With 21 days left until Christmas, I figured I would share with you a list of my family’s favorite holiday flicks so you can enjoy them with your folks. There is 21 in the list exactly – 1 for every day until Christmas! Which is your family’s favorite movie?
1. The Grinch Who Stole Christmas (1966)
This holiday classic has been a family favorite of mine for as long as I can remember. Since long before I could even read myself, my mother was sharing this endearing Christmas carol with me. Written by Dr. Seuss, this well-loved tale soon afterwards became a short-film narrated by none other than actor Boris Karloff. In my small family, it quickly became one of our traditions to always watch this the night before Christmas.
How can you not fall in love with a green little creature, with a crooked smile and a devilish grin? He always seemed misunderstood to me.
2. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)
Featuring the iconic voice of Burl Ives, this claymation classic has stood the test of time and remained dear in people’s hearts. Everyone knows the tale, but this film presents it in its own entirely unique fashion. Its characters have become iconic; statuettes and ornaments of Sam the Snowman, Rudolph, Hermey the Elf and Yukon Cornelius are sold in shops around North America and the globe. This beautiful Christmas tale teaches us all that “there’s always tomorrow for dreams to come true… and tomorrow is not far away.”
3. White Christmas (1954)
Filmed during the golden age of Hollywood, this film follows the story of a song-and-dance team who become romantically involved with a sister acting duo. It stars Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney (mother of actor George Clooney), and Danny Kaye. This production brought us the well-known song, “White Christmas” composed by Irving Berlin which has been documented by the Guinness Book of World Records as being the best-selling single of all time (sold 50 million copies worldwide).
4. The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
Made during the early 1990s, this film recounts the Charles Dickens tale with the help of The Muppets who share their version of the story. Featuring actor Michael Caine in the lead role of Scrooge, this film is a funny family-friendly production that everyone will love. Who can’t enjoy Miss Piggy as Emily Cratchit, Kermit as Bob Crachit, and Gonzo as Charles Dickens himself?
5. Elf (2003)
Although this is a new addition to the long list of favorites, it has quickly become a favorite video to watch around this time of year. Directed by Jon Favreau, this festive comedy stars Will Ferrell, James Caan, and Zooey Deschanel. Ferrell plays the part of “Buddy” impeccably, showing us what it would be like to be raised as a Christmas Elf. This film is about finding one’s true identity, romance, Christmas in New York City, and Santa. You couldn’t possible want more from one film.
6. Scrooge (1951)
Many versions of this Charles Dickens classic have been made, but by far the most watched is the 1951 version starring Alastair Sim as Ebenezer Scrooge. This version of the Christmas classic was made several years after the Second World War, and it takes an interesting new angle on this famous classic. Kevin Sullivan fans will be interested to know that “Scrooge” is actually one of Sullivan’s favorite personal Christmas classics. Listen to him below discuss why:
The Other 16 Films To Watch:
7. It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) – starring James Stewart and Donna Reed
8. Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town (1970) – starring Fred Astaire and Mickey Rooney
9. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
10. Christmas in Connecticut (1945) – starring Barbara Stanwyk
11. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) – starring Michael Caine
12. Miracle on 34th Street – starring Maureen O’Hara and Natalie Wood
13. Home Alone (1990)- starring Macaulay Culkin and Joe Pesci
14. The Year Without Santa Claus (1974) -starring Mickey Rooney
15. Holiday Inn (1942) – starring Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire
16. Frosty the Snowman (1969) – starring Jimmy Durante
17. Babes in Toyland (1961) – starring Annette Funicello and Tommy Kirk
18. A Flinstones Christmas Carol (1994)
19. Jack Frost (1998) – starring Michael Keaton and Kelly Preston
20. Scrooge (1970) – starring Albert Finney
21. The Nutcracker (1993) – starring Macaulay Culkin
Where do you think Sullivan classics like Wind At My Back: The Christmas Movie and A Road to Avonlea Christmas fit on this list?
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Source:
http://www.sullivanmovies.com/2012/12/04/countdown-the-top-21-christmas-films-to-watch-until-christmas/