I love Bad Santa but for me the best Christmas Film is "it's a wonderful life" because it's a lot darker than people think especially the sequence where his wish to have never lived is granted, brilliant film.
As for Elf sorry folks I find Will Ferrell about as funny as dysentery.
One of my favourite films but for some reason never think of it as a Christmas film, even though it obviously is set around Christmas
I love The Apartment and was watching it again at the weekend but, like you, have never thought of it as a Christmas movie. Maybe because it's actually based on quite a sad subject matter rather than a knockabout feel good film.
It's a Wonderful Life is of course also quite a melancholic film but it ain't Christmas until I've watched it!
I only found out Elf existed because of this thread. Great film. I have a huge spot for the Jim Carey/Disney Christmas Carol. Love Actually is also right up there with the best. And out on a limb, Arthur Christmas is good. But my current favourite is Klaus which arrived on Netflix last year and has a great take on the Santa story, and ends perfectly.
Comments
I despair
...then I realised I was thinking of Patrick Stewart!!
I am the Grinch
Jingle All The Way. Hit and miss but worth a watch for Phil Hartman's turn as the snivelling neighbour who is trying to smash Arnie's wife.
Gremlins
That is all
Love Actually is superb and a worthy 2nd place.
4 - Completely subjective and
3 - It will be a different answer
2 - Depending on who you ask
1 - National Lampoon Christmas Vacation
Planes Trains and Automobiles
The Odd Couple
Some Like It Hot
How To Murder Your Wife
Kind Hearts And Coronets
Airplane
It's a Wonderful Life is of course also quite a melancholic film but it ain't Christmas until I've watched it!