The 20 best Christmas movies to watch this festive season
‘TIS the season to be merry and watch a lot of telly. But what are the best Christmas films of all time to get you in the festive spirit?
There are plenty to choose from although there is always some debate over what is a Christmas film.
The Great Escape does feature some carol singing - but does that make it a festive offering? And The Sound of Music is on the TV every year but is not really a Christmas film.
Christmas films are seldom critically-acclaimed or Oscar winners - but with cartoon reindeers and real-life elves, they are always blooming good fun for all of the family.
From the childhood classics you loved that make a welcome re-appearance every year, right up to the newer, more slick productions with bags of wit, there’s something for everyone who wants their heart warming come Yuletide.
Whether your idea of a yoho-ho hit is a black and white classic or a wise-cracking animation, there is something for everyone. So here’s our hit list of 20 festive films to suit your taste - whether you’re looking for titters or tears.
Elf The 2003 smash hit has become a modern classic as viewers can’t get enough of funnyman Will Ferrell’s antics as a human raised as an obstreperous elf who finally meets his real-life dad - played by a truculent James Caan.
It’s a Wonderful Life A box office bomb when it was released in 1946, this James Stewart movie is now a classic, featuring festive themes such as bankruptcy, sibling death and suicidal thoughts.
The Santa Clause Back in the 1990s, Tim Allen was a TV legend, and in this hilarious 1994 take on a festive fantasy, he’s playing up to the camera as the dad who acci- dentally becomes Santa.
Love Actually You will eaither love (actually) or hate Richard Curtis’ schmaltzy 2003 take on the Brit Christmas or you ain’t - but the star power of this hit includes Keira Knightley, Bill Nighy, Liam Neeson, Andrew Lincoln, Martine McCutcheon, Hugh Grant, Alan Rickman, Emma Thompson... the list is long and distinguished.
The Holiday Talking of star power, Kate Winslet, Jack Black, Jude Law and Cameron Diaz definitely bring more style than substance to this 2006 romcom that’s one for the lovers.
Polar Express Hailed at the time for its animation, the 2004 film featuring Tom Hanks’ voice hasn’t worn brilliantly, but the spirit of a child’s belief in Christmas is still strong.
Die Hard In the 1980s, Bruce Willis was lord of the screen, even when it came to Christmas. So in 1988, people were more interested in his beefy cop John McClane saving the Nakatomi Plaza from the late Alan Rickman than a man in a white beard coming down the chimney.
White Christmas Classic Hollywood was seldom more glamorous than when it brought together Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye in 1954 and paired them with a gorgeous Irving Berlin soundtrack. Vermont for Christmas anyone?
The Muppet Christmas
Carol This puppet rendering from 1992 is one of many taking Dickens’ story as its source, but it’s one of the funniest, with Michael Caine the crochety Ebeneezer who manages to play it straight.
Miracle on 34th Street Various versions of this have surfaced - in 1947, 1955 and 1994 - but the central theme is the same. Tough consumer business mum has her belief in Father Christmas reinvigorated, everyone smiles.
Scrooged It’s another Christmas Carolthemed flick, but strictly for the grown ups, as Bill Murray’s selfish, cynical TV exec was haunted by three spirits and even learned something in 1988.
The Snowman Aled Jones’ voice famously doesn’t appear in the film, but the British classic is perfect anyway thanks to Raymond Brigg’s moving pictures.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas Jim Carrey took on Dr Seuss’ most grim of characters for a really sweet 2000 film with some nightmarish scenes and a lot of rhyming.
Home Alone Catapulting Macauley Culkin to fame, this John Hughes 1990 family favourite shows the power of a kid who feels threatened by burglars - and there are no adults to help.
Some say the second one is even better but we won’t insult you by mentioning number three.
Gremlins Those creepy, gross little creatures might not make you feel festive, but you’ll never forget how Phoebe Cates’ dad died thanks to her gruesome tale in 1984.
Bad Santa Another grown-up Christmas hit, with Billy Bob Thornton the disgusting Father Christmas who picks up groupies and sponges off naive children.
Frozen At the other end of the scale, Elsa’s adventures with her sister Ana and an array of festive friends was a smash for Disney and is still kid-friendly in the extreme.
Planes, Trains and Automobiles John Candy and Steve Martin on top form with the a great fes- tive script.
Two two hate each other but have to share a journey as they try and head home for the holidays to be with their families.
Nativity As well as starring Bilbo Baggins, this film is funny, cute, slightly long but the children love it.
And it was filmed in Coventry. What is not to like about it - just don’t mentions the sequels.
Arthur Christmas Animated cartoons and Christmas seem to go hand in hand and this is an English offering voiced by Jim Broadbent and James McAvoy.
that could have made the list include The Nightmare Before Christmas, Lethal Weapon, Trading Places, Meet Me in St Louis and About a Boy.