CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS: 22 MOVIES TO DELIVER YOUR HOLIDAY SEASONS

So Christmas movies aint all about ‘Home Alone’. Not just ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’, either, although I thought ones must be crazy enough not to put those movies on their best list. However, these are my best and favorite Christmas movies that successfully captured those beautiful moments, from family drama, comedy, romance to sci-fi and some actions, where you won’t be bored watching them again and again in this season of holidays. Sorry no slasher horror and err… ‘Bad Santa’, which are just too awkward to define Christmas spirits. Merry Christmas, and enjoy!

WHITE CHRISTMAS (1954)

Anyone who love musicals should enjoy this one, featuring a classic from Irving Berlin’s. Starred Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Vera Ellen and Rosemary Clooney (George Clooney’s aunt), the movie came with great dance, sets and costumes. One of the best musical movies ever made.

HOME ALONE I & HOME ALONE II: LOST IN NEW YORK (1988-1990)

A straight John Hughes’ holiday classic that everyone will hold dear as well. I think everybody has seen ‘em not just once, and still loving every moments of both. Darlene Love’s ‘All Alone On Christmas’ was also one of my most favorite Christmas songs, ever.

IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE (1946)

We had seen the excerpts in several christmas movies. Just classic.

SANTA CLAUS THE MOVIE (1985)

With its tagline, ‘Seeing Is Believing’, this is the first full length fantasy exploring Santa’s history from the creator of ‘Superman The Movie’, Alexander Salkind. Starred Dudley Moore as Santa’s Elf and John Lithgow as the villain, this also has a very beautiful Christmas tune as the theme song. ‘It’s Christmas All Over The World’ sang by Sheena Easton, after Freddie Mercury turned it down.

THE CHRISTMAS ACTIONS : DIE HARD (1988), LETHAL WEAPON (1987), & THE LONG KISS GOODNIGHT (1996)

Big bangs and slight Christmas spirits. Dead combination.

ONE MAGIC CHRISTMAS (1987)

Another one from Disney, this charming family movie starred Mary Steenburgen as a mother in search of her long lost Christmas spirit.

JINGLE ALL THE WAY (1996)

Inspired by market’s high demand on Christmas toys in the ‘90s, this family comedy starred Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sinbad as two fathers rumbling for ‘Turbo Man’ toys for their kids. Chris Columbus produced. Hilarious!

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS (1991)

Also considered rare for not being a box office big hit, the movie told a story of Ethan (Ethan Randall) and Hallie (Thora Birch) hoping for Christmas magic to brought their divorced parents back together. The beautiful themesong, Stephen Bishop’s ‘All I Want’, written and produced by David Foster.

GREMLINS (1984)

A weird one might be, but of course it’s a Christmas movie. It has Christmas sets, about a Christmas present, and featured the creature in Santa’s hat. A huge collaboration of Chris Columbus (writer), Joe Dante (director) and Steven Spielberg (producer). Huge!

MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET (1994)

This fourth remake of 1947’s Christmas classic comes even more wonderful by changing its focus to a 6 year old little girl (Mara Wilson) ’s dreams beyond Christmas miracle. Directed by Les Mayfield, this also comes from John Hughes productions.

THE SANTA CLAUSE (1994)

Disney’s version of Santa with a glimpse of father to son relationship. The sequel (2004) comes nearly as good, but the third installment, ‘Escape Clause (2008)’, not.

THE LAST NIGHT OF CHRISTMAS (aka THE DAY SANTA CLAUS CRIED/LAST TOUCH OF LOVE/QUESTO SI CHE AMORE) (1978)

A heavy weeping melodramatic Christmas version of ‘Boy In The Plastic Bubble’, that went underrated and forgotten. However, it created massive box office hits in our early ‘80s theatres with long queue of audience. Look at the soundtrack compilation’s cassete cover using its Indonesian poster back then.

SCROOGED (1988)

A modernized adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol’ starred Bill Murray and directed by Richard Donner. Yes, it’s much better than Jim Carrey’s Scrooge with Murray’s cynically comedic style, and simply one of the best among many adaptation of the classic. Annie Lennox sang the themesong, ‘Put A Little Love In Your Heart’ and in the history of jazzinematology, this movie’s got the cameos of Miles Davis, Larry Carlton, Paul Sheffer and David Sanborn.

ARTHUR CHRISTMAS (2011)

We’ve all seen this sci-fi Santa. Absolutely one of the best Santa Clause movie with funny hi-tech plot innovation, but still kept the Christmas spirits around its adventurous excitement.

HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS aka THE GRINCH (2000)

We got a perfect pack for this Dr.Seuss’ classic adaptation. Beautiful works by Digital Domain on the sets and effects, Jim Carrey, Ron Howard, and of course, Faith Hill’s ‘Where Are You Christmas’ as the themesong. One of the highest grossing Christmas movies along with ‘Home Alone’.

LOVE ACTUALLY (2003)

Using Christmas atmosphere as its crucial part beyond the interlinked plot, this is one of the greatest rom-com which none beats until now. Not just love, it’s Christmas all around.

ELF (2003)

Funny and delightful, this one starred Will Ferrell as Santa’s Elf searching for his true human identity in New York’s modern crowds. Directed by Jon Favreau, James Caan also starred.

THE HOLIDAY (2006)

The most love-centric movie with strong Christmas holiday atmosphere since ‘Love Actually‘. Sweet chemistry and wonderful music by Hans Zimmer.

COLLATERAL BEAUTY (2016)

Forget what the critics said. Though might be too weepy and predictable, so hard to resist, this interwoven fantasy romance about Christmas miracle will take you to one irressistibly beautiful journey of love, loss and hope. (dan)