Now, holiday films aren't my favorite. In fact, I rarely enjoy anything that kids can get. But it seems that around this time of year there is no escaping them. For what it's worth, I'd rather watch any of the Doctor Who Christmas specials over the majority of these. But with that said, here is a top 10 list of the best, or to more politically correct, my favorite Christmas movies. Oh, and I'll throw in a really obscure non Christmas one that has a lot of the holiday elements in it.
Obscure Christmas Film: The City of Lost Children. I'm not sure when it actually takes place, but an evil scientist who can no longer dream, steals the dreams of children. In these sequences he presents himself as Santa clause visiting them on Christmas eve. It's probably one of the scarier things I've ever seen.
10. Just friends
It's actually pretty funny and probably a better film than you'd expect. Definitely worth seeing if you've never watched it, and want to see a Christmas themed film that you haven't watched hundreds of times.
9. Elf
One of the better Will Farrell films where he plays a human boy raised by an elf, and travels to the New York to meet his real father.
8. Home Alone
I still remember having to have the talkboy from this. And when the replica version came out, it was probably the first accurately looking toy from a film I ever owned. Hey, it was a simpler time back then; we didn't have Thinkgeek.
7. A Garfield Christmas SpecialI had to list one cartoon to watch, and this one is strangely touching.
6. A Christmas StoryA lot of people would have put this at the top. But I'm almost thirty, and it was tradition to watch it every year. It's a good film with lots of classic moments, but I could go the rest of my life without ever watching it, again.
5. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
This is one that I always liked as a kid. Classic Chevy Chase, and the scene where he decorates the house, hits all too close to home.
4. Gremlins
A cautionary tale to follow instructions when taking care of your exotic pet.
3. It's a Wonderful Life
One of the few classics that I can still watch. It really captures both the somber reflective element of the holidays and reminds us why we go through all the trouble in the first place. Also, who doesn't love Jimmy Stewart?
2. The Muppets Christmas Carol
Probably my favorite Muppets film. There are so many renditions of this story that just fall flat compared to it.
1. The Nightmare Before Christmas
Nothing is more Christmasy than Danny Elfman and Tim Burton. And next to Gremlins, it's one of the few Christmas films that can be enjoyed any time of the year. I don't have to write much about this because everyone already knows what it is. But I will say that it was one of my favorite movies, not just Christmas movies, growing up.
YES! Except, I love Love Actually. It should be at or near the top of the list.
ReplyDeleteYES! Except, I love Love Actually. It should be at or near the top of the list.
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