50 Best Christmas Movies
I love schmaltzy Christmas movies, and innocent children's Christmas specials. I think anyone in the Christmas spirit can appreciate them, but there are some that are far superior to others. These are the ones that I absolutely love, that put me in the Christmas spirit. (NOTE: some great family classics are also missing, like Home Alone. This is largely because these films have been overplayed for me. I could probably quote them in my sleep, and I just couldn't bare to watch them one more time. The ones on this list are the ones I actually look forward to watching.) Enjoy!
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- DirectorFrank CapraStarsJames StewartDonna ReedLionel BarrymoreAn angel is sent from Heaven to help a desperately frustrated businessman by showing him what life would have been like if he had never existed.There is a reason it is so frequently chosen as the best Christmas movie. This is one of my favorite movies of all time. Easily in my top 25 favorite movies. I've seen it dozens of times and it never gets old. Never.
- DirectorChuck JonesBen WashamStarsBoris KarloffJune ForayDal McKennonA grumpy hermit hatches a plan to steal Christmas from the Whos of Whoville.I adore Doctor Seuss, but I've not been much of a fan of the live action versions of his stories. They just don't quite capture the magic of them. This classic animated special however, is so beautiful it hurts. There is no wonder why it has endured. This is still my favorite Christmas special even after years of watching it.
- DirectorMichael CurtizStarsBing CrosbyDanny KayeRosemary ClooneyA successful song-and-dance team become romantically involved with a sister act and team up to save the failing Vermont inn of their former commanding general.This big budget musical has two things I absolutely love: Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye. With a sweetly touching story and some fantastic song and dance numbers, this film still endures as the beautiful classic it is.
- DirectorBill MelendezStarsAnn AltieriChris DoranSally DryerDepressed at the commercialism he sees around him, Charlie Brown tries to find a deeper meaning to Christmas.Charlie Brown learns the meaning of Christmas. Another sweet special, and one I've seen somewhat less consistently, over the years. Even though it is simple, it is beautiful.
- DirectorCatherine HardwickeStarsKeisha Castle-HughesShohreh AghdashlooOscar IsaacA drama that focuses on the period in Mary and Joseph's life where they journeyed to Bethlehem for the birth of Jesus.
- DirectorJohn D. HancockStarsSam ElliottCloris LeachmanRutanya AldaA farm girl nurses a wounded reindeer she believes is one of Santa's, hoping to bring it back to health in time for Christmas. Her holiday spirit inspires those around her, something her disheartened father is having trouble understanding.This is a story with lots of heart. It's about faith and it makes me cry like a baby. The end is a little silly, but the realism and truth of the story shine through the rest of it. An excellent film.
- DirectorChristian CarionStarsDiane KrugerBenno FürmannGuillaume CanetIn December 1914, an unofficial Christmas truce on the Western Front allows soldiers from opposing sides of the First World War to gain insight into each other's way of life.
- DirectorBrian Desmond HurstStarsAlastair SimJack WarnerKathleen HarrisonEbenezer Scrooge, a curmudgeonly, miserly businessman, has no time for sentimentality and largely views Christmas as a waste of time. However, this Christmas Eve, he will be visited by three spirits who will show him the error of his ways.
- DirectorFrank CapraStarsGary CooperBarbara StanwyckEdward ArnoldA penniless drifter is recruited by an ambitious columnist to impersonate a non-existent person who said he'd be committing suicide as a protest, and a social movement begins.What's better than one Frank Capra film at Christmas time? Two! Some might argue this is not a Christmas movie, either, and while it has been frequently overshadowed by it's more popular brother, (It's a Wonderful Life), the film climaxes on Christmas Eve, and tells a terrific heartfelt story. More for adults, this is a bit of a political and idealistic Christmas film and just the sort of story I want to watch at Christmas time.
- DirectorLarry RoemerStarsBillie Mae RichardsBurl IvesLarry D. MannA young reindeer Rudolph lives at the North Pole. His father is one of Santa's reindeer and it is expected that Rudolph will eventually be one too. However, he has a feature which is a setback and causes him to be ostracized: his red nose.The Rankin/Bass stop motion animated specials are one of the best things about Christmas time and Rudolph is still their crowning achievement. Even if you've never seen one other stop motion animated story by them, you've probably seen this one at one point or another. Another story I never tire of watching, even though I've seen it dozens of times.
- DirectorTed DemmeStarsDenis LearyJudy DavisKevin SpaceyA cat burglar is forced to take a bickering, dysfunctional family hostage on Christmas Eve.There is something hopeful about this comedy, despite its rougher moments. Really one of the most underrated of Christmas films, it never fails to make me laugh. If you like dysfunctional family comedies, you will love this great Christmas movie.
- DirectorBurny MattinsonStarsAlan YoungWayne AllwineHal SmithThe classic Disney animated characters play the roles in this animated retelling of the Charles Dickens masterpiece.THIS is my FAVORITE version of A Christmas Carol. Still. From when I was a little child. It has just the right amount of creepy and funny and sweet. Another childhood favorite that never gets old.
- DirectorFrank CapraStarsJean ArthurJames StewartLionel BarrymoreThe son of a snobbish Wall Street banker becomes engaged to a woman from a good-natured but decidedly eccentric family not realizing that his father is trying to force her family from their home for a real estate development.What's better than two Frank Capra movies at Christmas time? Three! Easily the funniest of the three and the most fun, You Can't Take It With You is a gentle reminder about how to live life.
- DirectorJon FavreauStarsWill FerrellJames CaanBob NewhartRaised as an oversized elf, Buddy travels from the North Pole to New York City to meet his biological father, Walter Hobbs, who doesn't know he exists and is in desperate need of some Christmas spirit.While this film has been around 10 years already, I've only had the pleasure of seeing it once, but it is a great family film, very funny and a modern classic.
- DirectorTim BurtonStarsJohnny DeppWinona RyderDianne WiestThe solitary life of an artificial man - who was incompletely constructed and has scissors for hands - is upended when he is taken in by a suburban family.
- DirectorBrian HensonStarsMichael CaineDave GoelzSteve WhitmireThe Muppets present their own touching rendition of Charles Dickens' classic tale.I love The Muppets, so how could I not love their version of A Christmas Carol? Granted, it's not my favorite version of A Christmas Carol, but with Gonzo and Rizzo narrating it is one of the most fun, and it has great musical numbers. It does tend to drag a little bit in the middle, but overall, it is one of The Muppets' best films.
- DirectorA. Edward SutherlandStarsHarry CareyC. Aubrey SmithCharles WinningerThe ghosts of three elderly industrialists killed in an airplane crash return to Earth to help reunite a young couple they initially brought together.
- DirectorHenry SelickStarsDanny ElfmanChris SarandonCatherine O'HaraJack Skellington, king of Halloween Town, discovers Christmas Town, but his attempts to bring Christmas to his home causes confusion.I think of it more as a Halloween movie, than a Christmas movie, but many people look at it as a Christmas film, so I suppose it counts. It is a favorite of mine either way, which is why it ends up on the list, despite its leaning more towards the other holiday. A great story either way!
- DirectorChris ColumbusStarsDaniel RadcliffeRupert GrintEmma WatsonAn orphaned boy enrolls in a school of wizardry, where he learns the truth about himself, his family and the terrible evil that haunts the magical world.Let's be honest, every single Harry Potter film could have been listed on this list as the best of Christmas movies. While not technically all about Christmas, with the films mostly being released during the holiday season, and heavily featuring both Christmas and winter within them, they just feel like Christmas movies now. Also, Christmas is magical and what is Harry Potter if not magical? Argue with me if you will, but I think it belongs here. (I'd put the whole series here, but let's just let the first film represent that.)
- DirectorMichael CurtizStarsHumphrey BogartPeter UstinovAldo RayThree Devil's Island escapees hide out in the house of a kindly merchant and repay his kindness by helping him and his family out of several crises.
- DirectorPeter RamseyStarsHugh JackmanAlec BaldwinIsla FisherWhen the evil spirit Pitch launches an assault on Earth, the Immortal Guardians team up to protect the innocence of children all around the world.
- DirectorJim HensonStarsJerry NelsonFrank OzMarilyn SokolA poor otter family risks everything for the chance to win the cash prize of a talent contest for Christmas.A new discovery for me this year, this is completely underrated, and one of the sweetest and most original of Christmas specials I've seen in a long time. A fun, must watch for kids at Christmas.
- DirectorGillian ArmstrongStarsSusan SarandonWinona RyderKirsten DunstThe March sisters live and grow in post-Civil War America.
- DirectorJohn LandisStarsEddie MurphyDan AykroydRalph BellamyA snobbish investor and a wily street con artist find their positions reversed as part of a bet by two callous millionaires.
- DirectorJules BassArthur Rankin Jr.StarsFred AstaireMickey RooneyKeenan WynnA mailman reveals the origin of Santa Claus.After Rudolph, this is the second best of the Rankin/Bass stop motion animated specials. Narrated by Fred Astaire, it tells the story of Santa Claus and how he became who he is. I'm so in love with this story, actually, that I've never been able to stomach much of the other films about Santa. (I've still never seen The Santa Clause). I'm just worried I'll be comparing them to this the whole time. That's how good it is.
- DirectorMark SandrichRobert AllenStarsBing CrosbyFred AstaireMarjorie ReynoldsAt an inn which is open only on holidays, a crooner and a hoofer vie for the affections of a beautiful up-and-coming performer.
- DirectorRichard DonnerStarsBill MurrayKaren AllenJohn ForsytheA selfish, cynical television executive is haunted by three spirits bearing lessons on Christmas Eve.Ok, yes, I know it is yet ANOTHER Christmas Carol movie, but this one has Bill Murray and is hilarious, so it is automatically a win. I've only seen this one a few times over the years, but it is one that has never failed to make me laugh.
- DirectorRobert ZemeckisStarsJim CarreyGary OldmanColin FirthAn animated retelling of Charles Dickens' classic novel about a Victorian-era miser taken on a journey of self-redemption, courtesy of several mysterious Christmas apparitions.
- DirectorBarry LevinsonStarsNicholas RoweAlan CoxSophie WardWhen assorted people start having inexplicable delusions that lead to their deaths, a teenage Sherlock Holmes decides to investigate.
- DirectorSarah SmithBarry CookStarsJames McAvoyJim BroadbentBill NighySanta's clumsy son Arthur sets out on a mission with Grandsanta to give out a misplaced present to a young girl in less than two hours on Christmas Day.This was a surprisingly good animated story about a family of Clauses. I generally don't like modern stories of Santa Claus, but I found this to be a terrifically heartfelt story about family. A great new addition to the best of Christmas films.
- DirectorJeremiah S. ChechikStarsChevy ChaseBeverly D'AngeloJuliette LewisThe Griswold family's plans for a big family Christmas predictably turn into a big disaster.One of the few Christmas movies that has not been completely wore out is the Griswolds Christmas, or Christmas Vacation. Still very funny even though I've seen it far too many times, it is however one that I try to watch sparingly now, as it is teetering on the edge of too much.
- DirectorJules BassArthur Rankin Jr.StarsJackie VernonBilly De WolfeJimmy DuranteA living snowman and a little girl struggle to elude a greedy magician who is after the snowman's magic hat.Frosty! Who doesn't love this great animated feature about the loveable snowman? Really another great magical classic special.
- DirectorAndrew AdamsonStarsTilda SwintonGeorgie HenleyWilliam MoseleyWhile playing, Lucy and her siblings find a wardrobe that lands them in a mystical place called Narnia. Here they realize that it was fated and they must now unite with Aslan to defeat an evil queen.
- DirectorErnst LubitschStarsMargaret SullavanJames StewartFrank MorganTwo employees at a gift shop can barely stand each other, without realizing that they are falling in love through the post as each other's anonymous pen pal.
- DirectorKirk R. ThatcherStarsSteve WhitmireDave GoelzBill Barretta'Twas the night before Christmas and the Muppet Theatre is in danger of being torn down, but with hilarious send-ups of just about every holiday movie ever made, the Muppets discover that what matters most is their love for each other.Did I mention I love the Muppets? Not everything about this special is perfect but it IS the Muppets and it has Scooter dancing in a cage. Don't ask, just watch. Funny stuff.
- DirectorDanny BoyleStarsAlex EtelJames NesbittDaisy DonovanEthics, being human and the soul come to the fore when a 7-year old finds a bag of Pounds just days before the currency is switched to Euros and learns what we are really made of.
- DirectorNancy MeyersStarsKate WinsletCameron DiazJude LawTwo women troubled with guy-problems swap homes in each other's countries, where they each meet a local guy and fall in love.
- DirectorBob ClarkStarsPeter BillingsleyMelinda DillonDarren McGavinIn the 1940s, a young boy named Ralphie Parker attempts to convince his parents, teacher, and Santa Claus that a Red Ryder Range 200 Shot BB gun really is the perfect Christmas gift.
- DirectorSuzie TempletonAn animated retelling set to Prokofiev's suite.
- DirectorGeorge SeatonStarsEdmund GwennMaureen O'HaraJohn PayneAfter a divorced New York mother hires a nice old man to play Santa Claus at Macy's, she is startled by his claim to be the genuine article. When his sanity is questioned, a lawyer defends him in court by arguing that he's not mistaken.
- DirectorRichard WilliamsStarsAlastair SimMichael RedgraveMelvyn HayesAn old bitter miser is given a chance for redemption when spirits visit him on Christmas Eve.
- DirectorDebbie IsittStarsMartin FreemanMarc WoottonJason WatkinsAn uptight but secretly heartbroken primary school teacher's little white lie about Hollywood coming to see his class' nativity play grows like wildfire in his rag-tag school low on self-esteem.
- DirectorJules BassArthur Rankin Jr.StarsShirley BoothMickey RooneyDick ShawnWhen a weary and discouraged Santa Claus considers skipping his Christmas Eve run one year, Mrs. Claus and his elves set out to change his mind.Another Bass/Rankin stop animation, that I watched for the first time this year. It is not as solid as the previous two stories mentioned, but it does have a pretty great ending. Worth a watch.
- DirectorRichard CurtisStarsHugh GrantMartine McCutcheonLiam NeesonFollows the lives of eight very different couples in dealing with their love lives in various loosely interrelated tales all set during a frantic month before Christmas in London, England.
- DirectorJimmy T. MurakamiDianne JacksonStarsDavid BowieRaymond BriggsMel SmithOn Christmas Eve, a young boy builds a snowman that comes to life and takes him to the North Pole to meet Father Christmas.
- DirectorChris WeitzPaul WeitzStarsHugh GrantNicholas HoultToni ColletteWill, who attends single parent meetings to woo women, meets Marcus, a troubled 12-year-old boy. As they become friends, Will learns to be responsible while he helps Marcus with his studies.
- DirectorPeter GodfreyStarsBarbara StanwyckDennis MorganSydney GreenstreetA food writer who has lied about being the perfect housewife must try to cover her deception when her boss and a returning war hero invite themselves to her home for a traditional family Christmas.
- DirectorJoe DanteStarsZach GalliganPhoebe CatesHoyt AxtonA young man inadvertently breaks three important rules concerning his new pet and unleashes a horde of malevolently mischievous monsters on a small town.
- DirectorDavid DobkinStarsVince VaughnPaul GiamattiElizabeth BanksFred Claus, Santa's bitter older brother, is forced to move to the North Pole to help Santa and the elves prepare for Christmas in exchange for cash.
- DirectorChris WeitzStarsNicole KidmanDaniel CraigDakota Blue RichardsIn a parallel universe, young Lyra Belacqua journeys to the far North to save her best friend and other kidnapped children from terrible experiments by a mysterious organization.