5. Elf

Will Ferrell is hilarious. Wearing yellow tights and a pointy hat makes him even funnier.  So, Elf began with an unfair advantage over other Christmas films. And, it delivered on its promise, spinning a heartwarming yearn about an orphan, who was raised by elves, venturing out in search of his human family. We can all relate.

4. Gremlins

The 1980’s and 1990’s produced some fantastic horror/comedy combinations. We at G@H love the Leprechaun movies, especially Leprechaun 4: In Space.  Where they lack holiday flair, though, Gremlins brings the jolly. Why is Gremlins a Christmas movie?  The gremlins go caroling. They throw a holiday bash at Dorry’s Tavern.  Oh, and, they maul Santa Claus.

3. Muppet Christmas Carol

Christmas isn’t complete without a rendition of Charles Dickens’ classic. Muppet Christmas Carol ranks as our favorite. We dig the Muppets. They entertain through wit, not gimmick. Their musical numbers are quirky and well-choreographed. The Muppets fit archetypes and can be cast cleverly into familiar characters. Kermit makes a superb Bob Cratchit. Fozzie is Fezziwig. And, through some creative license, Waldorf and Statler succeed as the “Marley Brothers.” That said, the Muppets aren’t our favorite part of this movie; it’s Sir Michael Caine. You want a great Scrooge? Enlist a knight.

2. Die Hard

Ideally, your holidays are full of fellowship, love and revelry. But, what if they weren’t?  What if German terrorists took your wife and others hostage during a Christmas party at a swanky Los Angles high rise? Well then, you might shoot people—at least, Bruce Willis would.

1. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

How cliché, right? We considered excluding National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, but doing so would shred our credibility. Instead, we embrace the Griswolds. Clark is an everyman—hardworking and headstrong, bold and benevolent, inspired and imaginative. By day, he invented food preservatives. By night, Clark Griswold was the original gentleman at home. The OG@H.

Honorable mention: Scrooged, Trading Places, Home Alone, Babes in Toyland, and Santa Claus: The Movie (not The Santa Clause)