George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart) and his wife (Donna Reed) with children in "It’s a Wonderful Life".
Holiday movies that have survived decades are those that have made a deep emotional impact in our collective consciousness. They convey the importance of love and belonging, self-esteem, redemption, and the pursuit of noble goals. They have strong morals that emphasize right over wrong, good over evil, and tranquility over mayhem. In contrast, too many films today are void of values, substituting special effects and gimmicks for substance.
Especially during these chaotic 2020 holidays, we need substantive films to counteract COVID-19 madness, an unending election cycle, and periodic protests and street riots. It is time to curl up on the sofa in front of our large screen TVs, wall ourselves off from the chaos, and return to an age when movies were crafted with valuable, enduring messages.
Here are top ten blockbuster holiday movies you need and the reasons why. They include comedies and dramas, and each was selected for its strong appeal and equally strong message. They are ranked in accordance with Rotten Tomatoes Audience Scores from the lowest at #10 to the highest at #1. As you read each description, and hopefully re-watch each film, take time to savor the message beneath the storytelling glitter.
10) Elf (2003): This is the story of a toddler who was accidentally transported to the North Pole and raised to be one of Santa's elves. Feeling that he doesn’t fit in, he travels to New York to find his real father and redeem him from being on Santa’s naughty list. While chaos leads to humor, this film is about the importance of family, belonging, and the opportunity for redemption, three things we need more of today. 79% Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score.
9) The Bishop’s Wife (1947): An often overlooked classic, this is the story about a Bishop who prays for divine guidance to help him raise money to build a massive cathedral. His plea is fulfilled when an angel comes to his aid, though the angel’s goal is to provide spiritual guidance and not to raise money. The Bishop eventually discovers that his hoped-for cathedral is not nearly as important as the relationship with his family and the more critical needs of those who are destitute. This story is about our misguided priorities which is an important lesson as we consider resolutions for 2021. 81% Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score.
8) National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989): This is the story of an obsessed Clark Griswold who wants to create the perfect family Christmas with the perfect tree and decorations. Things go badly and humor ensues. But at its core, this film is about the earnest effort to bring joy to others, and that family, not decorations, is what matters most. 86% Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score.
7) Miracle on 34th Street (1947): This classic film is about a skeptical young girl who doubts the existence of Santa Claus due mostly to her mother’s cynical approach to life. It teaches us the importance of being open-minded to the improbable, and that an abundance of cynicism can rob you of immense joy. A little less cynicism can go a long way in today’s world, a lesson worth remembering. 87% Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score.
6) White Christmas (1954): This classic is about two WWII buddies who achieve fame on Broadway after the war. When they discover that a Vermont inn owned by their former commanding officer is failing, they stage a show at the inn to raise funds. At its core, this film is about helping others and giving back, using your good fortune to help others in need. With so many people out of work due to the coronavirus today, this story speaks to the importance of charity. 88% Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score.
5) Scrooge (1951 - original title): This is the best incarnation of Charles Dickens’ 1843 novella, A Christmas Carol. The story is about a miser who hates Christmas and shuns family and giving, but has a change of heart after he is visited by three spirits. It teaches us about the importance of giving, family, and redemption. 89% Rotten Tomatoes Score.
4) The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993): This film follows the story of Halloweentown's pumpkin king, Jack Skellington, who is bored with his current life and becomes obsessed with taking over Christmas by kidnapping Santa Claus and taking his place. After disaster ensues, Jack realizes that he loves Halloween after all. This story tells us that the universe has a way of putting us exactly where we are supposed to be and the importance of appreciating where we are. 91% Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score.
3) Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964): This is the classic tale of a young reindeer who is rejected by his fellow reindeers due to his glowing red nose. He departs on an adventure to find a place where he belongs, but ends up saving Christmas by using his bright nose to help guide Santa through a terrible blizzard. This story is about love, acceptance, and fulling your full potential, important qualities we need more of today. 84% Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score.
2) It’s a Wonderful Life (1946): This is the story of George Bailey who gave up his own dreams in order to help others achieve theirs. After many years, he is falsely accused of a crime and reacts by considering suicide. Then an angel appears to show him what his town, friends and family would have become had he never been born. This heartfelt story teaches us that even small acts of kindness can have a profound impact in ways we cannot initially imagine. 95% Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score.
1) How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966): Based on the Dr. Seuss book, this is the tale of Christmas Eve in Whoville where the evil Grinch decides to steal all the town’s presents and decorations. Yet in the morning, he discovers that the townspeople are still celebrating, undeterred. This story tells us that Christmas is not about things, but about love and family. It conveys that each of us can change for the better and that redemption is always possible. 98% Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score.
There are many other films that could have been added to this list, each with a strong moral. They include Holiday Inn (1942), A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965), Frosty the Snowman (1969), A Christmas Story (1983), Home Alone (1990), The Santa Clause (1994), Eight Crazy Nights (2002) – a Hanukkah favorite with Adam Sandler’s The Hanukkah Song, and The Polar Express (2004).
In my consulting practice, I was often hired by global entertainment companies to provide opinions regarding the strength of proposed story ideas. In one particular project, I recommended pursuit of an idea because of its strong storytelling appeal and strong moral message. But the company rejected the story because it felt that having a moral was too “preachy.” The executive in charge preferred glitter over substance. It was a complete misunderstanding of what audiences crave, especially in turbulent times.
Films with strong messages are antidotes to what currently ails us. They also act as vaccines to inoculate us from future joy-killing infections. They provide generations of audiences with emotional fulfillment and uplifting morals, teachings that make us collectively better.
Happy viewing!
