Great Christmas Season Movies That Everyone Can Enjoy
Over the decades, movie makers have crafted some delightful Christmas movies. In fact, some of the best movies ever produced are Christmas themed movies. Despite the fact that several Christmas movies rank in the top 100 movies ever made, people don’t seem to enjoy watching them at any other time of the year than Christmas season. With the list of Christmas movies getting longer each year, as new ones are produced and released, it’s sometimes easy to forget some of the superb Christmas movies from days gone by.
Here is a list of Christmas movies that I think are sure to please you and your family this Christmas season. I have not listed these movies in any particular order. This is to say, the first movie on the list is not my favorite and the last movie is not my least favorite. In fact, it would be exceptionally difficult to rate or rank these excellent Christmas movies.
It’s a Wonderful Life. It’s a Wonderful Life was made in 1946 and stars screen legends James Stewart, Donna Reed, and Lionel Barrymore – as well as the then very popular Thomas Mitchell. This Frank Capra movie is considered by many to be his best work. If not his best, It’s a Wonderful Life is certainly his best known movie. It’s a touching story, elegantly told with memorable performances and spot-on direction. It’s a Wonderful Life is a black and white movie, but don’t let that deter you from renting it and enjoying it with your family. This is truly Christmas movie classic.
Miracle on 34th Street. Miracle on 34th Street was made in 1947 and stars Maureen O’Hara, John Payne Edmund Gwenn, Natalie Wood and William Frawley. Directed by the very talented George Seaton, Miracle on 34th Street is about a child who meets Santa Claus, but cannot get anyone to believe her. Santa’s presence in town before Christmas becomes public knowledge, and some people (skeptics) are not happy about it. Ultimately there’s a trial and everything works out perfectly – as one would expect in a great Christmas movie. This endearing Christmas movie offers some very funny scenes, and an ending that will give you goose bumps. Keep an eye on the then young Natalie Wood, and watch for I Love Lucy Star, William Frawley. This is my family’s favorite Christmas movie to watch together.
Scrooge. This version of Scrooge was produced in 1951 and stars Alastair Sim, Kathleen Harrison, Mervyn Johns, Hermione Baddeley and Michael Hordern. Directed by Brian Desmond Hurst, Scrooge is the movie version and title for the Christmas classic A Christmas Carol, written by Charles Dickens. The ghosts of Christmas past, Christmas present and Christmas future come to visit the miserly Scrooge in his sleeping chamber and teach him the true meaning of Christmas and brotherly love. This is one of my favorite versions of this classic. I’d also suggest, for film buffs, watching the 1935 version. If you’d like a modernized version, try Scrooged starring Bill Murray. The kids will likely enjoy this Christmas movie classic, ala Muppets, in The Muppet Christmas Carol.
A Charlie Brown Christmas. A Charlie Brown Christmas was made in 1965. Written by cartooning legend Charles M. Schultz, and starring his famous bunch of neighborhood kids, A Charlie Brown Christmas has our young hero searching for a way out of the commercialized Christmas whirlwind. Charlie’s discovery of a less than ideal Christmas tree helps him and his cohorts find the true meaning of the Christmas holidays. Bill Melendez directed this pleasant Christmas movie – and also lends his voice to Snoopy. Sure to please young and old alike, A Charlie Brown Christmas has earned its place in the best of Christmas movies.
The Santa Clause. The Santa Clause was produced in 1994 and stars Tim Allen, Wendy Crewson, Judge Reinhold, Eric Lloyd and David Krumholtz. Directed by the talented John Pasquin, The Santa Clause is not at all your typical Christmas movie. It is the only Christmas movie I know of in which Santa Claus dies – and he dies early in the movie. But fear not – Tim Allen to the rescue, reluctantly. After Allen accidentally brings about the demise of Santa Claus, he learns that it is now his responsibility to become the famous bearer of presents. This is a very funny Christmas movie that will have adults laughing and children mesmerized. Kudos to young actor David Krumholtz for his outstanding performance as an elf.
This Christmas, consider spending some time with the family in front of the TV watching a few of the older Christmas movie offerings. It’s a great way to get together and enjoy something as a family. And the movies listed above are sure to spark some marvelous memories and recollections of simpler days gone by.
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