Christmas is here! There’s something that I think people overlook this time of year. I mean, to me, Christmas isn’t Christmas without this part of the holiday. Sure, eggnog is great if you’re not lactose intolerant like myself and apple cider really warms the bones on a cold evening. And yes, I know how important it is to keep Jesus the center of the holiday. While presents, the Christmas tree, and the holiday decorations really do a number to get you ready for the season, there’s one thing that really puts me in the Christmas spirit.
Christmas movies.
That’s right, my friends. It ain’t Christmas without the Christmas movies. And today, I’m going to reveal to you my top five, all-time favorite Christmas movies.
Right upfront, I want to address what is going to happen after you read this post. You’re going to think to yourself or maybe even say out loud…c’mon you didn’t even say (insert your favorite Christmas movie).
I know how this works. Someone reveals their favorite thing and people immediately say, well that guy has no idea what he’s talking about. Well, let me tell you this. I’ve got about thirty-two years of experience with Christmas movies and, in my mind, that makes me pretty dog-on close to a professional Christmas movie watcher. However, I’d actually like to hear your list after you’re done reading mine.
Without future ado...let’s begin.
#5: Jingle All The Way
Released in 1996, Jingle All The Way stars Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sinbad, and the kid that would later play Anakin Skywalker. The story is pretty simple and straightforward. Arnold plays a dad who, being so caught up in his job, forgot to get little Anakin Skywalker the toy he wanted for Christmas: Turbo Man. Trying to make up for his forgetfulness, he heads out on Christmas Eve to purchase a Turbo Man doll for his son only to find out that they are all gone. That’s right. Being that Turboman was this year’s hottest Christmas item in forever, all of the dolls are off the shelves and already under the trees of little boys around the nation. Throughout the movie, you follow Howard, Arnold’s character, and his many failed attempts to purchase, win and, even steal, a Turbo Man doll for young Darth Vader.
The movie is hilarious. I understand now what it would feel like to see your son disappointed on Christmas morning not receiving the gift that he’d been hoping for on Christmas. Would I follow some little girl though the mall play place in search of a numbered ball for my son’s toy...yes. Would I run to a local radio station, beat on the door, scare the DJ to the point of calling 911...maybe. Would I steal the neighbors Turbo Man doll from under their tree so my boy could have one...that’s a tough one. If you want to see Arnold Schwarzenegger battle over fifty Santas in a questionable toy black market, you should give this one a watch.
#4: How The Grinch Stole Christmas
Actually showing in theaters this weekend, How The Grinch Stole Christmas is a 2000 film adaptation of Dr. Seuss’ classic tale directed by Ron Howard, little Opie, and stars Jim Carrey. Like the book, this movie takes us on a journey through Christmas in Whoville as we watch little Cindy Lou Who help the Grinch face down his past demons, learn to love and appreciate the season of Christmas. The Grinch is a green, stinky, glass eating hermit who lives all alone in a mountain full of garbage. He and his faithful sidekick dog, Max, try and successfully steal all the Whoville Christmas presents from under every tree in the town causing a major kerfuffle. Despite all the presents he steals, his heart just stays the same.
I’m going to be honest here. I didn’t see this movie until about five years ago. I had never seen it before, saw it on a clearance rack, made the purchase, and brought it home. I immediately fell in love with the movie. Sure, it’s quirky and not like many other movies ever created. Almost all, if not all, the effects are practical, and almost every, single character sports serious face altering makeup in the film. The story is touching and about more than just stealing Christmas presents from the entire town. The story centers around this one character who everyone has left out. They’ve allowed him to be alone, left uncared for, and continually spread nasty rumors about him to the point of making him a terrifying myth. I understand why the man...errr Grinch would want to steal Christmas from the town! They’re a bunch of selfish, pointless money spending jerks!
#3: Home Alone II: Lost In New York
They did it again! In the 1992 movie Home Alone II: Lost In New York, the McCallister family accidentally separates themselves from their youngest son, Kevin, on their Christmas vacation. Only this time, they go to Miami and he goes to the big city of New York! Proving that the world was a small place even back in 1992, Kevin runs into two of his ole pals while in The Big Apple, Harry and Marv who are now referring to themselves as The Sticky Bandits. Despite staying at the Ding Dang Dong Plaza Hotel with the president himself, Donald Trump, Kevin is forced to, once again, defend himself against these two thugs after being kicked out of the hotel because of a stolen credit card! With a little help from his friends, Kevin goes toe to toe with The Sticky Bandits; however, this time he’s got to be a little more creative with his tricks.
Many of you will immediately turn your nose at me not including the first Home Alone and that’s fine. It’s a great movie and you’re entitled to your opinion; however, I love Home Alone II. I know as a kid I watched this more than the first and even still today. Something about this movie causes more laughter, more wincing in pain, and overall more fun. My wife and I are constantly quoting this movie throughout the year. For example, if someone asks for a credit card...you got it. What kinda pizza you want to order...a cheese pizza. When you hit up the hotel pool...would it bother anyone if I worked on my cannonballs? Harry and Marv are great too. Every scene with them is so funny. The slapstick comedy is more like brick hit comedy. I mean seriously, four bricks to the head thrown from the top of an apartment building would kill someone, but not Marv. Shoot, even electricity can’t bring Marv down! Can it get much better than Home Alone II, you betcha.
#2: The Santa Clause
Have you ever wondered how someone actually becomes Santa? Well, the 1994 Tim Allen movie The Santa Clause puts that mystery to bed in silk pajamas made by an elf named Judy. Tim Allen plays a single-dad, Scott Calvin, who, again, busy with his job, fails to make Christmas fun for his son, Charlie. I, for one, would love to go to Denny’s on Christmas Eve; however, sometimes they're just out of chocolate milk. After a bedtime story, Twas The Night Before Christmas, Charlie wakes up to a literal clatter on the roof. When he and his dad walk outside, they spook Santa into falling off the roof. Believe it or not, Santa falls to his death and then disappears, leaving his suit behind on the ground and his reindeer on the roof. Scott puts on the suit, he and Charlie climb in the sleigh and go to work. Sure there’s a learning curve; however, Scott eventually turns into and accepts his role as the new Santa. While making his preparations for the upcoming holiday, Scott has to balance being Santa, being a friend to his wife and Neil, and doing one of the most important jobs on the planet: being a father. Can Scott, Charlie, and Bernard (the head elf) deliver a Christmas while running from the cops? Guess you’ll just have to see.
This movie is one of the first I turn on to start the Christmas season. Tim Allen is a wonderful Santa. A friend the other day at work even commented on just how good he looked portraying Santa Claus. When I think of Santa, it’s this Tim Allen Santa who I envision in my mind. Seeing him transform throughout the movie is one of the most memorable things about this film. He goes from being an in-shape, well dressed businessman to a sweatpant wearing, bloated by a bee sting, dessert eating, gray-haired, beard growing jolly joker. I especially enjoy the banter that takes place between Scott, his wife, and her husband Neil. I’m not divorced; however, I can imagine that the bickering in the movie would be similar to the bickering that would occur in real life. Seeing Scott want the best for his son all the while coming to terms with his role as Santa really pulls at my heartstrings now as a dad. Mixing family drama with personal internal struggles, all while delivering the feeling of Christmas, The Santa Clause stands as one of my favorite Christmas movies of all time.
#1: A Christmas Story
All Ralphie wants for Christmas is an official Red Ryder, carbine action, two-hundred shot range model air rifle. The trouble is, no one thinks he should get it. He’ll shoot his eye out they say. So what’s a kid to do when his parents and teacher say he shouldn’t have an air rifle for Christmas? You ask the big buy: Santa Claus. Trouble is, even Santa says he’ll shoot his eye out. From triple-double dog dares to bully fights in back alleys, A Christmas Story provides laughs, touching moments, and the all too real-life experiences of a young boy just trying to get an air rifle.
Want to know what I love about this movie? All of it. Every single thing about this movie is classic. The feel of the movie itself puts you right in the 1940s, taking you back to a simpler time. Ralphie is such a likable and relatable character. Is he perfect? No. That’s what makes him so great. He’s a little boy who knows what he wants and from every direction is met with negativity. Despite that, he maintains his wish. What’s wonderful about this film is that while the main storyline focuses on that Red Ryder Air Rifle, the movie is really about Ralphie and his adventures throughout the holidays. Ralphie witnessed first hand the power of peer pressure and its effects. He curses for the first time in front of his father, using the king of all curses, and is forced to literally eat soap as punishment. In real life fashion, he is met with disappointment when his Little Orphan Annie decoder ring turns out to be some crummy commercial. While at its heart the film is about a boy and Christmas, it’s really about a boy taking on the troubles of boyhood.
There is one scene in this movie that tugs at my heartstrings more than any other. The fight scene between Ralphie and the bully, Scut Farkus, brings tears to my eyes almost every time I watch the film. To see a young boy, who has already had a rough day, go face to face with a boy who is older, taller, and just plain mean is inspiring. That isn’t the thing that gets me. What gets me are the moments after the beatdown. When Ralphie’s mom comes to stop the fight, and Ralphie sees her, he pauses. Then, after realizing what has just happened, he begins to cry. Not because he fears the wrath of his mother or father, but because all of the emotions of the day have finally caught up with him. Honestly… my eyes are watering just thinking about it! Whew.
So there you have it. Those are my top five favorite Christmas flicks. If you haven’t seen one of these movies, I strongly encourage you to give them a try. All of the films are wholesome, (pretty much) clean family fun. I’d love to hear about some of your favorite Christmas movies. Shoot me an email or comment below and let me know your favorite Christmas flicks.
I sincerely hope you and your family have a very merry Christmas. After all the presents are open and all the food is gone, look around and be thankful for who you have around you. That’s the real gift of this holiday season. Cherish the love of your family, friends, and loved ones. That’s the best gift anyone could ever receive.
Happy (Almost) Friday!
Merry Christmas!
Honorable Mentions:
Miracle on 34th Street (1994)
The Polar Express (2004)
Disney's A Christmas Carol (2009)
Elf (2003)
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