Before I begin, believe it or not, I've still never seen It's a Wonderful Life. I can't make this up.
It's time for a top ten from me! And since it's the Christmas season, I figured it would be wise to compile a list of the best Christmas-themed movies of all time.
For a movie to qualify as a "Christmas-Themed" movie, the movie must literally revolve around Christmas. It can't be a movie which just has a scene, or two during Christmas time-this doesn't count. Which means the first Mean Girls movie doesn't count, just because that movie has a Christmas scene.
Let's get started!
10. Edward Scissorhands(1990)
Stars: Johnny Depp, Winona Ryder
Leave it up to Tim Burton to cast Johnny Depp, and create one of the most odd Christmas movies of all time. The movie is a unique masterpiece, and has a blend of dark-humor, romance, and even a little suspense. The movie follows a man whose hands are literally made of scissors. Trust me, it's much better than it sounds.
9. Four Christmases (2008)
Stars: Vince Vaughn, Reese Witherspoon
Unlike my horror movie opinions, I think Christmas movies are rapidly becoming worse in quality, and now a shadow of their past. However, this 21st Century movie is an exception, and I hate how grossly underrated it is when I talk to people about it. It follows a couple(not a married couple) who have four bizarre Christmas reunions to attend, thanks to their parents' divorces, and dysfunctional lives.
8. The Santa Clause(1994)
Stars: Tim Allen, Judge Reinhold
Who can forget the original Santa Clause movie? Back before he was Buzz Lightyear, Tim Allen warmed up our hearts as Santa Clause. Or at least we thought he was. This is the lovely tale of a man who literally morphs into Santa Clause, and nobody should doubt he is real after this one.
7. Home Alone (1990)
Stars: Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern
Totally unrealistic, but totally cool: An eight year old kid is able to somehow prevent burglars from not only stealing anything, but harming him too. The real question is, what was an eight year old kid doing home alone in the first place?
6. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
Stars: Jim Carrey, Taylor Momsen
I really don't understand the need to make a cartoon remake 18 years after a live-action movie, but...
This version of The Grinch is the best simply because Jim Carrey is in it, and he does the part so well, you would think the storybook character came to life. This is an excellent book-to-movie adaption, and I recommend this one before any other versions.
5. Miracle on 34th Street (1994)
Stars: Mara Wilson, Elizabeth Perkins
This remake puts the original version to shame, and Mara Wilson shows us she's more than just Matilda. Aside from the fact we have a man on trial for pretending to be Santa Claus, this movie is definitely far-fetched, but it's also a great way to get Atheists, and Christians arguing around Christmas time.
4. Scrooged (1989)
Stars: Bill Murray, Karen Allen
Only Bill Murray can star in a remake, and not only improve upon the original, but turn it into a dark-humor movie. Because Bill Murray is cool like that. This is one of those Christmas movies which make you go through an array of emotions, and is an instant classic.
3. A Christmas Story (1983)
Stars: Peter Billingsley, Melinda Dillon, Darren McGavin
Before you start keyboard raging against me for not putting this one as numero uno, allow me to explain the plot:
A young boy named Ralphie is so obsessed with a BB Gun, he will do anything to get one. The problem is, everyone, and his mother doesn't want him to have a BB Gun, because they fear he will "shoot his eye out."
Don't get me wrong: I have this in my top three Christmas movies for a reason. I love the sentimental, and nostalgic feelings it gives me. I love the character development, and the whole "Christmas Adventure" to it. But it's not my favorite Christmas movie of all time, and I do feel it's a bit overrated-hell, the plot description alone will put you to sleep. People act like it's not only the greatest Christmas Movie of all time, but they act as if it's the greatest film of all time. Tell me this: Is it really necessary for TNT to have a 24 hour run of this movie every Christmas Eve leading into Christmas Day?
2. Elf (2003)
Stars: Will Ferrell, James Caan, Bob Newhart
Because of this epic Christmas film, we found out the best way to spread Christmas cheer is to sing loud for all to hear.
Really, are there any flaws to this film? This is a Christmas movie any demographic can enjoy, and Will Ferrell probably gave us his best performance of all time in this masterpiece. This movie had everything: The "feelings", the adventure, the acting, the plot, and the resolution at the end. This is the prime example of a Christmas movie, and so many Christmas movies after 2000 went wrong in trying to replicate this effect.
1. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation(1989)
Stars: Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo, Randy Quaid
In other myTakes, I've wrote how the Vacation movie series is arguably the greatest movie series of all time, but it wouldn't be near that caliber if it wasn't for my favorite Christmas movie of all time.
Where do I begin? Chevy Chase showcases us the best Clark Griswold he's ever done, Beverly D'Angelo is fabulous, Randy Quaid is the most crude Cousin Eddie yet, and the plot is hysterical, because it gives us the most dysfunctional, yet, semi-realistic Christmas reunion ever. And of course, there is still the magic of Santa Claus, and snobby next-door neighbors during the holidays. Is there anyone who doesn't like this movie? I don't see how it's possible. It's simply the best Christmas movie ever, and I doubt anything can top this.
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