Christmas time is a time of the year when we are all in a really festive mood. People around the world are on their holidays, travelling the world or catching up with family and friends. It is also a great time for the entertainment industry, as it is the ripe time for Christmas music albums, and movies, etc.
Over the years, we have come across some really good Christmas movies. But the 1990s was a different era altogether. Listed below are some of the top Christmas films of the 90s.
- Home Alone
Most of us have watching this comedy movie as kids and as adults during the Christmas holidays. Directed by Chris Columbus, this 1990 movie was instrumental in making its lead actor Macauley Culkin an internationally recognized name.
The film tells the story of a kid who is left alone at home during Christmas and how he saves his house from 2 inept burglars. Joe Pesci, who was primarily famous for Scorcese gangster movies, wins over our hearts as one of the burglars. In this cat and mouse of a story, the protagonist uses every item at his disposal to stave off the robbers, while the burglars undergo every imaginable torture before finally giving up. They fall down icy steps, take a blow torch to the head, grasp a scalding hot door knob, have a spike shoved through the feet, and get struck by an iron on the face, etc. It is a fun Christmas ride all the way to the end.
- The Santa Clause
Christmas and Santa Claus go hand in hand. The festive season can never be complete without the white-bearded, red-suited, overweight gift giver. The 1994 film ‘The Santa Clause’ ably captures this aspect of Christmas and gives it a brand new twist.
In the movie, Tim Allen has to become the Santa Claus after the real one falls off a roof and dies. He then has to quickly learn all the tricks of the job and adjust with increasing body weight, while simultaneously raising a young kid and meeting his real-job needs.
The comedic act by Allen and the high production values make this movie an instant Christmas classic. If you watch it once, you are sure to watch it again, this year and the next.
- The Nightmare Before Christmas
This Tim Burton film is a Christmas gift for all the fans of the horror genre. This 1993 movie is an incredibly funny, dark, and visually captivating cinema that offers an insight into a ghoulish world.
One of the most original Christmas movies, it combines the festivities of two major back-to-back holidays to present the viewer with a wondrous entry into an unknown world. This masterpiece explores themes and ideas that will pull the intrigue of both adults and kids. Even if you don’t like horror movies, do not miss it! You will not regret having taken the chance to revel in this illusionary extravaganza.
- Jingle All the Way
After Twins and Kindergarten Cop, action superstar Arnold Schwarzenegger tried to make a comeback to the comedy genre with this 1996 Christmas themed movie. Upon release, the film met with negative critical acclaim but was a commercial success.
The movie recounts the story of a man who forgets to get the ‘Turbo-Man’ toy for his kid and his arduous and comedic journey on the day before Christmas to ensure that he gets his hands on the dream toy. This was a time when the use of computer graphics in film making was in a nascent stage. Jingle All The Way was one of the first big-budget Hollywood movies to successfully explore this option.
Sinbad and Arnold, as the two last-minute shoppers, are a laugh-riot of a pair. Even though the general theme of the film is commercialization of Christmas, you should put that thought on the back burner and enjoy it for what it truly is; a fun-filled Christmas comedy adventure.
- While you were Sleeping
This 1995 romantic comedy film starring Sandra Bullock brings this list of the top 5 Christmas films of the 90s to an end. It is an ideal film for hopeless romantics to watch during this holiday season. The basic theme of the film is the effervescent truth, i.e., love and life does not always pan out to be the way you predicted it to be, it just happens!
In the movie, Bullock’s character saves a guy that she likes after he fell onto the metro tracks. Then, while he is in the hospital in a coma, she pretends to be his fiancée. During this period, she falls in love with the brother of that guy. A perfect end to a movie marathon Christmas night, isn’t it?
Apart from the above 5 films, Jodie Foster’s ‘Home for the Holidays’ and ‘Miracle on 34th Street’ 1994 remake are also worth a mention. If you have the time, you may watch these films as well.