Looking for an uproarious Christmas comedy movie? Well, you’re in for a treat! The Christmas season sets the stage for some side-splitting hilarity. From eccentric families to wishes gone wrong, there’s an abundance of comedic gold waiting to be discovered. The finest Christmas comedies skillfully wrap it all up with a bow, a grin, and a generous helping of holiday cheer. So, which Christmas comedy movie steals the show for you? And what other holiday comedies tickle your funny bone?
One film that consistently tops the charts in the Christmas comedy genre is Elf, a true gem from 2003. Featuring the dynamic duo of Will Ferrell and Zooey Deschanel, this movie is a beloved masterpiece. Naturally, there are many other timeless favorites like Christmas Vacation, The Santa Clause, Home Alone, Bad Santa, and Jingle All The Way that are guaranteed to bring endless laughter to your festive get-togethers. Let’s not overlook the newer Christmas comedies either, such as Office Christmas Party, The Night Before, Daddy’s Home 2, and 8-Bit Christmas, which offer a fresh and funny perspective on the holiday season.
Now, the spotlight is on you! Share your favorite Christmas comedy movies and join us in creating the ultimate lineup of films to keep the holiday spirit soaring.
(Note: We’ll skip mentioning the most polarizing movie on this list, The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause, to focus on the positive and inclusive aspects of Christmas comedies.)
1. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
In the hilarious holiday flick National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, Clark Griswold (played by Chevy Chase) has a big dream of hosting a picture-perfect, old-fashioned family Christmas. Of course, his wife Ellen (portrayed by Beverly D’Angelo) and their kids Rusty (played by Johnny Galecki) and Audrey (played by Juliette Lewis) are right there, tagging along for this wild and crazy adventure. But hold on tight, because things are about to get even more chaotic with the arrival of their in-laws and the eccentric Cousin Eddie (played by Randy Quaid). It’s safe to say that their festive season won’t be going as smoothly as planned. From power outages and tree disasters to an unexpected holiday bonus mishap, get ready to laugh your socks off! This comedy classic, released back in 1989, has become a must-watch every holiday season.
Released: 1989
Directed by: Jeremiah S. Chechik
Actors: Chevy Chase, Beverly D’Angelo, Randy Quaid
2. A Christmas Story
The heartwarming comedy, A Christmas Story, is all about young Ralphie Parker (played by Peter Billingsley) and his big dream of owning a Red Ryder BB Gun. The entire story revolves around his relentless mission to convince the grown-ups in his life – his parents (Darren McGavin and Melinda Dillon), and even Santa Claus – that this seemingly dangerous toy won’t shoot his eye out.
Taking place in 1940s Indiana, the film provides a nostalgic glimpse into childhood desires and holiday traditions. It’s a truly delightful and funny tale, filled with unforgettable scenes that have solidified its status as a classic Christmas movie.
Released: 1983
Directed by: Bob Clark
Actors: Peter Billingsley, Darren McGavin, Melinda Dillon
3. Home Alone
Home Alone is a hilarious family film that tells the story of Kevin McCallister (played by Macaulay Culkin), an 8-year-old boy who gets unintentionally left behind when his family heads off to Paris for Christmas. Left to fend for himself, he must outsmart two clumsy burglars, Harry (Joe Pesci) and Marv (Daniel Stern), who attempt to break into his suburban Chicago home. With cleverness and a series of daring traps, Kevin manages to turn the tables on the intruders. Directed by Chris Columbus, this movie has earned a British Comedy Award and received two Academy Award nominations, solidifying its place in the history of holiday films. It’s an enjoyable blend of comedy, adventure, and the unwavering spirit of a child.
Released: 1990
Directed by: Chris Columbus
Actors: Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern
4. Elf
Elf is a delightful film that combines whimsy and comedy, making it perfect for the holiday season. The story follows Buddy, an oversized elf from Santa’s workshop, who discovers he’s actually a human. Determined to find his biological father in New York City, Buddy embarks on an adventure that showcases his unwavering Christmas spirit. Directed by Jon Favreau, Elf weaves a heartwarming tale about identity, family, and the enchantment of Christmas. It manages to strike the right balance, avoiding excessive sentimentality. Despite not receiving any major awards, this movie has captured the hearts of many.
Released: 2003
Directed by: Jon Favreau
Actors: Will Ferrell, James Caan, Bob Newhart
5. The Santa Clause
The Santa Clause is a family-comedy film that tells the story of Scott Calvin (played by Tim Allen), an ordinary dad and business executive who unexpectedly finds himself becoming Santa Claus. It all starts on Christmas Eve when Calvin encounters the real Santa and, by accident, takes on his role. The next morning, he realizes that it wasn’t just some crazy dream – he has actually become Santa Claus.
As you can imagine, this transformation doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a gradual process that Calvin must come to terms with. He has to balance his usual day-to-day life with his newfound responsibilities at the North Pole. Imagine trying to be a regular dad while also being responsible for delivering gifts to children all over the world!
What sets this movie apart is its clever blend of humor and fantasy. It takes the traditional holiday lore and puts a fresh spin on it. The Santa Clause manages to bring laughter and a touch of magic to the screen, making it a perfect choice for a family movie night during the holiday season.
Released: 1994
Directed by: John Pasquin
Actors: Tim Allen, Judge Reinhold, Wendy Crewson
6. Scrooged
In the darkly comic film Scrooged, we witness Bill Murray portraying the character of Frank Cross, a television executive with a cynical outlook who has unfortunately lost sight of the true meaning of Christmas. This movie offers a modern twist on Charles Dickens’ timeless tale, ‘A Christmas Carol’, as Cross finds himself visited by three spirits on the eve of Christmas. Each of these spirits exposes him to different aspects of his life – past, present, and future – compelling him to confront his ruthless behavior. Throughout this supernatural journey, Cross experiences a mix of emotions including regret, fear, and hope. Richard Donner skillfully directs this festive satire, effortlessly blending humor and fantasy to deliver an undeniably memorable holiday movie experience.
Released: 1988
Directed by: Richard Donner
Actors: Bill Murray, Karen Allen, John Forsythe
7. The Muppet Christmas Carol
In The Muppet Christmas Carol, the beloved Charles Dickens tale takes on a playful puppet twist. Ebenezer Scrooge, played by the talented Michael Caine, finds himself visited by the spirits of Christmases past, present, and future. With their help, Scrooge embarks on a journey through his own life, slowly melting his icy heart. And who better to guide him than the Muppets themselves, led by the one and only Kermit the Frog in the role of Bob Cratchit? Their unique charm and wit infuse this classic story with an extra dose of delight. This film expertly blends comedy, music, and drama, offering a fresh and imaginative spin on a timeless holiday tale.
Released: 1992
Directed by: Brian Henson
Actors: Michael Caine, Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire
8. Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas
In the movie adaptation of Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas, we meet the Grinch, played by Jim Carrey, who lives as a recluse on Mount Crumpit, purposely avoiding the joyful celebrations of Whoville below. Directed by Ron Howard, this whimsical family comedy follows the Grinch’s mission to ruin Christmas for the town’s cheerful residents. However, Cindy Lou Who, portrayed by Taylor Momsen, a kind-hearted child, takes it upon herself to try and change the Grinch’s heart using love and the holiday spirit. It’s worth noting that this film, based on the beloved children’s book by Dr. Seuss, received an Academy Award for Best Makeup in 2001.
Released: 2000
Directed by: Ron Howard
Actors: Jim Carrey, Jeffrey Tambor, Christine Baranski
9. The Santa Clause 2
Scott Calvin, played by Tim Allen, has been Santa Claus for the past eight years and his elves think he’s the greatest Santa of all time. However, everything changes when he receives two shocking pieces of news. First, his son Charlie, portrayed by Eric Lloyd, is on the naughty list this year. And if that wasn’t enough, Scott learns that he must get married before Christmas Eve – which is only a month away – or he will lose his role as Santa Claus forever. Talk about a double whammy!
Released: 2002
Directed by: Michael Lembeck
Actors: Tim Allen, Elizabeth Mitchell, David Krumholtz
10. The Grinch
The Grinch and his faithful dog, Max, live alone in a cave on Mount Crumpet. He gets really annoyed during Christmas when his neighbors in Whoville go all out to celebrate the holidays. The Whos always make Christmas more extravagant and lively, which really bothers the grumpy Grinch. So, he comes up with a plan to finally have some peace and quiet. With Max’s assistance, the green grouch decides to dress up as Santa Claus and steal Christmas from the Whos, hoping to put an end to their holiday cheer once and for all.
Released: 2018
Directed by: Scott Mosier, Yarrow Cheney
Actors: Benedict Cumberbatch, Cameron Seely, Rashida Jones
11. Christmas with the Kranks
Finally alone for the holidays, Luther and Nora Krank have decided to ditch the usual Christmas traditions and opt for a relaxing cruise in the Caribbean. However, their neighbors Vic Frohmeyer and Walt Scheel, who are absolutely obsessed with Christmas, are not too thrilled about this plan. They are dead set on winning the highly coveted title of “best decorated street” in the annual competition. As a result, the Kranks find themselves being shunned by their community for not embracing the festive spirit.
Released: 2004
Directed by: Joe Roth
Actors: Tim Allen, Jamie Lee Curtis, Dan Aykroyd