The Best Christmas Films

Can you say the best of Christmas films without thinking about this timeless classic? Probably not. Miracle on the 34th Street is one of the most beloved films in general, but especially so during Christmas time. The story evolves around a genuinely nice bearded figure who claims to be the real thing, Saint Nick himself. When he is institutionalized because people have lost their faith in miracles, a lawyer takes on his case to prove he really is who he claims to be. As Kris Kringle would say: "Oh, Christmas isn't just a day. It's a frame of mind."

Santa Clause: The Movie is a family adventure worth being listed as one of the best Christmas films. It may be corny, too sweet and at times predictable, but that didn't stop us from enjoying many more holiday films. The story starts hundreds of years ago when a master toymaker discovers a magical kingdom, where he was given the chance to become Santa Clause along the way. The modern timeline follows Patch (Dudley Moore), a visionary elf who leaves the North Pole, but unfortunately mixes with the wrong crowd (read: evil toy tycoon). And that’s where the mission to save Christmas begins!

Tim Allen and his endeavours as Santa Clause guarantee loads of holiday fun and this is why The Santa Clause 2 found its way to our compilation list. Its 1994 predecessor The Santa Clause is a special enjoyable treat, so if you're looking for a few laughs, this is the perfect time to share that joy with the people closest to you. After the events of the first film, we follow Santa once again on a brand-new adventure. Even though Scott Calvin, played by Tim Allen, has been in the role of Santa for almost ten years, it all might end very soon - if he doesn't find a special someone, a Mrs. Clause. The film also stars Elizabeth Mitchell, David Krumholtz and Judge Reinhold.

Charles Dickens classic A Christmas Carol comes in many adaptations, so at least one had to make it to the best of Christmas Films list. This 1984 version comes with George C. Scott as the ever-gloomy Ebenezer Scrooge, Frank Finley as Jacob Marley, and the three Christmas Ghosts played by Angela Pleasence, Edward Woodward and Michael Carter. The story needs no special introduction because we're all familiar with this old bitter man and his road to redemption in one way or the other. This classic you can now watch on Blu-ray as well which was released in 2010, and just a friendly reminder you can rent it right now by clicking the film on the left.

Here's a holiday treat called White Christmas for the best of Christmas Films, starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen. This musical romantic comedy follows a song-and-dance duo who romantically fall for a sister act team, and somewhere along the way they end up trying to save Vermont inn of their former commanding general. The Vermont Inn set is a refurbished version of the inn from Holiday Inn. It may be a bit cheesy and at times too sweet, but it does bring the holiday cheer all the way.

Well now, Bad Santa is a film that deserves to be categorized as one of the best Christmas Films, but on the other hand we suggest not watching it with the whole family. The film follows a conman (Billy Bob Thornton) and his partner who, as the last resort, get jobs working in the department store for the holidays. Conman becomes Santa and his partner Little Helper, but they're not what would you expect from holiday icons. This Christmas film was followed by a sequel, so if you liked the first one you should probably check out Bad Santa 2 as well.

Jingle all the way and see this film as a part of the best of Christmas Films list. It may not be an emotional classic, but it's a guilty pleasure watch for the holiday season. This 1996 Christmas comedy stars Arnold Schwarzenegger as Howard Langston, a father who's just trying to get his son the toy he wants for Christmas. But it is Christmas Eve and there Turbo Man action figures are hard to find. Thus, he goes from store to store, doing whatever he can to find one. Even though it focuses on the consumerism of the holiday, it's sure to provoke a few laughs.

Will Ferrell's Elf is cited as one of the best Christmas films of all time. It's a great and innovative comedy about a human baby brought up on the North Pole as one of the elves. When Buddy finds out he is adopted, he sets off on a journey to New York to find his biological father (played by James Caan) - but guess what, he's on the naughty list! Because Christmas cheer is an essential part of his being, Buddy ends up working in a department store as a part of the holiday set up. There he sees how much the world is missing the Christmas spirit which affects Santa, so Buddy is determined to teach his dad and the world the true meaning of Christmas.

The Griswolds brought us along on their many adventures over the years, so of course National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation found its way on the list as one of the best Christmas Films. Chevy Chase is well suited to play the head of the family who is always trying to do what's best for them even though it rarely goes per plan. This time they stayed at home celebrating Christmas, but the disaster comes with their various relatives. The main cast includes Chevy Chase, mother Ellen played by Beverly D'Angelo, Juliette Lewis as Audrey, and Johnny Galecki as Rusty.

The main cast includes Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, and Marjorie Reynolds, and if that alone isn’t the reason enough to see it, Holiday Inn won an Oscar for the best original song "White Christmas". The story revolves around Jim Hardy who leaves his showbiz life to open an inn in Connecticut. Jim and Ted Hanover, his former partner, fall for the same girl, which turns into a love triangle adorable to watch. Holiday Inn is a delightful film to see, and it’s full of spectacular song and dance numbers. In search of more Holiday Inn cheer? Rent DVD or Blu-ray and you get insightful special features such as A Couple of Song and Dance Men featurette, containing an interview with Ava Astaire MacKenzie or "Colouring a Classic": Learn how the film was colour-designed using amazing technology that transformed the block and white classic to colour.

This pick is one of the less known Christmas films. Christmas with the Coopers is a story in which a husband and wife, Sam Cooper (John Goodman) and Charlotte (Diane Keaton), have only one wish and that is for their festive feast to go perfectly – which rarely happens. When families gather, old dramas often show their face and bickering becomes essential, all leading to a not-so-perfect evening. Even though the synopsis may seem a bit dark, this is actually a hilarious holiday film in which prevail surprising family bonds and the spirit of Christmas.

Another Tim Burton film made it to our list. While The Nightmare Before Christmas is based on his shorter work, Edward Scissorhands is actually directed and written by Tim Burton. When the inventor (Vincent Price) suddenly dies, his creation Edward is left unfinished and ends up with sharp shears for hands. One day Dianne West’s character finds him and kindly takes him home. Here starts Edward’s real adventure, breaking stereotypes, and surviving in Suburbia as someone out of ordinary. The film’s plot stretches for a longer period of time, but memorable final scenes are set in the snowy atmosphere of Christmas.

Go found its place in the Christmas film category because it all starts on Christmas Eve. The film itself has an interesting storytelling of the events after a drug deal, told from three different points of view and every one of them leads to a Christmas rave. Ronna (Sarah Polley) tries to make her first drug deal happen before being evicted and is accompanied by her friend Claire (Katie Holmes) who becomes a reluctant partner in crime. Go is an entertaining Christmas film, a clever black comedy, for someone looking to watch a different kind of holiday film.