Deck the halls: 15 best Christmas movies of all time
From Bad Santa to Love Actually, it’s that time of the year again when you can watch your fill of Christmas movies. But which film tops the festive charts this year? We take a look at the most popular Christmas movies over the years.
Movies
Don't miss out on the headlines from Movies. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- ‘No regrets’: Why Lazenby turned down second Bond movie
- Elsa Pataky: The secret to seducing Chris Hemsworth
It wouldn’t be Christmas without watching a cracker on TV. But which movie tops the festive charts? There’s a new entry this year, in the form of Last Christmas, written by Emma Thompson and starring Game of Thrones’ Emilia Clarke, Crazy Rich Asians’ Henry Golding and George Michael’s hits.
The critics slated it, but just like Love Actually, which was panned by the experts and loved by the punters, it’s doing well at the box office.
So as the Christmas countdown begins, jingle your bells with our top festive flicks to share …
LOVE ACTUALLY
Critics hated it, but this still regularly tops fans’ best Christmas movies lists. Richard Curtis’s 2003 sugary vignettes starring Keira Knightley, Andrew Lincoln, Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, Colin Firth and more, are like a selection box of all your favourite stars you just can’t help bingeing on.
IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE
If you are feeling down, play this movie and yule feel better. Frank Capra’s 1946 masterpiece about suicidal George Bailey (James Stewart) discovering what life would be like for his family and community if he wasn’t there, is just perfect. We challenge you not to cry.
See it at selected Event cinemas on December 9
THE HOLIDAY
Packed full of cliches, this 2006 offering is cheesy and corny and absolutely delicious for it. When Cameron Diaz did a pre-Airbnb house swap with Kate Winslet, she didn’t realise the cutesy English cottage came with Jude Law under the mistletoe. Bonus.
HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS
Dr Seuss’s story of the curmudgeonly old Grinch eventually finding redemption continues to delight children 62 years after it was written and there have been many adaptations. Jim Carrey’s 2000 movie version and Benedict Cumberbatch’s 2018 animated offering are both worth a download for a dose of Cindy Lou Who’s meaning of life.
MEET ME IN ST LOUIS
This glorious 1944 technicolour musical starring Judy Garland was a huge success at the time and well worth watching for her smashing out Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.
ELF
Will Ferrell’s 2003 comedy offering is not be Shakespeare, but it’s full of heart. He plays Buddy the elf, who never quite fitted in to the North Pole, mainly because he was a human. But he ends up saving Christmas anyway. Hooray.
A CHRISTMAS CAROL (SCROOGE)
The ultimate Christmas story penned in 1843 by Charles Dickens, has been remade and ripped off countless times.
In 2009 Jim Carrey, Gary Oldman and Colin Firth starred in an enjoyable Disney animated version, but it’s 1951’s movie you really want to watch. Alastair Sim sets the benchmark for Scrooge that no one yet has surpassed, although Guy Pearce is giving it a go in this year’s BBC mini-series, airing soon.
THE MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL
And for those who like their Dickens with added frog, 1992’s The Muppet Christmas Carol has it all, with Michael Caine as Scrooge, Gonzo as Dickens and Kermit and Miss Piggy as Bob and Emily Cratchit.
BAD SANTA
OK, it’s not a family film, but for those who like their Santas a little naughtier, 2003’s hilarious black comedy with Billy Bob Thornton, is a must. Despite the dirty laughs, it still has an uplifting message. Thornton came back for a second outing in 2016.
MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET
Another Christmas classic is George Seaton’s 1947 charming movie Miracle On 34th Street. Maureen O’Hara and daughter (a young Natalie Wood) have no time for fantasies — until they meet department store Kris Kringle (Edmund Gwenn) who won an Oscar for his role. It was remade in 1994 with Richard Attenborough as Kris Kringle and Matilda’s Mara Wilson as Susan.
SCROOGED
A 1988 take on Dickens’ story is the brilliant Scrooged, with Bill Murray playing a selfish and cynical TV executive who learns about the spirit of Christmas through, well, the spirits of Christmas. You know the drill.
THE SANTA CLAUSE
For a real Sunday afternoon family film to sleigh you, Tim Allen’s 1994 turn in The Santa Clause does the job. Allen has to fill some big boots when he steps in for Santa following an accident. It was a box office hit and two sequels were made.
THE POLAR EXPRESS
The thrilling Polar Express starts off a little scarily, but this 2004 Tom Hanks animated railway adventure really picks up when the train gets to the North Pole. We challenge anyone not to well up when they finally hear that sleigh bell jingle.
HOME ALONE
Macauley Culkin’s scream became more famous than Edvard Munch’s, but this 1990 Christmas caper where poor Kevin is left home while his family goes on holiday, is still the gift that gives.
NATIONAL LAMPOON’S CHRISTMAS VACATION
Who doesn’t love an outing with the Griswolds, if only to realise your own family’s not so bad after all. Chevy Chase and Beverly D’Angelo are at their best with kids Juliette Lewis and Johnny Galecki in this 1989 romp which is about as far as you can get from being woke. Fa la la la laaa …
* Most available to stream on YouTube, Google Play or Netflix
Originally published as Deck the halls: 15 best Christmas movies of all time