I have updated this list from a few years ago. My top five are unchanged and probably always will be. You can't beat the classics.
10. White Christmas- Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney
For many years I did not care for this particular movie because the musical acts seem to take up more space than necessary. If I had the ability to edit it I would leave out a couple. Also I preferred the original version of Irving Berlin's classic song in another film, Holiday Inn. But in the last few years I have let this one grow on me. You can't beat the combination of Bing and Danny Kaye. And Rosemary Clooney has a unique vocal talent of her own. The story of the old general only gets better with repeated viewings.
9. The Polar Express- Tom Hanks
Another recent addition. What I like most about this one is the visual style. Seeing it in a theater is quite an experience. This was the first of the motion capture films from director Robert Zemeckis not to mention the best.
8. The Bishop's Wife- Cary Grant, Loretta Young, David Niven
Underrated classic starring Cary Grant as an angel sent to help the Bishop (David Niven) and his wife (Loretta Young). I have to admit I thought it was a little silly the first time I saw it, but over the years it has become a holiday staple.
7. The Shop Around The Corner- James Stewart, Margaret Sullavan
Charming film from director Ernst Lubitsch famous for his "Lubitsch Touch" and responsible for two popular remakes: In The Good Old Summertime and You've Got Mail. This is also one of two Jimmy Stewart films on my favorites list, although it is less of a Christmas movie and more of a classic romantic comedy. Like others it gets better every time you watch.
6. Elf- Will Ferrell, James Caan
Possibly the funniest Christmas movie of all time. Who doesn't quote Buddy the Elf? "You sit on a throne of lies", "I'm singing and I'm in a store and I'm siiiiiiiiinging!" "I'm a cotton-headed ninnymuggins."
5. Miracle on 34th Street- Edmund Gwenn, Natalie Wood, Maureen O'Hara
For many this is the number one Christmas movie. Adults of a certain age when they think of Santa Claus immediately picture the great British actor Edmund Gwenn in their mind. He seems to have been born to play the part. You have to watch this one during the Christmas season or you might be a Scrooge or a Grinch. I personally prefer the original B&W version, but if you must see a colorized version of any film this one isn't bad. I wouldn't waste time with the remake however.
4. A Christmas Story- Peter Billingsley
Probably the most quoted Christmas movie of them all and in my opinion the best Christmas comedy ever made (sorry Christmas Vacation fans). The 24 hour marathon every Christmas Eve is a testament to its lasting popularity.
3. Holiday Inn- Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire
This one became a tradition for me after searching for the original version of the song White Christmas. My family watches it every year and usually it is the first movie of the season. Some of it hasn't aged well (particularly the black-face routine), but Bing singing and Fred dancing never really gets old.
2. Scrooge- Albert Finney, Alec Guinness
More than any other Christmas movie this musical version of A Christmas Carol takes me back to my childhood. It aired on TV every year and we were certain not to miss it. It was most memorable for the songs and the ghosts which I thought were scarier than other versions. When I finally bought it on DVD some years back I was amazed to notice things the pan and scan version had cut out along with an entire sequence edited out of the TV version I had always seen. My children love this one as much as me.
1. It's A Wonderful Life- James Stewart, Donna Reed
It is actually unfair to categorize this as a Christmas movie. In fact it is among the greatest films ever made. The AFI top 100 ranked it #11 in 1998 and #20 in 2007. I'd put it in my top five. It is undoubtedly director Frank Capra's masterpiece and Jimmy Stewart's best performance. My annual tradition is watching this on Christmas Eve. It never ever gets old. Like all of my favorite films if I see any part of it I must watch it to the end. It pushes all of the right buttons even 67 years after it was released.
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