Top 10 Christmas Comedy Movies

I've been a big fan of stand-up comedy for years and have noticed that some of stand-up's brightest stars are making Christmas comedy movies. I compiled this top 10 list with Christmas gift giving or "movie night" at home in mind. I added several family friendly options that make great stocking stuffers or office gifts.

10. Christmas with the Kranks - Tim Allen

Based on a John Grisham novel called Skipping Christmas and starring Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis. Energetic and funny with a cast that includes Dan Aykroyd, Cheech Marin, Jake Busey and M. Emmet Walsh. The Kranks set off a firestorm after they decide to boycott Christmas tradition and head for the islands. Their daughter surprises them with a new fiancee and a call to say she is visiting for Christmas. From that point on the Kranks have to get the neighborhood and themselves in the Christmas spirit.

9. Shek the Halls - Mike Meyers, Eddie Murphy

I couldn't have a top ten Christmas comedy list without a selection for kids. Eddie Murphy and Mike Meyers resume their roles of Donkey and Shrek respectively. This is a fun sequel for kids. Shrek sets out to celebrate the spirit of Christmas but is in for some unexpected surprises when his friends Fiona (Cameron Diaz), Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas), the Donkey and Gingy (Conrad Vernon) show up for the holidays.

8. The Horn blows at Midnight - Jack Benny

This is the oldest film in the top ten list, made in 1945. I love stories of angels and the Norman Rockwell Christmas sensibility. An ingenious comedy about an angel (Jack Benny) and thieves who try to steal Gabriel's horn from him. The thieves intend to destroy the earth with the horn. This sweet film by one of the all-time great stand ups is a great Christmas gift for grandparents or lovers of classic film. Directed by Raoul Walsh ("White Heat"), co-starring Alexis Smith and Franklin Pangborn.

7. Mixed Nuts - Steve Martin

I added this funny film about a group of crisis counselors in a suicide clinic on Christmas Eve for it's Nora Ephron touch. Stars, Steve Martin is a sweet counselor that runs Lifesavers, a suicide clinic. When the landlord of the clinic's building decides to turn the building into condominium, the comedy disasters begin. Adding to the stress; Christmas Eve is the busiest night of the year for the suicide hotline.

6. The Ref - Denis Leary

Denis Leary is one of my favorite stand-up comics. He is dark and witty. Here he plays a thief who is ditched by his partner in the middle of a robbery. He is forced to take a dysfunctional couple hostage and finds himself playing referee to the bickering couple. Directed by Ted Demme. Stars Denis Leary, Judy Davis and Kevin Spacey.

5. How the Grinch Stole Christmas - Jim Carrey

This dark comedy starring Jim Carrey is a must-have on any Christmas gift list. I loved the special effects and art direction. Carrey plays the conniving Grinch who plans to steal Christmas away from Whoville inhabitants. Carrey is a master at physical comedy and this film makes the best of that talent.

4. Elf - Will Ferrell

Watching a 6'3" elf running around New York City is funny enough, add the antics of Saturday Night Live alum, Will Ferrell and you are in for a treat. When an elf learns that he was adopted and raised as one of Santa's elves, he decides he must find his biological father (James Caan) and heads off for New York City. As with all fairy tales there is magical tale of finding love and work in a shopping mall. Very cute and family friendly.

3. Santa Clause - Tim Allen

Whenever I think of Christmas comedies, one of Tim Allen's Santa Clause movies comes to mind. The first in the series, Santa Clause is the best one. Tim Allen plays a man who is magically transformed into Santa Claus after he dons Santa's suit.Very cute and funny. Another family friendly choice. Directed by John Pasquin. Stars Tim Allen, Judge Reinhold and Wendy Crewson.

2. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation - Chevy Chase

If you have seen any of the National Lampoon Vacation movies with Chevy Chase, you know the film will be heavy on the campy site gags. I think that's what makes these films so fun. In Christmas Vacation Chase plays the affable Clark Griswold. Griswold wants a Norman Rockwell type Christmas with as many family members as possible. What starts out as a typical family holiday ends with a SWAT team raiding the neighborhood. Lots of laughs.

1. Scrooged - Bill Murray

This is my all time favorite Christmas comedy starring a stand up comic. Bill Murray stars in this "Christmas Carol" re-make directed by Richard Donner. Murray is Frank Cross an evil, materialistic television producer. Obviously, Cross is the Ebeneezer Scrooge in the film who receives visits from the Ghost of Christmas Past (David Johansen), The pretty Christmas fairy the Ghost of Christmas Present (Carol Kane) and the headless Ghost of Christmas Future. This movie has great energy and solid writing.

Sources:

http://www.amazon.com/Mixed-Nuts-Steve-Martin/dp/B00005QT9O
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0111070/
http://www.moviefone.com/movie/shrek-the-halls/36029/main
http://www.sonypictures.com/homevideo/christmaswiththekranks/title-navigation-5.html
http://www.warnervideo.com/christmasvacation/