At the time, this movie, about a man who manages a suicide-prevention hotline, might have been a little dark for the Rudolph-sweater-wearing set, but it’s certainly something different. Whoops! Melody (Janel Parrish) moves to a new town and buys a fixer-upper. In this darkly comedic modern retelling of 1910 short story The Ransom of Red Chief, a wealthy couple drive a would-be cat burglar (Denis Leary) absolutely crazy on Christmas Eve with their insufferable bickering. 31. Your use of this website constitutes and manifests your acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy, Cookie Notification, and awareness of the California Privacy Rights. Best classic Christmas movies It’s a Wonderful Life (1946). This post-World War II movie is about veterans who need shelter and find it in a beautiful Manhattan home — while its owner is wintering in the South. Where to watch it: Stream on FXM; rent on Amazon, iTunes, VUDU, and YouTube. This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. This delightful computer-animated Christmas comedy, about multiple generations of men in the house of Claus—Santa the C.E.O., his bumbling teenage son, Arthur, and his elderly father, Grandsanta—working together to deliver a misplaced, last-minute present to one little girl, seasoned the evergreen idea of Father Christmas with a fresh sprinkling of uniquely madcap British wit. Written and directed by David Steiman, Ratner’s former assistant. Where to watch it: Rent on Amazon, iTunes, VUDU, and YouTube. The Bishop’s Wife was remade successfully in 1996 as The Preacher’s Wife with Denzel Washington, Whitney Houston and Courtney B. Vance. The 1986 version, which features a new score, was the third widely distributed remake. This is one of Billy Bob Thornton’s best roles, and the gloriously go-for-broke rude humor struck a chord with audiences, making Bad Santa a box office success. Bridgit Mendler and Brent Morin co-star alongside Dennis Quaid in this hilarious and heartwarming comedy that proves while family may not come wrapped up in a neat little bow, it sometimes can still be the greatest gift. Elf (2003) Rotten Tomatoes® 84%. Bad special effects might make this one more of a horror film than a heartwarming Christmas movie, but nonetheless, here it is. After all, if their most important operation is this one, do they have too much time (and resources) on their hands? It’s The Bad Seed meets Home Alone, and it’s satisfying if that sounds like your cup of eggnog. Where to watch it: Rent on Amazon, iTunes, VUDU and YouTube. Thanks for signing up! However, Jeannette’s former father-in-law really disturbs the peace (and their plan for a restful Christmas!) But neither was Love, Actually. After a magical sorceress transports medieval knight Sir Cole (Josh Whitehouse) to present-day Ohio during the holiday season, he befriends Brooke (Vanessa Hudgens), a clever and kind science teacher who’s been disillusioned by love. Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey is a family holiday event set in Cobbleton, where legendary toymaker Jeronicus Jangle (played by Academy Award winner Forest Whitaker) resides and makes his creations. You are posting comments too quickly. We may earn a commission from these links. And it was a hit. Where to watch it: Rent on Amazon, iTunes, VUDU, and YouTube. Suddenly, Angie’s in a rush to be a wife. He later went on to star in FX’s Rescue Me for seven seasons, as well as Marc Webb‘s The Amazing Spider-Man. From Shondaland, this documentary is a light-hearted celebration of dance that the whole family will enjoy. Tips. Where to watch it: Stream on HBO Max; rent on Amazon, iTunes, VUDU, and YouTube. Johnny Depp's pale, leather-suited, scissor-handed Edward stands out amidst the colorful suburban Christmastime landscape of Tim Burton's 1990 fantasy, although his story is one that ultimately proves perfectly in tune with the season's spirit of open-hearted inclusiveness. With the beauty of the City of Dreams as the backdrop and the holidays around her, Jess rediscovers her passion for music as she spends time with Mark and his children. He’ll also use the nice, fat bonus he expects from his boss to cover the cost of a new swimming pool. Please check your email to confirm your subscription. Sorry, comments are currently closed. In 1994 a very specific Christmas fear formed for some children: that Santa would fall off their roof and to his death. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation is a 1989 Christmas comedy film directed by... Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas!. Your account was created. Ryan Reynolds and Amy Smart play Jamie and Chris, old high school friends wrapped up in a similar plot: Chris is in love with Jamie, and Jamie just wants to be friends. You have to watch. To be clear: Silent Night, Deadly Night is garbage. It’s set in modern suburbia, and tells of the titular ancient European folk beast’s takeover of a dysfunctional family’s holiday. Like fellow holiday classic Gremlins, this red-blooded Halloween-Christmas mashup is one of the scariest movies ever aimed at children. Billy Bob Thornton's thieving department store Santa injects some nasty deviancy into the Yuletide season in this uproarious black comedy from director Terry Zwigoff. The Best Christmas Movies of All Time Ranking Just in Time For the Holidays, Here Are the 50 Best Christmas Movies of All Time. By creating an account, you accept the terms and Charlie Brown is an institution, and can you really say it’s the holiday season if the Peanuts theme hasn’t played in a Starbucks near you? So the movies aren't just ranked by … Have you ever wanted to analyze your childhood so much? Something magical happens when Sophie (AnnaLynne McCord), a witty musician and customer on David’s delivery route enters the picture. Clea DuVall's Happiest Season is a new type of Christmas film that merges the complex world of coming out with the complex world of... you know, just hanging in there when you go to visit your family for the holidays. Quick: is Joe Dante‘s handcrafted masterpiece of mayhem a horror movie for Halloween, or is it a Christmas movie? Where to watch it: Stream on HBO Max, Cinemax Go, Hulu; rent on Amazon Prime, iTunes, VUDU, and YouTube. While nothing goes as initially planned, Jacquie and Tyler get a Christmas wedding  more memorable than they could have ever dreamed. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below. 32 Best Christmas Movies. Legendary director Michael Curtiz helmed several of the most noteworthy films of Hollywood’s Golden Age, including The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938), Casablanca (1942), Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942), Mildred Pierce (1945) and this essential Christmas musical, the highest-grossing film of 1954. But it’s a sleazy good time for the target audience. 69 Best Christmas Movies of All Time - Best Christmas Films Soon after she befriends his family who welcomes her with open arms. We’ve rounded up the very best Christmas movies for 2020. Will her little side trip help Vivienne decide to choose her career or to choose love? Where to watch it: Stream on Amazon Prime; rent on iTunes, VUDU, and YouTube, Related: The Best Quotes from It’s a Wonderful Life. Sappy? Because this Grinch of a year will not put a damper on our holiday spirit. It’s clear the filmmakers were given carte blanche and let their imaginations run wild; this doesn’t seem like a film set where anyone said “no” very much. Manage your GDPR consents by clicking here. By the mid-1940s, she was the highest-paid woman in the United States. YouTube is a great place to find free Christmas classics and newer holiday gems. Writer-director Shane Black sets virtually all of his films around Christmas (see also: Lethal Weapon and Iron Man 3), although none embrace the season quite as heartily as the filmmaker's 2005 neo-noir comedy starring Robert Downey Jr. and Val Kilmer as a thief-turned-actor and a private eye, respectively, who wind up partnering on a case. Roman helps Avery to take a holiday from perfection and to live in the moment, and in return, she helps guide him on a special business venture. Menu. T. J. Miller and Jennifer Aniston play feuding siblings who have different perspectives on how to run the company they inherited. Empty comment. Brooke helps Sir Cole navigate the modern world and helps him discover how to fulfill his mysterious one true quest—the only act that will return him home. As Avery takes lessons with Roman, she begins to open up and soon the pair seem to move together flawlessly—both on the dance floor and off. In Mistletoe Magic, Harper (Jessica Sipos) is a self-proclaimed Christmas Grinch who accidentally donates a memorable family heirloom to charity: the family’s beloved mistletoe, which they believe to be magical. Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis play parents who hatch a scheme to skip Christmas—until they have to throw together a last-minute holiday for their daughter’s surprise visit. Riffing on Dickens, Bill Murray is an arrogant and thoughtless TV executive who, while planning to stage a live production of A Christmas Carol, winds up living out a crazed variation of that very story in Richard Donner's amusing update. Director Malcolm D. Lee reassembles the cast from his 1999 feature, with his group of old friends reuniting for the first time after 15 years for Christmas, which serves as a backdrop for various interpersonal issues. He’s also an instantly recognizable, fully-realized human being, and that’s why we gradually gain deep sympathy for him. Music, adventure and Award-winning actors with star power! Where to watch it: Stream on Disney+ and Hulu; buy on VUDU and YouTube. The movie features original songs by John Legend, Philip Lawrence and Davy Nathan, and Usher and Kiana Ledé sing the lead track, “This Day.” It’s a Christmas adventure the entire family will love. Meg leads the effort with other business owners to save it from the wrecking ball by planning festive, holiday activities to draw in crowds, culminating with a holiday concert on Christmas Eve. If you love Christmastime romance, then this is definitely the made-for-TV movie for you. ET on Sunday, Dec. 6 on UPtv, Move Over Hallmark, Here’s UPtv’s Complete Christmas Movie Schedule. In Dashing Home for Christmas, we meet Emily, a thriving business consultant who—of course—has been so busy with work that she has missed every family gathering so far this year. For those who haven’t, don’t ruin the magic for yourself. In The Star, a small-but-brave donkey named Bo finds the courage to break free from his mundane mill life an embark on the adventure of his dreams. Based on the classic kids’ book by Chris Van Allsburg, The Polar Express brings the magical Christmas train ride to life. James Stewart gives his most iconic performance as George Bailey, a banker who discovers the value of his life thanks to a visit from his guardian angel. 29,635 100 All Time IMDb List 1996-2020. When Avery’s (Lacey Chabert) storybook Christmas wedding is canceled unexpectedly, handsome dance instructor Roman (Will Kemp) persuades her to continue with the 10 dance lessons she’d booked for her and her fiancé. Tim Burton's second chance at a Batman film has all of the trimmings of his similarly gothy Christmas tale, The Nightmare Before Christmas—only this one is violent, dangerous, and sexy (we dare you to name a more memorable mistletoe moment on screen). Premiering the following Sunday is A Ring for Christmas, starring Liliana Tandon, Dean Geyer, Charles Hittinger and Lorraine Bracco. Erica doesn’t see eye-to-eye with Captain Andrew Jantz at first, but you can bet they might be a little more empathetic to each other’s plights by the end of the movie! One of the defining works of Terry Gilliam, sci-fi satire classic Brazil centers on a daydreaming bureaucrat in futuristic dystopia. Gremlins is the best Christmas movie that dares to examine the dark side of Christmas, with plenty of cartoonish violence and dark comedy to boot. An unexpected box office smash, Die Hard was nominated for four Academy Awards and launched the career of Bruce Willis into the stratosphere. And, just like the March sisters, every Little Women fan usually has already picked their favorite interpretation. The biggest draw here? Director Christopher Smith is best-known for British horror films like Severance and Black Death and brings a fair amount of grit to an otherwise lightweight kid-friendly adventure with sugar plum-sweet sentiment and flatulent reindeer. Operation Christmas Drop is precisely what it sounds like: The Air Force parachutes gifts down to residents as part of a long-standing tradition. Where to watch it: Rent Amazon, iTunes, VUDU, and YouTube, Related: The Best Classic Christmas Movies to Watch This Year. It is a great film. The problem with all of that is, when you don’t have a terminal disease and spend all your money, what comes next? The PG-rated Gremlins was aimed at a wide audience, and raked in a hefty $153 million against an $11 million budget. The Shop Around the Corner was remade decades later as You’ve Got Mail, starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. Behold the 25 best Christmas movies ever. Even if you're a hater, you can't deny the multi-narrative film's influence on holiday-centered comedies over the last decade—and it's as cheesy of a Christmas movie as you can get on the big screen. And that, in turn, makes it one of the all-time great Christmas movies as well, given that its tale of loneliness and love takes place on and around December 25. The hard-won uplift and triumph of director Frank Capra’s fantasy drama hasn’t lost a bit of its power over the decades. On the verge of accepting a job in LA, Vivienne gets a visit from the ghost of her recently deceased mentor, Marilyn Jinway (Wynonna Judd). You are posting comments too quickly. The Tim Burton-produced stop-motion musical has grown so iconic and popular that it’s become its own brand, but it’s important to remember just how special the film is on its own merits. The Rotten Tomatoes algorithm ranks movies by a wide variety of factors, including number of reviews, release date, genre, and weight given to certain critics. The best movies to watch over the holidays, from Just Friends and A Christmas Story to Die Hard and Love Actually. She soon discovers that this reindeer might be, indeed, a magical reindeer. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. After being blamed for a sleigh crash, Richie Rich (David Gallagher) wishes he hadn’t been born…a wish that ends up being granted by a wishing machine. One of the best films in the Batman series and likely the most underrated, Batman Returns is a vivid and wondrous marvel of production design and world-building. conditions of our, Your use of this website constitutes and manifests your acceptance And What About Sarah? The Marvel movies, largely, follow a formula. After finding himself in a bout of seasonal depression (relatable), Charlie Brown tries to put together a Christmas play before Linus reminds him what the true meaning of Christmas is. Refresh your page, login and try again. One of the best recent Christmas movies is this CGI animated tale that brings a contemporary entry into the best Christmas movies. Zoey is charmed by Luke (Adrian Holmes) and the town and as the holidays draw near she is surprised she doesn’t want her assignment to end. Where to watch it: Stream on Crackle; rent on Amazon, iTunes, VUDU, and YouTube. By Emma Carey and The Esquire Editors December … But can she find a man to tie the knot with by Christmas day? It's that time of year when it's too dark and cold outside to do anything but curl up with some hot chocolate or eggnog and settle in to watch Christmas movies online, for free, if possible. Where to watch it: Stream on Pluto TV; Rent on Amazon, VUDU, and YouTube. Based Victor Herbert‘s 1903 operetta of the same name, Babes in Toyland stars Drew Barrymore, Richard Mulligan, Eileen Brennan and Keanu Reeves. In 2000, Jim Carrey put on a big green Grinch suit to bring the famous cartoon to life. There’s a lot of body-shaming stuff here that likely doesn’t fly as well in 2019, but this movie is featured in enough Christmas movie marathons that it belongs on the list. In the first Netflix Christmas film of the season—more risqué and star-studded than other films of its ilk, Emma Roberts and Hacksaw Ridge hottie Luke Bracey star as lonely singles who agree to be platonic plus-ones for a year…only to catch feelings along the way. Writer Shane Black‘s iconic, Oscar-nominated action comedy stars Mel Gibson and Danny Glover as mismatched LAPD officers investigating a mysterious death. —Harper goes on a mission to find and reclaim her family’s mistletoe. During the holiday season, a Christmas tree appears overnight in the town square. 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