Thankfully, there are still a lot of terrific Christmas films that can compete with the greatest films of all-time. Some are not always your typical Christmas story, but they keep that festive feel.
A few films that did not make my top 10 that I want to mention, is Bad Santa, the 1984 TV movie version of A Christmas Carol, Love Actually, the 1970 musical version of Scrooge as well as 1951's Scrooge. Bad Santa stars Billy Bob Thornton as a con-man dressed as Santa who steals from department stores ever year on Christmas Eve. But when he befriends a troubled kid, Thornton's character slowly has a change of heart. This really surprised me, and has that Christmas joy which is the perfect feeling you should have when watching a Christmas movie.
The 1984 TV movie version of A Christmas Carol has quite the stellar cast, a strong production, effective story-telling and striking imagery. Famous stars such as George C. Scott, Edward Woodward, Susannah York and David Warner all do a great job in making this story refreshing and apparently is the version that most people feel stays the most true to the Dickens novel.
Love Actually is one of the few rom-coms that I actually like, this British hit follows the lives of eight very different couples.
They are all dealing with their relationships during the frantic month before Christmas in London.
1970's Scrooge is a musical version of this famous story, where Albert Finney plays the despicable Ebeneezer Scrooge and plays it brilliantly. The performances are enchanting and the song-and-dance numbers will be as memorable as the story itself. There are surprise appearances from Britain's greatest actors of yesteryear.
10) Holiday Inn - When Fred Astaire and Bing Crosby are good, they're very good. Put them together, and you have a simple uplifting story with lots of great singing and dancing.
Whilst working at an inn, a singer and dancer are both viewing for the affections of an up-and-coming dancer.
9) The Bishop's Wife - Saw this a few Christmas' ago and felt it extremely heart-warming.
7) Home Alone - An instant modern Christmas classic that I can't believe is now over 30 years old.
It is perfectly developed with a lot of heart, memorable characters and a large amount of Christmas spirit.
5) White Christmas - Saw this a few Christmas' ago and now a permanent fixture in my holiday viewing. A thoroughly enjoyable musical tale about a song-and-dance duo who team with a sister act to save a company.
Some top performances by Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye. This has lots of top songs and quite a memorable ending to get you perfectly settled into the holiday season.
4) The Nightmare Before Christmas - Tim Burton's dark tale comes to life thanks to director Henry Selick.
It features Jack Skellington, the king of Halloweentown. Jack manages to discover Christmastown, but does not seem to quite get the concept as he promotes back in his own town.
Not your usual light-hearted Christmas story, but still a terrific film.
3) Miracle On 34th Street (1947) - Some people love the modern re-telling that stars Richard Attenborough as Khris Kringle, but this has so much more.
The original has all the heart-warming you could ever want. Not only was it a great Christmas film, it was one of the best films of the year.
No matter what Christmas you are having, this will always put a smile on your face.
2) Joyeux Noel - I have mentioned this film many times in other lists, so regular followers know how much I love this film.
Not quite heart-warming, but still an amazing film everyone should see at Christmas.
It tells the story of the Christmas Day cease-fires during World War I. One of the most famous incidents that no-one expected.
1) It's A Wonderful Life - Amazingly, this did not get the instant success it deserves. But over time, it has become many peoples favorite Christmas film of all-time.
It stars the late great James Stewart as a businessman who cares for the less-fortunate in his town. But as Christmas approaches, he begins to doubt his purpose in his town.
What Stewart's character experiences over-night is something that will make us smile and cry and be full of Christmas cheer just in time for when the relatives arrive on Christmas Day.
1970's Scrooge is a musical version of this famous story, where Albert Finney plays the despicable Ebeneezer Scrooge and plays it brilliantly. The performances are enchanting and the song-and-dance numbers will be as memorable as the story itself. There are surprise appearances from Britain's greatest actors of yesteryear.
1951's Scrooge is the classic Christmas tale of an old man who hates the holiday season is given a night of redemption on Christmas Eve.
Starring the brilliant Alistair Sim, this 1950's classic tells the story so well. With great performances, some magical and scary moments this is definitely one of the better presentations of the most Christmas story.
Now here are the 10 Christmas films that made it:
Starring the brilliant Alistair Sim, this 1950's classic tells the story so well. With great performances, some magical and scary moments this is definitely one of the better presentations of the most Christmas story.
Now here are the 10 Christmas films that made it:
Whilst working at an inn, a singer and dancer are both viewing for the affections of an up-and-coming dancer.
Cary Grant plays an Angel to help a priest played by David Niven get a new cathedral to be built.
With some great performances, this classic from 1947 will surely put a smile on your face and make you all emotional during any festive period.
I was not expecting it to be as charming, but I think I will have this as a regular in my Christmas films to watch over the festive period.
8) The Muppet Christmas Carol - Lots of peoples favourite Christmas film. A great blend of drama, comedy and the odd sing-song. The Muppets can do no wrong.
Starring Michael Cain as Ebeneezer Scrooge, and also all your favorite Muppets, this is an absolute joy to watch and should be viewed every Christmas.
With some great performances, this classic from 1947 will surely put a smile on your face and make you all emotional during any festive period.
I was not expecting it to be as charming, but I think I will have this as a regular in my Christmas films to watch over the festive period.
Starring Michael Cain as Ebeneezer Scrooge, and also all your favorite Muppets, this is an absolute joy to watch and should be viewed every Christmas.
When a young child is accidentally left alone at his home, he must protect his house from the threat of burglars.
It's fun, has plenty of Christmas heart-warm and has a great John Williams score that earned two Oscar nominations.
6) Klaus - A wonderful story that we have not seen within this genre for some time.
When a young postman is relocated to a remote area of the world, he befriends a old toymaker that could reunite a town divided.
When a young postman is relocated to a remote area of the world, he befriends a old toymaker that could reunite a town divided.
It is perfectly developed with a lot of heart, memorable characters and a large amount of Christmas spirit.
Some top performances by Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye. This has lots of top songs and quite a memorable ending to get you perfectly settled into the holiday season.
It features Jack Skellington, the king of Halloweentown. Jack manages to discover Christmastown, but does not seem to quite get the concept as he promotes back in his own town.
Not your usual light-hearted Christmas story, but still a terrific film.
The original has all the heart-warming you could ever want. Not only was it a great Christmas film, it was one of the best films of the year.
No matter what Christmas you are having, this will always put a smile on your face.
Not quite heart-warming, but still an amazing film everyone should see at Christmas.
It tells the story of the Christmas Day cease-fires during World War I. One of the most famous incidents that no-one expected.
It stars the late great James Stewart as a businessman who cares for the less-fortunate in his town. But as Christmas approaches, he begins to doubt his purpose in his town.
What Stewart's character experiences over-night is something that will make us smile and cry and be full of Christmas cheer just in time for when the relatives arrive on Christmas Day.
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