Ryan McNeilIt’s a mere three sleeps until Christmas kids! (Show of hands – who still has shopping to do?).
This is my third time cobbling together a blog post about my favorite Christmas films, but as I thought a bit harder about it, I decided it was time to re-jig the order. Such things happen…you fall further in love with one film, become disenchanted with another. However four of the five I’ve written about in years past are still here.
Do understand, that when the calendar turns to December, I do usually have classics like IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE, NATIONAL LAMPOON, and A CHRISTMAS STORY playing on loop. But for what it’s worth, these five are the ones I like just that little bit more.
So take a moment from wrapping those presents, turn up the Bing Crosby and allow me a festive moment to share…
#5. THE REF (1994)… The song says “I’ll be home for Christmas” – whether or not every family is meant to be home for Christmas is a whole other story, as the amazingly dysfunctional Chasseurs seems out to prove. It reminds me that no matter how crazy your family can drive you, the holidays are a time to spend with those truly closest to you.
#4. BAD SANTA (2003)… The song says “He knows if you’ve been bad or good / So be good for goodness sakes”. But what happens when we don’t know if he’s been bad or good? this film is the bourbon in my egg nog…that little splash of something wicked that makes the whole holiday just a little easier.
#3. JOYEUX NOËL (2005)… The song says “Peace on earth / Goodwill to men”, well once upon a time, some men trained to kill each other actually took a moment and lived that hymn to the fullest. It’s the most moving Christmas story I have ever seen, and if you’ve never watched it, get your hands on a copy before the 25th. You won’t soon forget it.
#2. LOVE, ACTUALLY (2003)… The song says “All I want for Christmas is you”. Sometimes, it’s just that simple. the holidays can be amazingly rough if you are on your own. However, if you are in love, it’s gives you a window to get just that little bit closer to that special someone. Yes I know it’s a chick flick. Shut up.
#1. ELF (2003)… The song says “Jump in bed and cover your head / ‘Cause Santa Claus comes tonight”. For me, Christmas will always be about the enthusiasm and belief that I had in Santa Claus as a kid, and it seems as though no film sums this up as well as ELF. I’ll admit, I actually get a little but misty when everyone starts singing in the end. Along with the fact that it makes me laugh every single year, it’s a film that I really believe embodies the best parts of what Christmas is all about. Thus it earns an extra serving of milk and cookies for taking the top spot on my list.
Did I miss one? Feel free to leave comments naming your favorite Christmas movies, along with suggestions for the next top five.
The Ref was funny, but I'm not sure it would be a top 5 Christmas Film… Joyeux Noel is an amazing story, and very good film. Bad Santa is great and so is Love, Actually. As for Elf, the last few years has taught me to just say this: no comment.
Yippee! You included both "Bad Santa" and "Elf," which would be in my top two! "Love Actually" would certainly make the cut as well, as wood "Nightmare Before Christmas."
(Yeah, my tastes are a weird mix of comedy and the dregs of humanity.)
I might throw in "A Christmas Story" purely for the tongue-on-the-light-pole scene, which traumatized me for life. Seriously.
NATIONAL LAMPOON'S CHRISTMAS VACATION!!!!!
dude, I am shamed you didn't include.
Good choices- I think The Ref is sadly underrated.
Elf is definitely one of my favorites, too. I don't even like Christmas that much, but it gets to me anyway.
@ Univarn… No ELF love? Consider your podcast cancelled!
@ M. Carter… A CHRISTMAS STORY is indeed an essential. I actually have to feverishly run interference every Christmas when Lady Hatter feels the urge to go out and buy that kitchy leg lamp. So far, so good!
@ Po… I mentioned LAMPOON in my little preamble. It's a good'n, but kind of a textbook answer these days. Now get back to work!
@ Alex… Aw shucks! Look at you gettin' into the spirit despite yerself 🙂
@Mad haha, I get a lot of flack for it. I thought it was just ok, nothing all that special, only to be constantly bashed by people claiming it to be the best Christmas film ever. So as you can imagine I just keep my trap shut when it comes to the Elf topic :).
So glad a guy can admit to liking Love Actually. It's actually the only film on your list I've seen
Bad Santa hurts so good. It's so hard to watch that movie with cringing and laughing at the same time. A friend of mine called his favorite movie after it came out but it took me like 3 years to finally see it – and I immediately understood the appeal.
@ Univarn… This is usually where I suggest "Watch it again".
@ Filmgeek… Most definitely! I especially like the storyline of Liam Neeson and his step-son.
@ Daniel… BAD SANTA is wrong for so many reasons, but friggin' irresistable. I especially love Lauren Graham in it – she did a pretty good job of makin' me forget how much I hate her on The Gilmore Girls.
Love, love, love Love Actually. I got my own post going up soon for Christmas, but like the top five. Well done.
@Mad this is usually where I say I've seen it 10 times (everyone I know loves it) and my opinion still hasn't changed. I have no problem with people loving it, I'm just not one of those people :P.
Two words … DIE HARD
I'm not a fan of Love Actually. While it's mildly enjoyable, it's way too cheesy, even for me. Tastes like ten thousand candy canes forcefully shoved into my mouth.
We do agree on Elf. It embodies the childlike wonder of Christmas so perfectly well.
I find Christmas Vacation to be a tad overrated (it's a relatively fun film, but I never felt any emotional connection to it). I don't like A Christmas Story at all, simply because the humor doesn't suit me.
@ Mike… No hurry on getting your post up. We're all busy this time of year, and after all – those eyebrows ain't gonna wax themselves>
(Sorry – I couldn't resist)
@ Univarn… Wowsers – you win! I'm used to people swearing a movie off after one viewing (or not even a complete viewing in some cases). Ten times is plenty to take in every nuance. You are hearby granted a Get-Out-of-ELF-Free Card.
@ Danger… Ah DIE HARD…the other great Christmas classic starring Alan Rickman.
@ Marcy… It actually took me a few viewings to completely get into A CHRISTMAS STORY, so I feel your plight on that one. At least we can agree on one out of five!
I've only seen two of these. (1,4)
*shame*
thats a gutsy list Hatter
i havent see The Ref but i keep reading about it, must check it out if its on tv over the holidays.
the best christmas film ever made is Scrooged, closely followed by The Nightmare Before Christmas, Die Hard, Gremlins and Home Alone
Love Actually is a surprisingly enjoyable film but Bad Santa is the best on the list. I wouldn’t include National Lampoon Christmas Vacation, the first film was great and European Vacation had good moments but to be honest I wouldn’t bother with any of them beyond the first one.
I could go on about the great films set at Christmas but not Christmas movies such as Die Hard and Eyes Wide Shut but I will save that! One film I really would suggest is The Nightmare Before Christmas.
@ Fletch… Before Christmas is over, get your hands on a copy of #3. You can thank me after.
@ Ross… I never see THE REF on TV around here anymore, and for the life of me I can 't tell you why. As for HOME ALONE, it's actually a movie Lady Hatter's family loves but I despise…so sorry, no points on that one.
@ fandango… You have no idea the smile that suggesting EYES WIDE SHUT as a Christmas film gives me. I think it's the Christmas movie for those who think that DIE HARD is too warm and fuzzy.
Excellent choice!
You're giving me two and a half days, Hatter? Sheeeeiiiitt. How 'bout before Valentine's Day?
@ Fletch… I'll give you 'til Ukranian Christmas (That's on January 6th).
Great list and reasons for choosing the films. I have to admit that I was not a fan of Bad Santa when I watched it last year, maybe I should have given it another go this year?
@ CAZ… Well Christmas has come and gone now, so it might be a tad too late to give it another watch. Perhaps just put it on the list for next year, yes?
i'm a sucker for kids/very corny christmas films…Home Alone, Jingle All the Way, Santa Clause, Christmas with the Kranks etc. Yes i know they are extremely lame films in the aspect of storyline, acting however I feel as if these films capture the Christmas spirit quite well 🙂
I think my current state of mind this past year has made it difficult for me to love anything, let alone like stuff enough to make Top 5 lists. I had trouble coming up with 3, actually, but they would be, in no particular order, While You Were Sleeping, Family Man and Love Actually. I would throw in National Lampoon's for silliness' sake, and because I remember it made my dad laugh a lot, so naturally my brother and I laughed a lot, as well. And it wouldn't be an all-time list without a classic, so I'd throw It's A Wonderful Life in there, too.
And the original animated Grinch, even though it hardly counts as a movie. I do love THAT, at least! 😉
– Suzie McLateAgain-ington