Wednesday, November 19, 2008

My 10 Favorite Christmas Movies, and some...

I'm a movie fan, and a sucker for Christmas movies in particular (cheesy though they may be). It's November, and Steph and I have broken out the Christmas DVDs. I've watched the classics growing up, and some may be great to me, if only for the childhood nostalgia, while others have only emerged in recent years as instant classics.

I'll start with my 10 favorite Christmas movies (unless I'm forgetting something.)

10. Nightmare Before Christmas. So it's a mash-up of Christmas and Halloween, but it's an ingeniously made classic as far as I'm concerned.

9. A Christmas Story. Most of you would probably like to strangle me for putting this movie at number nine on my list rather than 1, 2, or 3. The fact is, this one's new to me and I'm not sure I've even seen the whole thing from beginning to end. However, from what I've seen, it deserves a spot here.

8. Miracle on 34th Street (the old one). I don't care who you are, you can't watch this one and tell me it didn't give you a touch of Christmas joy.

7. Prancer Yeah, yeah I know it's not really a guy movie. I grew up on it, it grew on me, and now it's one of my Christmas staples.

6. It's a Wonderful Life I love this movie and it's good old fashion moral. Again, sorry it's not closer to #1 on my list.

5. Polar Express This movie restored my faith that great Christmas movies can still be made today... well four years ago. Truly an amazing flick.

4. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation One of my favorite Christmas movies, and vacation movies. Could be the funniest movie on the list other than #1. I get cracked up just thinking about it!

3. The Santa Claus No-one could have done it like Tim Allen. Such a clever and original idea for a movie. I love it. Unfortunately I can't say the same for the two sequels.

2. Elf My favorite Will Ferrell movie and one of my favorite comedies. There are parts where I can't stop laughing.


and the winner is........













1. Home Alone Wish I knew how many times I've seen this! It never fails to bring the laughs, and that good "Christmasy" feeling. Hands down, my favorite Christmas movie.

And now for some honorable mentions, some of which I'm a little ashamed:

Jingle all the Way This is an almost painfully bad movie, but Steph makes me watch it every year. She doesn't even like it!! However, it has somehow become something of a tradition and it would be kind-of sad to miss it.


Earnest Saves Christmas A childhood classic to me, just didn't have a place in the top ten.

Home Alone 2 It's pretty funny but it's almost a complete knock off of the first one. I'll still give it a watch now and then.

Jack Frost A bit too depressing for me.

So what is your favorite Christmas movie? Check out the poll over on the side bar and vote for your favorite.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

It's a Wonderful Life is a must see for me every year. Also the Claymation Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.

Cathy ~ Tadpoles and Teacups said...

We share many of the same favorites --I'd probably add "A Charlie Brown Christmas" to my list. Great post!

Cathy

P.S. I have admired your wonderful work for quite a while.

~dani~ said...

Oh yes, all of your top 10 are great. My husband adores Its a Wonderful Life so much!! I can't say I could pick a fav Christmas movie but I sooo love all the Christmas classic claymation shows and movies. When I see them on TV...I know it is Christmas time for sure!

Huckleberry Arts said...

Oh I love its a wonderful life my all time favorite movie!

We have polar express and I love the song Hot Chocolate!!

I have a little something on my blog for ya Lance

Have a beautiful day

Lance said...

I love the old tv specials (Charlie Brown, Rudolph, Grinch). I just didn't know if I could count them as movies. Maybe I should revise my list!

Doreen Frost said...

A Christmas Story definitely...it's been my favorite for years..I watch it almost daily this time of year. Your list is great and you covered all of my favorites. I would also add Scrooge.

Love your work.

Doreen

Lance said...

thanks Doreen! I need to watch a Christmas story more often this season.

Chicken Lips said...

I agree with almost all your picks! National Lampoon Christmas Vacation is an absolute MUST for me to watch the day after Thanksgiving. But my two all time favorites (and I know, they are TV specials, not movies...) are Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and The Year without a Santa Claus - it just isn't Christmas without them.

HowlingMoonDesigns said...

What an "Old Soul" you are Lance!
Great Movies you picked..Same ones I would have picked :).."Home Alone" is my favorite..But I adore the Original "Miricle on 34th St"..
I agree with David to..Just not Christmas without Rudolph..and the lil Elf that want's to be a Dentist..LOL
Candy