I bet over the last week or so you’ve been thinking, “Man, I wonder what that dude-who-writes-the-Blockbuster-blog’s favorite holiday movies are.” Well set your mind at ease, friend, because I’m here with my Top 10 Holiday Movies of All Time. You’re welcome.
Please note: I’m not really a Miracle on 34th Street, White Christmas kind of a guy, so you won’t see those here. Again, I’m rocking the reverse order on this one, for to build suspense. That’s the kind of life-changing stuff you learn when you major in English.
10) A Charlie Brown Christmas
The only reason this isn’t higher is because it’s technically not a movie. And yet I still include it on the list, because I’m a rebel. Related sidenote: one of my favorite episodes of Arrested Development is “Good Grief,” where they have all the references to A Charlie Brown Christmas: the music, the beagle on top of a doghouse, the sad Charlie Brown walk, etc.
9) Bad Santa
I told you this wasn’t going to be a Miracle on 34th Street kind of a list.
8) The Ref
Can’t you just feel the yuletide cheer blooming inside of you? Kevin Spacey, Judy Davis, and Dennis Leary are all excellent in this.
7) Gremlins
If you were a kid when Gremlins came out and you didn’t want your very own mogwai, then you have no heart. Of course, it’s probably best that you didn’t get one, considering all the death and destruction they cause.
6) Scrooged
I love the idea of the Scrooge character from A Christmas Carol being updated to a ruthless TV executive. Bill Murray is his usual brilliant self.
5) The Muppet Christmas Carol
As I’ve said before, I’m not a fan of Charles Dickens. But it is a universal truth that everything is made better by Muppets.
4) Die Hard
I understand there is some debate out there as to whether or not Die Hard is a holiday movie. I contend that it is. “Now I have a machine gun. Ho ho ho.” is a classic holiday line, right up there with the bit about angels getting their wings.
3) Elf
Elf is one of the few recent movies to crack my list. It has heart, but isn’t so sappy that it ruins the humor. Will Ferrell slays me. I end up watching this one every year.
2) Christmas Vacation
This is another one I watch every year. So many classic scenes and lines. It would definitely be number one on my list, if not for…
1) A Christmas Story
I don’t see how you could put any other movie as your top pick. While It’s a Wonderful Life is a great movie, I was tired of it after having to watch it every year of my childhood. But I watch A Christmas Story every year. Now that it’s on repeat for 24 hours straight, we’re basically being beaten over the head with it. And yet it is so good that it remains my favorite holiday movie of all time.
