Best Modern Christmas Movies – Garrett’s Top 10

The Holiday involves two women troubled with guy-problems who swap homes in each other's countries, where they each end up meeting a local guy and fall in love. I'm not that big on chick flicks but The Holiday is a fun spirited movie that stars Jack Black and Cameron Diaz! I chose it because really, can you go wrong with Cameron Diaz or Jack Black? If you want to watch a movie that will get you in the holiday spirit and have seen all the other Christmas movies then pick this one! After all what's better than having a date night with your sweetheart while cozying up in a blanket sipping on a big mug of hot chocolate!

I know I said I'm not one for chick flicks but to be quite honest Love Actually might be my number one chick flick of all time! Love Actually follows the lives of eight very different couples in dealing with their love lives in various loosely and interrelated tales all set during a frantic month before Christmas in London, England. It is a cute, funny and engaging movie that will lift your spirits and put a goofy smile on your face, after all love is a defining attribute to Christmas and sometimes love makes you do crazy things. I listed Love Actually as 9th but I highly recommend watching this movie.

What could be better than a movie starring Steve Martin and John Candy? A Christmas movie starring Steve Martin and John Candy that's what! Planes, Trains and Automobiles involves a man struggling to make it home for Thanksgiving, with an obnoxious slob of a shower ring salesman as his only companion. I remember watching this movie as a kid and couldn't get enough of Steve Martin's humor. I love comedy and have always thought Steve Martin's comical presentation in each of his movies is great! Some people may argue that the release date of 1987 isn't to modern but hey, the movie isn't in black and white and Steve Martin is still in the business. Either way Planes, Trains and Automobiles is a funny holiday comedy worth watching.

Funny man Tim Allen stars in this Christmas hit that has taken over numerous tv channels during the holiday season and for good reason! The Santa Clause deals with the struggles of a divorce and a father and son who form a strong bond after experiencing a one of a kind Christmas together. Tim Allen inadvertently kills Santa on Christmas Eve, then finds himself magically recruited to take his place. Kids and adults are sure to enjoy this fun spirited and witty Christmas comedy.

Dr. Suess's beloved book “How The Grinch Stole Christmas” has become an all-time classic and led to a cartoon version as well as a full length movie starring Jim Carrey! The later of the three is the one I'm labeling as 6th on this list. It may be hard to turn one of the most loved Dr. Seuss stories into a full length major motion picture but this unique take on a classic is great! Jim Carrey has also been one of my favorite funny guys and he does an amazing job at portraying the Grinch in this fun, quirky and cute Christmas movie. As with the other movies listed it's hard for me to put a rank on each one but The Grinch is definitely one of my all time favorites.

Some of my oldest Christmas memories are that of reading the Christmas classic “Polar Express.” The story itself mixed with wonderful pictures opened my imagination to the joy and excitement of Christmas. With snow falling, winter in full swing and Christmas approaching I remember eagerly laying in bed night after night waiting for Christmas to come. As cars would drive past my window I remember laying there imagining how amazing it would be to actually see a train arrive waiting to take kids like me to the North Pole. The 2004 animated release of Polar Express is a wonderful take on the book. This animated take is a must see for any fan of the book.

I was just a little kid when The Muppet Christmas Carol came out and I remember watching it over and over time and time again. To this day I am sure I could watch it and still not get tired of it. I grew up with Jim Henson's Muppets, Sesame Street and Fraggle Rock and I am glad to say it because this version of “A Christmas Carol” is definitely one of my all time favorites. What's better is Sir Michael Cain plays the role of Ebenezer Scrooge in this fantastical puppet remake. If you are looking for a light hearted, funny and enjoyable movie then look no further.

The top three movies on this list could go without an explanation as to why but what fun would that be? Christmas Vacation most definitely ranks near the top in my opinion. The Griswold family's plans for a big family Christmas predictably turn into a big disaster in this Christmas movie that is sure to leave your sides hurting from laughter. I'll keep my explanation short as to why this is one of my favorites because the movie speaks for itself. Christmas Vacation is sure to become one of those classic Christmas movie that people will enjoy for several years to come.

Ah Home Alone, what an excellent movie! This movie along with basically every other on the list has been a favorite of mine forever! Growing up with an older brother and sister I found out at an early age that the youngest kid in the family tends to get away with a lot. As a young boy what could be better than the absence of parents while having free reign over their house. Booby traps, conquering your childhood fears of an evil furnace in the basement and beating up on bad guys all during Christmas definitely make for one of the greatest Christmas movies of all time, of course that is my personal opinion but I hope most of you out there agree that Home Alone is a somewhat modern movie destined to be a classic!

Taking the crown for my top 10 list of modern Christmas movies is none other than Elf! No if's and's or but's Elf tops the list for a number of different reasons. Not only is Elf one of the newest movie out of the bunch but it's also in my opinion the funniest! Will Ferrell plays the outlandish and hysterical character of Buddy the elf who is actually a human. After inadvertently wreaking havoc on the elf community due to his ungainly size, Buddy who was raised as an elf at the North Pole is sent to the U.S. in search of his true identity. This movie is cute, funny and original and is suitable for kids and adults alike. Buy it, rent it and watch it you won't be disappointed!