The 20 greatest Christmas movies
Christmas is here, and the impending doom of cooking for 15 people or simply wrapping presents cannot take away the feeling of love and cheer. With people setting up Christmas trees, decorating their fireplaces with wreaths and fixing up fancy dinner tables, the very notion of the festive period is usually to spend time with friends and family. However, sometimes, the best way to enjoy those moments is to sit in front of a perfect movie.
However, Christmas classics have always provided warmth to the loneliest of souls. With stunning visuals, wonderful background scores which are mostly stylised versions of classic carols and a surge of nostalgia and love, watching Christmas classics is like taking a bite of the crunchiest festive cookies dunked in milk.
They are sappy and fill our melancholic hearts with an inexplicable sense of belonging and togetherness, but they also keep the world entertained enough that the festive good times can roll on by.
‘Tis the season to watch Christmas classics and finally settle the debate as to which are the best holiday films. As your not-so-secret Santa, we have compiled this list—a gift that will keep giving—comprising 20 best and timeless Christmas classics for you to cherish and bask in the adjoining Yuletide spirit.
The 20 greatest Christmas films:
20. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (Shane Black, 2005)
Few filmmakers love Christmas as much as Shane Black, which has been evident since his debut feature Lethal Weapon opened with Bobby Helms’ ‘Jingle Bell Rock’. However, the writer and director’s first full-length movie behind the camera took that adoration to new heights.
Anchored by a Robert Downey Jr performance radiating with so much star power it was instrumental in his resurgence, the actor’s out-of-his-depth petty criminal Harry Lockhart gets much more than he bargained for when he shadows Val Kilmer’s private detective Perry Shrike after accidentally stumbling into an acting gig.
Steeped in Black’s signature Christmas iconography and peppered with his trademark rapid-fire dialogue, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is part festive frolic and part hard-boiled crime caper, all wrapped in tinsel, mistletoe, murder, mystery, and death, making it one of the most breezily entertaining festive flicks of the modern era that demands to be rewatched every year.
19. Meet Me in St Louis (Vincente Minnelli, 1944)
Meet Me in St Louis’ lasting contribution to Christmas culture might be the debut of ‘Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas’ as sung by Judy Garland’s Esther Smith, but the classic musical is worthy of its place among the pantheon of Yuletide greats regardless.
It unfolds over the course of a year and explores the ever-shifting dynamics of the central Smith family, but it goes without saying the Christmas-set section of Meet Me in St Louis is undoubtedly its most magical, as well as its most iconic.
Featuring an extravagant Christmas Eve ball shot in glorious Technicolor, a multi-seasonal affair it may be, but when it’s a timeless musical that opens with Christmas cards featuring the key cast, the most important part of the story unfolds during the most wonderful time of year, and the driving force behind the final act is a Christmas miracle, then it’s a classic that also happens to be one of the warmest and fuzziest festive flicks there is.
18. Scrooged (Richard Donner, Richard Donner, 1988)
Few actors have ever done cynical deadpan better than Bill Murray, and with Christmas being a time of coming together and family, what better way to celebrate it than with the star’s utterly miserable Frank Cross?
Murray probably didn’t have to try too hard to get into character when he was a difficult presence on set after repeatedly butting heads with director Richard Donner, but if anything, his distaste for the movie he was making fed perfectly into the character.
Yes, it follows the often-bleak template laid down by Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, and yes, important lessons are learned along the way, but by shining a light on the darkness and despair that Christmas movies rarely dabble in, Scrooged carved out its own misanthropic and pessimistic corner of festive canon to call its own.
17. Tangerine (Sean Baker, 2015)
A dramatic comedy shot entirely on iPhones following a transgender sex worker searching for her unfaithful pimp/boyfriend and the woman he cheated with doesn’t jump out as an obvious Christmas movie, but if Sean Baker says it is, then who’s to argue?
Not only is it set on Christmas Eve and features the visual and musical iconography associated with the season, but the film’s overarching themes of outsiders looking for a place in the world, the notion of found family, and the aching desire to belong are synonymous with the uplifting and heartwarming tales told in countless seasonal stories.
Baker explained that because “the actual holiday of Christmas does not cater kindly to those who don’t have a conventional family,” Tangerine upended those conventions to refit the concept of what family means to “those you can rely on and connect with,” and what better time to cement those bonds than on the night Santa Claus drops down the chimney?
16. The Polar Express (Robert Zemeckis, 2004)
The film revolves around a group of children who embark on an adventure to visit Santa Claus on Christmas Eve. The protagonist is a young boy who does not believe in Santa Claus. However, his journey on the Polar Express forever changes his perception.
The stunning visuals are the highlight of this film. Christmas holidays were never the same without this film being aired on television in the mid-2000s. As the boy slowly gains faith, the imagery of the bell ringing is significant and wonderful. The film reminds us to never let go of this faith with magic in store for “all who truly believe”.
15. Bad Santa (Terry Zwigoff, 2003)
Imagine yourself as a young child who got to know that Santa Claus will be living at their place for some time. What if, instead of giving presents, Santa was an alcoholic sex addict who burglarised shopping malls along with his accomplice disguised as an elf? However, this ‘Bad Santa’ stands up to a young boy’s bullies and quickly befriends him before having an epiphany.
This film adds a dash of twisted yet riotous comedy to the spirit of Christmas. It features the raunchier version of Santa Claus, who picks up girls with Santa Claus fetishes and turns up to work drunk. However, the friendship that Santa strikes up with the chubby Thurman is the highlight of the film.
While it was criticised for trashing the beloved and impure image of Santa Claus, it was well-received for its loud humour and even prompted Roger Ebert to praise the film for its “demented, twisted [and unreasonably funny work of comic kamikaze style”.
14. Remember the Night (Mitchell Leisen, 1940)
Warm and tender, oozing with sappy feelings of love and endearment, this 1940 film sees Fred MacMurray and Barbara Stanwyck at their finest. Leisen even credited Stanwyck with pushing other actors to be the best versions of themselves, as “she never blew one line through the whole picture. She set that kind of pace, and everybody worked harder, trying to outdo her”.
The film revolves around the spirit of forgiveness and love that comes with the arrival of Christmas. After Jack allows Lee to be bailed even after knowing she has stolen a bracelet, he offers to drive up to her mother’s house.
On their way, as they get lost in Pennsylvania, they converse and eventually fall in love. However, Jack’s mother disapproves of a ‘criminal’ as Lee may sabotage Jack’s hard-earned image. It ends on a cliffhanger where we wonder if their love will indeed stand the test of law and that of time.
13. Gremlins (Joe Dante, 1984)
When Randall Peltzer gifts his son Billy a pet mogwai for Christmas, they conveniently ignore the ominous instructions not to expose the mogwai to sunlight, let it come in contact with water, or feed it after midnight. This results in evil gremlins spawning out of this mogwai, Gizmo’s back, and these little creatures wreak havoc, killing and injuring several people.
Billy must try and put a stop to the gremlin’s rampage. His girlfriend Kate recounts the saddest Christmas story ever and evokes sympathy. While it is quite violent and nasty for a children’s film (one of the very few PG13 films in 1984), as Gene Siskel said, it is a wonderful film which takes us on “a wickedly funny and slightly sick ride”.
While it is quite a horrifying Christmas flick, it is quite enjoyable and sends the audience into titters while the little monsters are being crude and evil. Meaning it might be the perfect movie to keep one’s own little litter of monsters in check.
12. A Charlie Brown Christmas (Bill Melendez, 1965)
Based on Charles M Schulz’s popular comic strip Peanuts, this film revolves around Charlie Brown, the titular character, who finds himself depressed amidst the holiday cheer.
The commercialism adds to his woes, and he begins directing a play to keep himself occupied. However, scorned by all, Charlie starts getting disillusioned by every passing minute until a miracle happens.
An iconic holiday classic, the film is light and breezy as its jazz soundtrack by Vince Guaraldi, which achieved commercial success. We can unanimously agree with Lawrence Laurent when we say that watching the “natural-born loser Charlie Brown finally turning up a real winner last night” in A Charlie Brown Christmas is like chugging shots of happiness, laughter, quirkiness, nostalgia and Christmas.
11. The Shop Around the Corner (Ernst Lubitsch, 1940)
Margaret Sullivan and James Stewart light up the screen in this timeless Christmas classic. They play rival co-workers Alfred Kralik and Klara Novak, who work at a shop. Unbeknown to them, they are each other’s mystery admirers who exchange wordy letters and decide to meet. However, will they get past their rivalry and hatred towards one another for the sake of love?
Well-crafted, the film presents the perception of every character and provides us with the clarity we crave. A wonderful romantic comedy set in a period of holiday cheer, it is on Christmas Eve that the two finally find each other after a series of coincidences and missed chances.
The moment two lovers meet often provides the same warm feeling as Christmas itself, so it makes a romantic comedy a welcome piece of movie magic to enjoy.
10. The Nightmare Before Christmas (Tim Burton, 1993)
Admired by the people of Halloweentown, pumpkin king Jack Skellington is bored with their job of scaring the inhabitants of the “real world” annually. As he stumbles upon Christmastown, he is awestruck by the brightness, warmth and grandeur and decides to bring Christmas to Halloweentown.
While a normal branding event would have sufficed, the group take things a little further. He even ends up abducting their leader, Santa Claus, leading to a series of misadventures after Jack’s plans go awry.
A bold and quirky Tim Burton classic, this film is a concoction of our favourites: Christmas and Halloween. As Selick said, the film visuals are a marriage between German Expressionism and Dr Seuss-esque elements. With splendid visuals and adept humour, Burton’s incredible creation is a marvellous celebration of laughter, romance, songs and fantasy.
9. Miracle on 34th Street (George Seaton, 1947)
While the more recent remake has Richard Attenborough in the lead role, Christmas is always a time for the classics to take precedence. Miracle on 34th Street revolves around Kris Kringle, who insists himself to be the real Santa Claus.
When his employer Doris Walker’s non-believing daughter Susan starts to gain faith staggeringly, the cynicism of the adult world which refuses to acknowledge the existence of Santa Claus is conflicted over a courtroom case. Susan’s transformation is lovely; as she utters “I believe, I believe, I believe”, we are moved to tears.
Miraculous and mesmerising in every aspect, the film’s beauty transcends adult rationality and logic. Edmund Gwenn, as Kris Kringle, was the rightful recipient of the Academy Awards as he added a dash of love, cheer and heart-rendering joy to this already refreshing film. No remake will be able to live up to the standard of the original film.
8. Edward Scissorhands (Tim Burton, 1990)
In what can be arguably considered Burton’s most touching film with its absurd yet moving storyline, Winona Ryder and Johnny Depp play the star-crossed lovers who are separated by the societal prejudices stemming from the fear of the Other. Edward Scissorhands is an unfinished creation who has blades for hands. When he is taken in by the Boggs, he is smitten by their daughter Kim, who is in a relationship with a cruel and jealous Jim.
Jim, who cannot stand Kim and Edward’s proximity, taints the latter’s image which sends the ferocious-looking, mysterious yet harmless Edward into a spiral. While he makes Kim’s ice sculpture, he rains snow on her. Depp’s performance as the gloomy and sullen Edward is charmingly sad.
Winona and Johnny, who were considered one of the best duos in Hollywood, meet their impending end on-screen as Edward and Kim, who love each other fiercely yet cannot be together. With winter warmth, perfect strange snow and the ultimate love story, this is a perfect movie for Christmas joy.
7. The Muppet Christmas Carol (Peter Harris, 1987)
There are two reasons why The Muppet Christmas Carol works as well as it does. One of them was the casting of Michael Caine as Ebenezer Scrooge, and the other was Caine’s inspired decision to play everything as seriously as possible.
Bringing Shakespearean heft and gravitas to the role, at no point does Caine give the impression he’s either in on the joke or there for the paycheque, which by extension makes everything his puppet adversaries get up to all the more entertaining by default.
Before the movie was released, the crossover between Dickens enthusiasts and Muppet aficionados was negligible at best. For the last four decades, though, they’ve been unified in their love for the Christmas favourite, just like everybody else.
6. Die Hard (John McTiernan, 1988)
What is Christmas without a shot of the handsome hunk Bruce Willis engaging in combat with a terrorist gang right on Christmas Eve? While meeting his daughters and estranged wife at her workplace Christmas party, New York cop John McClane has to save the hostages held captive by the terrorists, headed by the despicable German radical Hans Gruber.
Alan Rickman, as Hans Gruber, sure did get to speak Parseltongue here; he is vicious and creepy with his eerily kissable voice. Bruce Willis adds oomph to this action flick with his ‘hero saves the day’ demeanour. Watch this film to feel pure adrenaline surge through your veins as you sip on that eggnog and bite into the crunchy Christmas cookie.
5. Elf (Jon Favreau, 2003)
Buddy, who Papa Elf has raised, soon comes to know of his human origins and embarks on a journey to find his biological father. However, in the busy city life, Buddy’s “whole elf thing” is taken as a pretentious act, and he struggles to fit in while vying for his father’s attention.
Entertaining and fun, Will Ferrell as Buddy makes the film the holiday classic it is. The last few moments show how Santa Claus’ sleigh is powered by the spirit of Christmas cheer. A beautifully poised premise for a festive movie.
The overall feeling of warmth that encapsulates the viewer’s heart with Buddy’s antics as he desperately craves acceptance in New York City ushers in the Yuletide spirit and makes it one of my favourites.
4. Little Women (Greta Gerwig, 2019)
Though it might not be the first picture one thinks of when dreaming up Christmas movies to watch, Little Women is essential viewing. Greta Gerwig’s brilliant adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s timeless classic is the seventh and arguably the best adaptation.
Starring heavyweight actors such as Meryl Streep, Florence Pugh, Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Timothee Chalamet and more, the film revolves around the lives of four March sisters, Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy, by chronicling their journey from teenage to adulthood.
A heartwarming tale focused on the love and attachments within a family as well as other romantic prospects and heartbreaks, Little Women is a celebration of all the things Christmas is all about. Their indestructible relationships are the beacon of hope, love, compassion and kindness, which is the candle-bearer in their most challenging times. While two of the most crucial and poignant scenes are set during Christmas, the entire setting bears the golden glow and the warmth that is the precursor of the Yuletide spirit.
3. Love Actually (Richard Curtis, 2003)
Set in London, the film features ten different stories that portray the various sides of love. From heartbreaks to proposals, romantic reunions to revelations, love triangles to rocky marriages, the film has it all. Curtis’ film is sappy, romantic, heartwarming and moving, flaunting Christmas in all its glory.
Love Actually is a classic and timeless Christmas flick that features an incredible festive ensemble. With the dashing Hugh Grant as the narrator and delightful visuals of London during Christmas, the film is exactly what Curtis had envisaged; it is “a film about love and what love sort of means”.
The picture might have its detractors for the sickly sweet sentiment that underpins it all, plus the fact that it is one of the few movies to make you dislike Alan Rickman, Love Actually delivers on all Christmas counts.
2. It’s a Wonderful Life (Frank Capra, 1946)
It’s A Wonderful Life shouldn’t work as a festive movie. When a selfless man gives up on himself and his dreams to help others in need, the burden of unhappiness slowly pushes him to financial debt and subsequent suicide.
George Bailey is on the verge of ending his life when his guardian angel, Clarence Odbody, whose promotion depends on whether he can save Bailey, arrives and shows him a world without Bailey’s existence. He also shows how his wife Mary and the townspeople at Bedford Falls would have been affected had it not been for him.
In his most endearing role, James Stewart thrives as George Bailey. Keeping up the Yuletide spirit of joy, cheer and hope, the film ushers in new hope that shows nothing is lost. The Christmassy setup of the film, a man’s selfless deeds touching the lives of others along with the spirit of giving makes this heartwarming classic a must-watch during the Holiday season.
1. Home Alone (Chris Columbus, 1990)
Home Alone stars a young and adorable Macaulay Culkin who plays the eight-year-old Kevin McCallister who is tired of his siblings’ incessant taunts and wishes to get rid of his obnoxious family. Due to a common misunderstanding, his family goes off to Paris, leaving him alone. Very soon, Kevin’s quietude is disrupted by a pair of burglars as they embark on an intense and hilarious cat-and-mouse chase.
This film is among our top Christmas favourites besides ugly sweaters, candy canes, jingle bells and secret Santa. While it celebrates the spirit of familial love and togetherness, a feeling of warmth and nostalgia enshrouds us while watching this timeless classic.
In a heartwarming scene, as Kevin asks Santa to bring his family back, one cannot help but shed tears for this adorable munchkin. Add this sentiment to the comfort he finds in the previously scary gritter, and you have yourself the ultimate Christmas movie.
