My 15 Favorite Christmas Films

15. Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)
While certainly a re-tread of the first film, this is a feel-good Christmas movie with some funny moments. I grew up on this film, so I have to have it here.

14. Edward Scissorhands (1990)
This is not explicitly a Christmas film, but the best and most powerful scene is tied directly to Christmas. This is a great modern telling of the Frankenstein myth with beautiful imagery and a Christmas feel to it.

13. Gremlins (1984)
What's more Christmas than little monsters killing people and a monologue about someone's father dying in a chimney while dressed as Santa?

12. Die Hard (1988)
An action movie that happens to take place on Christmas. It's a one of the greatest action movies of all time and has a lot of off-beat Christmas humor. "Let it Snow" playing at the end of the film in the middle of Los Angeles is a great example.

11. It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
It's come up before that I'm not a huge fan of this film, but it's considered by most to be one of the 2 great Christmas movies. It's a quality film, but doesn't get Christmasy until the end, but remains Christiany throughout. Jimmy Stewart was great in everything, but he's made better in my opinion.

10. The Year without Santa Claus (1974)
Classic Rankin Bass cartoon here, with Mickey Rooney and Dick Shawn among the voice talents. The highlight for me is certainly the Snow Miser song, as that is impossible to not get stuck in your head.

9. Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)
Probably the best remembered of all the Rankin Bass cartoons, this is an absolute classic. Highlights include the Abominable Snow Monster (which scared the crap out of me as a kid), the Island of Misfit Toys (including the Charlie-in-the-Box), and Burl Ives as the snowman narrator/singer.

8. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Both a Halloween and Christmas film, this is surprisingly frightening and dark for kids. I mean Santa gets freaking kidnapped! But it's great for its imagery, its very underrated music, and in the end its themes.

7. Santa Claus is Comin' to Town (1970)
With Fred Astaire and Mickey Rooney voicing characters, how could this not be great? This was always my favorite Rankin Bass cartoon as a kid, but I haven't seen it in forever.

6. Blackadder's Christmas Carol (1988)
A great twist on the classic Dickens tale, in this TV short, Ebenezer Blackadder is a very nice guy who becomes miserable after seeing his ancestors and descendants. Great dry British humor by men such as Rowan Atkinson, Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie, and Robbie Coltrane. Great stuff.

5. Christmas Vacation (1989)
What can I say about arguably the funniest Griswold family adventure? It's hilarious and there are so many classic moments.

4. How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966)
My favorite TV short of all time, this is a great adaptation of Dr. Seuss' classic story. Boris Karloff does a great job as the Grinch and the Narrator.

3. Home Alone (1990)
Almost every line of this movie sticks in my head well after it's said. It's hilarious and has a good message to it. In addition, it sums up my childhood better than almost any movie.

2. A Christmas Story (1983)
Is it worth having on a 24-hour run? Probably not, but it's hilarious and has a good old-fashioned innocence to it, which is entirely the point. It captures the magic of Christmas in the eyes of a child perfectly and will make you laugh throughout.

1. Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
An absolute classic, this film is powerful, funny, and utterly charming. It's a classic tale that appeals both to kids and to adults. I never saw this until I was older, like fifteen or so, and I enjoy it more every time. There are great characters, performances, and interesting and clever satire in certain spots.