Top 15 Christmas Films

Which would you put at number 1?

It’s the festive season. Christmas films are at the top of everyone’s constant to do list. The question is, which should be the ones you make sure you squeeze in between wrapping and decorating?

We at ScreenHeads have listed off our top 15 Christmas films for you to enjoy whilst you wait for Santa’s arrival.

15. A Christmas Carol (1951)

Spoiler: there is going to be a few Scrooge-fronted stories in the list, and this is the first. Alistair Sim’s version of A Christmas Carol is a timeless classic that is seen as the first real cinema version.

As usual, the narrative follows Ebenezer Scrooge as he is given a last chance to save his doomed fate by learning from 3 spirits.

A bit of a more drawn out version for sure. However, if you want to go down the classic root, this is the version of the story for you.

14. Christmas with the Kranks (2004)

A welcome return of Tim Allen to the Christmas theme. Allen and co-star Jamie Lee Curtis are paired as Luther and Nora Krank, a couple whose daughter is away for Christmas and so they decide to skip it in favour of going on a cruise.

With various escapades and problems ensue, we watch as the Kranks try to deal with the Christmas period without actually celebrating it. Other cast members include Ghostbusters: Afterlife‘s Dan Akroyd and Supergirl‘s Julie Gonzalo.

Allen and Curtis make for a very comedic pairing and the story ends up being very feel-good. Not the top of the Christmas film list but definitely one to watch during the month of December.

13. A Christmas Carol (2009)

Our second Scrooge entry. This time plunging the legendary Jim Carrey into the world of CGI animation as he gives us a new take on A Christmas Carol.

The classic story as with Sim’s take on it, but with more elements from the novel and of course a lot more adventure sequences to fill out the animation and give Carrey something to work with. The cast also boasts the likes of The Darkest Hours‘ Gary Oldman, Stranger Things‘ Cary Elwes and Wonder Woman‘s Robin Wright.

Carrey is the perfect pick for his take on the old miser – the facial expressions, the voice, the slapstick feel of it. No one else is as fitted.

12. The Santa Clause 2 (2002)

The first instalment will pop up later in the list, but lets go a bit backwards with this one. In the second of the franchise that stars Tim Allen as an updated version of Father Christmas, the big man is tasked with finding a Mrs Claus before Christmas Eve or he will be stripped of his Claus title and Christmas will be no more.

A very different feel from the first film, but for the kids it’s a fun ride and continues to capture the feel of the festive season perfectly.

Allen is still great in the role after nearly a decade away, and a lot of the original cast even returns. Who else was shocked to see how much young Charlie had changed by the time this film rolled around?

11. Elf (2003)

The film that quickly became a household tradition. Directed by Iron Man‘s Jon Favreau and Starring SNL alumni Will Ferrell, we follow a human called Buddy who has been raised by elves in The North Pole and discovers his real family live in New York City. Even worse…his father’s on the naughty list.

The film brings in acting legend such as James Caan, Ed Asner and Mary Steenburgen, and also adds up-and-comers at the time like Zooey Deschanel.

A bit of a daft film all in all and it doesn’t really fit the roles that Ferrell is known for nowadays (Step Brothers and Blades of Glory being prime examples) but it’s as Christmassy as it gets.

10. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)

Say what you want about Chevy Chase, but his Vacation films were big hits in the 80s. His Christmas edition? No exception.

In Christmas Vacation, the Griswalds set out to have the perfect Christmas season. As you expect, pretty much everything goes wrong. Between unexpected (and unwanted) family members showing up, Christmas light issues and waiting patiently for a Christmas bonus, we can’t help but laugh at the misfortune of Clark Griswald and his family.

Chase, as usual, is hysterical as the hopeful Clark and is even more funnier when he finally loses his temper. Also don’t miss out on The Big Bang Theory‘s Johnny Galecki and Cape Fear‘s Juliette Lewis as this film’s versions of Russ and Audrey.

9. The Polar Express (2004)

A film that can divide a lot of people during Christmas time, but ultimately it’s a must watch.

The film follows a young boy who is whisked off on a magical train bound for The North Pole just as he is on the verge of not believing in Santa Claus. Though the main character is the unnamed boy, the top cast member is of course Tom Hanks. The Oscar winner takes on multiple roles, consisting of The Conductor, The Hobo, The Boy’s Father and Mr Claus himself.

Pacing is a bit of an issue here and there but overall it’s a fun thrill ride for kids to watch on Christmas Eve and is also great for any youngster’s waining belief in Santa.

Related Article: New A Christmas Carol Adaptation Fan-Cast

8. The Muppet’s Christmas Carol (1992)

Yep, another Christmas Carol adaptation. One big difference? We’ve got Muppets taking over this one.

With the likes of Kermit, Miss Piggy, Gonzo and…oh yeah, Sir Michael Caine, we get a very different and funny take on the classic feel good tale.

As you’d expect, it’s very…Muppet-y? A few musical numbers. Some jokes poking fun at the story. Of course Gonzo and Rizzo at the forefront of everything. It’s strange to say, but it easily makes for one of the most enjoyable versions of Dickens’ redemption story.

7. Miracle on 34th Street (1994)

A remake of the classic 1947 film that originally starred the likes of a young Natalie Wood and Maureen O’Hara.

The film centres on a man who believes himself to be Santa Claus and how it leads to a city wide debate about whether or not he is the genuine article. This take on the story stars the like of Jurassic Park‘s Richard Attenborough, The Flintstone‘s Elizabeth Perkins and of course Mrs Doubtfire‘s Mara Wilson.

No doubt, Attenborough captures the soul of Kris Kringle perfectly and without a doubt makes the film twinkle that bit more.

6. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)

Another performance from the comedy legend that is Jim Carrey. Adapted from the Dr Seuss story of the same name, Carrey plays the title character – an outcast who preys upon the people of Whoville from his home on Mount Crumpit, and vows to steal Christmas away from them as part of an evil scheme.

The story adds on a lot more depth to the classic story, such as answering why The Grinch is the way he is and also by adding in new characters to flesh out the plot.

The cast is also something to behold. Sir Anthony Hopkins serves as Narrator for the tale, whereas the townspeople of Whoville are made up of the likes of Mamma Mia‘s Christine Baranski, SNL alumni Molly Shannon and Transparent‘s Jeffrey Tambor.

5. Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)

The second of the film series that made Macauley Culkin a star. Culkin returns as Kevin McCallister, the young master of booby traps. This time, he actually makes it to the airport with his family, but winds up on the wrong flight, bound for New York.

The scale is upped for the sequel, with the whole of New York City being McCallister’s playground as he works to outwit Harry and Marv once again. The “Home Alone” maybe doesn’t fit the story exactly but for arguments sake, we can easily forgive.

The main bulk of the original cast returns which is brilliant, and we also get fun new additions in the shape of IT‘s Tim Curry and a young Rob Schneider before his roles in various other comedy films.

4. It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)

A timeless classic. ‘Nuff said.

It’s A Wonderful Life tells the life story of George Bailey, a man who spends his life putting others before himself. One day at Christmas, enough is enough and he wishes he’d never been born. Unfortunately, he says this in the presence of a guardian angel named Clarence.

James Stewart is amazing in this film, and his love story with Donna Reed’s Mary is as legendary as the film itself.

Want to feel good at Christmas? Stick this on, you won’t be disappointed.

3. A Christmas Carol (1984)

The definitive version of Charles Dickens’ story, if I say so myself. This adaptation stars George C. Scott in the main role of Ebenezer Scrooge, and the Oscar nominee plays the character perfectly.

This version also stars the likes of Superman‘s Susannah York, Titanic‘s David Warner, The Equaliser‘s Edward Woodward and Othello‘s Frank Finlay. That’s a lot of star power for a TV Christmas movie.

The film has been hailed as the most faithful adaptation of the source material and is praised for it’s performances. Want to watch the best version of Scrooge’s redemption? This is the top pick.

2. Home Alone (1990)

We named the sequel earlier on, now it’s time for the original. The first in the film series has youngster Kevin McCallister accidentally left at home as his family head off on vacation. From there? Kevin enjoys domestic bliss in his own company, but then quickly finds himself fending off burglars.

Of course, the third act is the best part of the film, but Culkin’s performance is incredible. It’s no wonder he shot to stardom soon after this outing.

A funny Christmas film which also packs a lot of heart. Fill out the Christmas watch list with this title for definite.

1. The Santa Clause (1994)

At the top of the Christmas list? Again, we named the sequel earlier, now let’s take you back to the start.

Scott Calvin is a businessman who is divorced and is not exactly father of the year. Until Santa falls off his roof leaving a clueless Calvin to tie himself into the Santa Clause. From there, the man slowly turns into the new Santa over the next year, which connects him with his son but also troubles everyone else around him.

For any 90s kid, this is just the perfect Christmas film. Yes, it wasn’t reviewed very well, but it was good enough to spawn two sequels. This is a constant watch over the season that is jolly. Allen is in his best Christmas performance here, and it’s likely to make you laugh, cry and feel a bit sad all at the same time.

–

Like our choices for top 15 Christmas films? Think the list should be re-jigged or include other season favourites? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below!