It’s Christmas. Almost. (Where did this year go?). So, for a film nut like me this is the time to re-watch old Christmas favorites. For example, a Die Hard movie day, re-watching parts 1-3, never gets boring. Or how about Love Actually (which is my personal favorite)? And then of course there are oldies like A Christmas Story, or Home Alone, which are best watched in combination with a good slice of pizza and popcorn. Some years back, Rotten Tomatoes listed their Top 100. Check out the first 50. How many have you seen?
Without further ado, here the Top 50 from the famous Rotten Tomatoes “100 Best Christmas Movies” list! For the full 100, click here.
I haven’t seen all of them either but will mark each one that I personally feel you really shouldn’t miss and why. Enjoy! And Merry Christmas to you all!
1. Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)
2. The Shop Around the Corner (1940)
3. Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
4. Tangerine (2015)
5. Klaus (2019)
6. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Tim Burton’s very best to date! Stunningly original and visually delightful.
7. Little Women (2019)
8. Die Hard (1988)
What is better than seeing Bruce Willis running around in his famous undershirt for a couple hours? Top class action and Alan Rickman is probably the best villain we will ever see.
9. Carol (2015)
10. It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
11. Little Women (1994)
12. The Apartment (1960)
13. Arthur Christmas (2011)
14. Tokyo Godfathers (2003)
15. A Christmas Story (1983)
Just bliss. Let me quote Rotten Tomatoes, because I can’t say it better: “Both warmly nostalgic and darkly humorous, A Christmas Story deserves its status as a holiday perennial.”
16. Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale (2010)
17. The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special (2022)
18. Edward Scissorhands
Another Tim Burton delicacy. Heartbreaking, compassionate modern fairy tale.
19. Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey (2020)
20. Better Watch Out (2016)
21. Trading Places (1983)
22. Gremlins (1984)
23. A Christmas Tale (2008)
24. Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang (2005)
25. Elf (2003)
Never seen it but inclined to watch because Hugh Grant as UK’s Prime Minister said it was the best Christmas movie of all time in a press conference in Red Nose Day Actually.
26. Happiest Season (2020)
27. While You Were Sleeping (1995)
28. Batman Returns (1992)
29. The Man Who Invented Christmas (2017)
30. Bad Santa (2003)
This movie I definitely would not watch with the kids, because it’s “a gloriously rude and gleefully offensive black comedy” about a depressed and alcoholic Santa, played by Billy Bob Thornton in an Oscar worthy performance!
31. A Christmas Story Christmas (2022)
32. White Christmas (1954)
33. Anna And The Apocalypse (2017)
34. The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
35. Happy Christmas (2014)
36. Merry Christmas (2005)
37. The Ref (1994)
38. The Santa Clause (1994)
39. How The Grinch Stole Christmas (1967)
40. Holiday Inn (1942)
41. March of The Wooden Soldiers (1934)
42. Remember the Night (1940)
43. Emmet Otter’s Jug Band Christmas (1977)
44. Mickey’s Christmas Carol (1983)
45. Alien Xmas (2020)
46. Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)
One of those classics you really shouldn’t miss. The movie has been called a “heart-warming” celebration of difference. Guaranteed to make you feel good. It’s the classic tale, but not quite.
47. Santa Claus is Comin’ To Town (1970)
48. White Reindeer (2013)
49. The Year Without a Santa Claus (1974)
50. Christmas in Connecticut (1945)
Here, in my hometown Zurich, all snow has melted unfortunately, like most years in Central Europe just before Christmas.
It’s rainy and grey out and supposed to stay that way. The perfect weather to relax indoors and spice it all up with a couple movies.
I for one will definitely re-watch Love Actually and Die Hard again. What about you?
More from Liam Klenk:
The Best Books About the History and Impact of Photography
Backstage Cat – the Perfect Book for Taking Your Kids Backstage