Best Christmas Films
Christmas films are cherished because of the overall message of togetherness which they often inspire. They come in many forms, from the delightful and endearing Miracle on 34th street to the bizarre yet very entertaining Tim Burton's the Nightmare Before Christmas. It is therefore no surprise that they are easily enjoyed by a diverse set of audiences. No matter what your taste you will still be able to find an appropriate Christmas film that you will thoroughly appreciate. The movies are not listed in order of importance and have been selected because of their timeless appeal.
A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
This classic originally aired on CBS and has since become one of the network's most successful made for TV movies. Charlie Brown is devoid of holiday cheer because of what he views as an excessive focus on materialism during the season. With Lucy's encouragement he takes on the job of director for the annual school play and finds it a struggle to get across the real message of Christmas. However, in the end, after an inspirational speech by Linus, Charlie and the gang soon come to realize the true meaning of Christmas. The rendition of “Hark the Herald Angel Sings” at the end is especially heart warming. It is no wonder that Schultz's masterpiece is all around good entertainment for people of any age.
Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
This is again another Christmas classic. It tells the tale of a replacement Santa who is found on the spot to participate in the Macy's Christmas day Parade. He is perfect in his role and soon Kris Kringle claims that he is indeed the real Santa Clause. What follows are scepticism and an eventual court case that soon prove what everyone had secretly been wishing for.
Scrooged (1988)
Scoorged is the story of a Television executive, Frank Cross, who is producing a live Adaptation of the famous Dicken's novel “A Christmas Carol”. However, Frank much like Ebenezer Scrooge has no Christmas cheer and is taken on a magical journey, much like Scrooge, by zany spectres representing the past, present and future. This modern retake on an old classic is anything but clichéd and is supported generously by a great cast with Murray taking the reins as the mean spirited Cross. Though the humour is probably more accessible to a maturer audience it still deserves its place as one of the greats.
Home Alone (1990)
When 8 year old Kevin Mcallister is left home alone accidentally by his family who are on their way to France for their vacation. He ends up having a fabulous holiday by himself for a short period until he realizes that his neighbourhood has become the target of bandits. Soon he learns how to fend for himself and defend his home while, most importantly, learning to appreciate the love and warmth his family provides. This is definitely one of those Christmas films that may well become a holiday staple. It is one of Kulkin's most memorable roles to date and the laughs are hard to hold back with Joe Pesci's and Daniel Stern's performances as two inept conmen.
Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
This eerie tale from the mind of Tim Burton, is in no way your average Christmas story. It features Jack Skellington the figurehead of Halloween Town who becomes bored with the antics that surround Halloween and decides he needs a change in the form of becoming the new Saint Nick? Huh? The reactions to this new campaign are less than satisfying to say the least and certainly no child could be comfortable getting nightmarish toys from a stick thin Santa Clause. It is dark, intriguing and hauntingly beautiful to behold. Truly a Christmas story like no other.
Bad Santa (2003)
“Bad Santa” is not your typical Christmas movie but still has a neatly engrained message in its unconventional storyline. Two conmen pose as Santa and his little helper while working in malls across the country with the aim of robbing each mall by night. The strategy works perfectly and the two make a great deal of money until things become a little less straightforward when one of the conmen becomes inspired to change his ways after his encounter with an eight year old misfit. Thorton plays the part of a cynical and lacklustre Santa Clause so impeccably that you cannot help but be entertained.
