My top 10 Christmas films

Tis the Season! And what better way to get into the Christmassy-feeling than watching Christmas films?

I will admit that it has only been in recent years that I have started watching more Christmas films and it really boosts the Christmassy-feeling. I’d say my top 10 contain a relatively large range, though there are a lot of animated films in there. If you’re looking for horror or thrillers you’ve come to the wrong place. However, if you’re looking for comedy, happy endings and the feeling of wholesomeness you are exactly right. Enough chit-chat let’s get in there with the first one:

Nr. 10: The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause (w/ Tim Allen) / 2006

If you haven’t seen The Santa Clause 1 & 2 this is obviously spoilery so you might want to skip to Nr. 8.

It’s been 12 years since Scott Calvin accepted his role as Santa Claus. He’s inviting the in-laws and his former wife and her family around for a dinner but also has to keep the fact that he’s Santa a secret. At the same time Jack Frost is concocting devious plans to take over as Santa.

As a child I used to be a huge fan of Tim Allen’s and so I obviously remember this film fondly. Admittedly I haven’t watched this film in quite a few years but I have fond memories of watching it with the family on Christmas.

Nr. 9: The Santa Clause 2 (w/ Tim Allen) / 2002

Again spoilers ahead for anyone who hasn’t watched The Santa Clause 1.

It has been 8 years since Scott Calvin became Santa. He’s been doing really well so far however, apparently there are certain rules and expectations of a Santa Claus. Namely that there must also be a Mrs. Claus. While Scott returns home to find love and find out why his son is on the naughty list things aren’t going too well back at the North Pole with Scotts substitute.

Again it’s a film I haven’t watched in a while but have fond memories of, from watching it on Christmas Day with the family.

Nr. 8: The Santa Clause (w/ Tim Allen) / 1994

What a surprise! I bet you’d never have guessed this one was coming after the first two!

Tim Allen plays a character called Scott Calvin, who tucks his son Charlie into bed on Christmas Eve. Charlie is woken up in the middle of the night by Santa’s sleigh. Charlie wakes his dad up who runs outside and startles Santa who then falls off the roof. Scott finds a card in the pocket of Santa’s coat on which it says to put on the suit and the reindeers will know what to do. Charlie and Scott finish delivering the presents and head to the North Pole. Once there an elf tells them that by putting on the suit Scott has agreed to take on Santa’s duties. Will he accept the challenge or pass it on to someone else?

I used to really like Tim Allen as a kid and so did the rest of the family which is why we watched the trilogy. Sadly the first film was the best in my opinion but all three are still in my top 10.

Nr. 7: The Polar Express / 2004

Who doesn’t know this classic Christmas film? Everyone knows it and has seen it. A boy becomes sceptical of Santa’s existence and while struggling to fall asleep he notices a train arrive on the street. He discovers that the train is called the Polar Express and is heading to the North Pole. The boy hops aboard and the adventure begins.

Again this is a film I haven’t seen in years but I still have fond memories and is definitely going to be rewatched at some point before Christmas this year.

Nr. 6: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Movie / 1998

We all know the story of Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer and that’s what the film is about. This was my childhood Christmas film. I really loved this film all those years ago and can’t wait to watch it one of these days. It’s a really cute, feel-good film that I highly recommend.

Nr. 5: Arthur Christmas / 2011

Finally a film from this decade, am I right? If I’m remembering correctly, I saw this film for the first time last Christmas. It’s about a really modern Santa Claus who has a whole bunch of ultra-high-tech gadgets to help him deliver all the presents along with hundreds of elves. All of this is under the command of Santa’s eldest son whose named Steve. Steve is a militaristic man and destined to be the next Santa. Santa has another son, Arthur. He’s rather clumsy but very enthusiastic and answers letters addressed to Santa. On Santa’s 70. mission there’s a small accident; a present is lost and goes unnoticed. It is only considerably later that the missing present is noticed. Now the question is: Correct the error at the risk of being seen or do nothing at all?

This is another fun, feel-good film with a lot of heart for the young and old.

Nr. 4: Love Actually / 2003

Who would have guessed that this Christmas film would make it in my top 10 after my last post about the series Modern Love and how it compares to Love Actually? I’m sure most people have at least heard of this film. There are approximately 10 stories. Most of them are love stories. The film is pact full of famous actors, ones you’ll recognise even if you don’t really know them. There will be a lot of ‘where do I know them from?’ moments while watching this film. It’s another great feel-good film and I love whole all the stories connect.

Nr. 3: Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch / 2018

I’m sure most people know the story of the Grinch. A human-like creature that is green from head to foot and hates Christmas. So much so that he doesn’t want anyone else to enjoy Christmas either and thus does his best to ruin it for everyone.

Disclaimer I can not resist a film with Benedict Cumberbatch (and yes, I did have to look up how to write his name) in it. However, if he weren’t in it I would still have absolutely loved this film. The music is so much fun and the characters are so cute. The way the Grinch’s backstory is told, makes his behaviour understandable (however, not excusable). And the dog!! It is so cute and has so much character! I loved this film so much and am desperate to share it with my friends and family.

Nr. 2: How to Train Your Dragon: Homecoming / 2019

One could argue that this doesn’t count as a film as it’s a short film but I don’t care. I love the How to Train Your Dragon films and series and this short is no exception. I honestly just can’t get enough of this cute and fierce vikings and dragons. This is probably the cutest and most wholesome thing to watch at Christmas. Admittedly it you haven’t seen the other films it probably won’t have the same effect.

Nr. 1: Rise of the Guardians / 2012

I have no idea if this really counts as a Christmas film but it has Santa Claus in it so I’m just going to count it. This is my favourite film Christmas as well as non-Christmas.

Jach the young Spirit of Winter likes to bring snow to the kids so they can have snow days. Far away at the North pole Santa and the other Guardians of children - the Easter Bunny, Sandman and the Tooth Fairy - are gathered as there is a threat to the children. That threat bein Pitch Black also known as the boogeyman. The Man in the Moon announces that there will be a new guardian to help the existing ones with defeating Pitch Black: Jack Frost. Jack doesn’t like the thought of being a guardian but agrees to help the other with dealing with the boogeyman.

Something about not being able to believe in oneself but with the help of others believing in you, finding the strength to fight on, really hits a spot within me. I usually don’t watch a film multiple times but this one I have watched more than a handful of times and I believe it is time for a rewatch. The cast is outstanding. The art is unbelievable! The characters are fantastic! I can’t get enough of this film and am really saddened that there isn’t a sequel.

So there you have it my top 10 Christmas films. I hope you find something to try out. Let me know what you think of these films and if you have any suggestions of Christmas films that I should watch I’d love to hear them.

Wishing you a lovely day

Shaura