There are many different genres and catharsis levels in holiday movies. The best Thanksgiving movies get us in the holiday mood before the best Christmas movies capitalize on our wistful nostalgia compulsion. However, there are times when all we truly want is for our stomachs to quake like bowls of jelly, which is where the finest amusing Christmas movies listed below come in. We encourage you to ring in the holiday season with the merriest of movie marathons, whether you’ve seen them all a million times or are just discovering a couple on this accidental scroll.
- The Santa Clause (1994)
Tim Allen, the undisputed king of Christmas, dons the large man’s belly to portray the workaholic toy salesman Scott Calvin who is set to deliver his goods to the North Pole. The adventure—and cookie binge—begins when Scott is miraculously given responsibility for Santa’s holiday tasks when he accidentally falls from his roof one Christmas Eve.
2. Jingle All the Way (1996)
Give us coal for Christmas if Arnold Schwarzenegger listing all seven of Santa’s reindeer while avoiding his competitor Turbo Man fan played by Sinbad and dashing through cold streets isn’t funny. Even though it is a little bit goofy, this charming holiday film’s slapstick humor, excellent Phil Hartman wit, and twist finale are worth every grin and giggle.
3. Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)
They did it once more. The McCallister family slept in and nearly missed their flight to a destination other than cold Chicago for their Christmas break. This time, though, the family is traveling to Miami, and Kevin isn’t left behind. Instead, he gets switched to a different flight and is on his way to the mischief—and cat burglars—that are waiting for him in New York City.
4. Ernest Saves Christmas (1988)
The humor Jim Varney provides as Ernest P. Worrell, the titular franchise character, in this 1988 classic may be a little dated, but it is a gift from memory. The plot of the film is well known—Ernest must assist Santa in finding his replacement in order to save Christmas for everyone—but you might be pleasantly surprised by how much joy you derive from it.
5. Metropolitan (1990)
You’re undoubtedly already aware of director Whit Stillman’s fondness for banter and comedy of manners if you’ve ever watched one of his razor-sharp movies (Damsels in Distress, Love & Friendship). It’s the same with this quirky cult film from the 1990s about a gang of affluent Manhattanites who spend the holidays chatting.
6. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)
The main character of Shane Black’s crime comedy is a thief who poses as an actor, yet there are still enough Santa hats and Christmas trees in the movie to make it appropriate for the holiday season. Robert Downey Jr., everyone’s favorite comeback child, provides the cheeky chuckles.
7. A Christmas Story (1983)
No holiday would be complete without Bob Clark’s family comedy from the 1940s, hence it should be dubbed A Christmas Staple. It’s the gift that keeps on giving laughter to read a merry tale about a youngster who spends the holiday season telling everybody who would listen how much he wants a Red Ryder BB rifle from Santa.
8. Christmas with the Kranks (2004)
This one is, surprisingly, based on a John Grisham book. Not at all unexpected? On the comedic front, Tim Allen excels. This Chris Columbus adaptation, which focuses more on slapstick than biting wit, becomes silly when a scrooge-like couple (Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis) decide to forgo Christmas and all of its traditions in favor of a cruise.
9. Love Actually
Yes, one of the most heartfelt examples of the festive spirit can be found in Richard Curtis’ British ensemble picture, which follows the love, grief, and loved ones of eight couples as they navigate London a month before Christmas. But it’s also among the funniest, in fact. Consider Bill Nighy in the role of an old rocker with loose lips.
10. Home Alone (1990)
Even though it’s been over 30 years since the McCallisters’ eight-year-old son was abandoned at home on Christmas, we continue to laugh out loud at the crazy antics of Kevin (Macaulay Culkin) and two clueless burglars (Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern).
(to be continued…)
