Best Christmas Films Ranked

After spending December re-watching some of the public’s favourite Christmas films, I’ve come to an ultimate ranked list.

9: Rare Exports

Did anyone say Christmas thriller, but Santa is a demon? Well there you have it.

8: Tokyo Godfathers

A homeless trio finds a baby in a trashcan on Christmas eve and their mission is now to find the baby’s parents.

Unconventional, nevertheless powerful and storytelling. This film does it all from comedy to social commentary, without losing that Christmas touch.

7: How The Grinch Stole Christmas

Re-made countless times, this classic does not need much description.

6: The Ref

“- Mary: Maybe they'll catch him and let him go in the spirit of Christmas.

- Connie: That is not the spirit of Christmas. The spirit of Christmas is either you're good or you're punished and you burn in hell.”

A robber tries to make this dysfunctional family work out their differences in this ‘anti-holliday’ Christmas comedy. This film is simultaneously cracking, clever and realistic.

5: Die Hard

Die Hard is a Christmas film. Except Christmas is secondary to the explosions, badass chasing scenes and hollywoodian blockbuster action at its prime. Just like Christmas should be.

4: The Apartment

The 60’s American romantic comedy-drama has a timeless script. Despite of its polemic subject matter--extramarital affairs-- it is regarded by many, including the Sight and Sound magazine, as one of the best films ever made.

3: A Charlie Brown Christmas

A world-wide phenomenon this comic-cinematic adaptation is an uplifting classic for Charlie brown and the spectators.

It was a revolutionary for animation at the time, given its bold choices regarding the (lack) of laugh track, pace, tone and music.

2: The Nightmare Before Christmas

“This dazzling mix of fun and fright also explodes the notion that animation is kid stuff. … It's 74 minutes of timeless movie magic.”

- Peter Travers at Rolling Stone

This horror Tim Burton moving musical stop motion, should be watched as a yearly ritual.

1: A Wonderful Life

“The Citizen Kane of Christmas films and like Citizen Kane should be at the top”. Simply a must. It is beautiful, inventive and affectionate towards human matters. This film came out right after WW2 and serves as consolation. The central message that you are worthy of living is still relevant as classics’ essence do.

Honorable Mentions