The List: Top-10 Christmas movies
'It's a Wonderful Life,' a Red Ryder BB Gun and ... Buddy?
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A scene from "It's a Wonderful Life."The Associated Press
This year, there will be approximately 47 new Christmas movies created for public consumption. It’s a fact, 82 percent of these movies will be broadcast on the Hallmark Channel. Five will star Valerie Bertinelli.
Seriously, with each year comes a new run of Christmas movies, which means time for us to scientifically (subjectively) prove the best of all. Here’s our list. Want to tell us yours? Email tmalcolm@th-record.comwith the subject line “Christmas Movies,” and we might publish it.
Note: We’re not including television specials, so “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” which would crack the top-five normally, is out. And movies that aren't really about Christmas, or straddle the line a little too much ("Die Hard," "The Nightmare Before Christmas") have been left out, too. Both probably would've made this list if we considered them, by the way.
The List: Top-10 Christmas movies
10. “Home Alone”
Watching Harry and Marv stumble through Kevin McAllister’s Christmas Eve fun house is a growing boy’s dream come true. But for all the madcap slapstick the movie presents, “Home Alone” is also pretty sentimental. And there’s scene stealing moments throughout, including a great little role for the late John Candy.
Watching Harry and Marv stumble through Kevin McAllister’s Christmas Eve fun house is a growing boy’s dream come true. But for all the madcap slapstick the movie presents, “Home Alone” is also pretty sentimental. And there’s scene stealing moments throughout, including a great little role for the late John Candy.
9. “Holiday Inn”
A nice love story set over the course of America’s major holidays, “Holiday Inn” is really best known for being the origin of the Irving Berlin classic “White Christmas.” Bing Crosby made it his holiday staple, a song known throughout the world. One embarrassing thing to forget: The controversial blackface number “Abraham.”
A nice love story set over the course of America’s major holidays, “Holiday Inn” is really best known for being the origin of the Irving Berlin classic “White Christmas.” Bing Crosby made it his holiday staple, a song known throughout the world. One embarrassing thing to forget: The controversial blackface number “Abraham.”
8. “A Christmas Carol”
The story itself is as much a part of Christmas as the reindeer: A grouchy businessman discovers the true meaning of the holiday, transforming into a generous man. The movie is a must just for Alastair Sim, who is astonishing to watch as Ebenezer Scrooge.
The story itself is as much a part of Christmas as the reindeer: A grouchy businessman discovers the true meaning of the holiday, transforming into a generous man. The movie is a must just for Alastair Sim, who is astonishing to watch as Ebenezer Scrooge.
7. “Scrooged”
Overlooked and perennially stuck in 1988, “Scrooged” remains a hilarious and oddly portending film. Bill Murray plays a Ebenezer Scrooge, but as a ruthless television executive. His performance is fantastic, and the film is hilarious. But the final scene, Murray’s big speech, is an underrated Christmas gem.
Overlooked and perennially stuck in 1988, “Scrooged” remains a hilarious and oddly portending film. Bill Murray plays a Ebenezer Scrooge, but as a ruthless television executive. His performance is fantastic, and the film is hilarious. But the final scene, Murray’s big speech, is an underrated Christmas gem.
6. “Elf”
The most modern film on the list, there may not be a better Will Ferrell movie. As Buddy the Elf, Ferrell is magic, curious and awkward, but lovable all the while. The story is pretty standard for Christmas fare (holiday character tries to prove his identity), but it’s so darn fun.
The most modern film on the list, there may not be a better Will Ferrell movie. As Buddy the Elf, Ferrell is magic, curious and awkward, but lovable all the while. The story is pretty standard for Christmas fare (holiday character tries to prove his identity), but it’s so darn fun.
5. “White Christmas”
Sub out Fred Astaire from “Holiday Inn” with Danny Kaye, and you have Bing Crosby’s partner for this film, which now attempts to take full advantage of the Irving Berlin tune. Crosby and Kaye bring holiday cheer by way of an entertaining duo who help save a Vermont lodge. It’s cheery and lighthearted – great for the holidays.
Sub out Fred Astaire from “Holiday Inn” with Danny Kaye, and you have Bing Crosby’s partner for this film, which now attempts to take full advantage of the Irving Berlin tune. Crosby and Kaye bring holiday cheer by way of an entertaining duo who help save a Vermont lodge. It’s cheery and lighthearted – great for the holidays.
4. “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”
All Clark Griswold wanted was a good, old fashioned family Christmas. Instead he got lighting problems, a squirrel, a roasted feline, a Jell-O mold with cat litter, Cousin Eddie and a subscription to the Jelly of the Month Club. Over the top but well played by Chevy Chase, “Christmas Vacation” is a modern staple.
All Clark Griswold wanted was a good, old fashioned family Christmas. Instead he got lighting problems, a squirrel, a roasted feline, a Jell-O mold with cat litter, Cousin Eddie and a subscription to the Jelly of the Month Club. Over the top but well played by Chevy Chase, “Christmas Vacation” is a modern staple.
3. “A Christmas Story”
It’s not based on some fancy plot like the identity of Santa Claus or a roulette of ghosts. “A Christmas Story” is really just a few vignettes about a middle-class family Christmas. There’s a fight, some dogs, a “Chinese turkey,” a leg lamp and a Red Ryder BB Gun. It’s charming and awkward, and instantly familiar.
It’s not based on some fancy plot like the identity of Santa Claus or a roulette of ghosts. “A Christmas Story” is really just a few vignettes about a middle-class family Christmas. There’s a fight, some dogs, a “Chinese turkey,” a leg lamp and a Red Ryder BB Gun. It’s charming and awkward, and instantly familiar.
2. “Miracle on 34th Street”
The original version, from 1947, is a Christmas classic about belief and the meaning of “lovely intangibles.” And it’s such a fine movie that it’s been remade multiple times. Not only that, each year another movie or two seems to labor on the plot of “Is Santa Claus real?” Of course he is!
The original version, from 1947, is a Christmas classic about belief and the meaning of “lovely intangibles.” And it’s such a fine movie that it’s been remade multiple times. Not only that, each year another movie or two seems to labor on the plot of “Is Santa Claus real?” Of course he is!
1. “It’s a Wonderful Life”
It’s hard to root against George Bailey, who grows more depressed watching those around him reach their dreams and steal good fortune from others. Overly sentimental but well thought out, Frank Capra’s masterpiece has become a glowing reminder of the true greatness in people: “Remember no man is a failure who has friends.
It’s hard to root against George Bailey, who grows more depressed watching those around him reach their dreams and steal good fortune from others. Overly sentimental but well thought out, Frank Capra’s masterpiece has become a glowing reminder of the true greatness in people: “Remember no man is a failure who has friends.
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