Will Ferrell as Buddy excited to see Santa in Elf
By
Shawn S. Lealos
Published 2 hours ago
Shawn S. Lealos is an entertainment writer who is a voting member of the Oklahoma Film Critics Circle. He has written for Screen Rant, CBR, ComicBook, The Direct, The Sportster, Chud, 411mania, Renegade Cinema, Yahoo Movies, and many more.
Shawn has a bachelor's degree in professional writing and a minor in film studies from the University of Oklahoma. He also has won numerous awards, including several Columbia Gold Circle Awards and an SPJ honor. He also wrote Dollar Deal: The Story of the Stephen King Dollar Baby Filmmakers, the first official book about the Dollar Baby film program. Shawn is also currently writing his first fiction novel under a pen name, based in the fantasy genre.
To learn more, visit his website at shawnlealos.net.
Sign in to your ScreenRant account Summary Generate a summary of this story follow Follow followed Followed Like Like Thread Log in Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents: Try something different: Show me the facts Explain it like I’m 5 Give me a lighthearted recapThe most wonderful time of the year also has some of the most wonderful Christmas movies for people to celebrate the holidays. The best thing about Christmas movies is that they often cover several different genres, with the only connecting device being the holiday season playing a significant role in the film's story.
These include movies about Santa Claus, as well as films about families getting together to celebrate the holiday season. However, there are also some non-traditional Christmas movies people love to watch every year, including crime comedies and even one of the best action flicks of all time, although that is one people love to argue about.
The Ref (1994)
Denis Leary as Gus on the phone in The Ref
The Ref is a non-traditional Christmas movie that is one of the best crime comedies of the 1990s. In one of Dennis Leary's earliest movie roles, the comedian plays a burglar named Gus, who is stealing jewelry from a mansion when an alarm gets set off, and he ends up breaking into a family's home and holding them hostage.
The problem is that he picked the most dysfunctional family, all of whom hate each other, and the Christmas holiday only makes their bickering worse. Not only does Gus want to escape as quickly as possible from these terrible people, but their son also wants to come with him for a "better life."
The cast is fantastic from top to bottom, and Leary proved his skills as he tries to deal with a terrible couple while trying to figure out what he is going to do next. The Ref received mainly positive reviews for subverting most Christmas movie themes, and it is one of Ted Demme's most underrated films.
The Santa Clause (1994)
Tim Allen as Santa Claus looking at Judge Reinhold as Dr Neil Miller in The Santa Clause
Released in 1994, The Santa Clause was a considerable Christmas movie box office hit when released, and it went on to spawn a franchise with sequels and even a television series that hit Disney+ in 2022. Tim Curry stars as Scott Calvin, a marketing director who is divorced and struggles to keep a relationship with his son.
However, when Scott startles Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, and he falls off the roof and dies, Santa's power goes into the struggling father, and he realizes he has to keep Christmas alive, even as the people in his life decide that he is losing his sanity. The movie received positive reviews, and it remains a holiday favorite.
The film is a solid tale of family, and it is a fun story about a father and son trying to connect when the least likely thing happens in their lives.
How The Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
Jim Carrey as the Grinch talking to Taylor Momsen as Cindy Lou Who in How the Grinch Stole Christmas
The original How the Grinch Stole Christmas was an animated film from 1966 that remains one of the most beloved Christmas movies of all time. Based on Dr. Seuss' book, that original film was only 24 minutes long and released as a TV special. However, in 2000, Ron Howard directed the feature-length version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
Jim Carrey stars as the Grinch in this movie, as he sets out to ruin Christmas in Whoville after the people of that town ostracized him and made him feel unwanted when he was a child. However, when he meets young Cindy Lou Who, she teaches him the true meaning of Christmas, and his heart grows three sizes.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas received mixed reviews, at best, but it was one of Jim Carrey's better roles, and it remains a fan favorite 25 years after its release. It also won an Oscar for Best Makeup, with Carrey earning a Golden Globe nomination for his performance.
Scrooged (1988)
Bill Murray as Frank Cross in a Christmas hat in Scrooged
In 1988, Bill Murray starred in a loose retelling of the classic Charles Dickens tale, A Christmas Carol. The movie, directed by Richard Donner (Superman, The Goonies), stars Murray as Frank Cross, a cynical TV network executive who forces his employees to work on Christmas Eve to broadcast a live adaptation of A Christmas Carol.
He ends up being visited by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future, as they show him the error of his ways. These ghosts were spectacular, with David Johansen and Carol Kane stealing their scenes. Bobcat Goldthwait was also incredible as an unhinged employee who decides to take matters into his own hands.
Scrooged was a box office success, and critics praised the film's dark humor with a 93% Rotten Tomatoes score. Roger Ebert called it one of the most "unsettling" films he had seen in a while. The film earned one Oscar nomination and has gone on to become a cult classic.
Die Hard (1988)
Bruce Willis as John McClane crawling through the air ducts in Die Hard
Is Die Hard a Christmas movie? Yes, it most definitely is a Christmas movie, even if many people argue that it isn't. Bruce Willis stars as John McClane, a New York City police detective who goes to see his estranged wife at her company's Christmas party on Christmas Eve. However, what he finds is a terrorist attack.
Alan Rickman proved to be a massive star in his role as Hans Gruber, the leader of the terrorists who took over Nakatomi Plaza, demanding $640 million in untraceable bearer bonds. It is up to McClane to stop the terrorists, save his estranged wife, and save Christmas for all the hostages in the building.
The music even hints at Christmas, with the songs "Ode to Joy" and "Winter Wonderland" as part of the score, "Let it Snow" playing over the final credits, and even the Run-DMC Christmas classic "Christmas in Hollis." Die Hard is one of the best action movies ever made, and the best non-traditional Christmas film of all time.
Elf (2003)
Will Ferrell as Buddy excited to see Santa in Elf
In 2003, Will Ferrell brought his unhinged man-child persona to an instant Christmas classic. Directed by Jon Favreau, Elf stars Farrell as a man raised to believe he was an elf when he snuck into Santa's bag of gifts one Christmas Eve, and Claus (Ed Asner) decided to keep him at the North Pole.
However, when Papa Elf (Bob Newhart) decides Buddy should find his real family, he sets out for New York to meet his father, who happens to be a work-obsessed man with little time for Christmas or a grown man who claims to be his son. However, Buddy quickly spreads the joy of Christmas, despite the police gunning for him.
The movie was a massive box office hit, and it has returned to theaters multiple times over the last 22 years to add to its totals. Critics awarded it an 86% Rotten Tomatoes score, and it has spawned a Broadway musical, an animated special, and it remains a beloved cult classic.
Miracle On 34th Street (1947)
Edmund Gwenn as Kris Kringle talking to Natalie Wood as Susan Walker in Miracle on 34th Street
There has been more than one version of Miracle on 34th Street, but none of the later movies match up to the brilliant 1947 release. The film takes place between Thanksgiving and Christmas and follows a man named Kris Kringle who is hired by Macy's to be their department store Santa Claus.
The film then takes some interesting directions when a little girl (Natalie Wood) believes he is the real Santa Claus. When Macy's asks that Kris take a psychiatric evaluation, the psychiatrist decides he is a danger to those around him and orders him to be institutionalized, which leads to a massive court case.
It's clear this is not a typical Santa Claus movie in any term of that definition, but it remains a film that keeps the spirit of Christmas. Edmund Gwenn is spectacular as Kris Kringle, and he went on to win the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. It was also nominated for Best Picture, one of Hollywood's most successful Christmas movies.
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)
Chevy Chase as Clark Griswold plugging in Christmas lights in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
National Lampoon made a lot of raunchy adult comedies over the years, but in 1989, the company created one of its best family-friendly films. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation is a sequel to the original Vacation movies and sees Chevy Chase return as Clark Griswold, this time planning the best Christmas ever.
There are so many great moments in the film, from Clark's attempts to have the biggest Christmas light display ever to his brother kidnapping his boss to demand that Clark get the Christmas bonus he expected. The squirrel in the Christmas tree and the scene-stealing Mae Questel (Betty Boop) as Great Aunt Bethany are the icing on the cake.
Christmas Vacation received positive reviews, and it has gone on to become yet another cult classic that people watch every holiday season, and for good reason. It remains one of the funniest Christmas movies ever made.
A Christmas Story (1983)
Peter Billingsley as Ralphie Parker on Santa's slide in A Christmas Story
A Christmas Story is considered by many to be the seminal Christmas movie. Directed by Bob Clark, the film stars Peter Billingsley as nine-year-old Ralphie Parker, a young man who wants nothing more than a Red Ryder Carbine Action 200-shot Range Model air rifle for his Christmas gift from Santa Claus.
The film is told from Ralphie's point of view, with an adult Ralphie narrating the story. It follows Ralphie with his hard-working, strict father, his overprotective mother, and his younger, hapless brother, trying to make ends meet as Christmas grows near. This is a story about a real family, and it doesn't pull many punches.
However, it is also a sweet movie about a little boy discovering what is important in life, and how his mom and dad, despite their flaws, are doing their best by him. There were two sequels, including one in 2022 with Ralphie as a father with kids of his own.
It's A Wonderful Life (1946)
James Stewart as George Bailey with his family in It's a Wonderful Life
The best Christmas movie ever made was released in 1946, and it was a box office and critical failure when released. It's a Wonderful Life is a Frank Capra film starring James Stewart as a husband and father who has lost faith in his life and is contemplating suicide when an angel from Heaven visits him.
This angel, Clarence Odbody, shows George Bailey what the town would be like if he was born, to show him how important he is to those around him. It was a tender story about how a person might not see themselves as a success, but if they have lived a good life, it makes things better for those they love.
The movie was a flop at the box office and received mixed reviews. However, things have changed. In 1974, it went into the public domain, and networks began to play it nonstop, and it became one of the most beloved Christmas movies of all time. It was one of the first movies added to the National Film Registry in 1990.
-
Movies
-
A Christmas Story
We want to hear from you! Share your opinions in the thread below and remember to keep it respectful.
Be the first to post Images Attachment(s) Please respect our community guidelines. No links, inappropriate language, or spam.Your comment has not been saved
Send confirmation emailThis thread is open for discussion.
Be the first to post your thoughts.
- Terms
- Privacy
- Feedback
Daisy Ridley Joins Johnny Depp's Upcoming Fantasy Movie Adaptation Eyeing 2026 Release
Screen Awards 2025: Best Supporting Actress in TV Nominees
Martin Scorsese Highly Praises Guillermo Del Toro's Netflix Monster Movie As "Grand Opera"
Xbox Game Pass Added A Staggering Number Of Games This Year, Here's Every One
Shorts
By
SR Staff
0:49
The Boys Season 5 Finale Might Be the Darkest Ending Yet for Homelander and Butcher
By
Michael Keene
0:50
DCU vs Snyderverse: How Netflix Could Help Both Sides Without Breaking DC Rules
By
Michael Keene
0:44
Henry Cavill’s Shock Superman Cancelation Explained… DC’s Real Reason Comes Out
By
Mallory Flory
0:44
Wake Up Dead Man’s smartest clues finally explained — the details everyone overlooked
By
SR Staff
0:47
Is Millie Bobby Brown Bound for the MCU?
More from our brands
17 Best Christmas Movies to Put On After the Kids Go to Bed
The 40 Best Christmas Movies of All Time, Ranked
The 12 Best Christmas Movies on Max Right Now (December 2024)
The 10 Best Christmas Movies on Hulu Right Now (December 2024)
20 Most Iconic Christmas Movie Characters of All Time
20 Best Christmas Movies the 2000s Had To Offer
The 15 Most Iconic Christmas Movie Characters, Ranked
Trending Now
3 Best Paramount+ Shows Binge-Watch This Weekend (December 5–7, 2025)
3 Best HBO Max Shows Binge-Watch This Weekend (December 5–7, 2025)
35 Steamy K-Dramas You Should Watch Today
