“Oh, Christmas isn’t just a day, it’s a frame of mind.. and that’s what’s been changing,” because sometimes it is just as magical as a Miracle on the 34th Street. Sometimes, miracles don’t happen overnight, it takes toil and trouble for something to come to realization. And at times like these, you need to remember, It’s a Wonderful Life, because “Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings,” and those angels are always working for you! So, just close your eyes tight and think ‘All I Want for Christmas,’ and you’ll see everything happening in your favour, because “Why Not?”
Do you get what we are getting at?
Here’s a list of 10 Best Classic Christmas movies of all time. It is time to sit in front of the TV and run a marathon of all these movies, because, “Why not?”
List of Classic Christmas Movies:
1. The Shop Around the Corner (1940)
Tagged as one of the most enjoyable and lovable holiday romance movie, workplace romance drama, a romantic comedy, The Shop Around the Corner (1940) is THE movie you need to start you Christmas movie marathon. Two employees, a gift shop, and an unexpected love story. We’re not saying much, just go and watch the film!
- Directed by: Ernst Lubitsch
- Starring: Margaret Sullavan, James Stewart, Frank Morgan, Joseph Schildkraut
- Fun Fact: Ernst Lubitsch, the director, called this film “the best picture I ever made in my life.” He had purchased the rights to the original play ‘Parfumerie’ by Miklós László approximately for $7,500.
On the top of our list of Classic Christmas Movies is a story of two gift shop salespeople, harboring a mutual despise for each other, who unexpectedly find love through their anonymous pen-pal exchanges. Does the storyline sound familiar? It should. The onscreen narrative of James Stewart and Margaret Sullavan serves as the inspiration for Nora Ephron’s timeless classic, You’ve Got Mail.
2. Holiday Inn (1942)
A musical holiday comedy, the Holiday Inn is a comforting binge watch this Christmas. A hotel that’s open only in the hoiday season, a flamboyant dancer, and a melodious singer compete for the love of a beautiful lady, the rising sensation.
- Directed by: Mark Sandrich, Robert Allen
- Starring: Bing Cosby, Fred Astaire, Marjorie Reynolds
- Fun Fact: For the “drunk” dance sequence, Fred Astaire made it realistic by taking two drinks of bourbon before the first take, and then went on to take one before each succeeding take.
Taking place in the WWII era, the film explores a romantic entanglement that unfolds at a hotel during the holiday season. Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire’s characters serenade their way through romantic complexities. Irving Berlin crafted 12 original songs for the film, with the timeless “White Christmas” among them. This iconic song later served as the inspiration for a separate 1954 movie (Also later featured in our list of Classic Christmas Movies), once again featuring Crosby in a starring role.
3. It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
A family film, a feel-good romantic movie, It’s a Wonderful Life has garnered critical acclaims from critics across the world. Would you ever be able to recognize an angel? A frustrated businessman meets an angel sent for him, and she shows him how life would have been if he had never even existed!
- Directed by: Frank Capra
- Starring: James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore
- Fun Fact: For a Christmas film with a snowy setting, It’s a Wonderful Life was shot in the scorching heatwave of California. You can even see some sweat glistening on James Stewart’s face.
Regardless of the version you choose, Frank Capra’s timeless film is a portrayal of the “the grass is always greener” adage. However, if you lean towards the black-and-white original, “the grass is always grayer” might be a more fitting sentiment. A seminal holiday classic christmas movies, it features James Stewart as a man who gains insight into what life would be like without him.
4. Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
Christmas is a time of magic and miracles. This fantasy drama film explores the same emotions, and resonates with the audience in an enchanting way! It all starts when a New York mother hires an old man to play Santa Claus for Macy’s and things start taking a miraculous turn.
- Directed by: George Seaton
- Starring: Edmund Gwenn, Maureen O’Hara, John Payne
- Fun Fact: Adding a touch of authenticity to the film, Miracle on the 34th Street was shot in the actual Macy’s Parade.
From the list of best Classic Christmas movies, this film received three Academy Awards (with a Best Picture nomination), George Seaton’s dramedy, Miracle on 34th Street, features Edmund Gwenn as a department store Santa who asserts he’s the genuine article. The 1994 remake, featuring Richard Attenborough in a compelling performance, stands as a timeless Christmas classic in its own right.
5. A Christmas Carol/Scrooge (1951)
An adaptation of Charles Dickens’ original story ‘A Christmas Carol’, Ebenezer Scrooge, a grumpy, crabby miser is irritated of Christmas, and just can’t understand all the hype around it. His feelings change when three spirits decide to pay him a visit on the Christmas Eve.
- Directed by: Brian Desmond Hurst
- Starring: Alastair Sim, Jack Warner, Kathleen Harrison
- Fun Fact: A Christmas Carol and Oliver Twist, two of Charles Dickens stories are among the most filmed where the former has been made about 21 times, and the latter about 18.
Indulging in the timeless Charles Dickens classic that chronicles a miser’s transformation after encounters with three ghosts is a no-brainer. However, selecting the most fitting version from a plethora of adaptations can be a headache. No need to worry; we’ve got you covered. If you crave satire, opt for the Richard Donner/Bill Murray comedy, Scrooged. For those in search of animation, Mickey’s Christmas Carol is the go-to choice. But if you’re a traditionalist at heart, stick with the crowd-pleasing “A Christmas Carol” by Brian Desmond Hurst, to complete your Classic Christmas movies marathon.
6. White Christmas (1954)
Another one of Bing Crosby’s hit, White Christmas is a musical drama that will have you groove to all its tunes. The film is centered on how a successful song-and-dance team become romantically involved with a sister act, and then they later team up in an effort to save the failing Vermont inn.
- Directed by: Michael Curtiz
- Starring: Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney
- Fun Fact: You can experience the larger-than-life movie at the Rosemary Clooney House in Augusta, Kentucky, where most of the movie props and costumes are on display.
The existence of two snowy Irving Berlin tales, both featuring Bing Crosby and set at General Waverly’s Inn— “White Christmas” (1954) and “Holiday Inn” (1942)—is a cinematic mystery we may never fully unravel. Instead, we consider it a cinematic gift from Santa, providing an excellent excuse for a double feature. Our preferred choice between the two, however, is the one where Crosby and Danny Kaye sing and dance to rescue their inn from closure.
7. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
A hand-drawn animated film, this slapstick comedy drama is the best movie for a light-watch on Christmas Eve. Deeply saddened at the commericalization of Christmas, Charlie Brown, the protagonist goes on a quest to find a deeper meaning to Christmas.
- Directed by: Bill Melendez
- Starring: Ann Altieri, Chris Doran, Sally Dryer
- Fun Fact: Producer of the film, Lee Mendelson wanted to add a laugh track to the film, but the creator of this special Bill Melendez refused for any such thing to happen.
Snoopy, Lucy, Linus, and those unmistakable Peanuts dance moves—the unmistakable signs that A Charlie Brown Christmas is on the horizon. Revisit the animated special that accompanied your childhood, witnessing your beloved introverted and contemplative comic strip character navigate the holiday’s distinctive commercialism in search of the genuine essence of Christmas.
8. Trading Places (1983)
A comedy satire, this film revolves around the lives of two very successful young men – one a snobbish investor, and another a con artist. Things take a turn when two hard-hearted millionaires bet them to switch places.
- Directed by: John Landis
- Starring: Eddie Murphy, Dan Aykroyd, Ralph Bellamy
- Fun Fact: For a long period of time, the restaurant the movie was shot at the Westin Hotel was called Winthorpe & Valentine, after the two main characters. The name was later changed to Lea Restaurant & Bar.
Numerous holiday films incorporate serendipitous twists, but Trading Places stands out as the lone one situated in the list of high finance. In this film, a charismatic street hustler (Murphy) and a preppy commodities broker (Dan Aykroyd) exchange places on a dare, revealing unexpected talents. Although not explicitly a Christmas-themed narrative, the movie unfolds during the holiday season and consistently secures its place among the finest Christmas-set comedies.
9. A Christmas Story (1983)
An eight-year-old trouble-maker wishes to be alone in the holidays. And in a twist of events, his wish does come true, and he is left home defending the fortress from two mischievous thieves. This holiday slapstick family drama comedy is one of the best watch for the holidays.
- Directed by: Chris Columbus
- Starring: Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern
- Fun Fact: Joe Pesci, one of the notorious thieves deliberately avoided Macaulay Culkin on the setes, because he wanted Culkin to think that he was mean.
Did Christmas truly unfold if Ralphie Parker didn’t passionately express his wish for an “official Red Ryder, carbine action, 200-shot, range model air rifle, with a compass in the stock and this thing that tells time”? Thanks in part to its 24-hour broadcasts on cable networks, it has become an unwritten tradition for everyone to tune into the Bob Clark narrative. The tale revolves around a 40s kid’s endeavor to persuade Santa to grant him a coveted BB gun.
11. Edward Scissorhands (1990)
The story is of a lonely, solitary, artificial man, an experiment of science if you will – Edward, who has scissors for hands. His life takes a turn when he is taken in by a subarban family.
- Directed by: Tim Burton
- Starring: Johnny Depp, Winona Ryder, Dianne Wiest
- Fun Fact: The houses that you see in the film were in fact a real community in Florida. They were kept completely unchanged, except for a bright exterior paint.
In Tim Burton’s unique holiday tale, a costumed Johnny Depp adds a touch of the strange and unusual to Christmas, making it a far cry from the traditional holly and jolly. The film concludes with one of the most enchanting and contemplative faux snowstorms in cinematic memory and ends up on our list of best classic Christmas movies.
Conclusion
So, which of these Classic Christmas movies have you watched? And which were you planning on binging this year?
As the echoes of familiar carols fade, the best leave us with more than just cinematic memories—they gift us timeless tales of love, joy, and the magic of the holiday season. From heart-warming journeys of self-discovery to adventures in winter wonderlands, these films are not mere entertainment but cherished traditions.
It’s a perfect way to dose off into the warm comfort with the people you love in front of a movie wrapped in nostalgia on the cold night of December. Like the light in the darkest winter nights, these classic Christmas movies are a reminder that, like the characters we adore, the spirit of Christmas resides in our hearts year after year. I hope you enjoy these movies and Merry Christmas!
