The best Christmas movies 

Give yourself the gift of festive cheer with these fine films

Get in the mood for festive fun with some of the greatest Christmas movies ever made...

7. THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS (1993)

The only movie we can think of that's ideal for both Christmas and Halloween viewing. The Tim Burton-created classic lights up the screen with its bewitching stop-motion animation. 

6. GREMLINS (1984)

Straddling the gap between family-friendly and full-blown horror, Gremlins is a wickedly good watch. How we wish we could get Gizmo as a stocking stuffer one Xmas morn. 

5. ELF (2003)

A gem of a Christmas movie that gifted Will Ferrell his mainstream break-out role. The reason Elf has such enduring appeal? It's a film that reminds us all what it's like to be excited about Xmas. 

4. DIE HARD (1988)

Yes, the ever ace Die Hard is a Christmas movie! John McClane has an Xmas Eve to forget battling terrorists atop Nakatomi Plaza following a festive shindig gone wrong. "Welcome to the party, pal!"

3. HOME ALONE (1990)

Plane tickets? Check. Presents? Check. Childen? Oh damn, the McCallisters forgot their youngest Kevin. Who'd have thought a movie about an abandoned kid fighting off bungling burglars could be such a Christmas classic? 

2. THE MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL (1992)

Arguably the best adapation of Charles Dickens' festive tale, and certainly the fuzziest. Michael Caine is superb as the grouchy Scrooge, while the ridiculous jokes and clever songs delight.

1. IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE (1946)

An ageless classic. Frank Capra's fable of redemption and parallel universes is the ultimate Christmas movie. It's not exactly laugh a minute, but this is about as life-affirming as films get. 

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