In the run-up to Christmas we're looking at the best seasonal movies decade by decade.
Some of these Christmas movies you'll know well while others you may not have seen or heard of. In either case, we'll be giving you tons of suggestions for what to watch over the coming weeks.
The 90s really was a fantastic decade for Christmas movies so picking only five here was tough. Still, we think we've chosen the crème de la crème for you.
'Home Alone'
Aside from 'It's a Wonderful Life', 'Home Alone' tends to be the next go-to pick for people's all-time favourite Christmas movie. We all know the story by now of Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin), who is accidentally left behind by his family when they go on a skiing trip. He is initially delighted at having the place to himself, but starts to miss his parents, cousins and siblings. To make matters worse, two robbers (played to perfection by Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern) try to break into his house. The sequel to 'Home Alone' is pretty great too, with its addition of a New York setting, and cast members Tim Curry and Brenda Fricker.
'The Santa Clause'
Tim Allen has given us not one but two iconic characters over the years. One of them is Buzz Lightyear. The other is Scott Calvin, aka Santa Clause, and for that we are eternally grateful. In the film, Scott is forced to replace Santa on Christmas Eve and deliver toys around the world on his behalf. Soon afterwards, he finds he is gaining weight and his hair is going white, all signs that he is turning into Saint Nick himself. It's a touching story about the value of family and wonder of believing in magic. Aside from Allen, 'Air Force One' star Wendy Crewson and Judge Reinhold of 'Beverly Hills Cop' fame also feature in the cast.
'The Muppet Christmas Carol'
Didn't we tell you we were going to include 'The Muppet Christmas Carol'? Were you worried there for a sec we didn't mean it? Well that's just silly because 'The Muppet Christmas Carol' is absolutely the best adaptation of the renowned Charles Dickens' story. And we won't hear otherwise. Directed by Brian Henson (who voiced Hoggle in 'Labyrinth'), it features all your favourite Muppet characters. Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzy Bear, The Great Gonzo and more bring such characters as Bob Cratchit and Dickens himself to life. In the pivotal role of Ebenezer Scrooge is the brilliant Michael Caine.
'The Nightmare Before Christmas'
Should it be considered among Christmas movies or Halloween ones? Honestly, 'The Nightmare Before Christmas' can probably fit into both. Tim Burton was basically the 90s Christmas movie king between this film (which he produced but didn't direct), 'Batman Returns' and 'Edward Scissorhands.' However 'Nightmare' has garnered a fan following on another level to the others. Storywise, Jack Skellington, king of Halloween Town, becomes restless with the scary season and decides to rejuvenate Christmas by having his own spin on it. Danny Elfman (the man behind 'The Simpsons' theme tune) loans his voice to Jack and scores the film just beautifully.
'Jingle All the Way'
No other movie quite captures the mania and stress that is last minute Christmas shopping quite like 'Jingle All the Way'. Arnold Schwarzenegger stars as a father who has forgotten to buy his son a Turbo Man action figure. He has to spend Christmas Eve looking for the sold-out toy, competing especially hard with another desperate father played by Sinbad. Familiar faces include Jake Lloyd ('The Phantom Menace'), Rita Wilson ('Sleepless in Seattle') and Phil Hartman ('The Simpsons'). Unlike 'The Santa Clause', this isn't about magic but at least it highlights that some things are more important than presents and toys. Like your dad being an action star.
Honourable mentions: 'Miracle on 34th Street', 'Batman Returns', 'Die Hard 2'
See also our Top 5 Christmas movies picks from:
