Our Favourite Christmas Films
With Christmas fast approaching, we compiled a mini survey to identify Code’s favourite festive films. From the results we present to you a list of must-see movies, along with a couple of sentences from the Computerlovers’ summing why you should watch them this Christmas.
Home Alone (1990)
Director: Chris Columbus
Stars: Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern
Running Time: 103 min
Everyone should’ve already watched this, but if you haven’t, it’s the best film to welcome in the Christmas season. It has everything Christmas is all about, Family, Friends, and paint cans swinging from the stairs, not forgetting the brilliant soundtrack!
Elf (2003)
Director: Jon Favreau
Stars: Will Ferrell, James Caan, and Bob Newhart
Running Time: 97 min
It embodies everything Christmas is about – fun, singing, being silly, family, and friends.
It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
Director: Frank Capra
Stars: James Stewart, Donna Reed and Lionel Barrymore
Running Time: 130 min
It’s a classic heart-warming Christmas film that everybody needs to have watched.
Die Hard (1988)
Director: John McTiernan
Stars: Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman and Bonnie Bedelia
Running Time: 131 min
Because it’s Bruce. As proof the sound track contains: Winter Wonderland, Christmas in Hollis, Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! And Jingle Bells, not forgetting the Computerlovers favourite quote ‘Yippie ki-yay’.
Fantastic Mr Fox (2009)
Director: Wes Anderson
Stars: George Clooney, Meryl Streep and Bill Murray
Running Time: 87 min
Witty and feel good, nice soundtrack and entertaining for all ages.
Black Christmas (1974)
Director: Bob Clark
Stars: Olivia Hussey, Keir Duella, and Margot Kidder
Running time: 98 min
One of the most underrated horror classics of all time. This film manages to maintain a thoroughly creepy atmosphere throughout, filled with suspense, mystery, and an unflinching feeling of dread despite its cheerful Christmas setting. Unlike many modern horror films, it’s a testament to the idea that the unseen is always far more scarier than anything you can show on film. If you haven’t already seen it and you don’t mind being scared this Christmas It’s definitely worth a watch.
A Christmas Story (1983)
Director: Bob Clark
Stars: Peter Billingsley, Melinda Dillon and Darren McGavin
Running Time: 94 min
Ralphy, eyes being shot out, an alluring leg lamp, big coats. Crazy ass kids and a sweet shoot out.
Flash Gordon (1980)
Director: Mike Hodges
Stars: Sam J. Jones, Melody Anderson and Max von Sydow
Running Time: 111 min
I admit there are no trees or snow or amusing incidents with a turkey, but what could be more Christmassy than a super-camp pantomime in space? Especially when it has a Queen soundtrack, Max Von Sydown being sinister, Brian Blessed being Brian Blessed, and Peter Duncan from Blue Peter being killed by a space scorpion. Plus, it used to be on the telly every Boxing Day when I was little, so is as Christmassy to me as James Bond and Quality Street.
Star Wars Episode VI – Return of Jedi (1983)
Director: Richard Marquand
Stars: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher
Running Time: 134 min
The “Star Wars” phenomenon has been seen as timeless modern myth-making; it has also been seen as the triumph of infantilism and a knockout blow to serious film-making. The “Return of the Jedi” is a fitting climax to the most successful space adventure of all time.
ET (1982)
Director: Steven Spielberg
Stars: Henry Thomas, Drew Barrymore, and Peter Coyote
Running time: 115 min
Although it isn’t actually a Christmas film with trees and Santa it always reminds me of Christmas as a child, watching it with my cousins near the tree.
Singing in the rain (1952)
Director: Stanley Donen & Gene Kelly
Stars: Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor and Debbie Reynolds
Running Time: 103 min
Not exactly Christmassy but its always on at Christmas and I love it.
If you are looking for more movie inspiration over the festive season, check out The Guardian’s recommendations, and Time Out’s guide to the best and worst Christmas movies. (Or if you just want to find out what to avoid, check out the Film Junk’s Worst film list)
