Christmas just isn’t Christmas without the whole gang sitting around for a great festive family film. We’ve come up with a list and added in our Top Five Christmas-set classics plus a list of our Top Five favourite films that we like to look at during the holidays. Drop us a line below, letting us know your favourites and why.
TOP FIVE CHRISTMAS-SET FAMILY FILMS
1 'It's a wonderful Life' (1946)
This is THE perfect Christmas film for young and old, whatever the generation. Jimmy Stewart paves the way to one of the all-time favourite classics in Frank Capra’s masterpiece. He stars as a man whose American Dream has gone bad but he gets a second chance in life. Never a more apt tale was told. Enjoy this clip and remember no man/woman is a failure who has friends...
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2 'The Muppet Christmas Carol' (1992)
It’s time to play the music...Jim Henson would undoubtedly be entertained by his son Brian’s direction of his late father's puppets in the re-enactment of the classic Charles Dickens' tale. Michael 
Caine stars as Scrooge with Kermit as his long-suffering employee, Bob Cratchit and Miss Piggy plays Cratchit's wife. Great ghosts, tunes and lessons learnt muppet-style. The brilliant Statler & Waldorf return in the guise of Scrooge’s former business partners, Marley and Marley.
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Watch Marley and Marley
3 'Scrooged' (1988)
Bill Murray's take on 'A Christmas Carol' is a highly entertaining modernisation of the Dickens' classic.
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4 'Elf' (2004)
Will Ferrell is hilarious as the eponymous elf, who leaves the North Pole for New York to be reunited with his father, unusual but clever casting lands James Caan in the role. Just watch the kids’ faces when they see the Fereller in action.
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5 'Miracle on 34th Street' (1947)
Irish actress Maureen O'Hara stars in this iconic film which continues to stand the test of time. A shop Santa (Edmund Gwenn) sets about convincing everyone around him that 
he is the real McCoy and in so doing, provides limitless supplies of much needed Christmas spirit.
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TOP FIVE CHRISTMAS FAMILY FILMS, PART TWO is below
THEY COULDA’ BEEN A CONTENDER...
'Holiday Inn' (1942)
Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire play two entertainers who run an Inn during the holidays, which is the perfect backdrop for oodles of singing and dancing. The film picked up an Oscar for Best Original Song for the magnificent ‘White Christmas’.
'The Bishop's Wife' (1948)
Similar in story and style to 'It’s a Wonderful Life' and made only two years beforehand. However due to copyright laws it didn't get as much airing, which is a loss to both film and audience alike. Starring Cary Grant as an angel sent down to help a bishop (David Niven) and his wife (Loretta Young). A beautiful film.
'The Nightmare Before Christmas' (1993)
In terms of animations, you'd want a very big stick to beat Tim Burton's 3-D Oscar nominated 'The Nightmare Before Christmas'. Christmastown is in danger of morphing into Halloweentown if The Pumpkin King has his way.
'Home Alone' (1990)
Every kid's biggest nightmare...and dream – being left home alone but few could pull it off in such Macauley Culkin style. When Kevin McCallister gets left behind the action begins and the franchise kept fans entertained two sequels later.
'Love Actually' (2003)
Simply the best of its kind, ‘Love Actually’ is a shameless tear jerking, clichéd dramedy with more celeb cameos than the Oscars. The film offers a sleigh-load of festive feel-good factor and a poptastic sing-a-long too.
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)
The third in the series of John Hughes National Lampoon films begins with a search for the Griswald family Christmas tree and ends in a string of uncanny, occurrences highlighting the sillier side of Christmas!
Other Contenders:
'How the Grinch Stole Christmas', ‘The Polar Express’, ‘The Christmas List’, 'Santa Claus: The Movie', ‘Santa Clause’ trilogy, ‘A Christmas Story’, ‘Gremlins’, ‘A Christmas Carol’
FOR THE SLIGHTLY OLDER FAMILY MEMBERS:
'Bad Santa' (2003)
The dirty little cheeky brother of a Christmas film may be the antithesis of ‘Miracle on 34th Street’ but it's one of the funniest festive films on the go. Billy Bob Thornton stars as the drunken, promiscuous Santa who happens to bring joy to a few lives, mostly by accident.
'Trading Places' (1983)
John Landis' Oscar-nominated 'Trading Places' stars Eddie Murphy, when he was worth watching, and Dan Aykroyd. There’s comedy with plenty of drama, Christmas spirit, flirty antics by Jamie Lee Curtis and action to keep all the older family members glued for two happy hours.
'Lethal Weapon' (1987)
The original and the best 'Lethal Weapon', set at Christmas time, ticks all the boxes, action, drama, pacey plot and great character. Danny Glover and a less controversial Mel Gibson are the perfect combo injecting adventure, warmth and comedy into what has become a four-film franchise.
'Die Hard' (1988)
Film fans who like a little more action and less talk in their Christmas entertainment, will enjoy Bruce Willis’ life-saving heroics as John McClane, who is just as eager to have the drama over by dinnertime.
'The Dead' (1987)
John Huston directed his daughter Anjelica in this adaptation of the James Joyce Christmas based period drama. Slow moving but a wonderful watch for those looking for a wistful film.
Other Contenders: ‘Kiss Kiss Bang Bang’, ‘The Family Stone’, ‘Batman Returns’ and ‘Hostile Hostages’ with Denis Leary and Kevin Spacey.
TOP FIVE CHRISTMAS FAMILY FILMS, PART TWO: Films not set at Christmas time but TV festive favourites nonetheless.
1. 'Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory' (1971)
One of the first films to pop into my head when I began the list was 1971's 'Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory', based on Roald Dahl's book and screenplay. However although it is aired each Christmas, it's not set at Christmas time, unlike the other films above. Neither is Tim Burton's 2005 remake 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory'. However that has never stopped it being a family favourite at Christmas time.
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2. 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang' (1968)
A wonderful way to spend a Christmas holiday afternoon is in the company of Dick Van Dyke, Sally Howles and kids as they undertake an amazing adventure with their fine, four-fendered friend, the eponymous Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Beware of the terrifying child snatcher (Robert Helpmann) and watch out for Benny Hill.
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3. 'Planes, Trains and Automobiles' (1987)
A slapstick comedy following Steve Martin and John Candy’s characters as they defy the odds to get from Chicago and New York on time for Thanksgiving. Wasn’t sure whether to put ‘Toy Story’ in this spot but this clip sealed the deal...Those aren’t pillows!
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4. 'The Sound of Music' (1965)
Robert Wise’s musical, starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer won five Oscars including Best Picture and, is currently celebrating its 45th anniversary. The fact-based film is based on ‘The Story of the Trapp Family Singers’ published in 1949 by the real Maria Von Trapp. As enjoyable today as the day it was released. The music, drama, cinematography and performances combine to make this a great family film.
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The cast were reunited for the film’s 45th anniversary on Oprah
Watch the clip – a real treat for ‘The Sound of Music’ fans
5. 'Pirates of the Caribbean franchise' (2003 - )
The multi-billion dollar franchise, which began in 2003, follows the fantasy adventures of Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp), Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) and Elizabeth Swan (Keira Knightley). There are already three to choose from: ‘The Curse of the Black Pearl’ (2003), ‘Dead Man’s Chest’ (2006), ‘At World’s End’ (2007) and they will be joined next year by ‘On Stranger Tides’.
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THEY COULDA’ BEEN A CONTENDER...
‘Toy Story’ (1995)
Following the release of ‘Toy Story 3D’ earlier this year, fifteen years after the release of the original film in the franchise,’ Toy Story’ films, figures, lunchboxes, pencil cases etc. are going to be everywhere this year. The original was Pixar and Disney’s first co-produced feature and is brilliant family fun.
'Titanic' (1997)
Although the film was released in December 1997, it's not set at Christmas time. The ship's maiden voyage and subsequent tragic sinking occurred in April 1912, yet the film is another family favourite, particularly at Christmas time.
‘The Snowman’ (1982)
This Winter heart warmer may be a mere 26-minutes yet the animated film adaptation of Raymond Briggs story is a classic. Dianne Jackson's mix of stop-motion animation, Peter Auty’s (later covered by Aled Jones) singing and David Bowie’s narration has transformed it into a special favourite.
‘Shrek’ (2001)
Now that the fourth and final film of the franchise has been released, Shrek is now most definitely a household name and favourite.
Other contenders:
‘Gone with the Wind’, ‘Mrs. Doubtfire’, 'Blazing Saddles', ‘My Fair Lady’, 'Ben Hur', 'Great Escape', 'Doctor Zhivago', 'Casablanca', 'Casino', 'About a Boy’, 'The Slipper and the Rose', 'Lassie', ‘Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade’, 'Pretty Woman', ‘The Princess Bride’, ‘The Notebook’, ‘Let It Ride’, 'All the President's Men' and...add your own choice below.
Taragh Loughrey-Grant
