Our critics’ fave Xmas movies
“Love, Actually” (2003)
A masterpiece of interlocking stories and characters, Richard Curtis’ rom-com epic is so pleasing it’s hard to say which scene is the best: Hugh Grant’s dance at 10 Downing St.? Andrew Lincoln’s silent plea to Keira Knightley? Colin Firth’s mangled-Portuguese wedding proposal? The movie is brilliant from beginning to end. (Available on Netflix) — Kyle Smith
“Bad Santa” (2003)
Oneof the funniest movies of the century, this dirty-minded comic gemis more than just a gross-out comedy. It’s also a sharp-witted, mordantly funny portrait of an utterly cynical character and his comeuppance. (Available on HBOGo)— K.S.
“The Ref” (1994)
A stealthy, anarchic comedy about an ill-tempered burglar (Denis Leary) who breaks into a posh home in an idyllic suburb on Christmas Eve. The movie takes one unexpected turn after another when he gets trapped in the marital disputes of a couple (Kevin Spacey, Judy Davis) who hate each other more than they hate him. (Available to stream on Amazon and elsewhere) — K.S.
“The Ice Harvest” (2005)
This Harold Ramis-directed comedy sees Billy BobThornton once again owning the Christmas misanthrope beat. He shares the spotlight with John Cusack as they haplessly work to pull off a holiday heist. Violent, profane and funny, it also features a pre-bonkers Randy Quaid as a mobster bent on revenge. (Available to stream onAmazon)
— Sara Stewart
“It’s a Wonderful Life” (1946)
Rather puzzlingly designated a feel-good movie, this timeless Frank Capra classic, about a man(Jimmy Stewart) madesuicidal by the constant thwarting of his dreams, is, until its final minutes, as dark as they come. Watch for the alternate-reality nightmare of a woman(Donna Reed) relegated to librarian spinsterhood, stay for the ensemble rendition of “Auld Lang Syne,” which guarantees no dry eye in the house. (Available to stream onAmazon) — S.S.
“Elf” (2003)
For tapping into the sugar-bloated spirit of the season, you can’t do better than Will Ferrell’s manic man-child Buddy the Elf set loose in NYC. Peter Dinklage has a memorable pre“Thrones” cameo as a grouchy bestselling author who Buddy mistakes for a North Pole pal. Jon Favreau directs the silly flick. (Available to stream on Amazon) — S.S.