My Top 10 Biggest Christmas Guilty Pleasures

In the past, I’ve talked about Christmas movies and specials that I love, as well as ones I hate, and now it’s time to talk about the ones that fall in the middle ground. These are the Christmas movies that don’t exactly stand out as “good”, yet I have a soft spot for them, and find myself re-watching them once in a while during the holiday season. While I’ve never liked the phrase “guilty pleasure”, I also know with a clear conscience that many of these movies aren’t exactly high art, and yet … there’s just something about them that I can’t help but enjoy. We all have our Christmas “guilty pleasure’s” that can get us in the holiday mood, and here are 10 specials that I’m almost ashamed to admit to liking ... but I do. 

#10 "The Nutcracker and the Four Realms" (2018) 

I’ve always viewed the story of the Nutcracker (along with its iconic stage music) to be a staple of the Christmas season, but it’s just never gotten a decent movie or special to represent it. 

Disney’s theatrical 2018 movie strayed away from the originals format, and tried something a little different. Unfortunately, it was also a hodgepodge of familiar story elements from other fantasy franchises, resulting in a forgettable, and admittedly underwhelming experience for most audiences. While I freely admit that it’s a very by the numbers fantasy adventure, and annoyingly snubs it's titular Nutcracker ... I also didn’t find anything offensively bad about it either. The performances were committed, the visual design was absorbing, and there were some imaginative details throughout … enough to keep me engaged, and willing to return for a second viewing. The Nutcracker may still have a long way to go before it gets a genuinely good adaption … but I at least found this a passable little escape.         

#9 “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York” (1992)

Aside from a change in scenery (and some brutally over the top traps), there really isn’t too much of a difference between this film and its iconic predecessor. Having said that, it still maintains some of the charm, hummer and appeal of the first, and has just enough new details that give it a distinct voice. There’s a memorable collection of new supporting characters (with Tim Curry stealing the whole show), and the shots of Christmas time New York do put me in a warm holiday mood. Most “Home Alone” fans agree that this sequel ranks squarely underneath the first, but it still works okay on its own. Certainly not a great sequel, but a harmlessly enjoyable one that has its own unique highlights.  
 

#8 “Krampus” (2015)

Christmas themed horror movies have been around for years, but it’s the 2015 movie “Krampus” that for me … surprisingly feels like something to watch during the holiday season. 

The premise revolves around an evil Santa named Krampus, who’s descended from European folklore. One Christmas Eve, a boy is fed up with his family, and destroys his Christmas letter to Santa … which sets off a curse. Sure enough, the titular Krampus terrorizes the family, who’ve all been snowed in, and can’t escape from his wicked storm. Even though this is a gory monster film, it features a great selection of various holiday themed creatures, including snowmen, gingerbread men, elves, toys, and of course … the naughty Santa himself. Flashbacks are also displayed through stop-motion animation, akin to any Ranken Bass classic. It’s a very tongue-in-check horror comedy, as it’s about as over the top as they get, but highly entertaining, and full of first rate holiday thrills. I genuinely love the winter setting, as I feel trapped in this sinister cold spell closing in, and yet … it also captures all the right colors, atmosphere, and visuals of the season ... just with a spooky edge.


#7 “The Search for Santa Paws” (2010)

This was one of those odd holiday specials that caught me off guard, and completely subverted my expectations. It didn’t knock my sox off or anything, but it was much better than it had any right to be …

with an infectiously lovable Santa, and some cute child actors, including Madison Pettis at the height of her child acting carrier. The big surprise however was that … beneath the film’s colorful exterior, and cute mascot, this film is impressively dark and downbeat. Yeah, you wouldn’t expect an edge to something called “Santa Paws”, but holly cow … “An American Tail” is shaking its head looking at this film and saying “lighten up”. It features Santa on his death bed, sad little orphan girls locked in a dungeon, and even a climax in which a puppy is nearly burned in an incinerator. Obviously, I can’t give this film any kind of glowing recommendation, but I’d almost suggest seeing it once, just for the tonal shock of how different the special is from it’s cute and colorful marketing.     

#6 “The Christmas Shoes” (2002)

Truthfully, I don’t even see this as a bad movie at all … but I’m still putting it on my list due to it’s ties with a highly criticized and controversial Christmas song. The plot is exactly what you’d expect from the song … a mother is on her death bed, and the little boy is desperate to get her mother a special Christmas gift before her passing. While the film can be “overly sentimental” at times, it still has a good heart, and I think it dose a better job conveying its message then the song did. Maybe I’m just a sap who can easily be touched by a film with good intentions, but either way … I can see how this picture can either turn heads or melt hearts. For me … “The Christmas Shoes” just got me in the warms “feels” all around. 

#5 “The Santa Clause 2” (2002) 

Often described as a forgettable follow-up to a minor holiday classic, but for my two cent's … I think there’s a little more to this sequel then its reputation suggests. Yes, it’s a predictable sequel, it has cringe moments and in the long run … it doesn’t really offer anything that demanding. However, what it does contain is a genuinely romantic story about Santa trying to find a Mises Claus, with a believable relationship at the center, and two very charming leads carrying the film. There’s also a delightful collection of child actors, and an enjoyably over the top evil robot Santa. While the comedy doesn’t always fly, the film is mostly sidelining the jokes in favor of some really magical Christmas elements, which can range from subtle horse-drawn sled rides, to wildly inventive North Pole spectacle. Speaking personally, I’ll always have a soft spot for these first two Tim Allen Santa Clause movies, and in some ways, I find the sequel to be a little more entertaining to watch … not a better movie mind you, but one that’s a little more fun.   

#4 “Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas” (1997) 

Being honest, I didn’t grow up with the original Disney “Beauty and the Beast”, but I did have this holiday themed sequel, and as such ... I have a lot of nostalgia reserved for this one. Call it a guilty pleasure for sure, but if it gets me in the mood ... then so be it. While the films predictable plot and somewhat inconsistent tone admittedly keep it from reaching the same heights as its predecessor, there’s just something about this film that keeps bringing me back. The songs are up-beat, Tim Curry as the villain is highly entertaining, there’s some nice winter visuals, and even the animation is quite good for a low budget, direct to video sequel. I can’t make a persuasive argument that it’s anything truly great, but it’s special to me, and it makes for a relatively worthwhile addition to the yuletide collection.

#3 “A Christmas Carol: The Musical” (2004)

Here's yet another goofy musical adaption of a beloved classic, and just like before … it may not exactly be remembered as one of the greats, but it’s absolutely a personal favorite of mine. Adapting the Charles Dickens classic into a musical was a very clever idea, giving audiences a fresh take on a popular story. While there have been several musical renditions of “A Christmas Carol” in the past, this is the version that’s always stuck with me. Visually it gets me in the spirit of Christmas more than any other version, and I absolutely adore the songs. Truthfully, it might just be my favorite collection of songs in a single Christmas outing, and some of these songs have stuck with me as staples of the Dickens tale. It might just be a little too corny and over the top for some viewers, but for my own personal delight, I just can’t help pulling this one out every year.   

#2 “Ernest Saves Christmas” (1988)

Ernest was one of those generational comedy mascots that I both adored, and got annoyed with in almost equal measure. The late Jim Varney shined as the goofy character (and his multiple personalities), but there was only so much of him I could stomach in one film. 

Because of this, “Ernest Saves Christmas” always stood out as my favorite, as it perfectly balanced the characters overly goofy antics with a genuinely heartfelt Christmas story. Santa Claus himself arrives in town and is seeking a replacement in the form of a children’s entertainer, who just needs to find the confidence in himself to carry Santa’s mantel. Along for the adventure is a beautiful young teenager who also has her own emotional ties to the jolly one, and what he stands for. From the Norman Rockwell inspired opening credits, to the late Douglas Seale's infectiously lovable portrayal of Santa … this film just cares this magical air that puts me in the holiday spirit. Oh … it’s still a ridiculous movie for sure, with a looney character taking center stage, but for me, there’s just a fine blend of wacky antics and wholesome holiday charms to make it a small … but genuinely favorable film to re-watch for the holidays.  

Before I reveal my #1 Christmas guilty Pleasure, here are some quick Honorable Mentions … 

“Elf”

“Miracle on 34th Street” (1994)

“Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July”

“Santa Klaus: The Movie”

“The Nutcracker Prince”

#1 “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (2000)

I’ll admit that this film may be just a little too dark and unpleasant for some kids, but then again ... like other holiday specials, the more intense you make the character and his story, the happier the resolution at the end. Sure, it’s not as good as the original animated classic, but there are still so many things that I love about this film. The jokes at times are funny, I like its otherworldly look and feel, and the musical score by the late James Horner never fails to lift my spirit. Of cores, it’s the always fantastic Jim Carry who completely steels the show. This movie came out at a time when I was obsessed with Jim Carry, and it’s remained one of his most entertaining roles all these years later. While this live action remake certainly has its share of faults, I just can’t help but adore it. There’s still a lot of warm holiday cheer, a good message to boot, and Jim Carry shinning in one of his most iconic roles.

HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!