Scrooged is my favorite version of a Christmas Carol, great cast, Bill at his most Murrayey...just a fun ass movie.

3. Die Hard 

Yippee-ki-yay, motherfucker.

Released 

1988

Credits

Director: John McTiernan 

Novel: Roderick Thorp 

Screenplay: Jeb Stuart 

Cast 

Bruce Willis (John McLane)

Alan Rickman (Hans Gruber)

Reginald VelJohnson (Sgt. Al Powell)

Bonnie Bedelia (Holly McLane)

Box Office 

Budget: $28,000,000

Gross:  $83,008,852

Critical 

8.2/10 (IMDB)

92% (RT Critics)

94% (RT Audience)

At the Oscars

- Nomination for Best Sound 

- Nomination for Best Editing 

- Nomination for Best Sound Effects

- Nomination for Best Visual Effects

I'm going to start by saying where I stand on the great Die Hard controversy: It is not a Christmas movie , I'm sorry it's just not. It has Christmas elements and plot points but it's not at it's heart a "christmas movie" in the way most people perceive a christmas movie to be. Two things that really form my opinion on this:

1. It's not in my rotation at all around Christmas time and never will be , it doesn't incite the feeling of Christmas time because it's not really suppose to.

2. Most importantly and the nail in the Christmas movie argument for me: It's a movie that can be watched any time of the year for any reason what so ever. You you aren't going to put Elf , The Grinch or The Santa Clause in during the middle of July because they are Christmas movies made for a certain time of the year. You can and SHOULD watch Die Hard twelve months a year because at it's heart it's an action/heist movie , if it was truly a Christmas movie you couldn't say that.


As for the movie itself , there are great arguments to be made that it is the best action movie of all time , and I believe it's probably the most important or influential action movie of all time and as a fan of the genre I love the movie but am just as much grateful for it as anything - it's not my favorite action movie ever , nor is it my favorite of the franchise; that distinction belongs to With a Vengeance which is a movie I absolutely adore and hope to find a way to get on a countdown in the future.

Hans Gruber though is probably one of the three greatest villains in film history? I don't know I'd have to actually think about it , but Alan Rickman knocked that role out of the park and IMO could of at least been nominated for an Oscar. Bruce Willis coming onto the blockbuster scene as a renegade cowboy was awesome , John McClane was the part he was born to play.

Yeah though if you are a fan of action movies and haven't seen this , you should probably get off (or on I guess) your ass and watch it. So many things steal and borrow from it - there's a reason movies that have come since are called "the Die Hard of this" or whatever. It's that important to the modern action movie IMO. Still ain't making my list of Christmas movies though.

There's a reason why Die Hard looks so out of place on this countdown. It's not a Christmas film, and UT perfectly described the reasons why. I think some people classify this as a Christmas film so they have an excuse to watch a macho action film at Christmas time, as opposed to endless feel good family films. I get that.

UT also did a great job in justifying why I feel Die Hard is extremely overrated. It's a good, compelling action film, but best action film ever? Not even close, in my opinion. I'm not sure how it's super important or influential either.

Die Hard is indeed a Christmas movie. The networks treat it as such (it replays endlessly during the Christmas season) and it is ALWAYS in my holiday rotation. There is no film I enjoy more around Christmas time and for those reasons Die Hard is the #1 Christmas movie on my list.

Nov 30, 2017 18:53:48 GMT Emperor said:

There's a reason why Die Hard looks so out of place on this countdown. It's not a Christmas film, and UT perfectly described the reasons why. I think some people classify this as a Christmas film so they have an excuse to watch a macho action film at Christmas time, as opposed to endless feel good family films. I get that.

UT also did a great job in justifying why I feel Die Hard is extremely overrated. It's a good, compelling action film, but best action film ever? Not even close, in my opinion. I'm not sure how it's super important or influential either.

Before Die Hard came out, your big action heros were larger than life almost superhuman types played by Arnold Schwartzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, and other similar types.    They went through bad guys like a hot knife through butter, rarely were in serious danger, and usually suffered minimal injuries in the process.

John McClane was NOT that kind of hero.   He got his ass kicked..A LOT.   He got bruised, battered, and bloodied.   He escaped danger by the skin of his teeth.   He was an everyday guy thrown into extradordinary circumstances and we identified with him that much more because of it.   You look at action films now you see A LOT more John Mclane's than you see John Rambo or John Matrix.    That is the influence Die Hard had on the action genre.

Nov 30, 2017 19:16:32 GMT thereallt said:

Die Hard is indeed a Christmas movie. The networks treat it as such (it replays endlessly during the Christmas season) and it is ALWAYS in my holiday rotation. There is no film I enjoy more around Christmas time and for those reasons Die Hard is the #1 Christmas movie on my list.

It was released in July as a summer blockbuster , not anywhere near Christmas time. Also as has been pointed out numerous places - it was an eighties trope to set movies around Christmas time because it added something different to the ambience , not because they were/are Christmas movies. Is Rocky IV a Christmas movie to you? 

I think people confuse movies set around Christmas with actual Christmas movies. Die Hard is not now , nor will it ever be a Christmas movie. 

Nov 30, 2017 18:53:48 GMT Emperor said:

There's a reason why Die Hard looks so out of place on this countdown. It's not a Christmas film, and UT perfectly described the reasons why. I think some people classify this as a Christmas film so they have an excuse to watch a macho action film at Christmas time, as opposed to endless feel good family films. I get that.

UT also did a great job in justifying why I feel Die Hard is extremely overrated. It's a good, compelling action film, but best action film ever? Not even close, in my opinion. I'm not sure how it's super important or influential either.

It's pretty important , John McClane especially changed the game as far as hero's go. Interesting to note that Stallone and Arnold both turned this movie down and thank god they did because it wouldn't of been nearly as good or memorable. 

It was a massive change from what action movies , especially of the eighties were going for and proved just how successful an isolated movie with good dialogue , a believable and relatable hero paired with a charismatic villain could go. All those things sound simple and logical but that's because it's what action movie fans have grown somewhat accustomed to but it really took Die Hard and it's success to prove that it can be done and done well. Again it's not my favorite action movie by any means - but it deserves a ton of credit for what it was able to accomplish and as someone who loves action movies , and loves smartass every man hero's I can't pay enough gratitude to what Die Hard meant. 

Good points, guys. I was born after Die Hard was released, so I take these kinds of action films for granted. Before Die Hard it was all bodybuilder invincible macho heroes, and Die Hard changed the game. I get that.

2. It's a Wonderful Life 

Strange, isn't it? Each man's life touches so many other lives. When he isn't around he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he? ~ Clarence 

Released 

1946 

Credits

Director: Frank Capra 

Screenplay: Frances Goodrich 

Screenplay: Albert Hackett 

Cast 

James Stewart (George Bailey)

Donna Reed (Mary Hatch)

Lionel Barrymore (Mr. Potter)

Thomas Mitchell (Uncle Billy) 

Henry Travers (Clarence)

Box Office 

Budget: $3,180,000 

Gross: $$7,270,000

Critical

8.6/10 (IMDB)

94% (RT Critics)

95% (RT Audience)

At the Oscars 

- Nomination for Best Picture 

- Nomination for Best Actor (James Stewart)

- Nomination for Best Director 

- Nomination for Best Sound Recording 

- Nomination for Best Film Editing 

Now back to a more traditional Christmas movie - I've never actually seen It's a Wonderful Life. I know I should , and I know I say that about movies a lot but this is one I know I need to watch.

So yeah I'll let some other more knowledgable folks shed some light on it.

It's A Wonderful Life was my #2 pick and I'm honestly shocked it didn't make #1 overall. It is a timeless tale that holds up even 70+ years later, with a strong message about appreciating your loved ones and the blessings you  have in life even during the worst times.

Now I'm REALLY curious as to what beat it out.

It's a Wonderful Life is fantastic. I only found about its existence a few years ago, because it's famous or mandatory viewing in the UK. A wonderful story, and an all-time great performance from James Stewart.

I'm not sure what #1 would be. I can think of one big Christmas movie that hasn't appeared yet, but not convinced it would top this list.

Only now really saw this list. Surprised to see Grinch and Scrooge/Christmas Carol/Scrooged so low. And more surprise to see Jingle All The Way at all. I personally liked it but it didn't do well in the eyes of most.

As for a number one guess I am thinking Home Alone is the only major movie I am not seeing. But if animation specials are good as well I guess Charlie Brown, Frosty, or Rudolph are possibilities too.

It’s a Wonderful Life was an easy number one for me. Every year I watch and love it even more. I get overwhelmed thinking about the ending of the movie. Tremendous.

Only question I had for its placement in the list is most of the story has nothing to do with Christmas. If it weren’t played around Xmas time each year, would it be as high on this specific list?

1. Home Alone

This is it! Don't get scared now! ~ Kevin

Released

1990

Credits

Director: Chris Columbus

Writer: John Hughes

Cast

Macaulay Caulkin (Kevin)

Joe Pesci (Harry)

Daniel Stern (Marv)

Catherine O'Hara (Kate)

Roberts Blossom (Old Man Marley)

Box Office

Budget: $18,000,000

Gross:$285,761,243

Critical

7.5/10 (IMDB)

62% (RT Critics)

79% (RT Audience)

At the Oscars

- Best Music , Original Song

- Best Music , Original Score

I figured this was going to be a fairly surprising #1 but I'm happy it did , it makes us unique and at it's core it's a really fucking good and fun Christmas movie that ended up making #2 on my list.

I remember as a kid morbidly wishing someone would break into my house so I could set all these elaborate traps for them , I'm sure I wasn't the only one either. I totally bought in that these two would fall perfectly into that flawless plan , I always thought it was a little farfetched they would survive all those traps but I don't care - it's a kids movie.

Joe Pesci as the lead bad guy is brilliant , Daniel Stern is great at physical comedy and he was awesome during the big third act. All of that and this movie still shows some great heart and tells a good Christmas story.

Also once again , the amount of money this movie made in 1990 is astronomical , it was easily #1 at the box office for the year. And to put it into perspective overall: it's the 40th most successful grossing movie of all time after inflation in even 87th of all time before inflation. That's all pretty damn impressive for a Christmas movie. It's pretty clear why Macauley Caulkin was probably the most successful child star of all time at his peak.

My movies that didn't make the list:

Rudolph the Rednose Reindeer - It was #3 on my list and a true Christmas Tradition in my house growing up and one I transferred over to my kids as an adult. It's just a classic story of Rudolph captured perfectly in old school claymation and I HAVE to watch it once a year or Christmas wouldn't be Christmas. My kids do quite enjoy it as well.

Babes in Toyland - The remake version with Keanu Reeves and Drew Barrymore. Not a great movie by any means but I don't care - it's a movie I remember loving as a child and was ecstatic when I finally found it on Amazon recently. My little girl ended up liking it more than I thought she would which is cool.

Home Alone 2 - A typical sequel, in some aspects I think it can be more fun that the original and I love Duncan's Toy Chest. Also the hotel staff is fun when they are on screen. As I said in Petes thread , this is my first movie I seen in a theatre so no question I was putting it on my list.

Prancer - A pretty basic Christmas movie , but one that was always played in my house at least once during the season. I haven't done it as much as an adult and should revisit it because I do remember it being a favorite of mine as a kid.

Bad Santa - It made the end of my list , it was a really funny Christmas movie and the R-Rated just nastiness of it was a nice touch for Christmas time. I don't watch it every year though and it isn't MUST SEE for me. Billy Bob was great though.

Here's my top 10.

1. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
2. Home Alone
3. The Grinch (2000)
4. Scrooged
5. Elf
6. Bad Santa
7. It's A Wonderful Life
8. The Polar Express
9. Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
10. Jingle All The Way

Home Alone was #4 on my list and it's definitely a very worthy #1. You pretty much have to have lived under a rock the past 30 years not to have seen it at least once. It's superbly written, directed, and utterly hilarious film that's well worth watching every holiday season.

Here's my list

10. Nightmare before Chrismtas
9. Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer.
8.A Christmas Story
7.Miracle on 34th Street (The original)
6.Scrooged
5.A Charlie Brown Christmas
4.Home Alone
3.How the Grinch Stole Christmas
2.It's a Wonderful Life
1.Die Hard

I watched Home Alone when I was quite young, maybe 12 or 13, and even at that age I thought Macaulay Caulkin's character was an insufferable little shit and the comedy was painfully juvenile. I'd hate it even more if I watched it as an adult. So I won't. Had no idea it was a Christmas movie until now.

My list would have been It's a Wonderful Life, Elf, Miracle on 34th Street in some order. No idea what that order would be, because they are all fantastic and it's really hard to rank any one above the others.