Picking the best Christmas movie ever is a tough task. No matter what you do or how you come to the conclusion of number one, you will inevitably give people cause for argument.
In order to populate this list, we took to Twitter and Facebook to ask friends and fans. I also highlighted some Texas tie-ins to your seasonal favorites.
So, let’s get started, shall we?
#10 – It’s a Wonderful Life
Only one follower listed IAWL as a fave, but since it’s my absolutely favorite movie of all time, it just HAD to be included.
I couldn’t come up with a Texas connection, but I did find a tie to Charleston (my current city of residence). The dance Mary and George are doing as they crash into the pool underneath the high school gym floor is “The Charleston.”
Another fun fact: that “swim gym” is actually Beverly Hills High and still exists.
#9 – The Year Without Santa Clause
I’m shocked that only one follower listed this claymation classic. Funny enough, it was Walmart that listed this one.
My Texas connection for this film is my favorite on the list. FOX 7’s Chief Meteorologist Scott Fisher kinda resembles the Heat Miser.
Don’t believe me? Check it out.
#8 – Home Alone
Awww, McCauley Culkin used to be so cute. Home Alone is a fun little film, but surely not my favorite holiday feature, nor my fave John Hughes project.
#7 – White Christmas
The top grossing movie of 1954, I’ll go out on a limb and say many of you reading this haven’t even seen this Irving Berlin classic.
And if that’s the case, you may also not know that star Rosemary Clooney is George’s aunt.
#6 – Love Actually
The movie that introduced us to a guy who went on to slay The Walking Dead, another who later saw visions on Game of Thrones and THE hobbit.
Not sure who I’m talking about? Look it up.
Oh, Professor Snape was in it too.
There are probably members of a younger generation who long for Andrew Lincoln’s cue card moment just as the older gang fondly recalls wishing for a John Cusack In Your Eyes profession of love.
#5 – How the Grinch Stole Christmas
I’ve got to be honest. I like the concept of the Grinch and I enjoy the book, but the movie (both animated and live action) doesn’t do a whole lot for me. I do, however, love me some Grinchmas at Universal Studios. And since it is popular with the rest of you out there, it lands smack dab in the middle of the list.
#4 – Scrooged
Man, I love Scrooged. And, according to my research, I am not alone. The film revolves around a cynical TV exec (I know nothing about that lifestyle) who is haunted by three spirits, a la A Christmas Carol.
No Texas connection, but Alfre Woodard, who plays assistant Grace to Bill Murray’s Frank/ Lumpy, is from Oklahoma. That’s kind of the same thing, right?
Calm down. I’m kidding.
#3 – Christmas Vacation
If you know me, you know I am a HUGE Vacation fan.
Exhibit A: my first cat is named Rusty Griswold.
Exhibit B: my second cat is named Mr. Papagiorgio.
While Christmas Vacation ranks third on my list of all four Vacation movies, it falls higher on my annual Christmas movie roster, as it does with most of you.
Texas connection: Actor Randy Quaid says he based Cousin Eddie on a guy he knew in Texas.
# 2 – A Christmas Story
My younger generation of followers seem to lean towards the other flick topping this list, but I’m pretty sure this is the #1 movie for the 35 and up set.
Set in the fictional town of Hohmann, Indiana (actually Hammond) and filmed in Cleveland, this holiday classic paints a perfect picture of a Midwestern family Christmas experience in the ’40s.
I’ve taken part in many an argument about whether or not the film is, in fact, set in Indiana.
Here’s proof from IMDB:
The movie was set in Hammond, Indiana. References were made throughout the film to support this claim. Examples: Harding School (on 165th St.), where Flick stuck his tongue to the flagpole; Goldblatt’s department store; the mention of Griffith (a city that borders Hammond); Cleveland St., Hohman Ave. and other streets that are located in Hammond. Although the movie was not filmed in Hammond, the houses and look of the film is very authentic–writer . Jean Shepherd grew up in Hammond.
#1 – Elf
Son of a nutcracker, this is a fun film. Smiling is my favorite when I watch Will Ferrell as an overgrown “elf.”
And don’t even get me started on Peter Dinklage. He’s an angry elf.
Your favorite didn’t make the list? Feel free to let us know in a DM on Instagram.
Happy holidays!
Featured photo via iStock.com/Sinenkiy
