I confess—I love Christmas movies, and the more heartwarming the better. My list of 7 does contain a couple of classics, but not the iconic It’s a Wonderful Life and Miracle on 34th Street. I love those two movies, but everybody knows about them, right? Here I’m pointing out some lesser sung but still entertaining and worthwhile Christmas movies. Some of the movies are Hallmark, but I don’t list The Good Witch’s Christmas because I adore all the Good Witch movies, and they deserve their own spotlight at some point in the future.
An American Christmas Carol starring Henry Winkler 1979 – This is Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol updated and set in the depression era. The beauty of this work is how it made me think deeply and emotionally about the legacy we leave behind us when we depart from earth. It points out how where we are in life is based on the choice we make during each fertile moment. Our decisions either take us toward love and humanity or in a darker direction. Henry Winkler is amazing, and the scene that sticks in my mind is where he cries from his deepest despair, “I’m willing to make a change.”
The Christmas List starring Mimi Rogers, Rob Stewart, and Stella Stevens 1997 – A fun romantic movie where the girl gets the guy and the ex gets a lap full of ice cream. The main character’s name is Melody Parris, befitting a woman known as “the nose” and able to differentiate among chic perfumes while blindfolded. The little boy whose mother passed away adds a down to earth element. My favorite part is where Melody wishes for, and gets, a pair of fuzzy slippers.
The Nine Lives of Christmas on Hallmark starring Brandon Routh 
and Kimberley Sustad 2014 – One thing I really appreciate about the Hallmark Christmas movies is that actors in a supporting role today are likely to be in a starring role in a couple of years. Kimberley Sustad made an elegant sister for Arielle Kebbel in 2012’s A Bride for Christmas. In Nine Lives she comes across as more faceted and human, and fascinating to watch. She does a lot with her facial expressions and huge dark eyes. Brandon Routh who played in Superman Returns has a peppery voice that I find utterly irresistible. The other stars of the movie are two cats, one fluffy and one orange tabby.
A Very Merry Mix Up on Hallmark starring Alicia Witt and Mark Wiebe 2014 – This movie startled me with a big surprise about halfway through, and I’m not giving away the spoiler. Suffice to say it’s one of those things where you lament, “Damn, why didn’t I think of that?”
It runs again at 6pm tonight if you can catch it.
A Christmas Carol starring Alastair Sim 1951 – Here’s a tip of the hat to a Christmas classic. This movie is perfection all the way around, and Sims is mesmerizing as the definitive Ebenezer Scrooge. My favorite scene is where he goes bananas and dances a jig in his room, frightening the housekeeper out of her mind. How he got his limbs to go so akimbo remains a mystery.
Bell Book & Candle starring Kim Novak and Jimmy Stewart 1958—Witches have Christmas wishes too, and Kim Novak portrays a stunning witch who casts a Christmas love spell with unexpected but delicious consequences.
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation starring Chevy Chase and Beverly D’Angelo 1989 – I couldn’t leave out the Griswolds if I tried, and I don’t want to try. I enjoy the movie too much. Beverly D’Angelo is overly unsung as far as I’m concerned. I loved her work as a wildcat singer in Daddy’s Dyin’…Whose Got the Will? Her vulnerability and comedic talent shine in Lampoon, and Chevy Chase is both hilarious and makes me want to pat him on the head. And let’s not forget the one of a kind Cousin Eddie, despite Randy Quaid’s resentment of the part.
There you have my list of 7 Christmas movies to brighten the season. So fill your little reindeer goblets with the spiked eggnog, lean close, and whisper me some secrets—what are your favorite Christmas movies?
Cheers & Happy Reading!
Flossie Benton Rogers, Conjuring the Magic with Paranormal Fantasy Romance
What a lovely post! I see some titles here that catch my interest. Must find them.
Among my favorite Christmas films are: Miracle on 34th Street. This remains one of the best in this type of movies; certainly a lovely warmhearted movie. I also enjoyed Prancer – 1989- a nice little holiday film that delivers a timeless message about faith and selflessness. And a third one – Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer – 1964 an animation movie that, in my opinion, remains the king of all Christmas specials. All the characters are wonderful and memorable.
Thank you for making me search among my DVDs and CDs and find the films dedicated to Christmas! Hopefully I will also watch one or two on Christmas if there’s nothing more attractive ( circus) on TV.
Merry Christmas and lots of health to you, Flossie, and your lovely family!
Carmen
Carmen, I like the ones you listed as well. We watch Rudolph every year. Another animated one that has been a favorite in our family since my son was little is Year Without a Santa Claus, with Heat Miser and Snow Miser. My Snickerdoodles and I have also seen Prancer. Merry Christmas to you and blessings in the new year! You deserve all good things.
I see several Christmas movies I’ve enjoyed on your list, Flossie, and a few others that are new to me. My two absolute favorite holiday movies are A Christmas Carol (most any version) and Elf. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen the version with Alastair Sim, but I’m going to have to look that up. I can’t get enough of that story. Merry Christmas to you and yours!
You know, Mae, I don’t think I’ve seen Elf! I’ll have to find that one. Merry Christmas and new year’s blessings to you and your family!
Elf is just soooooooo adorable! I can’t imagine anyone not loving it! And thanks for the lovely holiday wishes! 🙂
I love sitting with a large mug of hot chocolate, the dogs snuggled in my lap and watching any one of the favored Christmas movies you just listed. I really liked Tim Allen’s The Santa Claus and Santa Claus II.
Oh, what a warm and cozy picture you paint, Loretta! I could go for some of that hot chocolate.
Though not a Christmas movie, I always watch Meet Me in St Louis. “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” always brings tears to my eyes.
Oh, thanks for mentioning Meet Me in St. Louis, Marcia. What a wonderful movie. I love that one too.
awesoem Choices. I found three I have to find The Nine lives one , the Christmas Mix up and the Bells witches and candles.
It’s terrible, Cathy, but I find myself just wanting to crochet and watch Christmas movies during November and December?