Ladies and gentlemen, Christmas time is here! It is time to begin celebrating, and what better way to celebrate Christmas than watching the movies that have helped make this holiday great? So, in honor of the season, I have compiled a list of my top 10 favorite Christmas movies. This is my opinion only, and since it is limited to 10, there are several good movies worthy of being mentioned that are not included.
10. “Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas”
“All aboard! Next stop, Waterville!” – Chip
This is one of the greatest movies to watch when you want a simple, lighthearted Christmas movie. Is it a children’s movie? Yes, it is, but that is part of what makes it great! I’ve always loved this movie and cartoons like it because they bring back memories and feelings of the holidays from when I was young.
9. “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” 1966
“Christmas day will always be just as long as we have ‘we’” – Whos
This one may be controversial because everyone seems to have an opinion on which Grinch movie is the best, but I stand with the classic 1966 version. The narrator, the music and the animation are all iconic and have helped shape Dr. Seuss’s iconic character into what he is today.
8. “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”
“Nobody’s walking out on this fun, old-fashioned Christmas. No, no. We’re all in this together!” –Clark Griswold
This is probably one of the most popular Christmas comedies. The outrageous, over-the-top slapstick and outrageous scenerios make the movie memorable and fun. It is hard to not laugh when you see Clark trying to set up his Christmas lights or watch him accidentally getting stuck driving beneath a semi truck. I think the best parts of the movie, however, are the one liners and interactions between characters. The conversations between Clark Griswall and cousin Eddie are hilarious, and the list of quotable moments is almost endless. I do not see this movie’s popularity going away anytime soon.
7. “Mickey’s Christmas Carol”
“What’s this world coming to, Cratchit? You work all your life to get money then people want you to give it away.” – Ebeneezer Scrooge
This one is difficult. I obviously had to include at least one adaptation of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol in my top-ten choices, but ranking all different versions and renditions would require a list of its own. So, I decided it would be best to only include one adaption, and strange as it may seem, I am picking the Mickey Mouse version. I cannot help but smile when I see the ghost of Christmas present using a streetlamp as a flashlight or seeing Goofy play the part of Jacob Marley. The movie includes all of the heart from Dickens’ classic book, and the fun cartoon humor help make it a classic of its own.
6. “Elf”
“The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.” –Various
It is probably no surprise to see “Elf” on the list. This is one of the funniest Christmas movies ever made, and even when you watch it year after year, it never seems to get old. The uniqueness and charm of the movie quickly made it into a must watch holiday classic, and the one liners and jokes will likely be quoted for years to come.
5. “Home Alone” 1 and 2
“This is my house. I have to defend it.” –Kevin McCallister
I am putting two movies in one here. “Home Alone” and “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York” are both ranked as number five. The plot of the two are almost exactly alike, so how could I ever choose between the two? I am not complaining though because both are hilarious classics with some of the best slapstick that I’ve seen. We will just have to pretend that all the other sequels do not exist.
4. “Miracle on 34th Street” (1947)
“It’s not just Kris that’s on trial, it’s everything he stands for. It’s kindness and joy and love and all the other intangibles.” –Fred Gailey
If you have not seen “Miracle on 34th Street”, I am sure the plot probably sounds outrageous to you. Doris Walker hires a cheerful old man named Kris to play Santa at Macy’s, but after his coworkers realize he believes himself to be the real Santa Claus, Kris ends up in a legal battle to prove his sanity. While it certainly sounds odd, the plot was very well developed and almost believable. The best part of the movie is probably the characters, however. They are very endearing and memorable, and their conversations and love for each other make the movie one of the greats.
3. “The Santa Clause”
“Seeing isn’t believing. Believing is seeing.” – Elf-Judy
There is no telling how many movies have been made about Santa, but I can think of none better than Disney’s “The Santa Clause”. The movie was able to create a version of Santa that is unique but not overly goofy or weird, and I honestly cannot think of anyone who could have matched Tim Allen’s portrayal of Santa. The movie also finally answers a question that has been haunting mankind for ages: it finally shows us what Santa does when a house does not have a chimney!
2. “A Charlie Brown Christmas”
“That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.” – Linus
Many of you may be shocked that Charlie Brown’s Christmas is my number 2 pick for the best Christmas movie, but I really like Charlie Brown, so this is where it must stay. The film is deep in its representation of Charlie Brown and his struggle with unhappiness, yet it is also fun and light hearted making for an excellent balance. It also really helps that the movie boldly tells us that Jesus is the real reason for celebrating. Plus, if not for Lucy’s advice in the beginning of the movie, I would have never known to not eat December snow. It is not ripe until January.
1. “It’s a Wonderful Life”
“Strange, isn’t it? Each man’s life touches so many other lives, and when he isn’t around he leaves an awful hole, doesn’t he?” –Clarence the Angel
This should not really be any big surprise. What Christmas movie compares to this great classic? In fact, I would consider this movie the definition of “great classic”. The story is surprisingly deep and thought provoking, and the heartwarming ending cannot be topped. I do not know why I am saying all this though. If you have seen it, you already know it is the greatest. If you have not seen it, do not take my word for it. Go watch the movie!
