“ It’s A Wonderful Life”……every time a bell rings an Angel gets it’s wings. My Husband loved that movie. I don’t watch it anymore….without him. It’s just not the same. Matt, hopefully you both will watch it together for many, many years to come, especially with your grandchildren. Much love ❤.
My wife never saw it until recently, when we watched it together. That blew my mind, I've seen it dozens of times. She liked it but didn't love it, I guess a lot of the appeal is nostalgia, if you didn't see it back in the day when you were younger, it just doesn't hit as hard.
It's okay, but it's overrated. The only reason it's so popular is that it was in public domain when it began to gain popularity. It became cheap to show it, so it was played everywhere, becoming iconic in our culture. If anything, it's an important lesson why we need to repeal a most, if not ALL of the copyright laws that Disney put up just so they could be the only ones to profit off of the stories Walt stole the rights to…which were already in public domain.
@@pahbert Die Hard is a Christmas movie, this is fact. Actually your take is in the minority which makes your comments related to 2004 and middle school pretty dumb.
@@seans9134 It's a movie set during christmas, but it's not a christmas movie (and what a weird use of the word "fact" lol). Seriously, this take was edgy 20 years ago. Now, it's always the same low IQ idiot trying to "provocative" at a party by bringing up Die Hard as if they had just come up with the idea. You can even see it in the face of the person saying it ... they actually think it's some big controversial and mindblowing talking point lol Saying Die Hard is a christmas movie would be like... a bunch of terrorists take over a baseball stadium and calling that a baseball movie. Christmas has nothing to do with the film. It would be just as good if it was set around New Year or Tuesday, March 19th. It's not clever to call it a Christmas movie.
For years, my wife initially refused to acknowledge the greatness of It’s a Wonderful Life. However, everything changed when our oldest son watched it and proclaimed it the greatest movie of all time. This inspired his siblings to give it a try, and they, too, declared it the greatest movie they’d ever seen. Suddenly, my wife’s perspective shifted, and she revised history, claiming she had always loved the timeless classics since childhood.
I seen once 15 yrs ago, that was enough. Too much hype? ( Jimmy Stewart's) George Bailey in the movie is such a ridiculous character being so naïve, dim-witted. Then such a happy ending, please. Maybe because of the time period?
@@sitka49 You clearly dont know anything about script writing. Theres not a wasted line or story beat in that movie it all has purpose that accumulates to a fantastic ending. Most movies today have so mamy pointless useless scenes. We need more quality happy endings in films not less. Cuz movies today mostly suck.
I totally agree with your top two....especially "It's a Wonderful Life being such a great movie! I love when he is crying out to Clarence that he wants to live but then he cries out to God and instantly it starts to snow and you know he is alive again!
A recent Christmas movie that is actually good? Klaus. It was a wonderful surprise when I first saw it and now I watch it every year. However, my favorite will always be the Muppet Christmas Carol. It’s got memorable songs, plenty of laughs, and a phenomenal performance from Michael Caine.
Violent Night is great. Not your typical feel good Christmas movie, because it's.... Well, violent. But it does have a good message and some feel good stuff towards the end. After all the violence.
"It's black and white!" Reminds me of a Calvin and Hobbes strip, where Calvin's dad told him that the world was actually black and white until the 1950s. That should've been your answer, Matt.
Okay Matt I'll bite- Why do you think George Baily's character is a bit of a Commie? (@ 4:30). Since capitalist Baily turned out to be the person that took over the family's Building and Loan, and seemed fairly patriotic, celebrating in his hero brothers' return from the war.
Shapiro has also made this critique, citing his low rates and low bar-to-entry on his loans, but I always viewed this as a man who has trust in his community and a community which holds itself to high account
I think he may have been joking, or referring to the FBI at the time seeing the film as ‘pro communist’. Bailey is clearly not a fan of the immoral unrestrained profiteering represented by Potter. Capra himself was no fan of Roosevelt, but you could be forgiven for mistaking that in this movie.
I’m jumping in because I’ve thought about this over the years. No, he’s not a commie. I think it could be argued George Bailey is a communitarian. He’s pro-capitalism but only insofar as it cultivates a healthy local community.
@@Thomas-Hastings kinda. Communitarianism overlaps with economic conservativism, but not all economic conservatives are communitarian in that they do not all prioritize the local (like Old Man Potter in the film)
My kids are tiny and they watched wonderful life and LOVED IT. My 6 year old noticed Jimmy Stewart actually shaking when he's praying. He was scared for him! He asked "were things REAL in these old movies??" My 2 year old daughter didn't even move the entire time. She was enthralled and there's no way she understood it.
Well, it hadn't been that long since he had been bombing Axis targets and watching his brothers-in-arms die. I'm pretty sure that shaking while praying was not acting. Be sure to let your 6 year old know that while ripped muscle bound actors pretend to be soldiers, Jimmy actually was a soldier, even after WWII ended.
The original Miracle on 34th Street is nice. I just can't get into White Christmas, even though I love Bing Crosby music, Danny Kaye, and old Hollywood films. I think it's that there's not much of a story, or that the story isn't interesting. Most of the songs and dance numbers bore me as well. I also don't like the two female leads.
The Man Who Invented Christmas is also a great Christmas movie. It's about Charles Dickens coming up with the story "A Christmas Carol." One of my faves!
Ernest Saves Christmas will always be a favorite of mine...my dad was friends with Jim Varney so I saw all the Ernest movies as a kid and loved most of them.
@ yes! Scared Stupid is the best Ernest movie. Saves Christmas is next. There are a few other decent ones that are fun to watch but those two are just awesome. Know what I mean Vern?
My husband enjoys A Christmas Story, and he can't watch It's a Wonderful Life. I consider A Christmas Story to be ridiculous and crass, but It's A Wonderful Life is arguably THE best film of all time.
My dad wouldn't let us watch Christmas story but i saw it as an adult and thought it was charming and funny. Had an uncle like the dad. He tried not to cuss but sometimes it just slipped out when he was raging
Don't say that too loud, quite a few enemy combatants think it as well. We understand context here, so you get no flags. Also congratulations on being the single instance of a "right winger" agreeing with the rabid left (if they happen to go looking).
I agree. Something about his monotone voice makes him come off as a completely miserable person that can only see the bad in the word. Like he's a negative Nancy.
A Christmas Story takes place in the late 1930s/early 1940s, not the 1950s. You should also read the book it's based on - In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash. It's BRILLIANT.
This is funny because since I saw this movie in the 80s up until a couple of years ago I had assumed the movie was set in the early 60s. I had given it no thought, I just assumed.
Actually, it's exactly 1940. 1939 would have been the earliest because of the Wizard of Oz characters. It's surely not 1941 because there's no reference to WWII or Pearl Harbor which was Dec 7. That would have been the end of childhood innocence. But the proof is the Orphan Annie decoder pin. The style changed every year, and they use the 1940 model in the movie.
@@BubbaCoopmy grandparents loved it when I was a kid (I am 52). They used to always comment on how they remembered having the same car, the same furnace, the same socket full of plugs. They would have been young adults in 1940 (my dad was born in ‘43, my mom in ‘44).
"The Bishop's Wife" with Cary Grant and David Niven should be better known and should be added to the roster of Christmas 🎄 movies that are viewed annually.
I agree! It is precious to me. It goes very deep, thanks to Cary Grant's incredibly nuanced acting. He could put across more with a look, or with the subtlest change in his tone of voice, than most other actors could in an entire soliloquy.
Good job, Matt. You left off your list the movie, Scrooge (A Christmas Carol) from 1951, which is my favorite version of that book. Also, you should give us sometime your top 15-20 movies of all time. Merry Christmas.
MATT, HOW DARE YOU BREAK MY RECORD STRING OF CONSECUTIVE DECEMBER DAYS WITHOUT HEARING MARIAH CAREY’S CHRISTMAS ABOMINATION‼️😫 I WAS SO FREAKIN’ CLOSE TO MAKING IT!
I have curated a collection of Christmas films that I watch throughout the month, but Christmas Eve is special and reserved for the Miracle on 34th Street and capped with Alastair Sims' Christmas Carol. Those 2 sit above them all, and of course, I only watch the b&w versions!
Yes, that’s one of my favorites too! But it’s tied for third with Meet Me in St. Louis and the George C Scott Christmas Carol. The top two are actually Matt’s picks exactly.
Polar Express is an Uncanny Valley nightmare. I liked the book just fine as a kid, but watching the movie is like what I would imagine Disney animatronics wearing human skin suits would be like.
My wife doesn’t like It’s a Wonderful Life either, Matt. The pain cuts deep. But she loves Christmas on the Hallmark Channel…so, there’s that monstrosity. 😆
I agree with #1. Every year since I was a child my entire family watches It’s a Wonderful Life. Used to think it was boring because it was in black and white but as I got older, came to love it, my favourite part of Christmas Eve.
@@calvincoolidge1207been a while since, but my recollection of the colorized version was that it.... lost something. It's b&w or nothing for me when it comes to It's a Wonderful Life. I am the tail side of your coin on this opinion.
@@stevekirkpatrick1612 My aunt is the same. I am not opposed to b/w films and perhaps the lack of color makes you focus more on the plot. Christmas Carol (1951) works better in b/w as it makes it creepier vs. the 1984 version (also great-but lacking the creepy touch). I first saw it in b/w and enjoyed it. It is my #1 movie of all time and I even enjoy it in summer.
“A Christmas Story” did very little for me. I thought it was just dumb. “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” is, by far, the greatest for me, followed by “Home Alone” and “Home Alone 2: Lost In New York”.
Christmas Story is more cute with a few memorable scenes; I’m not going to lie that we watch it Christmas afternoon, but it’s definitely not the classic that people make it out to be.
So I assume you include the classic "Ernest Saves Christmas" in your great Christmas movies list, since it came out in 1988. It's like a fine wine that mellows with age. Know whut I mean, Vern?
I’m 54. About 10 years ago I bought the leg lamp in Cleveland where the Christmas story house is. Anyone who loves the movie should go there. I was there with my son for a hockey tournament. Four years ago my son bought me the red Ryder BB gun. Best gift I ever received. I love you buddy. Merry Christmas. RIP.
#1 It’s A Wonderful Life. I couldn’t agree more. #2 A Christmas Story. Yes! Yes! Yes! #3 for my husband and I is The Christmas Card. Such a romantic movie. We watch it every year. And even though my next lovely movie isn’t a Christmas movie, it’s a Valentine movie, I love it. The Lost Valentine. A love story wrapped in a tear jerker.
Failed to mention Scrooge from 1951. Fantastic movie. I also don't agree at all with Princess Bride being perfect, but you have redeemed yourself by calling the Jim Carrey Grinch movie as an "abomination" because people are nowadays pretending that it isn't.
@crankyryno Princess Bride is an empty movie. Character shticks not real people. That'd be OK if the movie were funny, but I don't find it funny (for the most part). Cary Elwes is a wanna-be Errol Flynn and to me he has no charisma. Also, Peter Falk's performance is nothing special. The movie constantly reminding me that "self-aware" fantasy is more intellectual than "real" fantasy rubs me the wrong way. The movie is all head, and no heart. It leaves me cold.
“A Christmas Story” represents every Christmas in the 60’s in America.The lighting,the language,the wardrobe….all spot on…..& I got a Red Ryder exactly the same way Ralphie did. After everyone had finished unwrapping my dad said,” hey there’s another long pkg over there we forgot about. I rmbr that like yday and I’m 63 now.That was in 1968 when I was 7 yrs old.I can smell that turkey in that oven.
I think Christmas Vacation might be top 3. It has the essence of a fathers struggle to really capture the christmas season against all odds. Very relatable in 2024 with Biden's economy
I would add “Christmas with the Kranks” 2004 to your list. It’s delightful, seriously funny and entertaining with not a drop of political correctness. It also qualifies with the Christmas spirit unreservedly expressed. Merry Christmas!
My favorite Christmas movie, well, at least one that will always hold a special place in my heart is 'The Family Man' with Nicolas Cage, which was actually inspired by 'It's a Wonderful Life' so I kinda wish Matt had covered that one lol My dad LOVED that movie!! We used to watch it every year and I try to hold that tradition in my family every year on his behalf (since he passed away in 2015😢😢) and its just a very sweet and funny film full of love 😄🥰 that was the last Christmas movie that had that magic that Matt Walsh is talking about imo ✨️🎄🎀
GREAT call. Absolutely love that movie. Another fabulous one is "Midnight Clear" that came out in 2006 (NOT the war movie by the same name). Simply excellent writing and a great story.
A Christmas Carol -1999 staring Patrick Stewart as Scrooge. It was a perfect role for him and this made for TV movie hits all of the emotional notes perfectly
My new favorite, especially for families, is The Star (2017). It’s the actual Christmas Story. Although the story as told from the perspective of the animals is not meant to be taken literally as The story, it still captures the important elements of the Christmas story and also highlights the values of the Christmas story, namely faith, sacrifice, and forgiveness. It accomplishes this through a narrative that is easily understood by young children but also manages to be quite funny and entertaining. The critics on Rotten Tomatoes seem to miss the point of the movie. Yes, it actually believes the broader Story it is telling. It’s not trying to be a “new take”. It’s trying to be an entertaining Christmas movie for kids and families that tells The Story in a way that is both sincere and accessible. If you don’t want to be reminded of “the reason for the season” then yes, this movie is not for you… even if The Story is for all.
It’s a Wonderful Life was definitely a perfect movie, perfectly written, perfectly directed by Frank Capra and most definitely Perfectly Cast stars for every roll, Jimmy Stewart, the Beautiful Donna Reed and Lionel Barrymore. Brings me to tears every time and reminds me how fortunate I am, and that every one of us has an important role to play in life.
I remember growing up a Christmas story that would play 24 hours on Christmas day on TBS. It would play in the background as we opened presents and ate our meal.
My own opinion- Best: It’s a Wonderful Life. White Christmas. The 1938 version of A Christmas Carol. Christmas Vacation. Christmas With the Kranks. Home Alone. Elf Worst: Four Christmases. One Magic Christmas. The Christmas Chronicles. Jingle All the Way.
Growing up, my mom made us watch It’s a Wonderful Life and George C. Scott’s A Christmas Carol every year. I have a lot of nostalgia in my heart for those. I’ve honestly felt like Christmas movies have been lacking for a long time, but I was really impressed with The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. It gives big A Christmas Story vibes while also keeping the focus on Jesus instead of Santa Claus, and I love it a lot. Since coming to Christ, it’s the first movie that my husband and I watched and both said, “Yes, this will be a staple in our house every year.”
I agree with you 💯% Matt, "It's a Wonderful Life" is indeed the best Christmas movie ever❣️ Ive yet to see one thats better. It touched my soul from the firt time I saw it as a 13 year old in grade 7, until now as a 41 year old adult. It has so many profound lessons about life 🙏🏾
MATT!!! My family watches It’s A Wonderful Life EVERY AND I MEAN EVERY CHRISTMAS EVE!!! It’s an iconic Christmas tradition that our parents started before all us 6 kids were born and not one Christmas Eve has gone by for the past 30 years without the Moore’s watching that AMAZING WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS MOVIE!!!! THE BEST EVER
A Christmas story is absolutely overrated and I will die on that hill. It is still better than most Christmas movies out there, but it's time for people to find something else.
When I was young and even into my teens. I didn’t care for It’s A Wonderful Life. The fact that George never got out of the town, his brother didn’t keep to their agreement…I just saw the unfairness and thought why would I want to watch such a sad movie. But when I grew up I was able to appreciate the depth of the story. Though…at the end I do hope that he and Mary were able to take a vacation somewhere.
I don't know if it counts as a Christmas movie, but I absolutely love Gremlins. I'm biased because its a tradition in our house to watch it at Christmas, but its great.
Matt, you're like a Christmas present every day for me because you always make me laugh. The last four years have been rough. One movie that you didn't mention is Prancer (1989). If you haven't seen it you'll enjoy it as well as your kids. Scrooge with Albert Finney is a good one too. Merry Christmas to you and your family and God bless!
You and Michael Knowles are the only ones keeping me watching DW. I love your grinchy contrarian vibes because I am the same way and it brings me joy. Your best show this year was the New Zealand one. I agree with your top picks 100%
Klaus is a hidden gem of a Christmas movie that is surrounded by turds. It definitely captures the Christmas spirit that no other modern movies can
Klaus is so good
Came here to say this. The DW crew needs to get Matt to watch Klaus. It's not as good as A Christmas Story, but for modern movies, it's quite good.
“ It’s A Wonderful Life”……every time a bell rings an Angel gets it’s wings. My Husband loved that movie. I don’t watch it anymore….without him. It’s just not the same. Matt, hopefully you both will watch it together for many, many years to come, especially with your grandchildren. Much love ❤.
We watch it on New Year’s
Praying to Jesus for you ❤️
You should watch it in his honor he would like that.
I haven't seen anyone mentioning the George C. Scott Christmas Carol. It's the best version of the best Christmas story ever.
Fact.
It’s so great. You have good taste.
Muppet Christmas Carol is the best tho.
Agree!!!.....I put it in my list (before I saw your post 😁)
Totally agree!
Matt is so right, make Christmas great again. MCGA
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is #1!
Even when EVERYTHING goes wrong, Christmas brings us together ❤️
My wife tells me that The Princess Bride is boring, and my soul sheds a tear every time she says it.
My wife never saw it until recently, when we watched it together. That blew my mind, I've seen it dozens of times. She liked it but didn't love it, I guess a lot of the appeal is nostalgia, if you didn't see it back in the day when you were younger, it just doesn't hit as hard.
What????
DIVORCE
Yeh... it is a dumb movie.... and your wife is great for letting you like it.... treasure her forever!
@@ACoustaDC letting him like it? Sarcasm I hope
It's A Wonderful Life is the best movie ever
It's okay, but it's overrated.
The only reason it's so popular is that it was in public domain when it began to gain popularity. It became cheap to show it, so it was played everywhere, becoming iconic in our culture. If anything, it's an important lesson why we need to repeal a most, if not ALL of the copyright laws that Disney put up just so they could be the only ones to profit off of the stories Walt stole the rights to…which were already in public domain.
Agreed 💯 one of my favorites 🥰🥰🥰
@@MollyOKamiin your opinion, why is it overrated? I think it is a classic.
I disagree. It's a very good movie but I think Donkey Kong is the best movie of all time.
I agree with Matt. It's a classic despite George being a red lol.
In one of the greatest crimes in history - Matt Walsh not having Die Hard on the list. For shame.
Because it's not a Christmas movie. Saying it's a Christmas movie was a hot middle school take in 2004. The joke is played OUT.
@@pahbert
Joke?
@@pahbert Die Hard is a Christmas movie, this is fact. Actually your take is in the minority which makes your comments related to 2004 and middle school pretty dumb.
If Die Hard is a Christmas movie, so is The Proposition. And The Proposition is arguably a better film, too. Or at least its equal
@@seans9134 It's a movie set during christmas, but it's not a christmas movie (and what a weird use of the word "fact" lol). Seriously, this take was edgy 20 years ago. Now, it's always the same low IQ idiot trying to "provocative" at a party by bringing up Die Hard as if they had just come up with the idea. You can even see it in the face of the person saying it ... they actually think it's some big controversial and mindblowing talking point lol
Saying Die Hard is a christmas movie would be like... a bunch of terrorists take over a baseball stadium and calling that a baseball movie. Christmas has nothing to do with the film. It would be just as good if it was set around New Year or Tuesday, March 19th.
It's not clever to call it a Christmas movie.
Sorry, but Alistair Sims' (1951) A Christmas Carol is the greatest Christmas film ever made.
No argument here
That's a good one, but I like the Muppets one more.
That is an excellent portrayal of the Dickens classic, but for my taste I liked the George C. Scott version.
The '38 version is better?
The 1951 is a very fine film, but the 1938 and 1984 films are also similarly profound. It comes down to personal preference from there.
Anyone for Miracle on 34th street? True classic. Solid Christmas spirit and "perfectly" completes it's mission.
Yes
Love Miracle on 34th Street.....and It's a Wonderful Life.
I thought it would be this movie and It's a Wonderful Life... Hot take incoming... I'm not a fan of The Christmas Story movie.
It’s my favourite!
The original...absolutely YES!!
Muppet Christmas Carol is pretty good
Muppets Christmas Carol is actually my favorite version of a Christmas carol.
The muppets are totally underrated. Good luck selling that today though.
Yeah it’s pretty cute.
Also love the-
“It’s the American way!”
(Whisper whisper!)
“It is the BRITISH way!”
By "pretty good" do you mean "amazing"?
how Dare you??? You and the other treasonous commenters who dare besmirch the Original with Alastair Sim? Humbug, I say sir, Humbug!!!
For years, my wife initially refused to acknowledge the greatness of It’s a Wonderful Life. However, everything changed when our oldest son watched it and proclaimed it the greatest movie of all time. This inspired his siblings to give it a try, and they, too, declared it the greatest movie they’d ever seen. Suddenly, my wife’s perspective shifted, and she revised history, claiming she had always loved the timeless classics since childhood.
I seen once 15 yrs ago, that was enough. Too much hype? ( Jimmy Stewart's) George Bailey in the movie is such a ridiculous character being so naïve, dim-witted. Then such a happy ending, please. Maybe because of the time period?
And if anyone is taking movie suggestions from Matt Shabbos Goy Walsh, you’ve always lost all your Aura and should just go away
@@sitka49 You clearly dont know anything about script writing. Theres not a wasted line or story beat in that movie it all has purpose that accumulates to a fantastic ending. Most movies today have so mamy pointless useless scenes. We need more quality happy endings in films not less. Cuz movies today mostly suck.
@@sitka49 don’t worry you’re abs right. It’s dry and a copy of 103628 other movies just like it.
And this folks, is how propaganda works. Best with family. For obvious reasons.
Polar Express is a horror movie.
Polar Express is Yzma level creepy. (scary beyond all reason)
I worked on it. Lol
@@twincrier 🤣
@@jjwisslerYou spawned nightmare fuel, I took a film class in college and they used that film to represent the uncanny valley lol
This is my childhood nightmare. But I still love it as a family thing. Family draws you in.
Nope...it's Scrooged. Sorry that you were wrong. Merry Christmas.
Christmas Vacation, Die Hard 1 and 2, and Lethal Weapon!
I totally agree with your top two....especially "It's a Wonderful Life being such a great movie! I love when he is crying out to Clarence that he wants to live but then he cries out to God and instantly it starts to snow and you know he is alive again!
Good movie!
A recent Christmas movie that is actually good? Klaus. It was a wonderful surprise when I first saw it and now I watch it every year.
However, my favorite will always be the Muppet Christmas Carol. It’s got memorable songs, plenty of laughs, and a phenomenal performance from Michael Caine.
i dont see matt walsh even bothering to watch that. its really good
Violent Night is great. Not your typical feel good Christmas movie, because it's.... Well, violent. But it does have a good message and some feel good stuff towards the end. After all the violence.
I just watched Christmas Story (2007) which is Finnish. If you like Klaus, you will like this one.
I was looking for someone to say Klaus.. I agree, it was good
I also love Klaus, its my favorite Christmas movie, second is Muppets Christmas Carol, and third is Its a Wonderful Life.
"It's black and white!" Reminds me of a Calvin and Hobbes strip, where Calvin's dad told him that the world was actually black and white until the 1950s. That should've been your answer, Matt.
I am certain that Calvin's dad is based on my high school World Civ teacher. Looks like him and drops the same dry bs. 😂
Calvin’s dad is such a king of BS’ing his kid. 😅
I submit for Matt's list, A Christmas Carrol with Alistair Sim and Miracle on 34th Street with Edmund Gwenn.
Christmas Carol with Sim is a Xmas eve staple!!!
Okay Matt I'll bite- Why do you think George Baily's character is a bit of a Commie? (@ 4:30). Since capitalist Baily turned out to be the person that took over the family's Building and Loan, and seemed fairly patriotic, celebrating in his hero brothers' return from the war.
Shapiro has also made this critique, citing his low rates and low bar-to-entry on his loans, but I always viewed this as a man who has trust in his community and a community which holds itself to high account
I think he may have been joking, or referring to the FBI at the time seeing the film as ‘pro communist’. Bailey is clearly not a fan of the immoral unrestrained profiteering represented by Potter. Capra himself was no fan of Roosevelt, but you could be forgiven for mistaking that in this movie.
I’m jumping in because I’ve thought about this over the years. No, he’s not a commie. I think it could be argued George Bailey is a communitarian. He’s pro-capitalism but only insofar as it cultivates a healthy local community.
@@jwc03b in other words, “conservative”
@@Thomas-Hastings kinda. Communitarianism overlaps with economic conservativism, but not all economic conservatives are communitarian in that they do not all prioritize the local (like Old Man Potter in the film)
My kids are tiny and they watched wonderful life and LOVED IT. My 6 year old noticed Jimmy Stewart actually shaking when he's praying. He was scared for him! He asked "were things REAL in these old movies??" My 2 year old daughter didn't even move the entire time. She was enthralled and there's no way she understood it.
Well, it hadn't been that long since he had been bombing Axis targets and watching his brothers-in-arms die. I'm pretty sure that shaking while praying was not acting. Be sure to let your 6 year old know that while ripped muscle bound actors pretend to be soldiers, Jimmy actually was a soldier, even after WWII ended.
Polar Express is definitely overrated, the animation is kind of unsettling.
More than kind of unsettling. I can't watch it for that reason...it's too unsettling to me.
The musical numbers are pretty bad too.
I agree! And yet my son loves it
I haven’t seen it because the five minutes it was on, it looked kinda creepy!
That early CGI doesn't hold up, but Rudolph's stop motion still does after 60 years.
Miricle on 34th street is very good and white christmas from 1954 is great as well
Yeah, I prefer them over 'It's a Wonderful Life'.
The original Miracle on 34th Street is nice. I just can't get into White Christmas, even though I love Bing Crosby music, Danny Kaye, and old Hollywood films. I think it's that there's not much of a story, or that the story isn't interesting. Most of the songs and dance numbers bore me as well. I also don't like the two female leads.
White Christmas is kind of boring. I like Holiday Inn more (which includes the White Christmas song).
The Man Who Invented Christmas is also a great Christmas movie. It's about Charles Dickens coming up with the story "A Christmas Carol."
One of my faves!
Definitely underrated.
Yeah, I wonder if Matt even knows about that film. It was SO good.
I just saw Prancer for the first time last year, and was surprised how good it was. A good wholesome family movie to watch with your kids.
Ernest Saves Christmas will always be a favorite of mine...my dad was friends with Jim Varney so I saw all the Ernest movies as a kid and loved most of them.
I watch it every year because I love it, but sadly I think it is getting forgotten. I hasn't even been given a Blu-ray release.
@ such a shame! It’s not the best movie ever but definitely worth a watch at least once a year! I bet Matt hates it 🤣
How neat. My mother in law is related to Jim varney. 2nd cousins I believe with Jim’s dad. Varney was her maiden name.
One of the two Ernest movies I like! (The other is Ernest scared stupid, I'm a sucker for Halloween movies lol)
@ yes! Scared Stupid is the best Ernest movie. Saves Christmas is next. There are a few other decent ones that are fun to watch but those two are just awesome. Know what I mean Vern?
"Scrooged" with Bill Murray was great.
My husband enjoys A Christmas Story, and he can't watch It's a Wonderful Life. I consider A Christmas Story to be ridiculous and crass, but It's A Wonderful Life is arguably THE best film of all time.
Boring boring boring
Is this Beaver cleaver’s mother? How is a Christmas story crass? Have you heard rap music in the last 30 years?
Finally! Someone who agrees with me about A Christmas Story.
@@ilyakats54
Don't watch then.
My dad wouldn't let us watch Christmas story but i saw it as an adult and thought it was charming and funny. Had an uncle like the dad. He tried not to cuss but sometimes it just slipped out when he was raging
You‘re right with most things but Home Alone and the NY sequel are masterpieces
I do love both of your choices, but I think that there is room for "The Muppet Christmas Carol" and "Christmas in Connecticut."
"..wouldn't be a Matt Walsh video without me complaining about something..."
You're never wrong when you complain.
Don't say that too loud, quite a few enemy combatants think it as well. We understand context here, so you get no flags.
Also congratulations on being the single instance of a "right winger" agreeing with the rabid left (if they happen to go looking).
I agree. Something about his monotone voice makes him come off as a completely miserable person that can only see the bad in the word. Like he's a negative Nancy.
@@agentx4315you took that way too deep, hun.
A Christmas Story takes place in the late 1930s/early 1940s, not the 1950s. You should also read the book it's based on - In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash. It's BRILLIANT.
This is funny because since I saw this movie in the 80s up until a couple of years ago I had assumed the movie was set in the early 60s. I had given it no thought, I just assumed.
Actually, it's exactly 1940.
1939 would have been the earliest because of the Wizard of Oz characters. It's surely not 1941 because there's no reference to WWII or Pearl Harbor which was Dec 7. That would have been the end of childhood innocence. But the proof is the Orphan Annie decoder pin. The style changed every year, and they use the 1940 model in the movie.
@@BubbaCoopmy grandparents loved it when I was a kid (I am 52). They used to always comment on how they remembered having the same car, the same furnace, the same socket full of plugs. They would have been young adults in 1940 (my dad was born in ‘43, my mom in ‘44).
"The Bishop's Wife" with Cary Grant and David Niven should be better known and should be added to the roster of Christmas 🎄 movies that are viewed annually.
❤
Yep! I know his wife will want to watch that glorious film with him!
Still my favorite. Everyone I've recommended this film to says the same thing.
Great movie
I agree! It is precious to me. It goes very deep, thanks to Cary Grant's incredibly nuanced acting. He could put across more with a look, or with the subtlest change in his tone of voice, than most other actors could in an entire soliloquy.
Good job, Matt. You left off your list the movie, Scrooge (A Christmas Carol) from 1951, which is my favorite version of that book. Also, you should give us sometime your top 15-20 movies of all time. Merry Christmas.
MATT, HOW DARE YOU BREAK MY RECORD STRING OF CONSECUTIVE DECEMBER DAYS WITHOUT HEARING MARIAH CAREY’S CHRISTMAS ABOMINATION‼️😫 I WAS SO FREAKIN’ CLOSE TO MAKING IT!
Thanks for the warning. I stopped the video in time.
It's an honest rendition at least
I heard it on the radio in the car this morning and couldn't stop it! 😭
Seriously...no Miracle on 34th Street? I mean the one with Edmund Gwenn, not John Hammond.
I have curated a collection of Christmas films that I watch throughout the month, but Christmas Eve is special and reserved for the Miracle on 34th Street and capped with Alastair Sims' Christmas Carol. Those 2 sit above them all, and of course, I only watch the b&w versions!
Yes, that’s one of my favorites too! But it’s tied for third with Meet Me in St. Louis and the George C Scott Christmas Carol. The top two are actually Matt’s picks exactly.
I like to think Miracle was an honorable mention by Matt (not actually mentioned). I agree with you.
Polar Express is an Uncanny Valley nightmare. I liked the book just fine as a kid, but watching the movie is like what I would imagine Disney animatronics wearing human skin suits would be like.
Arent all of tge faces based on Tom Hanks'?
Agree. It lacked emotion and I didn't care much about the characters. I gave it 6/10.
If only it was a little longer…
elf was the last good thing Will Farrell did for himself
Elf is BY FAR the worse will farrell movie.
@@Fairdemand554 elf is great
'IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE" is the greatest film ever made.
My wife doesn’t like It’s a Wonderful Life either, Matt. The pain cuts deep. But she loves Christmas on the Hallmark Channel…so, there’s that monstrosity. 😆
Matt Walsh is 100% scientifically correct.
He always is
What's the statistical and systematic uncertainty on that?
Have you seen Klaus? 2019. Beautiful animation and really good Christmas spirit 😊 You should try it out for sure!
I agree with #1. Every year since I was a child my entire family watches It’s a Wonderful Life. Used to think it was boring because it was in black and white but as I got older, came to love it, my favourite part of Christmas Eve.
There is a colorized version as well which I prefer.
@@calvincoolidge1207been a while since, but my recollection of the colorized version was that it.... lost something. It's b&w or nothing for me when it comes to It's a Wonderful Life. I am the tail side of your coin on this opinion.
@@stevekirkpatrick1612 My aunt is the same. I am not opposed to b/w films and perhaps the lack of color makes you focus more on the plot. Christmas Carol (1951) works better in b/w as it makes it creepier vs. the 1984 version (also great-but lacking the creepy touch). I first saw it in b/w and enjoyed it. It is my #1 movie of all time and I even enjoy it in summer.
“A Christmas Story” did very little for me. I thought it was just dumb. “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” is, by far, the greatest for me, followed by “Home Alone” and “Home Alone 2: Lost In New York”.
Yes!!! I agree with you 100%
@@FlawedCoil82Definitely agree on National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation!
“Hallelujah! Holy shit!”
Christmas Story is more cute with a few memorable scenes; I’m not going to lie that we watch it Christmas afternoon, but it’s definitely not the classic that people make it out to be.
@@benny4162
Where’s the Tylenol??
What about "Miracle on 34th Street" (1947)? I would put that as a solid second to "It's a Wonderful Life."
As a kid in the Fifties we thought it was Thanksgiving movie.
The Man Who Invented Christmas is currently #1 in our family. Merry Christmas Matt & thanks for a great year of videos!!!
Love that movie. It’s A Wonderful Life is basically the reverse of Christmas Carol. Both perfect stories
Yeah, that's a good one.
Producers forgot Klaus
This is the best movie, in my opinion. In order: Klaus, what a wonderful life, Christmas vacation, Fred Claus, Christmas story, muppets Christmas.
Yeah it's a great animated film and it slept on as well. Keep telling as many people about it as you can
Klaus is freaking great
So I assume you include the classic "Ernest Saves Christmas" in your great Christmas movies list, since it came out in 1988. It's like a fine wine that mellows with age. Know whut I mean, Vern?
Die hard came out in 88 to.
I *love* Ernest Saves Christmas.
I watched it last week and found it funny. It is sad he died relatively young.
I’m 54. About 10 years ago I bought the leg lamp in Cleveland where the Christmas story house is. Anyone who loves the movie should go there. I was there with my son for a hockey tournament. Four years ago my son bought me the red Ryder BB gun. Best gift I ever received. I love you buddy. Merry Christmas. RIP.
#1 It’s A Wonderful Life. I couldn’t agree more. #2 A Christmas Story. Yes! Yes! Yes! #3 for my husband and I is The Christmas Card. Such a romantic movie. We watch it every year. And even though my next lovely movie isn’t a Christmas movie, it’s a Valentine movie, I love it. The Lost Valentine. A love story wrapped in a tear jerker.
You forgot Die Hard. It's a very heartwarming movie.
Don't forget Gremlins.
And Die Hard 2 Die Harder.
Failed to mention Scrooge from 1951. Fantastic movie. I also don't agree at all with Princess Bride being perfect, but you have redeemed yourself by calling the Jim Carrey Grinch movie as an "abomination" because people are nowadays pretending that it isn't.
I just finally saw that one last night and was blown away. One of the greatest films of all time.
@jerrys1 A Christmas Story is great, but it's no match for Scrooge. I can concede that It's a Wonderful Life is #1.
You lost all sense of being right when you said the princess bride isn't perfect. So much so that I couldn't read the rest of your message.
Scrooge’s was so cheesy and predictable, hated it. Doesn’t compare to Christmas story at all
@crankyryno Princess Bride is an empty movie. Character shticks not real people. That'd be OK if the movie were funny, but I don't find it funny (for the most part). Cary Elwes is a wanna-be Errol Flynn and to me he has no charisma. Also, Peter Falk's performance is nothing special. The movie constantly reminding me that "self-aware" fantasy is more intellectual than "real" fantasy rubs me the wrong way. The movie is all head, and no heart. It leaves me cold.
I personally feel like "The Family Man" with Nick Cage was pretty heartwarming.
Came here to comment this. I love that movie.
Underrated. I don't know why the score is kind of low on IMDB. I am not a huge Cage fan, but he did well here.
I watched it first time this year--loved it. Sort of an inverse _It's a Wonderful LIfe_ I'm going to watch it every Christmas now.
Family Man is a really good movie.
Die hard is the best Christmas movie
“A Christmas Story” represents every Christmas in the 60’s in America.The lighting,the language,the wardrobe….all spot on…..& I got a Red Ryder exactly the same way Ralphie did. After everyone had finished unwrapping my dad said,” hey there’s another long pkg over there we forgot about.
I rmbr that like yday and I’m 63 now.That was in 1968 when I was 7 yrs old.I can smell that turkey in that oven.
“The best Christmas pageant ever!” It has the true meaning of Christmas and it will make you cry, tears of joy.
Anytime someone like Dallas Jenkins does a Christmas movie, I won’t touch it with a ten foot pole.
Is that good or bad or just prejudiced?
This was a superb movie.
The story is great. There was an earlier version made for TV, I believe. I remember watching the earlier version and being touched by it.
I think Christmas Vacation might be top 3. It has the essence of a fathers struggle to really capture the christmas season against all odds. Very relatable in 2024 with Biden's economy
Matt's opinions are basically facts. SBG for life!
Haven't heard Matt man mention the sbg in a while
I know and it makes me sad
We're no angels with Peter Ustinov and Humphrey Bogart
Excellent choice! How about The Lion in Winter?
1 National lampoon’s Christmas vacation, 2 Fred claus, 3 a year without a Santa Claus, 4 fred claus, 5 elf
*opens IMDB for research*
“Scrooged” with Bill Murray - made in 1988
Phew, it makes the Walsh rules cut😅
That’s one of my underrated favorites
Die hard came out in 1988 as well.
Scrooged absolutely the best
Agreed. LOVE Scrooged, it is my second favorite, only behind It's a Wonderful Life.
Concur, and please stop the GD hammering!
@@gsigs will you please, for the love of God and your own body stop the gd hammering?! 😂😂
National Lampoon Christmas #1 I laugh every year even though I know all the lines
And it puts into perspective the Christmas holiday: family.
Why's the carpet all wet Todd?
@@stephenshelton4267 I don’t knooooow, Margo!
If anyone tells me Elf is a good Christmas movie. I lose all respect for them
It's a good Christmas movie.
@Geronimo_Jehoshaphat respect lost, lol
A man of conviction
It is not among the best but it is fun.
Guess I have lost my respect from you.
Prancer was very good! Sam Elliott and Abe Vigoda 1989. Very heartwarming!
Lethal Weapon and Die Hard are my favorite Christmas movies
Amen.
I would add “Christmas with the Kranks” 2004 to your list. It’s delightful, seriously funny and entertaining with not a drop of political correctness. It also qualifies with the Christmas spirit unreservedly expressed. Merry Christmas!
My favorite Christmas movie, well, at least one that will always hold a special place in my heart is 'The Family Man' with Nicolas Cage, which was actually inspired by 'It's a Wonderful Life' so I kinda wish Matt had covered that one lol
My dad LOVED that movie!! We used to watch it every year and I try to hold that tradition in my family every year on his behalf (since he passed away in 2015😢😢) and its just a very sweet and funny film full of love 😄🥰 that was the last Christmas movie that had that magic that Matt Walsh is talking about imo ✨️🎄🎀
GREAT call. Absolutely love that movie. Another fabulous one is "Midnight Clear" that came out in 2006 (NOT the war movie by the same name). Simply excellent writing and a great story.
Yes love that one
@@marvelguy8101 I've never heard of that one..🤔🤔 who's in it??
1000% agree... until you gave Polar Express an almost-pass. That thing is awful.
Agreed, I thought it was an abomination.
A Christmas Carol -1999 staring Patrick Stewart as Scrooge.
It was a perfect role for him and this made for TV movie hits all of the emotional notes perfectly
A Christmas Story has one of my favorite movie lines: “You used up all the glue on purpose!”
1) Christmas Vacation
2) It’s A Wonderful Life
3) Scrooge 1970
4) Home Alone 2
Holy crap, you read my mind...
Same!
Home Alone 2 was definitely a great sequel.
Even Die Hard & Leathal Weapon.. those are two of the Best Christmas Movies EVER!!😊 Should be, at least on your honorable mention list😮
Agree 💯
My new favorite, especially for families, is The Star (2017). It’s the actual Christmas Story. Although the story as told from the perspective of the animals is not meant to be taken literally as The story, it still captures the important elements of the Christmas story and also highlights the values of the Christmas story, namely faith, sacrifice, and forgiveness. It accomplishes this through a narrative that is easily understood by young children but also manages to be quite funny and entertaining. The critics on Rotten Tomatoes seem to miss the point of the movie. Yes, it actually believes the broader Story it is telling. It’s not trying to be a “new take”. It’s trying to be an entertaining Christmas movie for kids and families that tells The Story in a way that is both sincere and accessible. If you don’t want to be reminded of “the reason for the season” then yes, this movie is not for you… even if The Story is for all.
Our family used to sit down and watch It's s Wonderful Life every Christmas Eve. It will always be a classic.
8 Bit Christmas
Set in the 80s about a kid who wants a Nintendo
Absolutely brilliant Christmas movie
This is the only film I've ever seen to portray the act of vomiting properly.
Muppets Christmas Carol is best.
Grumpy Cat's Worst Christmas Ever is the best Christmas movie ever
rest in peace Grumpy Cat 2012-2019
"There are two kinds of people, and I don't like them." - Grump Cat
I saw part of that and I remember how anytime someone held Grumpy Cat that they did sp l like the cat was as fragile as fine China.
11:14 hell no! Polar express was awful.
No it wasn't 😅😅😅😅
@skeletorlikespotatoes7846 I'm pretty sure the hot chocolate song was responsible for at least 5% of suicides that year...
Dreadful movie. Almost unwatchable.
@genghispecan the hot chocolate song was likely responsible for nearly 50% of self inflicted unaliving that year.
It’s a Wonderful Life was definitely a perfect movie, perfectly written, perfectly directed by Frank Capra and most definitely Perfectly Cast stars for every roll, Jimmy Stewart, the Beautiful Donna Reed and Lionel Barrymore.
Brings me to tears every time and reminds me how fortunate I am, and that every one of us has an important role to play in life.
I remember growing up a Christmas story that would play 24 hours on Christmas day on TBS. It would play in the background as we opened presents and ate our meal.
There's only ONE Christmas movie in my house: SCROOGED!!!
A miraculous movie
White Christmas, National Lampoons Christmas Vacation, and A Christmas Story
8 Bit Christmas
My own opinion-
Best: It’s a Wonderful Life. White Christmas. The 1938 version of A Christmas Carol. Christmas Vacation. Christmas With the Kranks. Home Alone. Elf
Worst: Four Christmases. One Magic Christmas. The Christmas Chronicles. Jingle All the Way.
Growing up, my mom made us watch It’s a Wonderful Life and George C. Scott’s A Christmas Carol every year. I have a lot of nostalgia in my heart for those.
I’ve honestly felt like Christmas movies have been lacking for a long time, but I was really impressed with The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. It gives big A Christmas Story vibes while also keeping the focus on Jesus instead of Santa Claus, and I love it a lot. Since coming to Christ, it’s the first movie that my husband and I watched and both said, “Yes, this will be a staple in our house every year.”
Gremlins. Great Christmas movie! Small stop-motion mischievous demon-like creatures is very nostalgic.
Agreed! And never gets a mention.
A Christmas Story is ok, but only needs to be watched once. A Wonderful Life is a waste of time.
Bad Santa and Jingle All the Way are much better.
I agree with you 💯% Matt, "It's a Wonderful Life" is indeed the best Christmas movie ever❣️ Ive yet to see one thats better. It touched my soul from the firt time I saw it as a 13 year old in grade 7, until now as a 41 year old adult. It has so many profound lessons about life 🙏🏾
Elf was a movie I could never get through. I tried it once and turned it off.
MATT!!! My family watches It’s A Wonderful Life EVERY AND I MEAN EVERY CHRISTMAS EVE!!! It’s an iconic Christmas tradition that our parents started before all us 6 kids were born and not one Christmas Eve has gone by for the past 30 years without the Moore’s watching that AMAZING WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS MOVIE!!!! THE BEST EVER
Die Hard may lack "Christmas spirit" but it's a hell of a good Christmas movie.
Isn’t Hans falling rather festive?
A Christmas story is absolutely overrated and I will die on that hill. It is still better than most Christmas movies out there, but it's time for people to find something else.
No they can like what they like. It's okay lol
Matt is 100% correct; it IS ALL missing the Christmas spirit !! Completely correct.
When I was young and even into my teens. I didn’t care for It’s A Wonderful Life. The fact that George never got out of the town, his brother didn’t keep to their agreement…I just saw the unfairness and thought why would I want to watch such a sad movie. But when I grew up I was able to appreciate the depth of the story. Though…at the end I do hope that he and Mary were able to take a vacation somewhere.
I don't know if it counts as a Christmas movie, but I absolutely love Gremlins. I'm biased because its a tradition in our house to watch it at Christmas, but its great.
Matt, you're like a Christmas present every day for me because you always make me laugh. The last four years have been rough. One movie that you didn't mention is Prancer (1989). If you haven't seen it you'll enjoy it as well as your kids. Scrooge with Albert Finney is a good one too. Merry Christmas to you and your family and God bless!
Ben needs to react to this like he did the most overrated movies
Yes!
I agree cause he had his own list which was different
You and Michael Knowles are the only ones keeping me watching DW. I love your grinchy contrarian vibes because I am the same way and it brings me joy. Your best show this year was the New Zealand one.
I agree with your top picks 100%
Totally agree!!!
Polar Express has some creepy animation, watched it once, that was enough.
Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Not watching It's A Wonderful with your husband is a divorcable offense.
This. It's like people who don't cry at the "You bow to no one" scene in Return of the King. Extremely suspect, possibly not an actual human.