We didn’t watch nearly as many movies for Christmas as we did for Halloween … but still some good ones…
Although, please notice – many (kids) Christmas movies operate on the basic assumption that Santa Claus is real.
After watching all these movies, I kinda wish he was.
- Elf – Possibly my favorite Christmas movie. I’ve watched it so many times. I’ve cried at the end so many times. I’ve quoted it so many times. If you haven’t seen this – you must.
- Fred Claus – Sweet, heartwarming Vince Vaughn movie. It’s nice to see him in a kid-type movie. I’d watch it again.
- Love Actually – Mostly good. It’s a collection of several (6 or 7?) different stories/relationships. Most of them a good, loving, sweet, inspiring, etc. At least one of the stories is just sad and weird. Which is not very Christmasy. But you should watch it just for the cast.
- Muppet Christmas Carol - Awesome. Michael Caine as Scrooge. Gonzo as Charles Dickens (the narrator). Definitely a holiday must.
- A Muppet Family Christmas – Another one of my favorites. From the late 80s, a muppet TV Special. ALL the Muppets go and visit Fozzie’s mom for the holidays … and the Sesame Street gang and the Fraggles show up. I could watch this over and over. In fact, this year I watched it twice.
- Scrooged – Just OK. If you’re going to watch a take on A Christmas Carol there are better options. But Bill Murray is good in this.
- The Santa Clause – I remember really liking this movie as a kid. Totally follows the formula (grumpy man isn’t very Christmasy, then meets Santa, then believes and changes his life).
- A Very Merry Muppet Christmas – So, we (I) have 5 Jim Henson/Muppet Christmas movies. 5. And there’s even a couple more we don’t have. This was a TV special a few years ago. Basically It’s A Wonderful Life as retold by the Muppets. Cute. Not great. But good and worth watching if you love the Muppets.
- White Christmas – I LOVE this movie. Love it. When I was growing up, I would borrow the VHS from Ted and Kristi and watch it over and over. I don’t know why I don’t own the DVD yet. And I finally got Andrew to watch it with me this year. He agreed that it’s good, but then went on to break my heart by pointing out that it’s not really Christmasy. Jerk.
Plus It’s a Wonderful Life which we haven’t gotten a chance to watch yet … and we’re hoping to get a couple more tomorrow (from Netflix).
There needs to be a couple more days in December so I can watch all the Christmas movies I want to.
View all posts in the Journal your Christmas series
Elf, & all the Muppet movies: I totally agree – great holiday movies.
The Santa Clause: OK I guess; basically non-offensive.
White Christmas: It's not even really a Christmas movie.
Love Actually: Are you kidding me???
Haven't seen the others.
Merry Christmas! Looking forward to seeing you this weekend.
And he’s STILL a Grinch, after all these years! Someday, he’ll mellow, and see “White Christmas” for the wonderful Christmas movie that it is!
Proof of its Christmasy-ness: FIRST scene takes place on Christmas Eve. LAST scene scene takes place on Christmas Eve, a few years later. And oh, did I mention THE TITLE???? There may be no Jesus or (much) Santa-ness…but the sentiment and message are VERY Christmas! Wonderful Christmas movie – watched it Christmas night, and cried at all the appropriate places. I think my favorite song is “The Best Things Happen While You’re Dancing”
UT
Washington crossed the Delaware on Christmas, & there was a lot of snow. That doesn't make 1776 a Christmas book.
I pretty much LOVE the Muppets no matter what they do. You forgot to mention “It’s a Wonderful Life” and what about Charlie Brown, Rudolph and Frosty and all those vintage classics?
I think Charlie Brown is probably my all-time favorite. So simple and beautiful.
Muppet Christmas Carol is awesome as well! Love the songs and the casting choices.