Season’s greetings! As we approach the holiday season and all the joys, anxieties, and surprises they bring, what better time to revisit classic Christmas movies? Naturally, Christmas movies can take many forms from unrelenting cheery musicals to vaguely religious dramas to gleefully vulgar comedies. It’s mad cold outside and a brand-new Northie and hot cocoa still aren’t enough to get me outside. So let’s cozy up in bed and watch a seasonal classic instead. From heartwarming tales of love to hilarious critiques of the holidays, these films have brought joy to people of all ages for years. Without further ado, here are our rankings of the top ten best Christmas movies of all time.
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10. The Santa Clause (1994)
When Scott Calvin accidentally kills Santa Claus after falling from his roof on Christmas Eve, he’s forced to take over his responsibilities. After he and his young son Charlie finish St. Nick’s deliveries, they’re transported to the North Pole. Scott then learns he’s obligated to become the new Santa and must convince those he loves that he is, indeed, Santa Claus. Tim Allen stars in this joyous film that grossed nearly $200 million at the box office and later received two sequels.
9. Miracle on 34th St. (1947)
One of the oldest Christmas movies is still an all-time classic. The story takes place in the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas in New York City. A man working as a department store Santa claims to be the real Kris Kringle, convincing innocent kids – and some cynical adults – that he’s the real deal. The film captures New York City at its peak consumerist culture and reminds us of the negative aspects of Capitalism. Seventy-five years later, Miracle remains a classic.
8. Bad Santa (2003)
This dark comedy sees Billy Bob Thornton star as a degenerate mall Santa who embodies the exact opposite of what you’d expect from St. Nick. He gets wasted on the job, swears at children, disrespects authority, pees himself, and plans to rob the very mall in which he works. Brilliant supporting performances from the late greats Bernie Mac and John Ritter, as well as the surprising redemptive ending push this film over the top. Bad Santa is certainly one of the best Christmas movies for adults of all time.
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7. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
Of all the Charlie Brown animated specials, this is the best. Charlie Brown’s confrontation with the commercialism of Christmas and the sad little fir tree are highlights in this film that features slapstick gags and a delightful jazzy Christmas score from the Vince Guaraldi Trio. Though the animation may be a little jagged and repetitive, this brief special remains a classic and one of the best Christmas movies for kids and adults alike.
6. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Tim Burton’s stop-motion classic beautifully melds the seemingly opposing worlds of Halloween and Christmas. On a shot-by-shot basis, this is one of the most visually appealing films ever crafted. Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloweentown, becomes obsessed with Christmas and decides to hijack the holiday. The Nightmare Before Christmas continues to age well, even if it doesn’t have the narrative fuel of other Christmas movies on this list.
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5. It’s A Wonderful Life (1946)
Though Frank Capra’s Christmas fantasy was a box office flop, it earned five Academy Award nominations and has become one of the most acclaimed films ever made. On Christmas Eve, suicidal George Bailey receives a visit from an angel known as Clarence Odbody determined to pull George off the ledge. Clarence shows George visions from throughout his life of the positive impact he’s had on those around him, as well as what the world would be like if he’s never been born. It’s one of the most endearing Christmas movies that continues to be timeless and disarmingly sincere. Films and television shows have tried to replicate the core premise many times for nearly eighty years, though none pulls it off quite like the original.
4. Home Alone (1990)
As one of the most iconic Christmas movies, Home Alone is surprisingly dark in several ways. It’s about a home invasion, family estrangement, and the joy of not having to deal with family during the holidays. After wishing his family would disappear, young Kevin McCallister seemingly gets his wish as his family flies to Paris without him. With Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern playing The Wet Bandits, this film gets a slapstick comedy boost with tons of inventive gags. Though holiday movies tend to have a short shelf life in theaters, Home Alone proved that Christmas movies could stick around beyond December.
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3. Elf (2003)
Elf is the quintessential Christmas movie for my generation. Will Ferrell’s fearlessly committed performance embodies a genuine love for Christmas – and his enthusiasm is particularly infectious. Though the movie slightly devolves into a race-against-time flick in the last 30 minutes, the myriad of gems outweighs the problems. From endlessly quotable lines to the fruit spray scene to Mr. Narhwal and the arctic puppets, Elf is instant holiday merriment.
2. Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
This might be the one film on this list that I find myself watching outside the holiday season. Jim Carrey brings his unprecedented physical comedy gifts to this live-action adaptation as the reclusive green Grinch. Reluctantly joined by his hapless dog Max, the Grinch invades Whoville to swipe all the decorations and presents. However, the bitter Grinch’s views are challenged by the endearing Cindy Lou Who. You know how the story goes from here.
1. A Christmas Story (1983)
There’s a reason why networks run this film on a 24-hour cycle from 8 p.m. on Christmas Eve to 8 p.m. on Christmas Day. Set in December 1940, the film is a series of vignettes narrated by the adult Ralphie Parker as he reminisces on one particular Christmas when he was nine years old. As he trudges through the snow, faces the neighborhood bully, and visits a malevolent department store Santa, Ralphie wonders if he’ll even make it to Christmas Day. He only wants one thing for Christmas: a Red Ryder BB gun. Naturally, all the adults in his life give him the same warning: “You’ll shoot your eye out!” It’s a lesson learned the hard way, and a line repeated for decades. The result is a hysterical and heartwarming take with a staying power like no other.
We hope you enjoyed our list of the best Christmas movies of all time. Let us know what you think in the comments section below!
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