Written by Cassandra Singh.

These Top Ten Christmas Movies might not necessarily be for the whole family >:-)

10. Love Actually (2003)

Directed by Richard Curtis.

This unashamedly romantic comedy tells the story of eight different couples and their love lives during Christmas. An all star cast and a crowd-pleasing script makes this movie the perfect date flick for this time of the year.

Fact: The scene where Kris Marshall’s character Colin (accidentally) insults the caterer’s food to her face, was originally written as a scene for Hugh Grant’s character in Four Weddings and a Funeral, but was cut from that film.

9. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

Directed by Henry Selick.

Tim Burton’s imagination is brought to life in this wonderful stop-motion musical. It manages to be both a family film and a light horror film. Only Burton’s mind can mix such feelings in a movie that celebrates Christmas and Halloween at the same time.

Fact: Tim Burton had hoped to direct, but placed Henry Selick in the director’s chair instead as he was busy working on Batman Returns  and had Ed Wood  in pre-production.

8. Gremlins (1984)

Directed by Joe Dante.

An enjoyable horror film for adults and young adults alike. Who can forget just how cute/horrific those little monsters were? Just remember those three rules…

Fact: After watching his earlier short films, Steven Spielberg considered Tim Burton to direct the film. But decided against it because at the time Burton had never directed a full feature length film.

7. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)

Directed by Jeremiah S. Chechik.

The Griswold family must be the most unluckiest family on earth. The third film in National Lampoon’s Vacation series remains one the of the funnest Christmas films ever.

Fact: Frank Capra III, the grandson of It’s a Wonderful Life  director, Frank Capra, was the Assistant Director of Christmas Vacation.

6. Millions (2004)

Directed by Danny Boyle.

Danny Boyle’s little seen morality tale manages to be entertaining and meaningful at the same time. It’s the kind of family film that will tug at the heart strings whilst teaching the kiddies a lesson or two.

Fact: Instead of making cast and crew T-shirts, production donated the money to Water Aid, to build a well in Africa (like the family did in the film).

5. Black Christmas (1974)

Directed by Bob Clark.

A fantastic slasher flick set in a girls sorority house. This classic nasty has it all. The mocking phone calls, the P.O.V. shots, the killer twist – it’s all here. An atmospheric horror film that makes the most out of its generic slasher plot. A great anti-Christmas film.

Fact: Regarded among horror fans as the first film to come up with the popular convention of a killer calling from inside the house.

4. Bad Santa (2003)

Directed by Terry Zwigoff

Speaking of anti-Christmas, Bad Santa  stands out as one of the funniest Christmas movies. Arguably the worst Santa of all time, Billy Bob Thornton plays his part with gusto. Its offensive and childish but manages to have a heart. Great stuff.

Fact: Billy Bob Thornton admitted that he was genuinely intoxicated during the filming.

3. Die Hard (1988)

Directed by John McTiernan.

Problem: A group of terrorists take over a Christmas party at the Nakatomi Plaza in Los Angeles. Solution: John McClane.Yippee-ki-yay, motherfu***r.

Fact: Much of the script was improvised due to the constant screenplay tweaks that were being made during filming.

2. Home Alone (1990)

Directed by Chris Colombus.

This classic family film is an essential film to watch during this holiday season. Home Alone  remains a movie that you can watch over and over again. Funny, energetic and absolutely entertaining.

Fact: Joe Pesci kept forgetting that he was filming a “family” movie during his characters on-screen outbursts so director Chris Columbus advised him to say “fridge” instead of the “F-word”.

1. It’s A Wonderful Life (1946)

Directed by Frank Capra.

A true Christmas film if ever there was one, It’s A Wonderful Life  has the sort of power that you don’t experience often in cinema. A life affirming, charming, beautiful piece of celluloid that is constantly topping best film lists the world over. One viewing and you will understand why.

Fact: James Stewart said that of all the films he made, this was his favorite.

– C.S.

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