# Top five Christmas movies of ALL time, anyone?? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 20, 2003, 10:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-five-christmas-movies-of-all-time-anyone/220154 "2003-12-20T10:45:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![kmg365](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ec9cab/32.png) [@kmg365](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kmg365)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2003, 10:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-five-christmas-movies-of-all-time-anyone/220154/21 "2003-12-21T10:46:42Z")
Hey, **Number 6** , PIPE DOWN, TAKE A CHILL PILL AND RELAX! If you wanna start a debate over Christmas stuff take it on over to the “pit” for pete’s sake. Obviously you are too narrow minded handle talking about both Christmas-themed _and_ Christmas-related movies at the same time. However, for the rest of us who can, why ruin it? ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2003, 11:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-five-christmas-movies-of-all-time-anyone/220154/22 "2003-12-21T11:39:18Z")
Personally, I think the guy who uses CAPS first should take a chill pill and relax. None of the seven movies in the OP were significantly about Christmas; they just happened to take place in late December. Actually, my favourite scene in _Lethal Weapon_, one of your movies, comes near the end when Gary Busey shotguns a TV set showing something holiday-related while shouting “I HATE CHRISTMAS!” ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2003, 11:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-five-christmas-movies-of-all-time-anyone/220154/23 "2003-12-21T11:39:18Z")
Personally, I think the guy who uses CAPS first should take a chill pill and relax. None of the seven movies in the OP were significantly about Christmas; they just happened to take place in late December. Actually, my favourite scene in _Lethal Weapon_, one of your movies, comes near the end when Gary Busey shotguns a TV set showing something holiday-related while shouting “I HATE CHRISTMAS!” ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2003, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-five-christmas-movies-of-all-time-anyone/220154/24 "2003-12-21T12:18:53Z")
Yeah he fooled me. I picked mine on this basis: Behind Enemy Lines: The pilot’s mission is on Christmas Day. Diner: The characters sit in a Baltimore diner at Christmas. Eyes Wide Shut: His problems begin when he hooks up with 2 models at a Christmas party. The Junky’s Christmas: About a junky. At Christmas. Less Than Zero: Yuppie druggie goes home for Christmas. The Silent Partner: Vicious crim robs bank at Christmas dressed as Santa. By the way what does the **buddy list** do? **Bryan Ekers** is the only person on mine due to a clumsy point and click. Hi buddy. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2003, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-five-christmas-movies-of-all-time-anyone/220154/25 "2003-12-21T12:33:27Z")
Gosh, I’m honoured, I guess. According to a vBulletin (the software used to manage this and many other message boards) [FAQ](http://www.pesfan.com/bulletin/misc.php?action=faq&page=1#9): > [@](#): > > The buddy list is used to keep track of the friends you have made on this board. By going to your “My vB Home”, you’ll be able to see which of your friends are currently online, and be able to send them a private message. Adding people to your buddy list also allow you to send private messages to multiple board members at the same time. You may add any member of this board to your buddy list by clicking [the buddy] button in a member’s posts. Since as far as I know, private messaging isn’t enabled on the SDMB, the buddy list is largely useless. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2003, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-five-christmas-movies-of-all-time-anyone/220154/26 "2003-12-21T12:39:50Z")
Wow you’re right. Now all I have to do is use the **user cp** button and I can tell if you’re online. You are now for instance, but I guess you know that. ---
**Author:** ![Lsura](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7993a0/32.png) [@Lsura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lsura)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2003, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-five-christmas-movies-of-all-time-anyone/220154/27 "2003-12-21T14:01:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by don’t ask \* > \*\*Wow you’re right. Now all I have to do is use the **user cp** button and I can tell if you’re online. You are now for instance, but I guess you know that. \*\* BUT, I can tell that without having someone on my buddy list - at the bottom of your post where there’s the option to see someone’s profile, email them or whatnot, there’s the little V thing (I assume it’s for Vbulletin). If it’s yellow, you’re online. If grey, you’re not. You’re online right now, by the way. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2003, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-five-christmas-movies-of-all-time-anyone/220154/28 "2003-12-21T14:12:57Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Lsura \* > \*\*BUT, I can tell that without having someone on my buddy list - at the bottom of your post where there’s the option to see someone’s profile, email them or whatnot, there’s the little V thing (I assume it’s for Vbulletin). If it’s yellow, you’re online. If grey, you’re not. > > You’re online right now, by the way. 🙂 \*\* Wow, you’re right I am online, however my buddy **Bryan** is not. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2003, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-five-christmas-movies-of-all-time-anyone/220154/29 "2003-12-21T17:25:11Z")
Well, there’s nothing like a good computer-geek hijack to keep the threads moving. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2003, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-five-christmas-movies-of-all-time-anyone/220154/30 "2003-12-21T17:28:32Z")
Hey **Lsura** , **Bryan** is back. And you’re online too I can tell because of your big yellow V. ---
**Author:** ![Dawne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Dawne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dawne)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2003, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-five-christmas-movies-of-all-time-anyone/220154/31 "2003-12-21T20:29:18Z")
Incase anybody still wants to know, mine would be the muppet christmas carol, the grinch, the snowman (makes me cry every time), the nightmare before christmas (although arguably a haloween film more than a christmas one) and love actually, in no particular order. I don’t think some of those would be my final choices if i could just remember a few more good christmas films but for now thats it. ---
**Author:** ![penny\_dreadful](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/71c47a/32.png) [@penny\_dreadful](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/penny_dreadful)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2003, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-five-christmas-movies-of-all-time-anyone/220154/32 "2003-12-21T22:28:48Z")
**Dawne** , I watch **The Nightmare Before Christmas** at least twice a year: once around Halloween and once around Christmas. Also on my list are: **A Christmas Story** and **Edward Scissorhands**. And call me a sick freak, but **Bad Santa** is probably going to become a Christmas tradition at the dreadful house. ---
**Author:** ![MinniePurl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cab0a1/32.png) [@MinniePurl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MinniePurl)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2003, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-five-christmas-movies-of-all-time-anyone/220154/33 "2003-12-21T22:55:47Z")
The Ref, people,THE REF!! Although the ending is a bit cheesy. Apparently in the orginial ending, Gus gets arrested. The director was pressured to change it and said later he regretted it. ---
**Author:** ![musicguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ba0ec/32.png) [@musicguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/musicguy)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2003, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-five-christmas-movies-of-all-time-anyone/220154/34 "2003-12-21T23:37:00Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by MinniePurl \* > \*\*The Ref, people,THE REF!! \*\* That is one of my absolute favorite Christmas movies!!! (along with Christmas Vacation and A Christmas Story) ---
**Author:** ![Kaitlyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/73ab20/32.png) [@Kaitlyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kaitlyn)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2003, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-five-christmas-movies-of-all-time-anyone/220154/35 "2003-12-22T00:18:44Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by kmg365 \* > \*\*Hey, **Number 6** , PIPE DOWN, TAKE A CHILL PILL AND RELAX! If you wanna start a debate over Christmas stuff take it on over to the “pit” for pete’s sake. Obviously you are too narrow minded handle talking about both Christmas-themed _and_ Christmas-related movies at the same time. However, for the rest of us who can, why ruin it? \*\* Reread my post. You’ll see that I pointed out that you criticized another poster for doing _exactly_ what you did in your OP. I was applying your standards to your own list. If those standards are narrow-minded, you’ve aimed that criticism in the wrong direction. And call me crazy, but I think a Cafe Society thread about Christmas movies is the perfect place to debate what does or does not constitute a “Christmas movie”. Start a thread about war movies, and you’ll eventually get some debate about what makes a movie a war movie. Likewise westerns, romantic comedies, science fiction etc. If the thread lasts long enough, it always ends up in a debate about which movies do or do not qualify for the genre being discussed. If you want to define any movie that has any connection to Christmas whatsoever as a “Christmas movie” for purposes of your thread, that’s fine with me. But once you establish that as the criterion, it’s a bit hypocritical to criticize somebody else’s list for using the same criterion. ---
**Author:** ![kmg365](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ec9cab/32.png) [@kmg365](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kmg365)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2003, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-five-christmas-movies-of-all-time-anyone/220154/36 "2003-12-22T06:05:42Z")
WHATEVER! FTR, I definitely did not criticize anyone regarding their choices of favorite Christmas movies. I simply _pointed out_ to don’task that said movies did not sound like Christmas movies to me. The poster subsequently reiterated the Christmas significance of said choices, which as you can see, make a lot more sense, as they are more specific in nature. That is all. ---
**Author:** ![drm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e57/32.png) [@drm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drm)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2003, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-five-christmas-movies-of-all-time-anyone/220154/37 "2003-12-22T06:27:34Z")
My favorites, including a few good ones from this year, Bad Santa Elf National Lampoons Christmas Vacation The Ref Home Alone Special mention goes to The Santa Clause 2, I really enjoyed that movie. ---
**Author:** ![Kaitlyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/73ab20/32.png) [@Kaitlyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kaitlyn)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2003, 7:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-five-christmas-movies-of-all-time-anyone/220154/38 "2003-12-22T07:17:08Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by kmg365 \* > \*\*WHATEVER! FTR, I definitely did not criticize anyone regarding their choices of favorite Christmas movies. I simply _pointed out_ to don’task that said movies did not sound like Christmas movies to me. The poster subsequently reiterated the Christmas significance of said choices, which as you can see, make a lot more sense, as they are more specific in nature. That is all. \*\* Fair enough. I read that as a criticism, and it still seems that way to me; however, I’ll take your word for it that wasn’t intended that way. My favorite Christmas-themed movies: 1. _It’s a Wonderful Life_: I know Frank Capra didn’t really consider this movie a Christmas movie, as the bulk of the movie takes place at other times of the year. He’s wrong. The importance of the attempted suicide on Christmas Eve and subsequent nightmare and redemption form the heart of the movie. It matters little that the rest takes place at other times; those scenes are merely set-up for the altered world and the restored one. This is one of the great movies period, so often imitated that first time viewers don’t realize that this was the first use of this wonderful concept. 1. _Miracle on 34th Street_: The original version of this movie is pure corball wish fullfilment fantasy. On that level, it works magnificently. 2. _A Christmas Carol_ (1971): Alistar Sim is the best Scrooge, and thus this is the best version of the classic tale. Patrick Stewart’s 1999 version is a close second. 3. _A Christmas Story_: The best Christmas comedy. Sure, _Bad Santa_ has more bite, but I prefer my Christmas to be a bit more cheerful. 4. _Holiday Inn_: A better movie than its more famous remake, _White Christmas_, mostly because of the presense of Fred Astaire in the role replicated by Danny Kaye years later. ---
**Author:** ![kmg365](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ec9cab/32.png) [@kmg365](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kmg365)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2003, 10:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-five-christmas-movies-of-all-time-anyone/220154/39 "2003-12-22T10:51:53Z")
Fine. Although I should point out that perhaps you mean Alastair Sim’s 1951 [Scrooge](http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0044008/), which is not to be confused with Albert Finney’s 1970 portrayal of the same title, or George C. Scott’s made-for-TV 1984 rendition entitled _A Christmas Carol_. ---
**Author:** ![Iyamity](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/96bed5/32.png) [@Iyamity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iyamity)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2003, 11:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-five-christmas-movies-of-all-time-anyone/220154/40 "2003-12-22T11:37:13Z")
Let us not forget Reindeer Games, memorable for the swimming pool scene. (For this Charlize Theron fan, anyway.) Ohterwise, very Christmassy themed. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-five-christmas-movies-of-all-time-anyone/220154.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-five-christmas-movies-of-all-time-anyone/220154.md?page=3)