We are down to a few days until Christmas. Here at Geeky KOOL, we will throw in regular Christmas posts through Christmas. It will include lists, memories, and much more.
Here is my list of favorite traditional Christmas movies. This list doesn’t have any of the Holiday specials like Rodulf and Frosty because that list is being planned. These are straight Christmas movies.
10) The Muppet Christmas Carol
A Christmas Carol is one of the greatest Christmas stories. Charles Dickens published this on 1843. When it was originally written, ghost stories were a part of the Christmas tradition. There have been a ton of great movie versions over the years. One of my favorite is The Muppet Christmas Carol. Anytime you add the Muppets to anything, it always makes it fun for me.
9) Jingle All the Way
This Arnold movie is a Christmas film that may not be a classic but it is fun. Arnold promised to get his son a special action figure that is the toy of the year but totally forgets to get it until his wife reminds him. He goes out on Christmas eve to find a Turbo Man. In the process, he has an adventure that leads him dressing up as Turbo Man for the parade. This movie has the typical Arnold humor that plays well in the Christmas movie.
8) Ernest Saves Christmas
I love the Ernest movies. They are silly and crazy slapstick but always a good time. Ernest has to save Santa and help him find a replacement for him. This is my favorite Ernest movie. He does save Christmas after all… you know what I mean Vern?
7) It’s a Wonderful Life
I have always liked this movie. My wife found it to be too boring but she wasn’t expecting a period piece from 1946 that dives into George Baily’s life. It is a great classic where we learn how important one life can be to a whole community. This quote: “Look, Daddy. Teacher says, ‘every time a bell rings an angel gets his wings’.”
6) Scrooged
Here is another retelling of A Christmas Carol. Bill Murray brings his dark humor to this delightly fun version. This one is often forgotten by others. Murray is a self center television executive that meets the three Christmas ghosts and hilarity begins. Carol Kane is amazingly chaotic as the ghost of Christmas Present. New York Dolls lead singer David Johansen (aka Buster Poindexter) is also a riot. The humor of this movie causes me to laugh out loud every year.
5) Elf
Will Ferrell stars in the new classic Christmas movie. A baby crawls into Santa’s bag and ends up being raised by elves at the North Pole. Buddy treks back to New York to meet his real father and to work in a department store. Buddy has a childlike view of Christmas that annoys others but often pulls them in. He has to bring some holiday spirit back to the world to save Christmas. Buddy shows us that singing loudly for all to hear can help bring Christmas spirit.
4) The Santa Clause
I loved the tv show, Home Improvement. I was excited check out this movie when it hit theaters back in the day because Tim Allen is a lot of fun. This is great movie where Scott Calvin is a divorced father who wants to connect to his son. He accidently distracts Santa and he falls to his death. Scott takes over for Santa and becomes the new Santa. It is a blast watching his character develop and embrace his new role as Santa Claus. I love the time at North Pole and how the Elves look child like.
3) Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
The remake is really good but the original 1947 version of Miracle on 34th Street is my favorite. It brings the magic of Santa Claus to the screen in this is a heartwarming tale of a Macy’s Santa Claus who goes on trial. He claims to be the Real Santa Claus. This is wonderous movie from the golden age of movies. A very young Natalie Wood is the little girl, Susan Walker.
2) A Christmas Story
A Christmas Story was an instant classic that has such great quotable lines. Even though I didn’t grow up in the 40s, this movie is so relatable. I have had the bullies. We all had that group of friends that you knew would lead to fun and trouble. This story of late childhood for a group of boys resonates with me. It is clever and bright. It has numerous laugh out loud moments that still crack me up even though I quote it often.
1) Christmas Vacation
Here is my number one movie on my list. I love all of the Vacation movies. Christmas Vacation is my favorite of them all. I love the stunt gags and fun lines.
We have all had some relatives that might wrap up a cat or green jello with cat food. Who hasn’t wanted to cut down a tree right through the window of an annoying neighbor. Chevy Chase and the other quirky characters makes this movie. Everyone loves Cousin Eddie because we all have one of those in our family.
Stay Geeky!
