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MGM via Everett Collection
There aren't that many holidays that get a ton of their own movies. You're not going to see an "Arbor Day" comedy, and outside of the creepy "Leprechaun" horror series, there aren't a lot of St. Patrick's Day films either.
But Christmas movies are as abundant as snowflakes at the North Pole. From the old classics ("It's a Wonderful Life") to the gut-busters ("National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation") to the delightful surprises ("The Nightmare Before Christmas"), there's truly something for everyone.
We've got a slideshow of great Christmas movies, and here are a few of our staff favorites. You're encouraged to share your favorite in the comments, and by voting in our poll.
'A Christmas Story'
The classic. The great Jean Shepherd not only wrote the story, he offers the narration as adult Ralphie. It's so quotable, so memorable, so much a part of our culture. "I want an official Red Ryder, carbine action, two-hundred shot range model air rifle!" " You'll shoot your eye out, kid!" "Only I didn't say 'Fudge.'" "It's a major award!" "A crummy commercial?" "Fra-gee-lay. That must be Italian." The tongue stuck to the pole, the leg lamp -- the movie is about none of that as much as it's about family. I'll take a 24-hour marathon of the Parker clan over any time spent with the Kardashians any day. -- Gael Fashingbauer Cooper
'National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation'
"Christmas Vacation" is often overlooked due to all the attention given the original "Vacation," but it's just as much of a classic. Clark Griswold is every person who's ever longed to recreate a wonderful family Christmas with all the perfect trimmings, even if that dream was forever out of reach and it never really happened that way in the past, either. And the lines rival "Christmas Story" for humor. Some of my favorites involve doofus cousin Eddie (Randy Quaid). When he asks Clark if he's surprised to see him, Clark's classic response is: "Oh, Eddie... If I woke up tomorrow with my head sewn to the carpet, I wouldn't be more surprised than I am now." --G.F.C.
'Die Hard'
This one's for the less-traditional holiday movie watcher in all of us. But 1988's introduction of John McClane (Bruce Willis) and his oft-quoted catch phrase that begins "Yippie-ki-yay" is sure to warm the cockles of your heart. It kicks off at a holiday party, introducing the gloriously Scroogey Alan Rickman in one of his earliest American roles as the greedy Hans Gruber. Then there's the careful slaying of Gruber's gun-toting elves by McClane (who adds a little "ho ho ho" to a sign he tapes to a robber's body that also reads "Now I have a gun"), and the most creative use of holiday packing tape in all of cinema (who knew it could strap a piece to a sweaty, oily cop's bare back?) Ultimately, this is a film about family, about a guy who flies all the way across the country to be with his wife and children, and discovers he's going to have to jump off the top of a building with just a fire hose strapped to his waist to be able to hold them in his arms again. There's even snow, of a sort, in the form of negotiable bearer bonds twinkling in the night sky. Spike your egg nog and punch a reporter in the face: It's showtime! -- Randee Dawn
What's your favorite Christmas movie? Tell us in the comments, and vote in our poll.
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I'm still partial to the telling of "A Christmas Carole" as the musical "Scrooge," starring Albert Finney, not least for Alec Guiness' portrayal of Jacob Marley. It rocks.
I'm with you Alexander, I love "SCROOGE", but I'm surprised and a little disappointed "MIRACLE ON 34th STREET" didn't score higher and that "THE BISHOPS WIFE" with Cary Grant, David Niven and Loretta Young didn't even make the cut. Tsk tsk tsk. And what about the original British version of "A Christmas Carol" from the late 30's. That's a wonderful Christmas movie.
I was torn whether to vote for "MIRACLE" or "CHRISTMAS STORY" but finally decided to go with "MIRACLE".
Happy Holidays
My family made the 1955 "We're no Angles" our annual must see many years ago. A good story and old fashion humor. Staring Humphrey Bogart, Peter Ustinov & Aldo Ray.
The 1938 movie version used to be on tv a lot when I was little (1960s) and it scared me to death. In a good way, though.
I agree...it's not Christmas without "December the 25th" from Scrooge. Thank goodness it's now on blu ray.
That is a good one, but I love the George C. Scott version best.
Pffft. Clearly the best adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic tale contains a certain beloved frog. That's right: The Muppet Christmas Carol. It doesn't much better than Michael Caine as Scrooge.
...
Although... Bill Murray in "Scrooged" was pretty good too...
[Props man tries to attach antlers to a mouse]
Props man: I can't get the antlers glued to this little guy. We tried Crazy Glue, but it don't work.
Frank Cross (Bill Murray): Did you try staples?
As neither movie was on the voting list, I voted for "Nightmare Before Christmas" -- a Tim Burton classic with great music. Danny Elfman rocks! He even got MM into the spirit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jU6iP0WLsU8
Yeah, totally...
you guys pick some of the WORST christmas movies. your like my old overweight aunt that wathes the sound of music because she thinks its a good movie. what about jingle all the way, or screwged with bill murray? dont tell me your kids dont fall asleep during those old tired black and white films u probably force them to watch every year
This is really tough...so many to choose from. I love "White Christmas" and "It's a Wonderful Life", but my new Christmas favorite is "Love Actually." I'm a sucker for a romantic story, and this movie has tons of romantic stories intertwined. This is one to watch with a spouse or significant other, by candlelight with a glass of wine, snuggled on the couch. Admittedly, a chick flick, but OH the points my husband gets for sitting through this with me. LOL.
Meh on White Christmas. I'm all for Bing, but that was just another post WWII propaganda schlock.
How does one reward "points"?
didn't care for LOVE, ACTUALLY. Too commercial and formulaic. Kinda dull. I like the older classics. The newer film makers don't seem to trust a story anymore.
Love, Actually is my fave of ALL time!!
Oh yes!!! Love, Actually is definitely my favorite!!!
I watch Love, Actually every Christmas Eve. If you like the format of this film, there's a Hindi film with a similar format that I like. It's called Salaam-e-Ishq: A Tribute To Love. I like this film as well. Merry Christmas everyone!
Love Actually is the best Xmas movie EVER. That's the first movie I watch every year ( We have a ritual Xmas movie marathon ). The other movie I MUST see every year is The Family Stone. Then we watch the usuals...Christmas Vacation, The Santa Clause (1,2 &3), Home Alone (1&2), The Grinch, Mixed Nuts, Christmas w/the Kranks, Jingle All the Way and then of course Miracle on 32nd St, White Christmas, Home for the Holidays, etc .
"Love, Actually" is a wonderful Christmas movie. We also love "The Family Stone" in the contemporary genre. My all-time personal favorite is "A Christmas Carol" with Alastair Sim from 1950. CLASSIC. Our family also loves "A Child's Christmas in Wales".
Tennis mom.... YES!!! Love Actually is a wonderful movie, and Family Stone is one of my all time faves... can watch it any time any day....
What about "The Holiday" - rapidly becoming my favorite!
I love that movie! I never associated it with Xmas though but its a good, corny, feel good movie.
Best best best is Muppet Christmas Carol...
That's what I'm saying!!!
Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol - the best ever!!!
If you can keep a dry eye when Magoo and his younger self sing "I'm All Alone in the World" you have a heart of stone.
When I was little, the Ghost of Christmas Future from Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol and the Wicked Witch from The Wizard of Oz scared me enough to make me crawl behind the couch until they were off the screen in their respective movies.
LOVE "Mr Magoo's Christmas Carol". The music is splendid.
Cousin Eddie -- "Merry Christmas! $hitter's full!" Best line EVER!
"You can't see the line, can you Russ?"
When hes looking out the kitchen window imagining the pool and that lady from the mall. One of the best parts of the movie.
I liked where he didn't have to money to buy the Grizwalds a gift, so he told Clark to buy something for himself that would be from Eddie....and don't make him look like a cheapskate.
"That there's an RV. Now don't you go falling in love with it. Cuz we're takin it with us when we leave here next month."
I'm watching it now.
Bad Santa with Billy Bob Thorton is by far the greatest Christmas movie ever.
Behave!
I actually bought that trash. Made me take of Billy Bob off my favorite actors list even with knowing he used to be with Angie J.
I love "non-tradtional" picks like DIE HARD and GREMLINS, since those movies weren't even released in theaters at Christmas time. But going with the more traditional picks, I think LOVE ACTUALLY is a fantastic movie.
How about Full Metal Jacket for a non-traditional pick ; )
A person's opinion on which Christmas movie is the best depends on what they view as important during Christmas.
Is it love, caring and compassion and believing in Christ? Or is it laughing at the things that others hold dear?
The Lion in Winter is the best hands-down closely followed by the following list:
The Nightmare Before Christmas
The Man Who Came To Dinner
The Family Stone
White Christmas
Holiday Inn
Meet Me In St. Louis
Excellent choices. I hadn't thought of Lion but it is perfect!!!!! Also just love Holiday Inn.
I wasn't even considering the lion in winter because I don't care when that movies on I'm watching it.You are right though.I guess nobody likes Its a wonderful life.I always did.
I love all of those choices but for The Man that Came to Dinner. I haven't seen it yet. The Lion in Winter is my second favorite movie of all time. Classic lines.
One movie I always associate with Christmas, probably because it was always aired around this time, is Sound of Music. Not a holiday movie by any means, but I still subject my family to it while dealing with strand after strand of lights and setting up the tree.
But for true Christmas fare...It's a Wonderful Life. Schlocky and sentimental. But who cares? It's Christmas!
The Alistair Sim version of A Christmas Carol.
I'm with you. Alistair Sim was the very best Scrooge.
Agreed. It wouldn't be Christmas without Alistair Sim's Scrooge.
A Christmas Carol- George C. Scott version from 1984. Scrooge/A Christmas Carol, British version from 1951 with Alistair Sim, is close second.
That's a good one because they made it sort of a musical.
Christmas Vacation is it for me! Hands down! It's not Christmas until I see Clark Grisswald staple his sleeve to the roof! : ) Merry Christmas all!
Let's not forget:
Deck the Halls
Home Alone
Santa Claus
Family Man
Scrooged (why is this not a Classic yet?)
I agree with you! Scrooged is my favorite by far!
I love "Scrooged"
Family Man and Christmas vacation are movies that me and my family watch every year around this time.
Also "Christmas with the kranks"
totally forgot Christmas with the Kranks. Great one too.
IvanMiami..."Sometimes you have to SLAP them just to get their attention."
'Scrooged' is my favorite Christmas comedy, for sure.
'Scrooged' for sure... so many great details and characters... the 'Network' of Christmas movies!
The year Die Hard becomes Americas favorite Christmas movie is the year I leave America.
I'm going with you.
Good riddance!
Don't let the door hit ya on the way out!
Yippy-kay-yay mother-f... oh, never mind...
Muppets Christmas Carol. Hands down.
I agree! Any movie that has Beaker flipping off Ebeneezer Scrooge is a hit in my book!
I first saw it when I was in junior high and hadn't seen it for some years. I re-watched it to learn - OMFG!! - Micheal Caine was Scrooge!! I liked the Muppets anyway, but I hadn't known who he was at the time.
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer! My favorite since I was a kid. I now watch it with my two boys.
I like the old black and white British version of a Christmas Carol. I also like Miricle on 34th Street with a young Natalie Wood. It's a Wonderful Life is also very good. I guess I'd have to give it to Christmas Carol.
Excellent choices, Johnny B. Toss "Meet Me in St. Louis" onto that list and you've got a winner.
I love White Christmas, but also enjoy Christmas Vacation. For TV I love the Original How the Grinch stole Christmas and Charlie Brown Christmas
My favorite Christmas movie is "The Ref".
The most underrated Christmas movie there is. LOVE IT.
Ref is awesome, how the hell did Die Hard make the list
When they are tied up in the chairs, "You wanna have SEX with him....". Also "What smells like cat piss"?