RANKINGS: If the World Ended & You Could Only Watch 7 Christmas Movies…

Tis the season to spend lots of quality time with family and friends, so be sure to make quality decisions on how you spend that time this Christmas season! Quick if the world was about to end and you could only watch 7 Christmas movies which ones would you pick? Too late! I have picked them for you! The following is the top 7 Christmas movies that you HAVE to watch. Be prepared though, because I only included feature-length films, so classics like Charlie Brown Christmas, the Christmas claymations and other TV specials did not make the list. Also, you may find that one of these movies is a complete mystery to you. You may never have heard about #4!

 

Every Christmas, (for our family) I read the Biblical account of Jesus’ birth and we all have joyful time remembering why we have joy to celebrate during this wonderous season. Shortly after, we get food and the fun begins. Part of our tradition is watching movies. This list is a survival guide to the Christmas movies you have to watch this year and any other year. There are others we may watch, but they fall behind these…remember this is for pure survival and in my opinion it is safer to skip SOME Christmas movies out there-like The Santa Clause….ugh!

 

1. Muppet’s Christmas Carol

This movie takes the most redone Christmas story and takes it to a whole new level. Outside of the narrative of Jesus’ birth, no Christmas story is as grand as the tale of Scrooge and his ghostly visitors. However, this one trumps all of the others, because it has something none of the others have-Muppets! Kermit and his band of misfits make this film fun and family friendly in a way that doesn’t cheapen the message. Gonzo and Rizzo alone are worth watching, because they are the perfect narrative device to lighten this potentially dark storyline.

2. It’s a Wonderful Life

 

If The Muppets is 1, than It’s a Wonderful Life is 1a, because it has lasted the test of time. It is as good, if not better, than when it first came out. We all can take our lives for granted and through the eyes of one man we can get a glimpse of how each of us should be grateful for the little things we have. It is hard to believe that this movie was seen by many to be a failure when it first released, because it has become the standard that all other dramatic Christmas stories are judged.

3. Elf

It is hard for me to rank this movie at three. It very well could be number one, because I have NEVER laughed as hard as when I first saw this movie. It captures the wonder and innocence of those clamations that I watched as a kid and then it goes to a whole new level. This movie is so quotable it’s ridiculous. Elf is downright funny and by far the best movie Will Ferrell has EVER made. “You sit on a throne of lies!” is just one of the golden gems found in this movie!

4. Santa Claus Conquers the Martians

 

Okay, you may never have heard of this movie in your entire life, but it is amazing. It is a must see, because it is so amazingly awful. The plotline itself is laughable, but the execution of this film is just as bad. The acting is putrid; the direction is dreadful, and the makeup is…did I already say putrid? But it is so bad that it is hilarious! Santa Conquers the Martians is often heralded as the worst movie ever made…and it all truth it is…but that is what makes it a must see. I promise, surprise your family and put this movie in while you’re playing games or sitting down to eat. The laughs will be plentiful.

 

5. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000), Jim Carrey

When I first saw this movie I loved it, but then Elf came along and I forgot all about Jim Carrey’s stellar performance, but I recently rewatched this movie and I have to admit Ron Howard and Carrey did a fantastic job. They took a classic cartoon, which has been a staple for millions of children and parents and they hit a home run. They very well could have fallen on their face, but this movie very much succeeded.

6. Home Alone

This movie highlights both the dreams and fears of children. They very much want to act like grownups, but they also fear being alone. This film takes an average kid who often feels on the outs with his or her family (which most kids have felt at one point or another), and makes him a hero as he out smarts two adult crooks. This funny film also has some touching moments that occur center around a local homeless man.

7. Die Hard

 

This Christmas classic is for the men. After watching all of the feel good kiddie movies, sometimes a guy just needs to see a few explosions, clever catch phrases, and classic Bruce Willis.

Comments

10 responses to “RANKINGS: If the World Ended & You Could Only Watch 7 Christmas Movies…”

  1. Cindy Navarro Avatar

    The best news about #4 is that it became a public domain film!! I watch it online AT LEAST once a year. Actually, I am watching it on youtube right now!! I discovered it in the mid-70s and it is unforgettable!! 🙂

  2. Dr. Jayce Avatar

    I got it at the dollar store one year! Awesome!

  3. Ben Avatar

    I made my son watch Santa Claus Conquers the Martians last week. He couldn’t stop talking about it the next day. I hoped he’d manage to sit through it and have a couple laughs . . . but it looks like we may have started a Christmas tradition.

    1. Erica Avatar
      Erica

      that’s hilarious!

  4. Dr. Jayce Avatar

    Ben, it is a great tradition!

  5. Erica Avatar
    Erica

    I would say a pretty good list…though one or two might be missing.

  6. Tim Avatar
    Tim

    Thanks for the list. I’ve actually never watched “It’s A Wonderful Life” all the way through – just seen parts of it here and there. Maybe this year I’ll try to do that! So, was #4 intentionally bad or were they actually trying to make a good movie?

  7. Ben Avatar

    Tim, sorry I missed your question. And the answer? I believe #4 was meant to become a Christmas classic. I think the makers of that movie believed that it really was a good idea. Which makes it a little more painful to watch, and at the same time a little more inspiring, too.

  8. Bonnie Avatar

    Santa Claus Conquers the Martians at number 4…..really? People if you haven’t seen this DON’T… it is sooooooooo BAD. Jayce, had us watch this…in the first 5 minutes I was done. The only reason I watch that long is because…I love my son,:)…again can I say BAD!!!!!I like the rest of the movies… but, I wouldn’t put The Muppet Christmas Story at number 1.

  9. Victoria H. Avatar
    Victoria H.

    Maybe I’m late to this discussion but……

    I read the OVERRATED Christmas movies article and was about to comment and ask, “Why isn’t Elf on here?” Then I saw this article. *Sigh*….Oh Dr. Jayce…..I think we need to have a talk…..

    The rest (of the ones i’ve seen) are definitely classic though.Great list!! (especially Die Hard and Wonderful Life.)

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