From Will Ferrell to Bill Murray, here are the top-7 holiday movies from comedy icons
From Will Ferrell to Bill Murray, here are the top-7 holiday movies from comedy icons
Christmas is better with comedy legends so don’t miss these holiday movies.
The better the holiday movie, the better the holiday season – it’s just math. And having a comedy legend (or two) in the lead role helps deck the hall (er, I mean stack the deck) in your favor. Just like Hulu’s new holiday comedy, “Nutcrackers” does with comedy legend Ben Stiller. In that one, Stiller plays a work-obsessed man who reluctantly travels to rural Ohio to look after his four rambunctious nephews after their parents die in a car accident. What begins as a three-day trip to find foster care turns into weeks of farm-life chaos – and the realization that he doesn’t need to find them a home, they’ve found one for him. So, in that spirit, kick back and relax with the top 7 holiday movies starring comedy legends you can stream right now because with these actors, you’re in safe hands.
Top 7 holiday movies starring comedy legends to stream right now
No. 7: ‘Deck the Halls’ (2006) | Hulu
Coming in at No. 7 is a double-helping of comedy legendary…ness. “Deck the Halls” stars Danny DeVito and Matthew Broderick as suburban neighbors who go head-to-head in an escalating battle of Christmas decorations. Devito plays Buddy Hall, a flashy and larger-than-life character who sets out to make his house visible from space with an over-the-top light display, much to the annoyance of Steve (Broderick), a meticulous planner who prefers tradition and class. As the rivalry spirals out of control, both men learn valuable lessons about family, friendship, and the true spirit of Christmas. My wife and I watched this a few years ago and it’s since become an annual addition to our holiday movie list, so check it out!
Deck the Halls
Determined to unseat Steve Finch’s reign as the town’s holiday season king, Buddy Hall plasters his house with so many decorative lights that it’ll be visible from space! When their wives bond, and their kids follow suit, the two men only escalate their rivalry - and their decorating.
No. 6: ‘The Santa Clause’ (1994) | Disney+
No Christmas is complete without a dash of comedy legend Tim Allen. And there’s no better Tim Allen holiday movie than, “The Santa Clause.” In fact, this movie is so good it spawned a movie trilogy along with two seasons of a TV show!
“The Santa Clause” follows Tim Allen as Scott Calvin, who, alongside his son on Christmas Eve, finds Santa Claus has fallen off their roof! After donning Santa’s suit, Scott takes the reins of the magical sleigh and is transported to the North Pole, where he learns that he must assume the role of the new Santa Claus. As he deals with his strange transformation (like gaining weight and growing a white beard) Scott tries to embrace his new identity while convincing his family of the unbelievable truth.
The Santa Clause
On Christmas Eve, divorced dad Scott Calvin and his son discover Santa Claus has fallen off their roof. When Scott takes the reins of the magical sleigh, he finds he is now the new Santa, and must convince a world of disbelievers, including himself.
No. 5: ‘Home Alone’ (1990) | Disney+
Is there a more famous Christmas kid than Macaulay Culkin? Or a more famous mother than Catherine O’Hara? Or a more famous mischievous duo than Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern as Harry and Merv? No. No there isn’t. And so, “Home Alone” lands at No. 5 on this list (but number one in my heart).
In “Home Alone,” eight-year-old Kevin McCallister (Culkin) is left behind during his family’s Christmas trip. Alone at home, he defends his house with clever traps from two burglars known as the Wet Bandits, as his mother (O’Hara) races to get back to him. And if you haven’t seen this Christmas movie, literally drop whatever you’re doing and watch it – your boss/teacher/friend/loved one will understand, I promise.
Home Alone
Eight-year-old Kevin McCallister makes the most of the situation after his family unwittingly leaves him behind when they go on Christmas vacation. But when a pair of bungling burglars set their sights on Kevin’s house, the plucky kid stands ready to defend his territory. By planting booby traps galore, adorably mischievous Kevin stands his ground as his frantic mother attempts to race home before Christmas Day.
No. 4: ‘The Night Before’ (2015) | STARZ
No one does raunchy adult comedy better than Seth Rogen – and so his holiday movie, “The Night Before” lands at No. 4. “The Night Before” follows three childhood friends - Ethan (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), Isaac (Seth Rogen), and Chris (Anthony Mackie) - as they gather for one final Christmas Eve tradition before moving on to the next phase of their lives. Determined to make the night unforgettable, the trio heads out on a wild (drug-inspired) adventure through New York City, searching for the elusive Nutcracka Ball - the ultimate holiday party. Along the way, their misadventures force them to confront their friendship, their future, and the meaning of the season. This one pops up every other year for my wife and I – whenever we’re ready to take our holiday partying to the next level.
The Night Before
In New York City for their annual tradition of Christmas Eve debauchery, three lifelong best friends set out to find the Holy Grail of Christmas parties since their yearly reunion might be coming to an end.
No. 3: ‘National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation’ (1989) | Max
Chevy Chase is about as big as it gets when it comes to all-time comedy legends. And if you’ve never checked out his classic holiday movie, “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” well ‘tis the season. The film follows Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) as he goes all-out to give his family the perfect Christmas. The only problem is that everything that could go wrong does. From obnoxious family guests to city-wide power outages, nothing comes easy to Clark and his family, which is why this movie is the classic it is. Check it out.
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
It’s Christmastime, and the Griswolds are preparing for a family seasonal celebration. But things never run smoothly for Clark, his wife Ellen, and their two kids. Clark’s continual bad luck is worsened by his obnoxious family guests, but he manages to keep going, knowing that his Christmas bonus is due soon.
No. 2: ‘Scrooged’ (1988) | Paramount+
When Chevy Chase left “Saturday Night Live” in its second season in 1976, he was replaced by none other than the star of our next movie – Bill Murray. It’s his holiday take on Ebenezer Scrooge that lands at No. 2 on the list: “Scrooged.” As you may have guessed, “Scrooged” follows Frank Cross (Murray), a cynical television executive overseeing a live Christmas Eve broadcast of A Christmas Carol. An ambitious, selfish a-hole, Frank is visited by the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future, who lead him through pivotal moments of his life. But will it be enough to save his soul? You’ll have to watch this classic for yourself to find out.
Scrooged
Frank Cross is a wildly successful television executive whose cold ambition and curmudgeonly nature has driven away the love of his life. But after firing a staff member on Christmas Eve, Frank is visited by a series of ghosts who give him a chance to re-evaluate his actions and right the wrongs of his past.
No. 1: ‘Elf’ (2003) | Max
For a millennial like me, Will Ferrell is as good as it gets when it comes to the legends of comedy. From “Old School” to “Anchorman” to “Step Brothers” the man was a hit machine in the early 2000’s. And his Christmas comedy, “Elf” is as good as any of them.
In “Elf,” Will Ferrell stars as Buddy, a human raised by elves at the North Pole. When Buddy learns he’s not, in fact, an elf, he travels to New York City to find his biological father, a workaholic on Santa’s naughty list. Buddy’s childlike innocence and holiday cheer make him as a fish out of water in the real world. From his dietary preferences (breakfast spaghetti complete with syrup and candy) to fights with fake Santa, to a boozy syrup cocktail, there’s no end to the holiday shenanigans of Buddy the Elf. And thank goodness because once you watch this movie, you’ll watch it every year. Happy Elfing!
Elf
When young Buddy falls into Santa’s gift sack on Christmas Eve, he’s transported back to the North Pole and raised as a toy-making elf by Santa’s helpers. But as he grows into adulthood, he can’t shake the nagging feeling that he doesn’t belong. Buddy (Will Ferrell) vows to visit Manhattan and find his real dad, a workaholic publisher (James Caan).
If you love this holiday treat, check out Netflix’s “Movies That Made Us” to learn more about the making of this modern classic.