The Ten Best Christmas Movies

Christmas is a time where good movies can be enjoyed by the whole family. My list of my favorite Christmas movies covers a time span from 1934 to 2006. My top ten includes some black and white classics, some color classics, and some slightly off beat offerings as well. The list is in no specific order.

Joyeux Noel, 2006 Oscar nominated, this movie tells the true story of French, Scottish and German soldiers fighting in The Great War, now known as World War I. The soldiers manage to call a ceasefire on Christmas Eve. A truly emotional event portrayed in a truly emotional movie.

A Christmas Carol (1951) Alastair Sim plays the role of Ebenezer Scrooge, and this performance is oft called the definitive film portrayal of Scrooge. View this version in the original Black and White. The colorized version, well, is colorized. (I'm a purist.)

Babes in Toyland (1934) I love this Laurel and Hardy romp into the telling of Mother Goose Rhymes, in a Christmas setting. The comedic duo is hilarious as toymakers with the task of saving Toyland from the dastardly and nefarious Barnaby. You will be howling at the antics.

Miracle on 34^th Street (1947) What can you say? This classic simply proves not only that Kris Kringle is not only real, but is completely sane as well. The characters are fabulous, and even in 1947 the specter of the commercialization of Christmas is broached.

A Christmas Story (1983) This now classic has probably replaced The Wizard of Oz as the must see once a year family viewed movie. Narrated by the main character, this delightful nostalgic look at Christmas in a simpler time is fraught with adventure, the prized BB gun, dogs eating the turkey, and of course the 'double dog dare' leading to the frozen tongue on pole event.

It's a Wonderful Life (1946) Its back to post war Hollywood in this James Stewart classic. The plot revolves around depression and contemplation of suicide. Not the normal fare for a Christmas flick, the movie has a happy ending, reinforcing the meanings of Christmas relating to family and the joy that life is capable of providing.

The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992) It is fitting that Kermit the Frog plays Bob Cratchit in this marvelous film starring, well, mostly Muppets. Michael Caine, portraying Scrooge (as a human, by the way) plays an archetypical miser who rewrites the book on "bah, humbug".

Home Alone (1990) The Christmas holiday time of the year allows for the plot development of this film that was a box office record holder for 12 weeks straight. That said, the film is a slap stick ridden parade of the defensive tactics the boy left home alone plies on would be burglars. Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern play the crooks, and of course Macauly Culkin played the boy.

Elf (2003) Will Ferrell is nothing but brilliant in this hilarious holiday (now) classic. This movie is close to the perfect non-stop laughter machine. You won't be disappointed.

White Christmas (1954) Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye: Both GI's home from the war. The Oscar winning Irving Berlin song. Two sisters, both beautiful, wanting to save their daddy's Vermont Inn. It doesn't get any better than this. Any list of the best Christmas movies has to include White Christmas.