1951 - G - 86 MINS - DRAMA
Nutshell: Crotchety Victorian businessman, Scrooge has no use for festivity. The ghost of his late business partner appears warning of the visit of 3 spirits who will show him the errors of his ways.
Top Cast: Alastair Sim, Jack Warner
Review: Widely regarded as one of the finest interpretations of Dickens' timeless story. The film's black and white cinematography enhances its ghostly scenes. If you are planning to watch adaptions this Christmas, consider this one.
1944 - G - 113 MINS - DRAMA
Nutshell: A romantic musical comedy focusing on four sisters on the cusp of the 1904 St Louis World's Fair. The sisters gain education on the world accompanied by song, dance, period costumes and as always, love conquers all.
Top Cast: Judy Garland, Margaret O'Brien
Review: One for the critics, purists and nostalgics. One of the older selections in the Christmas collection, this technicolor musical provides entertainment for all ages.
1983 - R - 116 MINS - COMEDY
Nutshell: A snobbish investor and a wily street con artist find their lives reversed in hilarious fashion, as part of a bet between two callous millionaires.
Top Cast: Eddie Murphy, Dan Ackroyd
Review: This may not make everyone's Christmas movie countdown, but it is an annual treat in our house. One of the best comedy movies in that class of 1980s, delivering a clever, smart and affectionate story without being too over the top. Not one for the kids.
2000 - PG - 104 MINS - COMEDY
Nutshell: In this live-action version of the classic, on the outskirts of Whoville lives a green revenge-seeking Grinch who plans to ruin Christmas for all the citizens in town.
Top Cast: Jim Carrey
Review: Does not have the warmth of the animated short, but Carrey's performance keeps this adaption whimsical and entertaining. If your heart does not grow larger after watching this, I don’t know what will.
2003 - 18A - 92 MINS - COMEDY
Nutshell: A miserable conman and his partner pose as santa and his little helper to rob department stores on Christmas Eve, but they run into problems when the conman befriends a troubled boy.
Top Cast: Billy Bob Thonton, Bernie Mac
Review: Clever, unbelievable, funny as ho ho ho. Laughing out loud has a strange way of kick starting that Christmas spirit so watch this one early in the season. This dark comedy isn't for all and be prepared for some foul language.
2015 - R - 118 MINS - DRAMA
Nutshell: An aspiring photographer spots the beautiful Carol perusing the doll display in a 1950s Manhattan department store. The two women develop a fast bond that becomes a love with complicated consequences.
Top Cast: Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara
Review: Set during the Christmas season, the films winter scenes, holiday gatherings and gift exchanges provide the perfect backdrop to this romantic drama. A powerful period performance that evokes warmth and togetherness.
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..
1945 - G - 101 MINS - COMEDY
Nutshell: A food writer who has lied about being the perfect housewife must try to cover her deception when her boss and a returning war hero invite themselves to her home for a traditional family Christmas.
Top Cast: Barbara Stanwyck, Dennis Morgan
Review: A hilarious farce offering seasonal folly for this now somewhat dated movie, sweetened by a great cast and some nice screwball touches with a wonderful Christmas set design.
2005 - 14A - 103 MINS - ACTION
Nutshell: After being mistaken for an actor, a New York thief is sent to Hollywood to train under a private eye for a potential movie role, but the duo are thrown together into a murder mystery.
Top Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Val Kilmer
Review: A black comedy thriller, one that is easy to pick apart, but still keeps viewers entertained. The Christmas season is the backdrop which helps to heighten the emotions of redemption and second chances.
2018 - PG - 104 MINS - FAMILY
Nutshell: The story of sister and brother, Kate and Teddy, whose Christmas Eve plan to film Santa Claus turns into an unexpected journey that most kids could dream about.
Top Cast: Kurt Russell, Darby Camp
Review: Full of holiday spirit, festive puns and a lot of ridiculous (throwing presents down seems inefficient), this Christmas Eve thrill ride is able to amuse and warm the heart while reminding us the importance of the good in people if they are given the chance
2020 - PG13 - 102 MINS - ROMANTIC
Nutshell: A holiday romantic comedy that captures the range of emotions tied to wanting your family's acceptance, being true to yourself and trying not to ruin Christmas.
Top Cast: Kristen Stewart, Mackenzie Davis
Review: This is a movie that will likely speak a lot to those who feel like family Christmas is full of unwanted pressures. It is a little cliched and chemistry is lacking between characters at times. Remember - honesty is the best policy.
1995 - PG - 103 MINS - ROMANTIC
Nutshell: A hopelessly romantic Chicago Transit ticket booth operator is mistaken for the fiancée of a comatosed patient.
Top Cast: Sandra Bullock, Bill Pullman
Review: Set over the Christmas season, this festive rom-com slips in some intriguing twists and turns, held together by Sandra Bullock's charm. The spirit of togetherness and new beginnings will leave you with feel good vibes.
2011 - PG - 97 MINS - FAMILY
Nutshell: Santa's clumsy son Arthur sets out on a mission with Grandsanta to give out a misplaced present to a young girl in less than two hours on Christmas day.
Top Cast: James McAvoy, Jim Broadbent
Review: A clever and amusing yuletide thrill ride bringing a mix of naughty and nice to deliver a Christmas miracle. A worthy addition to the Christmas rewatch list.
1994 - PG - 97 MINS - COMEDY
Nutshell: When a man inadvertently makes Santa fall off his roof on Christmas Eve, he finds himself magically recruited to take his place.
Top Cast: Tim Allen, Eric Lloyd
Review: We love the premise and there are many brilliant moments in this movie about a reluctant Santa Claus. However there are just some things in the obnoxious behaviors and the overkill police response that took away from the overall festive experience. Overall, a nice story.
1954 - G - 120 MINS - COMEDY
Nutshell: A successful song-and-dance team become romantically involved with a sister act and team up to deliver a Yuletide miracle, to save a failing Vermont inn and put it back in the black.
Top Cast: Margaret Sullavan, James Stewart
Review: Some great songs, gentle humor and a fun festive rom-com. You have heard the song in every shopping mall for decades, so you might aswell see the movie on which it was made.
1940 - PG - 99 MINS - ROMANTIC
Nutshell: Set during the Christmas season, 2 employees at a general store in Budapest are constantly butting heads with each other. Both are enamored with their respective pen pals who serve welcome distractions in their lives.
Top Cast: Margaret Sullavan, James Stewart
Review: Even though Christmas is more of a backdrop to this classic, the central themes of warmth and spirit of giving means this is a favorite to watch in the holiday season.
1990 - PG-13 - 105 MINS - FANTASY
Nutshell: In this modern fairy tale, a scientist animates human being, but dies before he can finish assembling Edward, leaving the young man with a freakish appearance. The story of an outcast trying to fit in with suburban society.
Top Cast: Johnny Depp, Winona Ryder
Review: Strange and moving at the same time and wonderfully acted. Highly memorable but sometimes art does not deliver a result for a Christmas movie, which qualifies with its holiday season scenes.
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.
1992 - G - 85 MINS - FAMILY
Nutshell: The Muppets perform the classic Dickens holiday tale, with Kermit the unfortunate clerk of the miserly Mr. Scrooge, who is visited by the 3 spirits of Christmas, to show him the error of his self-serving ways.
Top Cast: Michael Caine, Dave Goelz
Review: With catchy songs and enchanted sets, the story adds to its core with warmth and whimsy making it a great entry for the young ones to this Christmas classic!
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?
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