As we wind down to the Christmas breaks for all the schools, Christmas movie viewing starts to hit its peak.
There are hundreds of Christmas movies and most of them are enjoyable. But everyone has a list of their top 10 Christmas movies, and I thought I would share mine with our ACES readers!
We may have some of the same movies on the list, just as we probably disagree with some of them. These are my top 10, ones that I must see every year!
1) Miracle on 34th Street (1947): I am almost always going to go with the original or any of the remakes, even though in this case the remakes have been pretty darn good. This is at the top of my list as it is all about the ability to believe. My wife and I have a sign we use every Christmas and simply says, “Believe.”
2) Die Hard (1988): It’s gotten to the point where I only watch this movie during the Christmas season. I am a big fan of the shirts that have “It’s not Christmas until Hans Gruber falls from the Nakatomi Tower.” This year I have seen a rise of Ugly Christmas sweaters with the saying, “Now I have a machine gun. Ho Ho Ho.”
3) A Christmas Story (1983): I have had this movie on so much over the years that my wife and kids moan, and even protest when I put it on. It’s gotten to the point where I end up watching it in my office on my IPad. To me, it’s the most honest Christmas movie and provides laughs every time. When little brother Randy makes the pig sounds when he is eating, he gets me every time.
4) Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol: Here is a case where as far as my favorites go, I look past the original to this animated version. I love the original and give credit to “Scrooged” with Bill Murray – I will probably watch both this year as well – but when it comes to the go to, my wife and I always start with Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol.
5) Dr. Suess How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1967): This is another with several versions, but I go with the animated version as my first choice. It’s best version and the Grinch’s dog steals the show. We probably will watch different versions in the next couple of weeks. And the topper – Boris Karloff voicing the Grinch.
6) Elf (2003): One of the Christmas movies I watch year-round – it makes me laugh that much. In fact, we’ve already watched it – back in November. With this movie it’s all about whether you like Will Ferrell or not. I know people that cannot stand Ferrell and will not watch any of his movies. Their loss.
7) It’s a Wonderful Life (1946): This is a must see for us every season. I think the older I get, the more I appreciate and like the movie. Just a classic and one we take the time to sit down, take it in, and enjoy it.
8) Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer (1964): Another must see! I need my Bumble fix each year, as well as Yukon Cornelius! Hard not to smile when watching this each year.
9) The Santa Clause (1994): Being a big Tim Allen fan, this was a no-brainer to watch when it first came out. I’ve stayed with it and watch it every single year. Tremendous movie about a man trying to do right with his son and saving Christmas.
10) Charlie Brown Christmas (1965): I feel lucky that I was able to grow up to the Peanuts gang and this was my second favorite of all the movies. I will always go with A Charlie Brown Halloween, but I certainly love the Christmas movie as well. Each time we always get our Snoopy fix with this one!
Other Christmas movies I will watch this year: Christmas With the Kranks, Home Alone, Violent Night, Fatman, The Polar Express, Fred Clause, Red One.
By Dennis Miller