Christmas
movies are seldom significantly acclaimed or Oscar winners - but with cool
animated film reindeer and real-life elves, they are always blooming good fun
for all of the family.
From
the childhood classics you loved that make a welcome reappearance every year
right up to the newer, slicker productions with bags of wit, there is something
for every body who wants their heartwarming come xmas.
Whether
or not your idea of a yo-ho-ho hit is a black and white classic or a
sensible-cracking animation, there's something for all and sundry.
Below
you will find listed 15 festive films to suit your taste
15. Elf
The
2003 smash hit has grow to be a cutting-edge classic as viewers cannot get
enough of funnyman Will Ferrell's antics as a human raised as an obstreperous
elf who sooner or later meets his real-life dad - played by a truculent James
Caan.
14. It's a Wonderful Life
A
box office bomb when it was released in 1946, this James Stewart movie is now a
classic, providing festive theme including bankruptcy, sibling demise and
suicidal thoughts.
13. The Santa Clause
Back
in the 1990s, Tim Allen was a tv legend, and in this hilarious 1994 tackle a festive
fantasy, he is playing up to the camera as the dad who accidentally turns into
Santa.
12. Love Actually
you're
either for Richard Curtis' schmaltzy 2003 take on the Brit Christmas or you
ain't - but the superstar power of this hit includes Keira Knightley, bill
Nighy, Liam Neeson, Andrew Lincoln, Martine McCutcheon, Hugh grant, Alan
Rickman, Emma Thompson... the listing is long and outstanding
11. The Holiday
Speaking
of star power, Kate Winslet, Jack Black, Jude law and Cameron Diaz simply bring
more style than substance to this 2006 romcom that's one for the fanatics
10. Polar Express
Hailed
at the time for its animation, the 2004 movie featuring Tom Hanks' voice hasn't
worn brilliantly, but the spirit of a child's belief in Christmas is still
strong.
9. Die Hard
In
the 1980s, Bruce Willis was lord of the screen, even when it came to Christmas.
So in 1988, people were extra interested in his beefy cop John McClane saving
the Nakatomi Plaza from the late Alan Rickman than a man in a white beard
coming down the chimney.
8. Holiday Inn
Classic
Hollywood turned into seldom more glamorous than when it added together Bing Crosby
and Fred Astaire in 1942 and paired them with a gorgeous Irving Berlin
soundtrack.
7. The Muppet Christmas Carol
This
puppet rendering from 1992 is considered one of many taking Dickens' tale as
its source, however it's one of the funniest, with Michael Caine the crochety
Ebeneezer who manages to play it straight.
6. The Snowman
Aled
Jones' voice famously does not appear in the film, but the British classic is
perfect anyway thanks to Raymond Brigg's moving images.
5. Scrooged
It’s
another Christmas Carol-themed flick, but strictly for the grownups, as bill
Murray's selfish, cynical television exec was haunted by means of three spirits
and even discovered something in 1988.
4. Gremlins
The
ones creepy, gross little creatures may not make you experience festive, but
you'll in no way forget how Phoebe Cates' dad died thanks to her gruesome story
in 1984.
3. Bad Santa
Another
grown-up Christmas hit, with Billy Bob Thornton the disgusting Father Christmas
who picks up groupies and sponges off naive kids.
2. Frozen
At
the other end of the scale, Elsa's adventures together with her sister Ana and
an array of festive buddies became a smash for Disney and are still
kid-friendly in the extreme.
1. Home Alone
Catapulting
Macauley Culkin to fame, this John Hughes 1990 family favorite shows the power
of a child who feels threatened by burglars - and there are no adults to
assist.
