The Snowman
Raymond Brigg's timeless tale with no words but a wonderful score and poignant story means for many 'The Snowman' is a staple of Christmas viewing.
The Gathering
I would of thought this is the one movie out of the list that you haven't heard of but it actually happens to be one of my favourites. Ed Asner plays a a dying father separated from his wife but his illness brings them together and it gives them the idea to have one last family Christmas. The story then shows their quest to find their sons and daughters and persuade them to their beautiful, traditional American house.
Elf
There is no doubt in my mind that the Will Ferrell comedy is the best Christmas movie of the last decade. Original, laugh out loud and dripping with Christmassy feeling.
"I like smiling. Smiling is my favourite"Home Alone
Macaualy Culkin's finest and perhaps only hour. These films are rife with slapstick comedy with Joe Pesci starring as one of the hapless robbers who is humiliated by youngster, Kevin McAllister who is left at home by his family. The soundtracks to both films are also exceptional with classics such as Perry Como's 'It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas' to the choir based songs such as 'Somewhere in my memory.' Home Alone 1 and Home Alone 2 are sentimental but great films that follow the same formula and always bring home not just humour but how Christmas is a time for family and friends.
The scene below in Home Alone 2 when the hotel staff think they're under attack is one of the funniest in any film.
National Lampoons Christmas Vacation
This has become a cult classic. Chevy Chase stars as the Christmas loving father who just wants the perfect tree, the best lights in the street and the tastiest turkey. Unfortunately none of these things come true in this lighthearted comedy complete with an evil squirrel, a young Juliette Lewis and laughs around every corner.
The Polar Express
"All aboard the Polar Express!" Incredible animation and an imaginative story ensure that the Polar Express doesn't run out of steam. Tom Hanks provides the voices to many of the characters with the story following a boy who is doubting the existence of Santa Claus. With various catchy songs he then goes on a journey to find that St Nick is very much alive and starts to believe again.
Miracle of 34th Street
This is one of the those films that often tops people's list of the best Christmas films. Two excellent versions that follow Kris Kringle and his troubles at a New York department store.
Muppets Christmas Carol
There are plenty of dickens adaptations but none appeal to the whole family quite as much as Jim Henson and Michael Caine's collaboration. Witty songs accompany Kermit and Miss Piggy as they are face the wrath of Ebenezer Scrooge but even though everyone knows how the story ends this is still a captivating adaptation.
It's a Wonderful Life
I actually think that the final scene in this film is perhaps the best ever in cinema. James Stewart stars as George Bailey, a frustrated businessman who meets an angel called Clarence who will change his life for the better. Clarence shows George what life in Bedford Falls would be like if he wasn't born. This is a film about friendship that will likely bring a tear to most people's eyes. Whether you like to laugh or cry this is a film that everyone should watch every Christmas.
"Strange, isn't it? Each man's life touches so many other lives. When he isn't around he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?"
Other great Christmas films include, 'A Christmas Story', 'Love Actually' and 'White Christmas'.
What's your favourite Christmas film? Tell me my commenting at the bottom.
