ListMania! Top Ten Family Christmas Movies
By GlindaWhat is it about Christmas movies that just seem so much more special than regular ones?
Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
A Christmas Story
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Television Christmas Classics– (Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, etc…)
A Christmas Carol (1951)
Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Home Alone
The Polar Express
Elf
A Charlie Brown Christmas
If you will excuse me, I am now putting on my flak jacket and ducking behind this wall to prepare myself for the barrage of criticism for excluding a particular classic movie. Let me go ahead and make it a bit easier for you, so that you don’t have to write so much.
1. Yes, I have seen it.
2. Yes, I like Jimmy Stewart a lot, too.
3. No, it didn’t make me cry.
4. Yes, I have a heart.
5. No, it does not mean this entry should be placed in the “That’s Just Wrong” category.
I just don’t see what the big deal is about that movie. It does nothing for me. I know you have now probably lost all respect for me, but I love you just the same.
And if anyone knows any great Chanukah movies, please let us know!
(Looking for the TeenyManolo Sweepstakes? Go here)
November 25th, 2007 at 9:49 am
I’m just happy you have A Christmas Story on your list. I agree with you about that other movie. It doesn’t do it for me either.
November 25th, 2007 at 10:27 am
We all have our peculiarities. If it were my list, I would swap out those television Christmas classics (which I cannot watch) for The Jimmy Stewart Movie Which Must Not Be Named, and The Nightmare Before Christmas (which creeps me out) for The Muppet Christmas Carol.
I think we can peacefully coexist, considering the season, as long as neither of us requires the other to watch our own favorites.
November 25th, 2007 at 12:18 pm
I’m with you on the one you excluded. My mother used to get her knickers in a twist every year and force me to watch it. So I’m pretty damaged from that.
But I also hate A Christmas Story. There, that should take some of the heat off you. I hate it folks! Barf times ten.
November 25th, 2007 at 1:06 pm
JEN, I love you! I’m actually not much a fan of Christmas or its movies, but I have special hate for A Christmas Story. (My absolute favorite is Bad Santa. It makes me laugh, and it’s sort of sweet, in its damaged way. :p)
November 25th, 2007 at 3:00 pm
I finally saw the Jimmy Stewart movie just a few years ago and I will say I can watch it. It didn’t bring tears or anything, but I could stand it. Now the Christmas Story…. I’m done with that.
I’m a big fan of Elf, but have never seen Polar Express (and I don’t plan on it, even though Eric still wants to see it).
November 25th, 2007 at 3:47 pm
I agree with those who aren’t fans of “A Christmas Story”. I do like the Jimmy Stewart Movie Which Must Not Be Named, but one of my very favourites is White Christmas (with Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye). I guess you kind of have to like classic musicals to enjoy White Christmas, though.
November 25th, 2007 at 3:56 pm
I thought everyone in that town was so much happier when George Bailey was dead- they were gambling and dancing and drinking and having fun. I was glad that George was gone.
November 25th, 2007 at 4:02 pm
Christmas Vacation is the mainstay at my house. Even if we don’t quite get around to watching all of our usual holiday movies, we alwayswatch Christmas Vacation at least once.
We also like Scrooged in addition to the movies on this list. Bill Murray plays the self-absorbed TV executive character so well.
November 25th, 2007 at 5:08 pm
Phew! I’m glad I’m not the only anti-Christmas Story person. Usually when I say as much it’s met with stony silence or shocked muttering. “Why? Why dont you like it?” they ask. Any movie that is played for 24 hours straight must be good, right?
Wrong.
P.S. I agree with SpaceCat – we watch Christmas Vacation at least once a year.
November 25th, 2007 at 6:41 pm
Only two of those make my top list of Christmas movies. Charlie Brown and How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Oh yeah and all the TV Christmas classics. We also ALWAYS watch IAWL and White Christmas. Most of those on Glinda’s list I’ve never seen nor intend to. And while certain scenes in A Christmas Story are side-splitting hilarious, it’s not a movie I’ve ever been able to sit through from beginning to end.
To each his own my Mom always says.
November 25th, 2007 at 6:46 pm
Uncle Fester does make a very good point.
November 25th, 2007 at 6:46 pm
Well, here is a cute little video that explains why there aren’t many great Chanukah movies: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLPwin3594k
And here is an award-winning film about a Jewish holiday that is actually a major holiday!
http://www.amazon.com/Ushpizin-Shuli-Rand/dp/B000E8QVAQ
Preview here: http://www.ushpizin.com/
Merry Christmas!
November 25th, 2007 at 6:46 pm
Well, I adore Jimmy Stewart but I can understand the people who have no great affection for That Movie. It’s practically Spielbergian in its heartstring-tugging, and I know a lot of people who resent being emotionally manipulated like that. For me, it’s a mood thing –sometimes yes, sometimes no.
I detest Home Alone, one of the earliest forays into the saturation we’re now seeing where adults are stupid and unnecessary, and ignore their kids anyway, and kids are capable, smart, and funny. I hated it even before I became a parent. The idea that a family can drive to the airport, wait around at the gate, and get on the plane without realizing they’re missing one of their kids is horrid.
Frosty is horrible, also. Finders keepers with the hat, or what? The animation is lame and there’s basically no story other than that adults are stupid and mean and it’s up to the kids to do the right thing. I say this having endured watching it every year with my own children. I still like Rudolph, which manages to be cute and funny in spite of its Very Important Message of Including People Not Like Us.
Thank you for breaking out the original Grinch and ignoring the overblown Jim Carrey-showcase adaptation. I’m quite comfortable in hating it without ever seeing it, Bill Chambers’ review suffices for me.
November 25th, 2007 at 6:49 pm
Home Alone? Seriously?
November 25th, 2007 at 6:58 pm
A Christmas Story never fails to bum me the heck out.
November 25th, 2007 at 7:37 pm
Elf and The Polar Express, seriously??
The first time I suffered thorugh Elf will be the last and The Polar Express ruined a beautiful book with that quizzical bum charachter whose only apparent purpose was to stretch the whole ordeal out to meet the industry standard 90 minutes.
I second (third?) both the White Christmas and Christmas Vacation suggestions above!
November 25th, 2007 at 7:52 pm
Okay, I’m exposing my low brow taste….the initial list is totally spot on btw…. however I must add:
National Lampoon’s Chistmas Vacation
Even though you might not be able to watch it as a family until your kids are 11 or 12 it’s worth the wait!
November 25th, 2007 at 9:04 pm
A list of classic Christmas movies without “The Ref?????” That’s just wrong, wrong, wrong. And as deliberately heartstring-tugging as it was, you have to give it up for That Unnamed Jimmy Stewart Movie: it was some of his best acting, and the shot of the snow falling into the river from the bridge is deservedly considered a high mark in black-and-white cinematography.
Oh, man. I’ve gotta call Clarence and report you people now.
November 25th, 2007 at 9:04 pm
Yes, remember this is a list for families to watch together, not just adults. And as much as people like to diss Elf and Polar Express and Home Alone, kids absolutely love them.
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation didn’t make the list because it’s a bit mature, and as wonderful as some of the movies mentioned are, most younger kids aren’t going to want to sit through them, I’m thinking of White Christmas in particular. Or maybe I’m just projecting.
November 25th, 2007 at 9:06 pm
Oh, and I told my husband that a bunch of people didn’t like A Christmas Story, and he said, “Are they all women?” And I replied, “It looks that way.” He then challenged me to find one man who didn’t like the movie.
So, any guys out there that hated A Christmas Story with as much passion as the previous commenters?
November 25th, 2007 at 9:11 pm
What about The Bishop’s Wife? Cary Grant had such an obviously fabulous time filming that, and Loretta Young was never lovelier. Even the dog was pretty good.
November 25th, 2007 at 11:15 pm
In our house, the favorite is … “The Man Who Came to Dinner.” If nothing else, you get to see Bette Davis skewer Ann Sheridan and who could pass up that? Yes, it’s clunky and a little bit stagey but it’s hilarious…and has Billy Burke!! Oh, yes and great vintage clothing…keep your eyes out for Ann Sheridan’s first dress with the hands over the breasts clasps in front. Hubba hubba.
November 26th, 2007 at 12:23 am
What a bunch of Grinches! Sorry ya’ll, but I love ’em all! The Jimmy Stewart (which makes me cry every single time I watch it), Elf, A Christmas Story, Miracle on 34th Street …you name it and I’ll watch it at Christmas. All I can say is if you really don’t like these movies, go watch them with your kids and try seeing them through their eyes. Way fun!
Don’t worry though, Glinda. I have nothing against people who don’t love That Certain Movie, or any other movie for that matter. I just can’t believe there are so many who actively dislike Christmas flicks! What’s up?!
November 26th, 2007 at 12:28 am
My feelings are personally hurt, because that is my all time favorite Christmas movie. Sigh. Also, the first film Ted and I ever saw together, the first time I saw it.
We watched A Christmas Carol on TV last year, and that was pretty amazing, too.
I could easily go the rest of my life without ever seeing Elf and be happy. Ditto Home Alone. And I know everyone loves A Christmas Story, but I just don’t care, except for the part where the dogs steal the food.
You forgot Scrooged, though…loves me some Scrooged.
November 26th, 2007 at 2:17 am
Wow, I had no idea Christmas movies could be such a contentious subject! I’ll admit to usually enjoying That Jimmy Stewart Movie, though at our house, the Number One Must-Watch is White Christmas. A “new” movie that’s made it into our Christmas rotation is While You Were Sleeping. One I haven’t seen in its entirety, but would like to is Christmas in Connecticut (it’s an old one, though–God bless TCM!)
For those who’ve never been excited about the Christmas Story movie, and I’m one, I highly recommend reading the collection of stories on which the movie is based. The stories are hilarious and gorgeously written; the movie adaptation pales in comparison! ( http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Story-Inspired-Hilarious-Classic/dp/0767916220/ref=pd_bbs_sr_7?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1196056671&sr=8-7)
November 26th, 2007 at 9:59 am
you forgot to include Tokyo Godfathers on your list.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokyo_Godfathers
and the rest here like… can be left out. ick.
Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas (the jim carrey version)
Home Alone
Elf
November 26th, 2007 at 11:38 am
Thank you for including nightmare, one of my all time favorite movies, and by far my favorite movie score. I hope whoever rifled through my car the other day likes it too.
November 26th, 2007 at 1:26 pm
One of the best depictions of Christmas on film has to be the combination of the Christmas Party and the Christmas morning scene in The Thin Man. “Yes, I’m stifling, but it’s so pretty!”
November 26th, 2007 at 2:38 pm
Man, you guys make me sad. I don’t care about the Jimmy Stewart movie, but I love, love, love A Christmas Story and Home Alone (even Home Alone 2- I was in the target demographic for both movies, and they remind me of my childhood, so there.) I couldn’t care less about the lousy animation of the TV movies- it’s like watching a time tunnel back into the 70’s, of which I was never a part. Nightmare Before Christmas is a Halloween movie, as far as I’m concerned. I’m not a big fan. I love the animated Grinch. Anyone remember Prancer? That was definitely a good one. And I’ll admit I like the Santa Clause.
November 26th, 2007 at 2:55 pm
Scrooged is a classic, it’s true. And wasn’t Beetlejuice at least in some part a Christmas movie? Or am I old and my memory is failing?
My favorite Christmas tv show (other than the immortal Charlie Brown) is The Christmas Messenger…which nobody but me has ever seen. An angel appears in Dickensian London and follows a bunch of carolers around, explaining the meaning of each carol (which is then illustrated with an animation). I think it starred Richard Chamberlain. I still miss that thing, and it hasn’t been on tv in thirty years at least.
and medp: yes, The Thin Man is the greatest Christmas movie of all time (except Charlie Brown) but it’s for grownups. VERY grown-up grownups. The book even moreso. And After the Thin Man is a New Year’s classic; please note, however, that it stars a very young J—- S—— and so may not be suitable for all viewers.
November 26th, 2007 at 3:51 pm
i love love love A Christmas Story and my boyfriend hates it (i’m female), so that can get thrown in the statistics hopper.
the Jimmy Stewart movie, i think, is really great, but really really depressing. i like depressing movies, but it is the least full of holiday cheer of anything i can think of.
but mostly what i want to say is: it’s november 26th and i am already so friggin’ tired of christmas carols, i don’t think i’m going to survive this season.
November 26th, 2007 at 4:45 pm
Lovely list. Thank you for sharing. 🙂 I’m especially glad the Christmas Classics made it onto your list because they’re my favorite thing about the Holidays.
Ever since I was a child it’s been those moviesthat really bring out the magic of the holidays for me. Wrapping up on the couch with my family and watching Frosty the Snowman or Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town – I’m transported back to my own childhood, and I feel the same peace and joy I did watching those same timeless movies with my parents. There is a limited collector edition DVD box-set of all the Christmas Classics available now, containing my two favorite Christmas movies plus five more. It even comes with a bonus music CD containing 7 of your favorite holiday songs! I only know about it because I work with the company, but you can buy it wherever you do your Christmas shopping. This is something my family and I will treasure for many holiday seasons to come, and I hope it’s something your family can cherish as well. 🙂
November 26th, 2007 at 4:53 pm
I’m a woman (see username) who not only loves A Christmas Story, but was one of the few people to see it in the theatre during its original theatrical run (When I was ten years old). We watch it every year and end up quoting it regardless of the date on the calendar (“I think that says ‘Fragile,’ dear.” “You used up all the glue ON PURPOSE.” “Nottafinga!”). I find That Unnamed Movie too depressing to watch more frequently than every five years or so.
November 26th, 2007 at 5:00 pm
Another girl for A Christmas Story! The bunny outfit alone… Another modern flick that’s made it into my X mas rotation is Love Actually… yes, over sentimental and optimistic in a lot of ways, but if you can’t indulge at Christmas, when can you?
November 26th, 2007 at 5:50 pm
A Christmas Story — hubby’s fave, I hate it. Polar Express — just the opposite. No one in my family has ever been a big fan of the Jimmy Stewart Movie That Must Not Be Named (anyone else get the weird feeling that we’re all characters in Harry Potter talking about Voldemort?). Nat’l Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation — all time favorite live actor Christmas movie. And I love watching the cartoon/claymated/stuffed ones of my youth — Rudolph, Frosty, Charlie Brown, the one with the mice and the clock (“we’ll do what’s necessary ’cause even a miracle needs a hand!”).
Sarah, I agree. If I go into Wal-Mart again and hear that effing “We wish you a Merry Christmas” Hershey’s Kiss commercial, I’m going to wig out! Leave Christmas songs unplayed until at least the first week of December! Makes me not want to go into stores and spend my hard-earned money at all… 🙂
November 26th, 2007 at 7:55 pm
I love the classics, even the JSMTMNBN, but my very favorite is Mr Magoo’s Christmas Carol. Aw yeah, that’s the best. I also have to admit I liked The Santa Clause; that character seemed like a worthy Santa to me. And who doesnt love that Heat Miser song from Santa Claus is Comin to Town?! Miracle on 35th Street, Christmas Vacation and Scrooged are staples, but I can do without Nightmare, Story and Elf. Ugh.
Thanks for the topic, it was fun to read the comments!
November 26th, 2007 at 10:34 pm
What about the wonderful and always overlooked “Whistle Down the Wind”? Here’s the imdb entry for it:
http://imdb.com/title/tt0055618/
November 27th, 2007 at 12:03 am
Raincoaster you and I have got to share a bag of popcorn and a few martinis. We have the same taste in flicks. The Ref (one of my alltime favorites) IAWL (which I watch with a box of tissues) The Thin Man (“Lanky Brunettes with Wicked Jaws” what a line) The Bishops Wife (Cary Grant as an angel, talk about type casting)! I do enjoy A Christmas Story & Christmas Vacation. Shazza, I’m with you all the way on Mr. Magoo!! I also like Tim Allen in The Santa Clause and Emmet Otter’s Jug Band Christmas. Not nuts about Home Alone except for the traveling polka band. Tis the season to watch TV.
November 27th, 2007 at 1:40 am
I’m with you, raincoaster, on The Bishop’s Wife. It’s just lovely, and who could possibly make a more plausible angel than Cary Grant?
November 27th, 2007 at 12:15 pm
Well, for me it’s the 1951 Christmas Carol with Alastair Sim and — does no one share the love? — Meet Me in St. Louis. Not an all-about-Christmas movie, since it’s broken into four segments (one for each season) but geez — the Christmas segment? With Judy Garland singing “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” to a sobbing Margaret O’Brien? (And a sobbing Kagoo.) It doesn’t get any lovelier than that.
I also love the sweet and moving BBC version of A Child’s Christmas in Wales, with Denholm Elliott. (Of course, the recording of Dylan Thomas reading it is the gold standard, but it’s not a movie.)
And thanks to whoever mentioned The Ref. It wouldn’t have sprung to mind, but it’s a gem. Judy Davis in that wreath!!
November 27th, 2007 at 12:34 pm
OK, now you’ve got me completely off topic! I love A Child’s Christmas In Wales–the book, I mean. We read it every Christmas eve. I prefer the edition illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman, and it is in tatters.
Perhaps a list of family Christmas books? I know, there’s a lot of overlap with the movies, but sometimes the classics come in many different editions, and it would be helpful to tag the good ones.
Such as The Gift of the Magi illustrated by Lisbeth Zwerger…somebody stop me now!
November 28th, 2007 at 2:51 am
I love your list! I’m kind of glad that you didn’t include That Jimmy Stewart Movie. Personally, at a time for family and cheer, it was pretty depressing. I think that it is a Christmas movie simply because it tugs at most people’s hearts all the time.
I do think that “Muppet Christmas Carol,” “Scrooged,” and “The Santa Clause” needs to be added to the list. Please ignore The Santa Clauses 2 & 3. And for adults, “Love Actually” is also great.
I’m surprised that no one has mentioned “The Holiday” with Kate Winslet! It isn’t the most obvious choice, but it is cute, and (to me) filled with more hope than That Jimmy Stewart Movie.
November 29th, 2007 at 8:36 pm
My favorite as a kid was the Muppet Family Christmas. You can buy it now, but it’s been edited from what I remember it to be. We had it on tape and watched it all the time.
December 22nd, 2007 at 1:40 am
I love your thoughts, but my favorite is the ORIGINAL Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol which was NINETY minutes, not the sixty that is currently being sold. I WISH I could find the original. It is so much better and everything connects and makes sense. When I was a teen they cut 30 minutes of it so it would be more politically correct (not making fun of his eyesight problems) and would fit the more standard television slot. I WOULD PAY A FORTUNE to get my hands on the original!