Save this article to read it later.
Find this story in your accountsSaved for Latersection.
This story was originally published on December 6, 2018.
Is merely being set at Christmas enough?
Or is there some elusive other element that makes a Christmas movie a Christmas movie?
Its the old, now tired, DoesDie Hardcount?
Well, does it?
And not just because it takes place at Christmas.
More than twinkling lights and gift-making elves, we looked to these elements when putting the list together.
Also, the movies on this list have to be good.
Another qualifier: We stayed away from the world of made-for-TV movies, though somedirect-to-streaming titlesdid make the cut.
The list is mostly feature films but with a few shorts thrown in as well.
We also opted to include a wide variety of Christmas movies, ranging from established classics tocult horror movies.
In the spirit of the season, we erred on the side of generosity.
50.The Christmas Chronicles(2018)
50.
ThinkAdventures in Babysitting, but with St. Nicholas and a musical cameo from Steven van Zandt and his band.
49.The Great Rupert(1950)
49.
48.Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale(2010)
48.
Fair warning: Youll never think of Santas elves in the same way ever again after watching it.
47.The Ice Harvest(2005)
47.
46.Batman Returns(1992)
46.
(One key scene takes place at a Christmas tree-lighting ceremony that goes awry.)
45.The Silent Partner(1978)
45.
44.Christmas Evil(a.k.a.You Better Watch OutandTerror in Toyland) (1980)
44.
John Waters is a fan, which pretty much tells you all you oughta know.
43.The Insects Christmas(1913)
43.
Starevich made a series of films using dead insects as his stars.
His Christmas movie expands the cast to include Father Christmas and an animated doll.
42.Eyes Wide Shut(1999)
42.
Whats Stanley Kubricks final film about, really?
But isnt it also about a family nearly falling apart then getting back together in time for Christmas?
Its final scene, set in a toy-and-Christmas-light-filled FAO Schwarz, suggests thats the case.
The films final lines are not directly related to the holidays or, technically speaking, family-friendly.
But they, in their own way, encapsulate the seasons spirit of togetherness.
41.The Bishops Wife(1947)
41.
Enter Dudley (Cary Grant), an angel determined to set Henry on the right path.
The only trouble: He finds himself increasingly wanting to spend time with Julia instead.
40.Metropolitan(1990)
40.
39.Scrooged(1988)
39.
What isScroogedtrying to say, anyway?
Is it a pitch-black comedy about the commercialization of Christmas?
Is it a cynical send-up of our once-a-year celebration of kindness and selflessness?
Is it a sincere depiction of a man being transformed by the holidays?
Others include …
38.Scrooge(1970)
38.
Highlights include Alec Guinness as a spooky Jacob Marley and a truly scary Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come.
Its a big, occasionally tacky, but quite fun take on the familiar story.
All also have moments so Christmassy it would be a shame not to include them.
34.The Holiday(2006)
34.
(Also, Wallachs a lot of fun.)
33.The Lemon Drop Kid(1951)
33.
The ensuing scam involves criminals dressed as Santa and a fake retirement home for Old Dolls.
32.Home Alone(1990)
32.
Nostalgia and holidays both have a way of warping emotions.
But it would be unfair to rank it any higher.
Have you watched it?
Its a much rougher ride than you might remember.
Still, Culkins charming, and the sentimental ending works every time.
31.Love Actually(2003)
31.
Just stay tuned for a wrenching tale of infidelity starring Alan Rickman and Emma Thompson.
30.Holiday Affair(1949)
30.
Mitchums tough-guy demeanor serves him well here, giving an odd energy to the love story.
29.Kiss Kiss Bang Bang(2005)
29.
28.Elf(2003)
28.
Sometimes the right actor in the right role is pretty much all you need.
As a cynical department-store employee, Zooey Deschanel provides a fun contrast to Ferrells wild-eyed enthusiasm.
27.Arthur Christmas(2011)
27.
The film mixes clever ideas dig that high-tech North Pole!
26.A Muppet Christmas Carol(1992)
26.
In the end, though, what makes the movies is Michael Caines performance as Ebenezer Scrooge.
25.Blast of Silence(1961)
25.
Mixing gritty location shooting with lyrical narration, it mixes pulpy themes with a feeling of existential loneliness.
Not everyone is destined to have happy holidays.
Some might not even make it out alive.
24.Black Christmas(1974)
24.
Arthur Christmastoo heartwarming for you?
), its notable for using Christmas trappings to unnerving effect, including a truly memorable final scene.
23.Tim Burtons the Nightmare Before Christmas(1993)
23.
Is this a Christmas movie or a Halloween movie?
(That its most famous song repeats the words This is Halloween!
over and over again probably doesnt help.)
22.Gremlins(1984)
22.
The answer: pretty badly!
21.Mickeys Christmas Carol(1983)
21.
Neither Disney animation nor its biggest star, Mickey Mouse, were riding high in the early 80s.
But this adaptation of the Dickens story suggested there might be life in both yet.
Scrooge McDuck (who else?)
20.Remember the Night(1940)
20.
19.The Holdovers(2023)
19.
18.Reve De Noel (The Christmas Dream)(1900)
18.
17.White Christmas(1954) and 16.Holiday Inn(1942)
17.
(All the better to showcase Berlins knack for crafting holiday-themed hits.)
Both films have become Christmas staples, and both have much to recommend them.
(To make matters worse, skipping the scene altogether would result in missing an important plot point.
Still, its aggressive, Technicolor pleasantness has its own charms.
15.Edward Scissorhands(1990)
15.
14.3 Godfathers(1948)
14.
Not unlikeScissorhands, John Fords3 Godfatherssimilarly uses echoes of the story of Christ to tremendous effect.
13.It Happened on Fifth Avenue(1947)
13.
12.Christmas in Connecticut(1945)
12.
The only problem: There is no Connecticut home, and she cant cook.
11.Peace on Earth(1939)
11.
10.Comfort and Joy(1984)
10.
9.Tangerine(2015)
9.
Chaos mounts as day turns into night in the hours before Christmas.
You might have noticed that this list some notable exceptions aside is dominated by stories of prosperous white families.
8.Carol(2015)
8.
7.Die Hard(1988)
7.
And thats no small part of the movie.
Reconciling with his wife in time for the holidaysisMcClanes mission.
The rest is just a sidetrack, though neither goal will be easy.
Merry Christmas to all!
6.Bad Santa(2003)
6.
5.A Christmas Story(1983)
5.
(And, it has to be noted, some pretty unfortunate racial stereotypes toward the end.)
4.The Shop Around the Corner(1940)
4.
Maybe its a cast headed by Jimmy Stewart and Margaret Sullivan and filled out with colorful character actors.
Maybe its because few directors have balanced lightness and romance like Ernst Lubitsch.
3.A Christmas Carol(a.k.a.Scrooge) (1951)
3.
What makes an adaptation ofA Christmas Carolgreat?
Above all, its the actor playing Ebenezer Scrooge.
2.Miracle on 34th Street(1947)
2.
1.Its a Wonderful Life(1946)
1.
Really, what other film could top a list of the greatest Christmas movies of all time?
Its not hard to see why.
