I love Christmas – and I really love Christmas films! This list was originally meant to just be my five favourite Christmas films, but narrowing it down turned out to be a lot trickier than I thought! Even stopping at ten feels like I’ve missed so many good ones out! (Shrek the Halls (2007) always deserves more love, but just missed out this time). But I know you haven’t got all day to read this, and I really do need to be picky if I’m talking about my absolute favourites. So without further ado, here is my *current* list of all-time favourite Christmas films.
10 – How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
Starting off strong at number 10 we’ve got How the Grinch Stole Christmas. The classic Dr Seuss tale of a grumpy green outcast, who in an attempt to ruin Christmas for the whole of Whoville by stealing all of their ‘things’, instead learns, with the help of Cindy Lou Who, the true meaning of Christmas. Jim Carrey is excellent in this film, and it’s a funny, magic, and heartwarming Christmas tale, that’s a must watch each December.
9 – Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)
This was a close call between this one and the original Home Alone, but I think the sequel just takes it. After boarding the wrong flight by mistake, Kevin McCallister is once again separated from his family over the holidays, but this time is lost in New York by himself. Christmas in New York looks dreamy, and I think it would be hard to find someone who wouldn’t want to spend a night like Kevin at The Plaza Hotel, with all the room service you can dream of. I know that this is a package you can actually book at The Plaza Hotel, but I think I might have to win the lottery first.
8 – Miracle on 34th Street (1994)
Once again set in New York at Christmas time, I love how cosy this film is, and how much it captures the childhood wonder around Father Christmas. Starring a young Mara Wilson as Susan Walker, it follows her and her mother, along with their lawyer friend Bryan, as they have to defend a man named Kris Kringle in court, by proving that he is the real Santa Claus. Susan learns that believing doesn’t always have to mean seeing, and that sometimes, even though her mother might tell her otherwise, there’s a certain magic in not having a logical answer to everything. It’s heartwarming, has a lovely ending, and is a really feel-good Christmas film.
7 – Christmas With the Kranks (2004)
I don’t see this one getting talked about too much, but Christmas With the Kranks is definitely up there as one of my favourite Christmas films. Starring Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis, this Christmas comedy follows the story of a couple who decide to ‘skip Christmas’ after their daughter moves out, and instead spend the money that they have saved on a Cruise. It’s funny, feel-good, and has a great community feel. I do think that the plot is slightly exaggerated, and that in real life people probably wouldn’t care that much/ would be a bit more understanding if someone decided to skip Christmas – but it does make for a good comedy. This film has a really lovely ending, and always makes me feel ready for Christmas!
6 – Elf (2003)
Is it really Christmas if Elf hasn’t been on at least once? The perfect mix of magic and comedy, Elf is the story of Buddy – a human who is raised by elves in the North Pole – who discovers that he is actually not an elf, and decides to travel to New York to try and find his biological father. A fun film for adults and children alike, it’s a great reminder of the importance of family and Christmas spirit at this time of year. I’m also oddly intrigued to know what the sweet spaghetti breakfast that Buddy makes tastes like – anyone else?
Now for the top five…
5 – Nativity! (2009)
Nativity perfectly encapsulates the British primary school Christmas experience. Whether you’re an adult or child, teacher or student, I feel like everyone can relate to this movie in some way – which is what makes it so endearing and nostalgic in equal measure. Nativity tells the story of a primary school, who mistakenly come to believe that ‘Hollywood’ will be coming to watch their nativity play this year. This sparks panic from the teachers to try and up the level of the play, as well as competition from neighbouring schools – most notably prestigious Oakmoor school, led by rival Gordon Shakespeare. This film is sweet, has fun songs which always get stuck in my head, and is so perfectly British.
4 – The Holiday (2006)
The perfect cosy Christmas romcom, The Holiday is the perfect film to stick on for a movie night. With a fab a-list cast, gorgeous scenery, and of course Jude Law, this film really ticks all the boxes. After reaching a crossroads in both their lives, a journalist from London, and a film producer from LA decide to swap homes for the holidays in order to get away from their relationship problems. This swap ends up being exactly what each of them needed, as they fall in love unexpectedly with local men. Also, I’m sure I’m not alone in wishing that Kate Winslet’s cottage in the film was actually real – it would make the perfect cosy winter getaway!
3 – The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
The best version of A Christmas Carol – and just as Charles Dickens intended I’m sure – this film is a fab way to watch this classic tale over the season. Packed full of catchy songs (many of which have made their way onto my Christmas playlist), iconic lines such as ‘no cheeses for us meeces’, and the sweetest Tiny Tim. The Muppet Christmas Carol gets the balance perfect between a modern family friendly film, and keeping the feel and the heart of the classic story.
2 – The Santa Clause (1994)
I don’t think I’ll ever get bored of this movie. In fact I love all three in the series, but the first one just has that nostalgia for me from watching it as a child. A fun family film, it’s a tale of 37 year old Scott Calvin, who accidentally ends up becoming Santa. Just like Miracle on 34th Street it’s a lovely story about the childhood wonder of believing in Santa, even when the adults around you no longer hold onto that magic. Tim Allen is just great in Christmas films, and plays a wonderful Father Christmas in this one. I am also desperate to try the ‘not too hot, extra chocolate, shaken not stirred’ hot chocolate that Judy makes Scott – it’s a 1200 year old recipe!
1 – The Polar Express (2004)
This will forever be my all time favourite Christmas film. No competition. I know that this film can be a little marmite, and a lot of people don’t love the animation style, but for me it ticks every box. It’s cosy, magical, has great songs, and most importantly has Tom Hanks – you can’t beat it! It also joins The Santa Clause on the list of movie hot chocolates I’d give anything to try! For the last 10 years at least, it’s been our Christmas Eve tradition to go for a family dog walk after dinner and look at all the Christmas lights on the houses near us, then we get back, cosy up in pyjamas, make the biggest hot chocolates, and sit and watch The Polar Express together. That whole evening is the part of Christmas I look forward to most every year. For me, this film encapsulates the magic of Christmas Eve, and for that reason it will always hold the number one spot on my list of favourite Christmas films.
I’d love to know what your favourite Christmas films are! How does my list stack up to yours? Do you agree with my ranking? Let me know in the comments below!
Emma 🌙
