Christmas time is finally upon us. The perfect time of the year to sit back and switch on a wholesome film while you tuck into a box of chocolates.
As much as the festive season is about gift giving, the best part is lounging with a belly full of food whilst watching your favourite film.
But there are just so many to choose from, whether it be Die Hard of Home Alone, finding a film the whole family wants to watch can be a challenge.
Thanks to IMDb, MailOnline have collated a list of the Top Ten Christmas Films of all time – so you can don’t miss out on the must-see festive shows.
Did you favourite Christmas film make the list? Take a look and let us know.
10. Gremlins
Bagging the tenth spot for in IMDb’s best Christmas film list is Gremlins, with a rating of 7.3 out of 10
Gremlins may not be the first film that pops into your mind when you think of a Christmas classic, but according to IMDb the film just about made the cut
Gremlins may not be the first film that pops into your mind when you think of a Christmas classic, but according to IMDb the film just about made the cut.
The film kicks off with father and struggling inventor, Randall (Hoyt Axton), who is on the hunt for Christmas present for his son, Billy, the night before the big day.
Scurrying through Chinatown, New York, the father stumbles across a small fluffy creature called Mogwai.
The owner of the store vehemently refuses to hand over the little creature to Randall, quipping that it is not for sale.
However, in the elderly man’s absence, his grandson sells the mysterious animal to the inventor – urging him to keep three rules in mind: not to allow Mogwai into the light, do not let it touch water and NEVER feed it after midnight.
Randall gifts the animal, he names Gizmo to his son on Christmas Day – and chaos erupts in the homes soon after.
Multiple Gizmos spawn after water is spilt onto the cute animal, and they then convince Bllly (Zach Galligan) to feed them after midnight – unleashing numerous Gremlins and absolute catastrophe within the community.
IDMb gave comedy horror a 7.3 out of 10, whilst it also bagged a metascore – the average movie rating from the world’s most respected critics – of 70.
9. Elf
Elf is a festive feel good film, which is guaranteed to have the family in fits of laughter this Christmas, with funnyman Will Ferrell taking centre stage as Buddy The Elf (pictured 2003)
Believing himself to be an real elf, 6 foot plus Buddy is distraught to discover he is human. In a bid to find his only living parent, Walter, he heads to New York City
Although things go awry with his father, Buddy is forced to place it on the backburner when Santa crashes his sleigh and he is forced to save Christmas (pictured: Zooey Deschanel)
Up next in ninth place is a slightly more wholesome film for the festive season.
Directed by Jon Favreau and starring funnyman Will Ferrell, Elf is bound to have the family in stitches of laughter this Christmas time.
Buddy (Will Ferrell) escaped to the North Pole via Santa’s Christmas bag whilst he was in an orphanage in New York.
Growing up in the North Pole, cheerful Buddy is convinced he is an elf – despite his 6ft plus height.
His loyal guardian, Papa Elf, later confesses to Buddy that he is in fact, human, and even worse yet – his father is on the Naughty List.
On the pursuit to find his only living parent, Walter (James Caan), Buddy The Elf, makes the long and arduous journey to New York City.
Along the way he makes both friends and foes, and even manages to spark up a romance with Gambles co-worker Jovie (Zooey Deschanel).
When Santa crashes his sleigh in Central Park, Buddy must put his arguments with his father secondary and must focus on raising enough Christmas cheer to save the day.
IMDb handed the feel-good festive film a 7.1 rating, and it also achieved an average critic score of 66.
8. Miracle on 34th Street
This festive film may be pushing 60, but the fact it has still made the top ten list proves exactly how timeless this movie is
When Kris Kringle complains about a drunk Santa impersonator to events coordinator Doris, little does he know a more permanently role at Macy’s on 34th Street awaits him
But things go pear shaped, after staff accuse him of being unstable leading to a lengthy court battle (pictured: Natalie Wood as Susan and Edmund Green)
The festive film may be nearly 60 years old, but it still made the top ten Christmas list, proving how timeless this movie really is.
Miracle on 34th Street begins with Kris Kringle (Edmund Green), who becomes begrudged to find the man playing Santa in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, to be drunk.
After complaining to the coordinator of the event, Doris (Maureen O’Hara), he is convinced to take the intoxicated Santa’s place.
Taking to the role like a duck to water, Kris (John Payne) is offered a more permanent role as Santa in Macy’s on 34th Street.
Doris manages to persuade her neighbour, Fred Gailey – who is absolutely against fairytales of any kind – to take his daughter Susan (Natalie Wood) to visit Kris as Santa.
Susan is adamant Kris is actually Santa, after she overhears him speaking Dutch to another little girl, a belief he continues to fuel.
Threatened with dismissal by a concerned Doris, Kris is taunted by other employees, who convince him Granville Sawyer believes he is unstable.
He eventually confronts Granville, which quickly escalates into a tussle, where Kris hits him on the head with an umbrella.
After a worrisome turn of events, which includes a court trial and many arguments for and against the old man, a secret comes to light that shocks everyone.
The Christmas classic bagged an IDMb 7.9, with an incredible meta score of 88.
7. A Christmas Story
The hilarious 80s festive film, A Christmas Story, landed in seventh place, with stellar rating from IMDb of 7.7 out of 10 (pictured: Peter Bilingsley as Ralphie)
The movie centres an adult Ralphie Parker who is reflecting on the best Christmas gift he ever received (pictured left to right: Ian Petrella, Peter Brilinglsey, Scott Schwartz and R.D. Robb)
In a series of flashbacks to when he was a child, we see he hilariously breaks his glasses with a pellet and lies, fearing his air riffle may be taken away (pictured: Peter Bilingsley, 1983)
Directed by Bob Clark, the 1983 American Christmas comedy is a heartwarming film guaranteed to make your family chuckle this season.
At the heart of the movie, we are introduced to Ralphie Parker (Peter Bilingsley) who is reflecting on the best Christmas gift he ever received.
Flashing back to 1940, we see a 9-year-old Ralphie who desperately wants a Red Ryder Carbine Action air riffle for Christmas.
But, the suggestion is quickly shot down by his mother, his teacher and even a grumpy Santa Claus at a store, who even warned him that he would shoot his own ‘eye out’ with the weapon.
Ralphie is left disappointing when he fails to find the red air rifle among his gifts, but his father discreetly points to a final box hiding in the corner.
Filled with joy that he actually received the air riffle, Ralphie races to use it outside, but one of the BB pellets bounces off a surface and strikes away his glasses.
The young boy returns home and lies saying he an icicle broke his spectacles, fearing he would get in trouble with the truth.
The 80s Christmas movie scored a 7.9 rating from IDMb, and also bagged a fabulous metascore of 77.
6. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
With the holidays fast approaching, Clark Griswold (played by Chevy Chase in 1989, pictured) is desperate to have an absolutely perfect Christmas with his wife, Ellen and their children
L-R Johnny Galecki as Russel, Juliette Lewis as Audrey, Chevy Chase as Clark, Beverly D’Angelo as Ellen in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
But despite it all, the family still manage to have good Christmas even if it wasn’t as perfect as the father-of-two hoped for
Coming in sixth place on the best festive list is National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.
With the holidays fast approaching, Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) is desperate to have an absolutely perfect Christmas with his wife, Ellen (Beverly D’Angelo) and their children.
He wants the biggest tree, and abundance of lights, and for everything to be spot on – and will do anything to achieve it.
His incessant pestering begins to irritate his wife, and their arguments begin to not only annoy their children, but their own parents too.
Their holiday season quickly goes pear-shaped when Ellen’s country cousin, Eddie (Randy Quaid) unexpectedly arrives at their door.
Chaos quickly descends upon the house as their festive lights cause a power outage in town, their auntie’s cat is electrocuted during dinner, and their Christmas tree is burnt to a crisp.
Despite the catastrophe, the brood still manage to find a way to enjoy the day – even if it wasn’t as perfect as their father hoped.
The action-packed comedy landed a rating of 7.5, with a slightly measly average critics’ rating of 49.
5. Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer
The wholesome 1964 rendition of Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer managed to land halfway up the IMDb’s list for best Christmas films of all time (pictured 1964)
Rudolph is made to hide his poignant feature, but after his fake nose accidentally falls off, chaos quickly follows
The wholesome 1964 rendition of Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer managed to land halfway up the IMDb’s list for best Christmas films of all time.
Bagging an incredible IDMb rating of 8 out of 10, the wholesome starts off with Santa top reindeer, Donner (Paul Kligman), taking in a new fawn called Rudolph (Billie Mae Richards).
Much to he and his wife’s surprise, the youngster was born with a glowing red honker.
They initially try to cover the nose with mud, later resorting to a fake nose to hide Rudolph’s stand-out feature.
As he grows up Rudolph is drafted by Santa for sleigh duty, during this time he also meets a fellow reindeer Clarice (Janice Orenstein).
In an unfortunate turn of events, Rudolph’s faux nose falls from his face as he jumps with joy after Clarice calls him cute.
The youngster then runs away with mischevious elf, Hermey (Paul Soles), venturing across the globe to the Island of Misfit Toys.
To his horror, Rudolph discovers Clarice has been taken hostage by the Abominable Snowman, and is forced – alongside his elf sidekick – to face off the monster to save his love interest.
4. Home Alone
It would not be a Top Ten Christmas movie list, without one of the most iconic festive films of all time – Home Alone
The smash 90s hit centres around mischievous Kevin (Macaulay Culkin) who is left home alone after his family leave for Paris without him
After realising she forgot her youngest child mid-flight to Paris, Kate heads straight back to Chicago (pictured: Catherine O’Hara as Kate, and Macaulay Culkin, 1990)
It would not be a Top Ten Christmas movie list, without one of the most iconic festive films of all time – Home Alone.
The smash 90s hit centres around mischievous Kevin (Macaulay Culkin) who is set to go on holiday with his family to Paris.
But the troublesome child forgets to wake up in time, and with an enormous brood of children in the McAllister clan – cousins and siblings alike – Kevin’s absence seemingly goes unnoticed until they are mid-air.
Whilst in a tizzy mid-flight his mother, Kate (Catherine O’Hara), famously screams : ‘Kevin’, but back home in Chicago scenes are remarkably calmer.
A young Kevin wakes up to an empty house, and seems to believe his wildest dreams have finally come true.
But it all comes to a head when the home is targeted by a pair of clumsy robbers – Harry (Joe Pesci) and Marv (Daniel Stern).
Whilst Kate battles the chaotic Christmas traffic to make it home to her son, Kevin is forced to protect his family home with a bunch of hilarious but cleverly thought out and painful tricks.
Achieving fourth place on the festive list, IMDb rated the iconic film 7.7 out of 10, and it also boasts an average critic score of 63.
3. Scrooge
You can’t mention Christmas without one of Charles Dickens’ most famous tales – A Christmas Carol (pictured: Alastair Sim as Ebenezeer Scrooge, 1951)
A warning from his deceased ex business partner, Jacob Marley, as well as visits from the Ghost Of Christmas Past, Present and Future manage to change Scrooge’s perception on life
You can’t mention Christmas without one of Charles Dickens’ most famous tales – A Christmas Carol.
There are many TV and film adaptations of the iconic festive story, but according to IMDb it’s the 1951 rendition of Scrooge is the best.
Just in case you don’t know how the tale goes, a selfish and frugal Ebeneezer Scrooge (Alastair Sim) outright refuses to celebrate Christmas – at all.
He adamantly opts not to give any donations to two businessmen collecting money for the poor and also hits out at his nephew, Fred (Brian Worth) for inviting him over for dinner.
In the dark of night, his late business partner, Jacob Marley (Michael Hordern), eerily appears covered in chains from the shadows, warning the grumpy old man to change his ways or he too will spend the afterlife in chains.
Scrooge is visited by three ghosts throughout the night, Ghost Of Christmas Past, Present and Future.
All three show him the different aspects of his life that he fails to see, displaying to him the true meaning of life is the people we care about – not money or material things.
After being shown a dreary future by the Ghost Of Christmas Future, where Tiny Tim (Glyn Dearman) passes away, and Scrooge is dead and all is left is people selling his items – the dreary businessman begs the ominous spirit for his life back.
Scrooge’s outlook on life dramatically changes following his supernatural experience, as he gleefully returns to his life, raising the salary of his employees, and helping Tiny Tim and his family.
The Christmas classic achieved bronze medal status on IMDb’s festive list, bagging an immense rating of 8.8 out of 10.
2. Die Hard
Many enjoy debating whether Die Hard is a festive film or not, but according to IMDb’s list – it most definitely is (pictured: Bruce Willis as John McClane, 1988)
New York City policeman John McClane finds himself in a tricky situation when he realises he is the only one that can save the people at his estranged wife’s work party from terrorist
When push comes to shove, he is forced face off with main villain, Hans Gruber, in a bid to save his wife Holly (pictured: Alan Rickman as Hans Gruber and Bonnie Bedelia as Holly)
Landing the second spot on the list is a slightly more controversial ‘Christmas’ film.
Many enjoy debating whether Die Hard is a festive film or not, but according to IMDb’s list – it most definitely is.
New York City policeman John McClane (Bruce Willis) heads to his estranged wife – Holly’s (Bonnie Bedelia) – home to visit his two daughters on Christmas Eve.
The cop decides to join his wife as she heads for her works Christmas party at Nakatomi Plaza, named aptly after the company – Nakatomi Organisation.
However, things quickly go awry when a group of terrorists crash the festivities in a bid to steal $640 billion in bearer bonds that are completely untraceable.
It soon dawns on John that there is no one else in the building to save the hostages but him.
The action-packed film sees him face off with main villain, Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman), in a bid to save Holly.
The hit heart-racing 80s film, landed a phenomenal 8.2 rating from IDMb, alongside a metascore of 72.
1. It’s A Wonderful Life
Taking the crown for BEST Christmas film of all time is It’s A Wonderful Life, which sees New Yorker George Bailey consider ending it all
But in a positive turn of events, he is saved by his guardian angel, Clarence who shows him all the good deeds he has done throughout his life
Coming out top of the list is one of the emotional festive movies of all time – It’s A Wonderful Life.
Poll
What is your favourite Christmas movie of ALL time?
- Gremlins 0 votes
- Elf 2 votes
- Miracle on 34th Street 1 votes
- A Christmas Story 0 votes
- National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation 2 votes
- Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer 0 votes
- Home Alone 3 votes
- Scrooge 1 votes
- Die Hard 2 votes
- It’s A Wonderful Life 2 votes
Now share your opinion
New Yorker, George Bailey (James Stewart) has faced one hurdle after the other, and is contemplating ending it all.
He sees no possible way out after his employee, Billy (Thomas Mitchell), loses a huge amount of money from the company, leading to a scandal.
But the prayers of his George’s loved ones reach the pearly gates of heaven, and are quickly answered.
As he prepares to take his own life, he ends up saving his guardian angel, Clarence (Henry Travers), in the process, who goes on to show him all the good deeds he has done throughout his life.
The main kind-event being, George saving his brother, Harry, (Todd Karns) from drowning when he was 12 years of age.
While, he spends time with Clarence, his wife, Mary (Donna Reed) and Billy gather the townspeople to make donations so that they can front the missing cash.
His younger brother hails George the ‘richest man in town’ upon his return, and he is left with a copy of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer from his guardian angel.
Within the book, Clarence wrote: ‘Remember, no man is a failure who has friends. Thanks for the wings!’
As the bell rings, George’s daughter Zuzu (Karolyn Grimes) claims that an angel gains their wings with every chime, to which the father glances up at the sky and exclaims: ‘Atta boy, Clarence!’
IMDb scored the Christmas classic a stellar 8.6 out of 10, with a phenomenal metascore of 89 to boot.
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