There’s few things better than snuggling up under a blanket, feeling the warmth from the fire, hot chocolate in hand, and watching a Christmas film. But with so many to choose from, where do you start?
Lucky for you, we’ve put together the ultimate Christmas film list, so if you’re stuck for a film to watch this Christmas season read on.
The Holiday
Released in 2006 the romantic comedy The Holiday stars Jude Law, Cameron Diaz, Jack Black and Kate Winslet.
Dumped and depressed, English rose Iris (Kate Winslet) agrees to swap homes with similarly unlucky in love Californian Amanda (Cameron Diaz) for a much-needed break. Iris finds herself in a palatial Hollywood mansion while Amanda navigates the lanes of a picture-perfect English village. Soon enough, both lovelorn ladies bump into local lads perfect for a romantic pick-me-up.
The Snowman
The animated film, The Snowman, based on Raymond Briggs’ 1978 picture book was released in 1982.
After an English boy makes a snowman on Christmas Eve, it comes to life to take him on an adventure to the North Pole to meet Santa Claus.
Home Alone
The 1990 American Christmas comedy Home Alone was the first of the Home Alone
franchise and starred Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, John Heard, and Catherine O’Hara.
When bratty 8-year-old Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) acts out the night before a family trip to Paris, his mother (Catherine O’Hara) makes him sleep in the attic. After the McCallisters mistakenly leave for the airport without Kevin, he awakens to an empty house and assumes his wish to have no family has come true. But his excitement sours when he realises that two con men (Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern) plan to rob the McCallister residence, and that he alone must protect the family home.
Elf
Starring Will Ferrel as a human raised by Santa’s elves, Elf is an American Christmas comedy that was released in 2003.
Buddy (Will Ferrell) was accidentally transported to the North Pole as a toddler and raised to adulthood among Santa’s elves. Unable to shake the feeling that he doesn’t fit in, the adult Buddy travels to New York, in full elf uniform, in search of his real father. As it happens, this is Walter Hobbs (James Caan), a cynical businessman. After a DNA test proves this, Walter reluctantly attempts to start a relationship with the childlike Buddy with increasingly chaotic results.
The Santa Clause (1994)
The first instalment of The Santa Clause franchise, the American Christmas comedy The Santa Clause was released in 1994 and starred Tim Allen.
Divorced dad Scott (Tim Allen) has custody of his son (Eric Lloyd) on Christmas Eve. After he accidentally kills a man in a Santa suit, they are magically transported to the North Pole, where an elf explains that Scott must take Santa’s place before the next Christmas arrives. Scott thinks he’s dreaming, but over the next several months he gains weight and grows an inexplicably white beard. Maybe that night at the North Pole wasn’t a dream after all — and maybe Scott has a lot of work to do.
The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
Directed by Brian Henson, The Muppet Christmas Carol is an American Christmas musical comedy adaptation of the 1843 novel A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. The Muppet Christmas Carol was released in 1992 and stars Michael Caine, Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire, Jerry Nelson and Frank Oz.
The Muppets perform the classic Dickens holiday tale, with Kermit the Frog playing Bob Cratchit, the put-upon clerk of stingy Ebenezer Scrooge (Michael Caine). Other Muppets — Miss Piggy, Gonzo, Fozzie Bear and Sam the Eagle — weave in and out of the story, while Scrooge receives visits from spirits of three Christmases — past, present and future. They show him the error of his self-serving ways, but the miserable old man seems to be past any hope of redemption and happiness.
How The Grinch Stole Christmas
Released in 2000, How The Grinch Stole Christmas is an American Christmas comedy based on the book How The Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss.
In this live-action adaptation of the beloved children’s tale by Dr. Seuss, the reclusive green Grinch (Jim Carrey) decides to ruin Christmas for the cheery citizens of Whoville. Reluctantly joined by his hapless dog, Max, the Grinch comes down from his mountaintop home and sneaks into town to swipe everything holiday-related from the Whos. However, the bitter grump finds a hitch in his plans when he encounters the endearing Cindy Lou Who (Taylor Momsen).
Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
Miracle on 34th Street was originally released in the UK under the title The Big Heart in 1947. The American Christmas comedy stars Maureen O’Hara, John Payne, Natalie Wood, and Edmund Gwenn.
In this Christmas classic, an old man going by the name of Kris Kringle (Edmund Gwenn) fills in for an intoxicated Santa in Macy’s annual Thanksgiving Day parade. Kringle proves to be such a hit that he is soon appearing regularly at the chain’s main store in midtown Manhattan. When Kringle surprises customers and employees alike by claiming that he really is Santa Claus, it leads to a court case to determine his mental health and, more importantly, his authenticity.
Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer (1998)
Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer is a Christmas animated adventure film released in 1998.
It’s up to Santa’s most famous reindeer to save the day when an evil queen conjures up a storm on Christmas.
A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
The first TV special based on the comic strip Peanuts, A Charlie Brown Christmas was released in 1965 as an animated television special.
When Charlie Brown complains about the overwhelming materialism that he sees amongst everyone during the Christmas season, Lucy suggests that he become director of the school Christmas pageant. Charlie Brown accepts, but is a frustrating struggle. When an attempt to restore the proper spirit with a forlorn little fir Christmas tree fails, he needs Linus’ help to learn the meaning of Christmas.
