For many people, watching movies is a fun, integral part of the holiday season. For some, this means watching the same holiday classics year after year. Others are drawn to newer films, heading to the local theater in droves to see the latest festive Hollywood offering.
This is more than enough motivation for studios to continue to release new holiday films. A well-received holiday movie cannot only do big business upon initial release, but also bring in revenue over the years if it reaches that “classic” status.
Disney’s most recent contribution to the holiday film genre, “The Nutcracker and the Four Realms” – an updated retelling of the 19th-century German story “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King” – came out on Friday, Nov. 2. As the holiday season draws near, 24/7 Wall St. has identified the 40 best holiday movies ever made. We based our rank on critic and audience ratings on Rotten Tomatoes and Internet Movie Database.
The 40 films illustrate that there is a type of holiday film for everyone. Numerous genres are represented, ranging from action to comedy and horror to animation. Movie fans of any genre can enjoy the warm, familiar feeling of a holiday-based setting in the film of their choice.
There is also an almost perfect split between older and newer films. Nineteen of the best holiday movies were released prior to 1990, with six released before 1950. These now classic films can often be found on television throughout the holiday season.
Of the more recent releases, six have come out since only 2010, proving that there is always a place at the table for new favorites around the holidays.[/nextpage][nextpage]
40. Batman Returns (1992)
Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.
> Directed by: Tim Burton
> Starring: Michael Keaton, Danny DeVito, Michelle Pfeiffer
> Genre: Action, crime, fantasy
One of the best films in the Batman canon, “Batman Returns,” takes place during the Christmas season. The movie, with Michael Keaton in the titular role, features a massive attack during Gotham City’s tree-lighting ceremony by a group of crazed circus performers. The movie has grossed almost $267 million worldwide.
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39. Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001)
Source: Courtesy of Miramax
> Directed by: Sharon Maguire
> Starring: Renée Zellweger, Colin Firth, Hugh Grant
> Genre: Comedy, drama, romance
While the entirety of “Bridget Jones’s Diary” doesn’t take place during the holidays, the romantic comedy is bookended with scenes taking place during the most celebratory time of year. Furthermore, a major theme of the film is Bridget’s holiday introspection – a state of mind familiar to many around the holidays.[/nextpage][nextpage]
38. The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
Source: Courtesy of Buena Vista Pictures
> Directed by: Brian Henson
> Starring: Michael Caine, Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire
> Genre: Comedy, drama, family
In this version, the classic Charles Dickens story is retold by the Muppets. Michael Caine was well received by critics as the miserly Scrooge.[/nextpage][nextpage]
37. Black Christmas (1974)
Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.
> Directed by: Bob Clark
> Starring: Olivia Hussey, Keir Dullea, Margot Kidder
> Genre: Horror, mystery, thriller
One of the earliest slasher films – premiering four years earlier than John Carpenter’s “Halloween” – is also a Christmas movie. Despite numerous poor reviews upon its release, the film has become a cult holiday classic.
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