Christmas is not a time for trying something new.
It’s a time when tradition reigns supreme and you’ll be met with stony resistance for wanting to branch out and diversify. So whether you’re sick to death of the schmaltzy, sentimental Christmas films rolled out every year, or you just can’t wait to sing along to those holiday hits for the millionth time, you might as well face it – this holiday you’ll be watching these films, whether you like it or not.
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1. It’s a Wonderful Life
Who can resist revisiting the twists and turns of George Bailey’s life every December, as angel, Clarence, tries to convince him of all the good he’s done on Earth – and more specifically in Bedford Falls. Made in 1946, It’s a Wonderful Life has proven its longevity year after year and, funny voices and black & white picture aside, it still feels as relevant as ever. Crying is compulsory.
2. Elf
A modern classic, for many watching Will Ferrell dress up in yellow tights and green jacket screaming “Santa!” at the top of his lungs is the only way to truly know that Christmas has arrived. It’s also where we first learned that Zooey Deschanel could sing as she belted out ‘Baby It’s Cold Outside’ in the shower. And despite the slightly unrealistic romance between her character, Jovie, and Buddy, it’s something we’re willing to overlook for the feel-good power of Elf.
3. Home Alone
25 years ago Macaulay Culkin played fresh-faced “little jerk” Kevin McAllister, who winds up alone over Christmas when his family leave for the airport without him. But even after all that time we’re still spellbound by what an amazing performance he puts in at such a tender age. The child prodigy never went on to do much else, but he gave us a Christmas classic that we’ll never forget and immortal lines like, “Buzz, your girlfriend! Woof!”
4. A Christmas Story
Battling bullies and eyeing up his treasured Red Ryder air rifle, A Christmas Story follows the adventures of Ralphie as he tries to make it to the big day with his specs intact. It’s one of the kookier festive movies out there, with some pretty crazy subplots – fishnet-stockinged lamps and Randy eating mashed potatoes in a way that might put you off them for life – but it’s one that we know will end up on our screens again this year.
5. A Muppet’s Christmas Carol
This one we never really grew out of, and we still know all the words to the songs (except, “When Love Has Gone,” because really, what were they thinking?). Aside from all the puppets and the singing, this is actually a pretty faithful remake of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. With Gonzo narrating as Charlie himself, Kermit as Bob Cratchit and Sir Michael Caine as Ebenezer Scrooge it’s a great ensemble performance that the late author would surely be proud of.
6. Miracle on 34th Street
There’s just something about a child with a lisp that really seems to fill people with holiday spirit. There are actually two of these movies, but it’s the 1994 version that we’ll be watching on repeat (forever). Susan, a six-year-old skeptical of the existence of Santa Claus, becomes embroiled in a legal battle to prove that Kris Kringle is the original (and only) man in the red suit.
7. Love Actually
Proving to us that Christmas is a time for wearing turtlenecks, (no seriously, try drinking every time you see a sweater with a collar and see how long you stay sober) Love Actually is the feel-good movie of the holiday. Somehow managing to get EVERY living actor in Britain to appear in his film, Richard Curtis created a new Christmas cinematic tradition, intertwining Alan Rickman, Colin Firth, Emma Thompson and a host of other acting royalty. Plus Hugh Grant dances.
8. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
Ain’t no Christmas like a Griswold Christmas (thank the lord). Making us laugh and feel better about our own families and holiday decorations, the movie sees head of the family, Clark, hell bent on having the perfect Christmas – no matter who he hurts. Chevy Chase is at his comedic best, and a young Julia Louis-Dreyfus as their very high-haired, yuppie neighbour, Margo, is the icing on the cake.
9. Scrooged
Another play on “A Christmas Carol”, this 80s movie sees Bill Murray as a hardened, cynical television executive, who has, you guessed it, forgotten what the holidays are all about. Demanding his staff to work over the holidays to boost ratings, Frank fires a staff member on Christmas Eve and is subsequently visited by ghosts of his past, who remind him of those he lost along the way. It’s not a warm hug like some of the others on the list (see deranged ghost of Christmas past in his time-travelling taxi cab) but it’s still a firm favourite.
10. Charlie Brown Christmas
This perennial Christmas classic aired 50 years ago and animated television special is still a must-watch today. Charlie Brown is not alone in finding that the holiday season can be an anxious time, and the best-selling soundtrack goes perfectly, with its gloomy jazz backdrop. The story finds the true meaning of Christmas buried under all the consumerism – which is surprising, considering Coca-Cola sponsored the 25-minute story.
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