It’s that wonderful time of year again, the time for presents, parties and curling up on the couch with a tub of sweets and the perfect Christmas movie.
When is comes to Christmas movies, there’s something for everyone and if you ask anyone to name their favourite, each person be different. Google any “Best Christmas Movie” list online and you’ll get many different variations depending on personal preference. Our favourites are based on childhood memories, nostalgia or whatever gets us into the festive mood. Many of these lists normally end up with It’s a Wonderful Life at the number one spot. Well, quick warning, this list won’t be like that because honestly I can’t stand that movie, sorry James Stewart but no. When I think back to my own favourite Christmas movies I don’t think of “It’s a Wonderful Life” but more Kevin McAllister, Jack Skellington and John McClane. Anyway enough waffle, here’s my top fifteen Christmas movies, if you’re in need of some festive cheer this year, take any one of them and you’re guaranteed a good time.
15. Elf (2003)
Buddy (Will Ferrell) is raised as an oversized elf in the North Pole and now travels to New York at Christmas to meet his biological father, Walter Hobbs (James Caan). Not only is buddy the elf a complete surprise to Walter but he is also clearly in desperate need of some Christmas spirit.
Charming, silly and funny. The pure joy and delight Buddy the elf has for Christmas will break even the harshest Scrooge’s out there.
14. The Muppet christmas Carol (1992)
If there’s one Christmas tale that’s constantly being adapted its Charles Dicken’s A Christmas Carol. You have many versions to choose from and some are better than others, but if you only watch one let it be The Muppets version.
Short, sweet and has Michael Caine acting completely straight surrounded by Muppets singing away. Sure it’s ridiculous, but you can’t help but smile watching The Muppet Christmas Carol.
13. Rare Exports (2010)
For anyone out there who isn’t a big fan of all the festivities or you’re just a bit fed up with Christmas shoved down your face since August well there are a number of anti-Christmas movies for you to enjoy. Up first is Rare Exports.
In the depths of the Korvatunturi mountains lies the closest ever guarded secret of Christmas. The time has come to dig it up and this Christmas everyone will believe in Santa Claus whether they want to or not. Christmas horrors isn’t a genre with a huge amount of options but if there’s one to seek out it’s the very frightening Rare Exports. One of the best anti-Christmas movies out there.
12. Jingle All The Way (1996)
Here’s a movie that perfectly captures the manic consumerism that occurs during Christmas. What do you do when your child wants this year’s most popular Christmas toy and you’ve left it too late to get one and now they’re sold out everywhere. What parent wouldn’t run all over town desperately trying to find a Turbo Man action figure? Arnie is the man for the job.
Jingle All The Way isn’t a masterpiece or anything close but it doesn’t pretend to be either. It’s ridiculous, funny and very entertaining. Anyone who has dared brave the toy stores on Christmas Eve will be able to relate all too well to Jingle All The Way.
11. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)
The Griswold’s are determined to have a big family Christmas but absolutely everything that can go wrong does go wrong. A disastrous Christmas movie that will have you in fits of laughter.
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation perfectly portrays the chaotic side of Christmas. It’s a great holiday comedy and will particularly resonate with those of you who’s holiday traditions involve getting the entire extended family together for the Christmas holidays.
10. Jack Frost (1998)
A young boy still grieving over the loss of his father is shocked to find he has returned one year later…as a snowman. So yes it’s like the song.
Jack Frost is a fantasy comedy and perhaps one of the most underrated Christmas movies out there. It’s funny but will also tug at the heartstrings and is suitable for all the family. I love Jack Frost and if you’ve made it this far in life without ever seeing it you should definitely add it to your Christmas movie list this year.
9. Krampus (2015)
Another anti-Christmas movie has made it onto the list. Krampus tells the story of a boy who has a particularly bad Christmas and accidentally summons a festive demon to his family home.
It ain’t Santa Claus coming to town but the demonic equivalent, Krampus. It’s a crazy horror/comedy and if you ever needed a reason to be afraid of gingerbread men now you can be. Krampus is the best choice for anyone looking for a horror themed Christmas movie.
8. Home Alone 2: Lost In New York (1992)
You’d think after leaving Kevin McCallister at home at Christmas the McCallisters might want a quite Christmas this year but no such luck.
One year after Kevin was left home alone he now finds himself stranded in New York City where he again meets the criminals Harry (Joe Pesci) and Marv (Daniel Stern). For a sequel to a classic, it’s better than expected. Follows a very similar formula to the first Home Alone but everything ramped up to over the top levels. As far as I’m concerned there’s only two Home Alone movies and although this isn’t quite as good as the first one it’s a great choice to get you into the Christmas mood.
7. Gremlins (1984)
Perhaps the best anti-Christmas movie is Gremlins. A young man receives a wonderfully unique Christmas present, his new pet called a Mogwai. This ain’t your ordinary pet and he comes with three very important rules, no sunlight, no getting him wet and no matter what, don’t feed him after midnight. Well young Billy accidently breaks all the rules and unleashes the army of mischievous monsters on a small town.
Perfectly blends horror and comedy, it’s a very entertaining 80s classic. Pure chaos and not one suitable for the young kids.
6. The Snowman (1982)
On Christmas Eve, a young boy builds a snowman that comes to life and takes him to the North Pole to meet Father Christmas.
Is there anything more magical and nostalgic than The Snowman. A silent TV movie from 1982 that still holds up today. A classic that plays every year with a brilliant soundtrack and of course one of the greatest Christmas Songs, Walking in the Air. It’s only twenty minutes long so you’ve no excuse not to watch The Snowman. A must see for everyone.
5. Edward Scissorhands (1990)
Edward Scissorhands is not only a great Christmas movie but it’s one of my favorite movies of all time. Avon lady Peg (Dianne Wiest) discovers Edward (Johnny Depp) alone in the creepy house on top of a hill in a suburban town. An artificial man who wasn’t completed by his creator and has scissors for hands. Peg introduces Edward to the neighborhood.
A heartfelt story full of emotion about a sweet man who only wants to fit in. A dark fairytale as only Tim Burton can do. Enchanting and beautiful back when Burton and Depp were at their best.
4. Trading Places (1983)
Snobbish investor (Dan Aykroyd) and a street con artist (Eddie Murphy) find their positions reversed as part of a bet by two old millionaires.
Not only is Trading Places one of the best Christmas movies, it’s a brilliant comedy with a great story and hilarious performances from Dan Aykroyd and Eddie Murphy. Easily one of my favourite Christmas movies.
3. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
As a Tim burton obsessed child I have to put the Nightmare Before Christmas on the list. As to whether this is a Halloween or a Christmas movie, the answer is yes it is.
The pumpkin King Jack Skellington has grown tired of Halloween and decides to give Christmas a go with disastrous results. Stop motion at it’s best, a stunning movie that’s both dark and charming. A holiday musical with a brilliant soundtrack by Danny Elfman. This has been one of my favourite movies since childhood and it still remains a favourite every Halloween and Christmas.
2. Die Hard (1988)
Yipee Ka Ei motherfuckers, don’t even come at me with the Die Hard Christmas movie debate, it’s a feckin’ Christmas movie get over it. Christmas setting, Christmas music, Christmas references. Alright it’s more on the action side but who doesn’t want to see Alan Rickman as one of cinemas greatest villains, Hans Gruber take over Nakatomi Plaza on Christmas Eve? And there’s only one man who can save the day, and that man is Bruce Willis.
I am aware of another Rickman movie that many people enjoy at Christmas, so I guess if Die Hard ain’t your thing you could also check out Love Actually but I know which I’d rather be watching. Ho-Ho-Ho.
1. Home Alone (1990)
A parent’s worst nightmare when eight-year-old Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) is left home alone at Christmas. The freedom of living alone to do whatever he likes is short-lived when two burglars try to break in and Kevin creates some homemade traps to outsmart them.
Right, here it is, my favourite Christmas movie of all time. For me, Home alone is Christmas. I’ve seen this film so many times because for some mad reason it’s quite popular to play during the Summer months. 100s of viewings and every year on Christmas I watch Kevin McAllister outsmart the Wet Bandits and I love it every time. A much loved Christmas classic for all the family. It’s not Christmas until you’ve watched Home Alone, it’s the ultimate Christmas movie. Merry Christmas ya Filthy animals.
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