (1983)
The movie, A Christmas Story is of course an obvious choice. TBS normally plays this movie for 24 hours at Christmastime. But who can resist at least watching the movie a few times that day.
The story: Ralphy is on a mission- to get the official Red Rider carbine-action 200-shot-range model air rifle. Many people in the film shoot down Ralphy’s dreams by continually saying to him “You’ll shoot your eye out kid.”
Of course Ralphy gets his gun, and then he nearly shoots his eye out. In order to not miss Ralphy shooting his eye out; watch this all-time classic, and prepare to laugh all day and night long.
2- National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)
I never miss this one. The Vacation movies are funny enough, but this movie tops the cake. Chevy Chase is at his best as Clark Griswold; it is just one funny antic after another. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation takes the fun to a whole other level.
One of my favorite moments is when Clark gets so frustrated; he cuts down a tree outside his house, breaking his neighbors upper window, and shoves it into his house to replace the tree that one of his family members burned down with his cigar. Previously, the whole family finally sat down to eat Christmas dinner when they hear a noise at the new tree, Clark goes near, and out jumps a squirrel in his face.
Everyone runs for their lives from the little tree creature, creating even more havoc in the house. This movie has it all; a family coming together, wild animals, a dog with snot coming out of his nose, kidnapping, insults, and Cousin Eddie! This is a can’t miss movie.
3- Scrooged (1988)
Bill Murray is hilarious as a modern day Scrooge. In Scrooged, Murray is Frank Cross, a highly successful executive of a television network, who has grown to be cold and heartless.
At Christmas-time Cross fires an employee, tells another employee to staple antlers on top of a mouse’s head, and celebrates when someone has a heart attack when watching a commercial he developed to promote his Christmas TV line up.
So, of course Frank has to be taught a lesson. Frank is visited by the ghost of his mentor who then tells him he will be visited by 3 more ghosts (obviously).
The three ghost take him back and forth through time, play tricks on him, raspberry his belly, and of course scare him into becoming a better person. So watch it. It’s all in good fun. And how can you miss Gymnast Mary Lou Retton as Tiny Tim.
4- The Santa Clause (1994)
Disney’s The Santa Clause may have a serious story at center of this movie concerning divorce, but Tim Allen makes up for it with his charm. and great sense of humor. The Santa Clause story does a good job of showing the growing relationship between a father and son; and the obstacles that may get in the way of their bonding.
Although, I have to admit that it is weird that a Santa Clause can die by falling off the roof of a house; when Santa is able to magically deliver presents to children all over the world walking on top of countless houses during Christmas night. To answer these questions and more can be for another article to reveal.
The Santa Clause is delightful fun, and has spawned two sequels providing more Christmas cheer for the holiday season.
5- Scrooge (1970)
This is a delightful 1970 film adaptation of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Scrooge stars Albert Finney, he plays the role of Ebenezer Scrooge very well. Although he plays the character with a pretty high voice which I thought was funny. Funny voice or not, this is one of my favorite Christmas movies.
The musical score is wonderful. One of my favorite and funny scenes is when Scrooge travels to his future, and one of his debtors start bursting out into a song called, “Thank You Very Much. That’s the Nicest Thing That Anyone Has Ever Done For Me.”
Scrooge thinks they’re singing about his kindness; until Scrooge’s coffin comes out the door of his business. Scrooge does not see the coffin, and starts singing and dance along with everyone else. This is a great Christmas movie. I highly recommend it.
6- It’s a Wonderful Life (1947)
This is of course a one of the best Christmas classics. In It’s A Wonderful Life we all know the Story of George Baily and his struggle to get away from his little town of Bedford Falls, and is eager for more excitement in life.
Yet George is drawn back into what he considers a humdrum life. We can all relate to George Baily; and it has a great moral about how it is important to appreciate what you have. George did have a lot to be grateful for; a lovely and wonderful wife, beautiful children, and many friends. George just needed Clarence the Angel to help him figure it out.
7- Elf (2003)
Elf is perhaps one of Will Ferrell’s best films. It’s directed by Iron-Man director Jon Favreau. This is a Christmas movie that will remind you of those Rankin and Bass animated Christmas shows.
Ferrell is very funny as Buddy the human-elf adopted by Santa and his elves when baby Buddy sneaks into Santa’s bag one Christmas night at the orphanage he was left at, and is brought to the North Pole.
This is a delightful fish out of water story, Buddy leaves the North Pole to find his real father played by James Caan in the strange land of New York City. Caan is a little stiff in this one but everything works in this film. It might make you want to pour syrup on your spaghetti.
8- The Polar Express (2004)
I may be an adult, but I just cannot resist seeing this movie during the holidays. Tom Hanks plays five roles in this movie; the boy, the father, the conductor, the ghost, and Santa Clause.
I don’t know if many people will notice, but his Bosom Buddy Peter Scolari plays the little blond boy, Billy. This is a great movie. The animation is very realistic, the acting is great, and the songs will get you into the Christmas Spirit. It is a great little adventure. The Polar Express is a heartwarming fun movie for all.
9- Four Christmases (2008)
Four Christmases is a fun Christmas movie, and full of comedy. Every Year Brad (Vince Vaughn) and Kate (Reese Witherspoon) make an excuse in order to not visit their families at Christmastime in order to have their own Christmas in some tropical exotic place.
Their plans are foiled when a terrible fog bank cancels their flight, and a local news station tries to interview them about the bad weather. Well, their families see them on TV; and knowing that they cannot make their trip, Brad and Kate are stuck going to Four Christmases. They are both from broken families which is why they have a problem with marriage.
This movie reminds me of my own experiences with visiting family at Christmas-time. For the whole year we barely contact one another, so on this one day of the year we spend a nice time together.
Just like in in the movie, we may feel all good after spending this time with family, and think to ourselves maybe we should keep in touch more. Of course it does not happen; and this movie reflects that type of moment. The two felt the same way at the end, but once again keeps something very important a secret from their families; and gets in trouble with them again.
10- Fred Claus (2007)
I did not think I would like this movie so much, but I did. This is a sibling rivalry movie, but with Santa Claus and his brother.
Fred Claus is about Fred (Vince Vaughn) and Nick (Paul Giamatti); two brothers from the Middle Ages. In the beginning Fred was excited to have a new little brother until he started to outshine him by being so many good and thoughtful things; and receiving more attention than his brother.
Nick was so good that he was granted immortality, and he became Santa Clause; the immortality also extended to his immediate family. Fred grew so much resentment in his brother and family that he tries his best to stay away from them any chance he got.
Until Fred is drawn back into his brother Nick’s life when he is forced to call Santa in order to bail him out of jail; after getting in trouble with some Salvation Army Santa’s. With some nice Santa chasing action, and a Santa pile on.
Fred also needs $50,000 to open a small Off Track Betting Business. Santa takes advantage of the situation in order to get closer to his brother. Santa makes a deal with Fred to go up to the North Pole and work for the $50,000 in his workshop.
A bureaucrat (Kevin Spacey) tries to close down Santa’s factory, and now Fred must help to save Santa’s workshop and Christmas. Vince Vaughn and everyone else is very funny in the film. I think you’ll enjoy it.
11- Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
Of course this movie has to be on any Christmas movie list. Miracle on 34th Street is a timeless classic story of a man who says he is Santa Claus, coming into the lives of a Single mother (Maureen O’Hara) and her daughter (Natalie Wood)- who has no Christmas spirit.
Santa (or is he) tries to bring back the Christmas Spirit to the little girl and her mother; and tries to make a believer out of anyone he comes into contact with. It is even taken to court in order to settle the matter of Santa Clause.
This is a movie which can make a believer out of anyone that there is a Santa Claus.
12- Home Alone (1990)
Who leaves a child home by himself? Little Kevin McCallister’s parents does in the smash hit movie Home Alone. However, little Kevin will not be home alone for much longer when two bumbling burglars-The Wet Bandits, Harry and Marv come knocking at Kevin’s door; but little do they know that Kevin knocks back with paint cans and much more.
Home Alone is just one of those movies that have to be watched at least once each Christmas. So many people know the story. Kevin McCallister ends up Home Alone and then chaos ensues when the McCallister Family plan a Christmas getaway to Paris.
There are so many people and children around that little Kevin gets lost in the crowd and left behind. By accident of course, his mother does travel back to get him. Macualay Culkin is so right for this role; he draws the audience in with his hilarious antics against Harry and Marv; and then makes you sympathize with him when he is missing his family.
So watch this Christmas movie when it comes on your television or stream it, and Have a Holly Jolly Christmas.
Honorable Mention:
Planes, Trains and Automobiles
Plains, Trains, and Automobiles is a delightful road buddy comedy Thanksgiving movie. Yes, Thanksgiving, but it has a nice Christmas movie feeling to it.
Neal Page (Steve Martin) is trying to get home to Chicago from New York after a business meeting when his taxi was stolen by Dell Griffith (John Candy) a shower curtain ring salesman. The two meet up later and both are stuck when there are cancellations and delays with various types of transportation (yes, you guessed it: Planes, Trains, and Automobiles).
It’s a feel good John Hughes comedy that not many people can resist. Also, it’s worth seeing for that famous line- “Those aren’t pillows!”
Featured image courtesy of MovieStillsDB
