Christmas has come to represent a variety of different things to people over the years. The movies here reflect that sort of thing. If you’re a traditionalist and feeling nostalgic, you’ll be very pleased to see exactly where It’s A Wonderful Life and Holiday Inn ranked onto our list of top Christmas films. If this time of the year reminds you of sitting around the TV, enthusiastically awaiting those once-yearly specials, make sure that you have a lookout for TV specials like A Charlie Brown Christmas together with How the Grinch Stole Christmas. 

Then there’s horror films (Black Christmas), comedy (Trading Places), comedy and horror (Gremlins), and even a superhero that is covered in tinsel somewhere (Batman Returns). For those who have an independent streak to celebrate, have a look at Tangerine and Carol. In the meantime, Netflix has made fantastic leaps and bounds in the Kris Kringle quadrant with The Christmas Chronicles as well as Klaus. 

And if Christmas means travelling somewhere that you don’t want to be, wedged in a building with people who you don’t like, we have the ultimate movie for you.

Meet Me In St. Louis 

This is a disarmingly sweet musical that is led by exceptional performances from Judy Garland and Margaret O’Brien. Meet Me in St. Louis provides a holiday treat for all ages.

Meet Me in St. Louis is a characteristic MGM romantic musical comedy which focuses on four sisters (one of whom is the unparalleled Judy Garland) on the verge of the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair. The movie highlights the sisters’ education in the ways and means of the world, which includes – however isn’t limited to – learning about life and love, courtesy of the veritable boy next door. In the end, love – complemented by song, dance and period costumes, all in magnificent Technicolor – conquers all. 

Elf 

Will Ferrell’s overgrown-child persona entertainingly complements this comedy about a guileless giant elf who is searching for his dad in New York City. However, the film’s focus isn’t just on the funny bone. There’s a wealth of heart and soul in the way that the story cherishes holiday cheer. In a genre that’s become generically sentimental, this is one modern Christmas movie that’s genuinely sweet.

The Santa Clause

If the very thought of seeing Tim Allen in a Santa suit makes you think of sugarplums then this is the film for you. The Home Improvement star inadvertently kills Santa, and has to take his place. It’s as exciting as claiming an online casino welcome bonus, and despite it’s darker theme, it’s incredibly funny too. 

Let It Snow 

Based upon the best-selling novel by John Green, in this teenage rom com a group of high school students try to traverse love and friendship after a snowstorm falls on their small town on Christmas Eve.

Home Alone 

John Hughes wrote this rollicking holiday classic that ultimately plays like Straw Dogs for children. No matter that everybody’s on the naughty list here, from Catherine O’Hara to Macaulay Culkin as well as Daniel Stern and Joe Pesci. John Williams’ score is something magnificent to behold!

Tom Gardner