Best Christmas Movies List

Let's revisit some of those Christmas classics. And while we're at it, let's think about adding some new movies to the list as well. Some on the list are more Christmassy than others, and some only feature the magical holiday in a few scenes, but all are sure to put even the grinchiest of grinches in a great cheerful mood.

Oh, and by the way, if your favorite didn't make our list of the Best Christmas Movies, let us know about it in the discussion at the end of the article. Who knows. We may add it to the list.

Here's our list of the best Christmas movies of all time: {googleads}


It's a Wonderful Life

It's a Wonderful Life (1946) - Tops on any list. We watch it every year, and it just keeps getting better.


Miracle on 34th Street

Miracle on 34th Street (1947) - Definitive proof that Santa really does exist?


A Christmas Story

A Christmas Story (1983) - We double dog dare you not to like this one.


White Christmas

White Christmas (1954) - Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye head up this Christmas classic. But the real star of the show is Irving Berlin's score. A little "Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep" anyone? Great choice to impress your grandparents with your taste in movies. They'll love you for it.


Charlie Brown Christmas

A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965 - TV) - I know it's a made-for-TV movie, but to ignore it would be stupid. Generations of kids have grown up on it.


Elf

Elf (2003) - Will Ferrell drives this great-for-the-entire-family Christmas comedy. Of course the uncredited appearance of Peter Billingsley is a special holiday treat.


The Nightmare Before Christmas

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) - Tim Burton's stop-motion feature has already become a holiday classic. "And they call him Sandy Claws!"


The Chronicles of Narnia

The Chronicles of Narnia (2005) - Not really a Christmas movie but Santa Claus does make an appearance so it must be added to the list! A fantastic movie experience! {googleads}


Bad Santa

Bad Santa (2003) - Come on, admit it! You know it made you laugh. There's just something funny about a drunken Santa.


How the Grinch Stole Christmas

How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966 - TV & 2003 cinematic) - It's fun to watch the TV version and the movie version back-to-back.


The Bishop's Wife

The Bishop's Wife (1947) - Who doesn't like Cary Grant as an angel? Features a great movie quote: "The only people who grow old were born old to begin with".


Batman Returns

Batman Returns (1992) - The magic of Tim Burton, the grotesqueness of Danny DeVito and the cat suit of Michelle Pfeiffer... Ooo la la.


Home Alone

Home Alone (1990) - The first one, not the sequels! A really good family film for the holidays, except there's no family! Funny gags, hilarious antics and truly feel-good moments as well.


A Christmas Carol

A Christmas Carol (1938) - The best version of the well-worn Dickens literary classic. At a mere 70 minutes in runtime, it's a short but sweet classic. Beautiful set designs and powerful acting performances put this one of the must-see holiday film list.


The Santa Clause

The Santa Clause (1994) - Features one of Tim Allen's few successful big screen performances. So full of heart and charm it's becoming a holiday season staple.


Christmas Vacation

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989) - Gotta love the holidays with the Griswalds. Watching Clark's ineptitude makes us all feel a little better ourselves.


Joyeux Noel

Joyeux Noel (Merry Christmas) (2005) - The true story of how the French and Scottish soldiers of World War I left their trenches and celebrated the holiday with their enemies, the Germans. A bit more serious than most listed here, but none is more heart warming and hopeful.


Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Claus

Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Claus (1991 - TV) - Richard Thomas, Ed Asner and Charles Bronson star in this cheerful and uplifting version of the 1974 original. Will challenge you to look at things a little differently.


Holiday Inn

Holiday Inn (1942) - Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire bring this oldie-but-goodie to life. Bing Crosby does Christmas so well! Crescendoes to the magnificent debut of "White Christmas".


Trading PLaces

Trading Places (1983) - A hilarious comedy starring Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd. Oh and another rendition of the drunken Santa Claus. A timeless holiday comedy.


Emmet Otter

Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas (1977) - Master muppeteer Jim Henson directs this gentle 1977 made-for-TV tale about a mother otter and her son who both enter a talent show to win money to buy Christmas presents for each other. Wonderful family entertainment.


The Polar Express

The Polar Express (2004) - Adapted from Chris Van Allsburg's Caldecott Medal winning children's book of the same name. If you can see past the creepy computer-generated characters with crossed-eyes, this one's pretty good. The animation is spectacular as it features a rousing song and dance number in the train's dining car as well as a truly harrowing runaway train sequence.


Meet Me in St. Louis

Meet Me In St. Louis (1944) - Judy Garland stars in this musical masterpiece about the trials and tribulations of a tight-knit family living in St. Louis on the eve of the 1904 World's Fair. Among its many musical melodies, it counts Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas and Auld Lang Syne.


Santa Claus: The Movie

Santa Claus: The Movie (1985) - Dudley Moore and John Lithgow will win your heart in this wonderful story of how Santa got his powers and why he was chosen to deliver toys to all the children of the world.  A fun movie for everyone - 6 to 60.


Scrooged Christmas movie

Scrooged (1988) - The soundtrack, set dressing, and costumes all come together beautifully to leave viewers in a happy and joyous holiday mood. By the way, also contains one of the best quotes from a Christmas movie - "I never liked a girl well enough to give her twelve sharp knives."


Gremlins Christmas Movie

Gremlins (1984) - The '80s produce another good one. What began as a furry, cuddly Christmas present turns out to be one of the most destructive creatures when conditions are just right. Perfect choice as a kids first scary movie.


Die Hard Christmas Movie

Die Hard (1988) - New York City Detective John McClane has just arrived in Los Angeles to spend Christmas with his wife... unfortunately, it is not going to be a Merry Christmas for everyone.


Christmas in Connecticut

Christmas in Connecticut (1945) - One of the biggest lies ever told becomes one of the best Christmas movies of all time. Stars Barbara Stanwyck and Dennis Morgan.


Santa Claus Conquers the Martians

Santa Claus Conquers the Martians (1964) - Something is wrong with the children of Mars and only Santa Claus can solve their mystery moodiness. The film, always appearing on someone’s worse film ever made list, might actually be the worst holiday-themed movie ever made but, with a giant robot and a man in polar bear suit crawling through fake snow, it’s just what the doctor ordered for anyone with a science fiction-sized heart and an unyielding love for camp humor.


 

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