There are a handful of Christmas classics that we want to see again every year. We present the seven most beautiful ones, which you can watch in the media libraries or on streaming platforms.
Television and holidays – for many people these are inseparable. At Christmas in particular, holiday watchers can draw on unlimited resources: Hundreds of Christmas films are slumbering in the archives of the TV companies and can be accessed on streaming platforms such as Amazon Video or Neftlix. Over the years, some classics have emerged from the flood of Christmas films. These are our favorites.
The beautiful one: “Three hazelnuts for Cinderella”
There are people who cannot imagine that Christmas could exist without this film. Understandable, because this film adaptation of the “Cinderella” motif is just beautiful. Lovingly told, staged with an eye for detail, with a surprisingly self-confident female main character. You just can’t help but suffer with Cinderella when your stepmother is angry with her again. To feel free with Cinderella when she chases Santa Claus through the forest on her white horse. Feeling like a princess with Cinderella when she’s dancing at the ball. And of course having a crush on the prince with Cschenbrödel. Ah! The film is now 40 years old (which you can tell from the prince’s top hairstyle). But always nice.
Czechoslovakia / GDR 1987, director: Václav Vorlíček, script: František Pavlíček. Here you will find all broadcast dates.
The prince (Pavel Trávnícek) adjusts Cinderella (Libuse Safránková) the lost shoe.
© WDR / Degeto
The touching one: The Muppets Christmas story
Charles Dickens’ famous “A Christmas Carol” filmed in a completely different way: Most of the roles are taken over by the Muppets. In 19th century London, Gonzo and Rizzo follow the story of the embittered Ebenezer Scrooge, played by Oscar winner Sir Michael Caine. The old miser tyrannizes his fellow men wherever he can. On Christmas Day, three ghosts suddenly appear on him. Through this encounter he learns compassion, charity and thus the true meaning of Christmas. Directed here is Brian Henson – son of Muppets inventor Jim Henson.
USA 1992, directed by Brian Henson. Starring: Sir Michael Caine, Steven Mackintosh, the Muppets, Meredith Braun
The late bloomer: isn’t life beautiful?
When this film was released in 1946, it flopped at the box office. It was more or less by chance that this film became a classic after all. Because the copyright expired in 1974 and nobody cared about the rights, the television stations broadcast the strip for free. A young generation rediscovered this film – and more than 30 years after it was made, “Isn’t Life Beautiful?” but still a cult film. It is now one of the 100 best films of all time in many rankings. Ironically, on Christmas Eve, the kind-hearted George Bailey (James Stewart) is facing financial ruin and then wants to put an end to his life. The rescue angel Clarence wants to prevent this by all means. Because only if he saves a human life will he finally get his wings. He presents Bailey with a vision of how the world would have developed if he had never been born. His hometown of Bedford Falls would have fallen into the hands of the greedy Mr. Potter (Lionel Barrymore) and would have fallen to ruin. Director Frank Capra uses this story to demonstrate how the American dream can be turned into its opposite, when instead of common sense only egoism prevails. Of course, it all turns out well, so there will be tons of tears. But nobody cries below his level with this film.
USA 1947, directed by Frank Capra. Starring: Lionel Barrymore, James Stewart, Donna Reed, Thomas Mitchell.
The kitschy: The little lord
The “Heidi” story in masculine form: eight-year-old Ceddie lives with his widowed mother in the slums of New York without suspecting his aristocratic origins. Until his grandfather, the Count of Dorincourt, brought him to England to raise him to be his heir befitting his class. The old man – great played by Sir Alec Guinness – is bitter and stingy. But Ceddie soon succeeds in warming his cold heart – and so does the audience. Director Jack Gold combined a successful study of the milieu from the Victorian era with an appeal to humanity.
UK 1980, Director: Jack Gold, With: Rick Schroder, Alec Guinness, Eric Porter, Colin Blakely, Connie Booth, Rachel Kempson
The Creepy: “Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas”
This quirky fantasy spectacle is based on characters created by Tim Burton. His predilection for fun with horror elements dominates the story of the spindly skeleton Jack Skellington, who lives in the Halloween city and suddenly finds himself in a strange and fascinating alternative world: in the Christmas city everything is very colorful and the people are happy. Jack decides to kidnap Santa Claus to take his place and bring the children of this world himself with scary Halloween toys. Only his friend Sally suspects the impending disaster. Although a happy ending was thought of, the film breaks all the laws of animation, because the heroes are neither sweet nor particularly cute, but they are wonderfully mean and morbid. Suitable for everyone who wants to celebrate Christmas differently than with walnuts, gingerbread and Advend wreath.
USA 1993, director: Henry Selick, music: Danny Elfman, producer: Tim Burton and Denise De Novi
The musical: “White Christmas”
This US classic doesn’t have a story worth mentioning, but it does have a lot of other qualities: high-ranking actors (Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney), colorful pictures, great music, and all of this first-class staged by “Casablanca” director Michael Curtiz. Crosby and Kaye play two singing and dancing artists who – professionally and privately – team up with a female duo. Together they want to hold a show to save the ailing ski hotel that belongs to the general in whose unit they fought in World War II. The great soundtrack by Irving Berlin provides the right swing on Christmas Eve.
USA 1954, director: Michael Curtiz, music: Irving Berlin. Starring: Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, Dean Jagger
The funny one: “The Muppets celebrate Christmas”
Mother Bear had imagined it very differently: This year she actually wanted to spend Christmas in sunny California. Doc and his dog Sprocket have promised to look after the house in the meantime and are looking forward to quiet holidays. But nothing comes of it, because suddenly Fozzie Bear stands in front of the door with all his friends: Kermit and his nephew Robin, Gonzo and all the many other muppets. Only Miss Piggy is missing because she has a photo opportunity. Doc befriends the people and helps to decorate the house for Christmas, while more and more guests arrive for the festival: Waldorf and Statler, the old grumblers. Ernie, Bert and the other Sesame Street residents. Even the Fraggles have come all the way to celebrate with the rest of the Henson universe. There is also a running gag: what the tiger’s head is in “Dinner for one” is the icy doorstep with the Muppets: someone keeps stumbling over it. And so it says again with every newcomer: “Be careful, the threshold”.
Great Britain 1987, directed by Brian Henson, written by Jerry Juhl