Greatest Christmas Specials
This is a list of the greatest Christmas specials of all-time! This includes feature-length films, short films, made-for-tv movies, tv episodes, and tv specials.
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- DirectorBob ClarkStarsPeter BillingsleyMelinda DillonDarren McGavinIn the 1940s, a young boy named Ralphie Parker attempts to convince his parents, teacher, and Santa Claus that a Red Ryder Range 200 Shot BB gun really is the perfect Christmas gift.Christmas and youth depicted through the eyes of a man remembering his childhood, A Christmas Story is the greatest Christmas film of all-time and features everything that makes Christmas a wonderful time of year.
- DirectorFrank CapraStarsJames StewartDonna ReedLionel BarrymoreAn angel is sent from Heaven to help a desperately frustrated businessman by showing him what life would have been like if he had never existed.Easily the most inspirational film of all time, It's A Wonderful Life is essential holiday viewing if only because the third act alone reminds us the joys of the holidays, family, and life, while the rest of the film reminds of the struggles to get there, thus making it all the more fulfilling by the final singing of "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" and "Auld Lang Syne."
- DirectorLarry RoemerStarsBillie Mae RichardsBurl IvesLarry D. MannA young reindeer Rudolph lives at the North Pole. His father is one of Santa's reindeer and it is expected that Rudolph will eventually be one too. However, he has a feature which is a setback and causes him to be ostracized: his red nose.Narrated by Burl Ives, this Christmas classic features great Christmas imagery, wonderful voice performances, great songs, and a profound sense of the Christmas magic.
- DirectorJeremiah S. ChechikStarsChevy ChaseBeverly D'AngeloJuliette LewisThe Griswold family's plans for a big family Christmas predictably turn into a big disaster.Clark Griswald's desire to have a fun old-fashioned family Christmas may just drive his family crazy, but it's certainly going to amuse and entertain the audience to a hysterical fit of laughter--and may even touch them with a good feeling of the true spirit of Christmas.
- DirectorMark SandrichRobert AllenStarsBing CrosbyFred AstaireMarjorie ReynoldsAt an inn which is open only on holidays, a crooner and a hoofer vie for the affections of a beautiful up-and-coming performer.Though not really about Christmas... Holiday Inn nevertheless is about the glorious feelings that the holidays deliver and introduces the world to "White Christmas."
- DirectorBill MelendezStarsAnn AltieriChris DoranSally DryerDepressed at the commercialism he sees around him, Charlie Brown tries to find a deeper meaning to Christmas.A very simple animated tale starring Charlie Brown that relies on the music, characters, and simple story to get its meaningful message of the spirit of Christmas across.
- DirectorJules BassArthur Rankin Jr.StarsFred AstaireMickey RooneyKeenan WynnA mailman reveals the origin of Santa Claus.With Mickey Rooney doing a great vocal performance as the titular Santa Claus, this Rankin/Bass retelling of the origins of Santa may be farfetched, but is nonetheless full of the Christmas spirit we would expect to get out of a Rankin/Bass Christmas production.
- DirectorBrian Desmond HurstStarsAlastair SimJack WarnerKathleen HarrisonEbenezer Scrooge, a curmudgeonly, miserly businessman, has no time for sentimentality and largely views Christmas as a waste of time. However, this Christmas Eve, he will be visited by three spirits who will show him the error of his ways.Alastair Sim gives perhaps the greatest performances of Ebenezer Scrooge in this 1951 film adaptation of A Christmas Carol. Full of subtlety most versions miss in the tale as well as the payoff of the ending, this is the best version of A Christmas Carol I have seen to date.
- DirectorGeorge SeatonStarsEdmund GwennMaureen O'HaraJohn PayneAfter a divorced New York mother hires a nice old man to play Santa Claus at Macy's, she is startled by his claim to be the genuine article. When his sanity is questioned, a lawyer defends him in court by arguing that he's not mistaken.A great and touching film about a sweet old man claiming to be the one and only Santa Claus--and about the people he changes in the process.
- DirectorMike FarrellStarsAlan AldaMike FarrellHarry MorganWhile local orphans attend a Christmas party in the mess tent, Hawkeye, B.J., and Margaret try to delay the death of a critically injured solider so that his family won't think of Christmas as the day that their father died.My favorite episode of M*A*S*H because it demonstrates literally everything that made the show great. In this extremely touching episode, the doctors are determined to keep a soldier from dying on Christmas so his children won't remember the holiday as the day their daddy died. Meanwhile, seemingly Scrooge-ish Winchester attempts to keep up a special Christmas tradition, and learns a valuable lesson in the process. The performances are top notch in this episode and the ending is especially emotional.
- DirectorJohn BirkinStarsRowan AtkinsonMatilda ZieglerC.J. AllenChristmas adventures of Mr. Bean include shopping, Christmas Eve at home, and preparing the Christmas turkey.Funny and touching, Mr. Bean celebrates the season in his own special way. Full of one clever sight gag after another, this special should be viewed by everyone--even if they haven't seen the show.
- DirectorBrian HensonStarsMichael CaineDave GoelzSteve WhitmireThe Muppets present their own touching rendition of Charles Dickens' classic tale.Michael Caine is Scrooge and the Muppets pick up the supporting roles in this unique retelling of the Dickens tale. Full of heart and great songs, this is a welcomed entry into both the Muppets' filmography and Christmas Carol adaptations.
- DirectorTrey ParkerStarsTrey ParkerMatt StoneMary Kay BergmanMr. Hankey hosts a collection of Christmas songs sung by South Park characters.A relatively simple episode where we just get a bunch of hilarious holiday songs sung by the characters of South Park. However, the ending is particularly touching as the cast sings "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" while giving tribute to a cast member of the show who had passed away earlier in the season.
- DirectorChristian CarionStarsDiane KrugerBenno FürmannGuillaume CanetIn December 1914, an unofficial Christmas truce on the Western Front allows soldiers from opposing sides of the First World War to gain insight into each other's way of life.The audience really believes that peace is possible to accomplish in this highly underrated film about how three armies call a mutual ceasefire for the celebration of Christmas. Powerful and emotionally thought-provoking, this film is an essential Christmas viewing.
- DirectorSarah SmithBarry CookStarsJames McAvoyJim BroadbentBill NighySanta's clumsy son Arthur sets out on a mission with Grandsanta to give out a misplaced present to a young girl in less than two hours on Christmas Day.It’s definitely an atypical Christmas special, but it’s also very funny, quite adventurous, and works well at mixing the old with the new.
- DirectorChris ColumbusStarsMacaulay CulkinJoe PesciDaniel SternAn eight-year-old troublemaker, mistakenly left home alone, must defend his home against a pair of burglars on Christmas Eve.The heart of a child and a performance by Macaulay Culkin before he became a marketing tool elevates this slapstick comedy to refreshing heights--complete with a wonderful message about being with family for the holidays.
- DirectorJack SmightStarsArt CarneyJohn FiedlerRobert P. LiebAfter a derelict Santa Claus is fired on Christmas Eve, he finds a mysterious bag that gives out presents. With this bag he sets out to fulfill his one wish - to see the less fortunate inherit the bounties of Christmas.When a mall Santa gets fired on Christmas Eve for being drunk, he finds a magic bag that always gives the correct gift. This touching episode of The Twilight Zone exhibits great writing and a lot of heart, praising those who give their hearts to the Christmas season.
- DirectorClive DonnerStarsGeorge C. ScottFrank FinlayAngela PleasenceA bitter old miser who rationalizes his uncaring nature learns real compassion when three spirits visit him on Christmas Eve.George C. Scott’s performance as Scrooge is arguably one of the greatest portrayals of the character in history and his performance, as well as a great deal of the minor actors’ performances, help make this made-for-TV version of the story among the best, in spite of some mundane directorial efforts.
- DirectorAlan AldaStarsAlan AldaMike FarrellHarry MorganIt's Christmas time in Korea, and everybody's depressed--especially Father Mulcahy, who is concerned that he isn't making a difference to anyone.When the M*A*S*H camp priest, Father Mulcahy, feels his lack of usefulness during during the holiday season, the rest of the camp ultimately show him how much they do need him. It's an uplifting and powerful episode, showing the strength of the show on full display.
- 1990–199623mTV-PG7.4 (643)TV EpisodeDirectorShelley JensenStarsWill SmithJames AveryDaphne ReidBaby Nicky is being christened on Christmas Eve. Will tells everyone he is going to get the music group Boyz II Men to perform.Will promises that a hip band will sing at his cousin's christening and determines to see his promise through to the end. The episode is set at Christmas and features some great music, a good message, and one of the best endings to any Fresh Prince episode ever.
- 1985–199230mTV-PG7.5 (408)TV EpisodeDirectorTerry HughesStarsBea ArthurBetty WhiteRue McClanahanThe girls volunteer at a homeless shelter on Christmas day and learn that Stan has been thrown out on the streets by his current wife.The message about the unfortunate during the holidays is a little heavy-handed, but this episode of The Golden Girls has more heart in it than most films and specials do. It's a wonderful episode about what the misfortunate go through during the holiday season.
- DirectorMatt StoneTrey ParkerStarsMary Kay BergmanJennifer HowellJesse Brant HowellThe town is forced to remove anything that either has anything to do with Christmas or is offensive in the least bit to anyone. And Kyle tries to convince everyone of the existence of "Mr. Hankey, the Christmas Poo."The rare South Park episode that gives a straight Christmas moral rather than an anti-message. It's all about censoring aspects of Christmas based on religious and personal views instead of enjoying the lovable holiday for what it is--and by the end, they manage to do just that.
- DirectorChuck JonesBen WashamStarsBoris KarloffJune ForayDal McKennonA grumpy hermit hatches a plan to steal Christmas from the Whos of Whoville.Eh. I feel like I saw this too many times as a kid and it doesn't really hold up with multiple viewings. Even so.... its message, performances, imagery, and songs ooze of the holiday season and remind us what it's all about.
- DirectorMichael CurtizStarsBing CrosbyDanny KayeRosemary ClooneyA successful song-and-dance team become romantically involved with a sister act and team up to save the failing Vermont inn of their former commanding general.Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye star in this Christmas classic as a pair of entertainers who must save the hotel of an old officer of theirs from their army days. There actually aren't a whole lot of events or songs that have to do with Christmas in this film, but the spirit of the holiday is what supports it.
- 1988–19991h 37mTV-148.2 (806)TV EpisodeDirectorJim MallonStarsTrace BeaulieuJoel HodgsonJim MallonJoel and the Bots take on the infamous Christmas classic "Santa Claus Conquers the Martians (1964)," in which a group of martians kidnap Santa Claus because they have no one on Mars to give their children presents. The crew performs the pinnacle Christmas carol.A typically hilarious episode of MST3K. The cast riffs on one of the worst Christmas films ever made, and the result is one heck of a good time. Also, the cast invents some special toys to be sent to The Island Of Misfit Toys.
- DirectorGene ReynoldsStarsAlan AldaWayne RogersMcLean StevensonHawkeye writes his dad, describing the antics of the 4077th.M*A*S*H is my all-time favorite show and nothing shows why more-so than the Christmas episodes. In this one, Hawkeye writes home to his dad about different events that happen during Christmas at the M*A*S*H--including when he dresses up as Santa Claus to entertain children but must chopper in to help a wounded soldier.
- 1985–199230mTV-PG7.8 (591)TV EpisodeDirectorTerry HughesStarsBea ArthurBetty WhiteRue McClanahanThe girls all plan to visit their respective families for Christmas, but their plans are ruined when they are held hostage by a man dressed as Santa Claus at the Grief Counseling Center.When a Santa Claus holds the girls hostage on Christmas Eve, it looks like Sofia, Dorothy, Blanche, and Rose might not be able to make it to their families for Christmas. It's a very funny episode and deserves a viewing for the holidays.
- DirectorJim MallonStarsTrace BeaulieuMichael J. NelsonJim MallonMike and the bots watch Santa Claus mess around with a devil while trying to deliver gifts and then sing politically correct holiday songs.The MST3K crew riffs a particularly horrible Christmas film, sent to us all the way from Mexico. The film is about a demon named Pitch who has a "battle" with Santa Claus Christmas Eve. The riffing is one of the best of the series, and the episode is a delight for its hilarious jokes.
- DirectorJoe RothStarsTim AllenJamie Lee CurtisDan AykroydWith their daughter, Blair, away in Peru, Luther and Nora Krank decide to skip Christmas all together until she decides to come home, causing an uproar when they have to celebrate it at the last minute.Can't really defend even to myself liking this film. It's poorly written, poorly photographed, poorly acted, misses pretty much all of its laughs, and even skews the message it's trying to send. But in spite of all that, there's something about the charm of this picture that keeps bringing me back. I acknowledge, however, that I'm probably alone in this.
- DirectorTrey ParkerStarsTrey ParkerMatt StoneMona MarshallWhen an attempt to bring Christmas to Iraq turns disastrous, the boys head to Iraq with Jesus and Mr. Hankey to save Santa from terrorists.When Cartman realizes he has been too naughty to receive any Christmas presents, he convinces the other boys and Santa Claus to bring Christmas to the Middle East. Like Die Hard, this episode of South Park combines the spirit of Christmas with a certain level of bad-a**ery.
- DirectorTrey ParkerStarsTrey ParkerMatt StoneDante AlexanderStan helps a group of woodland critters by killing a mountain lion, only to discover that he's helping them give birth to the Antichrist.Perhaps the only Christmas special to have Satan in a pivotal role, this is one episode that nails one laugh after another while keeping the audience guessing from start to finish.
- DirectorJeff MeyerStarsRay RomanoPatricia HeatonBrad GarrettRay is so shattered when he discovers that the autographed Mickey Mantle baseball his father gave him as a child is a fake, that he wants to tell Ally that there is no Santa Claus.When Ray discovers an autographed baseball his father gave him when he was a kid is a fake, Ray vows to be completely honest about everything to his children--even with the truth about Santa Claus. With a subtle message about the morality of lying to children, this episode succeeds with the laughs and themes of the holiday season.
- DirectorErnst LubitschStarsMargaret SullavanJames StewartFrank MorganTwo employees at a gift shop can barely stand each other, without realizing that they are falling in love through the post as each other's anonymous pen pal.James Stewart and Margaret Sullivan fall in love as pen pals, but don't realize that their real-life counterparts hate each other at the shop where they work. Most of the plot takes place at Christmas and culminates in a very spirited and touching getting together for the two leads.
- DirectorWilfred JacksonStarsAllan WatsonKenny BakerA narrator sings the opening stanzas of the classic poem while we see the house at rest. Santa lands on the roof, comes down the chimney, and opens his bag. The toys march out and decorate the tree, with the toy soldiers shooting balls from their cannon, a toy airplane stringing a garland like skywriting, and the toy firemen applying snow. A blimp delivers the star to the top. Meanwhile, Santa fills the stockings. His laughter awakens the children, who sneak out. The toys rush to their places, and Santa escapes up the chimney just in time. The closing verse is sung.This animated short by Wilfred Jackson is such a cute and cozy little special that it’s nearly impossible not to like. Santa visits a home on Christmas Eve and the toys come to life and have fun decorating the room and getting into place in this 1933 sequel to “Santa’s Workshop.”
- DirectorEdwin L. MarinStarsReginald OwenGene LockhartKathleen LockhartAn elderly miser learns the error of his ways on Christmas Eve.Reginald Owen plays the coveted Scrooge character in this version of A Christmas Carol. It has plenty of heart and was one of the first versions of the tale to expand more on the themes behind the story.
- DirectorSteve ZuckermanStarsRay RomanoPatricia HeatonBrad GarrettWhen Ray gives his parents an engraved toaster for Christmas, they exchange it right away without even opening it.When Raymond's mom returns a toaster he got for her for Christmas, Raymond reveals that the toaster had a special inscription to her from him and the family. A typically funny Everybody Loves Raymond episode with all the cheer, laughter, and heart that can be expected from the show.
- DirectorBilly WilderStarsJack LemmonShirley MacLaineFred MacMurrayA Manhattan insurance clerk tries to rise in his company by letting its executives use his apartment for trysts, but complications and a romance of his own ensue.Jack Lemmon stars as a young man who climbs the corporate ladder at work by lending his apartment out to his bosses for their affairs. All goes wrong when he finds one of his boss's suicidal mistress ODing in his bedroom on Christmas Eve and he falls in love with her. This film is uncompromisingly funny, romantic, sweet, and homey in spite of some very dark themes.
- DirectorJon FavreauStarsWill FerrellJames CaanBob NewhartRaised as an oversized elf, Buddy travels from the North Pole to New York City to meet his biological father, Walter Hobbs, who doesn't know he exists and is in desperate need of some Christmas spirit.Will Ferrell gives probably his most charming and energetic performance in this film about a man who claims to be one of Santa's elves and also the long-lost son of a children's books publisher.
- DirectorWilfred JacksonStarsPinto ColvigWalt DisneyHarriette HaddonSanta's little helpers must hurry to finish the toys before Christmas Day.In 1932, Wilfred Jackson created this little animated short that shows a pretty inventive and cute look into the work of Santa and his elves as he gets ready for his sleigh ride on Christmas Eve.
- DirectorHenry KosterStarsCary GrantLoretta YoungDavid NivenA debonair angel comes to Earth to help an Episcopalian bishop and his wife in their quest to raise money for the new church.This multi Oscar-nominated film stars Cary Grant, Loretta Young, and David Niven in a tale about an angel who helps out a bishop during the holiday season.
- DirectorTerry ZwigoffStarsBilly Bob ThorntonBernie MacLauren GrahamA miserable conman and his partner pose as Santa and his Little Helper to rob department stores on Christmas Eve. But they run into problems when the conman befriends a troubled kid.A bleak, uncompromising, and hilarious bad-guy-during-Christmas story that both uplifts and downlifts at the same time with equal effect. May not be for the whole family, but the older kids will definitely enjoy its antiholiday charms.
- DirectorAdrien BeardStarsTrey ParkerMatt StoneIsaac HayesWhen everyone in South Park decides to forgo presents and celebrate a non-materialistic holiday season, the boys try to bring the spirit of commercialism back to Christmas by making an animated film.The commercialism is being sucked out of Christmas in favor of just peace and love in this hilarious South Park Christmas episode. The boys must make an animated special to put the commercialism back into Christmas to ensure that they get presents Christmas Day.
- DirectorPeter GodfreyStarsBarbara StanwyckDennis MorganSydney GreenstreetA food writer who has lied about being the perfect housewife must try to cover her deception when her boss and a returning war hero invite themselves to her home for a traditional family Christmas.A magazine columnist who writes about country living and her lovely family must host a lonely soldier for Christmas at her country home. The problem: she's single and lives in an apartment in the city. Naturally, hijinks ensue as she must keep up the image of her country life while falling in love with the soldier.
- DirectorJimmy T. MurakamiDianne JacksonStarsDavid BowieRaymond BriggsMel SmithOn Christmas Eve, a young boy builds a snowman that comes to life and takes him to the North Pole to meet Father Christmas.The Snowman is a magical and silent tale about a boy who finds a snowman who comes to life and takes him to a place where there are even more live snowmen gathering. It's a very charming tale of Christmas magic.
- 2005– 43mTV-MA9.2 (5.4K)TV EpisodeDirectorFred SavageStarsCharlie DayGlenn HowertonRob McElhenneyDennis and Dee decide to teach Frank a lesson "A Christmas Carol"-style, and Mac and Charlie learn some shocking things about their childhood Christmas traditions.The ever-hilarious series gets into the Christmas spirit with this crass, crazy, uncomfortable, and blisteringly funny special that does, in fact, have a good bit of heart to it.
- DirectorPaul BogartStarsCarroll O'ConnorJean StapletonRob ReinerArchie explodes with anger when he discovers that Mike has invited his draft dodger friend to the family's Christmas dinner, where the guest of honor is Archie's close friend, a gold star father whose son was killed in Vietnam.This is a great Christmas episode about the Bunker family (somewhat accidentally) hosting a dinner for a pair of guests--one who left the country to avoid the draft and one who lost a son in the war. It's a tense and still funny episode with one twist after another.
- DirectorEric StoughStarsTrey ParkerMatt StoneMary Kay BergmanStan, Kyle and Kenny go to Nebraska to spend Christmas with Eric's family. Meanwhile, Charlie Manson escapes from prison with Eric's uncle, and the boys help teach him the true meaning of Christmas.When the boys visit Cartman's family for Christmas, they meet an escaped Charlie Manson who, after watching Christmas specials, ultimately turns good. It's a funny, though perhaps not totally unique, take on the old Grinch and Scrooge storylines.
- DirectorRobert ZemeckisStarsJim CarreyGary OldmanColin FirthAn animated retelling of Charles Dickens' classic novel about a Victorian-era miser taken on a journey of self-redemption, courtesy of several mysterious Christmas apparitions.The only reason why I'm okay with the motion-capture in this film is because it allows Jim Carrey to play Scrooge--which is a great idea. The plot is really meandering at times, but the visuals are wonderful, and the performances are pretty spot-on.
- DirectorCatherine HardwickeStarsKeisha Castle-HughesShohreh AghdashlooOscar IsaacA drama that focuses on the period in Mary and Joseph's life where they journeyed to Bethlehem for the birth of Jesus.Mildly underrated film, in my opinion. This film shows the Nativity in a pretty magical light. It lacks a lot, but the heart of the film is still fairly strong.
- DirectorJules BassArthur Rankin Jr.StarsJackie VernonBilly De WolfeJimmy DuranteA living snowman and a little girl struggle to elude a greedy magician who is after the snowman's magic hat.Lively and full of magic, Frosty The Snowman is a very memorable TV special by Rankin/Bass--complete with a pretty cool third act.
- DirectorJalmari HelanderStarsJorma TommilaOnni TommilaPeeter JakobiIn the depths of the Korvatunturi mountains, 486 meters deep, lies the closest ever guarded secret of Christmas. The time has come to dig it up. This Christmas everyone will believe in Santa Claus.Eloquently binding Christmas horror with Christmas comedy, Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale's unique spin on the mythology of Santa Claus surprisingly works, though certainly not a film for everyone.
- DirectorGary HalvorsonStarsRay RomanoPatricia HeatonBrad GarrettRay gets Debra a really great present for Christmas so she'll agree to let him go golfing.When Ray tries to one-up his wife's gift for Christmas in the hopes of her letting him go on a weekend golfing trip, the two must confront the real reason why they buy each other such elaborate gifts in the first place. This episode is all about the philosophy behind gift-giving and, as usual for the show, gets plenty of laughs.
- DirectorJules BassArthur Rankin Jr.StarsShirley BoothMickey RooneyDick ShawnWhen a weary and discouraged Santa Claus considers skipping his Christmas Eve run one year, Mrs. Claus and his elves set out to change his mind.My least favorite of the most popular Rankin/Bass Christmas specials, but still has some very memorable scenes and as long as Mickey Rooney is playing Santa Claus, I can't complain too much.
- DirectorPreston A. Whitmore IIStarsRegina KingColumbus ShortDelroy LindoA Christmastime drama centered around the Whitfield family's first holiday together in four years.If you can get passed a lot of the clichés that a lot of critics had problems with, This Christmas is, in fact, pretty heart-warming and has a decent message.
- DirectorJohn PasquinStarsTim AllenJudge ReinholdWendy CrewsonWhen a man inadvertently makes Santa fall off his roof on Christmas Eve, he finds himself magically recruited to take his place.Tim Allen turns into Santa Claus after accidentally scaring the first Santa Claus off the roof of his house. Pretty magical film, but ultimately overshadowed by a pair of horrifyingly awful sequels. Even so, this original is definitely worth a watch.
- 1996–200523mTV-PG7.8 (509)TV EpisodeDirectorJeff MeyerStarsRay RomanoPatricia HeatonBrad GarrettOn Christmas Day, Ray tries to have sex with Debra.It's Christmas and Ray and his wife try to find time to make whoopie while the family is trying to have a lovely Christmas Day.
- DirectorJohn McTiernanStarsBruce WillisAlan RickmanBonnie BedeliaA New York City police officer tries to save his estranged wife and several others taken hostage by terrorists during a Christmas party at the Nakatomi Plaza in Los Angeles.Bruce Willis kicks a** on Christmas Eve. 'Nuff said.
- DirectorDerek WatersJeremy KonnerStarsAllan McLeodEllie CulpA.J. CulpThe poem The Night Before Christmas recited by a drunken Allan McLeod; enacted by some friends.The Drunk History gang has a blast having a narrator recite the poem “’Twas the Night Before Christmas” while intoxicated. Jim Carrey and Ryan Gosling star in this side-splittingly funny short comedy.
- DirectorHenry EdwardsStarsSeymour HicksDonald CalthropRobert CochranEbenezer Scrooge is a mean old miser who wants nothing to do with Christmas. The Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come visit Scrooge on Christmas Eve, taking him on a journey into the very spirit and magic of Christmas itself.Seymour Hicks plays Scrooge in this 1935 version of the classic tale. His version of Scrooge lacks a little bit of the depth that later interpretations would have, but even the film's weaknesses can be made up for just by having the story of the classic firmly in place.
- DirectorRobert ZemeckisStarsTom HanksChris CoppolaMichael JeterOn Christmas Eve, a young boy embarks on a magical adventure to the North Pole on the Polar Express, while learning about friendship, bravery, and the spirit of Christmas.The humans look scary (just use live actors!) and the songs feel forced, out of place, and (honestly) not very good, but The Polar Express is still very thrilling and has some great atmosphere. By the end of the film, the spirit and message of the holiday still comes out brightly.
- DirectorTom OwensStarsJay BaruchelGerard ButlerCraig FergusonHiccup and Toothless discover an island of never-before-seen dragons.This direct-to-DVD short comes from the How to Train Your Dragon universe. It’s not exactly about Christmas… Instead, the characters celebrate a fictional holiday that is virtually identical to Christmas in most regards. The short has a lot of effort put into it—especially in regards to the animation and writing, both of which could have been (and usually are for these kinds of direct-to-DVD shorts) phoned-in, but instead the creators went the extra mile to make sure the special looks good and lacks cheesiness. It’s rare that this kind of short works, but it manages to capture the tone and spirit and cheer of the holidays where most others would just collapse.
- DirectorPeter HarrisEric TillStarsFrank OzDave GoelzRichard HuntFozzie Bear surprises his mother on Christmas Eve by bringing the entire Muppet gang to her farm to celebrate the holidays.Pretty cheesy, but all of our favorite muppets (and more) come together for a celebration of the holidays in this fairly underrated TV special.
- 2011– 22mTV-147.8 (1.1K)TV EpisodeDirectorAnthony ChunStarsH. Jon BenjaminDan MintzEugene Mirman'Tis the season for strange holiday mannequins.Zach Galifianakis guest stars in this off-kilter episode of Bob’s Burgers in which a man is convinced he was once a store mannequin and helps out Bob’s family during the Christmas season by making fantastic window displays that help bring in customers. The episode has some great gags and a few surprises on the way.
- DirectorTony CraigBobs GannawayBurny MattinsonStarsCarlos AlazraquiWayne AllwineTony AnselmoMickey and all his friends hold their own Christmas party at the House of Mouse, after being snowed in.Though I had a lot of problems with the editing and pacing (ADD, much?), this one is actually a surprisingly fun little special. It includes the classic "Pluto's Christmas Tree" short, a terrific Christmas short, and the "Mickey's Christmas Carol" short film, which is decent but not perfect. It also includes a Mickey Mouse retelling of the Nutcracker story, which I assume was an original short made for this special. Overall, the special is surprisingly funny at times, and some of the cameos are handled well (albeit, not all of them). There are better Christmas variety efforts, but this one isn't bad.
- DirectorArnaud DesplechinStarsCatherine DeneuveJean-Paul RoussillonMathieu AmalricThe troubled Vuillard family is no stranger to illness, grief, and banishment, but when their matriarch requires a bone-marrow transplant, the estranged clan reunites just in time for Christmas.One of the rare Christmas dramas that works really well, though not entirely a Christmas film.
- DirectorSylvester StalloneStarsSylvester StalloneTalia ShireBurt YoungRocky Balboa proudly holds the world heavyweight boxing championship, but a new challenger has stepped forward: Drago, a six-foot-four, 261-pound fighter who has the backing of the Soviet Union.Rocky boxes a Russian on Christmas after the death of his good friend. Plenty of snow to go around--as well as a message at the end of how we should all try to get along, which is perfect for the holiday season.
- DirectorCarroll BallardStarsHugh Duncan Bigney MitchellVanessa SharpPatricia BarkerThe colorful holiday classic is brought to the big screen, designed by famed children's story author and artist Maurice Sendak, and written to be as close to the original story. Based on the Pacific Northwest Ballet's original production.The cinematography, acting, and editing aren't up to snuff, but this is essentially a classic ballet performance of the classic tale of The Nutcracker, and a good one at that. It is a good introduction for anyone who has never seen the ballet live.
- DirectorTheresa CullenCarole HollidayPeggy HolmesStarsWayne AllwineTony AnselmoJeff BennettSequel to Mickey's Once Upon a ChristmasWhile the CGI isn’t too good (but it was the first direct-to-video fully CGI film for Disney) and it’s definitely corny, this sequel to Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas is also more consistent and fairly colorful and energetic. Certainly not great, but not bad for direct-to-DVD quality.
- DirectorHenry SelickStarsDanny ElfmanChris SarandonCatherine O'HaraJack Skellington, king of Halloween Town, discovers Christmas Town, but his attempts to bring Christmas to his home causes confusion.To me, this was always far more a Halloween film than a Christmas film, but I acknowledge that many people still do break it out during the Christmas season. And it certainly is a wonderful film in the first place.
- DirectorWill MackenzieStarsRay RomanoPatricia HeatonBrad GarrettRay decides to take a family picture for Marie's Christmas present. But she didn't want Debra's family to be in it.Ray finally has the perfect gift for his mother: a family portrait. The only problem is that his wife wants her parents in the picture, but Ray's mom does not. A funny episode with a great punchline toward the end.
- DirectorTrey ParkerStarsTrey ParkerMatt StoneSpencer Lacey GanusThe boys go to Canada to retrieve Ike, after his birth parents show up in South Park and claim him as their own.A new Canadian law says that adopted children of Canadian descent can be taken back in by the original parents. After his brother is taken away to Canada by his original family, Kyle and the boys make a trip to Canada on Christmas Eve to get the law changed. Cartman warns him, however, they must be home before Christmas morning to avoid a beating. The episode has more to do with spoofing The Wizard Of Oz than Christmas, but it's still a fun Christmas journey.
- DirectorDebbie IsittStarsMartin FreemanMarc WoottonJason WatkinsAn uptight but secretly heartbroken primary school teacher's little white lie about Hollywood coming to see his class' nativity play grows like wildfire in his rag-tag school low on self-esteem.All the dialogue is improvised in this British comedy about a teacher who once wanted to be a famous actor now putting on a school play version of the nativity.
- DirectorJun FalkensteinAlex MannBradley RaymondStarsKelsey GrammerWayne AllwineRussi TaylorThree tales of Christmas past about Donald's nephews reliving the day on repeat, Max Goof's belief in Santa being challenged, and Mickey and Minnie making ends meet.This direct-to-video anthology of three Christmas tales starring Disney's classic cartoons characters doesn't really have many new ideas. The first is a knock-off of Groundhog Day only on Christmas Day and featuring Donald and his nephews, and the third is an oft-told tale of "The Gift of the Magi," without either introducing any new or revolutionary ideas. The middle story, revolving around Goofy and his son Max, on the other hand, is kind of a gem, benefitting from the pair's strong relationship
- DirectorEdwin S. PorterIt's December 24th, and 'Santa Claus' is busy feeding his reindeer and finishing up the toys that he will soon deliver. Meanwhile, the children in a large family hang their stockings over the fireplace, and then are put to bed. But the restless children cannot sleep, and they soon start a lively pillow fight. Back at his workshop, Santa loads up everything and begins his journey.Coming all the from 1905, Edwin S. Porter, better known for directing “The Great Train Robbery” two years prior, directs this nice little silent film adaptation of the poem “’Twas the Night Before Christmas.” It’s surprisingly close to the poem and is pretty simple and sweet to boot.
- DirectorRoy Del RuthStarsDon DeForeAnn HardingCharles RugglesTwo homeless men move into a mansion while its owners are wintering in the South.A squatter lives in a rich man's home for the holiday season and soon (somewhat reluctantly) helps other misfortunate people find a home for the season--including the rich man in disguise. Perhaps not all that Christmasy, but the spirit of helping the unfortunate during the holidays comes through.
- DirectorEllen GittelsohnStarsWill SmithJames AveryJanet HubertWill finds out that his mom is seeing a new man while on a holiday skiing trip to Utah. When the adults go out to the lodge for the Christmas party, a knock on the door brings the kids trouble.When the whole family goes skiing, they get held hostage by a robber who proceeds to steal all their stuff, pretty well leaving them empty-handed for Christmas. It's a fairly simple, cozy episode with a bit of Christmas sprinkled in on the side.
- DirectorJohn R. Cherry IIIStarsJim VarneyDouglas SealeOliver ClarkErnest helps Santa Claus as he searches for his successor.Corny and stupid, but with a touch of heart and with the ever-present charm of the Ernest films, Ernest Saves Christmas is worth a holiday viewing... though that may be it.