White Christmas (1954)
Singers Bob Wallace (Bing Crosby) and Phil Davis (Danny Kaye) join sister act Betty (Rosemary Clooney) and Judy Haynes (Vera-Ellen) to perform a Christmas show in rural Vermont. There, they run into General Waverly, the boys’ commander in World War II, who, they learn, is having financial difficulties: his quaint country inn is failing. So what’s the foursome to do but plan a yuletide miracle, a fun-filled musical extravaganza that’s sure to put Waverly and his business in the black!
Christmas with the Kranks (2004, PG)
Finally alone for the holidays, Luther (Tim Allen) and Nora Krank (Jamie Lee Curtis) plan to eschew the Christmas traditions and take a cruise in the Caribbean instead. This doesn’t sit well with their Christmas-obsessed neighbors Vic Frohmeyer (Dan Aykroyd) and Walt Scheel (M. Emmet Walsh), who are determined to win the annual “best decorated street” competition, and the Kranks soon find themselves social outcasts because of their lack of Christmas spirit.
A Very Murray Christmas (2015, Netflix Original)
Bill Murray (as himself) worries no one will show up to his TV show due to a massive snowstorm in New York City. Through luck and perseverance, guests arrive at NYC’s Carlyle Hotel to help him — dancing and singing in holiday spirit. The ensemble cast features George Clooney, Amy Poehler, Miley Cyrus, Michael Cera, Chris Rock, and Rashida Jones, among others!
Bad Santa (2003, R)
In this dark (not to mention curse word-filled) comedy, the crotchety Willie T. Stokes (Billy Bob Thornton) and his partner (Tony Cox) reunite once a year for a holiday con. Posing as a mall Santa and his elf, they rip off shopping outlets on Christmas Eve. This year, however, Willie is falling apart. He’s depressed and alcoholic, and his erratic behavior draws the suspicion of mall security (Bernie Mac). But when befriending a small boy brings out his kinder side, Willie begins to wonder if there is still some hope for him.
I’ll be Home for Christmas (1998, PG)
Estranged from his father (Gary Cole), college student Jake (Jonathan Taylor Thomas) is lured home to New York for Christmas with the promise of receiving a classic Porsche as a gift. When the bullying football team dumps him in the desert in a Santa suit, Jake is left without identification or money to help him make the journey. Meanwhile, his girlfriend, Allie (Jessica Biel), does not know where he is, and accepts a cross-country ride from Jake’s rival, Eddie (Adam LaVorgna).
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993, PG)
The film follows the misadventures of Jack Skellington, Halloweentown’s beloved pumpkin king, who has become bored with the same annual routine of frightening people in the “real world.” When Jack accidentally stumbles on Christmastown, all bright colors and warm spirits, he gets a new lease on life — he plots to bring Christmas under his control by kidnapping Santa Claus and taking over the role. But Jack soon discovers even the best-laid plans of mice and skeleton men can go seriously awry.