I’ve had a lot of discussions with my family lately regarding the best Christmas movies around. Before I start the list, it’s important for me to point out that while I’m a child of a modern era, I appreciate musicals and respect them. I’m basing my judgment purely on my own enjoyment.
Since it’s free OnDemand, I watched Holiday Inn with Fred Astaire and Bing Crosby — a movie that my dad claims should be near the top of the list. And it’s a cute movie…the singing and dancing are nice but outside of the nostalgia of the emergence of the song “White Christmas”, it didn’t knock me out. There’s also the added blackface offensiveness, which knocks it back a few notches.
So my list is unabashedly modern but, here’s my top 10 list:
- A Christmas Story — I love Ralphie and the whole Red Ryder BB gun gang.
- National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation — Simply the funniest Christmas movie ever. It’s frankly one of the funniest movies of all-time. It’s the epitome of the Vacation movies. It’s a close contest between this and #1.
- Elf — The best holiday movie released since Christmas Vacation. Will Ferrell is terrific in the role that defines his career – MAN BOY. James Caan is great as his crusty dad and the supporting cast do a wonderful job propping up Will Ferrell. Physical comedy and a creative story — all the makings of a great Christmas movie.
- Die Hard — It occurs over Christmas, so it counts. It is the action movie that all other action movies are held up against.
- Babes in Toyland — I remember this movie vividly from when I was a kid. Annette Funicello stars in an enjoyable movie that has people being miniaturized and sword fighting. Genius. Also, Ed Wynn as Toymaker.
- John Denver and the Muppets: A Christmas Together — It’s a TV movie, but the music is great. Some of the best Christmas songs of my memory.
- Home Alone — I’m not a fan of all the subsequent sequels that followed, but the first one is genius. Macaulay Culkin before he went nuts. And if you didn’t cry the first time you saw the neighbor guy reunite with his granddaughter, you don’t have a soul.
- The Holiday — Sure, it’s predictable (aren’t most romantic comedies?), but Jack Black is a delight and Cameron Diaz is surprisingly endearing. But the movie is worth seeing for Kate Winslet’s scenes with Eli Wallach.
- Scrooged — A dark take on Dicken’s already dark Christmas Carol, modernized with Bill Murray, who my buddy Kevin once called “the bacon of Hollywood…he makes everything better”.
- Love Actually — It’s probably a little overly complex…maybe a few too many characters and stories, but it seems to work. Hugh Grant is at his bumbling best and Liam Neeson’s scenes with his kid are great.
That’s right. No It’s a Wonderful Life or Miracle on 34th Street. These are my choices. They’re my opinion. They’re the flicks I like to watch during this time of year. What movies are your favorite to watch at Christmas?
Will Ferrell vs Bing Crosby & Fred Estaire? I’m a failure as a father! Will Ferrell is obnoxious and is the personification of rank humor that keeps getting worse rather than getting better. Elf was funny, but stupid. I laughed but didn’t “feel good” after the movie. I agree with your Number 1, though. Probably one of the funniest movies of all time; and I really did have a Red Ryder BB Gun.
dad, while i agree with you that will ferrell is obnoxious and has rank humor, Elf features a way toned-down appropriate will ferrell.
I grew up next door to my aunt, uncle and four cousins. One night just before Christmas each year, mom, dad and grandpa would vacate the house to visit the neighbors/relatives. Sis would be out with friends. I would turn off all the lights save those on the Christmas tree and catch “A Christmas Carol” in all of its grayscale glory. This was my personal ritual.
Side note: I always did and still do dig “White Christmas,” a result of a boyhood crush on the younger sister, I’m quite certain. Plus the army numbers stirred some early patriotism.
So there. Your list is fine. Just thought I’d throw these two into the hat.
You need to drop “Die Hard” and replace it with “The Ref”. Without question a fantastic Christmas movie that must be included in all top 10 lists.
Hey Super Santa, I forgot about “The Ref”. It was really pretty good, and my first (non-standup) intro to Dennis Leary.
Back to your list Shane, I totally agree with #s 1 and 2. They are the Batman and Robin (or Chocolate and Peanut Butter, choose your metaphor) of X-mas movies to me. My brother, however, is a tried and true fan of “It’s A Wonderful Life”. He has probably already seen all or part of it a half dozen times this month, and will watch it in it’s entirety on Thursday.
For me, Christmas was about the classic cartoons: Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer, Charlie Brown Christmas, and Frosty the Snowman. All of which I have failed to watch this year.
I’M going with Gladiator – OK Gladiator isn’t technically a Christmas movie, but I’ve watched it on Christmas day before and it’s great. Elf was very funny, but i’ve only watched it once.