My favourite has got to be The Muppet Christmas Carol. They've managed to do a version that is both true to the story and classic in its' Muppet-ness.

There's an interesting corresponding thread in the Other Media forum on rpg.net where the discussion veered into how most movie version of Christmas Carol actually get it wrong compared to the book. I forget the details but I find one of the posts that explains and link to it later.

I'm not sure I have a fave holiday movie, to be honest. I find most of them, other than some of the better versions of Dickens, to be too sentimental for my tastes.

However, I will say that Scrooged (Bill Murray's take on A Christmas Carol) is a highly entertaining movie, even if it probably had Dickens spinning counterclockwise in his grave .

Oh yeah, and my planned Christmas viewing for this year is to finally see A Blackadder Christmas Carol which someone once told me takes the story in reverse - the Victorian Blackadder starts off nice and ends up as "Scrooge".

Mendalla

I had not seen my favourite tv Christmas special for many years when I finally realised that I could probably find it on youtube last December.  Yay - it's there!  So, I watched it last year and will likely watch it again this year.  It is Blue Toes the Christmas Elf.

But really, Muppet Christmas Carol takes the cake for me.

I like the old standbys, It's A Wonderful Life, A Christmas Carol (with Alister Sims), The Bells of St. Mary's, Meet Me in St. Louis, etc.... and alot of the new ones too.

I'm with you on A Christmas Carol with Alister Sims - that is definitely a favorite - along with A Christmas Story (and Ralphie!!!)

"You're gonna shoot your eye out, you're gonna shoot your eye out" . . .

My wife introduced The Snowman to me.  Here is a taste

My favourite line in an Sol Invictus movie is from Elf, where our hero, when he finds out that the store Santa is an employee, says that he sits on a throne of lies :3

My favourite one for the music is, of course, the 1st Charlie Brown one :3

The scariest one for me is still the Alastair Sim interpretation of Scrooge.

And, of course, Alan Maitland's "The Shepherd" is a must-listen to on CBC radio :3

I like for Christmas carol the Alistair Sim version for authenticity

Bill Murray just because it is so funny and he is such a good actor and I believe he is Canadian so what's not to like.

For sentimental I have to say Charlie Brown's Christmas.

I also like Miriacle on 34th street with Natalie Woods.

One I didn't mention came out last year it is called "the night before the night before Christmas"

I've always had a weakness for the movies of the 30's and 40's.....

These days they seem sentimental and over-acted, BUT they still can affect my emotions and have the tears tumbling down my cheeks.

One of my favourites was "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" -directed by Elia Kazan.

I first saw this when I was about the same age as the child main character - played by Peggy Ann Garner.

I saw it a few years ago and came to the realisation that it was very similar to my own childhood experience - so it was little wonder that it "spoke" to me.

Here is a clip ...........

Ooo, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn -- a fine, fine film :3

As well as, for me, You Can't Take it With You (my ideal family situation).  Arsenic & Old Lace.  Meet John Doe.

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn - great movie and great book. I had read the book first and liked it.

Don't have particular favourites, but really liked The Polar Express.

Others I don't mind watching repeats of include The Family Man,
It's A Wonderful Life, One Magic Christmas and While You Were Sleeping.

It's a Wonderful Life hands down.

But all the old ones...
Miracle on 34th Street
White Christmas
Holiday Inn
Holiday Affair
I'll be Seeing You
It Happened on 5th Avenue
O Henry's Full House w/ Gift of the Magi

Mine is definitely "Nativity Story".

Special: How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Movie: Many different ones, but most certainly NOT How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

I most especially like the 1973 version with Jane Alexander and David Harman.

If we're including the classic TV shows (and I see most are), then Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (the claymation one with Burl Ives) and the animated How the Grinch Stole Christmas (narrated by Boris Karloff).

Mendalla

I'm with you Chemgal, I also love Santa Claus is Coming to Town, it's just magical. Nothing embodies the magic of christmas for me like that film, having loved it so much as a kid. And I have bought it for my son to share that with him, so we watch it every year. I fear the magic may wear off, but I am passing that feeling on to him, and that's the best way for a thing to loose it's sparkle I think.

Also, like Inanna, my hubby introduced me to The Snowman, which has a similar magic to it, and I still cry each time the song starts, "I'm walking in the air...". I didn't think anything new could make me relive the magic of childhood again, but that does. I heartily recommend it.

Gecko mentions two films that I'm partial to. My concert band will be playing the music from the sound track of Polar Express this at a benefit concert this Saturday (and illustrated, yet). 

I've also liked One Magic Christmas for its message (and the fact that Peter Gzowski was moved to tears by it) - that what we do makes a difference and that every positive step forward is a leap of faith.  It's a very different spin on the Christmas story, and one which isn't always picked up on.

religious: It Came Upon the Midnight Clear.. this one wins by default as it is definately the most prominent-- it pops into my head at random times year-round for some reason.

secular: Walking in a Winter Wonderland is my absolute fav (and it pops into my head at anytime there is a freak snowfall, Christmas season or not). 

(LOL...scrap that...we're talking movies, not music.)

Movies? I saw a good newer movie a few years ago...I will have to look up the Title...Diane Keaton was in it...

The Family Stone

Other than that...I like the Grinch Who Stole Christmas (original cartoon version)...what can I say?...oh, and A Christmas Carol.

I guess I was quite loose in my movie definition, and am including Christmas specials.  I don't really have a favourite non-animated traditional movie.  I love the movies that I watched as a kid.  Rudolph is a must-watch every year.  I don't think I've made it through all of It's a Wonderful LIfe, it just didn't hold my attention.  I don't know why but I really dislike a Christmas Story.

Other ones that I loved as a kid were Frosty the Snowman, Mickey's Christmas Carol and the Grinch.  I like the Grinch movie, but not as much as the cartoon!

I forgot to mention - Charlie Brown!

 The Grinch is awesome!!! The orginal one... You're a mean one, Mister Grinch...

I haven't seen it for a few years...must watch this year!

I don't remember the Charlie Brown Christmas show too well...but I love the sound-track...it's a classic jazz album...and it much of it can be played all year because it's not too Christmas-ish.

This was a big part of my childhood...I had the orginal album (it's rare now) with the music from this 70's  TV special...but somehow it got lost of broken. My mom had made a cassette tape from it before we lost the album, and she still plays it...one of these days the tape is sure to snap!

This one's a cute one...(in case anyone doesn't know the Sesame Street characters, Oscar is a spoil sport who is grouchy all the time...it was the only song I could find on youtube). What a great kid's show!

btw...I love Christmas!...and I hope this doesn't offend anyone. Second thoughts about posting it...I never really thought of that possibility before today...it's meant to be funny...I always assumed people would get the grouchy humour...because it was just part of a really good family favourite album. maybe this one's not so good for kids.

Another favorite of mine was John Denver and the Muppets: A Christmas Together. Haven't seen it around these past years though. Hope they bring it back.

I like that one too, MC...

I almost feel the need, on WC, to apologize for Oscar, as he's not exactly joyful or merry. ;)

Although everyone has met someone like that, or has had a Christmas when they are feeling like that themselves...so it's kind of funny...my family surely gets the humour in it!

Here's on I forgot to mention:  Terry Prachett's The Hogfather

I watched the Munster's Christmas show yesterday it was pretty cute.

A Christmas Carol, Miracle on 34th Street and oddly enough, The Ref.  Irreverent and profane, but also somehow moving...

God bless,

I have still never seen Miracle on 34th Street in it's entirety! I hope it will be on TV and I can catch it this year.

I realised that I haven't seen The Preacher's Wife (or the Bishop's for that matter) in several years.  I think I'll be dusting that one off in the next couple weeks.  It's not a favourite, per se, but it is a cute Christmasy story.

OMG I love so many ... love those specials, Rudolph, Frosty, the Grinch ...

I love the Muppets' Christmas Carol and Miracle on 34th Street. I also enjoy Mickey's Christmas Carol and the little short that often precedes it with Pluto chasing Chip and Dale around and through the Christmas Tree.

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation is hilarious also. I also enjoy The Santa Clause, and Four Christmases (that last more because I can relate to it than it being particularly good lol).

I also enjoyed this movie a long long time ago called just 'Santa Clause: The Movie'. Anyone else remember that one?

Oh - I also loved the Home Alone movies. :)