It is that time of the year again! So, dust off your DVDs, jump into your cozy red sweaters, and enter the Christmas spirit. What better time to watch some flicks than the holiday season? You do not need to waste a second of this holy spell clearing the roads or booking expensive recreational outlets for your family. Instead, you could save our ultimate guide to the best Christmas movies.
How would you define your perfect ‘Christmas movie’? It may seem self-explanatory, but the argument about whether a certain movie should be classified under this genre goes a long way. Could it be any film that is set during these holidays? Or should it also convey anything about the warm sentiments that engulf us this season? Could it be as simple as a movie that shows us what it means to be surrounded by your loved ones? Whatever your interpretation, you will know a fine Christmas film when you see it. You might end up screening the élitest of the lot every December!
It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Comedy
Frank Capra and Albert Hackett’s historic classic movie is one of the finest Christmas movies made in cinema history. This movie was nominated for six Oscars and still ranks number 11 on the list of 100 Greatest American Films (all-time) despite being released 75 years ago. The plot follows the story of a god-sent angel who aims to help a discouraged businessman contemplating his life decisions. The angel shows him how his life would have turned out to be had he never lived.
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Home Alone (1990)
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Over 20 years, John Hughes has directed, produced, and written 30 feature screenplays. One of his greatest projects is this swashbuckling top holiday movie that narrates the story of a young 8-year-old mistakenly left alone at home by his family members. The mischief-maker takes it upon himself to protect his house and his life from robbers trying to break in. Macaulay Culkin, Catherine O’Hara, Joe Pesci, and Daniel Stern bless us with their screen presence for this project.
Batman Returns (1992)
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Genre: Action, Fantasy, Superhero, Thriller
Whether this installment of the Batman franchise qualifies as a Christmas film is debatable and raged on between the Christmas fanatics and the Batman fanbase. So here is our take on it: Batman Returns takes place during the Christmas season, and this Christmas season also plays a part in the development of the plot in several ways. The crime city is embellished with Christmas ornaments, Snowflakes, and yule music tracks. Penguin, the film’s lead antagonist, was hurled into the horrible city sewers by his family on Christmas, and exactly 33 years later, he makes a comeback. The story follows Batman dealing with the disfigured Penguin who wreaks havoc across Gotham. Penguin, a nasty capitalist, and Selina Kyle, his coworker and soon-to-be Catwoman, a scheme to finish the chapter of Batman’s life for their vendettas.
Elf (2003)
Genre: Comedy, Romance, Fantasy
This almost 20-year-old holiday film has already become one of our favorites. It is not only hysterical but also an extremely heartwarming film that follows the life of William “Buddy” Hobbs, raised by a bunch of Santa’s elves right in the heart of the North Pole. The film’s iconic dialogue, “I am a cotton-headed ninny mugging,” has been printed on posters, embroidered on green elf sweaters and socks, and has been the subject of many memes.
Scrooged (1988)
Genre: Dark Comedy, Drama, Romance, Fantasy
This modern take of 1900’s ‘A Christmas Carol’ is one of the best Christmas movies that features the legendary Bill Murray as the lead ‘Frank Cross,’ a cranky NYC TV producer. This story is about his journey to learn the true essence of Christmas.
A Christmas Story (1983)
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Genre: Comedy, Children’s film
This addition deserves a major reward because it is a kid’s favorite film. This classic Christmas movie is inspired by the comical literature of Jean Shepherd’s “In God We Trust.” It takes us through the snowy adventures of ‘Ralphie Parker,’ who finds different ways to dodge his bully and dreams excessively of ways to find his ultimate Christmas present, a “Red Ryder range rifle.” He shares an odd equation with his strict father but is super adored by others. With all these struggles, will Ralphie be able to meet his Christmas expectations or not? You will have to watch it to find out.
Genre: Action, Thriller, Mystery
A New York City cop known as John McClane, portrayed by Bruce Willis, sets on a visit to his separated wife and daughters right on the Eve of Christmas. They meet at a business party, which is soon cut off by some terrorists who take everyone in the building hostage. McClane soon realizes that he must fight evil and save his family.
The Holiday (2006)
Genre: Romantic Comedy, Drama
What better way to spend Christmas Eve than watching a corny rom-com and sipping hot brewed coffee? ‘The Holiday’ follows the lives of two young women from different countries who decide to switch their homes just for the Christmas season to escape the turmoil in their relationship. Unexpectedly, their lives take a huge turn when they fall irrevocably in love with two men who are locals of the towns they swapped.
The Proposal (2009)
Genre: Romantic Comedy, Drama
This top holiday movie makes an exception to this list of not being set in a proper Christmas setting but tells us more about family values and how important their love is. It is a story about Margaret Tate, a bossy senior editor, played by the lovely Sandra Bullock, who faces problems with the Office of Immigration and expects to be deported. Until then, she persuades her assistant Andrew, portrayed by the dashing Ryan Reynolds, to marry her in exchange for a charming offer. She visits Andrew’s homeland, which completely changes her take on life and family values, something she never had time to consider.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
It is the only animated classic film that makes it to our top Christmas movies list. It navigates us through the journey of a reindeer “Rudolph” who lives in the snowy North and has an outcast feature, “his red colored nose.” This feature serves as a setback and precludes him from becoming one of Santa’s reindeer, something his father is also known for.
Curtain Call on Christmas Classics: The Grand Finale
As we wrap up our festive cinematic journey through the best Christmas movies, it is clear that the holiday season offers a delightful array of cinematic treasures. Whether it is the heartwarming nostalgia of “It’s a Wonderful Life,” the mischievous antics in “Home Alone,” or the unexpected Christmas twists in “Batman Returns,” each film brings its own magic to the holiday spirit.
So, grab your favorite holiday snacks, cozy up in your festive attire, and let these top Christmas classics enchant you. After all, what better way to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year than with a collection of timeless movies that continue to bring joy and warmth to audiences every December? Happy watching!
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