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Wales Online
Wales Online
National
Neil Bennett

The 25 best festive films of all time - and where to watch them in the run-up to Christmas

One of the best aspects of Christmas for many people is the excuse to watch the many classic films associated with it.

At one point in time, finding out what your festive entertainment was going to be required waiting for the release of the Christmas TV guide.

Today, the many streaming sites available across the web make accessing your favourite feature films quick and easy.

Below, we've compiled a list of the best films to watch at this time of year, plus links on what streaming services you can currently find them on.

The list has been put together with thanks to movie rating site IMDB. It mixes the 'highest rated' with the 'most popular' and excludes Christmas TV movies and TV shorts like Charlie Brown, Shrek The Halls and The Snowman.

While just about all of the films listed are available through Amazon Prime Video, few of them are free and most are only available to either buy or rent.

 - Streaming Service Quick Links -

1. It's A Wonderful Life (1946)

Over 70 years after it's release date, It's A Wonderful Life continues to top the list of everybody's favourite Christmas film.

Produced by Frank Capra, the story follows the life of George Bailey who - visited by his guardian angel Clarence - discovers what life would be life had he never existed.

2. Die Hard (1988)

The debate on whether Die Hard is a Christmas movie or not will continue to divide opinion. One thing that is pretty undeniable that it is a certified classic.

After landing in Los Angeles to spend the holidays with his wife, John McClane - played by Bruce Willis - intervenes in a hostage situation orchestrated by one of film's greatest ever villains, Hans Gruber. 

3. Home Alone (1990)

After being accidentally left behind by his parents, Kevin McCallister - played of course by McCauley Culkin - is tasked with protecting the family home from two thieves.

4. Love Actually (2003) 

The Richard Curtis rom-com follows the lives of eight loosely interrelated London couples in the frantic month leading up to Christmas.

5. Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

Kris Kringle, Mr Father Christmas himself, is forced into defending his identity in front of a court of law.

You can also watch and stream the 1994 version of the movie, starring Richard Attenborough and Mara Wilson, here .

    6. Elf (2003)

    Directed by John Favreau, Elf follows Buddy the Elf's journey to find his biological father from the North Pole to New York.

    7. Scrooge (1951)

    One of the original adaptations of A Christmas Carol still remains one of the best.

      8. Trading Places (1983) 

    In what is a modern take on Mark Twain's classic novel The Prince and the Pauper , a homeless hustler and an upper-class commodities broker swap lives.

    9. White Christmas (1954)

    Starring movie icons Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye, a famous song-and-dance team become romantically involved with two sisters.

    10. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989) 

    Clark Griswold, played by Chevy Chase, has a Christmas to remember after a series of unmitigated household disasters.

    11. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

    Tim Burton's dark stop-motion animation fantasy sees Halloween being Jack Skellington discover Christmas Town, leading up to him devising a plot to abduct Santa Claus.

    12. The Polar Express (2004) 

    A young boy, questioning his belief in Father Christmas, is invited on board a train where he embarks upon an extraordinary journey to the North Pole.

    13. Muppets Christmas Carol (1992)

    Scrooge, played by Michael Caine,is visited spirits who foretell his future in one of everybody's favourite adaptations of the classic Christmas Carol tale.  

    14. How The Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)

     

    15. A Christmas Story (1983)

    16. Bad Santa (2003)

     

    Bad Santa's 2016 sequel is available on Netflix .

    17. Nativity! (2009)

     

    18. Arthur Christmas (2011)

     

    19. The Santa Clause (1994)

    In a desperate bid to make sure Christmas continues as normal, Scott along with his son Charlie finish St Nick's delivery before returning to the North Pole.

    20. Scrooged (1988)

     

    Murray plays the role of Frank Cross, a cynically selfish TV executive who is haunted by three spirits on Christmas Eve. 

    21. Jingle All The Way (1996)

    22. Gremlins (1984)

     

    23. Four Christmases (2008)

    24. The Family Man (2000)

    25. The Shop Around The Corner (1940)

    The list ends as it began with a film starring the late great James Stewart.

    Playing the role of Alfred Kralik, he unwittingly falls in love with a penpal who lives a little closer to home than he ever realised.

    Growing increasingly annoyed at the annual festive cheer that sweeps across Whoville, The Grinch plays spoilsport.     With a 89% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, A Christmas Story follows the exploits of young Ralphie Parker who dreams of his ideal Christmas gift - a Red Ryder Air Rifle.    Full-time alcoholic and part-time conman Willie, played by Billy Bob Thornton, has his plans of robbing a mall scuppered when he encounters a troubled 8 year old boy.     Primary school teacher Paul is asked with producing the school's annual nativity play - a task quickly made more difficult when he tels his opponent that a Hollywood producer will be turning it into a movie.   Santa's gawky son Arthur discovers that a young girl's Christmas gift has been misplaced following a technical glitch and sets out on a mission to deliver it before it's too late.     Christmas is in crisis after Santa suffers a fall at the home of Scott Calvin, played by Tim Allen.   Yet another Christmas Carol adaptation makes the list in the form of Scrooged starring Bill Murray.   Haggard salesman Howard, played by Arnold Schwarzenegger, is shocked to discover the Turbo Man toy he has promised his son for Christmas isn't as easy to get hold of as he first thought.    A young boy from Billy is given a pet from China by his Father. The pet has three very clear instruction and when Billy doesn't follow them, a horde of monsters are unleashed.     Lovers Brad and Kate have their plans of spending their Christmas holidays in Fiji ruined when they are instead forced to visit the home of all four of their divorced parents.    Starring Nic Cage, The Family Man tracks the life of Jack Campbell whose life is turned upside down in the morning after disarming a gunman at a grocery store.        
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