It all started so innocently. G was looking at LoveFilm on the new Xbox dashboard. The family were sitting down to watch a film, a tin of Quality Street at the ready, and G was scrolling through LoveFilm’s collection of Christmas films.
‘Look,’ he said. ‘Jack Frost, best Christmas film ever.’
And that was it.
An hour later (the kids had devoured most of the tin of chocolates) we were still arguing just what was the “best” Christmas film of all time (seriously, Jack Frost!).
In the end, and to maintain sanity, we decided to list the top ten best Christmas films and leave it to YOU lovely guys to decide which is the best.
So…
It’s A Wonderful Life
Miracle on 34th Street
Elf
The Polar Express
The Muppet Christmas Carol
The Santa Clause
The Nightmare Before Christmas
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
Jack Frost
Scrooged
My vote goes to Elf (with It’s a Wonderful Life at number 2).
PLEASE help.
{ 73 comments… read them below or add one }
Well, that’s a tough call…Elf was so good that I forgot to Skype my Grammie Kirkby last week because we were busy watching it but I also adore The Polar Express and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation…*goes off to argue with self*
I never really ‘got’ The Polar Express. Imight give it another shot. I think choosing the best film ever is hard, but STILL it is NOT ‘Jack Frost’
You are so right about Jack Frost. We watched it last night and I DID NOT LIKE! Reminded me of my brother and I spent most fo the movie fighting back tears. A good time was not had by all
It’s a Wonderful Life no competition - everytime a bell rings an angel gets his wings
I am so torn. The only reason ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ isn’t number 1 is because I only watch it once a year, whereas I watch Elf monthly (it cheers me up?!?). But that’s possibly WHY ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ should be my number 1… I am going to watch it later today, in my pjs, Christmas tre lights on and with a pot of tea. Christmas begins today!
Christmas isn’t Christmas without Raymond Briggs.
The Snowman and Father Christmas are brilliant films. *The* best Christmas films ever. You only have to hear the music or the sleigh bells to feel Christmassy tingles.
Hmmmm, if they removed the music I’d very much say yes, but I’m a little bit terrified of Aled Jones
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation!! Have to watch it every year!! I also love The Grinch and Miracle on 34th Street. But deffo NOT Jack Frost, that was pretty rubbish…
Thank you Trish. EXACTLY! Oh I do like ‘The Grinch’ too. I haven’t seen ‘National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation’ for years… but with two mentions so far, it appears to be winning…
It’s A Wonderful Life for me - we all need a George Bailey in our lives these days. Christmas Eve, a glass of something nice and Jimmy Stewart - a lovely combo!
Just readinig that made me smile. I know you’re right! It is such a stunning story.
Not on your list, but my favourite is White Christmas, I watch it every year and it makes me cry every time
Also I am kind of in love with Danny Kaye. But Muppet Christmas Carol is tied very closely (‘Light the lamp, not the rat!’)
Oh, yes! Haven’t watched it for years and I don’t own it (I collect Christmas DVDs)! I think I’ll indulge.
YOU DON’T OWN WHITE CHRISTMAS?!?!??!?!?!!?!?????!?!?!!???!!!!
I KNOW!?! WHAT IS THAT ALL ABOUT!!!!!
I’ve never actually seen It’s A Wonderful Life. ((don’t hurt me!!)) but it IS on my Playlist. If I ever get time off before Christmas, I will watchi it for sure. Never seen Polar Express either, just never fancied that one.
Watch it! I honestly think you’ll love it.
It isn’t Aled Jones in the film. You can now watch without fear.
Oooooh, is it not his singing voice? In that case, I will watch it!
I have to say It’s a Wonderful Life, if only because my Xmas-crazy husband loves it so. I, personally, have always loved Scrooged, though, to be honest. I wonder what that says about me….hmm…
Bah Humbug!
I am counting both of your votes!
If I had to pick from your list I’d go for It’s A Wonderful Life. Left to my own devices I’d pick Die Hard, Die Hard2 and Trading Places.
‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ is winning! But you can’t beat a bit of Die Hard! A perfect comment, thank you!
Elf. Nothing else, just Elf.
Smiling’s my favourite!
It’s a Wonderful Life all the way!!! Love, love, love it!
I have tickets to see it at the Rex in Berkhamsted on the 23rd too!
Wooooohooooo
Oh, I’d LOVE to see it on the big screen! Very jealous
Where is Love Actually??
Well, since the ACTUAL best Christmas film of all time isn’t an option, I have to say that though The Snowman & Polar Express are totally magical, it HAS to be Muppet Christmas Carol. And anyone who doesn’t agree is a, er, muppet.
And, I guess ‘The Holiday’ or ‘Holiday’? I don’t tend to associate ‘Love Actually’ with Christmas… hmmmm… wonder why? Oh, we love the Muppets.
Has to be Miracle in 34th street - either version! Gorgeous!! Sadly It’s a Wonderful Life does nothing for me xx
I like both versions too. I watched the original a couple of weeks ago and cried.
It’s a Wonderful Life. I watch it every year and it still makes me cry at the end
I cry at the beginning too! LOVE it so much.
I haven’t seen Elf- wonderful life and white christmas still great. The christmas films we love the most are Gremlins (1st one), and first Die Hard. I also liked bad santa- bit dark though, but billy bo thornton is amazing in it.
Elf is funny, silly funny. And for me one of the ultimate Christmas films has to be a Sinbad one. Bad Santa is good and Gremlins is one of my favourites too.
Oooooooh this is TOUGH!!
I’m going to have to go with It’s A Wonderful Life. A classic that leaves you feeling all warm and fuzzy inside.
Elf is a VERY close second!!
Other faves not on your list are:
Bad Santa
Home Alone
Die Hard
Love Actually (sorry)
xxx
Ooooh, Die Hard is doing well in the votes too. We have v similar (and excellent) tastes. UNLIKE G!
It’s A Wonderful Life
It is
just remembered one thats a fave,The Shop around the corner (james stewart)- warm fuzzy feeling of a film
YES! Oh I love Jimmy Stewart.
Some great movies there - hard to pick just one, but I did lol a lot at Elf!
Shame us Brits don’t make a few more Christmas films. “Nativity” is very sweet and funny - and with little kids I often find it useful to quote a line from it; “make sure you all done a poo…and a wee!”. Are there any other good British Christmas themed films? Didn’t rate Love Actually very highly, sorry if you’re a fan.
And don’t forget the classic Wizard of Oz. I think I’ve watched it 43 Christmases in a row (what IS the plural of Christmas?), although not strictly a Christmas theme of course.
I really enjoyed ‘Nativity’ and cry every time I watch it! There is such a shortage of British Christmas themed films, but so many strong books set in festive times. I guess ‘A Christmas Carol’ has to be the ultimate British one? And I am often off to see the Wizard…
I cannot choose! I can narrow it down to a top 8:
It’s a Wonderful Life
White Christmas
Home Alone 1
Home Alone 2
The Muppet Christmas Carol
Elf
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Love Actually
Those are the ones I have to watch every year. I think someone needs to have a word with G re: Jack Frost. Is he MAD?
Home Alone 2…. you had me up until there! Excellent choices, young lady! And don’t you worry, words have SO been had with G!!!
Torn between Elf and It’s a Wonderful Life. Don’t make me choose between them. Too hard
I know. I KNOW! It’s like having to choose between two very perfect children
Muppet Christmas Carol, definitely. I have to watch it AT LEAST once every year, normally several times - it isn’t Christmas without it!
I’m like that with Elf. I think I’ve watched it over 20 times this year (but let’s just keep that between the two of us,,,)
I just got off work early… Guess what I’m watching?? It’s a Wonderful Life!! Got some toast and a glass of eggnog and I’m good to go! Thanks for the advice! xx
Hooray! ENJOY! I have never had eggnog before, seriously, I haven’t lived, have I?
It’s not for everyone. Mine isn’t proper eggnog. Can’t find that anywhere around here. But It’s Italian Zambione coffee syrup, mixed with milk with a pinch of nutmeg, tastes just like the real stuff. I LoVE it!!!
Sounds delicious!
I’m seven. It’s December 24th 19blahblah and I don’t believe in Father Christmas any more. My front tooth has been almost knocked out by Colin, his dad owns the pub, and I have a large plastic gum shield holding it in place. I look like a boxer. I feel like a reject. I keep drooling and have to swallow lots of spittle. I can’t bite anything; eating is messy and painful. I’m sitting in front of the TV watching Quincy’s Quest - the most memorable Christmas film ever.
Absolutely crap movie but I’ll never forget it thanks to that bloody gum shield.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJzKpQKwAaI
Love love love this memory. Thank you for sharing. Now, did you go on to marry Colin?
No. But we were on-off boyfriend/girlfriend through junior school. Dad didn’t mind me starting so young because of the pub owning dadattached to the boyfriend. I haven’t seen Colin since we were ripped apart by high school choices. The one that got away? Maybe. But I’ll always remember him, Quincy’s Quest and that darn gumshield.
It’s a Wonderful Life is my very very favourite. I adore Jimmy Stewart and I love the fact they filmed it in July and the snowflakes were cornflakes painted white. I watch it every Christmas. A very very close second is The Muppets Christmas Carol, which I watch whilst decorating the tree.
It SUCH a perfect film! It gets better the older I get!?!
I’ll go with It’s a Wonderful Life because it takes me right back to watching it with my parents in the early 60s - along with She Wore a Yellow Ribbon which wasn’t Christmassy but was always on at Christmas. Not on your list but one which will definitely get a viewing over Christmas is ‘Priscilla Queen of the Desert’ just because it always makes me happy.
I can’t wait to watch ‘Priscilla’ again. Perfect choices.
Movie just finished Caroline, I LOVE LOVE LOVED it!! Why have I never seen that before??? It’s a Wonderful life is now my 2nd fave Christmas film ever!!! xx
Hooray! x
It’s a wonderful life for me! So relate to George wanting adventure but reality having other plans… I go to Tyneside Cinema every year Xmas week to watch it and OH laughs at me crying at opening credits before film starts!!! Going to special screening for my birthday and having mince pies and mulled wine! Also adore Miracle on 34th Street though and the Santa Clause and National Lampoons. Not all that fond of jack frost tbh… But my oh my I do love Christmas!!!!! Excited!!!! Xxx
Happy Birthday AND - Oh I LOVE Christmas. Wish there was somewhere around here showing ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ x
Yes, Scrooged. End of conversation …
You crazy woman!
By the way, I wasn’t *just* talking about The Snowman. We all prefer Father ‘bloomin’ Christmas at our house. Have you ever seen?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9Yxoqlvbsc
LOVE Father ‘bloomin’ Christmas x
“National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” has become a bit of a tradion in our house, but my own preference is “It’s a Wonderful Life” or the Patrick Stewart version of “A Christmas Carol.”
Is your email address the same Caroline? - Have tried to contact ref book, but have been having probs with my email provider.
Hi, so sorry Paul, been mad busy. Promise to reply in the morning and all sounds ace x
My personal favourites are The Snowman and While You Were Sleeping.
Excellent choices!
I’m afriad I am going to be a bit crap at this cause I’ve not seen half of them! I did love Nightmare before Christmas…oh, and the Muppet one…and scrooged…nope, not good at this at all! I can’t even choose between the ones I have seen!
C x