Top 10 Modern Christmas Movies

Top 10 Modern Christmas Movies

 
These are the most wonderful films of the year. Welcome to MsMojo and today we’ll be counting down our picks for the top 10 modern Christmas movies! For this list, we’re ranking the best festive films released since the year 2000.
 

#10: “This Christmas” (2007)

Christmas is a time for family, no matter how dysfunctional that family can be. “This Christmas” centres on the Whitfields, a close-knit group with some well-kept secrets – which all unravel over the festive period. Discussions, debates, arguments and fights ensue over everything from school to relationships, as well as what to do with the family’s dry-cleaning business. Things get heated and quite chaotic at times, but Chris Brown’s carol singing helps bring everyone together – that and a good old-fashioned dance-off or two. 
 

#9: “Disney’s A Christmas Carol” (2009)

It seems like a tale as old as Christmastime itself: Ebenezer Scrooge bah humbugs the season, only to be haunted by spirits of his past, present and future as he’s given a second chance at life. With Robert Zemeckis in the director’s chair, this Charles Dickens classic was given the Disney treatment in 2009, with magical results. The animated 3D film earned high praise for its visuals, which were produced using motion capture techniques similar to Zemeckis’ earlier and considerably less family friendly film, “Beowulf”. With Jim Carrey starring in multiple voice roles, “Disney’s A Christmas Carol” is heaps of holiday fun!
 

#8: “The Family Man” (2000)

Jack Campbell is a big shot Wall Street businessman on the verge of a momentous merger deal on Christmas Eve – seemingly, his life couldn’t be sweeter. But after a chance meeting in a convenience store, he wakes up on Christmas Day with a wife and children. In a glimpse into the life he could’ve had, Jack is married to his college sweetheart and earns a modest wage as a tire salesman. His initial anger and confusion is slowly replaced by other more wholesome emotions like loyalty and love, and Jack begins to realize the lesson set before him: life’s not about money, and Christmas is a lot more fun when you have a family to share it with.
 

#7: “The Polar Express” (2004)

The second Robert Zemeckis motion capture movie to make it into this top 10, “The Polar Express” is based on the 1985 children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg. Tom Hanks stars in six roles for this film, which sees a boy board a magical train bound for the North Pole on the night before Christmas. Praised for its digital effects and eclectic range of characters, it’s a first-class journey into what makes the holiday season so special. Plus, the soundtrack will stick in your head until at least next summer – it singlehandedly turns hot chocolate into a sing-along experience.
 

#6: “Bad Santa" (2003)

Shopping mall Santas are a staple part of a successful Christmas. But what if the guy giving out gifts isn’t overflowing with good will? What if he’s a petty criminal addicted to sex and alcohol and is hell-bent on robbing the store as soon as security’s back is turned? “Bad Santa” casts Billy Bob Thornton as Willie T. Stokes for an adults-only look at the big guy in red, and one of the most outrageous alternative Christmas comedies around. Santa’s elf is the fantastically foul-mouthed Marcus, while Mrs. Claus is a more ‘casual’ arrangement with Sue the bartender, who happens to be sexually obsessed with Saint Nick. Essentially, this movie is a who’s who of the naughty list.
 

#5: “Arthur Christmas” (2011)

Our highest ranked animation sees Christmas in the modern world as an intense, almost military operation for Santa and his elves. The traditional sleigh is replaced by the high-tech S-1, and delivering presents on Christmas night is an ultra-efficient experience. The eponymous Arthur, whose job is to reply to all of the letters to Santa, is a little clumsy and lacking in confidence. But, when he realises that despite the S-1’s mod-cons, a child has been missed out and is set to wake up present-less on Christmas morning, he reverts back to tradition to put the matter right. A ‘coming-of-age tale’ for Arthur, this movie is a clever reinvention of some classic Christmas themes.
 

#4: “The Holiday” (2006)

A rom-com set on both sides of the Atlantic, “The Holiday” brings together an A-list cast for two interlinked love stories. Cameron Diaz is Amanda, an LA-based producer of movie trailers; and Kate Winslet plays Iris, an editor for the Daily Telegraph in London. With both women seeking to escape their failing love lives for Christmas, they meet online and agree to house-swap for the holidays. It takes them both a little while to adjust to the other’s lifestyle, but unexpected romance quickly has them settled in. And with Jude Law and Jack Black for company, the festive spirit is certainly free-flowing.
 

#3: “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (2000)

The Whos down in Whoville adore Christmas. But the Grinch, who lives up in Mount Crumpit, hates it – with a passion. Jim Carrey stars as the entirely unfestive title character for a turn-of-the-century Dr. Seuss adaptation packed full with trademark wordplay and quirky characters. And while most Christmas movies are laden with moral messages and life lessons, this one really tugs at our emotions. A bullied outsider pushed into isolation, the Grinch may play the bad guy, but there’s a big heart in there somewhere – and Cindy Lou is set on finding it, no matter how many over-the-top tantrums she has to put up with.
 

#2: “Love, Actually” (2003)

The ensemble cast for this list’s runner-up is so incredibly strong, it’s a wonder all the names ever fit onto a single trailer or promotional poster. Hugh Grant, Keira Knightley, Colin Firth, Emma Thompson, the list goes on and on – and they all come together for a rom-com extraordinaire. “Love, Actually” tells a series of love stories all set at Christmastime, and each as heart-warming as the next. With scenes that have you crying with laughter, and others that will just plain make you cry, the full spectrum of feelings is tackled here. You’ll never see carol singers, politicians, or airport arrivals gates the same way again.


Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
 
“The Santa Clause 2” (2002)
 
“Surviving Christmas” (2004)
 
“Just Friends” (2005)
 

#1: “Elf” (2003)

If you aren’t already super excited for Christmas, then 2003’s “Elf” is guaranteed to get you in the merriest of moods. Played by Will Ferrell, Buddy is a fully-grown man who grew up as one of Santa’s little helpers. He’s now back in America and searching for his father, and causing a Christmassy scene wherever he goes. He burps louder than anyone else, throws snowballs faster than anyone else, and he definitely knows a phony Santa when he sees one! But there’s nothing false about “Elf”’s position at the top of today’s countdown. Buddy is everything that’s good about Christmas; all rolled up into one oversized, out of place, but hilarious character.

Do you agree with our list? Which movie did we miss on our Christmas list? For more festive top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to MsMojo.