What’s a festive spirit without background music everywhere you go?Christmas music is loved by so many peoplethat it seemingly plays for three to four months out of the year. Is that irritating? Well, it depends on who you ask, but even those who find the constant radio play of “All I Want For Christmas Is You” absolutely cloying will admit that this type of music can workwonderfullyin a feature film.
Naturally, when those tunes are used, it’s going to be a Christmas movie. But, it’s not as if all holiday films are made equal, or even within the same genre. What follows are 10 Christmas (and/or holiday) movies that boast a kickin' festive soundtrack and, genre-wise, there is something for everyone here this holiday season.
10Lethal Weapon (1987)
Lethal Weapon
Fueled by airtight direction from Richard Donner, an on-point (and typically festive) screenplay from Shane Black, and perfect lead performances from Danny Glover and Mel Gibson,Lethal Weaponisn’t just one of thegreatest action films of the ’80s, it’s one of the greatest action films, period.
A Festive Sound Over a Dark Background
Lethal Weaponbrings in some old favorites, but there’s one in particular that stands above the others. Bobby Helms'“Jingle Bell Rock"plays over the film’s pretty dark opening scene, giving the song a perverse vibe that’s hard to shake when hearing it on the radio.
StreamLethal Weaponon Apple TV
Bad Moms 2
The firstBad Momswas fun, but it didn’t set a very high bar, basically makingA Bad Moms Christmasexactly what it should be. There aren’t any jokes the viewers haven’t seen elsewhere, but elsewhere they weren’t delivered by a game Kathryn Hahn, Mila Kunis, and Kristen Bell.
What Makes The Soundtrack Great?
A Bad Moms Christmasdoes a good job of having themes (or song selections) that are modern, but also harken back to the old days of Christmas, when Nat King Cole ruled the December airwaves. Highlights include Gwen Stefani’s “You Make It Feel Like Christmas,” Kelly Clarkson’s take on “Run Run Rudolph,” and the hilarious ending credits song performance.
StreamA Bad Moms Christmason fuboTV
8Die Hard (1988)
Die Hardis quite a few film fans' pick for best Christmas movie of all time, even if its Christmas movie status remains hotly debated to this day. But, where’s the debate? It’s chock-full of Christmas tunes and at one point the protagonist dresses up a baddie as a dead, sweatshirt-wearing pseudo-Santa and puts him on an elevator for dramatic effect.
RELATED:The 15 Best Non-Religious Christmas and Winter Movies
This IS Christmas Music!
Speaking of the tunes,Die Hardmade Run-D.M.C.’s “Christmas in Hollis” not just catchy and famous, but iconic. Anyone who watchesDie Hardfor the first time and is asked to list five things that are awesome will undoubtedly cite the song in one of their first three selections.
StreamDie Hardon DIRECTV
7Gremlins (1984)
Easily themost disturbing kids holiday movieto ever grace the pop culture lexicon, Joe Dante’sGremlinsis a bizarre adventure that’s unlikely to leave the viewer’s mind for quite some time. And, alongside excellent direction, even better writing, perfect performances, and astounding creature designs, the film also boasts a dynamite soundtrack.
Creepy and Merry Christmas Vibes
The music throughoutGremlinsdoes an equally good job of selling the creepy ambiance and the merry vibes of conflict-free Christmases (not that those are common). But, musically, it peaks with the opening credits… after all, there’s just something about Darlene Love’s belting of “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” as the title card pops up that justworks.
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6National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)
christmas vacation
A holiday classic that stays specialno matter how many years pass,National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacationis a laugh riot. Chevy Chase is fully in his element as Clark Griswold, which isn’t so surprising considering he was already comfortable with the role in the dreadful previous film,National Lampoon’s European Vacation.
But, there’s an extra spark to Clark and his family in this film, as if they’re so quasi-real they could be a member of your own family, sitting around the table while their hellhound scarfs down scraps below the drooping table cloth.
A Goofy and Unique Tone to a Christmas Soundtrack
For one, Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann’s title track (which plays over animation of Santa going through a tough package delivery) is perfect. It sets up the film’s goofy tone in a way so bizarre that there’s nothing else the film can do that would be so extreme it would alienate viewers. Toss in the “Mele Kalikimaka” scene andChristmas Vacationhas one of the best holiday soundtracks of all time.
StreamNational Lampoon’s Christmas Vacationon Hulu
5Elf (2003)
This modern film with a classic feeling to it marksthe perfect marriage between actor and material.Elfwas and is one of the most iconic and cherised Christmas films of the 21st century, and it isn’t hard to see why. The plot is endearing, the frenetic and comedic energy of Ferrell as Buddy the Elf is infectious, and the writing is sharp. And a perfect soundtrack underlies and brings these perfect elements together.
A Modern Movie With a Classic Heart
This warmly sweet soundtrack boasts classic songs like Ella Fitzgerald’s “Sleigh Ride” and Lena Horne’s “Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow.”
But in one of the most iconic scenes in the film, Buddy hears Zooey Deschanel’s character singing “Baby It’s Cold Outside” in the shower. Innocent and obviously knowing every Christmas song, he of course walks into the bathroom and starts singing along, prompting a hilarious freak out by the two of them.
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4How The Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas!
One of the best (and at the time underappreciated)Christmas movies of the 21st Century thus far, Ron Howard’s lavishly-producedHow the Grinch Stole Christmasis riddled with heart. Not to mention Jim Carrey’s stellar work as the title character, which manages to bleed through pounds of latex and fake green fur.
Horner’s Magical Soundtrack and Some Great Covers
There’s an argument to be made that the soundtrack forHow the Grinch Stole Christmasis tied for first with Carrey’s performance in terms of why the film works so well (at least, for some folks). James Horner scores every scene beautifully, enveloping the audience in the ways of Whoville, but even better is Carrey’s rendition of “You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch” and, especially, “Christmas, Why Can’t I Find You?” from Taylor Momsen (not to mention Faith Hill’s cover of it over the closing credits).
StreamHow the Grinch Stole Christmason fuboTV
3Love Actually (2003)
Love Actually
Richard Curtis' star-studdedLove Actuallyhasn’t aged as well as one might hope, but for the most part it’s still a lovely ensemble piece that does the job of giving one Christmas vibes. Heartfelt and star-studded,Love Actuallydeserves its mixture of financial success and growing cult status.
Classic and Sweet Songs, Christmas and Otherwise
For the most part,Love Actuallyemployes classic tunes, even though it carries many modern sensibilities. For instance, there’s “All You Need Is Love” from Lennon and McCartney, and “Both Sides Now” by Joni Mitchell, but on the more modern side (which still plays as somewhat classical) there’s the sweet performance of “All I Want For Christmas Is You” in the school play.
StreamLove Actuallyon Netflix
2Home Alone (1990)
Home Alone
Chris Columbus’Die Hardfor kids (to paraphraseBrooklyn Nine-Nine),Home Aloneis one of the most successful and beloved ’90s films, right up there withJurassic ParkandIndependence Day. And it’s easy to see why, as even 30 years later the film holds a palpable energy that begs for a rewatch regardless of the time of year.
RELATED:Home Alone Star Wants People to Stop Asking How Much It Hurt to be Hit With a Brick
John Williams' Memorable Take On Christmas
John Williams has never turned in a score less than compelling, so it’s telling that his work onHome Aloneranks very high. But, on top of Williams' contributions, there’s also “Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town” by Haven Gillespie and J. Fred Coots as well as a clever usage of “Run, Rudolph, Run” as performed by Chuck Berry.
StreamHome Aloneon Disney+
1The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Henry Selick’s visually stunning and emotionally poignantThe Nightmare Before Christmasmanages to be both one of the most definitive films for both Halloween and Christmas. And, yet, even with perfectly-aged animation and sterling vocal performances, the true ace in the hole forThe Nightmare Before Christmasis Danny Elfman’s music.
Danny Elfman At His Finest
Even when no words are being sung, the music inThe Nightmare Before Christmastells as much of the story as what’s actually being seen on the screen. Of course, the highlight song is the magical “What’s This?” that Jack sings with wonder as he first discovers Christmas, performed by Elfman himself.
“Jack’s Lamet” and “This Is Halloween” are also fantastic (though “Oogie Boogie’s Song” has its die-hard fans too). With so much incredibly original music, this film can say it boasts the best Christmas soundtrack ever.
