#10 Home Alone
This film really makes me laugh and it never fails, the kid is just hilariously smart. I love the being-family-with-family-at-Christmas undercurrent to the movie. I'm also stunned to realise that I'm the same age as this movie (1990).
#9 The Polar Express
I've only just seen this for the first time and I really enjoyed it. I remember feeling how that boy felt, not believing in Santa/(the magic of) Christmas, but this was just lovely, and I'm full of festive cheer these days. The animation was really good for the time too.(2004)
#8 A Muppets Christmas Carol
I've seen this so many times now I sing along when I watch it. It's a adaptation of Dickens that I've watched practically every year since I was very small. I remember on Christmas Eve, in my Nan's flat, I was young, and so hyperactive with excitement, but I remember sitting still long enough to watch it.
#7 Miracle on 34th Street
I know this is a remake but I've never seen the original, and I've always wanted to give the mother a punch on the jaw for telling her daughter that Santa doesn't exist. It's a movie about believing, and that is Christmas.
#6 The Grinch
I've loved this since I first saw it. It's another movie that I can sing/talk along to. I think my heart broke a little when I saw how Cindy Lou had grown up, but Jim Carrey is brilliant. I love the world, I love the whole concept of it. It also gave me a saying that I use at Christmas when people are being so negative about it; "Even the Grinch wore a Santa hat." It generally ends the argument.
#5 It's a Wonderful Life
If there was ever a movie to watch with your Mom it's this one. I bought it recently and had a movie afternoon with my Mom, I got the 65th anniversary edition so it was in colour too, and the film looked really nice in colour. I know it's been parodied so many times, even by the likes of One Tree Hill and The Nostalgia Critic, but you really can't beat the original. I doubt this film could ever be remade either, if it was made today it wouldn't have it's innocence.
#4 Scrooged
Another adaptation! I know, but this one is brilliant, it puts a brilliant comedic twist on the tale, Americanises and modernises it, I say modern though this is an oldie (1988) by today's standards. Bill Murry is perfect in his role as Frank Cross, and I'm glad they didn't call him Ebeneezer Scrooge as it wouldn't hold for the character. Even though it's a comedy it still moves you.
#3 A Christmas Carol
Well, I bought about those adaptations, you didn't think I'd forget about the original, did you? This is my favourite true version of A Christmas Carol, I think it's wonderful.
#2 Hogfather
I really love this, I think that Death's portrayed wonderfully, and has a huge heart for, well, Death. I think my favourite part is when he saves the Little Match Girl, as that's a story I read when I was little and it made me so sad. Death is bloody wonderful, it has to be the magic.
#1 The Nightmare Before Christmas
One of my favourite films ever made. When I was little I'd rent this every week without fail, and it's still a firm favourite now. I'm never sure if it's a Halloween movie or a Christmas one. Though given that they're trying Christmas out for the first time and trying to capture the spirit of the season then it is most definately a Christmas movie.
A special mention is going to:
Arthur Christmas
I'm looking forward to seeing it this weekend, so I may just pop a review up once I've seen it.
So snuggle up with a hot chocolate, a mince pie (or two) and a blanket and enjoy these fantastic festive films.
Peace, love and all that jazz. xo
