Some of the best moments inChristmas moviesare the ones where classic Christmas carols are included to make a moment stand out. This happens in some of thebest Christmas movies of all time, making them even more memorable. Christmas carols are an integral part of the Christmas season, so a Christmas film without them always feels like it’s missing something.
These songs, while appearing in plenty of media that aren’t just Christmas movies, are instantly recognizable for their connection to the Christmas season and widespread appeal. They even appear in movies that are perfect for the holiday season,despite not being Christmas movies.
10The Twelve Days Of Christmas
Eloise At Christmastime (2003)
An often overlooked Disney Christmas classic,Eloise at Christmastimefeatures a young girl and her quest to unite a hotel heiress with her true love.The film is goofy and good fun for all ages, detailing Eloise’s misadventures in the hotel penthouse she calls home. It is unique when it comes to Christmas films, invoking a distinct feeling of early 2000s nostalgia.
Eloise at Christmastimeis based on the 1958 novel of the same name and originally aired on ABC.
There is a scene in the film where the characters in the film sing the classic song “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” It is a sweet moment, one that adds to the overall Christmas feeling of a film that seems more focused on the romance element of the story. The fact that it is sung within the movie as well makes it a worthy addition to the film.
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
Cast
The third installment in the National Lampoon’s Vacation series, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, stars Chevy Chase as Clark Griswold, father of the Griswold family whose intentions to have a good Christmas with his family face several setbacks. Between his arguing parents, the uncooperative decorations, and the unexpected arrival of some unwanted distant relatives, Clark’s dreams for a wonderful Christmas seem to be fading, forcing him to take some comedically drastic measures.
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacationis an endlessly quotable film, known best for its over-the-top comedy and iconic performances by Chevy Chase and Randy Quaid. The film follows Clark Griswold and his many misadventures over the Christmas holiday. Everything seems to go wrong for him as he desperately attempts to have the best Christmas vacation with his family.
In an amusing moment in the film, Clark is seen looking out the window and fantasizing about what a Hawaiian vacation might have been like for Christmas.However, the moment is interrupted when his niece walks in. All the while, Bing Cosby’s “Mele Kalikimaka” plays over the scene, really emphasizing how nice the warmth would be instead of the snow.
The Santa Clause
Disney’s The Santa Clause follows Scott Calvin (Tim Allen), a marketing director for a toy company, who, after a recent divorce, is spending Christmas with his young son, Charlie (Eric Lloyd). When he startles an intruder off of his roof on Christmas Eve, Scott accidentally volunteers to be the new Santa, then spends the following year undergoing a magical transformation into jolly old St. Nick.
Perhaps one of the most iconic Christmas films of the ’90s,The Santa Clausedepicts Tim Allen’s character Scott Calvin after inadvertently killing Santa Claus. Afterward, he finds himself slowly turning into the mythical character, beard and all. This, coupled with the story of his strained relationship with his son, makes for a heartwarming classic Christmas film.
Early on in the film, when Scott is attempting to have Christmas with his son, his entire dinner is ruined when the turkey begins to burn.The iconic Christmas song “White Christmas” plays as the camera pans from the picture of a delicious Christmas dinner to the burned mess that Scott has created.The two eventually decide to simply go to Denny’s, eating their Christmas dinner there instead.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is a 1964 animated television special directed by Larry Roemer. The story follows a young reindeer named Rudolph, ostracized by his peers due to his glowing red nose. As Rudolph ventures through the North Pole, he encounters various characters including Hermey the elf and Yukon Cornelius, ultimately finding his place within Santa Claus’s reindeer team. The special has become a classic, particularly during the Christmas season.
One of many classic Christmas claymation films,Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeeris the well-known tale of a young reindeer, outcast for his glowing red nose. The film sees him going on plenty of adventures despite only having a short runtime of 55 minutes. It is a story of accepting those around you, no matter what their differences might be, dressed in a Christmas setting.
The film features several songs throughout, including the eponymous “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” However,as the film ends and Rudolph guides Santa Claus' sleigh, the Christmas Carol “A Holly Jolly Christmas” is sung by Sam the Snowman.It is the perfect ending to a classic movie, both fun and uplifting at the same time.
A Christmas Story
In the quintessential holiday classic, A Christmas Story, young Ralphie Parker narrates the story of Christmas time when he was nine-year-old, and his relentless quest to attain the highly coveted Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas - despite everyone, including a mall Santa, telling him it’s too dangerous to own.
Most famous for silly antics, including a scandalous leg lamp and tongues being frozen to metal poles,A Christmas Storyis a fun look at one child’s Christmas.The film sees Ralphie recounting his time as a child in the 40s, who wants nothing more than a BB gun for Christmas.There are other stories told throughout the film as well, most of which revolving around Ralphie and his family.
One key moment in the film that shows the dynamic of the family is when they are in the car together. The family, besides the father, all sing the iconic Christmas carol “Jingle Bells” while having a generally good time, even if Ralphie’s father does seem annoyed by it all. Immediately after, the car stalls, and they are forced to pull over.
Love Actually
The 2003 romantic comedy Love Actually follows various couples as they explore their relationships throughout the Christmas season. With a star-studded cast composed of Bill Nighy, Colin Firth, Alan Rickman, Emma Thompson, Keira Knightley, Hugh Grant, Laura Linney, Liam Neeson, Rowan Atkinson, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Martin Freeman, and Martine McCutcheon, Love Actually has since become a Christmas staple for rom-com lovers.
Featuring an ensemble cast of many different couples,Love Actuallyis a romantic comedy that takes place over Christmas.The film follows several different stories throughout, tackling themes of love and family in ten different storylines. While the film is primarily focused on the love stories it tells, it has managed to be a classic Christmas film that many consider one to watch every year.
Near the end of the film, many of the stories come together to watch a presentation at the local school. This Christmas show features the kids singing the iconic song “All I Want for Christmas,” a song that, while more recently released, has become its own kind of modern Christmas carol. Like many Christmas movies, this song serves as the perfect way to end the film on a high note.
Elf
Elf follows Buddy, a human raised as an elf at the North Pole. As an adult, he journeys to Manhattan to find his biological father, a work-driven businessman. The film explores Buddy’s comedic attempts to navigate human society and his quest to bring holiday spirit to his family.
Starring Will Ferrell as Buddy the Elf,Elfis another comedic Christmas film that still has a massive fanbase.Elfis full of incredible quotesand takes Buddy through the realization that, though he has grown up in the North Pole, he is human and not an elf. His journey continues as he attempts to find his real father, learning about the human world and bringing Christmas cheer along the way.
The song “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” becomes an integral part of the film near the end of the movie.Because there is not enough Christmas cheer, Santa’s sleigh cannot function well enough to deliver gifts throughout the world. It is through singing this song on national television that the sleigh receives enough Christmas cheer, inevitably saving Christmas for everyone.
The Year Without a Santa Claus
The Year Without a Santa Claus is a 1974 stop-motion animated television special produced by Rankin/Bass Productions. The story follows Santa Claus, who considers skipping his annual Christmas Eve journey due to feeling unappreciated. Mrs. Claus and two elves embark on a mission to restore holiday cheer and prove that Christmas cannot be celebrated without Santa. The special is known for its memorable musical numbers and classic holiday charm.
Showing what reality would be like if Santa decided to stop giving gifts,The Year Without a Santa Clausis a film full of iconic songs and characters.It even includes unique and easily recognized songs, including the tunes sung by the Heat Miser and Snow Miser. Aside from these characters, Santa visits other iconic characters, including Mother Nature.
After discovering that the world does need the cheer that Christmas brings, Santa returns to bring presents to the people of the world. In the final moments of the film, showing the happiness this brings to the people, the song “Here Comes Santa Claus” plays over the film. It is an inspirational and hopeful moment, one that is only amplified by the Christmas music as it plays.
Home Alone
Home Alone tells the story of Kevin McAllister, an eight-year-old who is left behind in his Chicago home when his family flies to Paris for the holidays. Not only must Kevin keep himself safe while his mother flies back across the world, but he must protect his home from the Wet Bandits - serial burglars who are targeting the McAllister House. Kevin must use every trick in the book to keep the Wet Bandits from stealing Christmas before his mother returns.
When Kevin McAllister wakes up one morning to find that his family has left him behind to take their Christmas vacation, he must scheme against a pair of bandits who attempt to rob the family’s home.Home Aloneis not only hilarious when telling this story, but compelling as well. The stakes themselves feel high in the moment, especially to any child watching, and the plans Kevin makes to keep the bandits out of his house are fun and inventive.
Christmas carols play several times throughout the movie, but none is better placed than Brenda Lee’s “Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree.“In this scene, while the bandits are staking out the house, it initially appears that the family has returned for Christmas. However, it is quickly revealed that this is a ploy by Kevin, who has created a bunch of Christmas-themed gadgets to make it seem like the house is full of people.
It’s a Wonderful Life
Frank Capra’s classic Christmas film tells the story of George Bailey, a small-town business and family man who, after a series of personal and business losses, attempts to jump off a bridge on Christmas Eve. Bailey is stopped before he can jump by Clarence, an angel who wishes to show him how much impact he has had on those around him in order to keep him from killing himself. Jimmy Stewart stars as George Bailey, with a further cast that includes Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, and Henry Travers.
It’s a Wonderful Lifeis an age-old classic Christmas film following the life and troubles of George Bailey.When George thinks about ending his life one Christmas Eve, he is visited by his guardian angel, Clarence Odbody. The angel takes him through his life, showing him how things would have been without him and how important he is to those around him.
When George is finally brought back to his family and realizes the importance of his own life, the old classic song “Auld Lang Syne” begins to play. The music swells then, sung in a powerful chorus. It is at this moment that Clarence receives his wings, ending thisChristmas movieon a powerfully moving and hopeful moment.
