Top 50 Best Holiday Movies Of All Time
(around Christmas, New Year's Eve and Valentine's Day)
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- DirectorFrank CapraStarsJames StewartDonna ReedLionel BarrymoreAn angel is sent from Heaven to help a desperately frustrated businessman by showing him what life would have been like if he had never existed.I fully support this as one of the best-rated Christmas movies of all time as well as love stories and Jimmy Stewart's performance (and Bobby Anderson's amazing one as well) throughout always makes me cry; this is probably the first movie retelling of A Christmas Carol but with the twist of making George Bailey the one visited by the ghost of his own absence, I highly recommend the wonderful colourized version and it not only has some wholesome humour but one of the most passionate love scenes in the history of cinema even though it didn't involve more than kissing so this is definitely one of my favourite movies in general
- DirectorBill MelendezStarsAnn AltieriChris DoranSally DryerDepressed at the commercialism he sees around him, Charlie Brown tries to find a deeper meaning to Christmas.My favourite Peanuts holiday special, this one has all the familiar Christmas traditions of my childhood and as always Snoopy steals the show
- DirectorJohn McTiernanStarsBruce WillisAlan RickmanBonnie BedeliaA New York City police officer tries to save his estranged wife and several others taken hostage by terrorists during a Christmas party at the Nakatomi Plaza in Los Angeles.I definitely fall into the camp that this is a Christmas movie and it's definitely one that is a nice change to the cheesiness of most but it's still not dark enough for me to dislike watching it during the holidays (I cannot watch horror holiday movies because it just does not fit in my mind)
- DirectorJimmy T. MurakamiDianne JacksonStarsDavid BowieRaymond BriggsMel SmithOn Christmas Eve, a young boy builds a snowman that comes to life and takes him to the North Pole to meet Father Christmas.Just a stunning movie that rips at the heartstrings with one of the most beautiful songs Walking In the Air sung by the young English choirboy and originally uncredited Peter Auty, with simple yet gorgeous animation, that is so satisfying to watch every time
- 1976– 1h 40m8.2 (19)TV EpisodeDirectorAlan SkogStarsMegan FairchildJoaquin De LuzAdam HendricksonThe famous Balanchine production of Tchaikovsky's ballet.My favourite American version on which the Barbie version is loosely based, with my favourite costumes and sets though not as opulent as The Royal Ballet's, and the choreography is not as good as the Russian versions in my humble opinion although it is still very pretty; I don't love Megan Fairchild's movement en pointe but she definitely has amazing control, perfectly in tempo and beautiful pirouettes and extensions while I absolutely love Tiler Peck in this as well as Ashley Bouder who both arguably had even harder choreography which they performed beautifully
- DirectorLarry RoemerStarsBillie Mae RichardsBurl IvesLarry D. MannA young reindeer Rudolph lives at the North Pole. His father is one of Santa's reindeer and it is expected that Rudolph will eventually be one too. However, he has a feature which is a setback and causes him to be ostracized: his red nose.One of the best movies ever made, this is a beautiful amalgamation of stop motion, claymation, musical numbers, adventure, life lessons and probably the most iconic holiday film of all time
- DirectorAlexander PayneStarsPaul GiamattiDa'Vine Joy RandolphDominic SessaA curmudgeonly instructor at a New England school remains on campus during Christmas break. He soon forms an unlikely bond with a brainy but damaged troublemaker, and with the school's cook, a woman who just lost a son in the Vietnam War.Very nice movie with great cinematography, acting by Paul Giamatti and Dominic Sessa, music and writing, with some funny moments and an endearing story reminiscent of Dead Poets Society; it's unfortunate that it seems as though the script plagiarism accusations are substantially true and I feel that Simon Stephenson deserves credit but that aside, it is still a well-made movie
- DirectorChris ColumbusStarsMacaulay CulkinJoe PesciDaniel SternAn eight-year-old troublemaker, mistakenly left home alone, must defend his home against a pair of burglars on Christmas Eve.Made famous by the adorably sweet Macaulay Culkin, this movie is quite silly but also one of my favourites, and I might actually use some of the tricks against burglars if I have my own house someday soon hopefully
- DirectorRob ReinerStarsBilly CrystalMeg RyanCarrie FisherHarry and Sally have known each other for years, and are very good friends, but they fear sex would ruin the friendship.This is the quintessential New Year's Eve movie about two friends who are meant to be together and it is a joy to watch every time, especially because Billy Crystal is so effortlessly funny, and the late Carrie Fisher is also extremely memorable
- StarsAlexandra KorshunovFyodor LopukhovVladimir PonomarevIn this wonderfully traditional, Russian Nutcracker, performed by the Mariinsky Ballet, Tchaikovsky's glorious score is conducted by Valery Gergiev. Vainonen's colourful production and Virsaladze's stunning designs make this as magical and memorable a Christmas treat as ever. Masha is given a nutcracker on Christmas Eve as a gift from her godfather Drosselmeyer. She dreams of a battle led by the Nutcracker toy soldier against an army of mice. With her help, the Nutcracker emerges victorious and is transformed into a prince. He and Masha travel through a pine forest to the Kingdom of Sweets, where the sugar plum fairy holds a magnificent entertainment.My favourite version of the ballet with my favourite ballerina of all time, Alina Somova, in the coveted role of Masha aka The Sugar Plum Fairy
- DirectorRichard CurtisStarsHugh GrantMartine McCutcheonLiam NeesonFollows the lives of eight very different couples in dealing with their love lives in various loosely interrelated tales all set during a frantic month before Christmas in London, England.Another holiday favourite of mine mostly because of the ridiculously dashing Colin Firth who I cannot resist in any movie, the ruggedly exasperated Bill Nighy, Emma Thompson's life-imitating-art performance that pulls at the heartstrings, wonderful Alan Rickman and the spell-binding Olivia Olson - the rest of the cast's characters are quite creepy but it's a good egg of a movie overall and how the characters all tie in together never gets old
- DirectorRoy Del RuthStarsDon DeForeAnn HardingCharles RugglesTwo homeless men move into a mansion while its owners are wintering in the South.This is lovely and all about giving and the chemistry especially between Don DeFore, Gale Storm, Victor Moore, Charlie Ruggles and Ann Harding is wonderful to watch; I was brought to laughter and tears and that solidified it for me as another great holiday film
- DirectorAndré MelançonStarsCédric JourdeMarie-Pierre A. D'AmourJulien ElieDuring Christmas holidays, the children of a small village split themselves into two groups and begin preparing a week-long snowball war. The rivalry opens up tension among group members, especially leaders Luc and Sophie.One of the most nostalgic movies for me, this movie is another one that does some serious pulling at the heartstrings while also perfectly portraying French Canadian kids being kids during the holidays, and with one of my favourite melodies and theme songs of all time (L'amour a pris son temps)
- DirectorPhil RomanStarsDuncan WatsonStephen SheaMelanie KohnThe gang celebrate Valentine's Day while Charlie Brown hopes for at least one valentine for a change.The only overtly Valentine's Day-themed movie that isn't cringey and with typically lovable Peanuts humour and storytelling
- DirectorMichael O. SajbelStarsDrew FullerJames GarnerAbigail BreslinA deceased billionaire leaves his spoiled adult grandson a series of odd tasks to perform in order to receive "the ultimate gift," with the resentful grandson having no idea what that might be.I did not have very high expectations for this movie because it is lesser known and clearly derivative of Brewster's Millions, but the plot and final message were a pleasant surprise for me, and the wonderful cast made it another fantastic addition to my holiday movie catalogue
- DirectorMark SandrichRobert AllenStarsBing CrosbyFred AstaireMarjorie ReynoldsAt an inn which is open only on holidays, a crooner and a hoofer vie for the affections of a beautiful up-and-coming performer.This is a wonderful movie covering almost all of the holidays including all of the ones on this list, with original songs that are now classics (Happy Holiday and White Christmas), the enormous talents of Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire, two of the cutest kids, the wonderfully Chrismassy setting of a cozy holiday inn that can be accessed by a horse and carriage 'taxi', and I had the pleasure of watching the original but colourized version; as for the unfortunate brownface scene, I don't think it fits in the movie because of it being bad optics, cringey and parodying the beauty of different skin tones, but it's far less bad than a lot of portrayals considering it's commemorating Abraham Lincoln's abolition of slavery so I choose to look past it as an unfortunate sign of the times and appreciate the rest of the movie's qualities instead
- DirectorLee Toland KriegerStarsBlake LivelyMichiel HuismanHarrison FordA young woman, born at the turn of the 20th century, is rendered ageless after an accident. After many solitary years, she meets a man who complicates the eternal life she has settled into.Another movie that doesn't really fit into the genre except for the fact that Adaline is born on New Year's Day and there's a New Year's Eve party so that's enough for me - oh and the acting is surprisingly superb especially from Blake Lively and Harrison Ford
- DirectorRoy WilsonStarsRandy TravisJay JohnsonJerry Van DykeA mute boy and a calf with the ability to speak form a deep friendship, learning what it means to love and sacrifice for another.This was one of my favourite childhood Christmas movies and surprisingly produced by Hallmark, with familiar animation style and great music, and an ode to farm living during the holidays; I just rewatched it and had forgotten about the sweet plot about a mute boy named Billy learning to talk again through a magical calf named Annabelle after a fire on the farm
- DirectorSam JaimesBill MelendezStarsChad AllenKristie BakerMelissa GuzziCharlie Brown is obliged to attend Peppermint Patty's New Year's Eve party, even though he has to finish the novel "War and Peace".Another endearing Peanuts special that I love to watch on New Year's Eve
- DirectorJon FavreauStarsWill FerrellJames CaanBob NewhartRaised as an oversized elf, Buddy travels from the North Pole to New York City to meet his biological father, Walter Hobbs, who doesn't know he exists and is in desperate need of some Christmas spirit.Definitely one of the most popular Christmas movies on this list, this movie defines the meaning of Christmas cheer and watching Will Ferrell be the comedian that he is in a holiday context is enchanting
- DirectorDon BluthGary GoldmanStarsMeg RyanJohn CusackChristopher LloydThe last surviving child of the Russian Royal Family joins two con men to reunite with her grandmother, the Dowager Empress, while the undead Rasputin seeks her death.Though not explicitly set during the holidays, this is magical and winter-y enough for me to consider it one, and though an entirely fictional retelling of Anastasia Romanova and set in Russia it is near and dear to my Slavic heart and I can safely say I've gone through many of Anya's emotions in this film just maybe not as fancily or with as beautiful of a soundtrack
- DirectorSarah SmithBarry CookStarsJames McAvoyJim BroadbentBill NighySanta's clumsy son Arthur sets out on a mission with Grandsanta to give out a misplaced present to a young girl in less than two hours on Christmas Day.This movie is like a British version of a combination of others on this list, including The Santa Clause and The Polar Express for me, with charming animation style and voice acting especially by the talented James McAvoy and Hugh Laurie
- DirectorKirk JonesStarsRobert De NiroKate BeckinsaleSam RockwellA widower who realized his only connection to his family was through his wife sets off on an impromptu road trip to reunite with each of his grown children.Robert De Niro has such a sympathetic performance in this movie and I love that it is about a family becoming close again after the 'glue that held everything together' has gone
- DirectorBharat NalluriStarsDan StevensMark SchrierPatrick Joseph ByrnesThe journey that led to Charles Dickens' creation of "A Christmas Carol," a timeless tale that would redefine Christmas.I was initially not interested because I thought it would be incredibly boring, but it ended up essentially being a live action retelling of A Christmas Carol and in fact my favourite adaptation to date, with Dan Stevens once again being the star that he is and bringing me to tears at multiple points of the film
- DirectorBeth McCarthy-MillerStarsCharles Edward HallCatherine HurlinAlberto CalderoSanta Flies to New York. Jump right into Santa's sleigh as ti zooms over the frozen North, past international borders, and right to the doors of Radio City Music Hall.My favourite version of the Radio City Rockettes' Christmas Spectacular, I am happy that I get to watch this instead of paying the exorbitant costs to see them in person, and this version has in my opinion the best musical numbers and costumes