Just like all the kids sing together in one of the finer parts of A Charlie Brown Christmas, “Christmas Time is here!” Indeed it is and we’re currently in the midst of the holiday season and it’s many different celebrations. However you chose to ring in this time of the year, there’s one thing that you can’t deny: It comes with plenty of great holidays-themed movies.
And those movies run the gamut from cutesy animated films that tell old tales to more modern pieces that you probably shouldn’t watch with the whole family gathered around the TV. They’re also readily available for viewing, be it on Blu-ray, a television station, or a streaming service such as Picture Box FIlms. In fact, one of the classics on here‚ well, OK, they’re pretty much classics in their own ways‚ can be seen right now on that service. They rotate movies around every two months, though, so don’t wait up!
Now, on to the list.
10. Scrooged
For this modern spin on A Christmas Carol, Bill Murray is thrown into the mix as a new kind of Ebenezer Scrooge under the name Frank Cross. He’s a brutal television executive who let getting ahead stop him from finding romance or anything resembling the life he truly wants. Can he be changed? You’ll have to watch to find out.
9. The Santa Clause
The Santa Clause succeeds because of its humour and its heart, both of which give it a strong standing at Rotten Tomatoes. Of course, Tim Allen brings plenty of the laughs as the lead, a father who kills Santa by accident and is forced to take on the role himself.
8. Bad Santa
So, those movies mentioned earlier that aren’t really for the entire family? That’s where Bad Santa comes in. But even at its most profane and obscene, there’s a heart beating beneath the gritty surface. Just, again, keep this one around for the older, light-hearted sect. Also, the Telegraph reported that a sequel is coming, so you’ll need to see the original first.
7. A Christmas Carol
You can’t go wrong with one of the definitive tales of the season, especially when it’s one handled as well as this 1999 adaptation of A Christmas Carol. A major reason for that is the fact that Patrick Stewart is fantastic as Ebenezer Scrooge. Also, this is the film that we mentioned is available at Picture Box.
6. Love Actually
Love Actually, which celebrated its 10th birthday in November, is basically the only romantic comedy you need this holiday seasons. Others have attempted to steal the multiple-narrative thunder of this film, but none have been able to top it. Also, you cannot go wrong with that soundtrack.
5. Christmas Vacation
For the late John Hughes’ first entry on this list, he gets writing credits for the third Vacation film that found itself set around the holiday season. Christmas Vacation is pure off-the-wall, sometimes-slapstick comedy sure to make everyone laugh‚ even the grinches out there. Speaking of…
4. How the Grinch Stole Christmas
No, not the modern version starring Jim Carrey as the Grinch. We’re talking about the animated 1966 original featuring the immaculate vocal talents of Boris Karloff and Dr. Seuss’ story of how one “Bah! Humbug!”-ish character was able to overcome and embrace the love of others.
3. Home Alone
Here’s the second piece of work of John Hughes, who found incredible success telling the story of a young boy left at home and forced to thwart a pair of goofball burglars. Like a few others on here, it’s got heart and humour. It’s also packed with jokes for both the youngsters and the older folks.
2. A Charlie Brown Christmas
Like the Grinch before it, A Charlie Brown Christmas is one of those traditional animated Christmas movies that you have probably seen a million times. Yet, you will be hard-pressed to not return to it every year‚ partially because Vince Guaraldi’s soundtrack is like a warm blanket being wrapped around you.
1. A Christmas Story
The weirdest, funniest, and perhaps even darkest movie on this list is also the best. Nothing can top A Christmas Story when it comes to flat-out absurdity and quotability. Not only that, but it seems to reveal a new piece of comedy with every repeated viewing. Also, who hasn’t received a gift up there with Ralphie’s pink bunny outfit?