As the year draws to a hasty end, I’ve decided that I haven’t been producing enough ‘seasonal content’. Whether it’s a ‘Top 3 Horror Films’ list for Halloween or a ‘Top 3 Rom Coms’ list for Valentines Day, I’ve been slacking.





In an attempt to remedy this, I present you with Projected Film’s Christmas List – Top 3 Christmas Films!





So, without further ado – let’s delve in.





1. Home Alone

The night before his family are due to fly to Paris, 8-year old Kevin McCallister has a row with his family and ends up being sent to sleep in the attic. Once there, he resentfully prays for his family to disappear, so he can spend Christmas alone and fully independent. Little does he know though, his wish is about to come true! Kevin quickly realises, however, independence isn’t all its cracked up to be when two burglars attempt to break into his house and he must defend it alone at all costs.









Though I’m sure many would place Home Alone lower, it will always be my favourite Christmas film.





Sure, there aren’t really any moments where you believe Kevin is in genuine trouble, but that’s not what Home Alone is about. It’s a brilliant festive comedy which aims to teach children and adults alike that family is important, regardless of how much they frustrate you. And, more importantly, that there’s only so much junk food even an 8-year old can handle before they get sick of it!









For me, Home Alone is McCauley Culkin’s best and most iconic performance in a film which, given his incredible career as a child actor, isn’t said lightly. The film is also helped hugely by both Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern whose combination is comedy gold – it wouldn’t be the same without either of them. (Click here to watch the scene which always makes me laugh out loud!)





Festive, funny and filled-to-the-brim with charm, Home Alone is my number one. How could it not be?





Also, for those who haven’t seen it yet, make sure to check out the Home Alone Google Assistant ad – it’s absolutely incredible and one of my favourite pieces of advertising ever. To watch it, click here!









2. Elf

Undoubtedly many peoples’ first-choice, Elf, is a quintessential Christmas film.





Elf tells the story of Buddy, a human who is raised by elves in the North Pole. As he grows up though, the differences between himself and the elves soon become too apparent to ignore. As a result, he travels to New York to find his father and learn more about his past and start a new life. Once he arrives though, he soon discovers that life in New York is very different from that in the North Pole…









I think it’s fair to say that Elf benefits most from the comedic genius of Will Ferrell - there aren’t many other actors who have such a natural flair for physical comedy. Who better to play a human who thinks he’s an elf with the mental age of a 10-year-old? No-one. Whether he’s tucking into spaghetti slathered in maple syrup, expertly decorating rooms in Christmas décor, or trying to convince people of Santa’s existence, he’s never looked so at home on screen.





Another reason that I love Elf is that it never fails to bring out the child in me. The combination of Buddy’s relentless excitement and childlike awe always takes me back to being a child when Christmas was more than just a looming expense and source of family arguments!









My one criticism of Elf though is that I feel a disappointing amount of the film is spent showing Walter’s working life. Sure, I get that it’s important to the plot, but if we’re honest, we just want to see more of Buddy and his endearing childlike ignorance.





Either way, it’s still an easy favourite and one that I watch each year without fail. In fact, this year I went to the Prince Charles Cinema in London and caught a ‘Quote Along’ screening of the film which was hilarious and a huge amount of fun – I’d recommend it to anyone who loves the film!







3. Scrooge

Fun Fact: Scrooge is the eighth cinematic version of Charles Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol’.





For those not familiar with it, the story tells of Ebenezer Scrooge – an old, cold-hearted miser who despises Christmas more than anything else. One night, the ghost of his former business associate, Jacob Marley, warns him that unless he changes his ways, he’ll meet an untimely end. To aid him do this he is visited by three ghosts – the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future.









Now, this one almost certainly won’t make anyone else’s list, but for me, the decision is made almost entirely through nostalgia. As a child, I remember my mum plonking me in front of the TV to watch Scrooge with her annually, inevitably by our open fire, whilst we made clove oranges. It’s a film that’s wholeheartedly synonymous with a family Christmas for me.





Having now watched it as an adult several times, I’ve come to truly appreciate Albert Finney’s portrayal of the iconic bah-humbugging character too. In fact, I now can’t accept anyone else’s portrayal as Scrooge because Finney is just so perfectly miserable and miserly. I was also unsurprised to learn that he won a Golden Globe for the role.









Unlike other, more traditional renditions of ‘A Christmas Carol’, Scrooge has one quite significant difference though – it’s a musical. Unfortunately, most of the songs are entirely forgettable, and given that there are thirteen of them, they can get a little tiresome. That being said, ‘Thank You Very Much’ will always hold a special place in my heart – as let’s be honest, it’s an absolute banger! (To listen to it, click here!)









So, that rounds off my Top 3 Christmas films. Do you agree with them? If not, why, and what are your Top 3 favourite Christmas films? Make sure to let me know in the comments!



