From 2000-2018, there's been several Christmas films that've entertained audiences and captured the hearts of millions, instilling the true meaning of Christmas and giving us all a chance to relax and enjoy the holiday season.
Here are my personal top ten modern Christmas films, worst2first...
**THERE WILL BE NO SPOILERS**
#10
Four Christmases
Reese Witherspoon and Vince Vaughn star as a couple who don't want to celebrate the holidays with their relatives, but when their relatives see them on a news broadcast, they have no choice but to celebrate with all four families - since both sets of their parents are divorced. The result is a humorous, and even heartfelt, film filled with great performances and a stellar supporting cast.
#9
Fred Claus
Vince Vaughn makes the list again as Fred Claus, the ne'er-do-well brother of the saintly Nicholas Claus (played by Paul Giamatti), who is tasked with helping his brother make toys for Christmas after running afoul of the law. The result is a unique spin on the classic Santa tale, with humor and heart that's sure to melt even the coldest of hearts.
#8
Bad Santa
Not a film to be seen with the children, "Bad Santa" is an adult-only raunchy comedy starring Billy Bob Thornton as a man who cons malls on Christmas Eve by playing a mall Santa, along with his partner in crime, played by Tony Cox. A depressed alcoholic, this Santa isn't what you think when you think of the classic man, and Thornton plays this character to hilarity, even if it's geared for adults only.
#7
The Family Man
In the modern spin of a classic story, Nicolas Cage stars as Jack, a businessman who values his job and wealth over anything else. One morning, however, he wakes up next to his childhood love, and finds that his life has changed from all business to all family, and he has to make a decision - go back to his playboy ways, or become the family man that he's always secretly wanted to be.
#6
The Polar Express
Based on the beloved children's book, this awe-inspiring animated film focuses on a young boy who's lost the holiday spirit, but after a magical train ride to the North Pole, he begins to believe again not just in Christmas, but himself as well. Directed by Robert Zemeckis and starring Tom Hanks as the conductor, "The Polar Express" is a visual masterpiece with a moving story that the whole family can enjoy.
#5
The Man Who Invented Christmas
Everyone knows the classic story "A Christmas Carol," but not about how the story was made. "The Man Who Invented Christmas" focuses on a young Charles Dickens, and how he came to write the most beloved fictional Christmas story of all time. Dan Stevens plays Dickens, while Oscar-winner Christopher Plummer plays the famous Ebenezer Scrooge in a film that's smart and funny, emotional and uplifting.
#4
A Christmas Carol
Speaking of the timeless Christmas story, the 2009 animated adventure "A Christmas Carol" is filled with dazzling animations and a top-notch vocal performance by Jim Carrey as Ebenezer Scrooge, who's visited on Christmas Eve by three angels who help him see what's really important in life. Directed by Robert Zemeckis, the film boasts a strong supporting cast including Gary Oldman and Robin Wright, and includes state-of-the-art computer effects that tell the story in a whole new way.
#3
Love Actually
Featuring an ensemble cast including Liam Neeson, Colin Firth, Keira Knightley, Hugh Grant, Andrew Lincoln, Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman and more, "Love Actually" is a collection of ten different stories of love around Christmastime that slowly connect to one another, resulting in a gambit of different emotions and performances.
#2
The Grinch
Only Jim Carrey can bring the beloved children's character The Grinch to brilliant life in Ron Howard's superior tale of the lovable creature who detests Christmas, who later learns the importance of it. From the stunning lighted cinematography to the dazzling set pieces to Carrey's unforgettable performance and a great soundtrack, "The Grinch" is a modern classic that will be loved for years to come.
#1
Elf
Will Ferrell has had the most uneven career of any comedian as of late. Either his films are huge hits ("Anchorman," "Step Brothers," "Talladega Nights"), or they're complete flops ("Blades of Glory," "Semi-Pro," "Bewitched"). "Elf," his soiree into the world of Christmas movies, is listed as one of his biggest hits. Starring as a man who thinks he's an elf, Ferrell takes a surprisingly toned-down approach to his performance, making it one of his few truly family friendly films. Plus there's so many quotable lines: "Santa! Santa's coming! I know him! I know him!" "You sit on a throne of lies!"
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