Wondering what to watch now you’re half way through December? How about working your way through the ten best family Christmas movies of all time? You’re welcome.
Christmas is in full swing and the countdown is officially well underway according to our chocolate advent calendars and daily struggles with elf on the shelf.
This top ten has been compiled using a combination of IMBD audience and Metacritic rating as well as box office revenue.
So it’s time to get all the festive feels from Christmas movies and a tub of Quality Street. There’s nothing quite like snuggling down with the whole family to watch a festive film.
Start at the top and work down, or start at the bottom and work up, but tick these off your Christmas must-see list this year. Pass the mince pies.
1. The Santa Clause
While reading The Night Before Christmas to his son at bedtime on Christmas Eve, single dad, Scott Calvin (Tim Allen), hears a thud on the roof. It’s the man in the big red suit. But, the experience is anything but holly jolly, as Santa’s been injured. Scott has to take the place of Father Christmas and, needless to say, chaos and comedy ensues.
Rated PG. Amazon Prime.
2. A Christmas Carol
This isn’t the only film in which Jim Carrey stars as a holiday killjoy (hello, Grinch!). In this animated recreation of Charles Dickens’ famed tale, Scrooge (voiced by the Carry) gets a wake-up call from three Christmas spirits.
Rated PG. Amazon Prime.
3. Home Alone
Is it even Christmas if you haven’t watched Home Alone? The film follows the exploits of an eight-year-old boy who’s unwittingly left behind when his family go on holiday. Chaos ensues as Kevin McCallister (played by Macaulay Caulkin) defends his home from burglars, and if you’ve seen it before (and you probably have) you know it’s one of the Christmas greats.
In Dubai, you can catch special outdoor screenings of this Christmas classic at Cinema Akil. Details here.
Rated PG. Amazon Prime.
4. It’s a Wonderful Life
This Christmas movie can’t be beaten (apart from by the six above it in these rankings). It’s an oldie, but it really is a goldie. Jimmy Stewart stars as George Bailey, a man with big ambitions (and a bigger heart) who defers his dream of leaving small-town Bedford Falls, but makes personal sacrifices that create a staggering ripple effect of inspirational goodwill on earth. The messages are heartwarmingly lovely.
Rated PG. Amazon Prime.
5. Elf
Funnyman Will Ferrell delights in a Christmas flick that has joined the ranks of holiday classics. He plays the overly enthusiastic Buddy the Elf, who realises he’s not quite like his peers in the North Pole – he’s actually human. With this new information in mind, he goes on a quest to celebrate the holidays in NYC with his birth family. Things don’t quite go to plan though as Buddy struggles to get to grips with life in the Big Apple. You won’t be able to only watch this once.
Rated PG. Amazon Prime.
6. The Muppet Christmas Carol
The plot will come as no surprise. It’s the classic tale of a miserly old man who loves money, hates Christmas and is visited by three ghosts who try to help him see the error of his ways, told by the Muppets. It has become a classic in its own right and will be a favourite with the kids, even though they won’t remember the original Muppets being on their TV.
Rated G. Amazon Prime.
7. The Polar Express
If you don’t believe in Christmas, like the poor boy in this animated epic, hop onboard the magical Polar Express straight to the North Pole and your views will change. Also, Tom Hanks voices nearly everyone in this festive animated adventure – try and guess who.
Rated G. Netflix.
8. Arthur Christmas
Imagine having Mr. Claus as your dad? Just a day in the life of Arthur Christmas, who has been tasked with an ultra-secret and super-important Christmas mission. Beats a day working at the super-secret toy-making facility.
Rated PG. Netflix.
9. A Christmas Story
In the 1940s, a young boy named Ralphie attempts to convince his parents, his teacher and Santa that a Red Ryder BB gun really is the perfect Christmas gift.
Rated PG. Amazon Prime.
10. The Nightmare Before Christmas
The story of Jack Skellington opening up a portal between Halloween Town and Christmas Town is executed in glorious stop-motion with fantastic, dark and spindly animation. Throwing himself into the holiday spirit, despite knowing nothing about the holiday, Jack makes quite the commitment and sets out to help jolly ‘ol St. Nick deliver presents on Christmas Eve. However, his enthusiasm does more harm than good.
Rated PG. Amazon Prime.
