Top 10 Best Christmas Movies

Top 10 Best Christmas Movies : Elf and Bad Santa Among the Classics

Someone just up like the Grinch. (Photo : Flickr / melissaclark)

Elf (2003)

Funnyman Will Ferrell delighted audiences across America with his performance as Buddy, an adopted Elf who has seriously outgrown his place in the North Pole. When Buddy finds out that he isn't biologically an elf but an actual human instead, he embarks on an outrageous journey to New York City. Buddy eventually finds his actual father, Walter Hobbs, a stern man played by James Caan. Elf is ten years old this holiday season and a heartwarming, modern Christmas classic.

It's a Wonderful Life (1946)

Competing with Miracle on 34th Street for most cherished Christmas movie of all time, It's a Wonderful Life features a magical cast headlined by James Stewart. Considered by the American Film Institute, as one of the 100 best American Films ever made director Frank Capra's holiday epic is a timeless tale. Playing do-gooder George Bailey, Stewart's character has to continually put his dreams on hold to help others. As he attempts suicide to end his meager existence, a guardian angel swoops in to show Bailey just how important and loved he really is.

Miracle on 34th Street is another perennial Christmas classic. Premiering just one year after It's a Wonderful Life means these two films will be compared and contrasted with each other to the end of time. At the time of its release, Miracle of 34 Street was a bigger commercial success than It's a Wonderful Life, but today both are considered top holiday favorites.Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

34th Street centers on Kris Kringle, a Santa Claus employed byMacy's department store in Manhattan, New York. Kris insists that he is actually Santa despite hardly anyone believing him.

The Polar Express (2004)

A landmark achievement in cinematic history, The Polar Express, was the first film to entirely use all-digital capture. The 3D film proved to be an immense hit critically and commercially thanks to Tom Hanks's virtuoso performance. If you've already seen the movie you can read The Polar Express book, which won the Caldecott Medal for most distinguished American picture book for children.

Breath-taking visuals aside the story is a real treat. A young Michigan boy doesn't know whether or not to believe in Santa Claus anymore. He goes to bed and discovers a train called The Polar Express. The train goes straight to the north pool and the boy gets to go on the adventure of a lifetime.

Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)

What's better than Kevin McCallister being left home for Christmas? Being left behind in the most exciting city in the world of course! The original Home Alone is still the highest grossing comedy of all time (take that Wolfpack) and the sequel could have very easily been an uninspired money grab. Yet Lost in New York is an amazing Christmas film. The original core cast is back, including Macaulay Culkin (Kevin), and Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern (the Wet Bandits).

Highlights of the film include: Kevin befriending a crazy pigeon lady; Harry and Marv attempting to rob high-end retailer FAO Schwartz; and watching America's most forgetful family reunite with their troublemaking son towards the end of the picture.

Bad Santa (2003)

Willie T. Stokes (Billy Bob Thornton) and Marcus (Tony Cox) are criminals plain and simple. They have an annual ruse where they get employed as Santa and Elf at various shopping malls. When they have the chance they spring into action and rob the mall blind. This time around things don't go according to plan thanks to Thurman, a heavyset, bullied boy played by Brett Kelly. Thurman actually believes that sex addict, alcoholic and criminal Willie is the real Santa Claus. The pair of misfits bond and become close friends. The outrageous Black Comedy features the F-word dozens of times. It's a definite crowd pleaser, but don't let your kids see it.

Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966)

Like the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, the Grinch is a tale about forgiveness and redemption. The Grinch is a sad bitter sap. The Grinch has a black heart and stays away from the pleasant residents of Whoville. On Christmas Eve, he hatches a plan to steal Christmas and enlists his trusty dog Max to help him.

When the resident's of Whoville awake to see their possessions taken from them, they don't mope about and cry out loud. Instead they celebrate the positive things in their life. The Grinch finally starts to see what Christmas is all about and he turns over a new leaf.

A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965) 

Young Charlie Brown finds himself in a decidedly non-merry mood despite the fact that Christmas is fast approaching. Voiced by Peter Robbins, Charlie despises the fact that the Christmas Holiday is being exploited by commercial interests. The half hour special focuses on Brown's attempts to instill the true meaning of Christmas into the entire Peanuts gang. 

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)

A raucous Christmas classic starring comedy legend Chevy Chase, Christmas Vacation is a must see holiday comedy for any occasion. Chase plays Clark W. Griswold, a man full of holiday spirit. Expecting to have a nice simple Christmas with his family, he is wholly unaware of the shenanigans about to take over his life. Christmas Vacation features a stellar cast including Juliette Lewis and Randy Quaid. The famous lights scene is a real crowd-pleaser.

A Christmas Story (1983)

Selected for preservation in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress last year, A Christmas Story is a cultural landmark of American cinema. Ralphie Parker loves Christmas and he is hoping that he gets a Red Ryder BB Gun as a present. All the adults in Ralphie's life talk about the dangers of owning such a toy, but he cannot drop the subject. Set in the 1960s, A Christmas Story will be playing non-stop this Holiday season so be sure to check it out.