Best Christmas movies of all time you can pick from to watch this winter

Christmas and cine marathon- sounds like the perfect pairing second only to cakes and cookies in Christmas, doesn’t it? No wonder movie libraries are replete with the magic of innumerable classics to get you more into the holiday spirit. There’s nothing like a chilly winter evening curled up on your couch under the comforter with some cocoa with some of your favorite movies playing on loop. Here’s an extensive but not exhaustive pick of the best Christmas movies of all time you cab pick from to watch this winter and make the most of your jolly holidays-

The Year Without a Santa Claus (1974)

What’s Christmas without the anticipation of a Santa visit? That’s exactly what this 1974 film ponders on as one fine Christmas eve, Santa Claus decides to give his impending duty a miss. The onus now rests on Mrs Claus and the elves to ensure that the big day does not get ruined due to the good ol’ man’s mind flip.

Jack Frost (1998)

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A dead man coming to life once again, this time as a snowman, might sound kinda whimsical but fantasy tales like these are exactly the stuff to indulge in the Christmas mood. Jack Frost is the story about a man who gets a second chance to bond with his loving son, permitted by the play of fantasy. The 1998 film might have been undone by its poor film making but this does not take anything away from its absolutely heartwarming premise.

Remember the Night (1940)

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It’s indeed the magic of Christmas at play in this 1940 rom- com that has love blossoming between unlikely allies- a shoplifter and her prosecutor that can legit put his career and family in jeopardy. There’s love, there’s the allure of the unexpected and there’s of course the warmth of emotions, no classic Christmas cinema compilation will be complete without remembering that night of the 40s!

The Christmas Chronicles (2018)

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No one has ever had a chance at spotting the real Santa but the kids in this 2018 Netflix original are granted the rare vision. The film is all about what follows thereafter as the kids have Santa as stumped with them as they are with him. Nevertheless, it’s the manner in which the kids and Santa manage to keep the holiday spirits up and jovial that lends this essentially Christmas tale all its warmth and the feel good vibes.

Serendipity (2001)

Call it the magic at play or the love in the air but Serendipity is one of those films that make Christmas a truly blissful affair. The romantic flick is the story of two lovers who falls in love and goes their own way on the same day, leaving it upon destiny to make their paths meet. And they do indeed in this very charming tale of love and hope, of star crossed paths and of days done up by some real romantic magic.

Little Women (1994)

A film based on its namesake novel, Little Women might not be an out and out Christmas classic but some of its elements are so rooted in the times of the holy spirit that it makes for an absolutely delightful watch every time and season of the year. Perhaps it is the encompassing family theme or the fact that it indeed had been X mas days that saw the unfolding of some of the more stirring scenes that makes this 1994 movie a complete winter winner.

A Christmas Carol (1984)

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There’s no end to the interpretations and manners in which Charles Dickens’ classic tale A Christmas Carol has been adapted but the 1984 version hold its place as one among the best ever. Be it the effectiveness with which the film stayed loyal to its story or the definitive performances, hardly can you decipher the true spirit of Christmas as so enjoyable an experience that this one makes to watch for many.

It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)

A 1946 Christmas fantasy drama film It’s A Wonderful Life is one of those rare classics whose fame spawns its story and not its period of release. One of the greatest films of all times, this holiday favorite is a bittersweet comedy drama which has an angel sent on earth to help a frustrated businessman. It is perhaps heartwarming that the film set to touch down upon the life of a protagonist who is troubled but who has his own repertoire of good deeds keeping him in good stead to churn out a movie that is palpable and enlightening in equal measure.

Babes in Toyland (1934)

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Merry and joyful- sounds like the perfect Christmas treat right? That’s exactly what the 1934 entertainment flick Babes in Toyland brings about with its assortment of some of the most classic characters on screen. There is music, there is dance and there of course is Santa and Christmas trees- what more can you possibly ask for from a movie that has remained an out and out winter holiday classic over the years?

Happy Christmas (2014)

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A film that spells Happy Christmas in its very title- how can you possibly overlook the festive spirit ruling this one? A refreshing breakaway from the multitude of films that choose to dwell in love, Happy Christmas dwells on the soul connection derived from the bond of friendship to dish out this 2014 film that is undoubtedly a classic even in its so short a life span.

Love Actually (2003)

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Another romantic comedy to perfectly lend you all the feel good vibes of Christmas is the 2003 fan favorite Love Actually. A film that has ten interlinked stories playing out its central theme of romance might sound too humongous a treat even in the holiday perspective. But Love Actually, despite being a bit too high on the love dose retains its charm perhaps because it caters exclusively to the Christmas yearnings of joy, warmth and a whole lot of love and cheer, not to forget its star studded expanse.

Home Alone (1990)

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There’s no way we can be leaving out Home Alone from our list of best Christmas films ever. This 1990 flick’s a pure classic family comedy that has an adorably naughty little boy at the helm of affairs as he puts on his scheming hat to hilariously drive away some robbers when he is accidentally left home alone on a particular Christmas.

Four Christmases (2008)

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The perfect rom- com to while away your blissful Christmas evening on is the 2008 movie Four Christmases that remains utterly enjoyable even in the face of widespread critical ridicule. A couple torn between visiting all four of their divorced parents on Christmas make up the plot of this movie, that could have been much better with that crackling lead chemistry at work.

Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

The Miracle on 34th Street is no less a miracle in experience as it is one in the title. A 1947 Christmas comedy drama, the film is comfortably warm and is so resplendent in its feel good vibes that you will end up with an almost undoable smile, forever believing in Santa Claus all the more.

The Shop Around the Corner (1940)

A perfect personification of the many happy surprises that festivals and the holy spirits bring unto us, The Shop Around the Corner makes for one of the worthiest Christmas watches. Set at Christmas time when love and happiness rules large, this one’s a classic romantic comedy about two lovers who can hardly stand each other in person yet end up falling in love as pen pals! Comic, happy and of course romantic, there’s nothing to not like about this ultimate holiday winner!

While You Were Sleeping (1995)

Every Christmas film might be at least somewhat different from each other but there’s no denying the comfort of an assurance running through each one of them. And the 1995 film While You Were Sleeping caters exactly to that premise to emerge as one of the most liked of Christmas movies. As an accident lands a woman up in the house of her crush, she unwillingly professes herself as his fiance, only to fall in love with his brother later. As events unfold and she eventually gets married to the love of her life, she lets her one time crush know that she fell in love with his sibling ‘while he was sleeping’. Simple, sweet and oh so happy!

The Man Who Invented Christmas (2017)

The story of a story- a timeless classic at that- that’s what The Man Who Invented Christmas is all about! An eponymous spin off of the book by Les Standiford, this 2017 film chronicles how Charles Dickens spinned up the magic of A Christmas Carol to translate our Christmas dreams into larger than life fantasies as we know them today. Christmas might not have been invented by Dickens, but the spirit which he lent unto the celebrations definitely makes him deserving of a celebration as grand in its stature as possible!

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)

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A modern day Christmas classic, this 1989 film follows its protagonist’s attempt at hosting the perfect family Christmas that ironically turns into a predictable disaster. The film might not be a classic otherwise but come holiday season and it is definitely one of the best Christmas watches ever with its generous dose of laughs and cheer!

The Holiday (2006)

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What’s more enticing than lovelorn colleagues swapping their houses sometime around Christmas only to discover the love they had been yearning for so long? Resplendent with the pleasant surprises and once again the hearty vibes, the 2006 film The Holiday did not take much years to emerge as a likely Christmas classic.

The Santa Clause (1994)

There’s no end to the many Christmas bells that the very mention of Santa Claus sets ringing. Also a totally gripping Yuletide tale that has an ordinary man somewhat swapping places with Santa, the Santa Clause is a classic family movie that makes up for a very entertaining Christmas evening.

Scrooged (1988)

Among the many interpretations that the classic A Christmas Carol has been subjected to, this 1988 manifestation perhaps is the most distinctive. The modern remake of the tale that somehow started it all, Scrooged however is unsettling in its very premise despite being labelled as one among the best of Christmas films. The film attempts to mostly draw a parallel with the Charles Dickens story and comes up with an unconventional piece of festive manifestation altogether.

A Holiday Affair (1949)

A Christmas must play on television perhaps owing to the vibe it carries with its name, A Holiday Affair might not be deemed a classic but it still is one of those light hearted rom coms that make up for all the soul indulgence you want on a lazy winter afternoon. A young widow gets caught up in a love triangle in this decently funny film, even as elements like the joys of giving and the cheer pervading the despair amidst the festivities make this 1949 film a fairly memorable experience.

Gremlins (1984)

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An unlikely Christmas feature, Steven Spielberg’s 1984 comedy horror film though starts out with festive present undertone and perhaps thereby makes the cut as being a holiday film. The premises might be scattered but the end result is definitely another gripping Spielberg offering that will make your holiday binge all the more worthwhile.

A Christmas Story (1983)

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Consistently ranked as one of the best ever Christmas films, the 1983 classic A Christmas Story is definitely a diversive take on the typical festive spirit, dwelling instead on some humour that have been darkly derived rather than its more commonplace elements of just laughs and joys. If “You’ll shoot your eye out!” does not ring a Christmas bell for you, take time out this 25th December to know why it should!

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

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We are more used to a jolly good night on Christmas eve rather than one that can be deemed a nightmare and yet we have the 1993 flick The Nightmare Before Christmas as an absolute but distinctive Christmas must watch. As the routine of Halloween begins to take a toll on the Halloween town king he discovers and seeks to bring the Christmas festivities to his town instead. As spooky elements play out and eventually Christmas indeed comes to town, it is Santa who once again reinstills the spirit and the warmth that yuletide brings to all.