As a film enthusiast and someone who has spent countless hours wrapped in blankets, sipping hot cocoa, and immersing myself in the magic of Christmas movies, I must say that these selections showcase a remarkable evolution in the genre over the past few decades.
Christmas movies during November and December are just as common in Hollywood as scary movies in October, and they’ve been a consistent tradition for almost a century now. This sub-genre started gaining traction in the 1930s, interestingly enough, around the same time Coca-Cola introduced its first Santa Claus ad, helping to establish the character as a jolly, heavyset man in red and white clothing that we now associate with America. Over time, the industry has continually tweaked the holiday formula to keep audiences engaged and ensure financial success.
Since an abundance of excellent Christmas movies exist across various decades, particularly in the 1940s, ’80s, and ’90s, we’ve decided to expand our list to include not only the top picks but also worthy runners-up. We will be featuring the best Christmas-themed films from each decade, encompassing a range of genres such as horror and action movies.
NOTE: short films, e.g. CBS specials, were subject for inclusion.
1930s – A Christmas Carol (1938)
The 1930s marked the inception of the popular trend of Christmas movies, with the number and variety of these films growing significantly throughout the decade. Among the notable productions of this era were two adaptations of “A Christmas Carol.” While both versions have their merits, the 1938 adaptation stands out for providing a more comprehensive portrayal of Ebenezer Scrooge’s difficult backstory compared to the 1935 film “Scrooge.
- Runner-Up: Scrooge (1935)
- Genre Christmas Movie Pick: Babes in Toyland (1934)
- Stream A Christmas Carol on Max
1940s – It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
Frank Capra’s “It’s a Wonderful Life” is often considered a beloved Christmas film by many viewers and continues to be referenced in other movies today, with good reason. It boasts exceptional acting, particularly an unforgettable lead performance by James Stewart (who worked with Capra again after 1939’s “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington”), stunning visuals, and a heartfelt narrative throughout. While not every film on this list is essential viewing for everyone on the planet, “It’s a Wonderful Life” certainly falls into that category, much like “The Wizard of Oz” or “Jaws.
- Runners-Up: The Shop Around the Corner (1940), Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
- Genre Christmas Pick: 3 Godfathers (1948)
- Stream It’s a Wonderful Life on Amazon Prime Video
1950s – Scrooge (1951)
Among all the adaptations of Charles Dickens’ original work, the 1951 British version, known as “Scrooge” in the UK and “A Christmas Carol” in the US, is widely cherished. Alastair Sim delivers an exceptional portrayal of Ebenezer Scrooge, and despite being shown multiple times, it maintains a brisk 87-minute runtime, making it enjoyable for even those who have witnessed Scrooge’s heartwarming transformation a few too many times.
- Runner-Up: We’re No Angels (1955)
- Genre Christmas Movie Pick: The Night of the Hunter (1955)
- Stream Scrooge for free with ads on Tubi
1960s – How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966)
Ron Howard’s practical effects extravaganza from 2000 may be over-hated and the 2018 version may be a lot of fun, but it’s still the original mid-60s CBS special that stands as the definitive adaptation of Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The animation holds up to the point it’s only gotten more charming, and the decision to cast Frankenstein himself, Boris Karloff, as the title character was ingenious. The main issue with the two theatrical versions of the story is that they had to pad things out to be feature-length works, whereas the CBS special directly adapts the source material with plenty of style and no fluff.
- Runners-Up: A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965), Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964), Frosty the Snowman (1969)
- Genre Christmas Movie Picks: The Apartment (1960), On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969)
- Stream How the Grinch Stole Christmas! on Peacock
1970s – Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town (1970)
The 1970s decade could be described as a relatively quiet period for memorable Christmas movies, but it did maintain the tradition of delivering quality stop-motion specials, similar to the one released in 1964 titled Rudolph. While 1976’s Rudolph’s Shiny New Year, 1979’s Jack Frost, and the same year’s Rudolph and Frosty’s Christmas in July had their merits, it was Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town that stood out among 1970s stop-motion productions. This is not only due to its beautiful visuals, but also because it boasts the best songs of the bunch.
- Runner-Up: Scrooge (1970)
- Genre Christmas Movie Pick: Black Christmas (1974)
- Stream Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town on Amazon Prime Video
1980s – National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is a hilarious movie that appeals to many, even those not celebrating Christmas. It showcases the absurdity of dysfunctional families and their relentless pursuit of perfection during the holiday season. The character Clark Griswold, played by Chevy Chase, who was already known for his eagerness to please in the original Vacation film and the less successful National Lampoon’s European Vacation, is now faced with a more challenging task: ensuring a joyful holiday experience not just for his immediate family but also for his parents and in-laws. This installment of the franchise stands out as one of the funniest and most quotable comedy films ever made.
- Runners-Up: Diner (1982), A Christmas Story (1983), Trading Places (1983), Scrooged (1988)
- Genre Christmas Movie Picks: Gremlins (1984), Lethal Weapon (1987), Die Hard (1988)
- Stream National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation on Max
1990s – Home Alone (1990)
Remarkably popular and a cherished addition to the annals of Christmas cinema, Chris Columbus’ “Home Alone” stands as an iconic film. The cast is what truly sets it apart as one of the essential holiday movies – Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Catherine O’Hara, Daniel Stern, each delivering flawless performances in their roles. Add to that a fantastic soundtrack and a captivating plot that appeals equally to adults and children, and it’s easy to understand why “Home Alone” commands such a lofty status.
- Runners-Up: The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993), The Santa Clause (1994), While You Were Sleeping (1995)
- Genre Christmas Movie Pick: Batman Returns (1992)
- Stream Home Alone on Disney+
2000s – Elf (2003)
In a world where countless ways existed for Jon Favreau’s “Elf” to fall flat, it instead became a beloved holiday classic. With a premise that appears outlandish – a grown man in tights and a humorous costume roaming New York City in search of his father – the movie could have easily provoked more theater exits than passionate fanbases. However, thanks to solid direction and an exceptional performance by Will Ferrell, fresh off “SNL,” the film found its audience. Despite having a tone that might not resonate with everyone, for the most part, it remains as delightful as sweet pasta drenched in syrup.
- Runners-Up: Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000), Bad Santa (2003), The Polar Express (2004), The Holiday (2006)
- Genre Christmas Movie Pick: Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)
- Stream Elf on Max
2010s – The Grinch (2018)
Regarding movie adaptations of “The Grinch,” the 2000 version has an edge due to its catchy quotes and nostalgic appeal, but when it comes to Dr. Seuss’ characters, Illumination’s animated version takes the lead. Their distinctive visual style, demonstrated in their 2012 film “The Lorax,” fits perfectly with Seussian tales. Moreover, Benedict Cumberbatch’s performance as the Grinch strikes a balance between resembling the original portrayal by Boris Karloff and creating something unique. To top it off, Danny Elfman’s soundtrack adds an unforgettable touch to the 2018 remake, making it live up to its potential.
- Runner-Up: The Christmas Chronicles (2018)
- Genre Christmas Movie Picks: Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale (2010), Krampus (2015), Shazam! (2019), Anna and the Apocalypse (2018)
- Stream The Grinch (2018) on Peacock
2020s – Spirited (2022)
Director Sean Anders, known for “Instant Family” and the less recognized “Horrible Bosses 2”, has managed to breathe fresh life into a frequently retold Christmas tale. Collaborating once more with Will Ferrell following a series of less successful holiday films like the not-so-pleasant “Daddy’s Home” movies, Anders turns the narrative on its head by making the protagonist the Ghost of Christmas Present, who interestingly enough is Ebenezer Scrooge after his personality transformation. The Ghost of Christmas Present has always been a significant character, but “Spirited” goes a step further by delving deeper into his everyday work life. There’s still a grumpy character in the form of Clint Briggs, played by Ryan Reynolds, but the story also explores whether Ebenezer has genuinely changed after his experience. It’s an enjoyable journey with great chemistry between the leads and several amusing, catchy songs.
- Runner-Up: Happiest Season (2020)
- Genre Christmas Movie Picks: Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021), Silent Night (2021), Violent Night (2022), Terrifier 3 (2024)
- Stream Spirited on Apple TV+
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2024-12-15 19:11