At NASH last week, we polled 261 students and staff members with a list of 25 acclaimed holiday movies, plus an option to write in their own if it did not appear on the list. Below are the results.
1) Home Alone
NASH voted Home Alone the best Christmas movie, taking almost 25% of the votes. This movie, starring a young Macaulay Culkin, was released in 1990. It was marketed as a Christmas comedy for the family. The movie follows the Christmas catastrophe of Kevin McCallister, who accidentally wishes his family away. With the house to himself, the eight year old takes on the responsibilities of decorating for Christmas, restocking the pantry, and protecting his home from the infamous home robbers, the Wet-Bandits. This movie is ranked 80% by its audience and 65% on Rotten Tomatoes. Home Alone in considered the most rewatched Christmas Movie.
2) Elf
Elf took second place in our poll by a single vote. Elf was released in 2003 and was received excitedly by viewers. Will Ferrell’s performance as Buddy the Elf has kept it a frontrunner in popularity. The plot begins when Buddy, a human raised by elves, ventures into New York to find his dad. His character is met with a culture shock but eventually finds his way, charming his new family and a girl in the process. Elf receives 86% from Rotten Tomatoes and 79% from its audience. Some critics say it is overplayed, but most agree that the amusing film accomplishes its goal of creating laughter over the holidays.
This animated Christmas classic came in third place, missing second by one vote. The Polar Express was a huge cinematic accomplishment for its time because it was the first all-digital capture film. The movie was released in 2004 and included Tom Hanks, which was another reason it gained popularity. The storyline is based on a children’s novel and details the journey of a young boy who rides a magical train to the North Pole. He ultimately discovers the importance of kindness, magic, and belief. The Polar Express earns a 56% from Rotten Tomatoes and 64% by the general audience.
4) Die Hard
The classic debate continues. Is Die Hard really a Christmas movie? Regardless, NASH ranked it as the fourth best Christmas movie of all time. On Christmas Eve, New York City policeman John McClane, played by Bruce Willis, is attending a holiday party when it is violently interrupted. Terrorists raid the party, taking everyone but McClane hostage. McClane steps up as the hero of the story, determined to save them. This movie earns high ratings by Rotten Tomatoes, receiving 94% from both critics and the general audience.
5) How The Grinch Stole Christmas (live action, 2000)
Believe it or not, all three versions of How the Grinch Stole Christmas made it onto NASH’s top ten list. However, it was the live-action version, starring Jim Carrey, that was ranked best out of the three. It took fifth place on NASH’s overall list. This classic story was remade in 2000 and includes iconic scenes of the “Jim Carrey Grinch,” a unique spin-off of the original animation. The old Dr. Seuss Christmas story was about a Grinch seeking revenge on Whoville and its Christmas traditions. The live action follows this plot, but, according to critics, not well enough. The Rotten Tomatoes’ Critics Consensus states, “Jim Carrey shines as the Grinch. Unfortunately, it’s not enough to save this movie. You’d be better off watching the TV cartoon.” It receives 49% from critics and 58% from viewers.
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation was released in 1989, yet according to one critic, has aged well. “It didn’t seem like much of a big deal at the time, but the passing of years has revealed National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation to be the best in the series,” states Matt Brunson from Film Frenzy. This Christmas comedy follows Clark Griswold, played by Chevy Chase, as he attempts to create the best holiday possible for his family. However, his plans get lopsided when his company cancels the annual Christmas bonuses, and his cousin Eddie’s crazy family turns up, putting up camp in his driveway. The Rotten Tomatoes Critics Consensus states that, while it “may not be the most disciplined comedy, it’s got enough laughs and good cheer to make for a solid seasonal treat.” It receives 70% from Rotten Tomatoes and 86% from its audience.
This 2004 Christmas comedy was ranked seventh place by NASH. The movie follows Luther and Nora Frank as they attempt to skip Christmas. They boycott anything that has to do with Christmas, refusing to put up lights, canceling card orders, and even skipping out on the annual police fundraising calendar. Their neighbors however, are not appreciative of this Christmas skip. The plot thickens as neighbors are pitched against neighbors over the holiday traditions. However, when the Kranks’ daughter calls home, surprising them with a visit for the holidays, what will the Kranks do? This absurd plot has gained popularity among audiences. However, critics do not agree with this assessment. Christmas with the Kranks receives 5% on Rotten Tomatoes, as critics ridiculed the plot. Among audience members, it is ranked 39%, the lowest general audience rating on NASH’s list.
8) How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Original Animation, 1967)
Ranked in eighth place is the original 1967 How The Grinch Stole Christmas. The classic, heartwarming animation follows the same storyline as the live action version. The original, however, features the Dr. Seuss book as narration, rhyming through the whole movie. The movie continues to receive an abundance of positive reviews and praise for its music, animation, commitment to the original text. Critic Tim Brayton from Alternate Ending states, “Its brightness, cleanness, tightness, and wit all go in to making it feel as fresh and alive as any other piece of animation from its generation.” This version of The Grinch has the highest rankings from Rotten Tomatoes out of any on this list. It receives 100% from critics and 94% from the general audience. Critic Laura Bradley from The Daily Beast states, “Simply put, a life without this holiday classic would’ve stink, stank, stunk.”
9) The Nightmare Before Christmas
This 1993 movie is a unique mix between two holidays: Halloween and Christmas. Jack Skellington, or the Pumpkin King, the leader of Halloween Town, has his heart set on change when he discovers Christmas Town. His solution to this curiosity is to kidnap Santa Claus and take over Christmas, putting his own Halloween spin on it. He refuses to listen to Sally, the female main character of the story, and her warnings against his ambitions. Critic Brian Eggert from Deep Focus Review states, “In the days of computer-animated films that occasionally appear no different than your average video game, looking back, we must appreciate that Tim Burton and Henry Selick created something so wonderfully original.” Rotten Tomatoes rates it 95% and the general audience gives it 92%.
Taking the last spot on NASH’s Christmas list is the iconic A Christmas Story. This movie was made in 1983 and has been the cause of Christmas decorations and jokes ever since. The Leg Lamp and a tongue stuck on a frozen lamp post are both memorable, funny, and nostalgic jokes. The movie is narrated by on older version of the main character, Ralphie Parker. All that seven-year-old Ralphie wants for Christmas is a Red Ryder Carbine Action 200-shot Range Model Air Rifle. However, much to his dismay, his teacher, his mother, and even Santa Claus think it is not a proper gift. The movie continues to follow Ralphie on his Christmas adventures, delivering his thoughts aloud. It receives 89% from both critics and the general audience.
