The Best Christmas Movies of All Time

By Moviefone Editors Posted Dec 16th 2010 03:30PM

So what if Christmas movies can be a bit sappy? They warm our hearts, restore our faith in humanity and generally bring joy to the world. We've unwrapped the top 25 big-screen Christmas flicks of all time (sorry 'Charlie Brown' lovers, no TV specials here), all the way down to No. 1. Behold the 25 best Christmas movies ever from our friends at Moviefone. In more of a "Bah Humbug" mood? No problem. Check out the worst Christmas movies ever made.

25. 'The Polar Express' (2004)

Sure, the performance-capture technology may have rendered the children a touch frightening to look at (at least it improved dramatically with 'Beowulf'), but there's still plenty of joy to be had in this fast-moving adaptation of the beloved children's book starring an ensemble of Tom Hankses.

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24. 'We're No Angels' (1955)

This Christmas caper reteaming Humphrey Bogart with his 'Casablanca' director was the icon's rare comedy, and Bogie, Peter Ustinov and Aldo Ray had a ball playing escaped convicts with hearts of gold (are there any other kind?). But the 1989 remake, starring Robert De Niro and Sean Penn, was just criminal.

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23. 'The Muppet Christmas Carol' (1992)

Michael Caine is miserly Ebenezer Scrooge and Kermit the Frog is kindly Bob Cratchit in the most sensational, inspirational, celebrational take on the Dickens tale ever to star 99 percent Muppets.

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22. 'Joyeux Noel' (2006)

This moving Oscar-nominated drama tells the true story of German, French and Scottish troops in WWI who called a ceasefire for Christmas Eve. If they can find peace on earth for this most special of nights, surely you can grin and bear the in-laws.

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21. 'Gremlins' (1984)

If you think this flick about vicious green monsters tearing up a small town during the holidays isn't very Christmasy, thank your lucky stars they nixed plans for scenes in which Gremlins behead Billy's mom, eat his dog and chow down on McDonald's patrons (but strangely not the burgers). Merry Christmas!

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20. The Santa Clause (1994)

Tim Allen is actually, uh, jolly in this fun family tale about a guy who accidentally kills Kris Kringle -- whoops! -- then has to take his job, unwillingly at first but then growing to love it (not coincidentally, how many grown-ups feel about the movie). We will not comment on the two sequels.

19. Bad Santa (2003)

There are two types of movie fans: those who expect their Santa noble and god-fearing, with perhaps a hint of safe Tim Allen-esque humor, and those who'll allow him the occasional slip into vulgarity, promiscuity and armed burglary. To the latter group, this black comedy's a classic. To the former, we're sorry.

18. The Dead (1987)

John Huston directed his daughter Anjelica in this delicately rendered adaptation of a James Joyce short story, set in Ireland at a Christmas dinner. Not your traditional holiday fare, but don't let that keep you away -- it's a brilliantly bittersweet confection that should be savoured.

17. The Shop Around the Corner (1940)

Though it inspired You've Got Mail, this rom-com classic feels more akin to Love Actually in its unabashed romanticism. James Stewart and Margaret Sullivan are the oblivious couple on a crash-course toward love one X-mas Eve, proving one of film's best pairings in the process.

16. Die Hard (1988)

There's no better way to get in the Christmas spirit than watching a wife-beater-clad Bruce Willis single-handedly decimate a skyscraperful of terrorists on Christmas Eve. The classic one liners, the genre-redefining action, the genius use of a Run-DMC holiday tune -- it's like a gift from Jesus himself.

15. Love Actually (2003)

So you love rom-coms? Try eight in one. Though some storylines (Liam Neeson helps his son woo a classmate) work better than others (horny Brit has American threesome), even the grinchiest among us will find something to heart here. It's a valentine to love all wrapped up in a Christmas bow.

14. The Bishop's Wife (1947)

Who WOULDN'T want as their guardian angel? Apparently not David Niven, as a bishop building a church -- until his wife rejects a smitten Grant for him. (Suspension of disbelief required.) Witty and charming, 'Wife' earned five Oscar noms, and one spot in Christmas classic heaven.

13. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

Sleigh bells and shrunken heads? They're great together! Or so thinks Jack Skellington, who tries to take over Christmas in this awesomely ghoulish Tim Burton movie. With a sweet fable for kids and the torture of Santa for grown-ups, it's like 'The Grinch' on acid. (Um, kid-friendly acid.)

12. Holiday Inn (1942)

Plot? Who cares? Starring the dream team of Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire and ringing with classic Irving Berlin tunes, the musical resulted in one Oscar (for 'White Christmas'), two films based on songs from the movie (White Christmas and Easter Parade) and a ginormous hotel chain. Irving would be ... proud?

11. A Christmas Carol (1951)

Also known as 'Scrooge,' this take is hailed as the best for its definitive Ebenezer Scrooge, fittingly played by a man named Alastair Sim, who gives a superb performance. Though a colourised version exists, we'd recommend kicking it old school and watching it in its original black and white beauty.

10. 'National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation' (1989)

Chevy Chase is at the top of his game in this sight-gag-and-one-liner-laden homage to the love/hate event that is the family Christmas. Where, besides this list, is there a place big enough for a movie with Yule laughs this huge? As Clark Griswold would say, "Bend over and I'll show you."

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9. 'Babes in Toyland' (1934)

Mother Goose rhymes come to life in this '34 classic (reissued in '52 as 'March of the Wooden Soldiers') starring comedy legends Laurel and Hardy as gut-bustingly bumbling toymakers out to save Toyland from the nefarious Barnaby. And if tricking him into a same-sex wedding is what it takes, so much the better.

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8. 'Home Alone' (1990)

It made Macaulay Culkin the biggest child star on the planet, reigned at the box office for 12 straight weeks and grossed $533 million worldwide, but the best thing about this holiday staple is watching an 8-year-old kid toss burglars Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern a good old-fashioned Christmas beat-down.

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7. 'Christmas in Connecticut' (1945)

Arnold Schwarzenegger was so enamored with this classic he directed his own TV version in 1992. True story. But for the love of Sinbad, stick to the original, a serene screwball comedy starring Barbara Stanwyck as a food writer who misleads her readers in adorably forgivable ways.

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6. 'Elf' (2003)

Frank Ricard. Ron Burgundy. Ricky Bobby. They're all unforgettable Will Ferrell personas, but the role he might be remembered for most in 50 years is Buddy the Elf (what's your favorite color?) from '03's instant holiday classic. This non-stop laugher exemplifies all-ages entertainment.

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5. 'White Christmas' (1954)

Aren't we all dreaming of a 'White Christmas'? The movie starring Bing "Mr. Christmas" Crosby and Danny Kaye is as charming as the tune, with all the elements to warm the heart: Two GIs come home from WWII, fall in love with singing-and-dancing sisters and help their general with his failing Vermont inn. Awww.

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4. 'Scrooged' (1988)

Only Bill Murray could so expertly walk the fine line between pathos and hilarity, as he does playing miserly TV exec Frank Cross. Complete with a taxi-driving Ghost of Christmas Past and a (literally) ball-busting Ghost of Christmas Present, this Dickens send-up is so offbeat and fun, Yule love it!

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3. 'Miracle on 34th Street' (1947)

If this '47 classic doesn't make you a Santa believer, nothing (especially the '94 remake) will. It's dark stuff for a Christmas flick -- Kris Kringle is put on trail to determine if he's legally insane -- but the endgame (in which the US Postal Service saves the day!) is utterly heartwarming.

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2. 'It's a Wonderful Life' (1946)

A tale of depression and almost-suicide doesn't exactly scream "Christmas classic" -- which is probably why Frank Capra's flick flopped at the box office. But more than 30 years later, it endures as a beloved testament to everything Christmas embodies: family, friends and the joy of life.

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1. 'A Christmas Story' (1983)

There's nary a scene to forget in this near-perfect nostalgic look at where Americana and Christmastime meet. The story of a young boy's epic quest to get his hands on a Red Ryder BB gun provides the hilarious backdrop for a timeless tale rife with family hijinks, frozen tongues and, of course, sex-oozing leg lamps.

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Comments

(48)

Thursday 16 December

By Marlene

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After "Shop Around the Corner" and before "You've Got Mail", another movie was made, based on the same book. None of these were prequels or sequels but were original screen plays, based on the book "The Shop Around the Corner". The third movie is "In the Good Old Summertime", a musical staring Judy Garland. Don't let the name throw you off, it has a Christmas segment in the story, it also shows Liza Minelli as a very young child in her first screen appearance. If you love Judy Garland musicals, you'll love this movie.

Monday 27 December

By LIgyu

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By billw

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To me the all around best Christmas movie is "Santa Claus, the movie". This starred Charles Huddleston as the most perfect Santa I ever saw. The story is about how Santa came to be. The scene where he is granted sainthood with Burgess Meredith as the ancient elf was wonderfully done. I was sorry to not see it on this list.

By Ez Ed

Who picked that list and what drugs are you on ?

Friday 17 December

By fiona

I think they list all the movies they can think of that had Christmas SOMEWHERE in the script, put them in a hat, pick them out one by one and hope for the best. The Polar Express should be Top 5 and A Christmas Memory, Top 3 for sure, isn't even on the list!! The original Miracle on 34th Street is still my favorite.

By richrokosz

BALONEY!! "It's A Wonderful Life" #1...all the way!

By coydog2000

No doubt... not even close. And can anyone tell me why ELF is on this list, what a bad movie. Cant believe FAMILY MAN is not on this list somewhere.

By tarheel63

Am I the only one who doesn't get the appeal of A Christmas Story? Please, give him the BB gun so he will shoot his eye out. I hate the fact that TBS ties up their network for 24 hours every year to run this overrated dreck back to back. It should be against the law. I always thought the only good thing about the movie was Darren McGavin- reminded me of my dad in some ways.

By Tiff

No, you're not the only one! And I'm with you...Ted Turner buys the rights to "It's A Wonderful Life" to stop it from being playing constantly at Christmas time (wasn't a problem to me), yet he allows "Christmas Story" to be played non-stop, especially on Christmas day. Just makes me turn the channel! "It's A Wonderful Life" #1 all the way!!

Tuesday 21 December

By Ron

You are definitely not the only one who does not get Christmas Story. There is no way that this should be the #1 movie. Maybe on the list in the 20's. White Christmas, Miracle on 34th Street and It's a Wonderful Life should be tied for top three.

By bill

elf SUCKS and will farrell SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!

By paintppa1

gremlins? elf #6 (cannot sit through that p.o.s.) bill murray's scrooged was another loser that require suspending one's sense of quality acting, die hard??? sheesh...who ever put this list together must have been playing hookey from their AA meeting.

By greg

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The best Xmas movie by far is "Ernest Saves Christmas." The rest are pretty lame.

By SMS

Yea I agree Ernest Saves Christmas should definitely be on the list...as for Elf that's got to be one of the worst movies ever made.

By danny

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Die Hard and Die Hard 2 get my vote for the number 1 and 2 on the list. For guys,those are the only real Christmas Movies.

#1 is a good choice, the others are iffy.

By Kevin

How about the first Lethal Weapon movie?

By Penny

Don't forget, The Family Stone... and The Family Man... Both great Christmas/family movies.

By Polly

"Best Christmas Pageant Ever" should be on the list.

By jet

Some of the films on this list ??????? Hello???? Whoever put this list together had to have been smoking something funny.

Christmas Vacation - yes, indeed. I watch this one on the 1st Sunday of Advent every year - just to kick off the season in the most hysterical way possible.

A Christmas Carol or Scrooge - whichever - definitely - not Christman without it.

The rest of the list???? Maybe White Christmas, sure, Holiday Inn, yeah, It's a Wonderful Life, ok, but some of those on the list, no way.

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