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Best Classic Christmas Films of all time (10+1list)

Best Classic Christmas Films of all time

written by Souranath Banerjee

Best Classic Christmas Films of all time: Ho Ho Ho, Santa Claus is here.

Well, I am sure the old bearded man is almost there, reaching your place with all your specific demands but till then you can enjoy the Best Classic Christmas Films of all time; a humble Christmas gift from Cinema Forensic!

Classic Hollywood romantic comedies with a touch of Christmas in them, the likes of It’s a Wonderful Life (1946), The Shop Around the Corner (1940), Holiday Affair (1949) and It Happened on Fifth Avenue (1947) (though these four brilliant films are not included in the list below)

Enjoy the films and yes, Merry Christmas!

10. Holiday Inn (1942)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifkmvBNQhd8

Holiday-Inn-posterDirected by Mark Sandrich, this is the story of a special inn that opens only during the year-end holidays, and gives you a performance to remember throughout the year.

Brilliant chemistry between Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire, a superb musical that boosts up the energy level of your Christmas holidays!

The song ‘White Christmas’ by Irving Berlin won the Oscar for Best Song!

9. Remember the Night (1940)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKcLcT9dOFk

Remember-the-Night-posterChristmas can make strange things happen, it can also make a serial shoplifter and her prosecutor fall in love!

But then what happens when the trial begins?

Directed by Mitchell Leisen, and starring Barbara Stanwyck and Fred MacMurray this is one Christmas romance that can make you fall in love.

8. White Christmas (1954)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3n3-UtakD3I

White-Christmas-posterBing CrosbyDanny KayeRosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen – and all the dancing and singing you can possibly imagine in one Christmas! 

The film has hit songs like ‘The Best Things Happen While You’re Dancing‘ and the famous ‘White Christmas’

Directed by Michael Curtiz, this musical was that year’s most successful film. 

7. Holiday (1938)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcTo5vPm6Ng

Holiday-posterWith a dip in the jovial Christmas festive mood the film is about a man who wants to take a holiday in oder to find himself!

Original concept taken from a famous play, starring Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant and directed by George Cukor, this is one film that dares to ask a few very fundamental questions about the balance of happiness, ambition and the need for money in our life.

6. Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7guqfYsG0dE

meet-me-in-st-louis-posterDirected by Vincente Minnelli, a comedy drama full of music, life, energy and Christmas mood!

Judy Garland sings the famous Christmas song ‘Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas‘ and then there is also the popular ‘The Trolley Song‘ as well.

Vincente Minnelli and Judy Garland met in the set of this film and got married soon afterwards!

5. The Bishop’s Wife (1947)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAFneciOP0M

bishops-wife-posterA bit similar to the very popular film It’s a Wonderful Life, where angles come to solve our human problems.

With a very unique trailer, and an impressive star cast including Cary Grant,  Loretta Young and David Niven, this is one comedy drama that gets more interesting as Christmas approaches!

Directed by Henry Koster, a must for this winter holiday season.

4. A Christmas Carol (1951) aka Scrooge 

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97PwRDfHBlg

A-Christmas-Carol-posterAdapted from Charles Dickens‘s famous novel by the same name; though numerous films are made based on it but this one is my favorite till date.

Directed by Brian Desmond Hurst, and a great performance by Alastair Sim, the story of an old bitter miser named Scrooge, who on the Christmas-eve is being haunted by three ghosts!

3. Christmas in Connecticut (1945)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePa6nx7T76w

Christmas-in-Connecticut-posterA famous food writer who claims to be a brilliant cook is giving a traditional family Christmas invitation for a returning war hero and her boss, but unfortunately the truth is she cannot cook at all!

Directed by Peter Godfrey, and starring Barbara StanwyckDennis Morgan and Sydney Greenstreet, a classic comedy drama focused on the day of Christmas. 

2. Babes in Toyland (1934)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWAmlPclDPg

Babes-in-Toyland-posterStan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, the classic Laurel & Hardy combination that has given us numerous laugh riots is all set this Christmas to save their beloved ‘toyland’ from the clutches of the bogeymen. 

Directed by Gus Meins and Charley Rogers, a film that is funny and scary at the same time, and obviously a perfect Christmas special watch (though actually the story takes place in July).

  1. Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ce_op2qG24

miracle-on-threefourth-street-posterAn old man is institutionalized when he claims to be the Santa Claus, every body thinks he is insane.

But then a young lawyer decides to defend him and argues in the courtroom that may be he is really THE Santa Claus.

Directed by George Seaton, starring Edmund Gwenn,  Maureen O’Hara,  John Paynea film specially made for all you Christmas romantics. 

and (The ‘+1′ film is not necessarily the best but certainly the most innovative one. A must watch).

+1. The Thin Man (1934)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqpO6mx8WCE

thin-man-posterDirected by W.S. Van Dyke, if you want your Christmas to be with a hint of excitement, this light hearted murder mystery is exactly the one you are looking for.

And William Powell and Myrna Loy together, they have the best on screen chemistry ever seen. 

A detective suspense thriller with a comic touch. A perfect Christmas special.

Similar Interest: Best Hollywood Classic Romantic Films

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Poster courtesy: www.doctormacro.comwww.impawards.comwww.imdb.comen.wikipedia.orgwww.filmtotaal.nlthethinman1934.com.

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