AUTHOR'S TOP PICKS

2003 - PG - 97 MINS - COMEDY

Nutshell: Raised as an oversized elf, Buddy travels from the North Pole to New York City to meet his biological father, who doesn’t know he exists and who is in desperate need of Christmas spirit. 

Top Cast: Will Ferrell, James Caan

Review:  A charming and ridiculous laugh out loud movie that keeps you coming back for more every year.  What makes this most rewatchable is the message of holiday cheer and that we should not take ourselves too seriously.

2004 - G - 100 MINS - FAMILY

Nutshell: On Christmas Eve, a young boy embarks on a magical adventure to the North Pole on the Polar Express, while learning about friendship, bravery and the spirit of Christmas. 

Top Cast: Tom Hanks

Review: I struggle with critic reviews on this film - it is a definite annual favorite that is even more magical wearing 3D glasses.  The songs, the animation, the characters all make this a wonderful story that makes you want to Believe.  Hot Chocolate anyone?

1988 - PG-13 - 101 MINS - COMEDY

Nutshell: In this modern take on "A Christmas Carol", a successful but selfish executive is haunted by 3 spirits bearing lessons on Christmas Eve who give him a chance to address his past actions that drive away his true love.

Top Cast: Bill Murray, Karen Allen

Review: Murray wonderfully blends dark aspects of the Dickens classic with his own style of humor. Seems to make most Top Christmas movie lists. For us, this is an annual watch where the jokes never die.

1989 - PG-13 - 97 MINS - COMEDY

Nutshell: Griswold family's plans for a perfect family Christmas predictably go awry quickly as traditions such as chopping down the tree, putting up Christmas decorations all lead to calamitous misfortunes. 

Top Cast: Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo

Review: A viewer favorite rather than for the critics.  A nutty look into a dysfunctional family at Christmas. We still have hope as Clark opens his bonus check every year - maybe this year will be different!

1993 - PG - 103 MINS - COMEDY

Nutshell: An 8yr-old trouble-maker is mistakenly left at home when his family go on their vacation. A pair of local burglars attempt to break in on Christmas Eve and comedy ensues as Kevin must prevent the home invasion.

Top Cast: Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci

Review: This isn't high art, but this live action comedy with cartoon high jinks delivers a wonderful experience.  Plenty of Christmas spirit here as we remember it is a time for being with the ones we love.

2022 - PG13 - 127 MINS - COMEDY

Nutshell: A modern rendition of the Dickens' classic.  Every season the Ghost of Christmas Present selects one dark soul to be reformed by a visit from three spirits, but this season, he picked the wrong Scrooge.

Top Cast: Will Ferrel, Ryan Reynolds

Review: A movie that divides opinion but will age well. This bromance fueled festive adventure stirs the spirits with humor and a captivating musical score.  Enjoy it, don't overthink it and watch for the surprise ending

2003 - R - 135 MINS - COMEDY

Nutshell: During a frantic month before Christmas in London , this movie follows the lives of 8 different couples dealing with their love lives, their stories entangling in the most creative way.

Top Cast: Hugh Grant, Liam Neeson

Review: A very entertaining funny rom-com, jammed with strong characters, clever overlapping stories, not to mention a number of obligatory movie love shenanigans. One you will enjoy from start to finish, although a tad long..

2021 - PG - 97 MINS - COMEDY

Nutshell: In 1980s Chicago, a ten-year-old sets out on a herculean quest to secure the Christmas gift of his generation - the Nintendo video game system.

Top Cast: Winslow Fegley, Neil Patrick Harris

Review: Packed full of comedy and nostalgia, this cast really sets the tone for Christmas in the 80s and evoked many happy memories of my childhood.  It will likely become a Christmas classic for the Gen-X crowd but may not make the heights for those born other generations.

2014 - PG - 102 MINS - COMEDY

Nutshell: After Santa Claus is arrested and jailed, a recently paroled prisoner and his young son attempt to save Christmas before it is too late.

Top Cast: Jim Broadbent, Rafe Spall

Review:  Although this started slow, this British movie, with lots of familiar faces, was surprising in its charm, humor and illustration of the importance of family and believing.  Classic scene of Santa with a braided beard trying to act hard were hilarious.

1996- PG - 89 MINS - COMEDY

Nutshell: A father vows to get his son a Turbo Man action figure for Christmas.  However, every store is sold out and he must travel all over town and compete with everybody else to find one.

Top Cast: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sinbad

Review:  Once upon a time, buying the toy of that year was the most stressful thing of the season.  This film with Arnie and Sinbad was never going to win an Oscar but this is a film you can enjoy, laugh and be happy you have Amazon.

2020 - TV-MA - 101 MINS - COMEDY

Nutshell: Stuck in a time loop where its forever Christmas, a Brazilian family man who hates the holiday starts to learn valuable lessons about what's important in life.

Top Cast: Arianne Botelho, Ashley Adler

Review:  Groundhog Day meets Christmas day.  The family interactions make this a success. Dad is a tad extreme, but you will laugh out loud but as the movie goes on the serious side may make you cry. The lesson is powerful - live every day like Christmas Day!