movies

The very best Christmas movies that aren't Love Actually.

At the risk of triggering the inevitable yearly debate on the quality of Love Actually, which is arguably both an infinitely watchable Christmas film and a lesson in how-not-to-choose-a-life-partner, we’ve taken the liberty of compiling a list of Chrissy movies that never disappoint.

Year-after-year these festive favourites deliver; laughs, tears, mistletoe, romance, family feels, EXPLOSIONS.

They’ve got it all.

So, get your reindeer pajamas on, set your microwave to ‘popcorn’ and, um, lock yourself inside your house because sometimes all you want for Christmas is a night-in.

Without further ado, we present our definitive list of things to watch when you’re too full to move and maybe a teenie bit sick of your family.

Home Alone 1 and 2

Look you filthy animals, there’s no denying the timeless charm of Kevin Mcallister battling for survival against two felons on a diet of pizza and age-inappropriate movies, which is why Home Alone is obviously top of the list.

BUT we’re also giving a shout out to the sequel, because, um, Tim Curry, Donald Trump, New York and that classic unsung heroine: the pigeon lady.

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Die Hard

Okay, so much like in Love Actually, Alan Rickman plays an incredible villain in Die Hard.

It also stars a ‘Yippikaiyai’-ing, wise-cracking cop in the form of Bruce Willis. It’s also set at Christmas time.

Elf

Only a cotton-headed ninny muggins could dislike Will Ferrell as Buddy the human who thinks he’s an elf.

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His affection for syrup, his unflappable love of the season and an adorable friendship with the very beautiful Jovie, played by Zooey Deschanel, make this movie a modern Christmas classic.

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The Holiday

The Holiday has not one but two romantic story arcs – it’s practically like two rom-coms rolled into one.

It’s so cute and Christmas-y you don’t even notice that Jack Black is punching way above his weight falling for Kate Winslet.

It’s a Wonderful Life

Everyone ought to have seen It’s a Wonderful Life, it’s probably the definitive Christmas film.

Jimmy Stewart is George Bailey – a man contemplating suicide on Christmas Eve until a guardian angel intervenes and shows him what his life is worth.

The Muppet Christmas Carol

The Muppet Christmas Carol is an adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic that’s both hilarious and heart warming.

Michael Caine is also an impressively callous Scrooge.

Bridget Jones’ Diary

While Bridget Jones’ Diary may not be a Christmas movie per se, it both begins and ends at Christmas time, plus it features in Colin Firth in not one but two truly incredible festive jumpers.

Our Brig also consumes 42 mince tarts in one sitting at one point and if that’s not what the day is about, well frankly, what’s it about? Oh right right right, baby Jesus.

Monty Python's Life of Brian

Brian Cohen is a young Jewish man born on the same day as, and next door to, Jesus Christ, who is subsequently mistaken for the Messiah.

It's the best.