Anyone remember when Christmas movies started to get to be more fun and less sentimental? Well, they’re still sentimental, but from about the 80s on they’ve been turning the corner and becoming something other than just the sappy, cutesy films that we’ve been used to for so long. Some might think that Christmas films need to be stodgy and kind of affixed to the traditional style of cinema but others thankfully have relented and started making films that are more like real life, in some ways at least. Such films need to reflect the human condition just as much as any other films and let’s face it, the holidays are a stressful and imperfect time just like the rest of the year and people aren’t perfect no matter how they behave for this one holiday. It’s all about giving and receiving and having a good time, but there’s a lot of work that goes into it as well. So it’s important to show the good and the bad during Christmas, if only to remember what really makes it the kind of holiday we still enjoy.
Here are some of the best Christmas movies from the 90s.
5. Home Alone 2
This one had to be added despite the fact that the original made the list as well. Amidst the legion of failed sequels this stands out as one of those that actually topped the original since it brought back most if not all of the original cast and even expanded on the original idea. Instead of being left at home Kevin is separated from his family in the airport and boards a plane to New York instead of Florida where his family ends up. You would think that his parents might keep a closer eye on him after the last Christmas but as it’s been shown the McAllister clan isn’t exactly an organized bunch when it comes to vacations. Maybe it’s time to just stay home for the holidays.
4. Jingle All the Way
Ah yes, the fun times we have during the Christmas rush when it comes to commercialism and making our children happy. Arnold has been in a lot of films where he’s faced with the insurmountable task of taking on some of the toughest opponents ever conceived. But this film gives him his biggest challenge yet, finding a toy that his son really wants on the day before Christmas when every parent in the nation is doing the same thing. Ever wonder why some people start their Christmas shopping in the middle of the year? It might seem crazy, but they’re usually the ones that are the least stressed out when the holidays finally come around.
3. The Nightmare Before Christmas
Tim Burton puts a decidedly dark spin on just about anything he creates since he tends to use a wide array of shadows and dark colors to bring his creations to life. But this one is among those that people somehow connected with as it does in fact deal with two holidays that are quite close to one another and yet so opposed that one can’t help but wonder what might happen if they were combined. The film is a masterpiece and is enjoyable for kids and adults since there are several themes that kids might not get but adults understand perfectly and vice versa. That being said, Jack is perhaps one of the most endearing characters ever created.
2. The Santa Clause
If you look at this from a certain standpoint it’s kind of creepy, since if a person simply puts on the suit they become Santa Claus. It’s almost like a parasitic thing you might find in a horror movie. But thankfully Tim Allen’s comedic performance and his ability to take on the persona of the jolly old gift-giver makes this an instant Christmas classic that a lot of people tend to watch every year since it doesn’t often get old and the sequels are charming enough that you can watch them every now and again or just keep them on as background noise. Among the many Santa Claus movies this is actually one of the best.
1. Home Alone
Honestly there should be a Looney Tunes soundtrack going when Kevin has to defend his home since the damage that he ends up doing to Marv and Harry is the type that should have them out of the game by the first injury. Falling down icy steps, grasping a burning door knob, taking a blow torch to the head, being struck in the face by an iron, having a spike rammed through your foot, and having a paint can slap you full in the face are injuries that only cartoons could walk away from, much less survive. But hey, it’s a movie, so movie magic is all well and good and in full effect. Kids loved it after all.
Oh yes, Christmas has put on the comedy hat, and it’s in full effect.
Follow Us
