TOP 10: Christmas movies

It’s not just a perfect Christmas film, It’s a Wonderful Life is a true cinematic classic.

James Stewart stars as George Bailey, an honest family man who has reached his lowest ebb.

Suicidal, he makes the decision to end his life for the good of his family, but the intervention of his guardian angel Clarence changes all that.

In a Scrooge-esque tail, Clarence takes George on a journey showing him what life would be life if he never existed.

He changes his mind and heart-warmingly realises that life is indeed wonderful.

Home Alone

Like the Coca Cola “holidays are coming” adverts, the moment Home Alone appears on your television screen you know Christmas is right around the corner.

It is arguably the best Christmas family film ever made and transformed the now pizza-loving rock star Macaulay Culkin into a megastar overnight.

Home Alone is still loved by film lovers of all ages. Kevin McCallister is an eight-year-old boy who is left at home among the chaos of his family packing for their vacation in Paris.

He makes the most of his freedom by raiding the cupboards for junk food, using his dad’s aftershave, and watching violent movies.

But his antics take a turn for the worse when the house is targeted by burglars Harry and Marv.

The battle between the two sides created some of the most memorable scenes in film history, as Kevin sets up various traps to thwart the duo in their tracks.

Elf

Hollywood funnyman Will Ferrell turns a generic Christmas story into a laugh-a-minute festive classic.

He plays Buddy, a human who grew up thinking he was an elf after sneaking his way into Santa’s sack as a baby one Christmas Eve.

Buddy is taken unwittingly to the North Pole where he begins a life of making presents and doing everything an elf would do – despite towering over his friends.

That is until one day he decides to go to New York City in search of his father Walter, a Scrooge figure who is too fixated on his career to care about the spirit of Christmas.

Hilarity ensues as Buddy tries to accustom himself to human life and Ferrell’s slapstick style provides gut-busting laughter.

It stars the stunning Zooey Deschanel too, which is a festive bonus.

Die Hard

John McClane is having a bad day. Exhausted and hungover, the New York City detective arrives in Los Angeles to spend Christmas with his wife. But his merry Christmas turns into festive hell as terrorist leader Hans Gruber decides hold everyone in the Nakatomi Plaza building as hostage.

Bruce Willis shows his action hero credentials with death-defying stunts and witty dialogue. It’s a Christmas action thriller that hasn’t dated over the years. A must watch with a glass of sherry and a mince pie, just try not to choke when there is a loud bang.

A Christmas Story

All nine-year-old Ralphie wants for Christmas is a BB gun.

His mother, of course, tells him he can’t have one as he’ll “shoot his eye out” but being a young boy, her worries fall on deaf ears.

Cue a loveable caper as Ralphie explores the winter wonderland setting of Hohman, Indiana, getting himself into mischief along the way all in search for his perfect gift.

I won’t spoil the ending for those who haven’t seen it, but let’s just say it ends in true Hollywood style.

Raplhie’s older self is narrating throughout, and his voiced by the charming tones of the late Jean Shepherd.

Gremlins

Although I was born two years later, I have it on good authority that the Gremlins became a phenomenon when it was released on the big screen 30 years ago.

It’s Christmas time in New York City and a small cuddly creature called Gizmo, a Mogwai, comes onto the scene. Billy Peltzer is given the creature by his father, unaware of the carnage that follows if he doesn’t adhere to strict rules.

He must be kept away from bright light, never made wet, and never fed after midnight.

But in true movie style, Gizmo gets soaked and chaos ensues.

It’s showing its age now but Gremlins is still as enjoyable and endearing as it was in 1984.

The Snowman

Raymond Briggs’ classic tale is both a magical buddy movie and a tearjerker. His much-loved story is brought to the screen in a beautifully animated style.

A young auburn-haired boy builds a snowman that comes to life at the stroke of midnight. Amazed, the young lad strikes up a friendship and the Snowman whisks him away on a wondrous journey that never fails to bring a smile to the face.

But the next morning the boy eagerly awakes only to find his new friend has melted as the sun comes out – a moment that never fails to tug the heart-strings, whatever the age.

It also made a star out of a young Aled Jones for his rendition of Walking in the Air, but the less said about that the better.

Bad Santa

This is definitely not for kids. Billy Bob Thornton is a bad mouthed down-and-out drunk who dresses up as Santa Clause for cash every year.

He has other thoughts on his mind this year as he plans to rob the department store along with his little helper Marcus.

However, his world of thieving is turned upside down when he meets a lonely eight-year-old boy and a bartender named Sue, who manage to show him the true meaning of Christmas.

It’s rude and crude and not your typical festive family favourite but provides a refreshing change from Rudolph and friends.

Edward Scissorhands

It’s one of the darker Christmas offerings, but the storytelling and direction of Tim Burton gave Edward Scissorhands cult classic status.

He may have found major success as the extrovert Captain Jack Sparrow but Johnny Depp delicately trimmed his path into the hearts of millions with his portrayal of the hand-bladed Edward, a near complete person who was left with scissors for hands after his creator died.

He is a shy, unassuming young man who is given a home by an Avon saleswoman after she realises he is harmless.

Edward falls in love with the character played by Winona Ryder, who is initially scared of him but soon realises the goodness of his heart.

In an iconic scene, Edward sculptures an ice angel out of ice as the family is setting up Christmas decorations.

It’s warm and charming tale that stays with you long after – all the ingredients for a perfect Christmas film.

The Polar Express

Tom Hanks provides the voice of a train conductor in this visual masterpiece.

The Polar Express covers the story of a young boy on Christmas Eve who jumps onto the Polar Express as it heads to the North Pole.

The Polar Express is an incredible treat for kids, who are guaranteed to be mesmerised throughout.

It has since become a staple of Christmas Day viewing and perfect respite from post-dinner indigestion.