Top 25 Christmas Films (5-1)

5. Klaus (2019)

The only film of my top 5 that came out past the 60’s, Klaus came out in 2019 and was instantly a Christmas classic. Essentially a “Santa Claus origin story”, Klaus is a heartwarming and humorous tale about the healing power of doing good. But it’s not just the story; every part of Klaus is perfectly put together. The voice acting is phenomenal across the board. The score swells with the emotional moments and compliments the humour well. And the animation, the animation is on another level. It’s traditional 2D animation, but through volumetric lightning and unique textures it has a 3D effect, despite being entirely 2D. It’s a work of art that shows the effort put in by the whole crew to create something with interesting shots, beautiful images, and spectacular performances. You are doing yourself a disservice if you don’t sit down and enjoy this new Christmas classic.

4. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (1964)

You know the song. Everyone knows the song. And you probably know the movie too, since it’s played year after year. And for good reason. Rather than just being a simple retelling, the animation expands the story to include catchy songs, fun side-characters, and a solid plot about who Rudolph was and how he came to save Christmas. In re-watching, I’ve realized one of the reasons why this film is engrossing is because the story is Joseph Campbell’s “The Hero’s Journey”. Rudolph faces challenges, heads out into The Unknown, and returns after growing; it’s a classic story formula that we come back to because it works. Animation-wise, the stop-motion puppet work has an ageless quality to it, always endearing to watch. It’s a timeless animation that will endure, snowy winter after snowy winter.

3. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)

Much like Rudolph before, there’s an ageless quality to A Charlie Brown Christmas. Of all the M. Schulz Peanuts animations, this is the one that lives in my head. The iconic opening, the dance scene, Snoopy’s humour side gags, the songs, and the warm, cheery feeling when watching is hard to beat. Apparently its jazz soundtrack, child voice actors, and lack of a laugh track were unconventional choices in the 60’s, but I can’t imagine this any other way. It’s timeless in the simple designs, slow but comfortable story, and exploration of the feeling of Christmas. It may be slow, but it knows to take its time, making something comfortable and warm to return to. There’s nothing negative I have to say about this animated special.

2. Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)

It was a bit of a toss up for me between Charlie Brown and this one. Between the two, this one is the one I prefer for Christmas Eve. Boris Karloff’s voice is perfect for both the narration and The Grinch, and the rest of the cast fit the whimsical Whos. Credit must also go to Thurl Ravenscroft as the bass vocalist for the iconic "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch". This half-hour animation is lively, hilarious, and all these years later, still a blast to watch. And that’s no surprise, since it was directed by Chuck Jones, aka, the man responsible for some of the best Looney Tunes animations. The story is simple but engaging, and Dr. Seuss’ eye-catching, wild designs help to keep everything fun to watch. The Grinch is as much a staple of Christmas as reindeer, presents, or stockings by the fire.

1. Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

Perhaps the classic Christmas movie to end all classics, 1947’s Miracle on 34th Street is sentimental, smart, silly, and a delight to watch. All of the cast is fantastic, with special shout-outs to Natalie Wood’s natural, sweet performance and Edmund Gwenn's spectacular turn as Kris Kringle, which won him an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. He’s jolly, kind, a bit mischievous, and a joy to watch. He really makes you believe, or want to believe, that he is Santa Claus. The script is solid, never feeling flabby and always keeping your attention. It’s got comedy and heart in equal measure, and its sentimental message is not overdone, perhaps best showcased in the courtroom scene. That scene has stayed with me since viewing it. It’s not just a classic because of its age, but because it is smartly written, timelessly funny, and fully heartwarming. It’s a special type of Christmas magic.