Our choice of the Top 10 Christmas Films

by Gareth Pritchard

I hope you’re starting to feel festive as we draw nearer to December.  I’m listing my top 10 Christmas films, and spoiler alert, there may be a few surprises – but do you agree with my choices?

 

At number 10 is Love Actually,

where lots of famous British actors/actresses feature in a group of linked couples, set very close to Christmas – I know, I make it sound romantic!

 

Number 9 is Miracle on 34th street.

I have to confess that I’ve only seen the 1994 remake version with Richard Attenborough. The original was made in 1947 and both versions tell the tale of a man hired to play Father Christmas, but who claims to be the real deal.

 

Numbers 7 and 8 are different films but essentially the same story. They are ‘A Christmas Carol’ and ‘Scrooged’.

Both tell the tale of Ebenezer Scrooge, who goes from mean to merry after being visited by Christmas ghosts. 1988’s Scrooged is more of a comedy where the classic Ebenezer Scrooge is replaced by a cynical TV exec played by Bill Murray.

 

Number 6 is Jim Carey’s ‘How the Grinch stole Christmas’.

Released over 20 years ago, the Grinch still feels timeless and pitches a Christmas hating Grinch against a town of Christmas loving inhabitants.

 

Number 5 is ‘The Christmas Chronicles’

Where two children catch Santa (Kurt Russell) delivering presents and have to help Santa to save Christmas, with memorable scenes like Santa breaking out of jail. This film was a Netflix original and did so well that a sequel was made.

 

Number 4 is ‘The Santa Clause’.

When Tim Allen’s character becomes Santa after causing an accident, that retires the current Santa.

 

Number 3 is the classic ‘Home Alone’.

Who couldn’t resist slapstick comedy and thwarting thieves from robbing houses on Christmas Eve?

 

Number 2 is Elf.

This must be one of the funniest films I’ve ever seen and is certainly the funniest Christmas film of all time. We love watching Will Ferrell’s fish out of water (or should that be Elf out of snow) try to make sense of life in New York city while getting to know his dad. The film has the right mix of comedy, sentimental moments and romance.

 

Number 1 it has to be Die Hard

And the best Christmas movie of all time (IMHO) is Die Hard. I appreciate that this may not be a classical Christmas film, but it’s set at Christmas and sees a man reunited with his wife in difficult circumstances. And it’s Die Hard!

Do you agree with my Christmas films list? What are your favourite Christmas films? Do let me know by leaving a comment below.