(Probably) The Best (in my opinion) Christmas Movie / Film List Ever 2023 Edition
My pick of the best christmas movies, from the violent to the heart warming, up to 2023 (in no particular order) to qualify the film must be set around the Christmas period and at least mention this or show Christmas decorations.
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- DirectorQuentin TarantinoStarsSamuel L. JacksonKurt RussellJennifer Jason LeighIn the dead of a Wyoming winter, a bounty hunter and his prisoner find shelter in a cabin currently inhabited by a collection of nefarious characters.i don't see this on many Xmas movie lists? trapped in a blizzard on the eve of Christmas in a log cabin, they mention Christmas several times and bob plays silent night on the piano. this is Tarantino's Christmas movie. and its a masterpiece. 10/10 for me
- DirectorCamille GriffinStarsKeira KnightleyMatthew GoodeRoman Griffin DavisNell, Simon, and their 3 sons are ready to welcome friends and family for what promises to be a perfect Christmas gathering. Perfect except for one thing: everyone is going to die.A modern day, very dark Christmas comedy. I really dont get the low score here? maybe it was too dark for people? i loved it. 8/10 for me
- DirectorMartin McDonaghStarsColin FarrellBrendan GleesonCiarán HindsAfter a job gone wrong, hitman Ray and his partner await orders from their ruthless boss in Bruges, Belgium, the last place in the world Ray wants to be.An underrated modern day cult classic. Another dark comedy. Brendan Gleeson is amazing in most things he does. great chemistry between him and Colin Farrell in this. one of my favourite films and really makes me want to go to Bruges. 9/10 for me
- 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.A different take on the Krampus, and although i felt the climax of the film should have amounted to something a bit bigger, i have found myself going back and watching this many times now. a solid 7/10 for me.
- DirectorTim BurtonStarsMichael KeatonDanny DeVitoMichelle PfeifferWhile Batman deals with a deformed man calling himself the Penguin wreaking havoc across Gotham with the help of a cruel businessman, a female employee of the latter becomes the Catwoman with her own vendetta.I watched this movie the other day again. i forget how much of an absolute maniac batman is in this, and how crazy twisted dark this movie is. we will never ever see a batman movie like this again. an all time classic. 9/10 for me
- DirectorJoe DanteStarsZach GalliganPhoebe CatesHoyt AxtonA young man inadvertently breaks three important rules concerning his new pet and unleashes a horde of malevolently mischievous monsters on a small town.an all time classic, possibly the birth of the Christmas/horror/comedy? a solid 8/10 for me
- DirectorMichael DoughertyStarsAdam ScottToni ColletteDavid KoechnerA boy who has a bad Christmas accidentally summons a festive demon to his family home.i felt this one was underrated. this one seems to get pretty dark but never goes that far. i love the legend of the Krampus and this film does it better than any other. a 7/10 for me
- 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.possibly the best family Christmas comedy ever. a solid 9/10 for me
- DirectorChris ColumbusStarsMacaulay CulkinJoe PesciDaniel SternOne year after Kevin McCallister was left home alone and had to defeat a pair of bumbling burglars, he accidentally finds himself stranded in New York City - and the same criminals are not far behind.not as good as the first but still a worthy addition. 7/10
- DirectorRichard DonnerStarsBill MurrayKaren AllenJohn ForsytheA selfish, cynical television executive is haunted by three spirits bearing lessons on Christmas Eve.Bill Murray in an 80's Christmas Carol adaptation. that's all you need. 8/10
- 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.oooh the big boy. the daddy of the its not a Christmas movie but it is a Christmas movie. and one of the best action films of all time. 10/10
- DirectorRenny HarlinStarsBruce WillisWilliam AthertonBonnie BedeliaJohn McClane attempts to avert disaster as rogue military operatives seize control of Dulles International Airport in Washington, D.C.again not as good as the first, but a worthy entry and still set on the eve of Christmas and this time features snow. 7/10
- DirectorJohn LandisStarsEddie MurphyDan AykroydRalph BellamyA snobbish investor and a wily street con artist find their positions reversed as part of a bet by two callous millionaires.Dan Aykroyd and Eddie Murphy in an 80's all time classic Christmas comedy. a solid 7/10
- DirectorRichard DonnerStarsMel GibsonDanny GloverGary BuseyTwo newly paired cops who are complete opposites must put aside their differences in order to catch a gang of drug smugglers.the other 80's action movie that i don't see on many lists but really should be. a drug bust in a Christmas tree shop? sure. 8/10
- DirectorJeremiah S. ChechikStarsChevy ChaseBeverly D'AngeloJuliette LewisThe Griswold family's plans for a big family Christmas predictably turn into a big disaster.another classic 80's Christmas family comedy. 7/10
- 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.another dark Christmas masterpiece from the mind of Tim Burton but with the talents of Henry Selicks animation and Danny Elfmans score and voice. again this seems like we will never see a film quite like this again. top tier - 10/10
- DirectorJeannot SzwarcStarsDudley MooreJohn LithgowDavid HuddlestonThe legend of Santa Claus is placed into jeopardy when an unscrupulous toy manufacturer attempts to take over Christmas.this i might not rate as highly if i saw it for the first time today, however, this was my childhood favourite so it gets a 7/10 plus it has John Lithgow, Dudley Moore and David Huddleston - the other Lebowski from big Lebowski!
- DirectorChris ColumbusStarsDaniel RadcliffeRupert GrintEmma WatsonAn orphaned boy enrolls in a school of wizardry, where he learns the truth about himself, his family and the terrible evil that haunts the magical world.most of the Potter films touch on Christmas since each one represents a year in the school term time, but its the first 2 that have that Christmas film time vibe so ill just add the first 2. 8/10
- DirectorChris ColumbusStarsDaniel RadcliffeRupert GrintEmma WatsonHarry Potter lives his second year at Hogwarts with Ron and Hermione when a message on the wall announces that the legendary Chamber of Secrets has been opened. The trio soon realize that, to save the school, it will take a lot of courage.see above. 8/10
- 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 crude and vulgar dark comedy. maybe not for all tastes, but i enjoyed it. 7/10
- DirectorMark WatersStarsBilly Bob ThorntonKathy BatesTony CoxFueled by cheap whiskey, greed and hatred, Willie teams up once again with his angry little sidekick, Marcus, to knock off a Chicago charity on Christmas Eve.not as good as the first maybe, but more of the same. if you did enjoy the first id recommend this. 6/10
- DirectorTim BurtonStarsJohnny DeppWinona RyderDianne WiestThe solitary life of an artificial man - who was incompletely constructed and has scissors for hands - is upended when he is taken in by a suburban family.another dark fairy-tale from Tim Burton. solid 8/10 boy do i miss the old Tim Burton.
- 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.Ok ignore the uncanny valley complaints, and the dodgy musical before the final act, this film is magical. A Robert Zemeckis and Tom Hanks magical Christmas film. a solid 7/10
- 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.another CGI Christmas movie from Zemeckis, though this one looks a lot better in terms of the animation. its a great take on the Dickens story. another 7/10
- DirectorBrian HensonStarsMichael CaineDave GoelzSteve WhitmireThe Muppets present their own touching rendition of Charles Dickens' classic tale.How could i not include the Michael Caine Muppets version? and apparently on Disney plus' version this year this has an additional musical number deleted scene re added to it that many say should never have been a deleted scene. so check that out if you like this one. another 7/10
- DirectorIvan ReitmanStarsBill MurrayDan AykroydSigourney WeaverThe discovery of a massive river of ectoplasm and a resurgence of spectral activity allows the staff of Ghostbusters to revive the business.i have no idea why this does not get as much love as the first, i might actually like it more than the first one, and what was Tarantino on about the 80's being one of the worse decades for films? set over the Christmas period climaxing on new years eve, with 80's icons Murray, Aykroyd, Ramis and Moranis all at the top of their game. an all time classic 10/10
- CreatorGrant MorrisonBrian TaylorStarsChristopher MeloniRitchie CosterLili MirojnickAn injured hitman befriends his kidnapped daughter's imaginary friend; a perky blue flying unicorn.not a movie, but the comic is one of my all time favourites as a one shot story. the first season is set over Christmas and is a must watch. very dark comedy. 9/10 - for season 1.
- 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.
- DirectorBrian LevantStarsArnold SchwarzeneggerSinbadPhil HartmanA father vows to get his son a Turbo Man action figure for Christmas. However, every store is sold out, and he must travel all over town and compete with everybody else in order to find one.not the best christmas movie. but hey, it's Arnie, and we all love him. 6/10
- 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.needs no introduction.
- DirectorDoug LimanStarsSarah PolleyJay MohrScott WolfThe aftermath of a drug deal as told from three different points of view.a classic underrated pulp film. 8/10
- DirectorPhilip BarantiniStarsStephen GrahamVinette RobinsonAlice FeethamEnter the relentless pressure of a restaurant kitchen as a head chef wrangles his team on the busiest day of the year.set during the catering industry's busiest most stressful season and all shot in one take - no camera or CGI trickery. an excellent film, the stress levels are palpable and Stephen Graham is excellent as usual. 8/10
- DirectorCraig R. BaxleyStarsDolph LundgrenBrian BenbenBetsy BrantleyA Renegade Cop is forced to work with an FBI Agent in order to bring down a group of Drug Dealers with sinister plans.this is a childhood favourite and i re watched this and never realised it is in fact a Christmas movie - it literally opens with a Christmas carol! the film itself might not have aged that well, but i still like it. 6/10
- DirectorEshom NelmsIan NelmsStarsMel GibsonWalton GogginsMarianne Jean-BaptisteA rowdy, unorthodox Santa Claus is fighting to save his declining business. Meanwhile, Billy, a neglected and precocious 12 year old, hires a hit man to kill Santa after receiving a lump of coal in his stocking.not terrible, but seemed to miss the mark a bit, bit of a missed opportunity. 5.5/10
- DirectorTommy WirkolaStarsDavid HarbourJohn LeguizamoBeverly D'AngeloAn elite team of mercenaries breaks into a family compound on Christmas Eve, taking everyone hostage. However, they aren't prepared for a surprise combatant: Santa Claus is on the grounds, and he's about to show why this Nick is no saint.an improved version of fatman. 7/10
- DirectorStanley KubrickStarsTom CruiseNicole KidmanTodd FieldA Manhattan doctor embarks on a bizarre, night-long odyssey after his wife's admission of unfulfilled longing.
- DirectorAlexander PayneStarsPaul GiamattiDa'Vine Joy RandolphDominic SessaA cranky history teacher at a prep school is forced to remain on campus over the holidays with a grieving cook and a troubled student who has no place to go.
- DirectorMagnus MartensStarsMartin StarrAmrita AchariaKiran ShahAn American family fulfills their dream of moving back after inheriting a remote cabin in the mountains of Norway.
- DirectorRon HowardStarsJim CarreyTaylor MomsenKelleyOn the outskirts of Whoville lives a green, revenge-seeking Grinch who plans to ruin Christmas for all of the citizens of the town.
- DirectorShane BlackStarsRobert Downey Jr.Val KilmerMichelle MonaghanAfter being mistaken for an actor, a New York thief is sent to Hollywood to train under a private eye for a potential movie role, but the duo are thrown together with a struggling actress into a murder mystery.