If you're not jazzed about the Christmas specials on TV this year, look deeper for some very good winter movies suitable for a Christmas movie marathon or just a Christmas week movie session. Most of these are comedies that take place during or near Christmas, but a few may have already been forgotten. That's a shame, because they are all recommended comedies, and all rated G or PG for the family. Here are the top 20 movies for Christmas week:1 - Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987) starring Steve Martin and John Candy. A funny John Hughes movie with a little bit of heart, just perfect for your Christmas movie marathon. Two guys have to get home for Thanksgiving dinner, but it's harder than expected. They face obstacles along the way, including each other, and a snow storm. It's not exactly on Christmas, but close enough.
2 - Scrooged (1988) Bill Murray. A twisted and funny take on the old classic Christmas tale. No one has comic timing like Bill Murray, who has come along way since Caddyshack and SNL.
3 - National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989) Chevy Chase. This movie is a bit more mature, for kids in their mid-teens or older. It is still very funny, and worth watching again this year at Christmas time.
4 - Just Friends (2005) Ryan Reynolds is hilarious as a younger fatter himself. He comes home for teh holidays to get his old girlfriend. Some very funny moments in this surprise hit.
5 - The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) An unforgettable Tim Burton animation.
6 - Trading Places (1983) Dan Akryoyd, Eddie Murphy, Jamie Lee Curtis. Near the holidays, two men change places in society, from rags to riches and vice versa.
7 - Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer (1964, Burl Ives) you know you love Yukon C! He's the man! This animated classic never gets old. Well, it does, but not til after Christmas. Silver and gold...
8 - Arthur Christmas (2011) Very clever animation!
9 - Jack Frost (1988) Michael Keaton becomes a snowman and has to bond with his son before the thaw hits. Don't confuse this with the 1997 horror movie, or your kids will be scarred for life.
10 - A Christmas Story (983) Overplayed, but good for the next generation of kids.
11 - The Grinch Who Stole Christmas (Animation). Not the live action remake.
12 - Home Alone (1994) McCauly Culkin. Still funny if you're young enough not to have seen it many times.
13 - Unaccompanied Minors (2006) A blizzard traps a group of teens in an airport.
14 - Bad Santa (2003) Billy Bob Thornton. A conman poses as Santa to rob department stores, but a kid causes problems for the criminal Kris Kringle.
15 - Elf (2003) Will Ferrell. The Anchorman himself appears as an oversized elf. One of the worst movies ever, but somehow it does work well for then holiday. Kids seems to love it, go figure!
15 - Elf (2003) Will Ferrell. The Anchorman himself appears as an oversized elf. One of the worst movies ever, but somehow it does work well for then holiday. Kids seems to love it, go figure!
16 - Gremlins (1984) A kid gets a furry animal for Christmas, but doesn't follow all the care instructions. The gremlin has babies, who become a problem for the town.
17 - Trapped in Paradise (1994) Jon Lovitz, Nicholas Cage, Dana Carvey. Three brothers plan to rob a bank on Christmas Eve, but didn't plan on a small town foiling their plans. A good comedy.
18 - Deck the Halls (2006) Danny DeVito and Matthew Broderick
19 - Four Christmases (2004) Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon
20 - Christmas with the Kranks (2004) Time Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis (her 2nd time on the list).
Honorable Mention:
Surf's Up , (very funny), and Happy Feet - both are animated penguin movies, but Surf's Up is miles above the other in quality. For younger kids, Happy Feet will do fine. These 2 aren't Christmas movies, but they do take place in snow. Does that count?
Now you're well armed for a week of family who are visiting with nothing to do. Stock up these Christmas comedy movies and lots of eggnog.
No comments:
Post a Comment