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Jeff Ames
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Holiday films are an important American pastime. However, such a genre requires skill to execute. One must include all the important ingredients, namely two cups of heart, a dash of fantastical whimsy, and a good old spoonful of yuletide rejuvenation, for a traditional holiday film to work. With that in mind, we here at Collider decided to compile a “best of” list, of sorts (ranked according to their IMDb scores).
Included within are personal favorites of the staff, or the films we all grew up watching during those festive afternoons when school was canceled due to winter storms, or during Thanksgiving or Christmas break. At their best, these films represent a merry tradition, one honored in most American households — these are the films that soundly capture the spirit of the holidays. These magical movies provide the aforementioned ingredients plus one additional key element: nostalgia, or a remembrance of youth. A time and place when we believed Santa and his reindeer could fly, and that wishes could come true.
15 'The Polar Express' (2004)
IMDb Score: 6.6/10
A train conductor welcomes a young boy in pajamas onto a magical train in The Polar Express.Image via Warner Bros. Pictures
Creepy kids aside, it’s hard to deny Zemeckis a place on this list. The Polar Express remains a holiday favorite primarily because, as one character in the film states, “It’s just so Christmas-y.” Indeed, Zemeckis outdoes himself here, adapting the equally gorgeous Chris Van Allsburg children’s book of the same name to amazing, sometimes stunning results.
Tom Hanks (with the help of mo-cap technology) plays just about everybody in the film (even the main “Hero Boy”), but his presence never feels excessive; in fact, quite the opposite. His portrayal of Santa remains the film’s high point; a masterfully executed performance that perfectly embodies the spirit of St. Nick. The same could be said of the film, which captures the hypnotic, sometimes eerie essence of Christmas right down to the docile sounds of holiday tunes playing over the radio. Alan Silvestri’s terrific score, meanwhile, adds an extra dose of magic to the already spellbinding scenery.
14 'The Santa Clause' (1994)
IMDb Score: 6.6/10
Tim Allen as Scott/Santa and Eric Lloyd as Charlie look at each other in a sleigh in The Santa Clause.Image via Buena Vista Pictures
The 1990s were a great time for Christmas movies. Holiday favorites like Home Alone, Jingle All the Way, and The Muppet Christmas Carol were produced in this great era. Another modern Christmas classic to come out of the ‘90s was The Santa Clause. In the film, Tim Allen stars as Scott Calvin, a divorced dad who unknowingly agrees to a binding contract to become the next Santa when he puts on the iconic red and white suit.
Allen, who was best known for his comedic roles, proved he could bring heartfelt emotions into the more touching and serious scenes of The Santa Clause. His portrayal of Santa was a unique one, as a reluctant participant whose mind and heart were eventually won over by the magic and wonder of the season. The Santa Clause has great comedic moments and beautiful set and costume designs, making it a great family film to enjoy during the holidays and a favorite for many fans. –Lisa Nordin
13 'The Nativity Story' (2006)
IMDb Score: 6.8/10
Mary and Joseph look at each other while Mary holds the newborn baby Jesus in The Nativity Story.Image via New Line Cinema
Before Oscar Issac was reanimating life in Frankenstein or fighting battles in the epic Dune and Star Wars sagas, he starred as Joseph in The Nativity Story. The Nativity Story focuses on the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem with great attention to detail. It blends key moments from the biblical account with creative script writing to construct a well-rounded narrative.
Keisha Castle-Hughes, known for her role in Game of Thrones, is phenomenal as Mary, and she and Isaac have great on-screen chemistry together. Ciarán Hinds is stellar as the brooding and uneasy Herod, and Shohreh Aghdashloo is perfect as Elizabeth. The inclusion of Christmas carols in the soundtrack and great cinematography make The Nativity Story a great watch at Christmas or any time of the year. –Lisa Nordin
12 'Scrooged' (1988)
IMDb Score: 6.9/10
Bill Murray as Frank Cross has his cheeks squished by a costar in Scrooged.Image via Paramount Pictures
Both Scrooged and Bad Santa make the list, if only because both films provide similar doses of hilarity, raunchiness, and vestigial amounts of heart. Richard Donner’s Scrooged has tamed over the years and remains lopsided and drastically uneven. Yet, Bill Murray shines through it all, delivering a go-for-broke performance that ultimately deserved a better (and darker) film.
Bad Santa, likewise, never quite settled as nicely with me as it did with others. I liked Billy Bob Thorton’s performance, even if the role of drunk-foul-mouthed-lunatic-with-a-tinge-of-warmth has worn out its welcome in lesser fare such as 2005’s The Bad News Bears and 2006’s School for Scoundrels.
11 'Bad Santa' (2003)
IMDb Score: 7.0/10
Billy Bob Thornton dressed as Santa drinking and smoking in Bad Santa.Image via Miramax Films
So why, you ask, are these two films [Scrooged and Bad Santa] on this list? Because, for all of their shortcomings, Christmas just isn’t the same without Frank Cross (when asked how to keep a pair of antlers atop a little mouse’s head, Frank responds: “Have you tried staples?”) and Willie the department store Santa (“I’m an eating, drinking, s***ting, f***ing Santa Claus”).
Both men have their faults, but more or less receive their comeuppance (and then some), and even (to some degree) give way to the tenderness of the holiday season. Probably not the best couple of hours to spend with the family, but your friends are gonna love this classic "Bad Santa" movie.
10 'Elf' (2003)
IMDb Score: 7.1/10
Will Ferrell as Buddy the Elf sits in an elf-sized chair with smaller elf-sized students in Elf.Image via New Line Cinema
Will Ferrell sings and dances his way through Jon Favreau’s goofy, even rambunctious comedy, as sugar-loving elf Buddy, who flees his North Pole sanctuary (where, at 6’3, he towers over the other elves) in an attempt to bond with his New York-based father (a very bored James Caan). Along the way, he meets Jovie (Zooey Deschanel, lovely as ever), a jaded, yet quirky store employee with whom he instantly falls in love. The plot revolves around Buddy’s endeavors to save his dad from Santa’s naughty list, whilst integrating into a new, cynical society — one that frowns upon the goodwill carried at all times on Buddy’s sprightly shoulders.
A love of Ferrell is definitely required to enjoy Elf. The comedian has played insane before, but never to such a degree. Imagine, if you will, those SNL cheerleading sketches, only splashed with a gallon of sugar, with an extra kick of caffeine added for good measure. Like most of Ferrell’s work, the routine eventually grows tiresome, but not before ample amounts of laughter — most of which is quite side-splitting. You’ll walk away from Elf pleased, if not slightly exhausted. Still, it’s one of the better Christmas comedies out there, and the ginormous box office haul helped Favreau make a little film called Iron Man. The opening bits, featuring Bob Newhart as Buddy’s adoptive father, and those nods to the stop-motion Christmas classics of yesteryear, are terrific; as is the chemistry between Ferrell and Deschanel. The sight of Ferrell, adorned in a green suit with yellow tights, never grows old; too bad the elf shtick doesn’t follow suit.
9 'National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation' (1989)
IMDb Score: 7.5/10
Chevy Chase as Clark and E.G. Marshall as Art hide behind a tree in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.Image via Warner Bros.
What’s Christmas without the Griswold[s]? Chevy Chase is in fine form as the ever-relatable Clark Griswold, this time forced to spend the holidays with his in-laws. Chase does some of his finest work, but “Best in Show” belongs to Randy Quaid’s Cousin Eddie, a horrific redneck concoction if there ever was one (“I had to have [the metal plate] in my head replaced, because every time Catherine revved up the microwave, I’d piss my pants and forget who I was for about half an hour or so,” he casually tells Clark).
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation's highlights include a ridiculous, over-the-top Christmas light display (which requires nuclear power to maintain); a sled-ride from Hell; and an intruding, terrifying squirrel incident. As in all the Vacation films, situations continually spiral out of control, mainly due to Clark’s sky-high expectations: “We’re gonna have the hap, hap, happiest Christmas since Bing Crosby tapped dance with Danny f***ing Kaye” – classic.
8 'Planes, Trains and Automobiles' (1987)
IMDb Score: 7.6/10
Neal and Del sit on their suitcases outside a building and talk in Planes, Trains and Automobiles.Image via Paramount Pictures
Steve Martin and John Candy are brilliant as two travelers attempting to reach their homes for Thanksgiving in this beloved holiday flick. Predictably, chaos ensures a less-than-merry holiday for the pair. It doesn’t help that Candy plays a hapless buffoon (he sells shower curtain rings), one whose personality significantly contrasts with Martin’s uptight businessman.
The results of their misadventures, including the complete annihilation of their car, an awkward hotel experience (“Those aren’t pillows!”), and a catastrophic freeway mishap involving semi-trucks and Candy’s brief transformation into Satan himself, provides the basis for the comedy. Yet, it’s the wry, often delicate, and sometimes even touching camaraderie between the two leads that makes Planes, Trains and Automobiles a winner. Of course, it helps to have John Hughes in your corner, especially in the height of his career, on hand as both writer and director, supplying terrific one-liners and the type of hilarious situational comedy that has long since become a staple of holiday cinema.
7 'Home Alone' (1990)
IMDb Score: 7.7/10
Macaulay Culkin screaming with his hands on his cheeks in Home Alone.Image via 20th Century Studios
Another slapstick farce — you might say the one that started it all — Chris Columbus’ original Home Alone has heart, big laughs, and a yuletide John Williams score consistently driving it home. The oft-remembered sequence involving a pair of bumbling robbers (Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern) provides solid laughs, but it’s the build-up to that moment in which little Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin), accidentally left behind by his family during the holiday rush, must fend for himself over the holidays, that catapults Home Alone into the echelon of near-classic status. Kevin undergoes a transformation of sorts: he learns to look past his fears and love the creepy neighbor (Roberts Blossom), wash dishes, and buy groceries at the local supermarket (alone!); he even watches Johnny Carson.
Still, there’s no denying the presence of Pesci and Stern, who rise above the material and provide big laughs at the expense of themselves. Look for a brief cameo from John Candy (re-teaming with John Hughes, who scripted) as a meager Polka player who provides Kevin’s desperate mother (Catherine O’Hara) with the transportation she needs to get home. Three sequels have since followed Columbus’ megahit, each with diminishing box office returns (the fourth film went directly to TV). Home Alone 2: Lost in New York offers similar (if not better) laughs, but there’s no denying the original 1990 blockbuster is a holiday classic in the finest sense.
6 'The Muppet Christmas Carol' (1992)
IMDb Score: 7.8/10
Michael Caine as Scrooge and the Muppets gather around a Christmas dinner in The Muppet Christmas Carol.Image via Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
A holiday list must always include at least one adaptation of Charles Dickens’ immortal Christmas classic. Of all the big screen versions to grace the silver screen, none has been quite as charming as The Muppets’ take, featuring Michael Caine (The Dark Knight) as Scrooge, and Kermit the Frog (Steve Whitmire) as his lowly assistant Bob Cratchit. Some may balk, but Brian Henson’s adaptation remains the most accessible to mainstream audiences (especially children), one filled with wonderful sights and sounds, and memorable songs.
Narrated by Gonzo (Dave Goelz) and his assistant Rizzo the Rat (Whitmire), Dickens’ tale is told with panache and occasional bursts of gut-busting humor (Miss Piggy (Frank Oz) has never been better). The finale, involving a singing and dancing Caine, may be forgettable, but the remainder of The Muppet Christmas Carol is both warm-hearted and spirited.
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