E's Top
It’s that time of year again where we bring out the tinsel, mistletoe and holly, set up Christmas trees and risk life and limb trying to find that perfect gift for someone. It’s also the time to sit back and watch some favorite holiday specials. E! (The Entertainment channel) has ranked twenty of the top seasonal movies. Which movies and holiday specials made the list?
20. The Ref
Gus (Denis Leary) isn’t having a good Christmas Eve. When a robbery goes wrong, he’s forced to take a not so happily married couple (played by Kevin Spacey and Judy Davis) hostage. Things get worse when he’s forced to take the role of “ref” during the couple’s squabbles.
19. A Charlie Brown Christmas
The late Charles Schulz’s “Peanuts” characters come to life in “A Charlie Brown Christmas”. In this animated special, the gang prepares for the holidays while Charlie Brown (voice of Peter Robbins) tries to find the true spirit of Christmas.
18. Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas
The Grinch came to life on the silver screen in 2000’s “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”. Directed by Ron Howard and starring Jim Carrey, the film told the story of the Grinch, the Whos and the ultimate plan to destroy Christmas.
17. Die Hard
Although it’s not your typical holiday movie, “Die Hard” ranks at number 17. It’s a festive time at the Nakatomi. There’s a Christmas party and John McClane (Bruce Willis) has arrived to visit his wife Holly (Bonnie Bedelia). Things go horribly wrong, however, when terrorists take over the building and John is the only one who can stop them.
16. The Family Man
Jack Campbell (Nicolas Cage) is a Wall Street wheeler and dealer. Used to making multi-million dollar deals, Jack has everything he wants, except for true happiness. When he’s given a chance to see what his life would be like if he had chosen to stay with his college sweetheart Kate (Tea Leoni), will Jack decide to return to the life he has or take a chance on love?
15. The Muppet Christmas Carol
The Muppets are back in this 1992 take on the Charles Dickens story. With Kermit portraying Bob Cratchit and Michael Caine as Scrooge, this Christmas classic will never be the same again.
14. A Christmas Carol
Although the story has been told in a variety of films, it’s the 1984 version of “A Christmas Carol” that ranks number 14. The miserly Ebenezer Scrooge (George C. Scott) is visited by the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future.
13. Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer
This 1964 animated story has become a holiday favorite. Narrated by Burl Ives, this feature tells the story of Rudolph, a reindeer who must cope with the fact that he has a red nose that glows. When a winter storm threatens to cancel Christmas, will Rudolph be able to save the day?
12. The Nightmare Before Christmas
Jack Skellington isn’t your typical holiday character in Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas”. Jack lives in Halloweentown. When he happens upon the concept of Christmas, his plans go horribly awry.
11. The Santa Clause
Things just went from bad to worse for Scott Calvin (Tim Allen). On top of all of his problems, he’s discovered that he’s the cause of Santa’s untimely demise. It’s now up to him to become the new Santa.
10. White Christmas
Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye play Bob Wallace and Phil Davis in 1954’s “White Christmas”. Just out of the Army, Bob and Phil form a singing/dancing duo and travel to
9. Home Alone
Kevin’s (MacCaulay Culkin) family is planning to take a trip during Christmas. But things don’t go exactly as planned when Kevin is accidentally left behind. While Kevin adjusts to being “Home Alone”, he also has to thwart the attempts of two would-be robbers (played by Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern) who have their sights on his home.
8. Home for the Holidays
Claudia Larson (Holly Hunter) is down on her luck. Will things go from bad to worse when she’s forced to spend the holidays with her family?
7. How the Grinch Stole Christmas
This animated classic featured the voice of Boris Karloff. The Grinch plans the ultimate Yuletide caper against the Whos in nearby Whoville.
6. Planes, Trains and Automobiles
It’s almost Thanksgiving and Neal Page (Steve Martin) is desperate to get home. When accepts a cross country ride from Del Griffith (John Candy), will the mismatched duo survive the adventure and each other?
5. Scrooged
This updated version of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” starred Bill Murray as Frank Cross. Frank is the movie’s version of Ebenezer Scrooge. The network executive is visited by your not so typical ghosts of Christmas past, present and future.
4. Miracle on
Natalie Wood starred in this 1947 classic film. When Susan’s (Wood) mom (played by Maureen O’Hara) hires someone (Edmund Gwenn) to fill the shoes of the store Santa Claus, will the man teach mother and daughter a valuable lesson?
3. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
Clark Griswold (
It’s Christmas Eve and George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart) feels like his life is in shambles. What will happen when Clarence (Henry Travers), his guardian angel, arrives and shows George what other’s lives would have been like if he had another been born?
1983’s “A Christmas Story” ranks at number one on E’s countdown. Ralphie (Peter Billingsley) only wants one thing for Christmas. A Red Ryder BB Gun! Hilarious events ensue during Ralphie’s quest for the gift while dealing with his family, friends, bullies and a rabbit outfit!
Visit the E! official website! E! Online
See Also:
These movies are available for purchase at Amazon.com and Half.com.
© 2005 by Tammy Cordani. To use the above content you must first obtain written permission. Please contact Tammy Cordani. All rights reserved.