The Christmas movie is a specific genre of film that is designed to have the happiest of endings. “Peace on earth, goodwill to all men” kind of endings. “Giving presents to everyone with a lovely staged warm family Christmas shot” kind of endings. Funny how there’s no Australian Christmas films – no snow here – but I digress…
Now, I could take umbrage with this list, as it’s clearly not got anything released inside the last 3 years, but it’s still a great resource. Instead I went to Twitter to get YOUR favourites and following is the collated results to give us the Top10 All-Time Favourite Christmas films (it’s both surprising and it’s not).
10. Santa Claus: The Movie
This has lost some of it’s lustre since people realised Dudley Moore really wasn’t ever entertaining, but gains some support back as John Lithgow proved he was the best Christmas villan ever. For mine, this film also had the best film Santa of all the offerings. I loved this film as a kid, but in re-watching as an adult I couldn’t buy in. It still has it’s fun moments though.
9. Bad Santa
Billy Bob Thornton delivers the most deliciously disgusting Santa Claus ever. It’s what every adult secretly wishes Santa Claus would be like – just once – when they walk through a shopping centre at Christmas. Christmas brilliance.
8. Miracle on 34th Street
Thoroughly surprised this one was not higher in the list. One of the two big American Christmas classics, we’ve had it shoved down our throat almost every year since it’s been made. It’s is lovely (if not a tad dated) and reveals Christmas to be a time of complete hope and when a little faith in your fellow man can pay amazing dividends.
7. A Muppet Christmas Carol
You would have to be the singlular most hardened person to not like a Muppet Parody of a classic – and this is their best by far. They bring to life “A Christmas Carol” in a very Muppet way and remind all of us that Christmas is best shared with a few talking stuffed toys that have arms shoved up their butts.
6. Home Alone 1, 2
A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, Macauley Culkin was a cute kid who could kinda act. And Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern were convincing as bumbling crooks. It was every kid’s dream and every parent’s dream too nightmare, and somehow we managed to believe a 7 year old could defend his house from two idiots and make a complete mess without any consequences.
5. Elf
You people sicken me. That this is not number one is the most outrageous crowd-sourcing scandal since iSnack 2.0 – and that’s saying something. This is the BEST CHRISTMAS FILM OF ALL TIME – the overt joy and innocence of Buddy in a hardened New York, and Zooey Deschanel (rowr!) lighting up the screen. It’s contagiously happy, proudly optimistic, unashamedly Christmasy, and I cannot believe it’s not number one.
4. It’s a Wonderful Life
I can hear the cries already from the purists – why is this not number 1?! Simple – not enough people thought it was good enough to list (and I got a LOT of responses). This touching tale of simple faith is a Christmas favourite and always is scheduled by someone – but it seems that while we like to be reminded of the redemption of love & humility, we like other things more now. Yes, that’s Drew Barrymore’s GRANDfather.
3. Love Actually
Don’t hate me, but I’ve never seen this film. SO MANY PEOPLE listed it as their favourite Christmas film that it surprised me, so I’ll guess I’ll have to see it now. If it’s one of those films where Hugh Grant plays a foppish Prime Minister and um’s & ahh’s a lot though… you’re all in lot of trouble.
2. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
Two and a half words: Clark W Griswold. It’s not for everyone’s taste, it’s incredibly daggy, and so many of you love it – Chevy Chase is the Dad everybody sees in their own father when they get fanatical about something. It’s got love, action, kidnapping, Christmas dinners, toupees, Christmas lights, annoying relatives – it sounds like your standard family Christmas dinner, really.
1. Die Hard
Bruce Willis. Alan Rickman. Best hero/bad guy combination. Of. All. Time. Reginald VelJohnson – well, he ended up be responsible for not offing Urkel sooner. This film became the front runner early and was never beaten, and to be fair there’s every reason to love this film. It so encapsulates the Christmas story that it’s surprising not to see the Baby Jesus somewhere in shot at some point. Baby Jesus driving a tank! Merry Christmas, and yippie kai ay, mother f#cker…
Noted Exceptions (or straight out bizarre inclusions)
This is what happens when you ask everyone what their favourite Christmas films are… you people never cease to amaze, educate and puzzle me no end.
- The Santa Clause 1, 2, 3
- Santa Claus Conquers the Martians
- The Great Escape
- Rocky IV
- Gremlins
- The Polar Express
- Lethal Weapon
- Prancer
- Merry Christmas, Mr Lawrence
- The Holiday
- The Grinch That Stole Christmas
- Deck The Halls
- A Christmas Carol/Scrooge
- Fred Claus
- Frosty The Snowman/Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer (Burl Ives-narrated animated classics)
Did we miss any? Are the people right or wrong? Leave a comment letting everyone know what you think…
It’s great to see love actually so high. One of my favourite movies if all time, yet never occurred to me to put it down as my favourite Christmas movie.
Maybe it’s time for an Australian Christmas movie!
I expected It’s a Wonderful Life to be a bit higher but 4th is acceptable. I would’ve liked to see How the Grinch Stole Christmas in the top 10, that’s a lot better than Bad Santa in my opinion.
Jumped the shark there buddy.
Love Actually? Not a valid lifestyle choice. Hugh Grant should be buried under a ton of bricks.
And Die Hard? Seriously? Shoulda been disqualified.
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation – a number 5 at absolute best.
And Elf … excuse me – I need to go vomit.
Also, Home Alone 1 & 2???? WTF!?!?!?!?!
Crowd sourcing at it’s best, Matt. 😉
What’s your favourite Christmas film?
Worried about your crowd! 🙂
Has to be It’s a Wonderful Life. I only discovered it a couple of years ago. What a fabulous movie.
I fully expected “It’s A Wonderful Life” to be number 1, and was early in the voting. And then all these other films lined up well ahead of it. The people don’t lie!*
(* NOTE: People may actually be lying).
Dr House says they are.
Totally agree with what you say about elf! Easily
My number one!
no Aussie christmas films??? for shame! What about Crackers?
Hi Laila – what about A Bush Christmas? There’s others – I stand by the list. 😉