As I started working on this list, I realized that all three of my very favorite recent holiday movies were Jim Henson movies, although The Muppet Christmas Carol was under the helm of Brian Henson, his son. I realize that family memories are wrapped up with family favorites, but I am trying to be objective here – and obviously I am failing miserably! These are movies that I enjoy revisiting during the holidays simply because they bring such joy.
Now that we have worked on the Favorite Holiday Classic Movies: Old, Black & White, and A Few In Color list, let’s move on with the more recent Holiday Movies.
Here are some of my favorite, more recent holiday movies:
The Muppet Christmas Carol—–1992
A Muppet Family Christmas—–1987
Jim Henson’s The Christmas Toy—–1986
I am not sure if this one should be in the Christmas or Halloween movies:
Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas—–1993
Here are the favorite more recent holiday movies from your suggestions:
An American Christmas Carol—–1979–Henry Winkler
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever—–1983–Loretta Swit
The Christmas Box—–1997–Maureen O’Hara & Richard Thomas
The Christmas Card—–1996–Ed Asner
A Christmas Carol—–1984 –George C. Scott
A Christmas Carol—–1999–Patrick Stewart
The Christmas Choir—–2008–Rhea Perlman
Christmas Hope—–2009–Madeleine Stowe & James Remar
The Christmas List—–1997–Mimi Rogers
A Christmas Memory—–1997–Patty Duke
A Christmas Story—–1983–Peter Billingsley, Melinda Dillon, Darren McGavin
A Christmas Visitor—–2002–Meredith Baxter & William Devane
Christmas with the Kranks—–2004–Tim Allen & Jamie Lee Curtis
Debbie Macomber’s Mrs. Miracle—–2009–Doris Roberts
Debbie Macomber’s Call Me Mrs. Miracle—–2010–Doris Roberts
A Diva’s Christmas Carol—–2000–Vanessa Williams
Elf—–2003–Will Farrell
Elf: Buddy’s Musical Christmas——-2014
The Family Stone—–2005–Sarah Jessica Parker & Dermot Mulroney
The Gathering—–1977–Ed Asner & Maureen Stapleton
The Holiday—–2006–Kate Winslet & Cameron Diaz
Love Actually—–2003–Hugh Grant & Emma Thompson
Mickey’s Christmas Carol—–1983–Scrooge McDuck & Mickey Mouse
Mrs. Santa Claus—–1996–Angela Lansbury
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation—–1989–Chevy Chase & Beverly D’Angelo
Noel—–2004–Penélope Cruz
November Christmas—–2010–Sam Elliott & John Corbett
One Christmas—–1994–Katherine Hepburn, Swoosie Kurtz, & Henry Winkler
One Magic Christmas—–1985–Mary Steenburgen & Harry Dean Stanton
The Polar Express—–2004
Santa Claus: The Movie—–1985
The Santa Clause trilogy—–1994, 2002, 2006–Tim Allen
The Santa Suit—–2010–Kevin Sorbo
Scrooge—–1970–Albert Finney
Scrooged—–1998–Bill Murray
Trading Places—–1983–Dan Aykroyd & Eddie Murphy
The Twelve Days of Christmas Eve—2004–Steven Webber & Molly Shannon
Undercover Christmas—–2003–Tyne Daley & Jaime Gertz
Here is the list of the Christmas: Favorite Classic Holiday Movies : Old, Black & White.
If you would like to see more TV and Movies suggestions, click here.
Denise says
Loved the book The Polar Express and the movie , too!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Oh my gosh, Denise >>> I totally forgot about The Polar Express movie. Chris Van Allsburg’s beautiful book was on of our favorites during the holiday when our children were young.
Margaret says
This one is easy for me. Most of my favorite new Christmas Movies are made for T.V. I love the newer version of the Aslister Sim’s “Scrooge” with Patrick Stewart for TNT. I love the “Christmas Visitor” with Meredith Baxter and Bill Devane; “Christmas Hope” with James Remar and Madeline Stowe, all three of the Movies with Peter Falk as the Angel; “The Santa Suit” with Kevin Sorbo; “A Diva’s Christmas” with Vanessa Williams and the “Christmas Choir” with Dean Cain. Three of my favorite comedies are “Karroll’s Christmas” with Tom Evertt Scott; “Scrooged” with Bill Murry and “The 12 Days of Christmas Eve” with Steven Weber. There are so many more I enjoy, but lately some of the newer T.V. Movies seem thrown together and a little sloppy and dare I say stupid. Most of the better ones seem to be on Hallmark, which still makes some pretty good movies all year long.
Margaret says
I forgot one movie “Undercover Christmas” with Jamie Gertz and Tyne Daley, it is a modern version of “Remember the Night” with Fred McMurry and Barbara Stanwick. I just turned it on on OnDemand and I couldn’t believe I forgot it in my original post. Especially since the original version was listed in the earlier post! I wish Time Warner Cable would put more Christmas Movies on OnDemand. Hallmark doesn’t have any of their Christmas Movies on OnDemand!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Oh my, Margaret, that’s a whole lot of movies! Thank you.
Carole says
I have to confess to being a Hallmark addict and I’ve recorded several movies during the past few weeks. In fact, I believe some of the movies Margaret mentioned are by Hallmark. I especially enjoyed “The Christmas Choir” that she mentioned.
One of my favorite Hallmark movies is “A Christmas Memory,” based on a story from Truman Capote’s childhood and starring Patty Duke. “The Christmas Card” with Ed Asner is another favorite.
Two other movies that I watch every year are “A Christmas Carol” with George C. Scott, and “An American Christmas Carol” with Henry Winkler.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Carole, I have recorded several of the Hallmark Christmas movies, also. I’m going to go make sure I add the other movies you watch to the list.
Marja says
And of course, I must put in a word for my perennial favorite, “A Christmas Story” featuring Ralphie, the boy in an eternal quest for a Red Ryder BB gun. The movie never fails to make me laugh, from the aunt’s bunny suit to Ralphie’s dad and those blamed hounds from next door. And of course the incident of the Lifebuoy soap.
I also loved George C. Scott in “A Christmas Carol” … also very well done, and this from a huge Patrick Stewart fan! I love them both.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Marja, poor little Ralphie… That scene with his aunt’s bunny suit is so precious. Thanks for reminding me…
Susan says
“The Muppet Christmas Carol” Rules! Lol!
It doesn’t hurt that I’m a Michael Caine fan, but that is just a fabulous movie. One of the best versions I’ve ever seen.
Slightly Off-Topic, did you know that the muppets are doing a version of ‘Twilight’? Called ‘The Muppet Saga’ it’s due out in the new year. Now that should be worth seeing! Lol!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Susan, I haven’t seen any of the “Twilight” movies, but can imagine what a hoot Miss Piggy would be >>> having to make “Moi’s” choice between Kermie, the vampire and Fozzie Bear, the werewolf!
Petie says
Loved the Polar Express, too, as well as George C. Scott’s CHRISTMAS CAROL. Also Mickey Mouse’s CHRISTMAS CAROL.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Petie, I finally posted George C. Scott’s Christmas Carol, am off to add Mickey’s version. Thanks!
Angela says
I second the Muppets Christmas Carol, it’s an all time favorite. In my house we also enjoy National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, a Christmas Story and the Santa Clause trilogy (the ones with Tim Allen). There’s a large mix of Mickey Mouse and other “toddler age” specials I still have to endure, errr enjoy as well (ok, so they’re not all bad…lol) 🙂
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Thank you, Angela>>> I’m going to go add National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and the Santa Clause Trilogy.
I wish my children were young enough to want to watch some of the cartoon Christmas movies we collected. We still enjoy the Muppets holiday specials, though…
Kathryn says
Well, the all time classic is White Christmas with Bing Crosby, Danny Kay and Rosie Clooney; music by Irving Berlin. I have a favorite 1980s TV movie that I bet no one has ever heard of, The Gathering. It stars Ed Asner and Maureen Stapleton with a terrific cast. The next year they had the Gathering II. I just loved these movies but I never have seen them repeated over the years.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Thanks, Kathryn. I didn’t know where to put White Christmas because of the 1954 date, so I put it in the old, black and white classics list, and added the “and a few in color” to the title.
I’ll go add The Gathering to the more recent movies… I remember seeing (and enjoying) them years ago.
Anne says
I’m with Marja, A Christmas Story is the number one choice at our house. My Grandson even has a replica of the leg lamp as a bedside table in his room. Our new favorite is Mrs. Miracle based on Debbie Macomber’s book.
Have a jolly Christmas everyone,
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Va-va-voom, Anne! That leg lamp was quite a scandal!
Robin says
I love the Muppets, Rudoph and Frosty, but I love the Mrs. Miracle movies on Lifetime and just saw one called A Dog Called Christmas. They both are heartwarming.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Robin, I just added the two Mrs. Miracle Christmas movies. I have Debbie Macomber’s Trading Christmas tapes, and am looking forward to seeing it.
Julia says
I love one of the Lifetime Christmas movies which unfortunately has not yet made it to DVD: “The Christmas List.” Mimi Rogers is an overworked, underappreciated perfume saleswoman who writes a list to Santa on a dare, and then the things she wished for start coming true…but in an odd way. It’s not great cinema, but it is a nice hot chocolate and Christmas cookie sort of movie.
Connie says
I love that one, too! I don’t think it is available on DVD, but I wish it could be.
susie says
Elf! and I just took my older son to see “Arthur’s Christmas”–he loved it. And for all you Muppets fans, the new movie is lots of fun!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Susie, I cannot wait until the new Muppet movie is out on DVD. (Actually, I will have to wait, since I don’t go to theaters any more…) And, good to know about Arthur Christmas.
Diane kelly says
I love “A Christmas Story” about the boy who wants a bb gun. So cute and quaint!
Kat says
I also love the Christmas List. It’s coming on tv here on Dec. 22 at 7 am pst – guess I should tape it. I also love The Holiday with Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law and Jack Black – this one I own on DVD.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Kat, thanks for telling us about both The Holiday and The Christmas List. I have added both of them to the list.
linda says
I love Jim Cary’s “The Grinch.” He played a wonderful Grinch. He should have gotten an Oscar for that. I also love the 2nd version of the Miracle On 34th Street. The first time I watched that movie I had to keep rewinding it 8 times in one day. Loved that movie. This was on a Thanksgiving Day. I watched this while Hubby watched football. He didn’t even miss me!
There are so many Christmas movies that I really enjoy. Mrs. Claus with Angela Landsbury, The Night They saved Christmas, The Beauty and The Beast Christmas.
I don’t really care for “White Christmas” because I just never cared for Bing Crosby but my hubby loves this movie so I watch it with him. We love “Scrooge” with George C. Scott. I like the one with Patrick Stewart but Scott was “Scrooge.” We normaly watch this one Christmas Eve.
There are quite a lot of Christmas movies on TV this year. Anyone wanting to get into the Christmas Holiday spirit can certainly do so just by turning on the TV. The Hallmark Channel has way too many commercial but then that is when I get by rearend off the couch and try to clean house or start supper or even read!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Linda, I am looking forward to seeing Melissa Gilbert’s Hallmark movie (The Christmas Pageant) this Sunday night.
marilyn says
mr.magoo
marilyn says
it’s a wonderful life with marlo thomas
Andie says
I totally forgot about “Trading Places” until reminded by finding the DVD in my media cabinet.
The Christmas party scene has to be a classic.
When I first saw it in a theater, I laughed so much at Dan Aykroyd’s personification of a drunken Santa that I got hiccups. Not my best moment.
This film really showcased the talents of Jamie Lee Curtis and won her a BAFTA award for best supporting actress.
It is really a “feel good” movie and the “just desserts” factor for the bad guys is absolutely perfect.
Margaret says
You are right Andie, “Trading Places” is the greatest movie and one of my all time favs. I also own it and watch it all the time. It is funny tho, I never think about it as a Christmas Movie, but since it takes place at Christmas and New Years, I guess it is. I still laugh like a fool, even after watching it so many time.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Thank you, Andie and Margaret. I will go add Trading Places to the list…
Denise says
Hope it’s not to late to add The Best Christmas Pagent Ever
(book by B. Robinson ) it is in DVD with Loretta Swit. This movie has a Christian /religious theme through out with many LOL moments. I love this one. Great for kids and grown ups too.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
I almost lost your comment, Denise! I’ll go add The Best Christmas Pageant Ever to the list right now.
linda says
I watched “November Christmas” last night. I cried through that whole movie!! I found myself praying for that whole town during that whole movie! Imagine praying for people in a movie!!! I won’t spoil this movie for anyone, I promise.
I have a niece whose husband has become a “Hallmark Christmas” widower. He says if Christmas doesn’t get over soon, he is going to go stir crazy! My niece has been watching all of the Hallmark Christmas movies since Thanksgiving Day. So I just know this niece has watched this movie This niece has a daughter who is in her 9th year of being in remission with her ordeal with leukemia. I thought of my niece during this whole movie. What a powerful, powerful movie! Knowing what this family and my niece’s family went through, I don’t know how my niece watched it. My first husband died from cancer so I do know what a devastating desease this is.
By the way, this niece’s daughter is in her 1st year of college.
Because of circumstances that we brought on ourselves we cannot afford to spend much money on Christmas anymore. Sometimes I can get to feeling sorry for myself. But when watching some of these movies I shake myself and I get a whole new meaning of what Christmas is.
Sorry hope I didn’t bring anyone down.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
I saw November Christmas last year when it aired on Hallmark. I am pretty sure it had me crying, also. It’s message is truly Christmas-like.
How wonderful that your niece’s daughter is in her ninth year of remission!
Donna (A Distant Murder) says
“The Christmas Box” starring John Boy Walton (is his name Richard Thomas?) and Maureen O’Hara is very good. I think it was made in the late 1990’s. Kind of sad, but sweet too, without being sappy.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Oh, Donna! The Christmas Box sure does bring back memories for me. When my daughter was in elementary school, she went through a time when she read (and reread!) that book over, and over, and over again. Of course, seeing the movie was an absolute MUST for us!
linda says
I watched another movie about a little girl having leukemia this week. The outcome of this movie was different than “November Christmas” but with just as strong a story. I cried my eyes out_____ very good movie. I can’t think of the name. It had James Garner in it—although he was dead!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Linda, I looked it up… The Ultimate Gift is the movie you are talking about.
Allison says
I know it’s a year later, but I have to add my favorite to your list – Scrooge – the musical starring Albert Finney. This is the one movie I have to watch every year.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Allison, actually this is perfect timing since we all will be thinking about our favorite Christmas holiday movies really soon. Thank you!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
(Allison, I added Scrooge to the More Recent Holiday Movies list.)
judy says
Christmas with the Kranks – it’s a family favorite!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Thanks, Judy, I’ll go add that to the Recent (In Color) Christmas movie theme.
Laurel says
What about One Magic Christmas with Mary Steenburgen. This is one of my favorites. It is not the usually romantic or brightly colored movie. I like it because it takes a frustrated Mom with financial worries to remember what is most important in her life.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Thanks, Laurel, I just added One Magic Christmas to the Favorite Holiday Movies – More Recent, In Color entry.
Sylvain says
Laurel, it is my all time favorite Christmas movie. It was a Canadian/U.S. collaboration and it was filmed in the province of Ontario.
Weebs says
Two of my favorite recent Holiday movies; Love Actually and The Family Stone are missing!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Weebs, I’ve just added both of you favorite holiday movies to the list. Thanks!
Susanne says
I have three that I love and watch every year. The Night They Saved Christmas with Jacklyn Smith and Art Carney; A Season for Miracles and The Christmas Wish with Debbie Reynolds. Thanks for the lists!
LeeR says
There was a made for TV Christmas movie with Maureen O’Hara (1995) “The Christmas Box”, and the “Cab to Canada” (1998) and the “Last Dance” (2000). I know they are not “cozies”, but in the spirit of Christmas they deserve to be mentioned. They are delightful, especially if you love Maureen O’hara as I do!