Best classic Christmas movies and where to find them: ‘Elf,’ ‘Home Alone,’ and more

Boris Karloff lent his voice to the 1966 Dr. Seuss classic How the Grinch Stole Christmas as the narrator and titular character whose name is synonymous with holiday villainy. The story about the rude Grinch, who was so intent on ruining Christmas that he stole all the gifts and decorations in Whoville, just to change his mind, is a classic. (If you ask us, all the other screen-compatible versions don’t exist.) You can find it on Peacock.

Richard Curtis directed the holiday romantic comedy Love, Almost, which features 10 interconnected stories about Londoners finding love. The film is polarizing. Some people love it, while others hate it (or at least, don’t like it). Scene with cue cards), but it has become a favorite destination for many at this time of year. The enormous ensemble includes Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, Laura Linney, Colin Firth, Liam Neeson, and dozens more.

It’s hard to pick a definitive version of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol to watch, but if we’re talking live-action, non-puppet versions, George C. Scott’s 1984 film ranks high on our list. The film, originally made for television, is often cited as one of the best adaptations of the story of the hapless Scrooge Ebenezer, and Scott was nominated for an Emmy Award for his performance. You can find this on Peacock, as well as Paramount Plus.

Is there a more quotable holiday movie than 1983’s A Christmas Story? From “You’ll shoot your eyes out” to “I can’t put my arms around!” And “Mommy’s little Piggy,” the film gave popular culture a lot, and asked for nothing in return. Peter Billingsley plays Ralphie Parker, whose only wish in life is to own a Red Ryder BB gun, against his parents’ wishes. Meanwhile, Randy can’t put his arms down, Flick’s tongue gets stuck on a metal pole, and Bumpus’ dogs enjoy their holiday turkey. I know you know what I’m talking about. The film is one of the many great classics available on Disney Plus.

Home Alone, about a young boy left home alone for Christmas who must fend off a duo of dim-witted thieves known as the Wet Bandits, made Macaulay Culkin a star in 1990. The film is a perfect action movie for kids, and it’s fun thanks to great comedic performances from Joe Pesci, Catherine O’Hara, and Daniel Stern. However, in hindsight, I think we can all agree that the Wet Bandits were not the true villains of the film: that distinction goes to Uncle Frank.

You can also catch up with Home Alone on Holo.

If the George C. Scott from “A Christmas Carol” is the best all-human version, 1992’s “A Muppet Christmas Carol” has to be considered the best version with a human and tissue cast. Michael Caine plays Scrooge, Kermit the Frog plays Bob Cratchit, and Waldorf and Statler appear as the ghosts Jacob and Robert Marley. (If you want to compare movies, this movie and the 2009 version with Jim Carrey are on Disney Plus.)

Chevy Chase and Beverly D’Angelo return as Clark and Elaine Griswold in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation which, if you ask me, is the best of all the holiday movies. Rounding out the Griswold family are Juliette Lewis and Johnny Galecki as children Audrey and Rusty, and Randy Quaid as Cousin Eddie. Like Home Alone, this Christmas classic was written by John Hughes. He was known for his teen comedies, but honestly maybe his legacy should be holiday treats instead.

Natalie Wood and Maureen O’Hara star in the 1947 classic “Miracle on 34th Street,” about a young girl (Wood) who wonders if Santa Claus is real. This version as well as the 1994 version (written by John Hughes!) are available on Hulu.

Watching The Family Stone this year has become even more bittersweet after the departure of star Diane Keaton. The 2005 family drama is anchored by Keaton’s wonderful, heartfelt performance as the matriarch of a large extended family that gathers under one roof for Christmas. The film’s sprawling cast includes Claire Danes, Sarah Jessica Parker, Rachel McAdams, Dermot Mulroney, and Luke Wilson.

If you want holiday musicals, the 1954 classic White Christmas is full of unforgettable Irving Berlin songs like White Christmas, Blue Skies, and Sisters. The film stars Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Vera Ellen and Rosemary Clooney as actors who put on a huge holiday show at a Vermont inn.

Prime Video is a home for classic films, including Frank Capra’s 1947 film It’s a Wonderful Life. The film stars James Stewart as George Bailey, a man facing an existential crisis who learns what his life means to everyone around him with the help of an angel named Clarence. Although the film was a bit of a flop when it was originally released, it became a Christmas classic when it entered the public domain and was re-released on television in the 1970s.

Maybe it’s Vince Guaraldi’s score, maybe it’s Linus’s monologue about the true meaning of Christmas, or maybe it’s all that amazing dancing, but for whatever reason, A Charlie Brown Christmas never gets old. These days, the holiday animated special is available exclusively on Apple TV.

There may be no better comedian to play a modern version of Scrooge than Bill Murray. Murray has a knack for playing erratic and angry, and when you think about it, that’s all Ebenezer Scrooge really is. In the 1989 film Scrooged, Murray played Frank Cross, a television studio head concerned only with his company’s bottom line and the success of the upcoming live broadcast of A Christmas Carol. He was visited by three spirits after he fired one of his followers and criticized his employees. The film stars Bobcat Goldthwait, Karen Allen, Alfre Woodard, and Carol Kane.

It’s no surprise that Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas has become a cult classic in recent years. The film, which aired in the US on HBO in 1978, stars Muppet artists Jim Henson, Frank Oz and Jerry Nelson, and features original music by Paul Williams. You can watch a movie suitable for even the youngest viewers on Tubi. (And after you watch the movie, take a look Blunders on YouTube; Not to be missed.)

Will Ferrell plays Buddy the Elf in Elf, a 2003 film directed by Jon Favreau that became an instant classic when it was first released. When Buddy, a human raised by elves in the North Pole, goes to New York City to find his real father (James Caan), he is a fish out of water and finds himself disrupting the lives of his new family members. But there’s nothing that a little maple syrup and snowball fights can’t cure.

The film is available on HBO Max until the end of the month, so tune in soon.