Each decade brings its own flavor to the holiday cinema experience. Some decades bring us classic holiday movies, while others offer animated cinematic experiences. Whether it is Chevy Chase, James Stewart, Bill Murray, Will Ferrell, or Bing Crosby you seek, they can all be found in holiday cinema. And, if it’s something more off-beat you seek, Tim Burton prevails. There are the animations of Charlie Brown or Frosty the Snowman and, in more modern times, even Veggie Tales. Whatever holiday cinema experience you seek, there is a decade that is sure to abide by your Christmas wishes.
Best Christmas Movies of the 1930s
If you are looking for an old-time classic, the 1930s may be the perfect place to look.
- Babes in Toyland (1934): This old-time film stars the famous Laurel and Hardy in seventy-seven minutes of holiday laughter and cheer.
- A Christmas Carol (1938): Based on the story by Charles Dickens, the black and white film lasts 69 minutes.
Best Christmas Movies of the 1940s
The holiday cinema favorites of the 1940s are family-oriented classics that can be found each Christmas on cable television.
- It’s a Wonderful Life (1946): Directed by Frank Capra and starring James Stewart. George Bailey learns “It’s a Wonderful Life” when he finds out what life would have been like if he never existed.
- Miracle on 34th Street (1947): The three-time Oscar-winning film puts Kris Kringle to the test in court.
Best Christmas Movies of the 1950s
The 1950s are not known for classic holiday movies. However, each decade has at least one entertaining movie for the Christmas season.
- Scrooge (1951): Based on the Charles Dickens story, this version of ‘A Christmas Carol’ features a performance by Alastair Sim as Scrooge.
- White Christmas (1954): If you like your holidays served with music, Bing Crosby might offer something to tantalize your taste buds. White Christmas stars Bing Crosby and was nominated for an Oscar (Academy Award) for “Best Music, Original Song.”
Best Christmas Movies of the 1960s
The three holiday movies of the 1960s are animated pieces, each featuring well-known characters that have lasted the test of time—Charlie Brown, The Grinch, and Frosty the Snowman.
- A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965): Written by Charles Schulz. The animated classic actually originated on television but deserves a spot on the list of best holiday movies. Featuring Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Violet, Patty, Pig-Pen, Linus, and Lucy.
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966): Narrated by Boris Karloff as The Grinch. This animation is based on the work of Dr. Seuss.
- Frosty the Snowman (1969): Apart from the three-minute-long 1954 short, Frosty the Snowman debuted on television in 1969.
Best Christmas Movies of the 1970s
The 1970s is a decade without many Christmas movies. It is also a decade they experimented without a Santa Claus for a year.
Also Read
- The Year Without a Santa Claus (1974): The animated television movie features Mickey Rooney as Santa Claus’s voice.
- The Nutcracker (1977): One of many versions of The Nutcracker, but the only one that matters because it features Mikhail Baryshnikov in the television adaptation of the classic ballet.
Best Christmas Movies of the 1980s
The 1980s are responsible for two of my personal favorite Best Christmas Holiday Movies.
- A Christmas Story (1983): A coming-of-age comedy that takes place in a wintery Ohio town. The holiday comedy is known for such phrases as “You’ll shoot your eye out!” and “I triple dog dare you.” Each Christmas, TBS plays A Christmas Story over and over, in case you’ve missed it.
- Gremlins (1984): “Don’t get them wet. Don’t feed them after midnight. Don’t expose them to bright light.” A FAIL Blog rendition of the plot outline of Gremlins would show all previous rules being violated, creating one of the scarier movies on the list.
- Scrooged (1988): Featuring Bill Murray. The ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future visit television executive Frank Cross (Bill Murray), who is reminiscent of the classic humbug Ebenezer Scrooge.
- National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989): Starring Chevy Chase. My favorite Christmas movie to date is National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, featuring Chevy Chase, Beverly D’Angelo, Juliette Lewis, Randy Quaid, and Johnny Galecki in a comedic holiday story of family dysfunction. Julia Louis-Dreyfus has a cameo appearance in this holiday comedy that is great for the whole family.
Best Christmas Movies of the 1990s
The 1990s gave birth to the Home Alone franchise and showed us an alternative holiday movie thanks to cinema director Tim Burton.
- Home Alone (1990): Starring Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, and Daniel Stern. A fun frolic through a large, holiday-decorated mansion as a young boy protects his home from two hapless burglars.
- The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993): Directed by Tim Burton. The animated piece utilizes the familiar Tim Burton style.
- The Santa Clause (1994): Starring Tim Allen. This fish-out-of-water story is family-friendly with its PG rating.
Best Christmas Movies of the 2000s
The first decade of the 2000s presents a mixed bag of holiday movies to feast on.
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000): Featuring Jim Carrey. Directed by Ron Howard. A remake of the classic story originated by Dr. Seuss.
- Elf (2003): Starring Will Ferrell. Personally, I was not a huge fan of this movie, but enough other people expressed interest for me to include it. I like other Will Ferrell movies, like Old School, as shown in Top Ten Best College Movies – Comedy and Drama.
- Bad Santa (2003): Featuring Billy Bob Thornton and Tony Cox. The 2003 movie Bad Santa was an offbeat twist on the Christmas holiday movie concept. According to Billy Bob Thornton, as interviewed on the NFL Network during the 2009 week 2 celebrity picks segment, a sequel to Bad Santa is in the works.
- Veggie Tales: Saint Nicholas: A Story of Joyful Giving (2009): Featuring Junior Asparagus, Laura the Carrot, and Bob the Tomato. For the kids (recommended for 3-6-year-olds), this 47-minute excursion into holiday cinema should do the trick.
Best Christmas Movies from the 2010s
Here are three of the best Christmas movies from the 2010s, blending critical acclaim, popularity, and lasting appeal:
- Arthur Christmas (2011): This animated gem provides a fresh and heartwarming take on the Santa Claus mythos. It tells the story of Santa’s clumsy but well-meaning son, Arthur, who embarks on a mission to deliver a forgotten present. It’s funny, clever, and visually stunning, with a great voice cast.
- The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992) (Technically 90s, but often rewatched in the 2010s and beyond): While technically a 90s film, its timeless charm and frequent re-airings/viewings make it feel very relevant to any decade, including the 2010s. This is a brilliant adaptation of Dickens’s classic tale, with the Muppets’ unique brand of humor and heart. Michael Caine is superb as Scrooge.
- Klaus (2019): This beautifully animated film offers an original origin story for Santa Claus. It follows a selfish postman stationed in the far North who befriends a reclusive toymaker. The animation style is unique and visually striking, and the story is both heartwarming and clever.
It’s worth noting that “best” is subjective, and there are many other great Christmas movies from decades through decades. However, these three stand out for their quality, originality, and enduring appeal.
Takeaways:
- Decade Diversity: Each decade offers unique holiday cinema experiences, from classic films to animated favorites.
- Variety of Genres: There is a wide range of genres available, ensuring something for every preference, whether you enjoy comedies, animations, or heartfelt dramas.
- Timeless Classics: Many classic Christmas movies continue to be beloved across generations, maintaining their popularity over time.
- Modern Favorites: Recent decades have introduced new favorites that blend traditional themes with modern storytelling and animation techniques.
- Personal Preference: The “best” Christmas movie is subjective and varies based on individual tastes and nostalgia.
By exploring Christmas movies from different decades, you can find films that resonate with your personal style and holiday spirit, enhancing your festive celebrations year after year.
