Makin' a List of Holiday Movies

Top 10 Holiday Movies

The holidays are almost here and that means it’s time to bundle up next to a warm fire, enjoy a cup of hot cocoa and take-in a holiday movie marathon. And to help you in your merry movie-watching, we surveyed Fandango fans to find out which classics should be on your list.

Here are the fan picks for the Top Ten Holiday Movies.

10. The Nightmare Before Christmas
    Producer Tim Burton adds his own dark spin to the holiday movie landscape by following Halloweentown resident Jack Skellington and his plot to take over Christmastown. Memorable characters, a twisted plot, stop-motion animation and the incredible soundtrack make this film a minor classic.

A Griswold family Christmas.
© Warner Bros.

9. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
   The Griswolds are back, but this time Clark is on a mission to enjoy an old-fashioned traditional Christmas. Exploding turkeys, “Grand Illumination” ceremonies and cats in the Christmas tree – sounds like a family get-together you might actually want to attend.

8. It’s a Wonderful Life
   Frank Capra’s dark fantasy tells the tale of a suicidal small-towner (Jimmy Stewart) who discovers what life would be like if he never existed.  No matter, how many times you’ve seen it, the ending never fails to move you, leaving you with the feeling that it is a wonderful life!

7. The Santa Clause
   Comedian Tim Allen plays a recently-divorced dad who takes on the role of Santa due to a legal technicality (the “Santa Clause”, get it?). Eventually, he develops a belly, grows a white beard, moves to the North Pole and well…you know the rest of the story.

6. The Polar Express
   In an animated version of the popular children’s book, Tom Hanks lends his voice to five of the characters helping a young boy find the true meaning of Christmas aboard the Polar Express. Incredible “performance capture” animation, under the direction of Robert Zemeckis (Beowulf) helps create one magical journey.

5. A Christmas Story
   Adapted from the memoirs of Jean Shepherd, the film recaptures the author’s 1940s Christmastime memories in the suburbs of Indiana. A Red Ryder BB gun, grade school bullies, a Chinese restaurant and a leg lamp all help to make this film a Yuletide favorite.

4. Miracle on 34th Street
   In the 1947 Natalie Wood original, a Macy’s department store Santa Claus sets out to prove he is the real Kris Kringle while bringing together two lovers.

Will Ferrell as Buddy the Elf.
© New Line Cinema

3. Elf
   Will Ferrell plays an oversized orphaned elf who leaves the North Pole to search for his real family in New York City. The film’s success is greatly due to its deadpan cast, which includes Ed Asner, James Caan and Bob Newhart as “Papa Elf.”

Macauly Culkin stars in Home Alone.
© 20th Century Fox

2. Home Alone
   Slapstick comedy reigns as Macaulay Culkin defends his house against the wacky ‘wet bandit’ robbers for an hour and a half. This one will remind you to spend more time with your kids.

1. How the Grinch Stole Christmas
   Whether you love this live-action big-screen remake starring Jim Carrey or the animated TV version (voiced by famous movie monster Boris Karloff), the story of this Whoville-hating green grouch gets us in the holiday spirit. Happy viewing!

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