December 23, 2021 – As Christmas approaches, we prepare to be surrounded by family for an extended period of time. Food can only keep your family quiet for so long, and after the presents have been opened, there is one sure-fire way to make sure the focus stays off of your uncle’s politics or your great-aunt’s latest ailment – gathering around to watch a Christmas movie.
Whether your family has a rec room full of screaming toddlers, a basement full of angsty teenagers, or a couch full of eye-resting seniors, there are movies that everyone can agree on. I’ve put together a list of movies that will keep (mostly) everyone in the spirit. (Not necessarily in order.)
The first movies on my list go towards the youngest generation, and there are multiple correct answers.
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas! – Dr. Seuss’s Christmas opus, to me, has the most endearing story to tell and lesson to teach. With three versions of the movie, including portrayals from three amazing actors – Boris Karloff, Jim Carrey, and Benedict Cumberbatch – you can’t go wrong. But the right answer is definitely the original. Boris Karloff paved the way for Carrey and Cumberbatch.
- Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer – The song we all sang in our Kindergarten Christmas concerts still holds up. With a cast of misfits like Rudolph, Hermey, and Yukon Cornelius all coming together to help the Island of Misfit Toys AND save Christmas? Classic.
- Home Alone/Home Alone 2 – Wow. I’m really starting to show my age. The most recent movie on my Children’s list was made in 1992. But these kids need to learn the classics! The legendary Wet/Sticky bandits. Joe’s Pesci’s anger coincides with Daniel Stern’s obliviousness perfectly. I can still hear the sound of Marv screaming. The tarantula scream is great, but maybe the best scene of any movie goes to THIS amazing piece of cinematography. It literally gets me every single time.
Honorable mentions
- Jingle All the Way – A very underrated movie. Arnold Schwarzenegger sharing the screen with the likes of Sinbad is good. Adding in a Phil Hartman performance elevates it to classic status.
- The Polar Express – Tom Hanks. Isn’t that enough?
Next up, movies for the middle of the pack.
- National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation – The Pinnacle for my family. One of those movies where just about every single scene is great in its own right. The Griswold family’s quest for the perfect tree. 25,000 twinkle lights. Cousin Eddie. The list goes on.
- Elf – At some point in my life, I became a little Will Ferrel’d out. It was in no part due to Elf. Buddy the Elf being unleashed on New York City while simultaneously trying to find his place in the world is both heartwarming and hilarious.
- Scrooged – Bill Murray. To quote Emma Stone in Zombieland, “This guy has a direct line to my funny bone.” In this remake of Dickens’s A Christmas Carol, television president Frank Cross goes from cold-hearted to warm and fuzzy.
Honorable mentions
- Bad Santa – Can’t go into too much detail here. Let’s call it a story of redemption?
- A Very Harold and Kumar Christmas – See above. If you’re looking for R-rated Christmas-themed laughter, here you go.
Let’s finish with the true classics that the couch nappers will enjoy before the eye-resting becomes snoring.
- Miracle on 34th Street (1947) – Edmund Gwenn won an Oscar for playing Kris Kringle. Putting Santa on trial? There’s a reason this movie has held up for 74 years.
- A Christmas Story – I never had a Red Ryder BB gun but thanks to this movie, I feel like I did. All without shooting my eye out. I never got my tongue stuck on a frozen flag pole either. Thanks, Flick.
Honorable mentions
Look, I know I missed some great ones. This HM list is all-encompassing. Die Hard. A Charlie Brown Christmas. The Nightmare Before Christmas.
Tell me what movies I missed and why I’m wrong…or right. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and good luck picking something that keeps everyone merry and bright!
