Our Favorite Holiday and Christmas Movies Categorized
“Start by doing what’s necessary, then what’s possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible.”
- St. Francis of Assisi
So, it’s the 250th birthday of Beethoven this week and we promised a list of favorite Christmas movies, so let’s get right to it. Oh, there are a ton of holiday movies that didn’t make this list. Likely I just forgot about them.
And since no “Hallmark” Christmas movies appear on this list, I felt I had to share this “Every Hallmark Movie” video on YouTube. It pretty much gets it right–and in only 3 minutes and 53 seconds.
I’ve linked to Amazon below because that’s how we watch movies around here. Also, these are affiliate links which means that I could possibly get paid by Amazon to share links here.
Community Favorite Christmas Movies
Thanks so much to those who submitted your favorite Christmas movies! There are some that I haven’t seen that didn’t end up in categories below but I wanted to share those here:
A Christmas Memory (1966) - written by Truman Capote, starring Geraldine Page and Josip Elic.
Elf (2003) - Will Ferrell discovers he’s a human though he was raised by elves.
The Bad Santa films with Billy Bob Thornton.
The Polar Express (2004) with Tom Hanks and Daryl Sabara.
Contemporary Christmas Movies
Many of these are essentially romantic comedies, but some of our more recent favorites.
We love this film and actually watch it a couple of times a year. Kate Winslet and Jack Black are especially charming as they find themselves following break ups. Eli Wallach is so good too. Super charming film.
Stars: Kate Winslet, Jack Black, Jude Law, Cameron Diaz, Eli Wallach, Rufus Sewell.
The story takes place at Christmas but we don’t necessarily see the powerful character transformation like we do in what I consider to actually be Christmas movies. I know, that was too much. However, I think writer/director Richard Curtis really tries, and mostly succeeds, showing the many different aspects of love.
Stars: Hugh Grant, Keria Nightly, Liam Neeson, Emma Thompson, Colin Firth, Bill Nighy, Alan Rickman, and a lot of other fantastic actors.
Ok, I know, not contemporary and not a Christmas movie. The story takes place at a Christmas party and I had to mention it as one of our favorites to watch this time of year.
Stars: Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman, Bonnie Bedelia, Reginald VelJohns, Alexandar Godunov (yep, the Russian ballet dancer)
Christmas Comedies
These could also be in the “Shenanigans at Christmas” category, but these seem to be comedy focused rather than just over the top. And these don’t feature pot smoking. I’m making it up as I go folks.
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
Christmas with the Griswolds may seem a little too familiar depending on your family. Easily the favorite Christmas comedy.
Stars: Chevy Chase, Beverly D’Angelo, Johnny Galecki, Juliette Lewis, Randy Quaid.
This is Christmas Vacation without the family and with one clever kid who finds some new meaning at Christmas.
Stars: Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, Catherine O’Hara.
Comedy? Drama? Solid old-fashioned Christmas movie either way.
Stars: Peter Billingsley, Jean Shepherd, Zack Ward, Scott Schwartz, Melinda Dillon.
Shenanigans at Christmas
These are essentially comedies and buddy movies that happen at Christmas time. And generally feature a lot of marijuana use.
A slant retelling of the Scrooge story as a buddy film and romantic comedy where three friends finally get invitations to “the big holiday party” during their last Christmas together. I know, the conceit sounds odd, but this one has heart.
Stars: Seth Rogen, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Anthony Mackie, Lizzie Caplan, Jillian Bell, Mindy Kaling, and Michael Shannon.
Not as good as the original film, “Bad Moms,” IMHO, but a Christmas buddy movie that does get at family dynamics during the holidays, particularly mother-daughter relationships.
Stars: Mila Kunis, Kristin Bell, Kathryn Hahn, Christine Baranski, Susan Sarandon, and Cheryl Hines.
A Very Harold and Kumar Christmas (2011)
Two friends are reunited at Christmas by a magic joint from a very special person. Lot’s of hijinks, Neil Patrick Harris, the mob, and a waffle bot.
Stars: Kal Penn, John Cho, Paula Garces, Danny Trejo, and Neil Patrick Harris.
Classic Christmas Movies
A favorite of many people for good reason. What is our impact and how do our choices effect our impact?
Stars: Jimmy Stewart, Frank Capra, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, Karolyn Grimes.
What, or who, is the spirit of Christmas? If you enjoy the mystery of the authenticity of Santa Claus, it’s time to watch this movie.
Stars: Natalie Wood and Edmund Gwenn.
I really enjoy watching this film every year. It’s pretty simple, but the play within a play idea works well. And the music is fantastic.
Stars: Vera Ellen, Rosemary Clooney, Danny Kaye, Bing Crosby, Dean Jagger.
The Very Best Christmas Movies
These are the very best Christmas movies. Ok, I know. These are my very favorite and most affecting Christmas movies because in each, we see a change in the protagonist through the Christmas spirit of giving to others.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)
Not really a movie, but a tv special. Anyway...
Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Tim Burton and Danny Elfman create a lens through which Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Land, investigates the mysteries of Christmas. Jack Skellington is one of the most charming skeletons ever caught on film.
I think this is my favorite Christmas story. Bill Murray’s acting is fantastic. There’s humor, heart, and hope here. Highly recommended.
Stars: Bill Murray, Karen Allen, Carol Kane, Bobcat Goldthwait, Alfre Wood, Robert Mitchum.