6 of the Best Christmas Movies Ever

Christmas is just around the corner, so it's that time of year again to start watching Christmas movies to get yourself in the spirit for the giving season. There are so many Christmas movies out there, that it can sometimes be hard to pick. Thankfully, I’m here to help you with that. This year I will be counting down the top 5 Christmas movies of all time. Yes, of ALL time. These are 5 films that have always struck a chord with me and are on loop for nearly the entire month of December. So, without further ado, here are the 5 best Christmas movies.

Elf (2003) –

Will Ferrell has been a formidable force in comedy for the best part of 3 decades. The man has a plethora of comedy gems. One of his best outings is 2003’s fantastic family-comedy ‘Elf’ directed by frat-pack alum Jon Favreau, who was also the father of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. But before that, he directed Will Ferrell in what might just be the best Christmas film of 2003… The film is filled with fish-out-of-water comedy, as Will Ferrell’s character Buddy, tries to find his way into the big apple. His relationship with his estranged father Walter played by the remarkable James Caan. Their back and forth is fantastic and provides some of the film’s best moments. Buddy’s energy and hopeless optimism in humanity are palpable and contagious. He’s a wonderful and endearing character. His relationship with Zoey Deschanel’s Jovie is also sweet and quite cute. It’ll warm your heart. ‘Elf’ is entertainment for the whole family and is well worth the watch. There’s been no better time to pick up the film than now, as it has just been re-released on 4K UHD.

Buy Elf on DVD here

Love Actually (2003) –

2003’s other Christmas classic, is the romantic ensemble comedy, ‘Love Actually’ directed by Richard Curtis (Four Weddings and a Funeral and About Time). The film has a huge cast, with the likes of Hugh Grant, Colin Firth, Laura Linney, Liam Neeson, Bill Nighy, the late, great Alan Rickman, Kiera Knightly, Emma Thompson, Martin Freeman, Chiwetel Ejofor and The Walking Dead’s Andrew Lincoln. The film has several intertwined stories’s going on, with Andrew Lincoln’s taboo relationship, Alan Rickman’s disgusting choice to cheat on his lovely partner played by Emma Thompson, and Hugh Grant’s prime minister trying to find love over the holiday season. The film is a lot of fun and has all the hallmarks of a Christmas classic, including oddball comedy, loveable characters, and of course, Christmas. The film breathes Christmas, with each scene drenched in Christmas spirit, with snow, Christmas decoration, carols and of course Christmas trees. It’s a holiday classic for a reason.

Buy Love Actually on DVD here

Die Hard (1988) –

Alan Rickman makes a second appearance on this list and for a vastly different film. Rickman stars as one of the best villains of all time Hans Gruber, a terrorist who has taken over the Nakotami Plaza on Christmas Eve. Only one thing stands in his way, a grizzled cop, with nothing to lose, enters Bruce Willis’s iconic performance as one, John McLane. There’s been a debate for years, is ‘Die Hard a Christmas movie?’ Of course, it is. The film takes place during the holiday season, the setting is a Christmas party and there is Christmas everywhere. Snow, Christmas trees, and of course the classic Christmas sweater gag, ‘Ho, ho, ho. Anyone? Whether you consider it to be a Christmas film or not, there is no denying its place in popular culture. The action is amazing, the characters are memorable and the film has one of the most quoted and iconic action catchphrases of all time, “Yippee Kiyay mother…” well you know the rest. The film has stood the test of time and remains one of the best action films of all time. If you’re going to watch it, do yourself a favor, and pick up the 4K UHD edition. It is well worth your time and money.

Buy Die Hard - 30th Anniversary Christmas Edition DVD here

The Polar Express (2004) –

The early to mid-2000s was a stellar time for Christmas films. In addition to the previously mentioned ‘Love Actually’ and ‘Elf’, we also had ‘The Polar Express’ the following year in 2004. Director Robert Zemeckis had been flirting with animation for years now, with his classic ‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit’ and even the special effects work in Forrest Gump. In 2004he decided to go full CGI with ‘The Polar Express’ which saw Tom Hanks's vocal talents put to work, as he voiced over 5 characters in the film. The film takes place on Christmas eve, as our young ‘hero boy’ is picked up by a mysterious train that takes him on an adventure to the North Pole. Grappling with his teens, the boy doesn’t believe in Santa Claus anymore. The film takes us on the adventure of a lifetime. The motion capture technology does a fantastic job of bringing these performances to life. Tom Hanks is wonderful as the various different characters, including the train's conductor, a ghost of Christmas past, Santa Claus himself, the boy’s father, and our hero boy himself. The film is a lot of fun and has all the Christmas joy you could ask for. No better time to pick this one up than now, as it has a brand new 4K UHD release, just in time for Christmas.

Buy the Polar Express Movie on DVD here

It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) –

A classic in its own right, not just as a Christmas film, but a film in general. ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’ is a WONDERFUL film that is almost 80 years old. The film tells the tale of George Bailey, played by the late, great James Stewart in one of his best films. After a series of unfortunate events, George asks the question, would life be better if I wasn’t here? An angel sent from heaven on Christmas eve answers that question for George, showing him what everyone’s lives would be like without him. It’s a beautiful film, with a timely message. The film is gorgeous and thanks to a fantastic 4K UHD restoration, has never looked better. I adore this film and urge everyone to check it out if you haven’t. It’ll warm your heart and get you in the Christmas spirit.

Buy It's A Wonderful Life DVD here

8-Bit Christmas (2020) –

In recent years there hasn’t been a great deal of Christmas themed films and television shows outside of direct to streaming releases and the typical hallmark Christmas fare. In 202, we got a fun new Christmas adventure from New Line Cinema and starring the very talented Neil Patrick-Harris. The film follows the story of young Jake Doyle in the 1980s who goes on an adventure to get a copy of a Nintendo system. This film is a lot of fun, drenched in Christmas as all the good Christmas movies are and filled with a lot of heart and themes of aging and growing up. Neil Patrick Harris is a lot of fun in the film, showing that he is one of the best leading men in Hollywood. If you’re looking for a new Christmas classic, then look no further, ‘8-Bit Christmas’ is a great film and a must-own for Christmas movie fans.  

Buy the 8-Bit Christmas Movie on DVD here

Bonus Movie - ‘How The Grinch Stole Christmas’ (2000) - 

Dr Seuss’s classic ‘How The Grinch Stole Christmas’ has been a popular culture icon for decades. His presence is always felt around the Christmas holiday season. Ron Howard’s 2000 adaptation of this classic children’s book is still the definitive version of the film, over 20 years later. The film sees Jim Carey play the titular Grinch, in an iconic turn as the character. His performance is truly amazing and goes down as one of his best of all time. The film embraces its childlike wonderment, whilst also providing some jokes geared towards an older generation, that will keep the parents invested. It’s fun for the whole family and really is a Christmas classic. Be sure to check it out on 4K if you can as well, the restoration looks and sounds terrific. A must own for Christmas movie fans! 

Buy 'How The Grinch Stole Christmas- Ultimate-Edition' on DVD here

Christmas is a time for giving, but sometimes it's good to treat yourself as well. Treat yourself to these great films this Christmas, along with a tonne of other releases. You can browse Sanity’s large collection of Christmas movies today both in-store and online. 

Shop the huge range of Christmas Movies on sale here

Christopher Pattison wrote this blog post for Sanity. See more from Chris here