Greatest Christmas Movies

Polar Express

Based on one of my favorite books as a child, Polar Express was a big hit in the post-2000′s that has produced few solid Christmas movies. The state of the art performance-capture technology was amazing, establishing a new kind of experience in animated film. Then of course, there’s Tom Hanks as the train conductor.

Bad Santa

Arguably the funniest Christmas movie ever made, Bad Santa broke all previous held notions about good Ole’ Saint Nick. Bad Santa proved the man could occasional slip into vulgarity, promiscuity, and armed burglary. It was a terrific idea, pulled off rather well Billy Bob.

Die Hard

Rarely does one confuse Christmas with Die Hard, that is until of course you remember the story takes place on Christmas Eve. Bruce Willis dishes out a couple cans of “Whoop-Ass” follow by a roundhouse kick even Chuck Norris would love. The classic one liners, the genre-redefining action, and the genius use of a Run-DMC holiday tune create a one-of-a-kind gift for the holiday season.

A Nightmare Before Christmas

Tim Burton does Christmas in this spectacular stop-go animation musical. Sleigh bells and shrunken heads? They’re great together! This is one of those films the kids will like, but adults may even enjoy more.

A Christmas Carol

Forget Christmas, A Christmas Carol is one of the greatest stories ever told – even if some of the faces Alastair Sim makes are downright suited for Halloween. Although, there’s been like 600 different adaptations, the classic 1950-something black and white version is still the best.

Home Alone

Home Alone made Macaulay Culkin a gigantic child star, and he has since disappeared (maybe he really was Home Alone?). Home Alone was a huge box office hit, holding the top spot for 12 straight weeks and grossing $533 million worldwide. The duo-stupidity of Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern is also highly underrated.

Elf

Will Ferrell surprisingly found a niche with Elf, and given his recent box office results, maybe he should dive back into children’s comedy. Buddy became an instant LOL character in this surprisingly 2003 classic. It’s a type of movie everyone can enjoy.

Scrooged

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!

Christmas Vacation

Arguably the best National Lampoon movie of all-time, and my second favorite Christmas movie, Christmas Vacation is one great laugh from start to finish. 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. Cousin Eddy is also hilarious!

A Christmas Story

Christmas enthusiasts would literally kill me if this is not #1. 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.