Tokyo Godfathers

A Japanese anime film about three homeless people who take care of an abandoned child on Christmas Eve. It may not be about the festival of Christmas itself, but the touching themes of family ties and our connection with strangers make it feel incredibly relevant to the holiday. While many low-quality Christmas films try to lecture the viewer about the ‘true meaning of Christmas’, Tokyo Godfathers is able to deliver its message of kindness and love through the strength of its characters and plot instead, making for poignant viewing. 

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

In a genre crowded with family-oriented comedies, this stands out as one of the better options. Following Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase)’s attempt to put on a traditional Christmas gathering, the film is filled with funny slapstick gags and the family dynamic is believable and relatable. It’s depiction of Middle America may be well-trodden ground, but if you’re looking for light-hearted laughs and just the right amount of cheesy festive nostalgia, this is a great option. 

Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

Still delighting audiences over 70 years after its release, this story about Father Christmas taking a job in a department store is an essential watch. Edmund Gwenn puts in perhaps the greatest ever depiction of Santa, with his cheekiness and warmth being the perfect contrast to the cynical characters he faces along the way. Maureen O’Hara is also excellent, playing an overly-grounded mother who denies the existence of Father Christmas much to the dismay of her young daughter. A rallying cry against glumness, encouraging people to embrace childhood joy instead of giving in to the grind of daily life, Miracle on 34th Street still feels incredibly relevant, and just as heartwarming, today.  

Home Alone

This film is so nostalgic for many as the filmmakers seem to have a perfect understanding of what it’s like to be a kid. Macauley Culkin is excellent as a child actor, portraying his unease and fear of the adult world while also having the chance to be mischievous and imaginative in his tackling of the burglars, it’s no wonder that Kevin has been relatable to so many generations of children. Dealing with family members over Christmas always leads to arguments and annoyances, but, as Home Alone shows us, it just wouldn’t be the same without them.  

Elf

A fun fish-out-of-water story about an adopted elf that runs away to New York to find his real father. Will Ferrell’s performance as the bumbling and naïve Buddy manages to be endearing rather than annoying, with his innocence leading to several funny gags. The true strength of the film lies in its heart, as Buddy’s optimism is able to win over many characters that initially reject him. While the chase scene towards the end feels a little forced, that shouldn’t distract from the merits of this warm comedy. 

Arthur Christmas

Following the Claus family as they try to run the gift-giving operation smoothly, this animated film from Ardman is a creative and enjoyable take on the Christmas lore. With a witty script and stellar performances from the British cast, there’s more than enough here for all ages to enjoy. The emotional conflict between the family and their different perspectives on Christmas is a surprising strength. 

The Muppet Christmas Carol

No Christmas is complete without a telling of this Dickens classic, and although giving much consideration to Alastair Sim’s excellent 1951 performance as Ebenezer Scrooge, I gave in to my 8-year-old self and gave the nod to the Muppets. The absurdist contrast between the grumpy Scrooge (Michael Caine) and the colourful and lively puppet troupe has no right to work as well as it does. A technical marvel when it first released, its humour and musical numbers may mean it’s not the most faithful adaptation of the source material, but The Muppet Christmas Carol still manages to carry the original’s plot, and most importantly its message, incredibly well.  

For more on Christmas films, check out these Redbrick Film articles:

Redbrick Film Picks: Festive Favourites

The Girlbosses of Christmas: Liberal Feminism in Christmas Films

Review: Love Hard