Christmas is my most favorite holiday of the year, and when it comes to Christmas films, there's no shortage of classics you and your family can enjoy during this most joyous time of the year.
Here are my personal top ten classic Christmas films, worst2first...
**THERE WILL BE NO SPOILERS**
#10
Muppet Christmas Carol
Taking the beloved Charlies Dickens novel and including everyone's favorite Muppets, "Muppet Christmas Carol" is a delight for young and old this holiday season. Featuring Michael Caine as the ever-grumpy Ebenezer Scrooge, the film also features the likes of Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, and the rest of the gang as they tell the classic Christmas story in their own unique way.
#9
The Santa Clause
After accidentally causing Santa to fall off the roof of his house, Scott Calvin (played by Tim Allen) must become Saint Nick himself to finish the deliveries, or else it could mean the end of Christmas. Filled with family humor and hilarious antics by Tim Allen, the film is a joyous take on everyone's lovable fat man in the red suit.
#8
White Christmas
Featuring one of our most beloved Christmas songs ever, "White Christmas" is a musical extravaganza featuring the eternal talents of Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, and Vera-Ellen as they try to help an old friend keep his Inn by hosting the best Christmas musical ever. The result is a timeless classic that's only gotten better with age.
#7
Jingle All the Way
Arnold Schwarzenegger is one of the few actors who can really do anything. Even though he's most known for his "Terminator" roles, he's also delivered some great dramatic and even comedic performances, mostly in the 90s with movies like "Twins," "Kindergarten Cop" and the Christmas-themed "Jingle All the Way," which sheds light on the consumerism that's overtaken the true meaning of Christmas, as Schwarzenegger hilariously travels all over town to get the hottest new toy - Turbo Man - for his son. Fun fact: the son is played by Jake Lloyd, who later came to prominence as a very young Anakin Skywalker in "The Phantom Menace."
#6
Scrooged
The modern take on the classic tale "A Christmas Carol" finds Bill Murray as a hilariously cynical TV executive who is visited by three ghosts who try to teach him the true meaning of Christmas and to be nice to his fellow man. Filled with hilarious moments and even some heart-warming ones, "Scrooged" is a great Christmas comedy with a lesson at its core.
#5
Home Alone
When you have Chris Columbus as director, John Hughes as the writer, and John Williams as the composer - not to mention the acting talents of Macaulay Culkin, who made a name for himself with this film - you've got a great Christmas comedy for the ages. Culkin stars as young Kevin McCallister, who was left behind at home while his big family went on Christmas vacation. He finds himself the home's only defense against a group of burglars (the ever hilarious Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern), and booby traps the house in hilarious fashion. The film just celebrated its 25th anniversary, and shows no signs of stopping.
#4
Miracle on 34th Street
Truly a Christmas classic, "Miracle on 34th Street" is the tale of a man who claims to be Santa. He is deemed insane until a lawyer sets out to prove that he really is Kris Kringle himself. Heartwarming, funny, and absolutely perfect, this film is a little miracle. It also won three Oscars for Best Supporting Actor (Edmund Gwenn), Best Screenplay and Best Original Story, as well as being nominated for Best Picture.
#3
A Christmas Story
Another Christmas movie about the consumerism of the season, "A Christmas Story" tells the tale of young Ralphie (Peter Billingsley at his finest), who wants a Red Ryder B.B. Gun for Christmas. Even though everyone (including Santa) warns him that he'll shoot his eye out, it doesn't deter Ralphie's youthful desire for it. The film has become a staple for Christmastime, appearing several times on television each year and still makes fishnet stocking leg lamps a fashion must-have.
#2
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
Another Christmas favorite written by the late, great John Hughes, "Christmas Vacation" is the most well-known and most humorous tale of the ill-fated Griswold family, as they try to have the perfect Christmas - with of course failing results. Filled with enough Christmas cheer to fill a toilet, "Christmas Vacation" is a must-see for any comedy fan, and one that will surprisingly warm your heart as well.
#1
It's a Wonderful Life
"It's a Wonderful Life" is THE Christmas movie. It's the movie that's shown every Christmas, it's the movie that's heralded as the best Christmas movie of all time, and it's the movie that earned five Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor. The tale is as old as time itself: what would life be like if you weren't around? For frustrated businessman George Bailey (James Stewart), he finds out when an angel (Henry Travers) shows him a world where he didn't exist. Filled with heart, compassion and hope, "It's a Wonderful Life" is the movie that demands to be seen every December 25th, because it tells us what the true meaning of Christmas is all about.
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