Every holiday season I post this list and it evolves based on readers suggestions and new movies that come out. If you have favorites that didn’t make the list please add them in the comments section and maybe you’ll influence next years list.
10. Christmas Vacation (1989) Added to the list this year by popular demand in response to last years Top Ten is Christmas Vacation, which knocked The Nightmare Before Christmas of the list. What do you think? Should a different movie have been taken off the list? Christmas Vacation fun fact: The assistant director of Christmas Vacation is the grandson of the director of It’s a Wonderful Life.
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9. Scrooged: (1988) A modern re-telling of the Charles Dickens classic starring Bill Murray. I think that even Dickens would agree that this is way better than the original.
8. The Family Man (2000) Starring Nicholas Cage and Tea Leoni. Most people don’t think much of Nicholas Cage but in this movie he nails the role of an investment banker who through a Christmas miracle is shown the path not taken in his life. I like this one so much that it knocked Die Hard off this list. If you haven’t seen it, go watch it and come back here and tell me what you think.
7. The Santa Clause: This 2004 movie starring Tim Allen screamed instant classic the first time I saw it. Also, any movie that includes Judge Reinhold is a must watch.
6. Love Actually: (2003) This is the best Christmas movie there is about stodgy British people trying to get it on, but it’s a favorite with the ladies, so it made the list. Around the holidays the ladies get what the ladies want.
5. The Polar Express: (2004) Tom Hanks is a better actor even as cartoon character.
4. Elf: (2003) Starring Will Farrell, this is the most quotable of all holiday movies. “I just like to smile. Smiling’s my favorite.” or “Buddy the Elf. What’s your favorite color?”
3. Miracle on 34th Street: (1947) I’ve never watched the crappy newer color version and I don’t plan to. I’ve loved this one since I was a kid, especially the brilliant court scene when Santa’s lawyer wins the case by having the postmen bring in the letters to Santa. Officially, that was the last time the post office delivered anything on time for the holidays.
2. A Christmas Story: (1983) It is right and just that TBS plays this movie for 24 hours straight every year.
1. It’s a Wonderful Life: (1946) Yes, I’m an old sentimental fool. I still love it everytime when Mary is hidden in the bush and has lost her robe and George says, “Now this is a very interesting situation.” Who doesn’t wonder where the movie might have gone had his friends not pulled up in the car at that moment. Bow bow chicka chicka… Also it’s pretty cool to me that the town of Bedford Falls is based on a small town in upstate New York that I drive through all the time.
Ok, that’s my list. What do you agree with or better yet, disagree with? What movies would you put on the list? Have a great Sunday! ~Phil
Wow @Phil this is a great write man.Already loving your work
I wish you could grace my blog with your presence.You are an inspiration .
God bless you
What about the Bells of St. Mary or White Christmas or any of the old classics?
Well, I’m a ‘lady’ (😁) & I hate “Love Actually” – one of the worst films I’ve ever seen
love actually, elf and nightmare before christmas )
Nightmare currently resides at #11 on the list but if more people say they like it, I’ll move it back into the top 10
I love Nightmare!
So happy with this list – except for that #4 spot.
*whispers* Elf is the most overrated Christmas movie out there.
*yells* where is Jim Carrey’s How The Grinch Stole Christmas?
Ugh! Jim Carrey’s Grinch?!!? *yells* who in the world thinks Jim Carrey’s Grinch is a classic Christmas movie?
😈😈😈
Good list, but missing “The Ref,” the best Christmas movie ever for people who shudder at the thought of a Norman Rockwell Christmas.
Hmm…The Ref, I’ll have to watch that one.
A Muppet Christmas Carol!! 🙂
Ooh! That is a great one! If more people mention it, it may make the list next year
I love that. It’s a tradition at our house. A must watch!!
Wait, what, not one Hallmark Christmas flick on your list? Say it ain’t so Phil, please say it ain’t so.
Oh please! I just saw a Hallmark movie the other day and the girls boyfriend turned out to be a prince from a small country no one ever heard of. Isn’t that the plot of Eddie Murphy’s movie Coming to America?
Die Hard. (Just kidding).
It used to be on the list
I don’t like ‘Love Actually’ and vote for ‘A Muppet Christmas Carol’ to replace it! So happy ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ has a permanent spot at #1 – my favorite all time Christmas movie. Also love seeing ‘Christmas Vacation’ and ‘A Christmas Story’ on the list since they are amongst my favorites.
IF Muppet Christmas Carol is on the list for next year, who says that Love Actually will get the boot? It might be a different movie!
True. I’m voting to give it the 🥾!
Great list. I have yet to see “Love Actually,” so I can’t vote it on or off. I did enjoy Bad Santa but not sure it is a classic.
Yeah, I’m not sure Bad Santa will make this list.
I think you are right.
I’d add White Christmas, but a great list.
I love, love, love “Holiday” with Jack Black, Jude Law, Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz Most adorable Christmas movie EVER!
I do know that movie. I like all the other characters in that, but Jack Black is awful when he tries to do real acting. He ruins the whole movie for me
It is tough to eliminate some of the classics. Maybe I should expand to make it a top 20 list
Fred Claus with Vince Vaughn is climbing my list.
I like the Holiday for a cheesy Christmas film. Also the newer version of Miracle on 34th Street is worth a watch, Mara Wilson is delightful and the courtroom scene has been adapted I think using a dollar bill and “in god we trust” as an argument for believing in Santa – it’s very good. Also where is Home Alone 1 and 2 and Die Hard?!
Ooh! Home Alone is a great one! Maybe it will make the list next year because of you!
Aw I hope so!
I’m ashamed to say I have never seen A Christmas Story, but I agree with your choice for number one. Hands down the best! I cry every time Clarence gets his wings.
❣️
My faves are number one elf in the “I like smiling smiling is my favorite.“ And the manager says, “make work your favorite“. I even called one of my blog posts that: make work your favourite . About all the various jobs I’ve had since I was five, Because my dad was such a hard ass. My next favourite is a Christmas story with the part about the boys sticking their tongue to the frozen pole and the “triple dog dare ya scene.” And love actually is just such a great movie especially the part where the president is dancing and his girlfriend uses the F bomb quite a bit.