As soon as the turkey is done being stuffed and the football games have ended the timeless debate of the top 10 Christmas movies of all time begins. Granted everyone as their own personal favorites, but it’s hard to come to a consensus of the the top 10 Christmas movies of all time. That is why I decided to throw my name into the ring and share my top 10 Christmas movies of all time.
No Hallmark movies were hurt during the selection process.
10. The Year Without Santa Claus
My first entry for the Rankin/Bass stop motion animated movie is The Year Without Santa Claus. The real highlight of this movie were the Miser brothers, Heat Miser and Snow Miser, and the catchy song. Basically Santa Claus feels ill and thinks there isn’t enough Christmas spirit so he wants to cancel Christmas. His two elves, Jingle and Jangle take a reindeer out to prove to him that there is still Christmas cheer to be found. Naturally they run into trouble and Mrs. Claus has to come rescue them as well as barter with the Miser brothers to let it snow in the South and have heat in the North Pole.
9. Love Actually
This ensembled cast movies follows several couples as they navigate around Christmas time. From secret loves, to infidelity to traveling across the ocean to find sex this movie has it all. And how can anyone forget the scene where Andrew Lincoln aka Rick Grimes from the Walking Dead, is telling his married friend’s wife, Keira Knightley, how he feels via a bunch of scribbled on poster boards under the premise of carol singers. Love Actually features an all-star cast including Liam Neeson, Emma Thompson, Hugh Grant, Colin Firth, Alan Rickman and many more. A true Christmas love story; well depending on which couples make it that far.
8.Scrooged
If Bill Murray does a Christmas movie you know it has to be a classic. Scrooged is loosely based on a Christmas Carol, but with a style only Bill Murray can pull off. Add some Carol Kane and Bobcat Goldthwait in there and you have some memorable scenes.
7. Home Alone
Kevvvviiiiinnnnnn! Home Alone is truly a holiday classic. I’m sure there have been times we’ve wished our family away similar to Macaulay Caulkens character Kevin did, but the chaos that ensues is what makes this movie a classic. Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern play burglars who try to break into the house Kevin lives in and hilarity ensues. From blow torches, to missing teeth to tarantulas this movie doesn’t miss. Wish I could say the same about the other movies in this franchise. Sometimes trying to use the same recipe for success ends up not netting the results you would hope for. Stick to the original.
6. How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Another original that has been remade a few times, but failed to deliver on the greatness from the original is How the Grinch Stole Christmas. We all know the story of how the Grinch hates Christmas. He hates everything Christmas and tries to ruin Christmas for the people of Whoville, but only to find out that Christmas isn’t about toys or feasts, but about being with loved ones. And with that realization his heart grew, he returned everything he stole and was the guest of honor at the Whoville’s feast of roast beast.
5. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
Timeless classic right here from Rankin/Bass Productions. There really is much more to say than that. A Christmas classic that has stood the test of time and winter storms.
4. A Muppets Christmas Carol
While there are many interpretations of the Charles Dickens’ classic Christmas Carol the Muppets version by far is my favorite. Michael Caine plays an amazing Ebenezer Scrooge while Gonzo and Rizzo the Rat provide the story telling. Every Muppet character makes an appearance, but Michael Caine was the real star of the movie. Of course the songs were amazing and with a thankful heart I’m glad to make this movie a top 5 Christmas movie for me.
3. Elf
Elf is a Christmas movie like only Will Ferrell can pull off. Buddy the Elf sets out from the North Pole to find his real father who is on the naughty list. Hilarity is around every corner. I still laugh every time I watch this. Just don’t be an angry little elf if you don’t like this movie.
2. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
Morning, shitter’s full. Any time there is a Griswold vacation you know it will never go as planned and out of all the Lampoon movies this is my all-time favorite. This movie delivers classic line after line. And if you think about isn’t there some aspect of the Griswold’s misfortune in all of our family holiday get togethers?
1. A Christmas Story
My all time favorite movie is A Christmas Story. TNT and TBS play it for 24 hours straight on Christmas Day for a reason and that reason is that I watch it at least 5 times during the day. All Ralphie wants for Christmas is a Red Ryder bb gun and when he finally gets it he does what people said he would do the entire movie; he shot his eye out. From the Chinese restaurant employees singing Christmas Carols to his father winning a big award, this movie brings a smile to my face every time I watch it. And don’t forget to drink your Ovaltine!
