Favorite American and Euro Christmas Movies!

A Christmas Story
Elf
Home Alone

All are American; all are fantastic

I wouldn’t say Love Actually is a British favourite. Not among the people I know anyway. Also from what I’ve been told the version shown in America is very heavily edited. I’m not sure if this is correct though.

Scrooge with Alastair Sim (if searching for it, note they renamed it back to the book title A Christmas Carol in the colonies). There is a terrible "colourised" version, but better to watch the B&W original.

And The Great Escape, of course. And Die Hard.

Edit: For something more obscure there is Placido which is still funny in parts but a bit dated. It's big interest is watching it whilst remembering that it was satire and got made during Franco's era.

Mike , the movie is " Miracle on 34th Street " , the location of Macy's department store at Herald Square . This film is a real charmer - " Bell , Book , and Candle " from 1958 , long a favorite of mine https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bell,_Book_and_Candle

Die Hard.

Die Hard is the best Christmas movie, period!

Die Hard and Die Hard II are the ONLY Christmas movies...…...

Yes Love Actually is edited here in the USA.

Ironic in the sense as I suspect one incorrect assumption about the British is their puritanical nature, stiff upper lip and all. Complete bollocks of course but actors Martin Freeman and Joanna Page entire plot line has been cut out for the TV version. Its still on the DVD.

Their characters are professional body doubles who meet on th set of an adult film. Guess engaging in a simulated sex act isn't deemed proper even though their subsequent romance is one of the most well written parts of the film.

It's A Wonderful Life, The Bishops Wife ( the Cary Grant version ), Alistar Sims Christmas Carol, Christmas Story, Holiday Inn, A Charlie Brown Christmas, Christmas in Conneticut and The Thin Man.

I also watch The Birdcage because the ending with Gene Hackman never fails to make me laugh out loud. Has nothing to do with Christmas other than my tradition of watching the film on that day.

Worth mentioning is that James "Jimmy" Steward was a WWII bomber pilot and attained the rank of brigadier general.

He said his experience in the war informed his acting in "It's A Wonderful Life."

Claudia, I saw Love Actually as recently as last year at Christmas time on the big screen and they absolutely showed the scenes you say were edited out. I love that movie. Maybe it's so bad that it's good? I also enjoy A Christmas Story, Elf and The Holiday amongst others.

My favorites are, in no particular order:

Miracle on 34th Street
Holiday Affair
Scrooge (A Christmas Carol) 1951 b&w version
The Holiday
Die Hard
Holiday Inn - what could be better than Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire doing what they do best.

Edited to add: The Bishop's Wife (Cary Grant/Loretta Young) one of my favorites. And Come To The Stable (Loretta Young/Celeste Holm). Both from the 40's. Guess I'm dating myself here.

A Christmas Carol - the UK 1950's version
Elf
The Bishop's Wife with Cary Grant, David Niven and Loretta Young (I think). From the 1940's.

Planes Trains Automobiles - hilarious!

Christmas Vacation still holds up, though the Yuppies and Christmas bonus(ha!) date it. Relatives are relatives and Cousin Eddie is a legend.

George C Scott in A Christmas Carol is another favorite. Shot on location in Shrewsbury it feels the most authentic IMO.

I’ve never seen American subtitles but Drei Hasselnüsse für Ashenbrödel is favorite in Germany and Czech Republic. It’s a 1970s East German production of the Cinderella story however this Cinderella takes a bit more active role in the story.

I should have said “English Subtitles” instead of American.

I love watching the Cheesy Hallmark holiday movies but know I could never be a heroine as all the MC have at least one dead parent. And they loved Christmas. Sadly now most of the Christmas TV movies involve Princes from made up kingdoms 🙄.

My DVD of Love Actually includes the body doubles' romance.

For modern films, I also watch The Holiday and the Family Stone.

So many great oldies are listed on this thread, I need to get online with the library to see what I can access. Thanks!

I am absolutely Shocked that no one has mentioned A LION IN WINTER (1968) with Katherine Hepburn and Peter O'Toole with one of the best supporting casts ever. Anthony Hopkins, Nigel Terry and Timothy Dalton.

Its the story of King Henry the II and Eleanor of Aquitaine and the family battles for succession set at Christmas 1183 AD.

The movie won 3 Academy Awards. If you want the greatest "dysfunctional Family" at Christmas movie with fantastic writing and great acting this is it. Here are some great lines from the movie:

Eleanor: Katherine Hepburn about Henry;
“He came down from the North to Paris with a mind like Aristotle's and a form like mortal sin. We shattered the Commandments on the spot.”

"I even made poor Louis take me on Crusade. How's that for blasphemy. I dressed my maids as Amazons and rode bare-breasted halfway to Damascus. Louis had a seizure and I damn near died of windburn... but the troops were dazzled."

"In a world where carpenters get resurrected, everything is possible."

Get it and watch it and you will never forget it.

We've always enjoyed White Christmas--great singing and dance numbers. And a family favorite is A Muppet Christmas Carol (because who doesn't like muppets?). It has plenty to entertain both children and adults, and watching Michael Caine acting with muppets is priceless.

I nearly forgot this - based on a play by Miklos Laszlo from 1938 , " Parfumerie " , became the film incarnation " The Shop Around The Corner " , with James Stewart and Margaret Sullavan , a great story . But best of all , this became the 1963 Broadway Musical , " She Loves Me " . Here is a somewhat abridged , but beautiful version , from the BBC in 1978 , starring Robin Ellis and Gemma Craven - pure confection ! https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=db_HreIe5pY

It’s not Christmas without “Miracle on 34th Street”, any version of “Christmas Carol” and a little known TV movie “Santa and Pete”.

"Love Actually" is not edited in the version we have, bought here in Canada from Amazon.

Maybe edited just for the USA? But why?!

A Google search of "edited versions of Love Actually" will give some history. I had no idea there were edited versions - including different songs in parts.

I do love discussing movies, thank you for starting this thread!

The Shop Around the Corner is my favorite--so charming & cozy, set in Budapest--though I must point out that at the beginning when the title card says the shop is on Balta St just around the corner from Andrassy, that's not accurate--I got out my map one year, and Balta utca is in Buda and we all know Andrassy ut is in Pest :) --and Pepi Katona, the sarcastic errand boy, shares my Hungarian family name. It makes me happy on many levels.

Then there's The Man Who Came to Dinner--I never tire of Monty Woolley being the most insufferable houseguest ever--one witty, sarcastic line after another. Other favorites include The Bishop's Wife, Holiday Affair, Miracle on 34th St, Come to the Stable, Remember the Night and Christmas in Connecticut (last 2 with Barbara Stanwyck at her most delightful). I am pretty much stuck in the 1940's, yes!

I read that the "Sissi" trilogy from the 1950s staring Romy Schneider as the young Empress Elisabeth of Austria is a big tradition to watch in Austria at Christmas--not so much that it's set at the Christmas season. I obtained a subtitled DVD and will watch it this year, finally.

I don't have any particular movies that I have to watch at Christmastime, but there are a couple of TV shows with Christmas specials that my BF and I like to watch every year. One is Blackadder's Christmas Carol and the other is "A Christmassy Ted" from Father Ted. "A Christmassy Ted" is worth it just for the sight of Dougal in a matador outfit!

I'm in the camp that likes Love Actually, especially the footage of people greeting each other at the airport. Yeah, it's cheesy, but it makes me happy!

Stand corrected about Martin Freeman and his ex wife and edited my original post.

"I don't have any particular movies that I have to watch at Christmastime, but there are a couple of TV shows with Christmas specials that my BF and I like to watch every year. One is Blackadder's Christmas Carol and the other is "A Christmassy Ted" from Father Ted. "A Christmassy Ted" is worth it just for the sight of Dougal in a matador outfit!"

I second this list, and add one more: Sealab 2021's "Feast of Alvis", which has more quotable lines than pretty much any other Christmas movie out there. It's hilariously wrong at every imaginable level, featuring (among other things) an asbestos-wrapped baby with a .22, a besoiled buffet, stampeding buffalo, the reason you shouldn't use coins as fuses, and a heart-warming holiday message that the true spirit of the season is "Drinking. Drinking and revenge." -- words that I can live by. If you have a twisted sense of humor and want the antidote to holiday treacle, "The Feast of Alvis" can be found on YouTube.

Did anyone mention Joyeux Noel? French film based on the Christmas truce in WWI between French, German and Scottish soldiers. Charming, funny and moving and based on a true story.

Scottish film Comfort & Joy. Quentin Tarantino once said it was on his personal top ten list.

US film: Gremlins

Planes, Trains and Automobiles takes place at Thanksgiving, not Christmas...

Last Holiday with Queen Latifah. My sister and I are having our annual viewing tomorrow. And every time, DH ends up looking up prices at the Hotel Pupp.

The Holiday is a favourite too.

My two pennorth -

Number one, this year and every year - It’s a Wonderful Life. Brilliant in every way.

A Christmas Carol. The Alistair Sim one - ‘Scrooge’ - is a classic, providing its not the colourised version - they colour the ghost of Christmas Present in red instead of the proper green. Basically read the book, you know? The George C Scott and Patrick Stewart versions are both good too.

Miracle on 34th Street. Either version, but my preference is for the original Edmund Gwenn version (all my favourites seem to be in black and white!).

I have a soft spot for ‘A Christmassy Ted’ too. My favourite scene is Mrs Doyle trying to guess Father Todd Unctious’s name - which in itself is just one of the names she comes up with in a long list of ever increasingly outrageous guesses (‘Father Hairy Cakeliner’) and her manic ‘No clues!’ midway through! As well as Dougal’s matador outfit (and note to Santa!). I feel if Father Ted hasn’t generally made it to the USA then, US audiences are missing a particular treat! See what’s available on You Tube!

Also, and very British, the late great Victoria Wood’s Christmas Specials - I think they are showing the ‘All the Trimmings’ again this year. I can’t quite believe she’s gone, a tragic loss.

Honourable mention for the Doctor Who version of ‘A Christmas Carol’, which is only on nodding terms with the original, but pretty good all the same!

Now, a nice glass of sherry and a mince pie and that’s me set for Christmas!

Merry Christmas everybody!

Ian

Donovan's Reef
Bell, Book, and Candle
Band of Brothers (Episode 6)

Just thought of another b&w from the 40's that I enjoy watching. It Happened on Fifth Avenue with Don Defore and Ann Harding, about a scraggly group of homeless or misplaced persons who spend the Christmas season squatting in the mansion of a millionaire who departs for warmer climes during the winter. It's pretty entertaining.

Oh yes, KGC, Donovan's Reef. I own the DVD and watch it several times a year. i was always a Lee Marvin fan and his character is such a hoot. The story is awfully contrived but who cares, it's fun.

Also agree that Bell, Book & Candle is a good one but again, I own it and watch it not just at Christmas.

Edit: I haven't seen Bridget Jones' Diary mentioned yet. Fun watching just to see Colin Firth in that classic 'ugly' Christmas sweater.

I love the original 1934 "Babes in Toyland" with Laurel and Hardy (also known as "March of the Wooden Soldiers"). Though as a kid the bogeymen scared the bejeezus out of me.

There was a 1961 Disney movie also called "Babes in Toyland," but it bears no resemblance to the earlier film.

And you can find streaming of "Amahl and the Night Visitors" by Gian Carlo Menotti, the original TV broadcast from December 24, 1951, or more recent versions, on YouTube. Another very special Christmas "movie."

Emma - ‘That would be an ecumenical matter’.

Andrea , I had a funny feeling , someone might bring up " Last Holiday " . The setting is beautiful , we spent a day in Karlovy Vary in Autumn 2017 , and had afternoon coffee at The Grand Hotel Pupp . ( The hotel is the stand in for the Grand Budapest Hotel of 2014 ) . As much as the production of the 2006 version of " Last Holiday " is quite a sumptuous eyeful , and I did like the cast , I was badly disappointed , since the story has been extremely altered from the 1950 British original , which starred Alec Guiness as George Bird . I would post a link for you , but there is a spoiler which would ruin the pathos of the film , and I hope you will watch it and appreciate it as I did , in spite of the bittersweet ending . A happy Holiday to you . , my best , Steve

Love that so many people are also fans of the Alistair Sim Christmas Carol/Scrooge in black and white. Yes, I will watch the others ... but always compare them to the "original"

Thanks Steven. I had no idea there was a 1950 version. I'll try to find it.

When we were in Prague for 4 nights way back in 2004, we decided to take a day trip out and chose Cesky Krumlov over Karlovy Vary, to my eternal regret. Ah well, next time.

Merry Christmas to you too!

Die Hard. It's not Christmas until Hans Gruber falls from the Nakatomi tower.

I must say that I have seen most of these movies with the exception of Christmassy Ted and the Lion in Winter. My favorites are: The Gathering from 1977 (made for TV movie) starring Ed Asner, Maureen Stapleton and some other actors that are recognizable from the 70’s. Christmas Vacation, A Christmas Story, and of course the stop action TV shows from the 70’s. I will have to watch Bell, Book, & Candle again since I do not recall it being a Christmas movie. So many good movies mentioned. Merry Christmas everyone!

I'm so glad that I saw the Muppet's version of A Christmas Carol on the list. That is pure holiday magic. And I love the British way of doing Christmas specials. Doctor Who always has great Christmas episodes.

I also enjoy - in no special order -

It's a Wonderful Life (I just watched it for the first time last year!)
The Family Man
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

Still fun to look every year Merry Christmas Mr. Bean.

My favorites are Miracle on 34th Street, White Christmas, and A Charlie Brown Christmas!

Alas no Dr Who this Christmas. I’m sad.

Our American holiday traditions include watching Black Christmas (the 1974 version with Margot Kidder and Olivia Hussey), every single Rankin/Bass Productions stop motion holiday television special ever produced between 1964 and 1977, Mister Magoo's Christmas Carol from 1962 featuring Jim Backus, the Chuck Jones/Dr. Seuss 1966 version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas narrated by Boris Karloff and re-reading David Sedaris "Holidays on Ice" - particularly his hilarious short story of his exchange with a Dutch taxi driver about holiday traditions in the Netherlands - we then watch the 2010 Dutch film, "Sint" (based on the Sinterklaas legend)...certainly none of this is too artsy or complex!

Well , here it is , a quiet Saturday evening , and this film has one of the best Christmas stories ever conceived - The film is " O Henry's Full House " ( 1952 ) The five stories that form the film are all well worth watching, but the final one , " The Gift of the Magi " is pure O Henry . For those of you unfamiliar with the author , a short biography here - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O._Henry and here is the complete film . " The Gift of the Magi " begins at 1:34:20 , but do enjoy the rest - https://youtu.be/YPbgGywFiNg

My staples are

The Holiday
Elf
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
The Santa Clause
Love Actually
Holiday Inn
White Christmas
A Christmas Story - here in the US there is a cable network that plays this movie on a continuous loop for 24 hours straight!

What a fantastic thread with all sorts of ideas!!

Rankin/Bass as someone mentioned above, and of course A Charlie Brown Christmas.

I'm one who could not love Love, Actually any more and when it was on French tv earlier this week I found myself crying AGAIN at the end. How is that possible?!! (I do think part of it is when Colin Firth goes to Marseille to track down his Portuguese love, and they both show they've been learning each other's language — Both that and of course the real life scenes of people reunited at Heathrow.)

To Nancy, who mentioned above Bridget Jones's Diary — absolutely!!

And for me, Grumpy Old Men with Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau, and Ann-Margret. Those two grumps make me laugh every time.

Thanks for starting the thread, Mike.

Yes Emma knew about the Dr Who New Year’s Day presentation. Nevertheless Going to miss it as a Christmas tradition in my humble abode.

I just watched "The Man Who Invented Christmas" for the first time a few nights ago. The film was made in either 2016 or 2017. Anyone who enjoys the different versions of "A Christmas Carol" would likely enjoy this movie. I like some - not all - of the iterations and I enjoyed this one.

For a bit of history, there's Joyeux Noel, about the Christmas eve truce that took place during WWI; the French, German and Scottish troops meet in No Man's Land and enjoy some bittersweet camaraderie for one night.