Christmas movies have long been a holiday season tradition. Nothing like a good, classic, and sometimes not-so-classic movie, to bring home a little holiday spirit.
Here are my top 10 favorite Christmas movies:
1. A Christmas Story (1983) — Nostalgic and classic. It has everything including a gang of marauding canines snatching a turkey from a kitchen table, the four-eyed geek pounding a bully while spewing profanities and the best BB gun segment in movie history. I see so much of me as a kid in that strange little child named Ralphie. For capturing so much about Christmas and growing up, nothing comes close to this holiday classic.
2. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989) — Chevy Chase as Clark Griswold, the big-hearted lover of Christmas and supreme family man. Some great scenes but none better than his obsessive work decorating his house with thousands of lights. The citywide blackout caused when he flips the switch is classic. To this day, the phrase “Griswold” is associated with over-done Christmas light displays everywhere. Does anyone throw a better tantrum than Clark Griswold?
3. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966) — I mean the animated one, not the one with Jim Carrey. This was a holiday tradition for our family. Every year, the Dr. Seuss classic came to life through our TV. His hatred of Christmas and Whoville, leads to the ultimate act of thievery in movie history. He swiped all of Christmas. But really, he only stole the gifts and Christmas lived on. Of course, his heart is warmed by those adorable Whos and the gifts are returned, and the mean ole Grinch is reborn a good person.
4. Wizard of Oz (1939) — Although not really a “Christmas” movie — flying monkey’s don’t really scream Christmas, but this was a holiday tradition at our home. Every year during the holidays we’d gather around the tube and watch Dorothy and Toto try to return home. Characters are what make a good movie, and this movie is all about amazing characters. From the Cowardly Lion to the Scarecrow to the Wizard to Wicked Witch — these characters encompass it all. Good, scared, evil, determined, courageous and more. A classic!
5. It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) — This classic doesn’t tug as much as it grabs the heartstrings and drags you all the way through the movie. The depression-era tale that tells a story of an almost-suicide takes viewers on a some tough ups and downs, but it’s a classic because it stuffs all things Christmas — family, friends, joy and love — into a perfect package. Plus Jimmy Stewart is awesome.
6. Scrooged (1988) —This remake of the classic Charles Dicken’s tale “A Christmas Carol,” first published in 1843, isn’t a masterpiece, and falls short of the 1951 original in cinematic storytelling, but Bill Murray brings a hilarious Ebenezer Scrooge to the screen. The humor runs from little gags to physical humor as “Scrooge” takes a beating from several of the ghosts. It’s fun.
7. Bad Santa (2003) — The movie is all about good overpowering evil with a child providing the lessons to the irresponsible adult. Every Christmas Eve, a criminal, along with his dwarf sidekick, full of anger, alcohol and depravity, robs a mall. As a cover, he takes a job as the mall Santa. It’s fun but quite vulgar. He eventually decides to go straight, but not before taking several slugs in the back from the police.
8. The Santa Clause (1994) — Tim Allen stars in this fun romp. Santa is killed after accidently falling off a roof, so Allen’s character becomes the new Santa. A fun, corny tale with lots of feel-good family stuff.
9. Miracle on 34th Street (1947) — To believe in Santa or not to believe, that is the question. This movie takes that question and provides the answer in a rather dark tale. Kris Kringle’s sanity is questioned and he’s even put on trial. It’s good versus evil and who else could possible win but Mr. Kringle.
10. Just Friends (2005) — Not even close to a classic but sometimes a good laugh is the perfect gift. Story revolves around a high school chunky guy who returns home years later as a hunk during the holidays. His romantic pursuit of his high school crush and competing with another suitor is lots of fun. Juvenile humor but I like it.