A Look Back on the Top Classic Christmas Movies of the Past Few Decades!

Happy Holidays from FilmSpeak! There’s no better way to celebrate the holiday season than by going back and revisiting some of the best Christmas classics that we have been blessed with over the past few decades. Here is a recap of some of the best Holiday Films – Top 10!

10. A Charlie Brown Christmas

There are few things that get you in the holiday spirit like the “Linus & Lucy” theme music associated with Charles Schulz's “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” The beloved 1960s cartoon covers the true meaning of Christmas told by our favorite Peanut characters. From the sweeping ice-skating montage opening to the now iconic wimpy “Charlie Brown Christmas Tree,” the film summons fond memories from simpler times.

“Of all the Charlie Brown’s in the world, you’re the Charlie Browniest.”

9. It’s A Wonderful Life

George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart) has lived his life for others so selflessly, that it has caused him to miss many opportunities to leave his quiet town of Bedford Falls. To the town of Bedford Falls, George is a hero, but when he sees no way out of a financial mistake, he chooses to end it all, rather than risk going back to correct the error. He is then taken under the wing, almost literally, by Clarence, an angel trying to earn his wings. Clarence shows how different the world would be without George Bailey in his friends and family’s lives. The 1947 Frank Capra Christmas Classic is a timeless story that especially rings true in 2020. It emphasizes the value of life, being grateful for what we have, and the beauty of those we’ve touched along the way. We all can relate to and see a piece of ourselves in George Bailey which makes “It’s A Wonderful Life” essential Holiday viewing as we reflect on our own lives, especially during the Yuletide season, and the things that matter most. If you haven’t seen it or it’s been a minute, give it a watch this Christmas Eve.

“Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings.”

8. Christmas Vacation

While it may not be the best Griswold adventure in the series, it certainly is memorable. From decking out the house in thousands of lights or hilarious encounters with Cousin Eddy, “Christmas Vacation” is a Christmas comedy featuring Clark’s (Chevy Chase) dysfunctional, but charming family that most can relate to.

Chevy Chase is Clark Griswold determined to give his family a very happy Christmas.

7. A Christmas Story

“You’ll shoot your eye out!” A cry heard round the world after it was featured in the 1983 Christmas Movie. The tale of Ralphie and his love for the Red Rider BB-Gun has instantly become a Christmas classic. A tribute to the 1960s, Bob Clark’s holiday story has captured the delight of many generations through a series of vignettes that play as Clark parsing through fond and impressionable memories of Christmases past.

6. Love Actually

The sappiness of renowned hopeless romantic Richard Curtis drips from every crevice of this incredibly British Holiday Rom-Com. However, many will be surprised to learn that it actually released two months after the Christmas season in February 2003. Don’t let the release date fool you, however, the entire film invites us to discover the sheer magic of Christmas as love beckons to us from all over, both in the familiar and unfamiliar places, offering us a time to let our guard down and tell the truth. Plus, who doesn’t fall head over heels for Hugh Grant as he hilariously prances his way through 10 Downing Steet to the Pointer Sisters’ “Jump (For My Love).” “Love Actually” has become a lovable and revisited romantic comedy over the years cementing itself as a modern Christmas Classic.

“I’ve got a sneaky feeling that love actually, is all around.”

5. The Santa Clause

“The Santa Clause” starring Tim Allen features a somewhat depressing opening sequence. After accidentally killing Santa Claus, Tim Allen is forced to take his place in the North Pole. Over the course of the year, Allen transforms into the squishy, lovable Santa and realizes the true meaning of Christmas with the help of his son, Charlie. It’s light, breezy, with some snarky Tim Allen lines and killer 90s sweaters.

“If something should happen to me, put on the suit. The reindeer will know what to do.”

4. Elf

Inspired by such Rankin Bass claymation classics as “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town,” and more, Jon Favreau’s “Elf” is the true definition of a 21st Century Christmas Classic (and in hindsight introducing the world to the innovative filmmaking prowess and craftsmanship of Favreau). When Buddy (Will Ferrell) is adopted as a baby, he is taken to the North Pole with Santa Claus to become an elf. However, as he gets older, he realizes that he doesn’t belong with the other elves, and departs the North Pole for New York City to find his dad and true family. Arguably the best iteration of the “fish out of water” story, “Elf” brilliantly plays into Ferrell’s brand of comedy - the innocent-looking guy next door with a shameless ability to make an awkward yet gut-busting scene in public. However, perhaps the film’s true power is in its ability to put a smile on the faces of even the biggest cynics and Scrooges as it puts into practice its mantra of “the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear!”

“The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.”

3. The Holiday

This Nancy Meyer’s film was way ahead of its time, introducing the idea of AirBnB’s before the service was even created! The 2006 Film follows Iris (Kate Winslet) and Amanda (Cameron Diaz), both looking to escape for the holidays as they concoct a plan to switch houses for Christmas. As Amanda traveling from LA to Surrey, England, she ends up falling in love with Iris’ brother, Graham (Jude Law). While Iris travels from her quaint English village to Los Angeles and falls in love with music composer Miles (Jack Black). The film is a true testament to Meyer’s abilities providing another great holiday romantic comedy with Jude Law’s sexy trophy husband, a touching and heartfelt performance from Eli Wallach, and the wonderful talents of Hans Zimmer. If you love sappy and pure romantic comedies, it doesn’t get much better than “The Holiday.”

“Iris, if you were a melody….I used only the good notes.”

2. Home Alone

The iconic scene of the McAllisters running through O’Hare Chicago Airport to the sweet rock n’ roll of “Run, Run Rudolph” by Chuck Barry as they race to reach their gate has become almost too relatable to families traveling over the holidays. They catch their flight, the only problem? They forgot their youngest son. “Kevin!” yells Catherine O’Hara from their international flight from Chicago to France to discover that they left their ten-year old home alone in Chicago.

John Hughes and Christopher Columbus team up to deliver this family Christmas adventure. Written by Hughes and directed by Columbus, “Home Alone” takes place in the Chicago suburbs, a classic Hughes trope, as one family accidentally leaves their youngest child behind. Kevin McAllister (Macaulay Culkin)wakes up three days become Christmas to realize he is home alone. The film is a kid’s dream and a parent’s nightmare as the first days home alone are filled with ice cream sundaes and filthy movies. However, the longer Kevin spends alone, he realizes that there are thieves out to break into his house. Left to his own devices, Kevin has to fend off his house from a team of burglars (Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern) to save Christmas. Setting up a series of bobby traps to ensnare the burglars, Kevin turns his mansion into a fun-house of mischief. Spawning one of the most iconic lines from the film: “Keep the change, ya filthy animal.”

1. White Christmas

This 1954 Classic has stood the test of time, which earns it the number one spot on our Christmas Movie List. Returning from the war, Bob Wallace (Bing Crosby) and Phil Davis (Danny Kaye) team up to form the dynamite act “Wallace & Davis.” After a chance encounter with the Hayne’s sisters Betty (Rosemary Clooney) and Judy (Vera Ellen), they decide to take their act on the road to Vermont to experience “Snow, snow, snow!” During preparation for their act, they reunite with the General from the Division and plan to host a Christmas Spectacular in his honor.. The classic Christmas film features Bing Crosby’s cozy, crooning voice packed with the Irving Berlin soundtrack that is sure to tug on your heartstrings. It also features perhaps one of the most memorable performances we have ever seen in a Christmas movie, Crosby and Kaye performing the iconic tune, “Sisters.”

“There were never such devoted sisters.”

'Merry Christmas, Ya Filthy Animals' - A Look At The Top 10 Christmas Movies.