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Image via Warner Bros.
When it comes to Christmas traditions, watching a legacy canon of movies is one not to be trifled with. Audiences have a specific line-up of holiday flicks that are watched on repeat every year, and penetrating that tradition with a new title is extremely difficult. The classics are a mixture of literature adaptations, tales of magic, and stories about finding the true meaning of Christmas. Not all holiday movies are meant to be comedic, but the funniest Christmas movies share similar themes. The best laugh-worthy features effortlessly relieve the stress of the season, entertain every member of the family, and allow audiences to live in nostalgia for a runtime.
From musicals to ruining the idyllic version of a family Christmas, the funniest movies of this sub-genre thrive on their quotable moments and pop culture influence. These movies range in rating from PG to R, establishing that there's something for all members of the party. So, when mentally preparing for the holiday dinner or selecting a background movie for gift wrapping, turn to the Christmas comedies that are sure to lighten the mood.
10 'Spirited' (2022)
Directed by Sean Anders
Image via Apple TV+
While there are many adaptations of A Christmas Carol across the cinematic universe, this 2022 musical version brings something different to the table. Spirited stars Will Ferrell as The Ghost of Christmas Present, who changes course when Jacob Marley (Patrick Page) selects the season's grouch to be redeemed. Christmas Present is determined to get through to Clint Briggs (Ryan Reynolds), before Christmas Present retires, becoming human again. The entire movie turns into a song-and-dance of the original source material.
Simply put, Spirited is Will Ferrell being Will Ferrell and Ryan Reynolds being Ryan Reynolds (just not Deadpool Ryan Reynolds), and for many, that's enough. The pair feed off the other, making the story feel more about their comedic friendship than the darker themes of redemption usually depicted. Spirited is infectiously energetic and infuses the holiday spirit into the real-life Scrooges determined not to like it.
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Release Date November 11, 2022
Director Sean Anders , John Morris
Runtime 127 minutes
Writers John Morris , Sean Anders
Budget $75 million
Studio(s) Apple
Distributor(s) Apple
9 'Scrooged' (1988)
Directed by Richard Donner
Image via Paramount Pictures
An imaginative, comedic retelling of the classic Charles Dickens story, Scrooged features Bill Murray as the unlikeable leading man gifted a rude awakening for Christmas. Frank Cross (Murray) is a successful TV executive, whose selfish ambition and cynical demeanor drives everyone close away and makes his subordinates fearful. After firing Elliot (Bobcat Goldthwait) on Christmas Eve, Frank is visited by three comedic ghosts to show him the error of his ways.
Full of slapstick humor and Murray's commitment to the character, Scrooged is a refreshing version of A Christmas Carol that infuses comedy into the modernized version instead of remaining word-for-word loyal to the source material. Every character delivers, using Frank as a comedic punching bag with Murray holding his own against his co-stars' spot-on delivery.
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Scrooged
Release Date November 23, 1988
Runtime 100 Minutes
Writers Mitch Glazer , Michael O'Donoghue
Budget $32 Million
Studio(s) Mirage Productions
Distributor(s) Paramount Pictures
8 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas' (2000)
Directed by Ron Howard
Image via Universal Pictures
This live-action adaptation of the beloved Dr. Seuss book and animated special is divisive, but ultimately loaded with humor and memorable moments. How the Grinch Stole Christmas stars Jim Carrey as the titular green, hairy creature determined on stopping Christmas from coming, stealing the presents and joy from the Whos in Whoville. For some, the original Grinch was sly and charming, but the live-action version was over-the-top with too elaborate of a backstory. Carrey maintains his exaggerated style, donning another green costume.
Fans of this version recognize it as a go-to every year for silly gimmicks amplified by Carrey's all-out performance. From fourth-wall breaks to sarcastic lines like "[Santa Claus] only comes out once a year, and he never catches any flak for it! Probably lives up there to avoid the taxes," this version allowed a younger generation to connect with the comedic brilliance that is Jim Carrey.
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How The Grinch Stole Christmas
Release Date November 17, 2000
Runtime 104 Minutes
Writers Dr. Seuss , Jeffrey Price , Peter S. Seaman
Budget $123 Million
7 'The Santa Claus' (1994)
Directed by John Pasquin
Image via Disney
In true Disney movie fashion, this magical movie includes humorous one-liners that slide over the heads of its young audiences and right into the funny bones of the adult members watching. The Santa Claus features Tim Allen as Scott Calvin as he scares Santa Claus off his roof and is forced to take over the responsibility of delivering gifts on Christmas. Convinced it was all a dream, Scott pushes back on assuming the identity of Santa before realizing the importance of the magic of the legendary figure.
Allen's humor translated from Home Improvement to The Santa Claus, his annoyingly charismatic persona winning over audiences. His ability to play off his co-stars brings all the more laughter as he contends with younger actors like Eric Lloyd as his son Charlie, and David Krumholtz as the head elf Bernard. This version of Santa Claus is a staple in the holiday genre, and for some, difficult to imagine anyone else besides Allen as the man of mystery. The magical and comedic continuity established in the first film remains in the rest of the trilogy and the Disney+ series.
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The Santa Clause
When a man inadvertently makes Santa fall off his roof on Christmas Eve, he finds himself magically recruited to take his place.
Release Date November 11, 1994
Director John Pasquin
Cast Wendy Crewson , Judge Reinhold , David Krumholtz , Eric Lloyd , Tim Allen
Runtime 97 minutes
Writers Steve Rudnick , Leo Benvenuti
Budget $22 million
Studio(s) Disney
Distributor(s) Disney
Sequel(s) The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause , The Santa Clause 2
6 'Home Alone' (1990)
Directed by Chris Columbus
Image via 20th Century Studios
"Bless this highly nutritious microwavable macaroni and cheese dinner and the people who sold it on sale," said Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) to the most delicious-looking bowl of mac-and-cheese that he'd never get to savor. Home Alone is an iconic holiday film about an eight-year-old left behind on the family's Christmas vacation, having to fend off home burglars. John Hughes' script paired with Culkin's witty delivery makes this 90s comedy one of the best of the decade, regardless of time of season.
While Culkin carries the movie's laughs for most of the runtime, Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern steal the rest of the movie as the Wet Bandits suffer at the hands of Kevin's pranks. Home Alone has more than one scene stealer with Catherine O'Hara's beloved "KEVIN!" and John Candy's Midwestern niceness. It is the quintessential holiday film that caters to adults with its star-studded cast and draws the giggles from youth empowered by Kevin's creative survival tactics.
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An eight-year-old troublemaker, mistakenly left home alone, must defend his home against a pair of burglars on Christmas eve.
Release Date November 16, 1990
Runtime 103 minutes
Writers John Hughes
Tagline
Budget 18 million
Studio(s) 20th Century
Distributor(s) 20th Century
5 'A Christmas Story' (1983)
Directed by Bob Clarke
Image via MGM
Told through the perspective of a young boy on a quest for the perfect Christmas gift, A Christmas Story is a timeless classic with cartoon-like humor. Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsley) is determined to convince everyone, including Santa, that a Red Ryder BB Gun is the perfect gift for a nine-year-old. The movie is narrated by a much older Ralphie (Jean Shepherd) as his family navigates the holiday season in 1940s Indiana.
Between the schoolyard escapades of bullies and sticking your tongue to a metal pole, A Christmas Story features humor for all ages as Ralphie's loving mother (Melinda Dillon) washes his mouth out with soap and his eccentric father (Darren McGavin) wins that iconic leg lamp. It's a symbolic movie of the holiday genre that inspires pop culture events and annual traditions.
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Release Date November 18, 1983
Director Bob Clark
Runtime 94 minutes
Writers Jean Shepherd , Bob Clark , Leigh Brown
Budget $3.3 million
Studio(s) Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Distributor(s) Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Sequel(s) A Christmas Story 2 , It Runs in the Family
4 'Bad Santa' (2003)
Directed by Terry Zwigoff
Image via Miramax
In a genre filled with do-good messaging and tales of child-like wonder, here's one for adults. Bad Santa stars Billy Bob Thornton as Willie Stokes, a conman who poses as Santa once a year to rip off department stores with the help of his pal, Marcus (Tony Cox), who poses as an elf. Falling into a pit of despair fueled by alcohol, cigarettes, and bad decisions, Willie befriends a troubled kid and is determined to help him stand up to the school bullies.
Bad Santa takes audiences through Willie's humanization as his relationship with the kid brings out a better side of him. The dark comedy and Thornton's performance don't shy away from offending and taking the holiday genre to the edge. Beneath all the booze, promiscuity, and language, Bad Santa begrudgingly becomes a heartwarming story of the power of friendship.
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In this dark 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.
Release Date November 26, 2003
Director Terry Zwigoff
Runtime 1h32m
Writers Glenn Ficarra , John Requa
Studio Columbia Pictures, Dimension Films, Triptych Pictures
Distributor(s) Miramax Films
Sequel(s) Bad Santa 2
Where To Stream Paramount Plus
3 'Elf' (2003)
Directed by Jon Favreau
Image via New Line Cinema
Equally silly as it is heartwarming, Elf has withstood the test of holiday time as a go-to every year for millions of viewers. It's the story of Buddy (Will Ferrell), an oversized North Pole elf who travels to New York City to find his biological father. When Buddy tracks down his father, Walter (James Caan), he discovers that Walter had no idea he existed. Elf is a movie of heartwarming cheer and about reminding someone who has forgotten the magic of the season.
Ferrell's over-the-top comedic style adapts perfectly to family fun, creating memorable moments fans of all ages quote two decades later. The dynamic between Caan's no-nonsense and Ferrell's playful innocence drives a majority of Elf's laughable moments while evolving into a tender, sincere relationship.
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Raised as an oversized elf, Buddy travels from the North Pole to New York City to meet his biological father, Walter Hobbs, who doesn't know he exists and is in desperate need of some Christmas spirit.
Release Date October 9, 2003
Main Genre Comedy
Runtime 97 minutes
Character(s) Buddy , Walter , Papa Elf , Santa , Emily , Jovie , Michael , Gimbels Manager , Miles Finch , Deb , Fulton , Morris , Eugene , Gimbels Santa , Leon the Snowman , Polar Bear Cub , NY 1 Reporter , NY 1 Anchor , Security Guard , Doctor / Mr. Narwhal , Carolyn , Nun , Elf Student
Writers David Berenbaum
Budget $33 million
Studio(s) New Line Cinema
Distributor(s) New Line Cinema , Warner Bros. Pictures
2 'Love Actually' (2003)
Directed by Richard Curtis
Image via Universal Pictures
If golden-retriever energy were a movie, it would be Love Actually. The holiday comedy uses its enthusiasm and commitment to melodramatic moments to bring audiences stories they can identify with. A star-studded feature, Love Actually features eight different couples in London as they reckon with a fast approaching holiday and the entanglements plaguing their love lives. While the stories don't converge into one final confrontation, the variations of love are interconnected through thematics.
Romance is messy and even messier when Christmas is added to the mix. Love Actually takes advantage of the stumbles and stutters of its characters, using them to bring laughter to those who need it most, with many viewers deeming it their seasonal "comfort watch." It's a heartwarming, fun rom-com whose holiday legacy continues year-after-year.
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Love Actually
Follows the lives of eight very different couples in dealing with their love lives in various loosely interrelated tales all set during a frantic month before Christmas in London, England
Release Date November 14, 2003
Director Richard Curtis
Runtime 135 minutes
Writers Richard Curtis
Budget 45million
1 'National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation' (1989)
Directed by Jeremiah S. Chechnik
Image via Warner Bros.
As one of the most quotable movies of the season, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation is a comedy titan that has yet to be dethroned as the funniest Christmas movie. Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) is determined to execute the best "fun old-fashioned family Christmas;" however, his expectations of a picturesque celebration fall short, leading to a rip-roaring disaster.
From family dysfunction to meltdown monologues, Christmas Vacation is not only good for bringing humor to a stressful time of year but also an excellent tool to prepare the mind for big holiday gatherings. Beneath the humor of exploding sewage and leaky jello molds, this classic is a testament that the true meaning of Christmas isn't the gifts or the decorations, but being with the ones you love. The Griswold Christmas may not have been the stuff of Clark's dreams, but it made for one of the best Christmas movies of all time.
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National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
As the holidays approach, Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) wants to have a perfect family Christmas, so he pesters his wife, Ellen (Beverly D'Angelo), and children, as he tries to make sure everything is in line, including the tree and house decorations. However, things go awry quickly. His hick cousin, Eddie (Randy Quaid), and his family show up unplanned and start living in their camper on the Griswold property. Even worse, Clark's employers renege on the holiday bonus he needs.
Release Date December 1, 1989
Director Jeremiah S. Chechik
Runtime 97 minutes
Writers John Hughes
Budget $25 million
Studio(s) Hughes Entertainment
Distributor(s) Warner Bros. Pictures
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