8. Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
Miracle on 34th Street
Miracle on 34th Street is a family film directed by George Seaton and starring Maureen O’Hara, John Payne, Natalie Wood and Edmund Gwenn. It is about an old man who is declared insane and institutionalized on his claim of being the Santa Claus. A young lawyer fights his case arguing that he is the real thing. The movie is an ideal choice for Christmas. Imdb rates the movie at 7.9/10 and Rotten tomatoes gives the movie an excellent rating of 8/10.
7. Remember the Night (1940)
Remember The Night
Standing at number 7, Remember The Night is a romantic Christmas film directed by Mitchell Leisen. It stars Barbara Stanwyck and Fred MacMurray. Lee Leander (Barbara Stanwyck) is caught shoplifting right before Christams. She is prosecuted by John Sargent. Her trial gets postponed due to Christmas. The Sargent feels sorry for her and brings her home. Surrounded by a loving family (in stark contrast to Lee’s own family background) Lee’s heart starts melting for him and they fall in love. The movie had a positive reception by critics and audience. Imdb rated the movie 7.8/10 and Rotten Tomatoes at 8/10.
6. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
The Nightmare Before Christmas
The Nightmare Before Christmas is Henry Selick’s fantasy film starring Danny Elfman, Chris Sarandon and Catherine O’Hara. The concept of the film revolves around the discovery of Christmas Town by Jack Skellington, king of Halloween Town and the confusions which arise with this discovery. This critically acclaimed movie is an excellent choice for this Christmas for you and your kids. The film was ranked at number 1 on Rotten Tomatoes in their “Top 25 Best Christmas Movies List” with a rating of 8.2/10.
5. A Christmas Story (1983)
A Christmas Story
Released in 1983, A Christmas Story is an American Christmas comedy film based on the short stories and semi-fictional anecdotes of author and raconteur Jean Shepherd. The movie stars Peter Billingsley, Melinda Dillon and Darren McGavin. The story of the film is about Ralphie who tries to convince his parents, teachers, and Santa that a Red Ryder BB gun really is the perfect gift for the 1940’s. Based on 43 reviews collected by Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an overall approval rating from critics of 88%, with an average score of 8.3/10.
4. The Shop Around the Corner (1940)
The Shop Around the Corner (1940)
The Shop Around the Corner is a 1940 American romantic comedy film directed by Ernst Lubitsch, and starring James Stewart and Margaret Sullavan. This film was ranked #28 on AFI’s 100 Years… 100 Passions and was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” in 1999. The movie is about two employees working at a gift shop who cannot stand each other. Both of them have pen friends, whom they love without knowing that they are in love with their biggest enemies at work. The movie got an excellent rating of 8 on 10 on Imdb and 8.4 on 10 by critics on Rotten Tomatoes.
3. Homeless for the Holidays (2009)
Homeless for the Holidays (2009)
Homeless for the Holidays is a 2009 Christmas film directed by George A. Johnson and starring Matt Moore, Crystal Dewitt-Hinkle and Cole Brandenberger. The movie is about an executive who lands into financial problems after losing his job. He starts working at a burger point. Unable to pay his bills, he fears that his family might lose everything by Christmas. Standing at number 3, the movie is rated at 8.4 by critics on Imdb and Rotten Tomatoes.
2. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)
How the Grinch Stole Christmas is a fantasy film about a grumpy hermit who hatches a plan to steal Christmas from the Whos of Whoville. He is bitter and hateful and can’t see happy and beaming faces. Irritated by happy people in nearby village having a happy time celebrating Christmas he decides to steal away their happiness. Disguised as Santa Claus, with his dog, he raids the village to steal all the Christmas things. Critics at Rotten Tomatoes rated the movie at 8.9/10 and Imdb rated it at 8.4/10.
1. It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
Standing at number 1 in the 15 Best Christmas Films is Frank Capra’s It’s a Wonderful Life. The movie was released in 1946 and is still unbeatable. It’s a Wonderful Life is an American Drama film based on a short story, “The Greatest Gift” written by Philip Van Doren Stern. The movie is about an emotionally disturbed and frustrated businessman. He makes suicide attempt on Christmas Eve and meets an angel. The angel shows him his importance in the world and what the world would have been without him. Clarence, the angel shows George all the lives he has touched and the contributions he has made to his community. The movie is a very sweet family film. It is about bonding, relationship and love that flows in a family. It is a wonderful movie with a great message that this life is wonderful and we all have a role in making the world a beautiful place. Britain’s Channel 4 ranked It’s a Wonderful Life as the seventh greatest film ever made in its poll “The 100 Greatest Films” and in 2006, the film reached #37 in the same channel’s “100 Greatest Family Films”. It currently ranks 29th on the IMDb’s top 250. It received positive reviews. Imdb and Rotten Tomatoes both rate the movie as 8.7/10.
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