Things To See

Top 5: Movies about Christmas

The holidays are a hectic time of year. Frantic shopping trips, endless tinsel and food preparation -- add rowdy relatives to the mix and it can all become a little overwhelming. Wouldn’t it be great if once more you could experience the enchantment of Christmas through the eyes of your childhood self? Well, if you’ve got a DVD or Blu-Ray player, you’re halfway there.

 

Here are five, charming Christmas classics that are bound to leave you gleefully humming Christmas carols until mid-February.  

 

1 Bad Santa (2003)

This is the film that turned our perception of Christmas movies upside down forever – then threw its drink in our faces. A film with countless cringe-worthy moments that may go down in history as the only Christmas-themed movie you won’t let your kids see. Since the film’s debut, two astoundingly hilarious cast members – John Ritter and Bernie Mac – have passed away. If you’re yet to have seen either of these brilliant men in action, rush out and hire Bad Santa immediately. Consider it an early Christmas present, from us. 

 

2 – Elf (2003)

Comedy’s journeyman, Will Ferrell, gave moviegoers a lot to love with his portrayal of the sweet, overgrown, man-elf, ‘Buddy’.      

As children worldwide flocked from cinemas laughing and counting the days until Santa’s pending arrival, we’re certain there were more than a few Dad’s out there heading home to amend their holiday wish lists to include the impossibly adorable, Zooey Deschanel.

 

3 – The Muppets Christmas Carol (1992)

The timeless Charles Dickens’ tale of Redemption, Free Will and the Christmas Spirit had been told time and time again, but no previous incarnation had reached the touching, compassionate heights that only ‘The Muppets’ could hope to achieve.         

Michael Caine is stellar in the role of the crotchety Ebenezer Scrooge as, across one life-altering evening, he is visited by the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future in an attempt to rectify his previously dastardly ways.

 

4 – Home Alone (1990)

Home Alone holds its position in many top Christmas movie lists for a litany of reasons. Memorable performances and quotable dialogue (“Keep the change, you filthy animal…”) has entrenched this film firmly within the nostalgic zone of our minds.

The brightest star of the movie, however, is one that often misses out on the kudos it so richly deserves: the soundtrack. Home Alone presents one of the most memorable, stirring soundtracks in recent history.  ‘Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,’ ‘White Christmas’ and a haunting, heartrending rendition of ‘O Holy Night,’ are the true stars of this childhood classic.

 

5 – ‘National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation’ (1989)

Here’s a film that perhaps summarises the quintessential Christmas experience with more accuracy than any other. A family aspires to host a marvelous seasonal celebration only to have everything go horribly wrong. Sound familiar?

Regardless of the fact the ‘National Lampoon’ series was about as hit-and-miss as their modern-day ‘Scary Movie’ counterpart, ‘Christmas Vacation’ has successfully remained a perennial classic, which showcases Chevy Chase at the peak of his comedic powers.