Every Christmas, without fail, I see The Nightmare Before Christmas, and it's not like I even want to. Since it's considered one of the greatest Christmas movies of all time, I kind of have to, because it's either on in the background at some Christmas party, or I have to actually sit through the whole movie.

So, as you can probably tell, I'm not the biggest fan (Give me Jingle All the Way any day of the week over it). That said, I AM a big fan of another animated stop-motion movie from the ‘90s, and that's 1996's James and the Giant Peach, which I feel like a lot of people have forgotten about.

Now, you might be wondering why I'm bringing up James and the Giant Peach and The Nightmare Before Christmas in the same breath. Well, there's a reason for that. Let's talk.

For One Thing, I Think People Forget About James And The Giant Peach Because They Don't Mistakenly Think It Was Directed By Tim Burton

Ask most people who directed The Nightmare Before Christmas, and they'll likely tell you, “Oh, that's easy. Tim Burton!” Except, he didn't direct it. Did he produce it? Yeah. Did he conceive of the idea and some of the characters? He did! Is it also often referred to as “Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas”? Indeed it is. But, if you were to look at a list of Tim Burton's best movies, you're not going to find it on there.

I do, however, think Tim Burton's name being attached to it has helped its reputation. Because the movie is weird, and Tim Burton tends to make weird movies. So, the two naturally seem to go together. However, as I already said, Tim Burton did NOT direct TNBC. Instead, that distinction goes to stop motion maestro Henry Selick, who also directed Monkeybone (Which I seriously need to write about someday), Wendell & Wild, as well as the best Laika movie (in my humble opinion), Coraline.

Oh, and he ALSO directed the subject of this article, 1996’s James and the Giant Peach. Like TNBC, it was also produced by Tim Burton and Denise Di Novi, but unlike Nightmare, it didn't feature Tim Burton’s name plastered on the poster. It was also based on a Roald Dahl novel, so I think that might be another reason why it never reached the same popularity as TNBC.

Even so, I definitely think it deserves to be as popular (if not more so) than TNBC, and for a few reasons, such as…

I Think The Stop-Motion (Especially The Icky Centipede!) Is Even Better In James And The Giant Peach Than It Is In The Nightmare Before Christmas

Here’s the thing about stop-motion animation. Even though it’s really cool, it has an inherent jerkiness to it. Sometimes, this jerkiness is really effective in making something feel disturbing, such as the stop-motion T-800 in the first (and best - also in my opinion) Terminator movie. I think this is effective in The Nightmare Before Christmas, too, which is a little different since the whole movie is stop-motion animation.

However, the more I watch it, the more the jerkiness kind of just doesn’t work for me. The film came out in 1993, and it kind of looks dated when viewed today. A lot of people will say that’s part of its charm, but honestly, I much prefer the later stop-motion work of James and the Giant Peach.

The characters and animation just look so much smoother, and in that way, even more believable (Especially since there are also live-action sequences in this film as well that meld with the stop-motion). In this movie, there are several bug characters, and they all move in such unique ways that really work in stop-motion. There’s a grasshopper, a ladybug, a spider, an earthworm, a glowworm, and…a centipede. Now, you might wonder why I put an ellipsis before centipede, and the answer is…I HATE CENTIPEDES!

They’re so hideous! And every time I watch this movie, I get squeamish (in a good way!) since he’s animated SO WELL with the way his legs (arms?) move. I think this movement ALONE is better than anything found in TNBC. But, there’s another reason why I think this movie should be remembered.

I Even Like The Story Better

Is The Nightmare Before Christmas a Halloween movie, or a Christmas movie? I’m being dead serious because I could never tell, even as a child. This has actually always bothered me since I don’t know what TONE the movie is going for. Now, a lot of people have told me to “not worry about it,” and that “It’s both a Halloween movie, AND a Christmas movie,” but that’s just never worked for me. Like, pick a holiday already, PLEASE!

Thankfully, James and the Giant Peach has never had this problem. Being that it’s based on a Roald Dahl story, it’s very bizarre, of course, but it’s also really straightforward. James is an orphan with two nasty aunts since his parents were killed by a rhinoceros (Just roll with it). One day, he receives magical crocodile tongues that make things grow big. James drops the tongues (as one does when they’re rushing), and they make a peach grow massive. James eats through the peach, and he finds a bunch of human-sized bugs living inside of it.

They then go on an adventure together, hitching the peach to some seagulls, and flying it to New York since his parents always wanted to go there, most notably the Empire State Building. Our heroes encounter some challenges along the way, but eventually make it to the Empire State Building, and then James confronts his aunts (the two REAL antagonists) with his bug friends, and everybody lives happily ever after.

It’s a simple story with a consistent tone, and it’s a lot of fun. There’s none of that “This is Halloween, this is Halloween, Halloween! Halloween!” taking place in a possible CHRISTMAS movie. Oh, and about the music…

I Also Like The Music Better In James And The Giant Peach

I know the music is one of the biggest appeals of TNBC, but can I just admit that I don’t like a single song in that movie? It again comes back to the tone of the film, as the songs are super somber one minute, and then lively the next. One might say that that makes the score diverse, and it does. But, with the movie being the way it is, the juxtaposition just makes me feel…uncomfortable? I guess that’s the best word for it. The songs make me feel uncomfortable in TNBC.

The songs in James and the Giant Peach, however, totally fit the fun tone of the movie. Like “Eating the Peach,” which has a bouncy quality to it, and “That’s the Life,” which has a whimsical, light melody going for it.

I also like how the various bugs have unique voices when they sing, like Richard Dreyfuss as Mr. Centipede. It also doesn’t hurt that all of the songs were written by Randy Newman (as opposed to the score being composed by Danny Elfman, whom I love, but not for TNBC).

The songs just really make all the difference, and add to my enjoyment of the film. So, while I know it’s not considered one of the best movies of the ‘90s like The Nightmare Before Christmas is, I still much prefer James and the Giant Peach 100%, and I think it should be more remembered!

Halloween is a time to watch the best horror movies, many of which aren't suitable for children. Fortunately, there's a great catalog of family-friendly Halloween shows and movies on streaming for those with a Disney+ subscription, and one of them has topped the charts worldwide. The Nightmare Before Christmas is number one on the streamer globally, and I'm so hype because it may just confirm a stance I've had for a long time.

While some may continue to wait and see if a prequel to the Disney movie is ever made, others are revisiting the classic, and according to some metrics, in pretty large numbers. Here are some more details on where the movie is doing best and how it supports my theory that it's the definitive movie for one holiday over the other.

The Nightmare Before Christmas Tops The Charts In Several Countries, And Is Number One Overall

A new report from FlixPatrol lists The Nightmare Before Christmas as the top movie on Disney+ worldwide. Surprisingly enough, Hocus Pocus is all the way down at No. 6, and Dia de los Muertos-centered movies The Book of Life and Coco are at No. 9 and No. 10, respectively. The Jack Skellington-starring feature is also the top movie in Uruguay, Paraguay, Colombia, Chile, Canada, and Argentina.

Those shocked about Hocus Pocus might be from the United States, the U.K., or Ireland, because it tops the list in those countries, but only those three. Apparently, only a few countries like re-watching the movie like those of us in the States.

So, this all goes to prove that the side of The Nightmare Before Christmas debate I fall on is the correct one.

I Think This Confirms More People Consider The Nightmare Before Christmas A Halloween Movie Over A Christmas Film

CinemaBlend lists The Nightmare Before Christmas on its best Christmas movies of all time, but I respectfully disagree with that stance. In my mind, this movie has and always will be a great Halloween flick, thanks in large part to the plot.

The whole gist of the story is that Jack, the Pumpkin King, fundamentally misunderstands what Christmas is all about and tries to do a Halloween version of it. The vibes are more spooky than whimsical, and I'll defend that take to the death.

That said, I'm not sure I'll have many people fighting me on that take with the streaming statistics shown here on Disney+. It seems like a fair few people enjoy watching The Nightmare Before Christmas around Halloween, but I'll have to check in to see who is watching closer to Christmas to be sure.

I will say, with the love pouring in for the 1993 movie, I would love to see Disney consider making a sequel to The Nightmare Before Christmas. I would especially love that because in this new era, Halloween feels hyped up even more than when I was a child. Maybe Jack could be overwhelmed by how big Halloween has gotten, or other holidays will try to step in to knock him down a peg after feeling overshadowed.

Now, going back to this debate, if you feel like The Nightmare Before Christmas is a Halloween movie, you can stream it on Disney+. It will also still be there at Christmas time if you fall on the other (and wrong) side of this argument.

There are a lot of movies under 90 minutes that we love. Movies don't always have to be over three hours long to be epic. Sometimes a great film needs less than an hour and a half to say all it needs or wants to say. Usually, these movies are comedies, but not always. Every genre, from comedies to war movies to horror movies and more, has films that clock in a very manageable amount of time. This list is all about those great movies with a runtime under 90 minutes.

This Is Spinal Tap (82 Minutes)

The granddaddy of hilarious mockumentaries showed everyone how it was done, and This is Spinal Tap came up with dozens of the most quotable lines ever in just 82 minutes. The legacy of the movie has endured for five decades now, and it will almost certainly be beloved for at least 50 more.

Paths Of Glory (88 Minutes)

Director Stanley Kubrick is well known for his long movies, such as Barry Lyndon and Spartacus, both of which run over three hours in length. He also proved he could tell an amazing story with the 88-minute Paths of Glory, which is one of the best war movies of all time and one of the few about World War I (at least compared to the number of World War II movies).

Phone Booth (81 Minutes)

Movies that take place in real time are always interesting. Phone Booth, starring Colin Farrell, is a white-knuckle thriller that runs. brisk 81 minutes. It spends most of that time focused on Farrell's character in the titular phone booth, and is an incredibly action-packed movie, despite the static location and happening all in one day.

The Lion King (88 Minutes)

Disney knows its core audience: kids. That means they know exactly how to tell a wonderful, funny, heartbreaking story at a great clip, so as not to bore the kids. This spot could go to any number of Disney animated classics, but The Lion King is my favorite, so I'm letting this one represent the group. At just 88 minutes, it does everything you expect in a great animated movie.

High Noon (85 Minutes)

85 minutes, in real time, is all it took the filmmakers of High Noon to tell an amazing story. It's one of the best Westerns of all time, and Gary Cooper and Grace Kelly are fantastic in their roles. Cooper pretty much defined his career with this movie from 1952.

Cloverfield (85 Minutes)

One of the best examples of a "found footage" flick is Matt Reeves' Cloverfield. The monster movie works on a number of levels, employing the lesson of movies like Jaws to limit how much of the monster we see, making it that much scarier, and it wraps up the whole story in under an hour and a half.

Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle (88 Minutes)

Another classic comedy that fits nicely on this list is Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle. The trip may have taken the titular characters all night to finally satisfy their craving from the burger joint with a cult following, but as an audience, we see it all condensed into 88 hilarious minutes.

Fruitvale Station (85 Minutes)

Director Ryan Coogler burst onto the scene in 2013 with his intense and heartbreaking debut film, Fruitvale Station, which told the true story of an African-American man (played by Michael B. Jordan) who was killed by a police officer at a subway station in Oakland in 2009. It also marked the first time Jordan and Coogler worked together, and in the years since, their partnership, including in one of the best 2025 movies, Sinners, has been amazing to watch.

Idiocracy (84 Minutes)

Leave it to director Mike Judge to make a movie like Idiocracy. It's a movie that still feels disturbingly relevant two decades later. The movie, which is as funny as it is upsetting, comes in at just under 90 minutes, and there isn't one boring moment among them.

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (83 Minutes)

The original The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, which came out in 1974 and runs just 83 minutes, is one of the most influential horror movies of all time. It's hard to imagine a world with Friday the 13th, Halloween, and A Nightmare on Elm Street without this classic slasher film from director Tobe Hooper coming first.

Stand By Me (89 Minutes)

Stand By Me is based on a Stephen King short story called The Body. As one of the best adaptations of a King story, the movie has become a stone-cold classic over the years. It's great that the movie doesn't have to stray from its short source material and comes in at just under 90s minutes, yet tells an incredible, timeless story.

The Producers (88 Minutes)

It's incredible to reflect on the cultural impact of an 88-minute movie like Mel Brooks' classic The Producers. Not only was the movie a huge hit, but its enduring legacy means that generations have loved the comedy since it was released in the late '60s. The smash hit Broadway show (and the 2005 movie adaptation of the musical) has solidified its place as one of the most beloved stories of the last 100 years.

Fast Times At Ridgemont High (90 Minutes)

So, full disclosure here, this is the movie that inspired this list. Even though Fast Times at Ridgemont High is technically not under 90 minutes, it is exactly an hour and a half long, and as the inspiration for this list, it definitely belongs here. It feels even faster, in a good way.

Airplane! (88 Minutes)

Another classic comedy, Airplane! packs more jokes in 88 minutes than most comedy franchises can in three or four movies. It doesn't get more "classic" than this one. It's the kind of movie that you can watch over and over, and not just because there is an endless amount of jokes you probably missed while you were laughing the last time you watched it, but it's a delightfully quick watch.

Toy Story (81 Minutes)

Like the classic Disney animated movies like The Lion King and The Little Mermaid, Pixar knows how to craft a well-told, timeless, funny story in less than 90 minutes. Coming in at barely over 81 minutes, Toy Story remains the gold standard for Pixar animation, and it continues to delight kids and adults alike, decades after it first launched a franchise.

Child's Play (87 Minutes)

'80s horror movies are great for this list. Along with comedies, horror movies are the most common movies you can find under 90 minutes. A perfect example of doing more with less time in the genre is the original Child's Play. A huge franchise was launched on a movie that is only 87 minutes long. This is how you do it!

Before Sunset (80 Minutes)

The second movie in director Richard Linklater's Before trilogy, Before Sunset, follows a couple who met on a train in Before Sunrise who meet in Paris nine years after their first encounter. It takes place in real-time, 80 minutes, and follows the "almost couple" as they walk the streets of the City of Light and reminisce about their one night together in Vienna.

The Evil Dead (85 Minutes)

The Evil Dead (like its two direct sequels, The Evil Dead II and Army of Darkness) comes in at under 90 minutes. All three films, directed by Sam Raimi, are considered classics in the genre by many fans. Personally, I like Army of Darkness best, but since all three work for this list, I'm using the first as a representative for all of them.

The Simpsons Movie (87 Minutes)

After decades on TV, The Simpsons is a show that knows all too well how to tell a story in a short amount of time. When the much-anticipated The Simpsons Movie was released in 2007, it probably came as no surprise that the movie would have a brisk pace and come in under an hour and a half. At 87 minutes, it tells a longer story than the show ever has, but not by a huge margin.

Office Space (89 Minutes)

Working for Inotech, the fictional company in Office Space, would be awful. Every day would seem like a week and every week, a month. Luckily, the movie itself is only 89 minutes. I say luckily, because it manages to pack a lot into those 89 minutes, but never drones on like Lumberg's voice.

Once (86 Minutes)

Once is a little unique on this list because while it's basically a romantic drama, it has elements of a musical, with a slew of original music performed by the actors in the movie, including Glen Hansard. There aren't many musicals that click in under 90 minutes, but Once is unconventional, and that's part of what makes it so great.

Duck Soup (69 Minutes)

It's true, a lot of older movies come in closer to the hour-and-a-half mark than modern movies, but since we had to include one, I decided one that barely gets over the one-hour mark would be appropriate. Duck Soup, from The Marx Brothers, is one of three VHS tapes my parents owned when I was a kid, so I've seen the movie way more times than most in my generation, and for that, I am grateful.

Best In Show (90 Minutes)

Director Christopher Guest and his band of merry improvisational comedy crew have made a few amazing movies. For me, the two best are the first two, Waiting for Guffman and Best in Show. Both movies clock in under the 90-minute mark, or just at that mark, in the case of Best in Show.

Borat (84 Minutes)

Borat is a movie on this list that I am grateful comes in at just 84 minutes. It's an amazing 84 minutes, so don't get me wrong, but anything more would have felt like too much. It's already pushing the envelope (in a good way) with how much second-hand embarrassment I can stand.

The Nightmare Before Christmas (76 Minutes)

When The Nightmare Before Christmas was released in 1993, it was a major departure from Tim Burton's earlier work. Not in tone, of course, but in the stop-motion animation style it used. It was (and still is) brilliant. It's also only 76 minutes long, which makes it feel right in line with some of the stop-motion TV Christmas movies that certainly helped inspire it, like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman from Rankin/Bass Productions.

The Squid And The Whale (81 Minutes)

Writer and director made a huge splash with his breakout film, The Squid And The Whale, in 2005. It's a movie that he based on his own life, and personal stories like that can really soar, like this one. It's a story he told in just 81 minutes, which was good enough to land an Oscar nomination for Best Screenplay.

Duel (90 Minutes)

It's no surprise that the great Steven Spielberg would pop up on this list (or any list of great movies, for that matter). Duel was the legendary director's debut film, and while the moderate budget is clear, so are Spielberg's immense skills as a filmmaker. Duel may not be in Spielberg's top 10 best movies, but at 90 minutes, it fits perfectly on this list.

Fantastic Mr. Fox (87 Minutes)

Wes Anderson brought his unique style to animation when he adapted the Roald Dahl book Fantastic Mr. Fox. Anderson's style fits perfectly here, and this is one of my favorite movies from the director.

Rope (80 Minutes)

Yet another legendary director who finds himself on this list is Alfred Hitchcock. His classic Rope, which takes place all in one day, clocks in at a brilliant 80s minutes.

Battleship Potemkin (66 Minutes)

It's amazing what kind of effect a 66-minute movie can have on the rest of the art of film, but Battleship Potemkin proves just how impactful one short film can be. The Soviet-era Russian-language film is a masterpiece and is still influencing movies 100+ years later.

The Kentucky Fried Movie (83 Minutes)

Great parody movies, like Airplane!, The Naked Gun, and Top Secret! often come in at under 90 minutes. The Kentucky Fried Movie is one of those. The great anthology movie clocks in at 83 minutes.

Pi (84 Minutes)

Darren Aronofsky exploded onto the scene with his debut, low-budget indie Pi, and it's a complicated story that he manages to brilliantly tell in just 84 minutes. Like all the movies on this list, it proves you don't need three hours to make a great film.

One of the best parts of visiting Disneyland or Walt Disney World is getting to see characters from your favorite Disney movies brought to life. The line to get a picture taken with Mickey Mouse can be as long as the line for any major attraction. And adults are as likely to want that picture as any kid.

However, the transformation from animated character to “real life” theme park character isn’t always a smooth one. There have been numerous instances where characters in the parks have looked a little strange, and sometimes, they’ve been disturbing. One of the worst offenders for years has been Jack Skellington from The Nightmare Before Christmas. However, when the character returns for Halloween this season, he’s going to look different and SO much better. Check out the new looks for Jack and Sally posted to Instagram.

Disney Parks characters come in two varieties, masked or “face.” Masked characters are pretty self-explanatory. They’re Mickey Mouse or Goofy, a character in a full suit, including a headpiece that looks like the character. Face characters don’t wear a mask and instead use their actual face. Disney Princesses, or Sally as seen above, are examples of that. It gives them the ability to speak with guests, especially kids.

Before now, Jack Skellington was a weird combination of the two. He wore a mask, but not a complete one. It gave the character the ability to speak, but looked weird as hell as his mouth was "normal" attached to his otherwise exaggerated head. Disney Dan, the internet’s human database of all things related to costumed characters, showed off the improvement, and he’s as wowed as I am.

The Jack Skellington mask here looks absolutely incredible. It truly looks like the character comes to life. It’s such an improvement over what we used to have that it’s actually shocking. The fact that the mouth on the mask moves would seem to indicate that Jack will still be able to speak. The mouth would likely be set in place if the plan was for the character to remain silent.

The previous look was so weird it was honestly disconcerting. Costumed characters can frequently scare children but honestly I feel like the old Jack was scary to everybody.

Fans will get a look at the new Jack and Sally when the characters debut for the Halloween Season at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World. At Disneyland, the classic Haunted Mansion gets transformed into Haunted Mansion Holiday, a temporary Nightmare Before Christmas reskin that is popular with many fans, not named Ryan Gosling. Jack and Sally are usually available for photos just outside.

Jack and sally also appear at Magic Kingdom’s MIckey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, dates for this year’s event were released alongside the reveal. The new version of Jack will be appearing on both coasts.

The great thing about fiction is it allows people to temporarily suspend their disbelief for the sake of entertainment. Many of the most beloved movies of all time have strange and downright ridiculous premises if you try to explain them out loud, but their strangeness is a part of their charm. Here are 32 films with absolutely ridiculous plots.

Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)

This movie was a critical and commercial darling, and its plot is utterly bizarre. A disillusioned laundromat operator traverses the multiverse, battles soldiers masquerading as IRS office workers, and dances with hot dog fingers in order to save her estranged, nihilistic daughter. It is, by far, one of the best and zaniest Best Picture winners that we’ve seen in a very long time.

21 Jump Street (2012)

On the surface this film seems relatively normal: it’s the classic tale of an awkward nerd and a dumb, handsome jock forming an unlikely duo while navigating the trials and tribulations of high school. Only this time, they’re also buddy cops going undercover as high school students in a sting operation to arrest the dealer of a new illicit drug. And, fittingly, the movie’s visuals are just as trippy as its premise.

Legally Blonde (2001)

In many ways, Legally Blonde was ahead of its time due to how it disrupted harmful stereotypes about hyper-feminine women. Its plot is still a bit goofy though, as it involves a popular, blonde sorority girl working her behind off to secure a spot at one of the most competitive law schools in the country, just to prove to her pretentious ex-boyfriend that she’s worthy of him taking her seriously. Thankfully the film ends with her ditching the loser and discovering a true penchant for law.

Avengers: Endgame (2019)

One of the highest-grossing films of all time has one of the most convoluted plots of all time. A billionaire, retired superhero and his team invent time travel so that he and his fellow superheroes can travel to different timelines and capture magical, rainbow-colored stones so that they can reverse the devastating effects of a purple villain’s success in eliminating half of all life in the universe with a snap of his fingers. Don’t worry, though: you only have to watch 21 films to understand it.

Poor Things (2023)

This colorful, quirky science fiction movie earned Emma Stone her second Oscar, and by just listening to its plot, it’s clear to see why. Stone portrays a woman whose brain has been replaced by that of an infant, and in the beginning of the film she cannot even properly pronounce the word “blood,” but by the end, she is studying to become a doctor. The dramatic transformation she undergoes, while traipsing around Europe and learning philosophy, is equally strange and impressive.

Back To The Future (1985)

Back to the Future is widely thought of as the quintessential time travel movie, and the implications of its time travel are seismic. A teenager accidentally travels 30 years into the past after meeting his eccentric science friend, and while stuck in the past, he inadvertently interferes with the relationship of his teenage parents, which threatens his very existence. Now he has to ensure that the couple stays together before he is erased from history, while dealing with the uncomfortable fact that his teenage mother has taken a liking to him.

The Mask (1994)

Back in the ‘90s, Jim Carrey was arguably the King of Ridiculous Movies, and his turn as Stanley Ipkiss in the mask not only allowed him to show off his excellent comedic sensibilities, but also his amazing face acting and physical capabilities, as his character quite literally turns into a cartoon come to life with a neon green face after donning a magical mask. The bad CGI stretching and morphing only adds to the zany enjoyment of the movie.

Happy Death Day (2017)

There is no worse birthday present than death, and this film forces its protagonist to endure it every birthday. The protagonist, a mean sorority girl, dies on her birthday, and she is forced to relive the tragic day every single day until she figures out who the person responsible is. Also, she has limited time to figure out who the person is before she dies for real (as in, she stops coming back to life).

The Boss Baby (2017)

A lot of animated movies lean into the fact that they are marketed towards kids, and there are few better examples than The Boss Baby. This zany movie’s plot involves the existence of an absurd baby-making corporation in the clouds that delivers a baby with hopes of rising the corporate ladder to a family with a disgruntled former only child, and the unlikely brother duo must work together to stop puppies from becoming the most loved creatures in the world.

The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie (2004)

Speaking of absurd animated movies, the SpongeBob SquarePants franchise as a whole is pretty bizarre with its takes on marine life, but its movie definitely pushes the boundaries of what’s believable. In this movie, Plankton steals King Neptune’s crown and frames Mr. Krabs for it, just so Neptune will punish Krabs and give Plankton a chance to steal his coveted burger recipe, sell those burgers at his restaurant, and become dictator of Bikini Bottom. And it’s up to SpongeBob and Patrick to retrieve the crown while driving in a car made out of a Krabby Patty.

Home Alone (1990)

The ridiculousness of Home Alone’s plot likely comes from the fact that such a scenario happening in real life would be deeply sad. A young boy, who already feels like an outsider in his own family, is left behind by said family when they go on a Christmas vacation. And if this minor being left unattended isn’t bad enough, he is forced to set up elaborate, dangerous traps to ward off persistent, home invaders.

Divergent (2014)

The Divergent movie was just one of a multitude of young adult, dystopian franchise films that became massively popular during the 2010s, and it, by far, has the most head-scratching premise. In its future, what’s left of humanity after a cataclysmic war has divided itself into factions based on rudimentary personality traits, such as kindness and honesty. In this reality, you are seen as a massive threat that must be eliminated if you dare to be intelligent, honest, and selfless at the time.

Barbie (2023)

Stereotypical Barbie spends most of her life in an idyllic, woman-ruled, plastic paradise until one day she begins to experience existential dread and the horrible tragedies of cellulite and flat feet. She must then embark on a journey from her perfect Barbie Land to the Real World and discover the meaning of life and womanhood in a male-dominated world. And Ken’s also there, but he’s just Ken.

Cocaine Bear (2023)

The ridiculousness of this movie’s plot can really be summed up with its title. After sacks of cocaine fall into the woods, a bear accidentally becomes addicted to it and attacks the residents of a small town. While this sounds like the plot of a horror movie, it’s actually quite hilarious in the stupidest way possible, because the amount of opportunities these people are given to escape from or incapacitate the bear are numerous, and yet they choose idiocy every single time.

Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's Stone (2001)

Harry Potter’s story has become such a classic by now, that it’s hard to think that at one point it was another strange idea that had to be marketed to the world. In the first movie, Harry is an orphaned boy that is neglected and mistreated by his foster family, only to be politely kidnapped by a gentle giant who tells him he’s a wizard and sends him off to attend a magical boarding school. Also, a fully grown wizard has hated him since he was a baby, because that’s normal.

Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World (2010)

It’s normal when starting a new relationship with someone to not want to think about or compare yourself to their exes. Now, imagine that not only did you have to meet all seven of their exes, but you had to battle them to the death too, preferably in video game combat style. Those are the insane lengths Scott Pilgrim goes through to be with Ramona Flowers.

Twilight (2008)

It’s a tale as old as time: a teenage girl who hates the cold and rain moves to the Pacific Northwest to live with her distant father to allow her mother to travel the country with her new husband, and, while in the Pacific Northwest, said teenage girl meets and falls in love with a sparkly, 108-year-old vampire that not so secretly wants to drink her blood. And then, they live happily ever after or something like that.

The Princess Bride (1987)

The best part of The Princess Bride is its ridiculousness. There’s such a warmth to the film due to the fact that it obviously does not take itself seriously, exemplified by the princess herself being named “Buttercup,” she pushes the man whom she believed took the life of her former lover down a hill, only to realize said man is her true love, and rolls down the hill with him. And this is all after he incapacitates the three men who kidnap her. And that's just the beginning!

The Wizard of Oz (1939)

The most-seen film in movie history also has the most beloved, ridiculous plot in movie history. A young girl and her dog get caught in a tornado, and the storm transports them to a faraway land where there are good witches, bad witches, flying monkeys, talking lions and scarecrows and more. And in order for her to get home, she has to follow a yellow brick road in ruby red slippers.

Despicable Me (2010)

In this silly tale, a villain, seeking to earn more respect in the villain community, plots to steal the moon, which is simple enough. So, obviously, the best way to go about doing so is adopting three orphaned girls and sending the girls to sell cookies at his villain competitor’s house, so that he can infiltrate said house and steal the competitor’s shrink ray to successfully steal the moon. At least, that’s what Despicable Me tries to convince its admittedly very young audience makes sense.

White Chicks (2004)

It’s common to look back at media from decades again with a modern perspective and assess whether said media from that earlier time would be made today. This movie is a clear example of one that is a product of its time, not only because of its crass racial humor, but also because of its dumbfounding plot: two Black, male FBI agents masquerade as blonde white women to protect two social heiresses from being kidnapped. Hijinks ensue, and lewd jokes abound.

Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)

When your movie is being led by comedic genius Robin Williams, it’s likely to have a ridiculous plot, and Mrs. Doubfire is no exception. In this family-friendly flick, Williams portrays an unemployed voice actor going through a difficult divorce. After he is only granted supervised visitation rights to his kids, he comes up with an outrageous plan to spend more time with him: pose as an elderly, female nanny named “Mrs. Doubtfire.”

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

In this film’s universe, all major, commercial holidays coexist with one another and have their own lands which can be accessed by secret, tree-encased portals. The Pumpkin King of Halloween Town becomes disillusioned with his life there, stumbles across the Christmas portal, and falls in love. He does everything in his power to introduce his own, twisted form of Christmas to his macabre home, to limited success.

The Parent Trap (1998)

In yet another case of questionable parenting, a British woman falls in love with and marries an American man, and she gives birth to twin daughters. The couple divorced shortly after the girls are born, and instead of trying to work out a joint custody situation, the parents decide to keep one daughter each and raise her in their respective home countries and pretend the other daughter does not exist. This eventually leads to the girls meeting each other and learning of each other’s existence for the very first time at summer camp, and after a period of rivalry, they decide to join forces to get their parents back together.

13 Going On 30 (2004)

This is another movie that shows you how weird its plot is just with its title. An awkward, 13-year-old wants to skip the uncool parts of life and live life as a successful, 30-year-old woman in New York. And on her birthday, she gets her wish, waking up in the body of a rich, stylish magazine editor with a not-so-great personality. The most bizarre, yet impressive part of this movie is watching Jennifer Gardner portray a 30-year-old woman with the brain of a 13-year-old girl who’s trying to pretend like she’s a 30-year-old woman.

Shazam! (2019)

If you were to ask a child what their dream superpower is, becoming an adult probably wouldn’t be their tenth choice, let alone their top choice, but Billy Batson in Shazam! makes it look super cool. After being chosen by an ancient wizard, the foster kid, can now morph into a fully grown man at will by yelling “Shazam!” and he gets a suite of cool powers.

Central Intelligence (2016)

Few Hollywood best friends are more endearing than Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart, and their on-screen chemistry comes to life in this silly buddy cop action movie. Johnson’s character is a formerly obese nerd turned jacked CIA agent who needs Hart’s character’s accounting skills, even though the latter hasn’t seen the former since his days as a star athlete. Of course, they save the world in the campiest, most hilarious ways.

Spy Kids (2001)

Surely many kids have wondered what their lives would be like if their mild-mannered, suburban, if a little boring, parents were actually top-secret spies. Well for the brother-sister duo in this movie, that lifestyle is anything but fun as it leads to them being captured by a villain with giant, sentient thumbs for minions. And, that’s not even the weirdest part.

Matilda (1996)

A young, precocious girl is neglected by her family, so she finds solace in reading a lot. Unlocking so much of her brain’s potential at a such young age grants her telekinetic abilities, which she uses to enact revenge on her parents and awful principal, Ms. Trunchbull.

Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory (1971)

A mysterious, eccentric chocolatier, invites a select group of children with accompanying guardians to his famed chocolate factory, only to discover that there are horrors at every turn, including chewing gum that can turn you into a human-sized blueberry and fizzy drinks that cause you to float, which is fun, until you’re dangerously close to a whirring ceiling fan. The only reason this film is thought of as cheerful and child-friendly, and not downright terrifying, is because it hams up how utterly ridiculous it is.

Alvin And The Chipmunks (2007)

A live-action movie with talking animals will always necessitate some suspension of disbelief, but when those talking animals are chipmunks that also sing, and quickly become the world’s biggest pop stars, at some point a line is crossed and any semblance of realism has flown out the window. The only thing more ridiculous than the rodent singers themselves are all the times their manager, turned adoptive father Dave screams “Alvin!”

The Nutty Professor (1996)

In this movie, Eddie Murphy portrays a brilliant, obese professor who develops a groundbreaking weight-loss formula. Insecure about his size and eager to impress the girl of his dreams, the professor tests out the drug on himself, and he successfully slims down, only for the thin version of himself to develop an evil alter ego and fight to take over the professor’s life permanently. Not only are the performances of this film hilarious and outlandish, especially with Eddie Murphy playing multiple roles, but the visual gags of the professor switching between his thin and large self are something to behold.

One of the best things about movies is that they come in all shapes and sizes, with something for audiences both young and old, near and far, and here and there. Over the years, Best Picture winners have consisted of all kinds of genres ranging from dramas to musicals, biopics to comedies, and so much more.

If you’ve ever wanted to learn more about just some of the countless different genres, stick around. Let’s break down 32 different genres and an example of a movie that belongs to each.

Action - Die Hard (1988)

One of the best action movies ever made, Die Hard essentially reinvented the genre with its story about a down-on-his-luck cop named John McClane (Bruce Willis) traveling across the country to save his marriage only for the reunion to be thwarted by a group of terrorists. Though Willis’ iconic character isn’t as jacked as those played by Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger, the everyman quality to him makes him an all-time hero.

Sci-Fi - Jurassic Park (1993)

Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park could fall into multiple genres, but since it deals with genetically modified dinosaurs being brought to life, it’s one of the best representations of sci-fi. One of the best book adaptations of all time, this massive summer blockbuster is as great today as it was back in 1993, both in terms of story and its state-of-the-art visuals.

Comedy - Blazing Saddles (1974)

Whenever talking about the funniest movies ever made, it doesn’t take long for the conversation to turn to Blazing Saddles, Mel Brooks’ 1974 comedy Western about a plot to destroy a frontier town and a sheriff’s attempt to save its good and fair residents. But the plot is just secondary to the countless jokes, ribs, and wild situations that are found throughout this incredibly funny and outrageous comedy classic.

Documentary - Grizzly Man (2005)

As far as I’m concerned, Werner Herzog is one of the greatest documentarians of all time. Much like his feature-length films, the acclaimed filmmaker’s collection of non-fiction titles strays from the norms of the genre, creating unique pieces of art in the process. This is especially true for Grizzly Man, Herzog’s 2005 exploration of the life and tragic death of Timothy Treadwell, a conservationist who thought it was better to die with a bear than live with man.

Mockumentary - This Is Spinal Tap (1984)

There were mockumentaries that came before it, but This is Spinal Tap was a watershed moment for the genre. Rob Reiner’s 1984 chronicle of struggling heavy metal band Spinal Tap turns it to 11 (quite literally) with its scenes of rock n roll, excess, and over-the-top characters who are thinly veiled caricatures of famous English groups of the ‘70s and ‘80s.

Slasher - Scream (1996)

If you were to tell someone where to start with the slasher genre, Wes Craven’s Scream would be a great place to start. Though it’s not the best horror movie of all time, this landmark film is full of references to the films that came before it, has a wonderful meta dynamic, and perhaps the greatest opening scene of all time.

Superhero - The Dark Knight (2008)

To some, Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight is the pinnacle of the superhero movie genre. This 2008 blockbuster takes elements from comic book movies and combines them with the realism of a gritty crime thriller and classic action flicks like Heat to create an incredible experience. Plus, Heath Ledger’s Joker is a force of pure chaos that needs to be seen.

Animation - My Neighbor Totoro (1988)

One of the most iconic Studio Ghibli films, My Neighbor Totoro is not only a great animated film but also a tremendous introduction to the fantastical world of Hayao Miyazaki. Released in 1988, this delightful film follows two young girls as they move to the countryside with their father a befriend a mythical creature known as Totoro.

Drama - Casablanca (1942)

Deciding on one film to use as an example of the drama genre is no easy task, but Casablanca is a classic that everyone needs to watch at least once in their life. The timeless story of American ex-pat Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart) helping old flame Ilsa Lund (Ingrid Bergman) and her finance escape the Nazis while also revisiting the events that led to their split is something to behold.

Fantasy - The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring (2001)

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring is the perfect place to start if you want to dip your toes into the waters of the fantasy genre. All the elements that make this type of film so beloved can be found throughout Peter Jackson’s impressive 2001 film that kicks off one of the greatest adventures of all time.

Sports - Major League (1989)

One of the best baseball movies ever made, Major League is also one of the funniest sports comedies you can find. Though not for younger audiences, this hilarious underdog story is all killer and no filler with its tale of the lowly Cleveland Indians defying the odds by putting together an unlikely championship team.

Romantic Comedy - When Harry Met Sally (1989)

Often considered the best romantic comedy, When Harry Met Sally is 90-plus minutes of pure joy. The on-screen chemistry between Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal in this 1989 classic directed by Rob Reiner and written by Nora Ephron is off the charts and filled with one iconic scene after another.

Horror - The Thing (1982)

John Carpenter, one of the great horror directors of the 20th century, really outdid himself with The Thing, his 1982 adaptation of John W. Campbell’s Who Goes There. The paranoia, the claustrophobic spaces, the incredible cast led by Kurt Russell, and those terrifying creature effects from Rob Bottin make this an unforgettable classic.

Crime - The Godfather (1972)

Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather is a family drama, an epic coming-of-age story, and a mobster movie, but above it all, it’s a transformative crime film. This sprawling story about the Corleone organization, told through the eyes of Vito (Marlon Brando) and Michael (Al Pacino) is worthy of all the praise it’s received over the past 50-plus years.

Musical - La La Land (2016)

Okay, there are classic musicals like An American in Paris and Singing in the Rain that are far more prestigious than La La Land, but Damien Chazelle’s 2016 throwback is a great entry point. The song and dance numbers performed by Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone are stupendous and the romance at the center of its story is wonderful, to say the least.

Western - Tombstone (1993)

One of the greatest Western movies, Tombstone has everything you’d want in the genre: shootouts, colorful characters, legendary mustaches, and some of the best movie quotes of all time. Kurt Russell, Val Kilmer, Bill Paxton, and Sam Elliott were all made for their respective roles as some of the most iconic gunslingers and lawmen in the Old West.

Noir - Double Indemnity (1944)

If you’ve taken any type of class on the history of American cinema, there’s a chance you’ve seen Double Indemnity by now. This 1944 film noir staple follows insurance salesman Walter Neff (Fred MacMurray) as he gets in way over his head when dealing with Phyllis Dietrrichson (Barbara Stanwyck), a dangerous femme fatale with a plan to cash in on a life insurance policy.

Suspense - The Sixth Sense (1999)

The Sixth Sense is a lot of things – horror, thriller, family drama. But above all, it’s an intense suspense film about a young boy (played by Haley Joel Osment) who can see dead people and his therapist (played by Bruce Willis) who tries to help him make sense of the supernatural ability.

Coming Of Age - Lady Bird (2018)

Greta Gerwig’s Lady Bird is one of the funniest, most sincere, and most realistic coming-of-age stories of the 21st century. Set in the early 2000s, the movie follows Christine “Lady Bird” McPherson (Saoirse Ronan) as she deals with the fallout of her decision to move across the country upon graduating high school.

Time Travel - Back To The Future (1985)

There’s a good chance Back to the Future comes to mind when most people think about great time travel movies, and for good reason. This 1985 sci-fi adventure film hits in all the right places, features a career-defining performance from Michael J. Fox, and introduces the world to the coolest time machine of all time.

Historical Drama - The Age Of Innocence (1993)

Though Martin Scorsese is known more for his crime films, he put out one of the best historical dramas in 1993 with his adaptation of The Age of Innocence. Starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Winona Ryder, the film took a lot of chances and pushed the genre in a new direction.

Disaster - The Poseidon Adventure (1972)

One of the craziest disaster films, The Poseidon Adventure has a simple yet effective premise: what would happen if a cruise ship was flipped upside down by a massive wave? Survival, questions about morality, and Gene Hackman in a turtleneck make this a must-watch movie.

Dystopian - Escape From New York (1981)

Escape from New York, which takes place in a future where the city has been turned into a walled-off prison colony, is just such a legendary dystopian film. When the U.S. president’s plane is hijacked and crashed in lower Manhattan, it’s up to Snake Plisken (Kurt Russell) to save the day.

Family - The Princess Bride (1987)

The Princess Bride is one of those movies that just never gets old, no matter how many times you watch it. With a great story, unforgettable characters, and expressions of true love (and revenge), there’s a lot for the whole family to enjoy.

Biographical Drama - Schindler's List (1993)

The same year Steven Spielberg dazzled audiences with Jurassic Park, he made us cry with Schindler’s List, a moving biographical drama about a man (played by Lian Neeson) who goes to great lengths to save Jewish prisoners at a German concentration camp.

Stop-Motion Animation - The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

What’s this? What’s this? Oh, just one of the best stop-motion animation movies ever made. Released in 1993, The Nightmare Before Christmas has become a staple of the spooky season with its eccentric characters, sometimes grotesque scenes, and some lovely songs written and performed by Danny Elfman.

War Movie - Platoon (1985)

War is Hell, and few movies capture that sentiment better than Platoon. Released in 1985, Oliver Stone’s Vietnam War movie is neither triumphant nor pleasant, but instead a realistic and gut-wrenching depiction of combat and its effect on people. Truly unsettling and incredibly emotional, this Oscar winner is a tour de force.

Psychological Thriller - Seven (1995)

David Fincher made his mark on the world with Saven, his 1995 psychological thriller about a serial killer obsessed with the seven deadly sins and the two detectives assigned to stop the madness before it’s too late.

Buddy Action - Midnight Run (1988)

The ‘80s gave us all kinds of great buddy action movies, including Midnight Run, a hilarious and endearing cross-country affair about a down-on-his-luck cop-turned-bounty-hunter (played by Robert De Niro) trying to bring a mob accountant (played by Charles Grodin) to his court date. But things aren’t always as easy or clear as they seem.

Raunchy Comedy - Ted (2012)

There have been some great raunchy comedies over the years, with the likes of Porky’s and There’s Something About Mary quickly coming to mind. But one of the best options, especially for more modern audiences, is Ted, the 2012 comedy about a man (played by Mark Wahlberg) and his friendship with his childhood teddy bear (voiced by Seth MacFarlane). Though it sounds innocent, this wild comedy is anything but.

Silent Film - City Lights (1931)

If you’ve ever wanted to jump into the world of silent movies, Charlie Chaplin’s City Lights is going to be a great introduction. Released in 1931, this classic film follows Chaplin’s tramp as he falls in love with a blind flower girl and goes from there. Romance, drama, pratfalls, you name it, it’s all here.

Spoof Film - Airplane! (1980)

There has long been a tradition of spoof films in Hollywood, and no film does the format better than Airplane!. Released in 1980, this legendary comedy pokes fun at the disaster genre with outrageous jokes, scenarios, and so much more.

For many of us, the sound of Disney songs brings in an instant air of nostalgia for our childhoods. And when you look back at the best Disney animated movies (along with some live-action and Pixar) from the House of Mouse’s one-hundred-year history, there are a ton of genuinely hilarious song lyrics. Check out which funny bars from Disney movies we chuckle to whilst singing along.

“Try the grey stuff, it's delicious. Don't believe me? Ask the dishes.“

One of the most charismatic Disney characters has to be Beauty and the Beast’s Lumiere, and he definitely shines the brightest (pun intended) during his solo song “Be Our Guest.” Lyricist Howard Ashman was clearly having a blast imagining what a talking candlestick would say. The lyric that gets us every time is when he asks Belle to try the “grey stuff” before pointing to the dishes as references. It’s so clever and fun.

"I'm in the mood to help you, dude."

Aladdin is one of Robin Williams' best movies, especially for what the actor brought to the character of Genie. In his show-stopping song, “Friend Like Me,” it’s a blast to see Williams’ ancient character blend together elements from Middle Eastern culture of the time with more modern phrases. A funny instance of that is when he literally calls Aladdin “dude.”

"Go ahead, get trampled by a rhino..."

In Disney’s Rapunzel adaptation, her captor is super evil, but one cannot help but love how hilarious Mother Gothel is, either. In her song “Mother Knows Best,” where she reiterates to Rapunzel why she should not leave her tower, it’s rather comical for the audience to hear the random ways she incites fear into the lost princess – especially with this rhino line.

"And, it hurt that my friends never stood downwind!"

Disney songs love wordplay, and “Hakuna Matata” has a hilarious one from Pumbaa. During the song, Pumbaa’s backstory is basically that he is super gassy and felt super embarrassed about it. However, with the phrase of the song, he’s able to embrace himself, smells and all. With that, this line uses “downwind” to have two meanings.

"Don’t know if I’m elated or gassy, but I’m somewhere in that zone.”

When it comes to all the Disney Princess movies, Frozen is definitely high on the list, and much of that has to do with how grounded and real Anna and Elsa feel. While other princesses are so dainty and graceful, Anna sings basically everything that comes into her brain, and in this line in “First Time In Forever,” she’s able to convey her stress about the Coronation in a relatable way.

"There's children throwing snowballs, instead of throwing heads. They're busy building toys, and absolutely no one's dead.”

In The Nightmare Before Christmas, Tim Burton’s concept allows Jack Skellington to experience Christmas for the first time after living his life as the King of Halloween Town. While the lyrics are absolutely true to Jack’s experience when he is singing them in “What’s This?” it is very funny to hear a character announce that no one’s dead or being thrown – and it’s a revelation to him.

"So, you wanna be a hero, kid? Well, whoop-de-do."

Danny DeVito is so great as an old satyr named Philoctetes in Hercules, that it’s no wonder Disney fans really want to see him in the live-action Disney remake! One rather comical moment of his comes from his song “One Last Hope” when he injects some sarcasm into the opening line. It’s a solid way for Phil to comment about his past experiences training heroes, and it's fun to recite with him.

"Cleaning crud up in the kitchen as we sing along!"

Enchanted was an excellent addition to Disney movies because of how candidly it satirized the studio’s clichés over the years. This is especially put on display when Giselle sings “Happy Working Song” by going into detail about all the tidying up she is doing in her new live-action setting. It’s not quite as magical as in her animated land, that’s for sure!

"Don't underestimate the importance of body language, ha!"

During The Little Mermaid’s “Poor Unfortunate Souls,” the deliciously evil villain of Ursula successfully convinces young and naive Ariel to give the sea witch her voice in exchange for a spell that will give her legs. One funny line, especially for the delivery, is when Ursula suggests she uses “body language” while dancing rather playfully.

"I'd rather be called deadly for my killer show-tune medley. Thank you!"

After Rapunzel leaves her tower for the first time in Tangled, it’s fun to see her end up at a pub called “The Snuggly Duckling” full of ruffians. Her presence inspires the criminals to break into song for “I Have A Dream” to share their innermost desires. One great line is when one shady character shares that he’s secretly a pianist who wishes he was recognized for his talents. It’s sweet, too.

“We finish each other's…" "Sandwiches.”

During the first act of Frozen, Anna falls quickly for Prince Hans and they sing a duet called “Love Is An Open Door.” In one moment of the song, Hans says it’s crazy that they “finish each other’s” before Anna interrupts with “sandwiches.” Usually, that line would be “sentences,” but Anna’s quirky way changes things – made even better by him following up that with “that’s what I was going to say!"

“Winter's a good time to stay in and cuddle, but put me in summer and I'll be a... happy snowman”

Frozen was very clever to invent a snowman character who dreams of the summertime and actually devotes an entire song to his dreams around being in the season. It’s kind of a fun dark song because Olaf would technically melt if he was around in those weather conditions. This is played to directly when he says a line that rhymes with “puddle” and looks at one before going into a completely different direction lyrically.

"It just occurred to me that I'm illiterate and I've never actually had to spell it out loud before…”

While the live-action Beauty and the Beast is rather similar to the original animated version overall, Josh Gad’s LeFou brought some additional comedy to the song “Gaston.” He points out he’s illiterate while attempting to spell out Gaston’s name during the tune and it deserves the extra chuckle not found in the '90s original.

"These guys don't appreciate I'm broke."

In Aladdin, “One Jump Ahead” helps introduce Aladdin as a young man on the streets of Agrabah who steals in order to survive. The action-packed song is full of visual gags, but one line delivery that’s funny and relatable to some of us is how he casually says the law enforcement after him just doesn’t appreciate that he’s “broke.” What a mindset!

"Oh I wouldn't climb this tree, if a Pooh flew like a bee. But I wouldn't be a bear then, so I guess I wouldn't care then."

Winnie The Pooh is such a funny guy as is, so it’s no surprise he has his own song to match that energy. In the Sherman Brothers song “Rumbly In My Tummy,” Pooh laments on being all sorts of hungry which he hopes to grab from a honey tree. In a sweet line, Pooh thinks about if he was a bee he could fly up the tree he’s climbing, but then he would no longer be a bear, wouldn’t he?

“Hey! What has two thumbs and pulled up the sky when you were waddling yay high? This guy!”

Maui is a charismatic demigod who tells his story to Moana in “You’re Welcome.” One particularly funny line that Lin-Manuel Miranda cooked up for the lyrics was this one above that has Dwayne Johnson basically rapping in the best way.

"You say put them on your head. Ay, mi amor! Ay, mi amor!”

In Coco, Miguel sings the very catchy tune “Un Poco Loco” while trying to win a contest to go to Ernesto de la Cruz’s concert. Unlike many Disney songs, this one translates to “a little crazy” and is rather random to the narrative itself. The song speaks to how love can make one crazy, by basically saying one’s love tells him the sky is red and he should put his shoes on his head.

"You telling this story, or am I?"

Encanto’s “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” became the biggest hit of the 2021 movie, even though Lin-Manuel Miranda called the big hit the “least likely candidate for breakout success possible.” The whole song is a fun time, but especially when Mirábel’s uncle and aunt are trying to tell her Bruno’s backstory and fight over who is telling the story!

"'Cause when you're older, absolutely everything makes sense!"

After Olaf went viral for being the sweetest talking snowman in Arendelle, he gets another solo in Frozen 2. In the song “When I Am Older,” Olaf talks about his excitement for understanding more things when he grows up more and experiences life further. However, with lines such as this one, adults will especially chuckle because being older doesn’t necessarily amount to things in the world finally making any “sense.”

“What do they got, a lot of sand? We got a hot crustacean band.”

Sebastian the Crab is such a lively character in The Little Mermaid, even if it takes him some time to come around to Ariel’s dreams of being human. This is most apparent in his song “Under The Sea” when Sebastian brings together tons of talented sea creatures to show her that there’s a lot to love as one of them. Sure, it doesn’t work on Ariel, but they make a good case for it.

“Honey, you mean Hunk-ules!”

The Muses in Hercules help tell the story of the Greek hero with a lot of soul and sass. In “The Gospel Truth,” the muses kind of break the fourth wall to showcase how they find the hero attractive by calling him “Hunk-ules” rather than “Hercules,” and it’s an unforgettable part of the song.

"There's only she who is beautiful as me. So, I'm making plans to woo and marry Belle."

At the beginning of Beauty and the Beast, the setting and its characters are established with the ensemble song “Belle.” During the song, Gaston is introduced in a straightforward way by sharing his goals with these lines. There’s also something quite hilarious about Gaston referring to himself as “beautiful.”

“You’re not a voice, you’re just a ringing in my ear. And, if I heard you, which I don’t.”

At the beginning of Frozen 2, Elsa starts to hear a voice calling to her. While she’s singing about it in “Into The Unknown,” the songwriters found a witty way to communicate how she’s denying the voice calling to her with this line, which is also just well executed lyrically.

"It's genetics! Yeah, I got these genes from outer space. Peep the name, I'm magnificent!"

When Chris Pine was cast as Disney’s latest villain in Wish, he was “geeking out” about the process of getting to sing songs in an animated movie from the House of Mouse. In his big villain song, “This Is The Thanks I Get?!” Pine’s character of King Magnifico shows off his charm and sense of humor by commenting on his good looks.

I’m just a punky little eyeball, and a funky optic nerve.”

Not every Pixar movie has original songs, but Monsters Inc. does in the form of a duet between John Goodman’s Sully and Billy Crystal’s Mike Waskowski. The song “If I Didn’t Have You” is funny from beginning to end as the friends quip with each other about their friendship, but this line from Mike is especially a great line.

”I love to laugh, it’s getting worse every year.”

Laughing isn’t a “condition” typically, but in the case of 1964’s Mary Poppins, it is for Ed Wynn’s Uncle Albert, who starts floating in the air when he starts laughing uncontrollably. In the song “I Love To Laugh,” it’s simply comical to see this concept come to life as Albert sings (through his laughter) how it’s getting “worse every year.”

“This child is getting wildly out of wing.”

In The Lion King’s “I Just Can’t Wait To Be King,” Simba shares his excitement about being the ruler of Pride Rock someday. However, his majordomo, Zazu, is not impressed with the song. In a great pun moment from the ‘90s hit, he says Simba is getting wildly “out of wing” rather than “out of hand” – because he’s a bird.

”I’m the king of the swingers. Oh, the jungle VIP.”

In 1967’s The Jungle Book, “I Wan'na Be Like You” an orangutan named King Louie attempts to entice Mowgli to teach him about the ways of being human with him. The character voiced by jazz and swing singer Louis Prima makes a great joke about playing a monkey and the genre of the song by calling himself the “king of the swingers.”

"His assets frozen, the venue chosen is the ends of the earth, whoopee! So long, ex-Prince Ali!"

Aladdin’s Jafar is a rather comical villain, even though he’s terrifying as well. In the reprise for “Prince Ali,” which comes at a time when his evil plans are coming together, he uses his cleverness to roast Aladdin as he grabs the Genie lamp for himself and asks to become a sorcerer himself.

“Now when you pick a pawpaw, or a prickly pear…”

This is one of those lyrics that is just funny to say and leaves the tongue tingly. In The Bare Necessities, Baloo the Bear teaches Mowgli his motto for life, which includes how he picks his fruit in a long line full of alliteration.

"Are ya achin' (yup, yup, yup), for some bacon? (Yup, yup, yup.)"

Near the end of The Lion King, Timon and Pumbaa assist Simba in foiling Scar by the art of distraction. They do so by crafting up a hilarious Luau song where they use Pumbaa as bait. It will never not be a funny sequence in The Lion King.

"Who can make up these endless refrains like Gaston?"

Beauty and the Beast’s “Gaston” sequence is loads of fun as LeFou sings about his muscled-up mate in a pub full of people who worship him. One funny bit is when LeFou kind of comments on how they are singing a lot about Gaston by saying he makes up “endless refrains."

I could say there are no other movies like Beetlejuice but that would not be entirely true. Tim Burton's 1988 horror-comedy movie does, indeed, boast a wonderfully unique concept, astonishing production design, and a scene-stealing performance unlike any other by Michael Keaton as the titular bio-exorcist.

However, there are plenty of other classic horror movies and more recent freaky favorites that tackle supernatural elements in a similarly surreal and cartoonish way. Since Beetlejuice Beetlejuice hit theaters (despite later deciding that I do not care for the sequel very much after all), I have been in the mood to turn on the juice and see what else shakes loose by watching flicks that remind me of why I adore the original Michael Keaton movie so much.

The Frighteners (1996)

Director: Peter Jackson

Starring: Michael J. Fox, Trini Alvarado

What it's about: A medium who enlists real ghosts to help him stage fake hauntings must use his ability to stop an evil presence from terrorizing his small town.

Why it is a great movie to watch if you like Beetlejuice: Fox's character in the zany paranormal dramedy, The Frighteners — one of Peter Jackson's most underrated movies — runs a scheme that is somewhat similar to Adam (Alec Baldwin) and Barbara Maitland's (Geena Davis) goal to scare the Deetzes out of their home using their ghostly abilities.

How to watch The Frighteners

• Buy or rent The Frighteners on Amazon
• Buy The Frighteners on Blu-ray on Amazon

Little Monsters (1989)

Director: Richard Greenberg

Starring: Fred Savage, Howie Mandel

What it's about: A boy discovers there is an actual grotesque creature living under his bed and strikes up an unlikely friendship with him.

Why it is a great movie to watch if you like Beetlejuice: With the cult favorite Little Monsters, here we have another comedy featuring a goofy and mischievous (but, in this case, friendly) creature and a glimpse into a place beyond our world that bears a similar aesthetic to the afterlife in Beetlejuice.

How to watch Little Monsters

• Stream Little Monsters on Pluto TV
• Stream Little Monsters on Plex
• Stream Little Monsters on The Roku Channel
• Rent or buy Little Monsters on Amazon
• Buy Little Monsters on Blu-ray on Amazon

Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey (1991)

Director: Peter Hewitt

Starring: Keanu Reeves, Alex Winter, William Saldler

What it's about: Bill S. Preston Esq. and Ted "Theodore" Logan must figure out how to get brought back to life after they are murdered by mechanical duplicates of themselves.

Why it is a great movie to watch if you like Beetlejuice: The second installment of the Bill & Ted movies, Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey, is, like Beetlejuice, an adventure from the perspective of two recently deceased protagonists who experience a depiction of the afterlife that is equally horrifying and hilarious.

How to watch Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey

• Stream Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey on Max
• Buy or rent Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey on Amazon
• Buy Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey on Blu-ray on Amazon

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

Director: Henry Selick

Starring: Chris Sarandon, Catherine O'Hara

What it's about: Jack Skellington, the King of Halloween, becomes intrigued by a different holiday and engages in a horribly misguided attempt to bring it to his spooky world.

Why it is a great movie to watch if you like Beetlejuice: The one "Tim Burton movie" that best resembles the surreal aesthetic from Beetlejuice might be the classic Christmas horror movie, The Nightmare Before Christmas — a stop animation masterpiece which Burton produced and wrote the story for.

How to watch The Nightmare Before Christmas

• Stream The Nightmare Before Christmas on Disney+
• Buy or rent The Nightmare Before Christmas on Amazon
• Buy The Nightmare Before Christmas on Blu-ray on Amazon

Death Becomes Her (1992)

Director: Robert Zemeckis

Starring: Goldie Hawn, Meryl Streep, Bruce Willis

What it's about: A rivalry between a writer and the actor who stole her ex-husband escalates over a powerful miracle drug that grants the user eternal life.

Why it is a great movie to watch if you like Beetlejuice: Death Becomes Her is another uproarious dark comedy dealing with the concept of death (or avoiding it, more accurately) that, like Beetlejuice, was later adapted into a Broadway musical.

How to watch Death Becomes Her

• Rent or buy Death Becomes Her on Amazon
• Buy Death Becomes Her on Blu-ray on Amazon

Little Shop Of Horrors (1986)

Director: Frank Oz

Starring: Rick Moranis, Ellen Greene

What it's about: Mild-mannered florist Seymour Krelborn discovers that his weird plant is not of this Earth and has an insatiable taste for human blood.

Why it is a great movie to watch if you like Beetlejuice: Beetlejuice boasts one of the most memorable musical moments in a horror movie ("Day-O") and there are plenty more macabre show tunes to witness in one of the all-time best horror comedy musical movies, Little Shop of Horrors, which is based on a Broadway show inspired by a Roger Croman film.

How to watch Little Shop of Horrors

• Buy or rent Little Shop of Horrors on Amazon
• Buy Little Shop of Horrors on Blu-ray on Amazon

The House With A Clock In Its Walls (2018)

Director: Eli Roth

Starring: Jack Black, Cate Blanchett, Owen Vaccaro

What it's about: After discovering that his uncle is a warlock, a recently orphaned boy begs to learn the mystic arts, which he later uses to help him find a hidden doomsday device.

Why it is a great movie to watch if you like Beetlejuice: Based on John Bellairs’ novel, The House with a Clock in its Walls is a funny, not-so-scary witch movie that, like Beetlejuice, serves as a great example of entry horror for younger viewers.

How to watch The House with a Clock In Its Walls

• Buy or rent The House with a Clock in Its Walls on Amazon
• Buy The House with a Clock in Its Walls on Blu-ray on Amazon

The Witches Of Eastwick (1987)

Director: George Miller

Starring: Jack Nicholson, Cher, Susan Sarandon, Michelle Pfeiffer

What it's about: Three divorced friends accidentally conjure their idea of the perfect man but he is not quite what he seems.

Why it is a great movie to watch if you like Beetlejuice: Based on John Updike's novel, The Witches of Eastwick is another spooky, comedic story about magic, monsters, and other things that are not suitable for younger viewers but do serve as a tonal match with Beetlejuice in many ways.

How to watch The Witches of Eastwick

• Buy or rent The Witches of Eastwick on Amazon
• Buy The Witches of Eastwick on Blu-ray on Amazon

Army Of Darkness (1992)

Director: Sam Raimi

Starring: Bruce Campbell, Embeth Davidtz

What it's about: After a run-in with demonic forces, a grocery store employee with a chainsaw for a right hand is transported to the Middle Ages where he accidentally unleashes another malevolent force.

Why it is a great movie to watch if you like Beetlejuice: The most lighthearted Evil Dead movie, Army of Darkness, boasts a blend of ghoulish and cartoonish whimsy similar to Beetlejuice but with far more battle sequences.

How to watch Army of Darkness

• Rent or buy Army of Darkness on Amazon
• Buy Army of Darkness on Blu-ray on Amazon

Ghost (1990)

Director: Jerry Zucker

Starring: Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore, Whoopi Goldberg

What it's about: A murdered yuppie enlists a medium to help him reach out to his girlfriend.

Why it is a great movie to watch if you like Beetlejuice: For anyone interested in watching a more earnest tale from the point of view of the recently deceased, the Academy Award-winning romantic horror movie Ghost might be exactly what you are looking for.

How to watch Ghost

• Stream Ghost on Paramount+
• Rent or buy Ghost on Amazon
• Buy Ghost on Blu-ray on Amazon

It is nice to know that Beetlejuice fans can find these other great movies on some of the best streaming services to subscribe to today. However, we almost wish it was as simple as saying the titles three times.

What’s harder to land than a hit movie? Try a hit series of movies. This list of titles is full of movies that, through one reason or another, we’re shocked haven’t become bigger franchises in the Hollywood landscape.

Master and Commander: Far Side of the World

Director Peter Weir’s seafaring epic starring Russell Crowe and Paul Bettany has become a fan favorite over time but somehow didn’t catch fire upon initial release. A Master and Commander reboot is in the works, but missing out on more of this pair is still a tragedy. 

Battlestar Galactica

How in the Frak did Caprica not catch on with people? We could have had even more answers into Ronald D. Moore’s reimagining of Battlestar Galactica, and yet people didn’t seem ready for it. Even with the defunct Peacock reboot and an attempted movie adaptation proposed in the past, this sci-fi landmark can’t seem to catch a break, which makes you wonder just what went wrong.

John Carter

The world failed John Carter, but somehow dug straight into Avatar without a question. Holding the record for the longest period of book-to-film adaptation, the legendary Edgar Rice Burroughs’ space opera of Mars finally found itself adapted into a 2012 cult favorite, but failed to turn into a franchise for director Andrew Stanton to call his own. 

Dredd

It’s a shame that Dredd’s story of going from a beleaguered production to a fan favorite never paid off with sequels or spin-off series capitalizing on Karl Urban’s time in the role. Even with streaming success boosting the picture’s profile, there’s still no sign of anyone following this 2000 A.D. comic’s second cinematic adaptation with another turn at bat. 

Mortal Engines

With the YA adaptation market being what it is, it’s rather surprising that Mortal Engines couldn’t capture the same readers and viewers who made The Hunger Games an enduring success. Even having the pedigree of producer Peter Jackson flexing his post-Lord of the Rings muscles wasn’t enough to lift this inventive dystopian tale into the consciousness. 

Akira

There have been several efforts to create a live-action adaptation of author Katsuhiro Otomo’s iconic manga Akira, stretching back for almost as long as the 1988 anime film brought the books to the world’s attention. With major directors like Stephen Norrington, Albert Hughes, and Taika Waititi being drafted over the decades to try and make it so, the reasons for its failure are just as frustrating as not seeing a more accurate portrayal of the manga’s extensive story. 

The Nice Guys

You’d think someone would slip writer/director Shane Black a Christmas present by putting The Nice Guys back on the board as a potential franchise. Alas, not even Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe’s comedic chemistry has made it easy to revisit this fan favorite. Plus, a potential female-led TV reboot has also gone MIA, depriving us all of more clever mysteries punctuated by witty, R-rated punchlines.

Warcraft

Much like Pacific Rim, Legendary co-production Warcraft was a long-legged box office success with modest enough results to keep people asking for a sequel. While one could understand why it never happened, it’s baffling that a reboot or even an adaptation of other Blizzard franchises like Starcraft weren’t attempted to try and get people revved up all over again. 

Sahara

Even Matthew McConaughey understood that Clive Cussler’s Dirk Pitt novels could have been something truly cinematic. With follow-ups intended to continue past Sahara’s 2006 theatrical release, that was indeed a possibility. But even with that film failing to catch fire, how has someone not tried to get this potential American James Bond competitor back on the market? 

Alita: Battle Angel

With solid box office at its back, a vocal fanbase still pulling for a sequel, and the likes of James Cameron producing, Alita: Battle Angel was always born to be a franchise. Sadly, despite Cameron seeming to confirm an Alita sequel in development, nothing has been set in stone. 

Eragon

YA and Fantasy are two realms that always seem to be fresh for mining in show business. Author Christopher Paolini’s Inheritance Cycle, kicked off by the novel Eragon, is one such property that touches both of those bases; seemingly destined for future greatness. At least, that seemed to be the case before the 2006 movie adaptation was released, much to the chagrin of fans of the text. 

Fast and Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw

The Fast Saga has never been quiet about its aspirations to become a huge and healthy franchise. That’s practically why Fast and Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw was greenlit in the first place. But somehow the Dwayne Johnson/Jason Statham spin-off hasn’t been given much priority, even with its main-line franchise due to say its last farewell at some point. 

Tron

While a Tron threequel is in motion, and with a clear finish line in sight, the failure to see this saga entrench itself further in pop culture is a crying shame. Considering how well Tron: Legacy did at the box office, and how Tron: Uprising’s ambitious storyline still remains unfinished, we should have returned to the grid a long time ago. 

Bridesmaids

Admittedly, director Paul Feig’s Bridesmaids wasn’t built for a sequel. That hasn’t stopped lightning-hot comedies in the past, and considering this movie was a lightning bolt hit akin to The Hangover films, one wouldn’t be mistaken in thinking that we missed out by not spending more time with Kristen Wiig and the rest of the insanely stacked ensemble from this laugh riot. 

Interview With The Vampire

Writer Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles novels eventually saw justice done by them with the start of the AMC series adaptation of Interview with the Vampire. Tom Cruise’s shock at the lack of a sequel proves that he would have been up for more madness as Lestat, and knowing that someone prevented this from happening in the decision-making process really bites. 

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off

Considering Ferris Bueller’s Day Off actually landed a TV series that went beyond its source material, you’d think that the John Hughes/Matthew Broderick hit could have secured at least one more movie in its canon. Alas, the closest we’ve ever gotten to such a prospect is a Paramount+ spin-off film, and the Honda Super Bowl ad that returned Broderick to the role in 2012. 

Fear Street

Saved from the clutches of non-existence, Netflix snagged director Leigh Janiak’s Fear Street trilogy after the Fox/Disney merger, making the films a streaming hit. And yet, only one follow-up seems to be on the books at the time, even in a world where author R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps saga has turned into a streaming TV hit. 

The Baby-Sitter’s Club

Whether you’re thinking of the 1995 film adaptation or either of the TV projects that author Ann M. Martin’s iconic book series spawned, the fact that The Baby-Sitter’s Club never caught on is something that’s perplexing. With the popularity of the long-running series’ literary incarnation as its foundation, there’s still a potential for someone to figure out how to keep Dawn, Mallory, and the rest of the girls telling their stories for generations to come.

The Man From U.N.C.L.E.

Guy Ritchie’s The Man from U.N.C.L.E. is more than likely the movie that’s helped actor Henry Cavill continue to associate his name as adjacent to the James Bond franchise. This light-hearted and funny action crusher could have been a competition to 007 himself, and still could be if the right studio executives set their minds to making it happen.

The Last Starfighter

It’s almost amazing how The Last Starfighter’s long developing legacy-quel, with Rogue One writer Gary Whitta attached, can’t seem to escape the atmosphere of development hell. If you ask us, we blame the Ko-Dan Empire for this serious lack of progress. 

The Mummy

“Lack of effort” isn’t the primary cause that killed The Mummy’s potential third sequel. But at the same time, it doesn’t feel like there was never enough hustle to try and get the series back on the rails with Brendan Fraser and company involved. At best, all Universal has to show for things is a failed reboot with Tom Cruise, and a lot of fans hoping Rick O’Connell and his family will return. 

Wanted

Director Timur Bekmambetov still likes to talk about the potential sequel to his 2008 hit Wanted, but that talk seems to be going nowhere. This James McAvoy and Angelina Jolie starring hit still has its fans, but apparently none of them are in positions of power to get a second picture into the works. 

District 9

One of Neill Blomkamp’s most promising sequel pitches has to be the follow-up he was planning to continue the story of his breakout hit District 9. As the 2009 sci-fi movie left off on a huge cliffhanger, further exploration of the worlds occupied by Wikus (Shartlo Copley) and “Prawn” Christopher (Jason Cope) just might have expanded this hard-hitting story across the galaxy. 

Edge of Tomorrow

If Tom Cruise wants to do something, he tends to get his way on the matter at hand. A potential Edge of Tomorrow sequel is one of the rare cases that, at the moment, proves this isn’t always the case. Perhaps it’s just a matter of time before Tom makes this seemingly impossible feat a reality. 

Galaxy Quest

Across the spectrum of movies and TV, the potential continuation of 1999’s Galaxy Quest has been a subject of great work and much promise. While potential successor efforts seem to have mostly halted after the death of Alan Rickman, it’s still somewhat surprising that there weren’t more attempts made closer to the release of the original. 

The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy

While there’s not a “definitive” version of Douglas Adams’ Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, the places the 2005 cinematic incarnation could have gone were numerous. That unfulfilled promise could have been realized through the more recent Hulu series that was pitched, but the radio silence on that front speaks volumes about the possibility. 

The Rocketeer

Despite its initial box office troubles, The Rocketeer has continued to thrill audiences young and old. There’s been quite a bit of talk over the years involving legacy-quels pitches, but as it currently stands all that’s actually happened is a Disney Junior series that ran between 2019 and 2020.

James Bond

Over 60 years of history is pretty amazing with any film franchise, especially the James Bond series of movies. But with so many potentials for spin-offs and book-accurate adaptations, the most the powers that be have done to branch out this particular brand is the Prime Video exclusive reality series 007: Road to a Million.

The Nightmare Before Christmas

Jack Skellington’s exploits in trying to take over Christmas are legendary, even with The Nightmare Before Christmas’ rocky start in theaters. While there is a video game sequel, as well as adjacent adventures in sagas like Kingdom Hearts, no cinematic continuation to Tim Burton and Henry Selick’s perennial favorite has been made.

National Treasure

What’s tougher than stealing the Declaration of Independence? Try making a theatrical sequel to the National Treasure movies. Ending on a cliffhanger that seemed to set up a natural continuation with a third movie, the short-lived Disney+ series National Treasure: Edge of History is the closest we’ve gotten to re-entering the world of Nicholas Cage’s iconic treasure hunter Benjamin Gates. 

Sherlock Holmes

There could be hope for a third Guy Ritchie Sherlock Holmes movie, especially with his Young Sherlock series potentially reinvigorating interest in the IP. The wait for such a prospect has certainly been a killer, but fans of Steven Moffat’s modern adaptation of Sherlock would probably fight for the title of “most disappointed fans on Baker Street,” as that BBC series stopped after four rounds of adventure. 

Hocus Pocus

We understand that Hocus Pocus has a sequel movie, and there’s another round that’s looking to get underway. But to be completely honest, it’s surprising that there wasn’t a larger scrum to dig up the Sanderson Sisters a lot earlier, especially when the old days of Disney direct-to-video sequels would have eaten this prospect up, and asked for more.

Throughout the 1990s, audiences were introduced to countless iconic movie characters that made us laugh, cry, and feel every emotion on the spectrum. Lovable good guys, mean bad guys, and characters that live somewhere in the middle helped make some of the best ‘90s movies turn into pop culture phenomena. 

Though there are close to 25 years of separation between us and the end of the final decade of the 20th century, big-screen figures like Forrest Gump, Cher Horowitz, and Jules Winnfield are still very much a part of our culture. That said, we’ve put together a hefty list of iconic ‘90s movie characters and why we still talk about them today. 

Jules Winnfield & Vincent Vega (Pulp Fiction)

From the first time we met Jules Winnfield (Samuel L. Jackson) and Vincent Vega (John Travolta) in the early goings of Pulp Fiction, the dynamic duo has been one of the most iconic and quotable in cinematic history. Their banter (Royale with Cheese), legendary lines (Bad Motherfucker), and chemistry have kept them relevant 30 years on.

Forrest Gump (Forrest Gump)

When discussing Tom Hanks’ best performances, it doesn’t take long before his portrayal of Forrest Gump enters the conversation. This beloved character, who was somehow at the center of every major event from the 1960s to the 1980s in Forrest Gump, remains a symbol of hope and a source of whimsical expressions decades later.

Ace Ventura (Ace Ventura: Pet Detective)

Jim Carrey went from an on-the-rise comedian to the biggest thing in show business in 1994, thanks in part to his starring role in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective. The over-the-top, zany, and aggravating Ventura inspired an entire generation to drive with their heads out the window and make their butts talk.

Kevin McCallister (Home Alone)

In 1990, Macaulay Culkin became the biggest child star on the planet thanks to his portrayal of Kevin McCallister in Home Alone. The performance, which is still as great as ever 30-plus years later, completely changed the way kid protagonists are portrayed and launched an entire industry of imitators, so much so we’ll never forget this iconic character.

Vivian Ward (Pretty Woman)

The ‘90s gave us some of the best romantic comedies ever, and that includes Pretty Woman. While Richard Gere is great in the 1990 movie, it’s Julia Roberts’ Vivian Ward who steals the show. All the years later, Vivian remains a powerful, independent, and beloved character that reshaped the mold of the rom-com heroine.

Neo (The Matrix)

The Wachowskis changed the sci-fi and action genres with their incredibly popular and inventive The Matrix back in 1999, and the same can be said about the film’s hero: Neo. One of Keanu Reeves’ best characters, Neo was and remains a revelation decades later.

The Dude (The Big Lebowski)

Jeff Bridges has a long list of great characters, but he will forever be associated with The Dude from The Big Lebowski. At this point, it’s hard to talk about one without bringing up the other, which says something about the performance.

Happy Gilmore (Happy Gilmore)

Adam Sandler had great characters on Saturday Night Live, and his performance in Billy Madison should be applauded, but come on, his most iconic role is Happy Gilmore. The titular hockey player-turned-golfer in this 1996 comedy made golf cool before Tiger Woods, so no wonder a Happy Gilmore sequel is in the works.

Edward (Edward Scissorhands)

There is something innocent and pure about Johnny Depp’s performance in Edward Scissorhands that has resonated with audiences over the past few decades, which is why the character always comes up with discussing the actor’s collaborations with Tim Burton. Equally odd and heartfelt, the portrayal is the stuff of wonder.

Bernadine & Savannah & Gloria & Robin (Waiting To Exhale)

On top of having a fantastic soundtrack and one of the best stories about friendship captured on film, Waiting to Exhale also introduced us to four of the best characters of the ‘90s. Bernadine Harris (Angela Bassett), Savannah Jackson (Whitney Houston), Gloria Matthews (Loretta Devine), and Robin Stokes (Lela Rochon) taught us about life and the meaning of friendship; lessons we still hold dear years later.

Hannibal Lecter (The Silence Of The Lambs)

A character that still sends shivers down our spines, Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) in The Silence of the Lambs redefined what it meant to be a movie villain. The psychology, the physicality (or lack thereof), and the menacing expressions were something to behold.

Andy Dufresne & Red Redding (The Shawshank Redemption)

Arguably one of the most iconic movies of the ‘90s, The Shawshank Redemption gave us a touching and endearing friendship shared by Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) and Red Redding (Morgan Freeman). Even if the movie wasn’t played on TV in perpetuity decades after its release, we’d still be championing these two beloved characters.

Henry Hill (Goodfellas)

Love him or hate him, Henry Hill from Goodfellas is a criminal and character that’ll never be forgotten by pop culture. One of Ray Liotta’s best performances, the late actor’s turn as criminal-turned-witness is mesmerizing, to say the very least.

Cher Horowitz (Clueless)

Few characters captured the attitude, style, and sensibilities of a ‘90s teenager better than Alicia Silverstone’s Cher Horowitz in Clueless. And like, so many people still say “Ugh, as if,” a line taken from a movie released nearly 30 years ago.

Thelma & Louise (Thelma & Louise)

Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon gave the performances of a lifetime with their portrayal of the titular characters in Ridley Scott’s Thelma & Louise, portrayals that still come up time and time again decades later. These two characters were a breath of fresh air and helped kickstart the modern heroine back in 1991.

Will Hunting (Good Will Hunting) 

Matt Damon became an overnight sensation with his portrayal of Will Hunting in Good Will Hunting, a movie he co-wrote with co-star and best friend Ben Affleck. The math prodigy from South Boston was a revelation at the time of the film’s release and showed the dynamic range of the young actor.

Mrs. Doubtfire (Mrs. Doubtfire)

The late, great Robin Williams thrived in the ‘90s, and during that stretch, he gave us some of his best characters. One of those is Daniel Hillard, a.k.a., Mrs. Doubtfire, from the 1993 comedy classic. Not only is the performance tremendous, but those of us who grew up with Mrs. Doubtfire still quote the movie like every single day.

Lloyd & Harry (Dumb And Dumber)

Lloyd Christmas (Jim Carrey) and Harry Dunne (Jeff Daniels) are two of the dumbest yet beloved characters to grace the silver screen in the ‘90s. Dumb and Dumber, one of the funniest movies of the decade, is still finding an audience 30 years later, and that’s all thanks to this unforgettable duo.

Tracy Flick (Election)

If you were to make a list of the best Reese Witherspoon movies and NOT include Election, then you’d probably get voted out of office. Her portrayal of high school busy-body Tracy Flick is outstanding and ICONIC, even if she’s a character we’d so much want to see lose.

Austin Powers (Austin Powers: International Man Of Mystery)

Austin Powers is up there with Wayne Campbell when it comes to iconic Mike Myers characters, and one of the most memorable figures from ‘90s cinema. Starting with Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery, the English spy parody took over pop culture more than a quarter-century ago and never let go.

Tyler Durden (Fight Club)

The number one rule of Fight Club is to not talk about Fight Club, but there was no way we could make a list of iconic ‘90s movie characters and not include Brad Pitt’s Tyler Durden. The definition of cool (or at least what Edward Norton’s character thought was cool in the final years of the 20th century), Tyler became an instant icon and he never went away.

Jay & Silent Bob (Clerks/Mallrats/Dogma)

Jay (Jason Mewes) and Silent Bob (Kevin Smith) weren’t really the main focus of the various Kevin Smith movies released throughout the ‘90s, but they still became two of the most iconic characters of the decade. The goofiness, their unique personalities, and the way they could always save the day made them just so dang cool.

Agents J & K (Men In Black)

There were a lot of great duos in ‘90s cinema, including Agents J (Will Smith) and K (Tommy Lee Jones) in Men in Black. These two were polar opposites, which made the pairing so much fun and unique, even for the buddy action genre. Years later, these two are so much fun to watch.

Sydney Prescott (Scream)

Wes Craven’s 1996 horror classic, Scream, was like a breath of fresh air, and a lot of that is because of Sydney Prescott (Neve Campbell) and how she rewrote what it meant to be a scream queen. Modern horror movies have both to thank for this.

The Genie (Aladdin)

Robin Williams’ Genie from Aladdin could very well be the best side character from Disney’s Renaissance from the later part of the 20th century. The lovable and powerful character had it all: jokes, songs, infinite power, etc., and made a mark on audiences.

Craig & Smokey (Friday)

Though Ice Cube had been in movies by the time he starred in Friday, his portrayal of Craig took things to the next level. And we can’t forget about Chris Tucker’s Smokey, an endless source of comedic relief. These two down-on-their-luck friends are still a good hang years later.

Cameron Poe (Con Air)

What’s not to love about Cameron Poe (Nicolas Cage) in Con Air? The hair, the accent, the “Put the bunny in the box” line, and the bravery all make this a character that is not only incredibly badass, but also iconic as hell.

Jack & Rose (Titanic)

Jack Dawson (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Rose DeWitt Bukater (Kate Winslet) from James Cameron’s box office sensation, Titanic, are not just the most tragic couple of ‘90s movies, they’re also the most iconic. For years, these two ill-fated lovers have captured the hearts of billions around the world, and they’re not letting go.

Sarah Connor (Terminator 2: Judgment Day)

Though Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton) technically first appeared in The Terminator, which came out in 1984, she’s just too much of a badass in Terminator 2: Judgment Day to leave off this list. No longer the young and naive waitress from James Cameron’s first movie, Sarah is a one-woman army and a trailblazer for other strong female characters that followed.

Eric Draven (The Crow)

Eric Draven, the anti-hero protagonist played by the late Brandon Lee in The Crow, has become one of the most unforgettable ‘90s movie characters over the years. It may have something to do with the tragic on-set accident that killed Lee, but it is also because the character is just so charismatic. 

Jack Skellington (The Nightmare Before Christmas)

Sure, there are other great animated characters from the ‘90s, but Jack Skellington from The Nightmare Before Christmas is on a whole other level. Even if you discount all the merch that has flooded stores like Hot Topic over the past 30 years, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town is an iconic creation that’s never really left the conversation.

Truman Burbank (The Truman Show)

Jim Carrey proved in The Truman Show that he was more than capable of handling more dramatic (or at least less over-the-top) roles with his portrayal of Truman Burbank. This earnest performance is to thank for Carrey’s later more dramatic performances in movies like Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

There are so many more iconic ‘90s movie characters we could have included, but we had to stop somewhere.  

As the Mayor said in Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas: “Terrible news, folks! The worst tragedy of our time!” The 1993 flick (which is now considered one of the best claymation Christmas movies) was originally undervalued by audiences. However, in the past three decades, it has become a staple of many people’s watchlists, even becoming a comfort film that can be viewed during the holidays or far after they've passed. So, of course, fans have long been asking for a sequel, which would give them a chance to revisit Halloween Town's Jack Skellington. Burton himself has now humorously weighed in on the prospect of a sequel. And it doesn't sound like one will happen – no matter how much 90’s nostalgia it could evoke.

Tim Burton, who has an extensive list of movies on his resume, put his foot down once and for all when it comes to the possibility of The Nightmare Before Christmas ever getting a sequel. When asked about it, he refused in lively fashion, choosing to get colorful with his language to emphasize that he’s not one to mess with when it comes to the art he’s extremely passionate about. And, in typical Burton fashion, what he had to say to Empire was not only funny but proves he’s not playing around when it comes to Jack Skellington and co: 

Anyone that’s watched the creepy holiday movie knows that for a somewhat dark piece of work, it shines bright in ways that are very personal for any viewer. There’s a lot of insightfulness, and it has themes that pertain to inward thinking and self-awareness. Keeping all of that in mind, such subject matter may not ever be able to be replicated properly in a supposed. 

So, if Tim Burton -- who produced the film -- wants to keep this one to himself because of how much it means to him, it's his right. (Of course, Disney could theoretically move forward with another film regardless if it so chooses to do so.)

Despite the Beetlejuice helmer's humorous assertion that fans should "get off my land," franchise devotees will probably continue to clamor for a follow-up. Nightmare director Henry Selick is even down for a prequel, as he'd like to tell the story of how Jack became the Pumpkin King. Whether something ever comes to fruition, I’m just thankful that we live in a time at which something as special as this movie exists.

You can check out Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas using a Disney+ subscription. Said membership will also get you access to other classic features from the House of Mouse.

Did you know that the Academy Awards’ category for Best Animated Feature has only existed since 2002 and the first recipient was one of the best kids movies, Shrek? It makes us wonder what other classics of the medium would have received the honor had the category been introduced prior to their release. Let’s explore the idea by recalling some of the most acclaimed animated movies of all time that deserved the Oscar (including some that were either recognized or won in another category or received a special statuette).

Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs (1937)

As the first feature-length animated film ever made, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs likely would have earned the award for that grand achievement alone. In fact, the film did earn Walt Disney an honorary Oscar that was specially designed with seven miniature statuettes surrounding it, in reference to the Seven Dwarfs.

Toy Story (1995)

Toy Story was a game-changer in the mid-1990s as the first fully computer-generated feature length film — a feat that did earn Pixar a Special Achievement Oscar, in addition to nods for its screenplay and Randy Newman’s score and iconic original song, “You’ve Got a Friend in Me.” It probably would have won Best Animated Feature on that fact alone, if not for the ingenious plot and heartwarming themes of friendship, as explored through the complicated relationship between string-activated cowboy doll, Woody (Academy Award winner Tom Hanks), and “high-tech” spaceman, Buzz (Tim Allen).

The Lion King (1994)

It makes sense when you learn that The Lion King is an adaptation of King Lear because the story is on par with even the most powerful works of William Shakespeare. Throw in gorgeous animation of the Pride Lands of Africa and Oscar-winning music by Elton John and Hans Zimmer and you have yourself a masterpiece.

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

The only thing more unique than the story of The Nightmare Before Christmas — the disillusioned Halloween King tries to bring Christmas to his spooky town — is its stop-motion animation style. The fascinatingly freaky aesthetic of producer Tim Burton and director Henry Sellick's cult favorite did earn it an Oscar nomination for Visual Effects, but we imagine it would have received a Best Animated Feature Oscar win had the category existed.

My Neighbor Totoro (1988)

As one of the all-time most beloved anime film classics, Akira very likely could have received the Best Animated Feature honor in 1989. Yet, Studio Ghibli's My Neighbor Totoro — which follows the adventures of two young girls and the spirits of the forest — is the more irresistibly whimsical anime fantasy, making it more of a shoe-in.

The Iron Giant (1999)

The BAFTAs have a category for Best Feature Film in a division reserved for children’s entertainment that, in 2000, was received by Brad Bird's feature-length directorial debut, The Iron Giant. This might be a good indication that the highly original, intelligently crafted, and heartwarming B-movie throwback had a great chance of winning the Best Animated Feature Oscar, too, despite what would have been fierce competition with Toy Story 2, Disney's Tarzan, Fantasia 2000, and South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut.

Princess Mononoke (1997)

The year 1997 was another iconic one for animated cinema, with Disney's Hercules, Anastasia, Cats Don't Dance, and Perfect Blue among its most acclaimed examples. However, an epic, visually stunning fantasy adventure by Studio Ghibli like Princess Mononoke seems like the best bet.

Aladdin (1992)

This beloved animated adaptation of One Thousand and One Arabian Nights was nominated for five Oscars and won two for Alan Menken's score and the original song, "A Whole New World." In an alternate world, Aladdin — one of the all-time best Disney animated films for its sweeping, romantic, adventurous tone and, especially, the late Robin Williams’ extraordinary performance as the voice of Genie — just might have won a third statuette.

Chicken Run (2000)

The last year before the Best Animated Feature Oscar was created saw the release of the hilarious The Emperor's New Groove, the thrilling Titan A.E., and Dinosaur, which boasted some unusually realistic animation. However, the most acclaimed animated film from that year was the funny claymation-style escape thriller, Chicken Run, which could have ended up being the most acclaimed pick from that year by the Academy.  

The Little Mermaid (1989)

This beautiful adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s aquatic fairytale might have faced some competition in the Best Animated Feature category with Hayao Miyazaki’s Kiki’s Delivery Service, All Dogs Go to Heaven, and, perhaps even, Peter Jackson’s Meet the Feebles. However, considering The Little Mermaid did earn Alan Menken two Oscars for Best Original Song (for “Under the Sea” against “Kiss the Girl”) and Original Score, it very likely would have swam its way to the top, as well.

Mulan (1998)

The most noteworthy theatrically released animated films of 1998 included Quest for Camelot, The Rugrats Movie, The Prince of Egypt, Antz, and its Pixar twin A Bug’s Life. However, the one with the best chance of taking home the gold would have probably been Disney’s funny, action-packed, period epic, Mulan, which did earn a Best Original Score nod at that year’s Oscars.

Beauty And The Beast (1991)

Disney’s retelling of the classic fairytale, Beauty and the Beast, was the first animated film to receive a nomination for the Best Picture Oscar — in addition to five other nominations, including Original Song and Score, which it won. Later, 2009’s Up and 2010’s Toy Story 3 also earned nods in the grand prize category and wound up taking home the Best Animated Feature Oscar in their respective years. Thus, if the category existed in 1992, this timeless story of the prevailing power of true love would have had no competition.

The Jungle Book (1967)

Disney’s first adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s seminal novel about a young boy (voiced by Bruce Reitherman) living among wild animals was recognized by the Academy with a nomination for Terry Gilkyson’s original song, “The Bare Necessities.” When taking a look at the other animated films from 1967 — including Rankin/Bass’ The Wacky World of Mother Goose and Cyborg 009: Monster Wars —  it seems like the The Jungle Book would have had this in the bag.

Peter Pan (1953)

Disney’s animated adaptation of J.M. Barrie’s seminal fairytale about a wondrous world with pirates and an ageless boy with the ability to fly did not get much awards attention, save a Grand Prize nomination at the 1953 Cannes Film Festival. That kind of praise for Peter Pan probably would have given the Academy something to think about, at least, had they created the Best Animated Feature adaptation then.

Castle In The Sky (1986)

Even with acclaimed animated features like An American Tail (which was nominated for Best Original Song), The Great Mouse Detective, and Transformers: The Movie released in the same year, we still have the most confidence in Castle in the Sky. This gravity-defying adventure was the first feature-length film by Studio Ghibli and is still remembered as one of the studio’s finest efforts.

Bambi (1942)

Based on a novel by Felix Salten, the iconic, devastating Bambi received Academy Award nominations for Best Sound, Song, and Score, which alone makes a good case for its Best Animated Feature eligibility. Not to mention, its only competition in that race would have been another, much-forgotten, Disney film called Saludos Amigos and a lost Chilean feature called 15 mil dibujos.

Fantasia (1940)

The year's animated feature to compete at the Academy Awards was Pinocchio, which did take home statuettes for Original Score and Original Song (“When You Wish Upon a Star”). The only other feature-length animated flick released that year was an anthology called Fantasia, which received two honorary awards for its then unique combination of music and visuals and “contribution to the use of sound in motion pictures." Fantasia’s groundbreaking technical achievements, wondrous aesthetic, and sense of variety probably would have given it the edge for Best Animated Feature over Pinocchio, which would have meant a win for Disney either way.

Watership Down (1978)

Inspired by Richard Adam’s novel, Watership Down is the harrowing tale of a group of rabbits desperate to find refuge from humans intent on destroying their home, which received a Hugo Award nomination for “Best Dramatic Presentation.” To us, this suggests that it might have been favored by the Academy as well, considering its biggest competition would have been Ralph Bashki’s divisive The Lord of the Rings and a few Disney cartoon compilations.

Lady And The Tramp (1955)

While the Academy Awards did not have a Best Animated Feature category in 1956, the BAFTAs did and one of their nominees that year was Lady and the Tramp. While a Canadian short film called Blinkity Blank ended up winning, we imagine the heartwarming tale about a pampered Cocker Spaniel (voiced by Barbara Luddy) who falls for a stray mongrel (voiced by Larry Roberts) would have been treated better by the Academy.

Sleeping Beauty (1959)

George Burns’ original score for this adaptation of Charles Perrault’s seminal fairytale, Sleeping Beauty, did get a nod from the Academy, but probably would have taken home Best Animated Feature. Fun fact: the Disney film’s most notable competition might have been an adaptation of the “Aladdin” segment from One Thousand and One Arabian Nights by Columbia Pictures.

Dumbo (1941)

Perhaps one of the reasons why the Academy had not created a Best Animated Feature category by 1942 is because victories were pretty much inevitable at the time. In other words, Dumbo — which did win Best Score that year — probably would have beaten out The Reluctant Dragon (an anthology also from Disney) and Princess Iron Fan, which was China’s first animated feature, but its colorless animation might have hurt its chances.

Cinderella (1950)

Three Academy Award nominations — namely Best Original Song ("Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo"), Score, and Sound — went to, arguably, the most definitive Disney animated movie. Without even taking the other animated features released in 1950 into account, it is hard to imagine anything else but the timeless love story in Cinderella winning over the Academy’s hearts in the Best Animated Feature category for that year.

Charlotte’s Web (1973)

Disney certainly would have had a good chance at winning the Best Animated Feature Oscar in 1974 with Robin Hood, which did earn a nod for George Burns’ original song, “Love.” However, we can’t help but feel that Paramount’s original, uplifting adaptation of E.B. White’s Charlotte’s Web would have been the radiant victor.

One Hundred And One Dalmatians (1961)

In 1962, the BAFTA for Best Animated Film was given to Disney’s One Hundred and One Dalmatians. If this category existed in the Oscars at that time, we imagine it would have also gone to this iconic adaptation of Dodie Smith’s novel about a family of puppies kidnapped by ruthless fashionista, Cruella de Vil.

The Hunchback Of Notre Dame (1996)

While there is a case to be made that the largely stop-motion animated James and the Giant Peach could have been eligible and that Beavis and Butt-Head Do America deserved a chance, it might be safest to say the Best Animated Feature Oscar would have gone to The Hunchback of Notre Dame in 1997. Disney’s adaptation of Victor Hugo’s esteemed French novel did received an Academy Award nomination for Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz’s score, however.

The Secret Of NIMH (1982)

The 1983 Best Animated Feature Oscar race might have had a pretty stellar line-up with two acclaimed Rankin-Bass fantasies (The Flight of the Dragon and The Last Unicorn), the U.K. adaptation of Richard Adam’s The Plague Dogs, and (if they counted it) the visually groundbreaking Tron. However, our money would have been on The Secret of NIMH, which is one of the legendary Don Bluth’s most wild and wondrous adventures.

The Aristocats (1970)

To modern audiences, The Aristocats is a seen as an animated Disney movie that has not aged very well, due to some racial insensitivities. However, in 1971, that would have had no effect on the Academy, who probably would have given it the Best Animated Feature Oscar for its incredible musical moments.

Alice In Wonderland (1951)

Disney’s original adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s surreal novel was one of only three feature-length animated films released in 1951, the others being a Czechoslovakian stop-motion film called Prince Bayaya and a Soviet adaptation of The Night Before Christmas. Not only would this have helped its chances in the Best Animated Feature Oscar race, but its score also received a nod from the Academy.

Animal Farm (1954)

Because Disney did not release an animated film in 1954, that very likely would have left Animal Farm as a shoe-in for the Best Animated Feature Oscar at that time. While not particularly appropriate for family viewing, the adaptation of George Orwell’s clever, anti-fascist satire is a work of great importance.

The Fox And The Hound (1981)

Despite its heart-wrenching story of two creatures whose friendship is threatened when they discover they are meant to be natural enemies, Disney’s The Fox and the Hound was easily one of the most family-friendly animated films from 1981, which probably could have helped its chances in the Best Animated Feature Oscar race. Its greatest competition most likely would have been Ralph Bashki’s American Pop and producer Ivan Reitman’s Heavy Metal — both of which are musicals that, certainly, were not made for younger audiences.

The Rescuers (1977)

The Rescuers was nominated by the Academy for its original song, “Someone’s Waiting For You,” but we are inclined to believe a Best Animated Feature win would have also been in order. In fact, this thrilling adventure’s 1990 sequel, The Rescuers Down Under, more than likely would have won for its year, too.

Yellow Submarine (1968)

If the music in Yellow Submarine (courtesy of The Beatles, whose 1966 song inspired the film) would not win over the Academy, at least the intense visuals likely would have. The film follows John, Paul, George, and Ringo, who are enlisted by Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band to help save Pepperland from the anti-musical Blue Meanies.

The animation medium has come a long way, but its greatest admirers would agree that these classics deserved more recognition in their prime. Hopefully, mentioning them in this list served as a worthy consolation to being made before they could have the chance at a Best Animated Feature Oscar.

Before the best movies from the 2000s were allowed to run, the cinematic classics from the 1990s had to walk. (Well, except for Forrest Gump.) The 20th century closed out with a decade of cinematic spectacles as Hollywood embraced bigger budgets, the early days of CGI, and a new breed of superstars like Brad Pitt, Reese Witherspoon and Keanu Reeves.

From great ‘90s sci-fi movies like Jurassic Park to beloved ‘90s family films like Toy Story to chilling thrillers and hilarious comedies, just about any genre fan can feel represented by the era's best. Can the same be said for music, TV and literature? (I'll be too busy watching Speed again to research that.) So grab your long-dead Tamagotchis and scented markers and join us in celebrating the best of the best that the ‘90s had to offer.

• This list was compiled by the bulk of CinemaBlend's editors and writers, who gave 0-5 scores to an overall list of around 300 movies, with all of the final scores averaged out to determine the final ranking of 100.

How We Put This List Together

• Around 300 entries from a vast variety of 1990s films , which fit the bill of being culturally relevant and critically respected, were gathered using a combination of staff recommendations, movie guides and further research. The entries were tracked in a spreadsheet, where the majority of our staff then went through a multi-level voting process, with scores assigned based on personal opinions. A base number of viewers was also required for entries to make the cut, and lowest scores were then eliminated, in the style of scoring figure skating. The movies were then ordered from 1-100 based on the final average scores, with a variety of staff members writing the movie-celebrating entries. 

100. The Fifth Element (1997)

Luc Besson's The Fifth Element is a seriously wild movie. The sci-fi adventure has become a bona fide genre classic. Even though parts of the film were frustrating to make, those efforts clearly paid off, leaving us with one of the most fun space rides to date with an A-level cast including Milla Jovovich, Bruce Willis, Gary Oldman, and Chris Tucker in arguably his spaciest performance. Anyone who may have forgotten how fun and bonkers it is should grab a multi-pass and return immediately. 

99. Dumb and Dumber (1994)

Jim Carrey may have enjoyed the most successful year for any comedian in 1994, and Dumb and Dumber is a major part of that unprecedented run. After the wildly successful Ace Ventura: Pet Detective and The Mask, the Saturday Night Live reject gave an iconic performance as Lloyd Christmas in the Farrelly Brothers’ breakout comedy alongside Jeff Daniels’ Harry Dunne. Everything about the movie simply works in spite of itself. The chemistry between its stars, the balance of over-the-top humor and more subtle jokes, and the most annoying sound in the world work together to create an unparalleled and game-changing experience. 

98. The Blair Witch Project (1999)

The Blair Witch Project may not have been the first to bring a cinéma vérité approach to the horror genre, but through extremely savvy marketing and lore-building, the no-budget flick became one of the most profitable films of all time, spawning a franchise of film sequels, comics, a video game, and beyond. And all without an actual “witch” to tease in the trailers. One of the ‘90s most polarizing efforts, BWP’s “something from nothing” approach makes it as influential as anything else from the decade.

97. Mulan (1998)

What can be said about Mulan that has yet to be talked about? Released at the tail end of the famed Disney Renaissance through the ‘90s, Mulan was the animated film that defined a generation of young women, inspiring many to always fight for their honor and never back down, even when everyone in the world says otherwise. The music is excellent as the voice-acting takes you to another world, and the animation easily pulls viewers in, but it’s the themes that stay with audiences forever.

96. The Wedding Singer (1998)

More than just a wonderful romantic comedy, The Wedding Singer is a standout title in Adam Sandler’s early career. In the 1990s, Sandler was known for his goofy characters on Saturday Night Live and in goofy movies like Billy Madison, Happy Gilmore, and Airheads, but The Wedding Singer was an opportunity for him to show he could do work with a bit more gravity. There’s an argument to be made it paved the way for him excelling in films like Punch Drunk Love and Uncut Gems. And the power of Sandler + Drew Barrymore can never be denied.

95. Death Becomes Her (1992)

There’s a scene in Death Becomes Her that pretty much sums up the Robert Zemeckis film’s greatness – as Goldie Hawn’s Helen sits and leans back, the handle of a shovel slips perfectly through the hole in her torso. Meanwhile, Meryl Streep’s Madeline gracefully takes a seat while clutching her hair atop her head, in order to keep it from flopping forward against her broken neck. It’s dark, it’s twisted, it’s hilarious, and for 1992, the special effects are impressive. Bruce Willis’ Ernest being dragged along for the ride caps off the excellent trio of characters, in this eternally underrated comedy.

94. Sleepless in Seattle (1993)

Four years after already penning one of the all-time great romantic comedies (Rob Reiner’s When Harry Met Sally), the late Nora Ephron directed a landmark rom-com of her own with Sleepless in Seattle. The second of three movies co-starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan, this genre staple features an incredible story about a woman who goes to great lengths to be with the man she loves, a man whom she’s never met and only knows from a call-in radio show. It’s charming, witty, earnest, and the best kind of enchanted realism. 

93. Jackie Brown (1997)

Quentin Tarantino’s third directorial effort, Jackie Brown kicks off with Pam Grier’s money-smuggling flight attendant trekking to work to the tune of Bobby Womack’s “Across 110th Street,” helping it stand apart from the testosterone-enhanced violence of his first two features. And while the star-studded flick does dip into the filmmaker’s favored crime genre tropes, Jackie Brown hinges more on character study than sheer plot machination, and provides career-high performances from Bridget Fonda, Robert Forster, and Grier herself. And in that way, it’s arguably the most empathy-worthy project from Tarantino’s career.

92. Happy Gilmore (1996)

Depending on who you talk to, Adam Sandler’s '90s comedies are either near the peak of the genre or near the pits of low-brow comedy. We know where Shooter McGavin's opinions would lie, but we lean toward raising our clubs and pucks to Sandler’s story about a failed hockey player taking the world of professional golf by storm, all for his grandma. I’ll always laugh at Happy Gilmore’s titular hero going toe-to-toe with the late game show host Bob Barker, and the wild story of how he got involved is as great as the on-screen fisticuffs.

91. Casino (1995)

It’s hard to pick a favorite when talking about the best mob characters that Robert De Niro has played, though I’d argue Sam "Ace" Rothstein is as good as it gets. Unlike many other gangster movies tethered to dark alleys, Casino zeroes in on the mafia’s stranglehold of the glitzy and glamorous Las Vegas in the 1970s. It’s further bolstered by excellent directing from master craftsman Martin Scorsese and a supporting cast with legends like Sharon Stone and Joe Pesci. A fantastic movie that doesn't shy away from deeply upsetting moments. 

90. Forrest Gump (1994)

Despite all the cringey and parody-fueling moments in Robert Zemeckis' Forrest Gump --- never forget the Weird Al classic "Gump" --- Tom Hanks' history-making and country-crossing simpleton remains one of the 1990s most enduring movie heroes. With a stacked cast of pros, from Sally Field to Gary Sinise, Forrest Gump's popularity was evident from both its boffo box office, its huge success at the Oscars and beyond, and just how many quotes from this movie have permanently nestled themselves into pop culture. 

89. A Few Good Men (1992)

Courtrooms are a natural fit for high drama, and A Few Good Men has some of the best courtroom scenes in cinema history. Aaron Sorkin’s first screenplay, based on his own stage play, is missing many of the elements that would later define his writing, but that’s not a bad thing here. The battle between Tom Cruise and Jack Nicholson has become iconic, but even outside of that near-perfect scene, A Few Good Men is full of incredible characters, smart dialogue, and memorable moments. It’s perhaps one of Cruise’s most criminally overlooked performances.

88. Pretty Woman (1990)

Pretty Woman is definitely one of Julia Roberts's best movies in a wildly impressive career, but it's also one of the best ‘90s rom-coms. The film's sleazy-on-paper tale, which follows a rich businessman hiring a Hollywood escort to be his date to several social events, is a charmer thanks to its stellar leads. The film vaulted Roberts into an even bigger star, while making romantics everywhere swoon at the idea of a wealthy millionaire like Richard Gere coming out of nowhere to sweep them off their feet – if only, amirite?

87. As Good As It Gets (1997)

I miss Jack Nicholson. I miss James L. Brooks. I miss emotional, character-driven comedies that excelled thanks to outstanding performances from A-list talent. Nicholson, Helen Hunt, and Greg Kinnear weave magic in this sweet story about strangers forming friendships over low-stakes but relatable dramas. Studios craving IP don’t back movies like this anymore. But when they did, and when actors could sink their teeth into the material, this one was as good as they got. 

86. The Sandlot (1993)

There are ‘90s sports movies that are kid-pleasers, and then there is The Sandlot, the 1993 coming-of-age story about a ragtag group of kids living what could be the best summer of their lives. There's so much to love about this small-stakes baseball tale, from its timelessness to its life lessons to incredible characters like Scotty Smalls, Benny Rodriguez, Ham Porter, and so many others, there’s just so much to love about this classic sports film. To quote the Great Bambino, “Heroes get remembered, but legends never die.” In this case, we're calling our shot: The Sandlot is one of those legends. 

85. Can't Hardly Wait (1998)

Can’t Hardly Wait combines an "everybody's recognizable" ensemble cast with the classic house party setting and a killer soundtrack to give us one of the most epic teen movies of all time. The plot centers around Ethan Embry’s Preston, who needs to profess his love for Amanda (Jennifer Love Hewitt) at the graduation party, now that she is finally single after being dumped by Mike (Peter Facinelli). But plots are for dorks, and the 1998 comedy epitomizes the teen angst of the late 20th century in an honest and hilarious way.

84. You've Got Mail (1998)

You’ve Got Mail arrived in 1998 when just about everybody would have recognized the title as the AOL greeting message. This was the third movie to pair Tom Hanks with Meg Ryan, with writer/director Nora Ephron bringing her magic romantic comedy touch to the story of two business rivals who unwittingly fall in love via online chat. Hanks and Ryan channel the same chemistry that was a hit years earlier with Sleepless in Seattle, and it doesn't require having lived through the AOL era to appreciate the level of classic rom-com energy that makes this a winner. 

83. Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)

In a decade filled with all-time great Robin Williams movies, there’s something particularly tender and very much unforgettable about Chris Columbus’ Ms. Doubtfire. Underpinned by the heartbreak of having less time than ever with his three kids as his divorce looms, voiceover actor Daniel Hillard hatches a plan to form a new character in an elderly housekeeper named Mrs. Doubtfire to get more time with them. Not only does his new secret identity make for some hilarious moments that very much play to Williams’ strengths as a comedy actor, Mrs. Doubtfire is also a touching film that takes a grounded approach to parent separation. 

82. Edward Scissorhands (1990)

The most Tim Burton movie ever to Tim Burton, Edward Scissorhands is, on one bladed hand, a weirdly heartwarming horror movie, but on the other bladed hand, an endlessly frightening family film. The suburban Frankenstein homage is bolstered by stellar performances from Johnny Depp, Winona Ryder and Dianne Weist, with each bringing grounded authenticity to this wildly fantastical fable. (Yes, even the pity-provoking Depp.) The cherries on top of this macabre cake are Vincent Price, in his final major film role, and Burton-familiar composer Danny Elfman. And the eye-popping hedge art and ice sculptures don’t hurt.

81. American History X (1998)

Long before debates about The Snyder Cut, star Edward Norton, director Tony Kaye, and New Line Cinema engaged in a very loud and sometimes public squabble over American History X. The final cut we got, which Kaye publicly disavowed, is a brutal, almost two-hour look at modern white supremacy that’s shot partially in black and white. It netted Norton an Oscar nomination and has individual moments as strong as anything on this list, but it also occasionally loses pace and has always left fans wanting to see Kaye’s original 95-minute cut, which remains unreleased following the film’s disastrous production

80. Aladdin (1992)

It’s easy to look at Aladdin and celebrate the work of the great Robin Williams, and justifiably so. Only animation could truly uncork the man’s absolutely manic comedy style. But focusing only on Williams overlooks the work of amazing animators who created the Genie and everything else, since it's a testament to their skill that the animation is able to keep up with Williams and the high-flying scenes. Musical sequences like “A Friend Like Me” and “A Whole New World” show another form of animated beauty and have become just as iconic on their own as the Genie himself.

79. That Thing You Do! (1996)

By the time he wrote, directed, and co-starred in 1996’s That Thing You Do, Tom Hanks was already an acting powerhouse. So it was a bit of a surprise to see the Academy Award-winning actor delivering a tale about the wild ride that so many one-hit wonders of the ‘60s endured. Initially, the story of The Wonders (Johnathon Schaech, Ethan Embry, Steve Zahn, and Tom Everett Scott) and their roller-coaster journey wasn’t a smash success, but decades later, That Thing You Do is a well-regarded mini-cult classic that can still leave audiences with songs in their hearts.

78. Trainspotting (1996)

While it wasn’t his directorial debut, Danny Boyle’s adaptation of Irvine Welsh’s Trainspotting was the flick that put the man on the map. Following the lives of a group of Scottish drug addicts and friends, a cast including Ewan McGregor, Robert Carlyle, and Kelly MacDonald landed their start as the stars of tomorrow. Through a narrative that’s both darkly comic and frightfully serious, Trainspotting ushers its heroin addicts through life's struggles in grounded and trippy ways. Establishing Boyle’s skills in telling a conventional story through unconventional means, it’s a powerful statement for its director and the message he’s trying to convey.

77. Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995)

The Die Hard formula survived the transition to the “buddy cop” genre (at least initially) with Bruce Willis’ iconic John McClane being forced to team up with a good samaritan (Samuel L. Jackson) and solve a bunch of riddles around Manhattan to prevent bombs from going off. Many consider With a Vengeance to be the best in the Die Hard series, though it’s blasphemy to put ANY of them ahead of John McTiernan’s original. Still, this one moves like a freight train, Willis and Jackson have remarkable chemistry, and Jeremy Irons is a sinister villain with a satisfying twist of a motivation to take McClane down. 

76. Titanic (1997)

Titanic was an event in itself when it arrived in theaters, with James Cameron’s film ambitiously bringing to screen the story of the ill-fated ship, depicting the journey across the Atlantic with incredible visuals that give us a sense of what it might have been like aboard the ship during that terrible night. At the center of it all is the love story of Rose (Kate Winslet) and Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio), who manage to find each other, despite their differing social classes, and never let go. Considering how many millions of dollars it earned from repeat audience viewings, its "classic" status is unsinkable.

75. Men in Black (1997)

One of the biggest sci-fi hits of the decade, Men In Black holds a special place in the hearts and minds of both space and comedy nerds. Even though it initially took some convincing to land Will Smith for the role of Agent J., Steven Spielberg (as producer) managed to re-catch lightning in a bottle with the actor coming off of Independence Day. And as unpredictable as it seemed at the time Smith and Tommy Lee Jones made for an extremely fun and combative pairing in the rest of the Men in Black film franchise.

74. The Fugitive (1993)

When it comes to movies based on old TV shows, it doesn’t get much better than The Fugitive. There’s no way around it, this 1993-defining film straight-up rocks and is still just as great more than 30 years after its release. Watching one of Harrison Ford’s most iconic characters go to great lengths to clear his name after being wrongfully convicted of murdering his wife never gets hold, and the same can be said about Tommy Lee Jones’ Academy Award-winning performance as the U.S. Marshal tasked with capturing the elusive fugitive.

73. Run Lola Run (1998)

Outside of sci-fi adventures, time loops aren’t often used as storytelling devices, and 1998’s thriller Run Lola Run absolutely proves why this is a shame. While the story isn’t explicitly a looping band of time, we do get three different versions of writer/director Tom Twyver’s story. Centered around lovers Lola (Franke Potente) and Manni (Moritz Bleibtreu), each variation has one thing in common: they have 20 minutes to score 100,000 Deutschmarks, or Manni is dead. New twists and pitfalls arrive, keeping that premise fresh each time, right up until the end. 

72. Swingers (1996)

Long before he directed major projects like Iron Man and The Mandalorian, Jon Favreau wrote and starred in the Doug Liman-directed Swingers. This comedy follows Favreau’s Mike Peters, a comedian who’s getting over a bad breakup and moves to Hollywood to find success in the midst of the ‘90s swing revival. The witty back-and-forth dialogue between Favreau and his co-stars, including Vince Vaughn and Heather Graham, and the simple, yet effective story of moving on to better horizons make Swingers one of the most underrated comedies of this decade. It's just so money, baby. 

71. Malcolm X (1992)

For his 1992 “Spike Lee Joint,” the legendary Do The Right Thing filmmaker made his dream come true to make a biopic about one American Civil Rights Movement figure, Malcolm X. It not only remains among the best works of Lee’s incredible filmography, but it’s flat-out one of the best biography movies ever made. That’s all without mentioning a particularly powerful performance by Denzel Washington, who disappears into the figure and brings great intrigue and nuisance to Malcolm X across decades of his life. Spike Lee’s biopic stands tall as an enduring portrait of an important man in a pivotal moment in U.S. history.

70. Friday (1995)

Franchise lead and rap legend Ice Cube teamed up with Chris Tucker to create one of the best "sit back and kick it" movies in movie history. Spawning a line of sequels, the O.G. Friday boasts an awesome cast that also includes the late John Witherspoon, and understandably caught on with a certain kind of stoner comedy-loving crowd, but has become an all-encompassing cult classic. Even beyond its on-screen greatness, Friday also turned "Bye, Felicia" into everyday jargon. 

69. Miller's Crossing (1990)

Joel and Ethan Coen didn’t waste time demonstrating their eclecticism in their careers, breaking out with the phenomenal neo-noir Blood Simple in 1984 ahead of a 180-degree tonal pivot with 1987's gonzo comedy Raising Arizona. Then they kicked off the 1990s with one of the great modern gangster movies in Miller's Crossing. Gabriel Byrne’s Tom Reagan leading John Turturro’s Bernie Bernbaum into the woods to be murdered is the movie’s iconic moment, but it’s the brilliant chaos that spins out from Tom’s decision at the end of the sequence that cements this tense slice of art's place on this list.

68. Rushmore (1998)

Rushmore is often referenced for a lot of things. It was the first Wes Anderson movie to find more mainstream success. The critical acclaim Bill Murray received for his performance helped push him toward the more independent, critically acclaimed movies that defined his later career. It was the debut of Jason Schwartzman. All of those are reasons to celebrate the movie, but none are reasons why it’s on this list. It’s here because it’s an endlessly watchable slice of weirdness that holds up decades later. It’s some of the best career work of everyone referenced, and in its own offbeat way, it’s downright hysterical. 

67. South Park: Bigger, Longer, And Uncut (1999)

In 1999, with South Park at the height of its cultural powers, Matt Stone and Trey Parker took one of the biggest gambles anyone could have ever imagined. Producing the R-rated, animated musical that was South Park: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut, the pair doubled down on their uniquely dirty humor. Everything from parenting culture to Les Miserables got sent up, thanks to songs that were catchy but also not safe for work. Not every TV show survives a feature-length expansion, but South Park thrived in theaters, especially when it called the very parental uproar its release would inspire to a tee.

66. Misery (1990)

What does a creative owe to their fans? It’s a complex question that author Stephen King horrifyingly examined with his remarkable 1987 novel Misery, and three years later, director Rob Reiner adapted the work into a remarkable and unsettling film. The Oscars don’t typically support the horror genre, but Kathy Bates’ turn as Annie Wilkes was unignorable – as she remains one of the meanest villains of the ‘90s.. Though in Bates’ shadow, James Caan delivers an equally excellent turn as captive author Paul Sheldon, and the weaving of tension as he keeps his mind on options for escape is perfection.

65. Clerks (1994)

Kevin Smith famously maxed out credit cards and stretched a production budget of just $27,000 to make his first movie, 1994’s Clerks. Sure, the acting is hit or miss, and the editing isn’t perfect, but that only adds to the charm of the movie. It’s also really, really funny. It’s got some of the most quotable lines of any movie from the era, and they all shine through, despite the limitations of the budget. Clerks has become the stuff of legend in Hollywood, sparking dreams of would-be filmmakers everywhere and with good reason. 

64. Galaxy Quest (1999)

What if you found out that the fantastic adventures in your favorite sci-fi TV weren't so fake after all, such as in Galaxy Quest? Tim Allen plays a washed-up actor who, along with his former co-stars (played by Sigourney Weaver, Alan Rickman, and more), experience their cancelled, cult favorite series for real, thanks to an alien race that believes their televised adventures are "historical documents" and are desperate for their help. The concept makes for a clever, hilarious commentary on Trekkie culture, but also manages to be just as exciting as any Star Trek episode or movie spin-off could ever be.

63. Thelma and Louise (1991)

Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis have made dozens of memorable movies, but even if they had just made Ridley Scott’s Thelma & Louise, they’d have a space carved out for them in cinema history. It’s regarded as a keystone title in the history of feminism in film, and it makes you fall in love with the titular leads as they go on the run from the law. And it should go without saying that the final moments will forever be remembered as an indomitable moment of 1990s pop culture.

62. Primal Fear (1996)

Courtroom dramas were big in the ‘90s, and Primal Fear in 1996 is a prime example of why. Richard Gere plays the pompous attorney Martin Vail, who volunteers to represent a young Aaron Stampler (Edward Norton in his first screen role) after he is accused of brutally murdering a beloved archbishop. The movie takes an unexpected turn when Aaron is discovered to have a split personality named Roy, and the dark twist that comes to light after an explosive courtroom scene remains one of the wildest movie endings ever.

61. Home Alone (1990)

I'm pretty sure Home Alone has hit classic Christmas movie territory because you always know it's the holiday season when this movie is causing a clatter on your TV screen. Following a child accidentally left home alone during Christmas and who has to defend his home from burglars, Home Alone captures the happiness of the season while adding a bit of chaos – especially with all those serious injuries that probably would have killed Marv and Harry in the real world. It'd be a fun time even without Catherine O'Hara and John Candy's SCTV reunion, but is all the better for it.

60. Leon (The Professional) (1994)

Luc Besson seems to be motivated by big sci-fi ideas in films such as The Fifth Element, Lucy, and Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets. On the flip side of Besson’s coin, though, are these stripped-down crime thrillers (Nikita, The Family), and none were more effective than Leon. The film heralded the arrival of young Natalie Portman, who proved she could appear convincingly as basically anything on screen. But also, Gary Oldman walks away with the picture, playing an unhinged and drug-addicted DEA agent looking to kill Portman’s character, much to the chagrin of professional hitman Jean Reno.  

59. Office Space (1999)

There’s a scene in Office Space where all the workers are assembled for an all-hands meeting. Above the boss’ head, there’s a banner printed that says Is This Good for the COMPANY? The question is underlined and COMPANY is in weird light blue font for unclear reasons. It’s somehow both utterly ridiculous and one of the most relatable things I’ve ever seen. In a way, it’s a perfect explanation for why some people, myself included, love Office Space so much. It’s one long series of hysterical if-you-know-you-know-moments, and watching other people live through and comment on that same misery feels so cathartic. 

58. Reservoir Dogs (1992)

There are few filmmakers in cinematic history who made as an audacious splash with their first feature as Quentin Tarantino, who was immediately recognized as a tremendous upstart talent following the premiere of Reservoir Dogs at the 1992 Sundance Film Festival. With its spellbinding non-linear storytelling, sharp-as-knives dialogue, and violent shocks, it is recognized as a perfect archetype of Tarantino’s strengths as a writer/director, and it is remembered for inspiring a whole generation of filmmakers and its lasting impact on genre cinema.

57. Apollo 13 (1995)

Apollo 13 may be best remembered in pop culture for the iconic line “Houston, we have a problem," but the 1995 film accumulated nine Academy Award nominations for a reason. Boasting a stacked cast that includes Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon, Gary Sinise, Ed Harris, and Kathleen Quinlan, the movie dramatizes the true story of the failed 1970 lunar mission, and the ending sequence is no less suspenseful nearly thirty years later than it was in the ‘90s. The effects mostly stand up to this day; but even where they don’t, the performances sell the story entirely.

56. The American President (1995) 

Before Aaron Sorkin created The West Wing, he wrote The American President, which saw one of the most respected movie presidents, Andrew Shepherd (Michael Douglas), fall for feisty environmental lobbyist Sydney Ellen Wade (Annette Bening). Could a widowed president ever court a girlfriend in an election year? Sorkin’s snappy dialogue shows why it wouldn’t be easy, as the two become tabloid fodder, and even bigger trouble awaits when their political agendas don’t align. Both lead actors give absolutely charming performances in this 1995 political rom-com directed by Rob Reiner.

55. True Romance (1993) 

The first screenplay Quentin Tarantino ever sold in Hollywood was 1993’s True Romance, and it became an offbeat cult classic when combined with Tony Scott’s slick direction. Christian Slater and Patricia Arquette are perfect as the flawed lovers and the rest of the cast, which includes Gary Oldman, Brad Pitt, Michael Rappaport, Val Kilmer, Samuel L. Jackson, Tom Sizemore, James Gandolfini, just to name a few, are all brilliant. It’s one scene, however, between Dennis Hopper and Christopher Walken, that steals the whole show and deserves its own placement in cinema history.

54. Unforgiven (1992)

This might be the quintessential Clint Eastwood Western – which says a lot when you realize that the man helped to define the genre, dating all the way back to his days on television (in Gunsmoke). With Unforgiven, an older Eastwood figured out how to comment on the evolution of the Western, and reflect on the moral quandaries several cowboys faced over the course of their lawless lives. This marked the beginning of a contemplative stage of Eastwood’s career, and redefined the boundaries of the Western for storytellers that followed. 

53. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

Not only is The Nightmare Before Christmas one of the best stop-motion movies of all time, but it was also a game-changer within the animation industry. The movie -- following the story of Jack Skellington turning Halloween Town into Christmas Town and trying to take over the role of Santa Claus -- has become a cultural icon. Not only is the movie celebrated during the Halloween season, but it's also become one of the best animated Christmas movies and has a wildly popular fan base – go to Disney World during Halloween and Christmas and see how popular this movie is. 

52. Natural Born Killers (1994)

Few movies in the last decade of the 20th century caused a stir quite like the big screen adventure of Mickey and Mallory Knox in Oliver Stone’s demented crime saga Natural Born Killers. Fans of the TV show Cheers got to witness a whole new side to Woody Harrelson, and he makes for one-half of an absolutely ferocious on-screen pair partnered with Juliette Lewis. Though it was only released in 1994, it is a title to point to when aiming to epitomize a certain spirit in 1990s pop culture.

51. The Rock (1994)

It is still totally bonkers to think that the mid-’90s gave us a Michael Bay action movie in which Sean Connery and Nicolas Cage got to mesh their wildly different talents. A movie that helped pencil in the blueprint for what we know as modern Bayhem, The Rock is a solid cocktail of action, comedy, and drama tied together with a surprisingly poignant message. None of that gets lost in the shuffle, either, even as the shuffle keeps viewers glued to their seats until the very last scene. You can bet this quotable, adrenaline-charged classic is still friendly with the prom queen.

50. Boyz n the Hood (1991)

Relatively few directors made great movies on their first try, and the late John Singleton did just that with 1991’s Boyz n the Hood. Set in South Central Los Angeles, the film centers on three young men, whose paths begin to diverge as they steadily approach adulthood. Singleton, who also wrote the Oscar-nominated drama, provided a nuanced look at life in a low-income neighborhood. 

In doing so, he shed light on gang violence, systemic racism, and other elements that still negatively impact many communities today. For better or worse, this well-acted and directed film is as timeless and relevant as they come.

49. The Sixth Sense (1999)

While the ending twist may have helped put the film and its director, M. Night Shyamalan, on the map near the close of the decade, The Sixth Sense is so much more than those final, incredible moments where all of the pieces fall into place (in a scene that comes after we think the story has been mostly resolved). 

What elevates The Sixth Sense to ‘90s movie greatness is the combined efforts of the stellar performances of Bruce Willis, Haley Joel Osment, Toni Collette, and Olivia Williams; of the music combined with the fantastic shots; of the use of the Philadelphia backdrop. Every scene taps into something dark, scary, heartbreaking or humorous, and the best go for a little bit of all of those things at once. 

48. Get Shorty (1995)

What is the best Elmore Leonard adaptation? There are many candidates that qualify for consideration, including Quentin Tarantino’s Jackie Brown, Steven Soderbergh’s Out Of Sight and the TV series Justified, but Barry Sonnenfeld’s Get Shorty is my uncontested contender for the title. 

It’s a dark, cynical, and hilarious take on the film industry where a shylock finds himself right at home in Los Angeles, and it brims with exceptional characters – from John Travolta’s Chili Palmer to Gene Hackman's skeezy producer Harry Zimm, to James Gandolfini's stuntman-turned-heavy Bear. The sequel that came out a decade later, 2005’s Be Cool, is dreadful, but that has thankfully not tainted its predecessor’s stellar legacy as one of the great “Hollywood on Hollywood” movies. 

47. The Rocketeer (1991) 

Believe it or not, The Rocketeer is a comic book movie. In the wake of the blockbuster success that was Batman, studios scrambled to get their own piece of that four-paneled pie; leading a pre-Marvel Disney to adapt Dave Stevens’ pulpy ‘30s throwback. Hoping this movie would be the studio’s answer to Bat-mania, director Joe Johnston’s picture suffered in the obscenely crowded summer of 1991. 

Over time, fate has been kinder to the Billy Campbell and Jennifer Connolly adventure, as it developed into a cult classic much like the original Tron. Even if audiences didn’t flock to it at first, the message was never lost, because the quality was always there. Best experienced with a heart full of nostalgia and courage, The Rocketeer's mere existence is worth celebrating. 

46. Audition (1999)

Few movies start off as unassuming as the psycho-horror Audition, whose first half sits among the legendarily prolific Takashi Miike’s most restrained directorial efforts. The story begins with Ryo Ishibashi’s widower Shigeharu Aoyama re-entering the dating world in the least natural way possible: via auditions with women who believe they’re vying for an acting role. 

Things progress in an almost mundane manner as Shigeharu becomes more attracted to the quiet and seemingly reserved Asami (Eihi Shiina), but with enough peeks into her home life to send red flags waving. What makes Audition a unique ‘90s treasure is when the wheels fall off for its dread-flooded final act, in which Asami teaches Shigeharu a torturous lesson in stringing women along. Don't try this at home.

45. Point Break (1991)

Comically manly, but in the best ways possible, Point Break is the 1990s encapsulated. Clean-cut FBI agent Johnny Utah (tremendous character name) loses himself undercover when he tries to infiltrate a gang of surfers (tremendous plot twist) who may be posing as former presidents of the United States and robbing banks. What an awesome plot. And what an awesome movie. 

Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze are the Yin and the Yang of Southern California cool, tapping directly into the “Brah” of it all while also delivering unforgettable action set pieces – notably, a skydiving chase without parachutes. Credit most of this to director Kathyrn Bigelow, who eventually won her Best Director Oscar for 2010’s The Hurt Locker. 

44. Clueless (1995)

We’ve seen movies put a new spin on old classics before, but rarely has the result been as entertaining as Clueless, Amy Heckerling’s take on Jane Austen’s Emma. Alicia Silverstone stars as Cher, a beautiful and rich Beverly Hills high school fashionista who decides she wants to use her popularity for the betterment of humanity. 

The 1995 coming-of-age comedy — which also stars Stacey Dash, Brittany Murphy, Paul Rudd and more — still stands up today with its iconic looks and quotable dialogue (not to mention Cher’s inspiring speech comparing refugees to guests at her father’s garden party). And has there ever been a movie takedown more savage than Tai calling Cher “a virgin who can’t drive”? As if! 

43. L.A. Confidential (1997)

Once upon a time, the noir detective story was a staple of film, but fewer and fewer examples have emerged with each decade that passes. So when a movie like Curtis Hanson's L.A. Confidential comes around, you really begin to wonder why we don’t see more of these. 

It’s an absolutely incredible film that likely would probably be better remembered if it hadn’t come out the same year as Titanic. On top of everything else, the film introduced Russell Crowe and Guy Pierce to U.S. film audiences, and for that alone, it should be recognized, but it also won Kim Basinger an Oscar for a reason.

42. The Hunt for Red October (1990)

While The Hunt for Red October was a huge success when it hit theaters in 1990, it took years for people to see it as a classic. It’s not a flawless movie. Sean Connery, as amazing as he is, plays what appears to be a Scottish Russian, not changing his accent at all. The underwater scenes of the special effects submarines, while praised at the time, have not aged well, either. Accents aside, the actors are all superb here. 

Alec Baldwin as Jack Ryan, Tim Curry, Sam Neill, Scott Glenn, James Earl Jones, Stellan Skarsgård, Fred Thompson, Courtney B. Vance, and everyone else are all amazing, and John McTiernan’s direction is snappy and perfectly paced. This is THE submarine movie. 

41. The Green Mile (1999)

Considered one of the best Stephen King adaptations of all time, The Green Mile is a fantasy drama directed by Frank Darabont, telling the story of a wrongly convicted man and his time at a prison in the 1930s and the strange supernatural events that follow his arrival. 

I feel like The Green Mile is just one movie everyone should watch at least once. It's a classic for a reason, featuring all-time career performances from Tom Hanks, Sam Rockwell, and Michael Clarke Duncan. The Green Mile will capture your heart and crush it into a million pieces by the end – and might just make one admire the horror-driven Stephen King all the more for writing such an emotional story. If you're not ugly sobbing by the end of this, you may not be watching it right. 

40. The Truman Show (1998)

Easily considered one of Jim Carrey’s best movies, The Truman Show – which is about a man who realizes his reality isn’t real – uses its star’s signature over-the-top sense of humor and physicality to make you laugh. Then his dramatic skills come to the forefront as you take this journey with Truman, and you feel all the emotions as it becomes clear that this comedy is more of a searing satire.

Overall, this film is about Truman coming to terms with the fact that the world’s been watching him live in a simulated reality, and it gives us all an example of how exploitative social media can be. That’s why The Truman Show is not only one of the best movies of the ‘90s, but it’s also one of the more relevant films when it comes to the present. 

39. Waiting for Guffman (1996)

Waiting for Guffman is mockumentary gold. Christopher Guest and his group of comedic geniuses — Catherine O'Hara, Eugene Levy, Parker Posey, etc. — bring the sleepy berg of Blane, Missouri to life, with the audience watching as a motley crew of community theater actors put on a musical about their town. 

The stakes get higher when Guest's Corky St. Clair tells everyone a Broadway production house is coming, and "we may be going to Broadway." The songs are insane, the cast is unhinged, and this movie is heaven; even more so for those who are personally familiar with the madcap process of staging plays. 

38. Dazed and Confused (1993)

It’s really hard to make a comedy that stands the test of time, yet as we get older, Dazed and Confused stays the same age, er, quality. Director Richard Linklater’s love letter to his teen years in Texas transcends generations and keeps fans coming back again and again. Sure, it’s the 1970s, but teenagers (and adults) of any generation can relate. 

Of course, it also helps that so many huge stars got their first big break in the movie, including Matthew McConaughey in his first role. Ben Affleck, Parker Posey, Cole Hauser, Anthony Rapp, Rory Cochrane, Nicky Katt, and the rest of the cast are amazing. Everyone can point to one character and say “I knew someone just like that in high school!”

37. The Matrix (1999)

It’s hard to put into words just how mindblowing The Matrix was when it first came out. Of course, the successive sequels somewhat diminished the franchise’s legacy as a whole, though make no mistake, the first movie is just as much of a thrill in the modern era as it was back in 1999. 

Keanu Reeves is the ultimate leading entity in the Wachowskis' game-changing mega-blockbuster, making every move look as cool as can be. Because of the filmmakers' work on this neo-classic (no pun), people will forever be cursed with the idea that everything we’re doing in life is a simulation, and that we’re all slowly and secretly being harvested in pods for energy by robotic overlords. Great movie, though.

36. The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)

Two years after Jim Henson’s death, son Brian Henson directed arguably the only truly great Muppets release of the entire 1990s: The Muppet Christmas Carol. (Excluding the final two years of Muppet Babies.) Based on the Charles Dickens novel that has spawned countless numbers of adaptations, the holiday film is anchored on the human side by Michael Caine’s Ebenezer Scrooge, and on the felt-covered side by Kermit and Miss Piggy’s Bob and Emily Cratchit, with Gonzo as Dickens himself. 

Though it doesn’t offer any huge adjustments to the source material, the Muppets make everything twenty-fold more charming, and Statler and Waldorf’s ghostly jam “Marley and Marley” is among the best of any original Muppet tunes. Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas without this movie.

35. City Slickers (1991)

There are plenty of laughs to be had in Ron Underwood’s Western comedy City Slickers, and while that’s a safe bet for any of Billy Crystal’s best movies, what sets this one apart is its enormous heart. 

Crystal’s Mitch Robbins, along with pals Phil and Ed (Daniel Stern and Bruno Kirby, respectively) are all suffering midlife crises of sorts when they embark on a cattle drive across the Southwest. It was refreshing to see the men open up to each other about their childhoods, relationships, and what matters most in life. Jack Palance gives an Oscar-winning performance as Curly, and the $124 million it earned at the domestic box office made it one of the top 5 movies of 1991.

34. The Birdcage (1996)

Robin Williams was a brilliant comedian, a supernova of personality that could command our attention with his hysterical stream-of-conscious thoughts. But Williams, to me, truly shined bright when he downplayed his natural comedic energy to either try serious drama (Good Will Hunting, Dead Poets Society), or to support an equally brilliant comedic performance – as he did with Nathan Lane in The Birdcage.

While broad and flamboyant at times, The Birdcage captures the heart of a family rallying behind their beautiful son (Dan Futterman) who is getting engaged to a Conservative girl (Calista Flockhart). Williams and Lane, as an on-screen couple, are tender, touching, funny, sweet, and perfectly paired in this special gem of a film.

33. Princess Mononoke (1997)

As someone who has watched every single Hayao Miyazaki movie, there's something about Prince Mononoke that speaks deeply to my soul. While I possibly think Spirited Away is Miyazaki's best film, and I have a love for Howl's Moving Castle, this is a movie that has changed the way I view the world. 

Princess Mononoke follows the story of a young prince who discovers that the gods of the forest are upset at the humans for consuming their precious resources. While the anime film itself has breathtaking animation and a story that pulls you in; both are equally sating while leaving a desire for more. Truthfully, this is the one movie that speaks on human consumption in simple ways that everyone should be required to watch.  

32. Groundhog Day (1993)

By all accounts, the creative process behind Groundhog Day was not easy. The film was originally conceived as a darker, more philosophical movie with independent sensibilities. That’s what Bill Murray liked. Director Harold Ramis saw it as more of a good-natured and broad comedy. So they fought about it, plaguing the shoot with delays, rewrites and enough acrimony to sever their friendship for decades. 

Amidst that disharmony, or perhaps even because of that disharmony, the two comedy masters compromised and created a perfect blend of the two: a broad and funny romantic comedy that’s weird enough and dark enough to feel totally original. 

31. Scream (1996)

With A Nightmare on Elm Street and its two best sequels already under his belt (among many other frightfests), Wes Craven made horror franchise lightning strike twice with the post-modern whodunit slasher Scream, and it kept striking across two eras of sequels. Led by one of the ‘90s greatest scream queens in Neve Campbell, the 1996 classic became such a blueprint for Hollywood horror that the inciting film doesn’t feel anywhere near as novel as it did when audiences first sat down thinking they were about to watch “a Drew Barrymore movie.” 

But that opening remains chilling AF, David Arquette’s Deputy Dewey remains a loveable dork alongside Courteney Cox’s hardcore bitch Gail Weathers, and Ghostface’s pop culture-tinged massacre has only become more relevant in an ever-connected world.

30. Cape Fear (1991)

I was way too young when I watched Cape Fear for the first time. I was experienced with plenty of slasher or jump scare style horror movies and figured I’d be fine. Wrong. Cape Fear is an entirely different type of scary than what I was used to. 

With a prime Martin Scorsese at the helm and a fantastic all-in performance from Robert De Niro, it’s a relentlessly creepy and unnerving take on slow-burn vengeance. It haunted my sleep for weeks as a kid, and during an adult rewatch decades later, its themes of religion, underage sexuality, criminal justice and moral relativism were every bit as disturbing. 

29. Being John Malkovich (1999)

Being John Malkovich may not be the very best ‘90s movie, but it may very well be the strangest that still qualifies as a great time. The premise itself — that a door exists allowing others to enter the mind of another person — is odd enough, but for the person whose brain is invaded to be celebrated actor John Malkovich? 

That brilliant choice somehow gives the otherwise impossible story a slight jolt of realism, and it all comprises a cinematic experience that should not be missed. It’s also a movie full of incredible performances, as Malkovich plays a fantastic version of himself, while John Cusack and Cameron Diaz play against type about as much as possible.

28. Dave (1993)

Probably the funniest movie that uses the presidential line of succession as a plot device, Ivan Reitman’s Dave is a hilarious, charming, and oddly sentimental exploration of politics in the early 1990s. There’s just something about Kevin Kline’s portrayal of Dave Kovic that makes this movie about a presidential impersonator becoming the Commander-in-Chief so innocent and pure, especially when compared to the political climate we live in 30-plus years later. 

Whenever I revisit Dave every couple of years, it feels like opening a time capsule to the final decade of the 20th century with its optimism and promise of a better future. 

27. A League of Their Own (1992)

A League Of Their Own is too busy with meaningful character development and telling an awesome baseball story to go for jokes all the time, but on a per-attempt basis, I would put it up against almost any comedy ever made. Director Penny Marshall has a wonderful tonal sense of when her actors should play it straight, when they should add in a little humor, and when they should drunkenly pee for thirty seconds. 

The result is one of the best sports movies of all time, one that delivers all those laughs but also plays it straight enough to give viewers fantastic and relatable plots about friendship, sisterhood, and what it means to thrive and find your own space.

26. The Iron Giant (1999)

The Iron Giant is Brad Bird's heartstrings-pulling story about a young boy who befriends a massive alien robot in 1957, and it proves that a movie bombing at the box office doesn’t mean it can’t still become a cinematic classic. Though its theatrical run didn’t even make back the initial budget, thanks to its home video rollout and stellar word-of-mouth buzz, it’s now considered one of the best animated movies of all time. Rightly so, because this is one of those movies that remains timeless no matter when it’s being viewed. 

Watching Hogarth teach the Giant about life on Earth and urge him to overcome his original purpose of being a weapon never gets old. The Iron Giant remains arguably Vin Diesel’s best movie from before the Fast & Furious franchise's launch, and co-stars like Eli Marienthal, Jennifer Aniston, Harry Connick Jr., and Christopher McDonald also shine.

25. Toy Story 2 (1999)

I remember that Toy Story 2 was the first film that made me uncontrollably sob – like fat tears rolling down my face and having a stuffy nose for hours afterward, and I'm sure I'm not alone there. A sequel to Toy Story, which took the world by anthropomorphic storm with its industry-revolutionizing animation, the follow-up adventure was released in 1999, and follows Woody after he is accidentally sold to a toy collector. There, he meets companions from a former TV show that he had no idea about – a show all about him. (And Joan Cusack's Jessie, of course.)

The Toy Story 2 voice cast is stellar, and the animation was a huge step forward in CGI films, but the heart-wrenching story of love, friendship, and so much more is what made Toy Story 2 one of the best Pixar films out there – and yes, I still cry during, "When Somebody Loved Me."

24. Election (1999)

How did Reese Witherspoon not win an Oscar for her performance as Type-A goodie two-shoes Tracy Flick, the textbook overachiever who bites off more than she can chew by running for student government president? It’s possible that we have come to realize that Witherspoon might just BE Tracy Flick in real life. 

But at the time, she was a tornado of talent matching Matthew Broderick beat for beat, bringing to life the sharp school-set satire in director Alexander Payne’s screenplay. Election has as much to say about the greed and immaturity powering politics many years after its release – at every level – as it did back in 1999, which is yet another reason why it remains special.

23. Magnolia (1999)

While not the highest-ranked Paul Thomas Anderson film on this list, Magnolia is a film to be marveled at for its phenomenal ambition. The Los Angeles-based epic juggles the stories of nearly a dozen protagonists who are not only dealing with a wide variety of personal conflicts and demons but are all linked to one another in the stunning cinematic tapestry. 

As the hyper-misogynist motivational speaker Frank T.J. Mackey, Tom Cruise delivers one of his most brilliant turns, and Julianne Moore’s pharmacy monologue is flooring, but the reality is that every member of the ensemble – including Philip Seymour Hoffman, William H. Macy, Philip Baker Hall, John C. Reilly, and many more – deliver some of the best work of their respective careers. Further considering the frogs and the stunning performance of Aimee Mann’s “Wise Up,” it’s indelible cinema.

22. Tombstone (1993)

I don’t think you could ask for a more star-studded cast for any genre of film, much less a Western. 1993’s Tombstone is blessed by a top-notch cast including Kurt Russell, Val Kilmer, Sam Elliott, the late Bill Paxton, Michael Biehn, Stephen Lang, the late Powers Boothe, Thomas Haden Church, Michael Rooker, Charlton Heston, and many more, making it an instant classic in the Western genre. 

The story behind how this film came to be, along with many behind-the-scenes facts, is bizarre enough, but the struggles resulted in one of the best cowboy films of all time. And one that has stood the test of time against a similar movie released around the same time, Kevin Costner's Wyatt Earp.  

21. Beauty and the Beast (1991)

Beauty and the Beast was the first animated film to be nominated for the Best Picture Oscar, and decades later, it’s still clear that was the right call. The movie is beautiful, with early computer animation enhancing some of the most visually stunning hand-drawn shots in the medium’s history. It also has one of the best soundtracks of any Disney musical, if not any musical, full stop. This is Howard Ashman’s greatest achievement as a songwriter. 

But beyond even that, the two title characters are about as three-dimensional as any animated characters ever were. It may be a tale as old as time, but Beauty and the Beast is one the audience gets wrapped up in from the first notes to the last. It’s the definition of Disney magic.

20. The Usual Suspects (1995)

No one saw the twist ending coming. Trust me. No one. It caught audiences off guard completely, exactly the way it crashed down like a ton of bricks on Chazz Palminteri's cop. He finally understood who Keyser Soze was, and we all rushed right back into theaters to watch the puzzle snap into place all over again. 

But The Usual Suspects is more than just its “dropped shoe,” miraculous as that reveal is. The cast of colorful criminals assembled by director Bryan Singer played off of each other wonderfully, with many of them defaulting to the natural leader in Gabriel Byrne, but still finding ways to steal the spotlight every now and then. (Benicio Del Toro mumbling under his breath in the jail lineup belongs in the conversation of funniest five-minute performances, ever). As twisty crime thrillers go, few are tighter and more entertaining than this.

19. Boogie Nights (1997)

Introductions can make or break anything in this world. Careers, reputations, even the flow of a movie can be bungled if you don’t know how to open. Writer/director Paul Thomas Anderson must have known that when he made Boogie Nights, because when he introduced that picture to the world, he gave himself one hell of a calling card. 

Following young Dirk Diggler (Mark Wahlberg) in his journey through the underground of porn films, we see a man still growing up in an industry that feels as young as he is. An ensemble drama boasting the likes of Don Cheadle, Julianne Moore, Heather Graham, and Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Boogie Nights is a cautionary tale with style and tension to burn. Good luck ever listening to “Sister Christian” without having flashbacks to this big, bright, shining star that still manages to break hearts and crack jokes with everyone it meets.

18. Good Will Hunting (1997)

Good Will Hunting is one of those films that changes you forever once you watch it. Starring Matt Damon and Robin Williams, the drama follows a young janitor at MIT who's discovered to be a secret math genius. The premise itself isn't as catchy as some of the other big-time blockbusters of the 1990s, without aliens, robots or crazy action fights, but Good Will Hunting is a film that leaves its message imprinted on audiences long after the credits roll. 

A story of perseverance, hope, and so much more, this movie gave movie fans one of Robin Williams's best roles and catapulted the careers of Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. (You gotta like them apples.) This kind of film teaches you that sometimes, the people you meet turn you into your best self, so we just have to be fearless enough to go out there and find them. 

17. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

Anthony Hopkins is fantastic in The Silence Of The Lambs, and every positive thing you’ve ever heard about his performance is deserved and probably an understatement. He’s that engrossing, but with all due respect, The Silence Of The Lambs isn’t his movie. It’s Jodie Foster’s movie, hingeing on her career-best performance here as Clarice Starling, which just gets better with every rewatch. 

Foster finds the perfect balance between uncertain and determined. She lets her FBI trainee lead character feel the weight of every obstacle, whether it be sexism, personal loss or physical danger, and then she pushes forward. With relentless determination, she just keeps going and that one step at a time, careful momentum gives the film its narrative structure and allows director Ted Demme to create one of the 90s best and most memorable movies.

16. Fargo (1996)

Joel and Ethan Coen have crafted films both stoically grounded and ludicrously fantastical in their long and storied careers, with Fargo possibly the one straddling both of those lines with the greatest of ease. The faux-kidnapping-gone-wrong and the ensuing investigation are smart story beats, and were enough to win the Coens the Best Original Screenplay Oscar, if fairly rote for the genre in general. But it’s the cast, the Minnesota location, and the singular nature of being a snow-white noir that make Fargo one of the greatest films of the decade. 

The always affable William H. Macy is aces as a man being eaten alive by guilt, opposite the gosh-darn excellent police skills of Frances McDormand’s Marge Gunderson, with Steve Buscemi and Peter Stormare as the pair of amoral criminals making everyone’s lives (and deaths) worse. Fargo is a chilling masterpiece, and it’s got nothing to do with the weather. 

15. My Cousin Vinny (1992)

Even though one of my colleagues claims her testimony was incorrect in the film, I will still stand before the court and argue that Marisa Tomei, Joe Pesci, and their cast of supporting characters make My Cousin Vinny guilty as hell of being one of the best comedies of all time.

The film is widely used in an educational capacity to showcase one of the few times that a court case is mostly portrayed accurately through a film, and to be honest, the wordplay coupled with the main character/judge dynamic is something to write home about.

14. Saving Private Ryan (1998)

For years, veterans would be the first to say that cinema's depiction of combat — especially that of World War II — is a cakewalk compared to the real thing. Because few films offered a truly accurate portrayal of the hellish, soul-crushing conditions soldiers faced, at least before the release of Saving Private Ryan.

This story of a U.S. military captain (played by Tom Hanks) tasked with leading his crew on a mission to bring a family's last living son home is easily one of Steven Spielberg’s best movies (the second to earn him a Best Director Oscar) and is widely considered to have been unjustly robbed of the Best Picture honor (which went to Shakespeare in Love that year). From the landmark D-Day sequence to the heartbreaking final act and every unforgettable moment in between, it is one of the harshest films you could ever experience, but the passion and craftsmanship put into makes for a grand reward. 

13. The Big Lebowski (1998)

I’m a Lebowski, you’re a Lebowski, we’re all Lebowskis who love the Coen brothers’ The Big Lebowski, even if its massive fandom wasn’t automatic. It was only a moderate success in the spring of 1998 when it sauntered into theaters on the heels of the Coen’s winning their first writing Oscar for Fargo a year earlier. Reviews at the time were middling, as was the audience reaction. 

Then, over the next couple of years, The Big Lebowski turned into a bonafide cult craze. Pages have been written about its status as such, but too often overlooked is what makes the movie so lovable. It’s quotable, it’s silly, and the plot is the ultimate shaggy dog story with a ridiculous McGuffin — the Dude’s rug — but as it goes for the Dude’s living room, the whole movie ties together just brilliantly. It’s world-class storytelling and the performances from Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, and the rest of the cast are perfect.  

12. Schindler's List (1993)

Sometimes what makes a movie from a particular era great is how it represents its time, but some movies would be considered an important work of art in any decade. Steven Spielberg’s Schindler’s List is one of those that transcends eras. The film is great in all the traditional ways: Liam Neeson gives a career-making performance as Oskar Schindler, an Industrialist who saved the lives of hundreds of Jews during World War II. The supporting performances are equally strong. It’s beautifully filmed. 

But beyond that, Schindler’s List is an important movie, offering audiences a sobering look at the tragic events of World War II through a character based on a real-life survivor that many were not even aware of before the movie's release. Schindler’s List is one of those movies that you don’t forget after having seen it, and it may be Steven Spielberg’s greatest achievement.

11. Toy Story (1995)

More than 25 years after moviegoers were first introduced to Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Bo Peep, and the rest of Andy’s collection, it can be easy to forget just how big the impact John Lasseter’s Toy Story had when it hit theaters in 1995. It’s the film that put Pixar on the map, and while it sadly helped kickstart the downfall of hand-drawn animation in lieu of CGI, it also paved the way for three of the greatest Hollywood sequels to ever be produced. Tom Hanks’ Woody and Tim Allen’s Buzz are an all-time great animated duo, sharing hallowed space with Bugs & Daffy and Tom & Jerry, though obviously with a lot more heart than what short-form characters are allowed.

The Toy Story franchise hinges a lot on childhood memories, nostalgia, and maintaining a sense of fun in life as one gets older, and this first film delivers the most distilled take on that idea, with Andy still attached in some way to his inner child. Life, as it were, gets way more depressing for the toys as he gets older, which perhaps is why Toy Story rewatches are all the more enjoyable in comparison.

10. Philadelphia (1993)

 Philadelphia is not only a well-made movie, but is first and foremost an important movie. LQBTQ+ rights were non-existent at the time, as the movie highlights and one cannot discount the role this movie, directed by Jonathan Demme, had in awakening the general public not only to the plight gay people faced at the time but the discrimination people with HIV/AIDS faced as well when it was released in 1993. Tom Hanks’ portrayal of a gay man with AIDS who is fired from his job won the actor his first Oscar and for good reason, he’s amazing. Equally amazing is Denzel Washington, who plays Hanks’ character’s (Andrew Beckett) lawyer, Joe Miller. 

Miller, like most people in 1993 when Philadelphia was released, is scared of Beckett and AIDS, because he, like many, didn’t understand it. It’s Miller’s reaction that resonates with audiences. After watching Beckett get asked to move to a “private room” at a library, Miller realizes the discrimination is similar to that faced by African-Americans in the United States, and by the end of the film, he touches Beckett’s lesion-covered face, after learning the truth about AIDS. It’s a powerful moment that still reverberates today. 

9. Fight Club (1999)

So many “futuristic” sci-fi movies from years past have failed to successfully depict modern society and behavior, but David Fincher’s Fight Club now feels it was adapted from some of Nostradamus’ naughtier quatrains, instead of Chuck Palahniuk’s 1996 novel. Seemingly both a love letter to, and a cautionary tale about, nihilistic anti-consumerism and anarchy, Fight Club features one of cinema’s most convoluted love triangles in Edward Norton’s spine-lacking unnamed narrator, Brad Pitt’s ultra-male Tyler Durden, and Helena Bonham Carter’s impulsively erratic Marla Singer. A demented character study in part, the movie oozes testosterone both before and after the titular underground brawls come together, and maybe even oozes a bit of estrogen when Meat Loaf’s Bob is around. 

For all of the smart and discussion-worthy topics that are tackled with face-pounding glee, Fight Club is, unfortunately, the kind of movie whose natural sheen has been somewhat tarnished by a fanbase who lost the point of the satire, but still holds so many visual and verbal treasures for those outside such bubbles. Especially for any new viewers who manage to go into it without knowing what kicks off the final act. It’s hard to think of a ‘90s movie with a more story-heightening ending, and The Pixies’ “Where Is My Mind?” remains an inarguably perfect needle drop.  

8. Pulp Fiction (1994)

Pulp Fiction changed the rules of Hollywood moviemaking. That’s no exaggeration. Before Quentin Tarantino fired a shotgun blast through the screen with his nonlinear gangster picture, there was a chasm separating big-budgeted studio films and independent cinema that usually thrived on the film festival circuit before making its way to art house theaters. In the years following Pulp Fiction, studios, actors and audiences chased talent and inspiration, wherever it could be found. 

The irony of Pulp Fiction blazing so many trails is that the movie itself is a pastiche of well-worn genres that Tarantino pored over while working the counter of a video shop. He’s paying homage to countless, gratuitous stories that had come before it. Only, Pulp Fiction built on the buzz created with Reservoir Dogs to attract a constellation of stars: John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Uma Thurman, Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, Christopher Walken, Ving Rhames, and Bruce Willis. Pulp Fiction remains one of the best scripts you will ever read, crisscrossing itself at various intersections and packing repeated surprises (usually of the violent nature). But it was Tarantino’s powerful voice, and his use of soundtrack, that had clones copying his style for decades… and still, to this day.  

7. Jurassic Park (1993)

Anticipation for Jurassic Park began years before its release in the summer of 1993. Michael Crighton sold the rights to the film before he finished the book and because Steven Spielberg was the director who acquired it, the hype started early. Then, in June 1993, it finally hit theaters and was an absolute cultural sensation. Critics loved it, praising the unbelievable special effects and realism of the dinosaurs. Speilberg and the team at ILM broke so much new ground in creating the creatures that it changed how movies were made. Audiences loved it even more and showed up at theaters in hordes. Jurassic Park broke every box record there was to break. It had the biggest opening day, the biggest opening weekend, and finally, it became the highest-grossing movie of all time.

Jurassic Park also earned a slew of awards, mostly for its technical achievements, but that doesn’t mean the acting performances were bad, they were fantastic. Jeff Goldblum, Sam Neill, Laura Dern, and Sir Richard Attenborough are all perfect in their roles. Finally, there’s the score by John Williams, which remains one of the most iconic of all time. 

6. Se7en (1995)

The film that rescued David Fincher’s career from the stench of Alien 3, and proved that the versatile music director could apply his grungy, moody, techno-acid style to a feature-length nightmare. It’s easy to say now that Fincher was destined to be a contemporary, visionary genius of a filmmaker. But prior to The Social Network, Zodiac, and Fight Club, we needed to see some evidence. Consider this disturbing plunge into the moral sewers to be Exhibit A in the case for Fincher’s mastery. 

Se7en is routine in many ways. It’s set in a rainy and nondescript city, which feels like San Francisco but could be anywhere. It follows odd-couple cops (Morgan Freeman, Brad Pitt) tracking a mysterious serial killer who cunningly stays one step ahead of them. But the performances are remarkable, including Gwyneth Paltrow as Pitt’s loving and innocent newlywed, plucked and moved to the grimy city so her husband can do his job. The film’s riveting conclusion – which benefits from the icy calm delivery of Kevin Spacey as John Doe – elevated Se7en above most others in the genre. Now, when someone asks, “What’s in the box?” you don’t have to say, “Gwyneth’s head.” Just tell them the box contains an unforgettable masterpiece. 

5. Heat (1995)

Look at just about every list breaking down the best heist films ever made and the movie you’re probably going to see the most is Michael Mann’s 1995 crime epic, Heat. With some of the most iconic (and loudest) robbery and shoot-out sequences, the first on-screen pairing of Al Pacino and Robert De Niro (both were in The Godfather Part II but appeared in different timelines), and an incredible cat-and-mouse story that uses Los Angeles as a backdrop better than any other film, there’s so much to love about this legendary film.

On top of all of that, Heat has become one of the most influential films of all time in the nearly 30 years since its theatrical release. Watch movies like The Town, Widows, and even The Dark Knight, and you’ll see how Mann’s thriller was so influential. Hell, even the Grand Theft Auto franchise has taken aspects of the movie to create some of the most action-packed video game moments of all time.  

4. The Lion King (1994)

1994’s The Lion King is perhaps the most effective entry in the Disney Renaissance era when it comes to combining gorgeous animation, original songs, and a story that continues to pack a punch decades later. As the coming-of-age story for cub-turned-king Simba, the film delivers arguably the most famous Disney death with the demise of Mufasa, and Scar’s villain song is both incredibly catchy and incredibly chilling. Aladdin lyricist Tim Rice joined forces with Elton John for the songs, while Hans Zimmer composed the score, earning The Lion King an Academy Award for Best Original Score, while “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” won for Best Original Song.

The Lion King was a massive commercial hit, becoming the highest-grossing traditionally animated film and holding that record to this day. The original movie also has a legacy that has extended to two TV shows, two direct-to-video sequels, and the 2019 CGI remake that was massively successful for Disney, although divisive among fans of the original animated version. Plus, there’s a generation of adults who learned about coups and succession crises thanks to Mufasa, Scar, and Simba back in the ‘90s. What’s not to roar with love about? 

3. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)

Taking what he learned from making The Terminator and the two movies that followed (Aliens and The Abyss), James Cameron gave audiences not just a sequel in July 1991, but a game-changer of a film that completely rewrote the summer blockbuster and the action genre as we know it. While The Terminator was a small-scale sci-fi thriller about a futuristic cyborg sent back in time to kill a waitress before she could give birth to humanity’s last hope against extinction, T2 was a massive epic with numerous iconic action sequences and CGI that still holds up decades later.

The movie also gave us one of the best on-screen heroes with Arnold Schwarnegger’s T-800, a reprogrammed Terminator sent back not to kill John Connor but to protect him from the more advanced and more lethal T-1000, a character that remains an all-time villain. It is hard to imagine a timeline where Terminator 2: Judgment Day doesn’t exist, but luckily that’s a reality we don’t have to experience. 

2. Goodfellas (1990)

Of everything that Goodfellas is in part — a mobster saga, a crime drama, an ensemble biopic, etc. — it can’t properly be boxed into such a limited description, though it’s certainly safer to use fewer words when the Gambino crime family’s around, lest Joe Pesci’s Tommy DeVito lose his temper. Based on reporter (and eventual co-screenwriter) Nicholas Pileggi’s 1985 Wiseguy: Life in a Mafia Family, the film rides on the back of Ray Liotta’s Henry Hill, whose idea of the American Dream is to be living it up as a made man, but realizes over and over again how hard such a goal is to attain when everyone else around is just as hungry and ruthless. 

In many ways, it’s a perfect counterbalance to The Godfather saga, sharing similarities such as memorable food scenes and a stacked cast (with some mutual actors like Robert De Niro and Frank Sivero). But unlike Francis Ford Coppola’s masterpieces, Goodfellas was far less successful at the Oscars, with only Pesci taking home the gold, despite plenty of accolades earned elsewhere. Like much of Scorsese’s work, it’s only become more appreciated with time, and easily stands out as one of the best movies not just of the ‘90s, but of any era. 

1. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

“Get busy living, or get busy dying” may be the better remembered quote from Frank Darabont’s The Shawshank Redemption, but it’s the line that Red (Morgan Freeman) says in the final moments of the film that sums up the heart and soul of this story. Not only is The Shawshank Redemption our #1 pick for the best ‘90s movies, but it’s also easily one of the best adaptations of a Stephen King story – in this case, the novella, Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption.

The movie follows Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins), a banker who’s wrongfully convicted of murdering his wife and her lover, and sent to prison. For a movie that doesn’t shy away from the brutality this character experiences throughout his years behind bars – both at the hands of some of his fellow inmates, and the warden and guards – The Shawshank Redemption never loses sight of that ultimate message of hope – the thing that Andy clings to every step of the way. It’s there in the friendships he makes, and in the moments of happiness Andy manages to find. And it’s there in the final words Red says in the closing narration: “I hope.” 

I know almost everyone has a holiday TV and movie ritual. There are some Christmas movies that some of us have to watch during the holidays. This could include Christmas classics such as Home Alone or The Santa Clause. Usually, it includes at least one of the best Christmas movies of all time. It doesn’t feel like this joyful season without watching these films. I have plenty of must-watch TV shows and movies from December to January. 

Some people start their holiday viewing traditions in November. Personally, that’s a little too early for me. Once December hits, I speed ahead by watching a few of my favorite holiday movies. Of course, that includes some great romantic Christmas movies and ones that were vital to my childhood around the holidays. 

Let’s discuss the movies and TV shows that make the holidays feel truly special.

A Christmas Story 

As I age, I can kind of see that A Christmas Story isn’t the most perfect movie of all time. There are issues. However, nothing will stop it from being one of my favorite movies ever. This is probably because it’s the film that I have seen most in my lifetime. I never grow bored of it. A Christmas Story is that classic tale of really wanting one thing and everyone denying you it.

You finally get it, and spoiler alert, you shoot your eye out. What a classic metaphor for life. I don’t think that there has ever been a Christmas since I can remember Christmases that I haven’t watched A Christmas Story. I really enjoyed A Christmas Story Christmas but I am not sure it’s earned its place yet in my Christmas tradition. I may rewatch it occasionally but I am not sure if I’ll still be watching it 30 years from now. I definitely will continue to watch A Christmas Story many decades into the future. 

While You Were Sleeping 

There are many holiday-based rom-coms that I love. I know some things about Love Actually didn’t age well, but I still sometimes rewatch it during the holidays. My holiday film tradition often includes holiday romantic comedies that I occasionally watch, but While You Were Sleeping has recently become a must-watch Christmas movie. I've always loved the movie. However, only in adulthood have I begun to make it part of my holiday custom.

Sandra Bullock is my favorite romantic comedy heroine and this film best exemplifies her on-screen charm. Additionally, the movie world failed us by not making Bill Pullman the romantic lead in more films. This film rectifies that error. While You Were Sleeping being a film set in Chicago also adds to its specialness. 

The Nightmare Before Christmas

The Nightmare Before Christmas is also one of those films that I have seen a million times and would watch a billion more. I don’t watch it every Christmas but I try to watch it almost every Christmas (or Halloween). 

It’s just a comfort film that also happens to be done really well. It is a film that I appreciate more as I age because I notice new elements. I find new things to admire, especially when it comes to  The Nightmare Before Christmas’s technical precision.

A Version Of A Christmas Carol 

There are a lot of great Christmas Carol films, so I have plenty of options. Scrooged happens to be one of my favorite versions of the story. Therefore, I often watch it. However, I also enjoy watching new takes on the Charles Dickens tale. And I enjoy watching favorites from my childhood, such as A Flintstones Christmas Carol. Recently, I even added another layer to my Christmas Carol yearly habit by listening to an audiobook production of it.

The story doesn’t get old. Therefore, if the world keeps making versions of this story, I’ll keep watching (or listening) to them. 

It’s A Wonderful Life 

Maybe I am misremembering, but I felt like every year, It’s A Wonderful Life used to air after the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. This would signify that the holiday season had begun. If I didn’t watch It’s A Wonderful Life, the holiday season wouldn’t officially begin. This still somewhat rings true.

The holidays don’t quite feel complete without at least one viewing of It’s A Wonderful Life. 

An Unconventional Christmas Movie 

This is a newer viewing tradition that started with adulthood. I love all the wonderful joyful Christmas movies. However, I have to watch at least one unconventional Christmas movie. For some, this could mean an action movie like Die Hard or Batman Returns. For me, this means some form of holiday horror film. Some of my favorites are Gremlins and Better Watch Out. I usually watch at least one of my favorite holiday horror movies or a new one each year.

This year, I have already knocked this off my holiday film checklist with It’s A Wonderful Knife. However, I could always go for more holiday horror, which likely means quite a few more holiday horror films before January.

A Claymation Classic 

I like to believe having classic claymation holiday films playing in the background on Christmas is a universal childhood thing for millennials and Gen X. This includes Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer, Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town, Jack Frost, and many other popular claymation Christmas films. I am a little too old to still enjoy the magic of them. However, I usually watch at least one of these films (if not several) during the holidays, just for nostalgia purposes and to remember the bills-free years.

A New Christmas Movie 

Netflix, Hallmark, Lifetime, and now Peacock, Prime Video, and other streaming services and networks are getting into the yearly Christmas movies market. So many of my favorite Christmas and holiday movies tie into childhood. However, I am always looking for a new addition to my holiday TV shows and film rotation. 

This means that if any new Christmas or holiday movie sounds interesting, I watch it. I have enjoyed a few of the new holiday films that I’ve watched in the last few years. However, I haven’t found any permanent ones yet, but I enjoy the search.

A Holiday Cooking Or Baking Series 

Cooking holiday meals has become part of my new tradition. Therefore, I enjoy watching holiday cooking shows for inspiration. Additionally, I just enjoy the simplicity of cooking and baking programs. Max has a wide catalog of this type of programming. Therefore, I don’t have a specific holiday cooking or baking show I watch every year, instead, I  just see what looks interesting on Max, Netflix, and similar streaming platforms. 

A big part of the magic of Christmas and other holidays is the traditions. For me, and many others, a major part of that involves Christmas movies. I just don’t completely immerse myself in the season without viewing the shows and movies mentioned above. I look forward to these annual holiday film and TV show marathons. 

It's that time of year again to watch the best animated Christmas movies, and we have you covered. 

You know that feeling. When the temperature starts to drop, and we're finally settling after Thanksgiving dinner, and the hot cocoa is beginning to pour – that means it's time for the best animated Christmas movies out there. While there are plenty of great Christmas movies for you to watch, today, we will be focusing specifically on the medium of animation – and trust me, you'll love everything on this list. 

From classic claymation movies from the 1960s and '70s to newer additions, here are the best animated Christmas movies and how to watch them. 

The Polar Express (2004)

The first entry on this list is The Polar Express. Released in 2004 and directed by Robert Zemeckis, The Polar Express tells the story of a young boy who's struggling to believe that anything to do with Santa is real, and suddenly finds himself on a magic train heading directly towards the North Pole.

Yes, many people online nowadays have come out and say they find the animation for The Polar Express a bit unsettling, and to an extent, I can understand. But now, almost twenty years after it was released, I still find it incredibly fun to watch. I enjoy the musical numbers, and I like the voice acting. And let me tell you, I always get a mug of hot chocolate to drink when the "Hot Chocolate" song comes on. 

I don't know what it is about this movie that is so warming to my soul. Maybe it's because it reminds me of my dad, who took me to see so many Christmas movies as a kid, but every time I watch this film, I smile – despite the strange animation of some of the characters. 

Stream The Polar Express on Max.
Rent/Buy The Polar Express on Amazon. 

Rise Of The Guardians (2012)

In this DreamWorks Animation movie, Rise of the Guardians tells the story of a group of holiday-centered figures, such as Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, Jack Frost, and more, who come together to fight the man that causes nightmares everywhere – Pitch Black. 

While Rise of the Guardians isn't directly a Christmas movie like many of the others on this list, it is a perfect animated film to watch during the holidays. It has Santa Claus in it – and a badass one at that. But the animation itself is beautifully done, and the story is a lot of fun. Rise of the Guardians is criminally underrated, and I will stand by it. 

Rent/Buy Rise of the Guardians on Amazon.

Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas (1999)

Released in 1999, Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas is an anthology film that features three different shorts within an hour and a half, telling Christmas tales regarding everyone's favorite Disney characters – Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, and Goofy, among others. 

While I've never been a huge fan of Mickey animation movies (because there are so many Disney movies to watch), I will say that Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas is a sweet film with plenty to love. The short and sweet tales bring a light sense of holiday cheer. 

Stream Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas on Disney+.
Rent/Buy Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas on Amazon.

The Year Without Santa Claus (1974)

The first stop-motion film on this list is The Year Without Santa Claus. Released in 1974, the TV movie tells how Santa was sick one year and was advised by his doctor not to do his yearly delivery, so it's up to Mrs. Claus to get their elves and everyone else at the North Pole to get things done. 

I'll say that you can barely count The Year Without Santa Claus as a movie because it's almost an hour long, so it's a good TV movie. But it's certainly different, and the idea is original. 

Rent/Buy The Year Without Santa Claus on Amazon.

Arthur Christmas (2011)

Sony Pictures came out with a great Christmas film in the form of Arthur Christmas. This film mainly follows Arthur Claus, a son of Santa Claus, but when he finds out that one girl's gift hasn't been delivered on Christmas Eve, he takes it upon himself and a small crew of misfits to get the girl her present. 

Arthur Christmas is one of those movies that will lighten up your soul when you watch it because Arthur himself is such a sweet character to follow. He perfectly embodies what it means to be kindhearted during the holiday despite things not always going his way or working correctly. That, and James McAvoy's voice performance, is great. 

Stream Arthur Christmas on Max.
Rent/Buy Arthur Christmas on Amazon.

Disney's A Christmas Carol (2009)

Directed by Robert Zemeckis, Disney's A Christmas Carol stars Jim Carrey as Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly businessman who is visited by three ghosts of Christmas, all of which warn him that if he doesn't change the way he acts, he will end up facing a dark future. On Christmas Eve, they take him on a journey that will change his life forever. 

You can't get more classic than A Christmas Carol. The movie uses the same motion-capture animation as The Polar Express, so it can be slightly off-putting sometimes, but it's still a great adaptation. 

Something else I also really like about Disney's A Christmas Carol is Jim Carrey's performance. While plenty of significant Jim Carrey roles are out there that you can love, his part in A Christmas Carol is vastly underrated because he plays not only Scrooge but all three ghosts. That's an impressive amount of range. 

Stream Disney's A Christmas Carol on Disney+.
Rent/Buy Disney's A Christmas Carol on Amazon.

Also Try: Mickey's Christmas Carol - a more kid-friendly version of A Christmas Carol. 

Stream Mickey's Christmas Carol on Disney+.
Rent/Buy Mickey's Christmas Carol on Amazon.

The Grinch (2018)

You know him, he's the Grinch! The Grinch, released in 2018, is a film from Illumination that tells the classic Dr. Seuss story, How The Grinch Stole Christmas, with 3D animation and a great voice cast. 

There are numerous adaptations of How The Grinch Stole Christmas, and personally, one of my favorites has always been the Jim Carrey version. But because this list is about animated movies, I'll say that The Grinch is a remarkable animated film that does bring the spirit of the original story. 

Stream The Grinch on Peacock.
Rent/Buy The Grinch on Amazon.

Also Try: Dr. Suess' How The Grinch Stole Christmas - if you want a shorter adaptation, this one is only a half-hour. 

Stream Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas on Peacock.
Rent/Buy Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas on Amazon.

Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town (1970)

Next up is Santa Claus is Comin' to Town. The movie, narrated by Fred Astaire, tells the story of Santa Claus and how he and his traditions came to the world we live in today. 

This movie is another short one, but you can't help but feel happy watching it. It perfectly captures the Christmas spirit in more ways than one, and now I can't stop picturing Santa Claus as a redhead when he was younger, so it certainly impacted me as a child. Plus, the music is so much fun.

Rent/Buy Santa Claus is Comin' to Town on Amazon.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964) 

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is a classic stop-motion film that everyone knows about. Rudolph was born with a red nose that shined bright, so much that it initially led to him being ousted by his reindeer classmates. But one Christmas night, his shining nose is what saves Christmas. 

I was obsessed with Rudolph as a kid. I was so obsessed that I got all the Rudolph Build-A-Bears I could handle. So, of course, I had to put Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer on this list. It would be a sin for me not to. The music is excellent, the stop-motion is great, and it fills you with cheer – even if there might be some disturbing truths about the Reindeer. 

Buy Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer on Amazon.

Klaus (2019)

This Netflix original film is certainly one that you have to watch. Klaus is an origin story of Santa Claus, taking place in the 19th century and telling the tale of a postman who befriends a toymaker. 

Klaus is one of those Christmas movies that changes your life, and I mean that in the best way. It's an original tale filled with lore, and the animation is stunning. This film is an absolute must-watch, and I will tell anyone out there to check it out if they haven't already. 

Stream Klaus on Netflix.

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

Last but not least is one of my all-time favorite stop-motion films, The Nightmare Before Christmas. This film tells the story of Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King, who stumbles upon Christmas Town while walking through his woods and finds that he wants to bring the holiday back home to where he lives – Halloween Town. 

There's been a lot of debate about whether The Nightmare Before Christmas is a Christmas movie or a Halloween movie, but the movie is good for both, and I will gladly watch this from October to December. It's the perfect mix of eerie and festive, everything my little Disney-loving heart wants for Christmas. Check it out if this is the first time you've seen it. 

Stream The Nightmare Before Christmas on Disney+.
Rent/Buy The Nightmare Before Christmas on Amazon.

Honorable Mentions: Frosty The Snowman and A Charlie Brown Christmas

Okay, so they're not movies, but I can't do a list like this without at least mentioning them. Frosty the Snowman is all about a snowman brought to life by magic one day thanks to a magic top hat.  A Charlie Brown Christmas follows the story of Charlie and the gang during the Christmas season. 

You can't get better than these two during the Christmas season. The only reason I can't put them as a movie is that they're both TV specials and under a half hour if you can believe it. But, if you combine them, you can have a lovely movie-watching experience and a cozy night while wishing you had a magic snowman. 

Buy Frosty the Snowman on Amazon.
Stream A Charlie Brown Christmas on Apple TV+.

With so many incredible animated Christmas movies, it might be hard to figure out which ones are worth watching, but these are just some of my favorites that I had to share. Now I need to go and make some hot cocoa and prepare for my Christmas special marathon. 

The Nightmare Before Christmas is a cherished animated classic, considered one of the best claymation films ever, especially for the Halloween and Christmas seasons. In a recent 30-year retrospective interview, Tim Burton, the film's producer and creative visionary, shared Disney's initial concerns about this unique movie.

The journey to The Nightmare Before Christmas becoming a holiday cult classic faced its share of challenges, as revealed by Tim Burton and the film's director, Henry Selick. Discussing the iconic 90s film's groundbreaking approach with with The New York Times, the Edward Scissorhands director discussed his troubled relationship with The House of Mouse, highlighting their reservations, especially regarding the unconventional elements like stop motion and the main character's lack of eyeballs. Burton expressed:

This quirky and loveable film didn't always secure its place as one of the best Christmas movies on CinemaBlend's holiday watchlist. In October 1993, Nightmare premiered not as a Disney creation but under the studio's more mature label, Touchstone Pictures. Expanding on Tim Burton's insights, director Henry Selick provided additional details about Disney's reservations and the decision to release it under a different banner. Selick explained that the studio was concerned about the film possibly tarnishing its family-friendly brand. In his own words:

Looking back, it's clear The Nightmare Before Christmas surpassed expectations, evolving into a cultural phenomenon and great Christmas movie for the whole family, one that still enchants audiences of all ages. Just visit the holiday section of any favorite store, and you'll likely spot Jack and Sally adorning Christmas hats and decorations—it's practically impossible to miss. The film's distinctive mix of dark fantasy, memorable characters, and Tim Burton's unmistakable style undoubtedly captured hearts, firmly securing its spot among animated classics.

 Selick has frequently encountered fans donning sweaters, hats, and various apparel adorned with Nightmare imagery—a testament to the film's enduring popularity, as the director also noted: 

The lore and universe of Halloweentown and its inhabitants have expanded over the years. Surprisingly, despite persistent Nightmare sequel rumors, Disney has not produced any follow-up movies to the original flick. However, Selick expressed interest in a Jack prequel instead. He envisioned a film exploring Jack Skellington's ascent to power as the King of Halloweentown, a concept that sounds intriguing and, honestly, something I'd love to see.

As we celebrate the 30th anniversary of this remarkable stop-motion film, it's essential to recognize the bravery of Tim Burton, Henry Selick, and the entire creative team. The Nightmare Before Christmas, available for streaming with a Disney+ subscription, is a narrative that challenges conventional storytelling and promises to be a holiday staple for years to come.

One of the best things about the holiday season is spending some quality time with your family and revisiting those classic Christmas specials like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town. These beloved claymation movies, and several others that have been released over the years, have become staples of the season for a lot of us, traditions that we just can’t bring ourselves to break and some of our favorite Christmas movies of all time. 

But keeping track of those specials and movies (especially when it comes to the various ways to watch them) can sometimes be no easy task. That being said, let us take away at least a small part of your holiday anxiety this year with our breakdown of 10 stop-motion animated films that are now as big a part of Christmas as fruitcake, eggnog, and 24-hour marathons of A Christmas Story…

Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)

Though there are some disturbing truths we must accept about Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, there is no denying the 1964 stop-motion animated holiday special’s place in pop culture. Produced by Rankin/Bass (a name that will come up quite often moving forward), this beloved classic about an outcast reindeer saving Christmas is still a gem nearly 60 years after its release. And with characters like Hermey the Misfit Elf, Yukon Cornelius, and the Abominable Snow Monster, there’s so much to love.

Buy Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer on Amazon.
Buy Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer on DVD on Amazon.

Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town (1970)

You could argue that Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town is the perfect superhero origin story in addition to being one of the best movies about Old Saint Nick. With killer songs, animation from Rankin/Bass that is a little more refined than the Rudolph special, and a wonderfully enjoyable tale about Kris Kringle transforming himself into the unofficial mascot of the holiday, there’s so much that just works.

Rent/Buy Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town on Amazon.
Buy Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town on Blu-ray on Amazon.

The Little Drummer Boy (1968)

Yet another Rankin/Bass production, The Little Drummer Boy came out during the 1968 holiday season and introduced audiences to the unforgettable character known as Aaron. This little drummer boy (hence the title) starts off as a cynical and disappointed orphan who’s fed up with humanity before joining three wise men on a journey like no other. Sure, this is a little more mature than other specials, but this is a stop-motion film you just won’t want to miss.

Stream The Little Drummer Boy on Peacock.
Rent/Buy The Little Drummer Boy on Amazon.
Buy The Little Drummer Boy on DVD on Amazon.

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

The Nightmare Before Christmas, which celebrated its 30-year anniversary in 2023 (talk about feeling old, right?), is one of those timeless animated movies you just can’t help but watch whenever it’s on. From the mind of Tim Burton (though he didn’t direct), this dark and twisted holiday tale follows Jack Skellington (Chris Sarandon and Danny Elfman) as he schemes to take over “Christmas Town,” only to find himself going through a radical change in the process.

Stream The Nightmare Before Christmas on Disney+.
Rent/Buy The Nightmare Before Christmas on Amazon.
Buy The Nightmare Before Christmas on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Jack Frost (1979)

Not to be confused with the 1997 Christmas horror movie of the same name, or the 1998 Michael Keaton film also with the same title, Jack Frost was a 1979 TV special by, you guessed it, Rankin/Bass, that followed the titular winter sprite as he was transformed into a human. It’s short, sweet, and full of treats for the young and young at heart to enjoy, which is probably why Jack Frost is still on TV multiple times every Christmas season, even if it’s not as much about the holiday as others on this list.

Stream Jack Frost on Tubi.
Stream Jack Frost on Prime Video.
Buy Jack Frost on DVD on Amazon.

Shaun The Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas (2021)

If you’re looking for a family movie on Netflix that takes place during the Christmas season that also happens to be claymation, then Shaun the Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas is going to do just the trick. What starts out as a low-stakes job to get bigger stockings for the holidays quickly breaks down into a frantic adventure for Shaun and his Flock after one of their own goes missing.

Stream Shaun the Sheep: The Fight Before Christmas on Netflix.

Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas In July (1979)

Released in 1979, Rudolph and Frosty’s Christmas in July is essentially The Avengers of the Rankin/Bass world. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, Santa Claus, and Jack Frost all get caught up in this adventure that sees the arrival of the evil snow wizard known as Winterbolt, who causes all kinds of havoc at the North Pole.

Rent/Buy Rudolph and Frosty’s Christmas in July on Amazon.

The Year Without A Santa Claus (1974)

Rankin/Bass Productions’ 1974 holiday special, The Year Without a Santa Claus, shows what happens when Old Saint Nick decides to take a break after burning himself out. When Mrs. Claus steps in for her tired husband, she finds herself in a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. There’s a lot going on, even before the Miser Brothers get involved.

Rent/Buy The Year Without a Santa Claus on Amazon.

A Miser Brothers' Christmas (2008)

A sequel to The Year Without a Santa Claus, the 2008 stop-motion animated TV movie, A Miser Brothers’ Christmas follows the titular siblings as they attempt to put aside their differences in an attempt to save Old Saint Nick and the holiday itself. Knowing the Heat and Snow Misers’ shared history, this is no easy task.

Rent/Buy A Miser Brothers’ Christmas on Amazon.
Buy A Miser Brothers’ Christmas on DVD on Amazon.

Robin Robin (2021)

Robin Robin, a 2021 stop-motion animated Netflix short film that follows a young bird raised by a family of mice that makes a wish on a Christmas star that could change everything for her. But as we’ve learned in other coming-of-age journeys, things are never as easy as they seem.

Stream Robin Robin on Netflix.

Hopefully, this list takes some of the chaos out of the holiday season, at least when it comes to how you can watch all those great Christmas claymation movies. If you’re looking for even more great holiday options, our rundown of the best Christmas movies of all time should do the trick.

Normally when CinemaBlend does a staff-wide best-of list, the loudest and most aggressive arguments are about the order. Not for The Best Christmas Movies. Sure, plenty of us have #thoughts about a few festive choices being too low or too high, but the most heated conversations were all about what counts as a Christmas movie and what does not. Does merely taking place during Christmas time count? Does having a key Christmas scene in a movie with an extended time period count? Does it need to have traditional Holiday themes?

At first we tried to make hard and fast rules about what went down the chimney and what stayed outside, but Christmas isn’t a math equation or a science experiment, it’s a feeling. And after countless arguments and emails that would make Mrs. Claus blush, we finalized a list of festive movies we collectively felt elicited that aforementioned holiday feeling. We then had everyone at CinemaBlend assign a score for every movie they’ve seen. We averaged the ratings, threw out everything that didn’t meet a minimum vote count and wound up with what you’re about to read.

So, put your Santa hat on, bust out some milk and cookies and preemptively rejoice. This is CinemaBlend’s list of the best Christmas movies of all time. 

25. Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)

Okay, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is technically a holiday special and not a Christmas movie, but it’s hard to imagine leaving off this stop-motion animated classic. From the introduction with Sam the Snowman welcoming audiences into the fantastical world that is North Pole with its reindeer games and busy workshops to the iconic journey of the titular Rudolph finding his place in the world and coming through to save Christmas, there’s so much to enjoy.

The 1964 TV special, which has been a staple of the holiday season for nearly 60 years, introduces an assortment of wonderfully crafted beloved characters like Yukon Cornelius, the Abominable Snowman, and Hermey, the young elf with aspirations of being a dentist. Plus, it doesn’t feel like Christmas until Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer guides Santa’s sleigh to save the day, even if there are some things about the film that some may find problematic. 
- Philip Sledge

Memorable Quote: "Oh, excuse me, call me Sam. What's the matter? Haven't you ever seen a talking snowman before?"

24. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

The Nightmare Before Christmas is a stop-motion film directed by Henry Selick and tells the story of Jack, the Pumpkin King, who lives in Halloween Town, but when he grows tired of the same old thing every day, he decides to turn it into Christmas Town after he gets the chance to visit accidentally. 

The Nightmare Before Christmas is one of the best stop-motion movies out there and has continued to play for many years on television because of its popularity. The movie has excellent animation and beautiful songs and is one of those few movies that could play at Christmas and Halloween. It is undoubtedly a winner and full of soul, unlike any other animated movie.
- Alexandra Ramos

Memorable Quote: "And I just can’t wait until next Halloween ‘cause I’ve got some new ideas that will really make them scream. And by God, I’m really gonna give it all my might!"

23. Violent Night (2022)

Santa sees you when you’re sleeping – and he will beat you up if you’re naughty. 

Violent Night, directed by Tommy Wirkola, stars David Harbour as Santa Claus, who has lost his Christmas spirit. But when he suddenly finds himself in a home that is held hostage by a group of mercenaries, he decides to rescue Trudy, a little girl with a big heart, and her family by taking out everyone one by one. 

Violent Night isn’t the typical Christmas movie that people would think of. It’s bloody, full of great fight scenes, and much more, but it is fun. The story is the perfect mix of action and heart, and features an excellent performance from Harbour as the man in the red suit, later covered in blood. If you need something action-filled, this is the movie to watch. 
- Alexandra Ramos

Memorable Quote: "Santa's gonna eat through these guys like a plate of cookies!"

22. Lethal Weapon (1987)

Ah, yes. The Christmas movie about a suicidal, widowed cop (Mel Gibson) and his retiring partner (Danny Glover) teaming up to take down an illegal heroin ring during the holidays. Everything we look for in a classic holiday movie. 

But Lethal Weapon has a key factor that pushes it into the Christmas movie conversation: It was written by Shane Black, who sets almost all of his action thrillers (Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Iron Man 3) during the holiday season, and weaves plenty of references throughout his dark story to pepper in holiday cheer. The first time we meet Martin Riggs (Gibson), for example, he’s buying drugs from criminals on a Christmas Tree lot. Not every holiday movie needs to have seasonal lights, snow, and goodwill toward man. Some days, you just want to see Gary Busey punching Gibson on Glover’s front lawn. And when you are ready, Lethal Weapon awaits.
- Sean O'Connell 

Memorable Quote: "What do ya say, Jack? Would you like a shot at the title?"

21. Arthur Christmas (2011)

While classic and traditional Christmas movies are all fine and dandy, there’s something about Arthur Christmas’ modern take on Santa Claus (Jim Broadbent)  that is refreshing and totally unique. This film follows the family of Santa on the night between Christmas Eve and Christmas. Our protagonist is Arthur (James McAvoy), Santa’s youngest son and the man who responds to all the letters children send to the North Pole. He realizes a gift has been left behind, so he sets out to deliver it with the help of Grandsanta (Bill Nighy) and the spunky elf Bryony (Ashley Jensen). 

This movie imagines what it would be like if Santa ran a military-like operation, and it’s also a comedy about the dysfunctional family of Father Christmas. Seeing Arthur go on this mission and lovingly deal with his hilariously grumbly grandpa, his retired father, and his uptight older brother Steve (Hugh Laurie), is heartwarming and wholesome. It’s also the basis of a totally new and unique take on the story of Santa Claus.
- Riley Utley 

Memorable Quote: "Jingle Bells, this boat smells, 3000 miles to go!"

20. Home Alone 2: Lost In New York (1992)

Home Alone 2: Lost in New York is the sequel to Home Alone. The film, starring Macaulay Culkin, follows Kevin when he arrives in New York City after boarding the wrong plane, and how he spends his time at The Plaza Hotel. But he runs into the escaped Wet Bandits (now known as the Sticky Bandits), Harry and Marv, that turns his trip to the Big Apple upside down, and he must stop them. 

The premise of Home Alone 2 is about the same – the kid is lost during Christmas time, parents must find the kid, and the kid gets into trouble while parents struggle to get home – but this time, he’s lost in a city. However, just something about NYC during the holidays makes this movie that much better. The stakes are heightened, and the new characters are fun to watch – this is even one of Tim Curry’s best movies.
- Alexandra Ramos

Memorable Quote: "Get outta here, you nosey little pervert, or I'm gonna slap you silly!"

19. Love Actually (2003)

Juggling multiple plotlines is never easy. Balancing ten that are interwoven but also tonally independent isn’t something your average Christmas movie could pull off, but director Richard Curtis, with support from a fantastic cast, is mostly able to do it with his classic romantic comedy Love Actually. 

Through dozens of different characters, the film is able to depict Christmas from a wide variety of perspectives, and there’s a lot of joy and sometimes sadness in watching those characters use the holidays to enact meaningful change in their own lives. The holidays are messy. So is Love Actually, and I wouldn’t want it any other way.
- Mack Rawden

Memorable Quote: "Tell her that you love her. You've got nothing to lose and you'll always regret it if you don't."

18. Scrooged (1988)

Richard Donner directed Scrooged back in 1988, another adaptation of the famous Christmas story, A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens. The comedy film, starring Bill Murray, is a modern retelling of the classic tale, where three ghosts visit a selfish TV executive to regain his Christmas spirit. 

Few adaptations of A Christmas Carol come quite as close as Scrooged. Not only is it hilarious – because it obviously would be with Bill Murray as the star – it features plenty of heart and great acting that translates to a great Christmas movie. 
- Alexandra Ramos

Memorable Quotes: "I never liked a girl well enough to give her twelve sharp knives."

17. Trading Places (1983)

Not all great Christmas movies start out as traditional Christmas movies. Trading Places opened in theaters in June 1983, months before the holiday season. But it’s impossible to watch this comedy and not feel the holiday spirit, as its wintery New York City Christmas-time backdrop is as undeniably appealing as the comedic talents of Eddie Murphy, Jamie Lee Curtis and Dan Aykroyd.

Beyond being a hilarious comedy in which Ralph Bellamy and Don Ameche’s Duke brothers place a bet to see the outcome of two men — Eddie Murphy’s Billy Ray Valentine and Dan Aykroyd’s Louis Winthorpe III — when their positions in society are swapped is bit of an underdog story where, amidst a series of comedic and occasionally ridiculous events, goodness and resourcefulness overcome greed. What’s more Christmassy than that? (The only answer might be the sight of Dan Aykroyd's character devouring a salmon through a Santa beard on a bus.)
- Kelly West

Memorable Quote: "Merry New Year."

16. The Lodge (2020)

Christmas is a time for gathering with family, sharing memories, and playing in the snow. All three of those activities are present in directors Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala’s film The Lodge, but there’s one key ingredient that should stop you in your tracks when thinking about family movie night. You see, this holiday flavored entry is a pitch black psychological horror film. 

As Grace (Riley Keough) is getting to know her future step children Aiden (Jaeden Martell) and Mia (Lia McHugh) through the holidays, a steady and creeping dread starts to overtake The Lodge’s narrative. Puzzling out the source of such horror is just as exciting as experiencing it, and trust me, you’ll never forget your first time seeing some of the sights this film has to show you. 

Slow burning to a climax that’s worthy of some therapeutic discussion, this chiller is a fantastic offering for those of you who take the scary stories part of the holiday very seriously.
- Mike Reyes 

Memorable Quote: "Do you see now? You see that we cannot die? Because you're already dead. We're in purgatory." 

15. The Holiday (2006)

Not all Christmas movies are totally wrapped up in the holiday, but there are some that nail the spirit of the season without hammering it home too hard. Writer/director Nancy Meyers uses her masterful skills weaving romantic comedy to make The Holiday feel like an A-list version of the coziest offering Hallmark has to offer and the result is one of our favorite festive movies on Netflix right now. 

Iris (Kate Winslet) and Amanda (Cameron Diaz) agree to swap houses, and to a certain extent lives, as the both of them are having some relationship problems. Apparently, that’s what the doctor ordered, as Iris’ brother (Jude Law) and a colleague of Amanda’s (Jack Black) get entangled in the wake of this decision, and the result is beautiful. 

The Holiday is a Christmas charm offensive that’s firing on all cylinders, and if you weren’t a Jack Black fan before this movie, this will be the one to change your mind. You can definitely watch this one with someone you love, or with your own bottle of champagne to celebrate yourself.
- Mike Reyes 

Memorable Quote: "I've found almost everything written about love to be true."

14. Edward Scissorhands (1990)

Starring Johnny Depp in one of his greatest roles, Tim Burton’s Edward Scissorhands tells the story of an artificial humanoid who was unfinished, so he has scissors for his hands. A family takes him in, and he falls in love with their teenage daughter. 

While Edward Scissorhands isn’t necessarily a Christmas movie, several elements surround the popular holiday, and there’s no denying the holiday spirit you will feel after watching it. No matter what, your eyes will get tearful when you see Edward carve that ice sculpture for Kim. It’s a great romantic movie for Christmas. 
- Alexandra Ramos

Memorable Quote: "I know it is a little early for Christmas, Edward, but; I have a present for you."

13. Elf (2003) 

There’s a certain intensity to how you experience Christmas when you’re a kid. The feelings of anticipation and if all goes well on the present front, realized joy are naive and over the top, but in retrospect, they’re also beautiful and unspoiled. We’d all visit that emotional place now and again if we could, and Elf gets that completely. 

With a perfect Will Ferrell performance, it brings back that unapologetic excitement and lets us watch as a human raised by elves goes through a Christmas season and experiences it all as we did when we were five. Buddy The Elf is all of us, if we weren’t encumbered by wisdom and worried about judgmental looks, and watching him take great pleasure in all the little things helps us remember how great Christmas is.
- Mack Rawden

Memorable Quotes: "We elves try to stick to the four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corns, and syrup."

12. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)

Rarely is the third movie in a franchise the best installment, but that just so happens to be the case with National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. Directed by Jeremiah S. Chechik and written by the legendary John Hughes, this hilarious 1989 classic follows Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) as he attempts to put on the best Christmas ever for his family (both immediate and extended). That, however, proves to be no easy task for the accident-prone and high-strung family man, as he is faced to overcome all kinds of obstacles in the lead-up to the big holiday.

What’s so wonderful about National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is that it doesn’t feel like a cheap way to continue a popular ‘80s movie franchise, but instead something genuine and genuinely funny. It has countless classic side characters (Cousin Eddie, Margo and Todd Chsester, Aunt Bethany), laugh-out-loud moments (“Why’s the floor wet, Todd,” the dried-out turkey, a SWAT team crashing the Christmas party), and perhaps one of the best Christmas movie songs of all time.
- Philip Sledge

Memorable Quote: "Can I refill your eggnog for you? Get you something to eat? Drive you out to the middle of nowhere and leave you for dead?"

11. Gremlins (1984)

You’re probably thinking to yourself, “Gremlins isn’t a Christmas movie, is it?” You wouldn’t be blamed for such a viewpoint, as the chaotic horror-comedy that ensues in director Joe Dante’s classic creature feature kind of eclipses the fact that it does take place during the holidays. 

The adventures of Billy Peltzer (Zach Galligan) and Gizmo (Howie Mandell) fending off the hordes of the titular green menace have definitely left a cultural impact. But let’s not forget, there’s plenty of Christmas carnage involved in writer Chris Columbus’ dark rollercoaster ride of yuletide terror. 

Invoking It’s A Wonderful Life, both in its idyllic small town setting and through including actual footage, is probably the best indicator of what Gremlins is trying to do. Unleashing a nightmare in small town America one monster at a time, laughs and screams are good neighbors in the world of this holly jolly horror show.
- Mike Reyes 

Memorable Quote: "You say you hate Washington's Birthday or Thanksgiving and nobody cares, but you say you hate Christmas and people treat you like you're a leper."

10. The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)

Directed by Brian Henson, the Muppet adaptation of A Christmas Carol was hardly the first to tackle the classic Dickens story, but it is arguably  the most colorful and most musical, if not the funniest (Scrooged gives it a run for its money there). Not only does it feature some incredible puppeteer talent, including Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire, Jerry Nelson and the great Frank Oz, but this holiday classic features none other than Michael Caine in the role of the cranky Ebenezer Scrooge, a rich, cold man who’s offered a chance at redemption in the face of a bleak alternative. In addition to Caine, the cast includes grumpy commentators Waldorf and Statler playing the Marley Brothers, Kermit the Frog as Bob Cratchit, and Miss Piggy as his frustrated wife Emily, not to mention Rizzo the Rat as the helpful co-narrator (alongside Gonzo). 

We can celebrate the greatness of the Muppets all day long, but what works so well about The Muppet Christmas Carol is that it manages to be both a Muppet movie and a proper adaptation of Charles Dickens’ story simultaneously and throughout, telling the occasionally dark and classic tale with humor and genuine heart in a way that kids and adults can appreciate every holiday season.
- Kelly West

Memorable Quotes: "You're a little absent-minded, spirit."

9. A Christmas Story (1983) 

Despite being narrated by a man in his 60s, A Christmas Story is one of the most authentic depictions of what it feels like to be a kid that we’ve ever gotten. It’s certainly the best one that touches on Christmas and how life or death getting the right present can feel. In Ralphie’s case, that life or death present is a Red Ryder BB Gun. He wants it. Everyone else thinks he’ll shoot his eye out.

He, of course, does shoot his eye out, but before he pulls the trigger, A Christmas Story delivers moment-after-moment of comedy gold, many of which feel so relatable. There’s the blowout Christmas meal that turns into an inedible disaster. There’s the embarrassing present from extended family members, the department store Santa that just wants to keep the line moving, the first f-bomb in front of the parents, the childhood dare that goes disastrously wrong, the first fight, the brother who won’t eat, the bad grade, the bar of soap punishment and the new decoration one family member loves and everyone else hates. Some of the details might be different, but A Christmas Story portrays every one of those universal emotions, which is why it means so much to so many.
- Mack Rawden

Memorable Quote: "You'll shoot your eye out."

8. Klaus (2019)

It is hard to stick the landing when it comes to creating a new holiday tradition. The Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeers and Santa Clauses of the world don’t just happen overnight. Trying too hard is something that can sink even the best natured attempts at making a seasonal favorite, and thankfully the Netflix original film Klaus succeeds where most have failed.

Spoiled postman Jesper (Jason Schwartzman) finds himself banished to a small town in Norway with a mission: get the town to post 6,000 letters, or lose his claim to the family fortune. Banding together with Klaus (J.K. Simmons), a toymaker who keeps to himself, co-writer/director Sergio Pablos’ tale of Santa Claus’ origins is all at once hysterically funny, and also touchingly bittersweet. 

Never tipping over into overly maudlin or snarky material, watching Klaus for the first time is an emotional ton of bricks. It celebrates the season in a way that even those who don’t celebrate can still enjoy. Nurturing the wondrous inner child in all of us, it’s a picture that’s truly earned its place as a new perennial favorite with its heart firmly in the right place.
- Mike Reyes  

Memorable Quote: "We need to show people that a true, selfless act always sparks another."

7. Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

One of the most well-known and beloved Christmas movies of all time, George Seaton’s Miracle on 34th Street tells an exceptional and transfixing story about a department store Santa Claus who claims the be the real deal and then captures the hearts of pretty much everyone around him, save for a jealous co-worker and an arrogant psychologist. Released in 1947, this holiday staple follows Kris Kringle (Edmund Gwenn) as he becomes the Santa Claus of the flagship Macy’s in New York City and teaches event director Doris Walker (Maureen O’Hara) and her young daughter, Susan (Natalie Wood), the meaning of Christmas.

As soon as Kringle is introduced in the early goings of the movie, it’s hard not to be carried away by his calm and kind nature, and it only gets better from there. Despite those around him not believing in Santa, and others doing everything they can to get rid of him, the bearded elderly man with mysterious abilities never lets it get him down, and never loses his faith in people or the holidays.
- Philip Sledge

Memorable Quote: "You see, Mrs. Walker, this is quite an opportunity for me. For the past 50 years or so I've been getting more and more worried about Christmas."

6. Home Alone (1990)

On the surface, Home Alone is about bad guys, booby traps and being a kid, but beneath that adventuresome exterior, it’s also about loneliness. Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) isn’t just defending his literal home from the Wet Bandits (Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern), he’s defending his sense of home, which is upended when his entire family mistakenly leaves without him. With blow torches and paint cans, he keeps the robbers out, and with a suddenly more mature perspective on what matters, he connects with his elderly neighbor, who is dealing with his own isolation. 

Christmas is always wrapped up in expectations, and if you look beyond the tar and chicken feathers, Home Alone spends a lot of its runtime exploring what happens when those expectations aren’t met. Families can’t always be what we need them to be, and we can’t always be what we want to be. We all have cheap, scumbag uncles or brothers who wouldn’t let us sleep in their rooms if we were growing on their asses. We accidentally leave without our kids or leave them beside corpses at a funeral home. We steal toothbrushes and say things we shouldn’t to our sons. And then we deal with the loneliness that follows.

Beneath the wipeouts and head fires, Home Alone lives in that loneliness, and that helps turn what could be a mindless revenge fantasy for kids into something that means so much more. Having one of the best child actor performances ever helps too, who continued to delve out amazing performances, leading to a debate about which film in the Home Alone series is superior.
- Mack Rawden 

Memorable Quote: "Buzz! Your girlfriend! Woof!"

5. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)

The first TV special based on Charles M. Schulz’s Peanuts strip, and one of the most well-known holiday cartoons of all time, A Charlie Brown Christmas was released in 1965 and has been a permanent fixture of the season ever since. This short and sweet special centers on Charlie Brown as he attempts to direct a Christmas play that captures the true meaning of the season, only to be disregarded by an uncooperative cast and rampant commercialism. But that all changes when Charlie and Linus go looking for a Christmas tree to be the centerpiece of their production.

For decades, Bill Melendez’s special has captured the hearts and minds of countless viewers spanning multiple generations who can’t help but fall in love with its touching story, simple yet beautiful animation, and a score by Vince Guaraldi that is just as popular. It has everything someone could ever want in a Christmas special and laid the foundation for similar titles that followed over the coming years.
- Philip Sledge

Memorable Quote: "I never thought it was such a bad little tree. It's not bad at all, really. Maybe it just needs a little love.

4. How The Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)

1966’s How The Grinch Stole Christmas is the best of the network TV animated specials produced in the late 1960s and early 1970s, which is saying a lot given many of them are still broadcast almost sixty years later. The success starts with the creative choice to keep Dr. Seuss’ words at the center of the story. Narrated by the delightful Boris Karloff, who also provides the voice of The Grinch, the special never drifts far from the wordplay at the heart of the book, and that results in an end product that, at times, can feel like an audiobook with a visual component.

Even with that visual component hanging as the second stocking, however, the animation works extremely well. It’s a little crude compared to modern standards, but it’s also extremely clever and features a lot of fun transitions and vibrant creative choices. Apples turn into eyes. The Grinch slithers around the floor when he’s at his most mischievous, and Max, The Grinch’s trusty sidekick, delivers in every single cut-to shot he gets. All of it is just delightful, and the bow on top is Thurl Ravenscroft’s fantastic song “You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch” which still hits the Billboard charts every holiday season.
- Mack Rawden

Memorable Quote: "Maybe Christmas, he thought...doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas, perhaps...means a little bit more."

3. Die Hard (1988)

“Now I have a machine gun. Ho-Ho-Ho.” That one line might have started the debate about whether or not John McTiernan’s Die Hard is a Christmas movie (it clearly is), but there’s plenty more evidence sprinkled throughout this action classic about an off-duty cop (Bruce Willis, at his finest) foiling a high-stakes robbery during a Los Angeles Christmas party.   

Everything about Die Hard is perfect. The pacing, the set pieces, the humor… they all help to make Die Hard one of the most rewatchable movies of all time. But little touches put us in the holiday mood while watching John McClane run barefoot across broken glass, or throw his body off the roof of Nakatomi Plaza with only a fire hose to catch him. Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, “Ode to Joy,” is basically “The Die Hard Song” at this point. Stellar villain Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman) leans on Christmas miracles to aid his plot. And Die Hard ends with a warm – and bloody – family reunion, as all good Christmas movies should.
- Sean O'Connell

Memorable Quote: "Just a fly in the ointment, Hans. A Monkey in the wrench. A pain in the ass."

2. It's A Wonderful Life (1946)

Is it even Christmas if you don’t watch It’s a Wonderful Life at least once? Released in 1946, Frank Capra’s celebrated black-and-white holiday classic follows George Bailey (James Stewart), a down-on-his-luck man who considers ending it all after all his personal and professional plans blow up in his face. However, before Bailey can jump from a bridge and put an end to his miserable life, his guardian angel, Clarence Odbody (Henry Travers) takes him on a journey through his past to prove that George isn’t all that bad.

Along the way, George is taken back in time and experiences all sorts of memories, both good and bad, as he revisits the consequential moments from his life and how those various decisions affected those around him. Full of life lessons and iconic moments, this wonderful movie not only captures the meaning of the Christmas season but also has all the best qualities of a standard drama, making it something the whole family can enjoy throughout the year. But there’s no better way to watch It’s a Wonderful Life than around the fire with your family in the final days of the holiday season.
- Philip Sledge

Memorable Quote: You see, George, you've really had a wonderful life. Don't you see what a mistake it would be to throw it away?

1. White Christmas (1954)

When you’ve got people like Clark Griswold using films like White Christmas to define the ideal holiday celebration in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, that’s saying a lot. Invoking Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye by name, that was enough to cement this movie’s place in the pop culture landscape. However, that position is not without merit, as you can clearly see by director Michael Curtiz’s movie winning out the top spot.

Just what is it about White Christmas that makes it a timeless hit? Well, one of the most well-known Christmas songs being its title and third act centerpiece is certainly a good start; as is the rest of the catalog of catchy tunes. And when you’ve got Crosby and Kaye paired with Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen, that’s an anchor that’d stop a glacier from veering off course. However, much like another landmark directing gig of Curtiz’s, 1942’s Casablanca, White Christmas finds a way to appeal to a wide swath of audience members. Blending a tale of war time buddies banding together to help out a commanding officer (Dean Jagger) with a rom-com replete with subterfuge, misunderstandings, and epic makeups, it’s a movie that still looms large over the holiday canon.

If there’s a lack of laughter or a dry eye in the house after watching White Christmas, then chances are you had the TV off while playing it. Going on 70 years since its initial release, this is an all-timer that’s as merry and bright now as it was back then.
- Mike Reyes 

Memorable Quote: "We'll follow the old man wherever he wants to go. Long as he wants to go opposite to the foe."

Sometimes, being the lead character in a film does not pay off quite like it does to play second (or even third or fourth) fiddle, and the 1990s was an especially great time to take those sorts of roles. That being said, there are some secondary characters from this era who don't quite get the attention that they deserve today. We cover both of these facets as we look back at some of the best movies of the ‘90s and the most brilliantly conceived supporting character in each of them below.

Darryl Albrecht (The Crow)

Best known as Winston Zeddemore from the Ghostbusters movies, Ernie Hudson’s role as Sergeant Darryl Albrecht in 1994’s The Crow is one of his most overlooked. After covering the murder case of Eric Draven (the late Brandon Lee) and his wife, Shelley, the honest cop becomes an accomplice to the resurrected rock musician in his mission for revenge.

Ricky Baker (Boyz N The Hood)

One of the most important ’90s movies centered on Black characters is writer and director John Singleton’s Boyz n the Hood — one of the first films to offer an authentic inside look at the hardships of inner city life. This is most profoundly expressed in the untimely murder of promising young athlete Ricky Baker (Morris Chestnut) near the end of the powerful 1991 drama.

Oda Mae Brown (Ghost)

For the murdered Sam Wheat (Patrick Swayze), the only hope to reach out to his lover, Molly (Demi Moore), is a medium who discovers her abilities when she begins to hear him in Ghost. Whoopi Goldberg earned a well-deserved Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her scene-stealing performance as Oda Mae Brown that is not merely the comic relief of this classic 1990 romantic fantasy, but also its heart.

Bubba (Forrest Gump)

Forrest Gump fans might agree the film’s strongest relationship is not between Tom Hanks’ titular character and Jenny Curran (Robin Wright), but between him and his Army buddy, Benjamin Buford Blue, or “Bubba.” Mykelti Williamson makes a profound impression in director Robert Zemeckis’ Best Picture Oscar winner as his best-known character – whose death in Vietnam inspires Forrest to become a shrimp fisherman.

Max Cherry (Jackie Brown)

Based on Elmore Leonard’s novel, Rum Punch, Jackie Brown has one of the most colorful character ensembles in a Quentin Tarantino movie — especially with bail bondsman Max Cherry. The late Robert Forster got an Oscar nod for playing one of the few characters in a Tarantino movie who feels completely worth rooting for without sacrificing your own moral dignity.

John Coffey (The Green Mile)

John Coffey is wrongfully put on death row after he is found holding two murdered little girls (whom he later reveals he was trying to resurrect with his extraordinary healing powers). The late Michael Clarke Duncan’s Oscar-nominated, powerhouse performance in Frank Darabont’s adaptation of Stephen King’s The Green Mile is one of the most heartbreaking of the decade, especially knowing his character’s undeserved impending fate will prevent him from helping people in need.

Tommy DeVito (Goodfellas)

The central character of Goodfellas may be Henry Hill (Ray Liotta), but the most memorable performance in the classic Martin Scorsese movie is easily Joe Pesci’s Academy Award-winning turn as Tommy DeVito. The fast-talking, borderline sociopathic loose cannon — yet, still one of the 1994 biographical drama’s more likable characters — would practically redefine cinema’s perception of the mafioso.

George Downes (My Best Friend's Wedding)

In a story about a woman out to self-servingly ruin a happy couple’s impending nuptials, it certainly helps to have a moral center like Julianne’s (Julia Roberts) editor and friend, George Downes – who reluctantly helps with her scheme despite constant attempts to end it. Rupert Everett’s defining role is key the enduring charm of My Best Friend’s Wedding and why it is remembered as one of the best romantic-comedies of its time, if not ever.

Dusty (Twister)

The ‘90s are filled with memorable performances by Philip Seymour Hoffman, but one of the most scene-stealing standouts has to be Dustin “Dusty” Davis in 1996’s Twister. The fun-loving, incessantly optimistic storm-chaser is such a jovial presence in the classic disaster movie that we wish the late Academy Award winner was able to appears in the upcoming sequel, Twisters, to reprise the role.

Genie (Aladdin)

What makes Genie such a beloved and dynamic character is not just his refreshing loyalty to Scott Weinger’s eponymous character in 1992’s Aladdin – even in spite of his obligation to grant the poor, young man three wishes. Robin Williams does not just voice one character in the acclaimed Disney animated film, but several in one, and to deliriously funny effect.

Samuel Gerard (The Fugitive)

The 1993 film adaptation of the hit 1960s series The Fugitive puts the viewer in a moral crossroads, as we are inclined to root for Harrison Ford’s prison escapee Richard Kimble, searching for his wife’s true killer. However, it’s hard not to also root for the man tracking him, Deputy Marshal Samuel Gerard, played by Tommy Lee Jones in an Academy Award-winning performance so charismatic, he earned himself a spin-off with 1998’s U.S. Marshals.

Doc Holliday (Tombstone)

Tombstone is considered to be the 1990s’ better Wyatt Earp biopic, when compared to Kevin Costner’s Wyatt Earp from 1994. But what makes the 1993 dramatization of the legendary O.K. Corral standoff a modern western masterpiece is not just Kurt Russell’s lead performance, but Val Kilmer’s scintillating performance as fable gunfighter, Doc Holliday.

Jay And Silent Bob (Clerks)

There are actually many Kevin Smith movies that highlight the iconic bromance that is Jay and Silent Bob, played by Jason Mewes and Smith, respectively. But these inseparable and, in some surprising occasions, insightful stoners shine brightest as supporting characters in 1994’s Clerks in the awe-inspiring way they make an enduring impression on the story by not doing much at all.

Bill Lumbergh (Office Space)

A box office flop that went on to be a classic, writer/director Mike Judge’s Office Space offers a satirical but stunningly accurate depiction of the miserable workplace atmosphere. The monarch of mundanity in this case is Initech VP Bill Lumbergh, portrayed with incomparably slow-paced drawl and dementedly deadpan energy by the vastly underrated supporting actor Gary Cole.

Lumiere (Beauty And The Beast)

The curse affecting the Beast and his house staff in 1992’s Beauty and the Beast may have taken away Lumiere’s human form, but not his humanity, nor his infectious swagger. Voiced by the late Jerry Orbach donning a French accent, the sentient candle holder never fails to be the life — and light — of the party.

Mushu (Mulan)

The most popular of Eddie Murphy’s voice acting performances may be Donkey in the Shrek movies, but Disney fans have a special place in their hearts for Mushu. The plucky, yet boisterous, dragon — who was almost voiced by Joe Pesci — is sent to assist Mulan (Ming-Na Wen) in battle and provide sharp comic relief that was sadly missing from Mulan’s live-action remake in 2020.

Red (The Shawshank Redemption)

While primarily about Andy Dufresne’s (Tim Robbins) experience in the titular penitentiary, you could argue that Frank Darabont’s 1994 Stephen King adaptation The Shawshank Redemption is really Ellis Boyd “Red” Redding’s story. In addition to narrating, the transformation that Morgan Freeman’s smuggler undergoes during his decades locked up is brilliant.

Tatum Riley (Scream)

Most old school slasher movies consist of a final girl and a bunch of forgettable cannon fodder, but Tatum Riley defied the odds in a horror movie that changed the game in 1996. Rose McGowan’s performance as Sydney Prescott’s supportive and spunky best friend is one the original Scream cast’s best and makes her memorable death scene particularly devastating.

Sally (The Nightmare Before Christmas)

We can empathize with Jack Skellington’s (Chris Sarandon) vying for a change in scenery, but the most empathetic arc in The Nightmare Before Christmas is that of Sally (Catherine O’Hara). The kindhearted, living rag doll’s story is one of tragic neglect – not just by her captor, Dr. Finklestein, but also by Jack himself until he comes to realize they were made for each other.

Lynn Sear (The Sixth Sense)

Many of Toni Collette’s best movies just happen to be in the horror variety, including one of M. Night Shyamalan’s greatest movies: 1999’s The Sixth Sense. The Australian actor earned her sole Oscar nomination for her harrowingly grounded performance as Lynn Sear — a mother desperate to understand what troubles her child (Haley Joel Osment), unaware he is medium.

Marla Singer (Fight Club)

There have been countless discussions surrounding the complexity of Fight Club’s central “duo,” but not enough about what makes Marla Singer (Helena Bonham Carter) an equally dynamic character. By the end of David Fincher’s 1999 masterpiece, we come to understand her more empathetic qualities similar to Edward Norton’s Narrator, while she also boasts a destructive cynicism similar to Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt) – making her a perfect match for both.

Walter Sobchak (The Big Lebowski)

One of the greatest mysteries in the Coen Brothers’ 1998 cult favorite comedy is how the persistently laid back The Dude (Jeff Bridges) came to be friends with the problematically uptight Walter Sobchak (John Goodman). However, it is a pairing we are thankful for, particularly for the way the Vietnam-obsessed, avid bowler contributes to some of the funniest quotes in The Big Lebowski.

Steve Stifler (American Pie)

Seann William Scott defined an entire generation of cinematic douchebaggery by starring in 1999’s American Pie cast as Steve Stifler. Scott's commitment to making “the Stifmeister” egregiously unlikable makes the performance a wonder to behold.

Timon And Pumbaa (The Lion King)

We will wait as long as we must before you can name a more iconic Disney duo than the classic The Lion King characters Timon (Nathan Lane) and Pumbaa (Ernie Sabella). It is no wonder the hilarious meerkat and warthog — who teach Simba the ways of “Hakuna Matata” — got their own series the spin-off from the 1994 blockbuster. 

Trinity (The Matrix)

A good opening scene can really sell a good action film, which is why it is a good thing that Trinity owns the beginning of The Matrix. Keanu Reeves’ Neo may be “The One,” but Carrie Anne-Moss’ rebel shows skill and ambition in Wachowski’s 1999 sci-fi thriller that can make you believe in destiny.

Mona Lisa Vito (My Cousin Vinny)

The controversy surrounding Marisa Tomei’s Best Supporting Actress Oscar win for the hilarious courtroom drama My Cousin Vinny — as recalled by MovieWeb — has never made sense to us. The vivacious, mile-a-minute delivery of the case-winning testimony by Mona Lisa Vito — a character Tomei would love to play again — is one of the most electrifying scenes in any ‘90s comedy and clearly deserves the statuette on its own.

Mia Wallace (Pulp Fiction)

Whether or not this revolutionary 1994 crime thriller is Quentin Tarantino’s best movie might be debatable, but there is no question that stand-out supporting character is the dazzling Mia Wallace. Uma Thurman’s alluring, charmingly eccentric performance in the revolutionary crime thriller is one of the most powerful among the Pulp Fiction cast, which is really saying something.

Zed (Men In Black)

What makes Men in Black a near-perfect marriage of sci-fi and comedy is not just the equally clever use of elements from either genre, but its by-the-book cop drama structure. For instance, the late Rip Torn plays Zed no different from how an actor might play a 1970s police captain, complete with hilariously deadpan reactions to otherwise bizarre, otherworldly activity.

Miles Dyson (Terminator 2: Judgment Day)

Can you imagine discovering that you are responsible for an impending apocalypse brought on by technology like Miles Dyson (Joe Morton) does in 1991’s Terminator 2: Judgment Day? For that reason, it could safe to call the Cyberdyne engineer’s ill-fated arc one of the more tragic from the Terminator movies overall.

Norm Gunderson (Fargo)

One of the most underrated roles in the already underrated John Carroll Lynch’s career appears in one of the Coen Brothers’ best movies, Fargo. While not involved with any particularly memorable scenes from the 1996 crime thriller, Norm Gunderson’s support she shows for his police chief wife, Marge (Frances McDormand) — for whom he left the force when they became a couple — is something ever husband should aspire to.

Emily Montgomery (In & Out)

Joan Cusack earned her second Oscar nomination for playing In & Out's Emily Montgomery – who discovers her fiancée’s (Kevin Kline) revelations about his homosexuality as they are about to get married. While this classic LGBTQ+ comedy is noted as an inspiring story of self-acceptance, you cannot help but empathize with Emily’s manic reaction to the news.

Chris Shiherlis (Heat)

The most involving member of Neil McCauley’s (Robert DeNiro) heist crew is Chris Shiherlis (Val Kilmer), whose backstory as a former family man is one of the biggest surprises in Heat. However, the sharp-shooting thief is also at the center of one of the the greatest mysteries surrounding Michael Mann’s 1995 crime thriller — that being, how did he escape that climactic shootout and where did he go? 

Sometimes, it is not just the primary protagonist that keeps us wanting to revisit our favorites ‘90s movies, as these amazing supporting characters prove.

The Nightmare Before Christmas is one of those iconic films that has stood the test of time. After 30 years, the movie is as popular as it has ever been, and significantly more popular than it was upon initial release. Today, many have wondered if we might someday see a sequel to the movie considering how popular it is, but director Harry Selnick has a different idea: a prequel. 

While speaking with People for The Nightmare Before Christmas’ 30th anniversary, Selnick said although he would be willing to make a sequel if the right idea came along, he doesn’t think there’s a follow-up idea that would excite producer Tim Burton enough to make it happen. However, Selnick likes the idea of a prequel film that explores Jack Skellington’s ride to power as the King of Halloweentown. He explained… 

Honestly, this idea sounds pretty perfect to me. While I’m sure there’s a great idea for a sequel somewhere, some feel a Nightmare Before Christmas sequel is a terrible idea. The movie leaves Jack in a good place, having come to terms with his position as the leader of Halloweentown. He’s happy by the end, and anything that came along to disrupt that would have to be a pretty solid idea. By comparison, a prequel that tells the story of how Jack came to that position is potentially interesting. Who was Jack before the events of the film? 

The Nightmare Before Christmas wasn’t a massive blockbuster in its day, but it became one of those movies that got discovered by audiences later, likely due to regular cable showings and home video. Now Disneyland’s iconic Haunted Mansion spends nearly half of the year as a Nightmare Before Christmas-themed experience, and every year it only seems to become more popular. 

Nightmare Before Christmas has been explored in comic books and has appeared in other media, but a follow-up film has never materialized. A Nightmare Before Christmas sequel has been rumored now and then, but it's unclear how "real" any of those rumors have ever been. Either way, it's never happened.   

For what it’s worth, if the Nightmare Before Christmas prequel ever gets a green light, at least one key cast member is completely on board with the idea. Chris Sarandon, the voice of Jack Skellington, dropped a F-bomb of excitement at the idea of returning, so he’s totally on board. He said…

So that’s two major people on board the prequel train. There are actually three, as composer Danny Elfman says he would be in on any potential follow-up. Considering how long it has been, and how much work, and therefore money, a new Nightmare Before Christmas would be, it seems like a pretty long shot. That said, the legacy sequel has been a popular way to breathe new life into franchises these days, so maybe going the prequel isn’t that crazy an idea.  

Today, Disney is the biggest media company in the world, and it works with some of the biggest names in the industry. Many filmmakers continue to work with the company again and again, showing that apparently love making movies for the Mouse House, but one director who has had a much more strained relationship with the studio is Tim Burton.

Burton has one of the longest relationships with Disney, having gotten to work for Walt Disney Animation Studios after graduating from CalArts. He worked on movies like The Fox and the Hound and the ill-fated The Black Cauldron, but Burton was a somewhat different sort even then. He recently spoke with the Independent about his time with Disney, discussing a story about a time he wandered around the studio with bleeding gums after dental surgery, pretending to be a vampire, and says that’s when he should have known his relationship with Disney was troubled. Burton said…

Burton seems to have something of a love/hate relationship with his hometown of Burbank and feels the same way about Disney. Considering the sort of projects that Burton would go on to make after leaving Disney, from Pee Wee’s Big Adventure to Edward Scissorhands, it’s hard to imagine him working on Disney’s animated Renaissance, which is likely what he would have been doing had he stayed. His tastes clearly went in a very different direction than singing cartoon princesses. 

At the same time, while Burton didn’t always get on at Disney, he was always willing to return under the right circumstances. The Nightmare Before Christmas was produced at Disney and has become a big part of the company, having taken over DIsneyland's Haunted Mansion for more than 20 years. In 2012, he turned Frankenweenie, an animated short he’d made at Disney in 1984, into a feature-length film. Most recently, he directed the live-action adaptation of Dumbo. 

Tim Burton says he probably won't work with Disney again, but that doesn't mean he doesn't appreciate the work he's done there or what it has meant to him. He accepts that those experiences have shaped him as a filmmaker, for better or worse. Certainly, both Disney and Tim Burton have changed a lot in the last several decades so it's no surprise they have grown apart. 

This holiday season, when looking for kids films the whole family will enjoy that are also imbued with a holly and jolly touch, you’re definitely going to want to watch some of the best Christmas movies that not only will appeal to both the young and the young at heart, but are also available with the quickness. With there being more options than ever before — both in terms of movies and streaming platforms — deciding on one or two, or even a marathon of Christmas classics and modern gems, can be a mad dash through the snow without a guiding (red) light to lead the way. 

Worry not, for we have put together a list of 15 Christmas movies that are great for the whole family, while also being a treat for solo viewing. From staples like A Charlie Brown Christmas to more recent offerings like 8-Bit Christmas, and even Home Alone (how could we forget that?), there’s a lot to unpack in this bag of holiday hits that totally sleigh.

Elf (2003)

A 2000s family movie that’s remains fantastic and weirdly timeless, Jon Favreau’s Elf is one of those flicks that just seems to get better over the years. Released 20 years ago this fall, this beloved holiday classic follows Buddy the Elf (Will Ferrell) as he travels from the North Pole to the Big Apple to find his long-lost father, a grumpy executive at a children’s book company who has forgotten the Christmas spirit. Outrageous comedy, syrupy spaghetti dinners, and a whole lot of heart make this the perfect way to kick off the 12 days of Christmas with your family. Bob Newhart is just extra.

Stream Elf on Max.
Stream Elf on Paramount+.

Home Alone (1990)

Can you really celebrate Christmas unless you've watched Home Alone at least once, if not multiple times? Featuring one of cinema's most epic battles between a kid and adults, the 1990 classic never gets old, thank in part to an incredibly touching mother-son arc and some of John Huges’ funniest characters. One could argue that watching the Wet Bandits get owned would still be great even without the holiday setting, but the festive nature of Home Alone adds a whole other dimension to the story, turning a fun and exciting film into a tradition. Plus, Macaulay Culkin’s Kevin McAllister is the GOAT of juvenile Christmas heroes, and probably wouldn't have been left alone on a random weekend in January.

Stream Home Alone on Starz.
Rent/buy Home Alone on Amazon.

A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)

One question that seems to come up every year is “How do I watch A Charlie Brown Christmas?” With the Peanuts library streaming exclusively for those with an Apple TV+ subscription, at least for the foreseeable future, that’ll the best way to check out the classic 1965 holiday special. This beloved treasure follows the young and blockheaded, er, dedicated director of the annual Christmas pageant as he searches for the true meaning of the season. It’s short, sweet, and honestly one of the best specials of its kind ever created, and its music alone should be on everyone's holiday playlists.

Stream A Charlie Brown Christmas on Apple TV+.

A Christmas Story (1983)

Nearly a decade after releasing one of the best Christmas horror movies, director Bob Clark brought a completely different approach to the holiday season with 1983's A Christmas Story. This undeniable family-friendly masterpiece centers on Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsley), a young boy who does everything he can to get a Red Ryder Carbine Action 200-shot Range Model air rifle, whether it's through an essay at school, begging a mall Santa, or leaving hints for others around the house. The movie also features other iconic vignettes that are just as entertaining and quotable 40 years later, and the yearly 24-hour cable marathons have become a yearly tradition on their own.

Rent/buy A Christmas Story on Amazon.

The Santa Clause (1994)

Before turning into a franchise that would eventually be brought back as a Disney+ streaming sequel series, The Santa Clause started out as a fun family-friendly movie about a toy marketing executive named Scott Calvin (Tim Allen) who becomes Santa after accidentally killing “Old St. Nick” on Christmas Eve. Despite his best efforts to deny the job (and the metaphorical and literal baggage that comes with it), Scott is forced to step up and save the day for billions of children and non-believers around the world. Nobody can "Ho Ho Ho" quite like Allen.

Stream The Santa Clause on Disney+.
Rent/buy The Santa Clause on Amazon.

How The Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966)

Some would say How the Grinch Stole Christmas! is the best Christmas special of all time, and there’s a strong case to be made for the 1965 cartoon. Clocking in at a little under 30 minutes, this brilliant adaptation of Dr. Seuss’ iconic children’s book is full of so much charm and cheer, it’ll make your heart grow three sizes by the time the Grinch finds the reason for the season after taking everything from the Whos. Come for Chuck Jones' timeless animation, and stay for the the earworm narration from Frankenstein's monster himself, Boris Karloff. 

Stream How the Grinch Stole Christmas! on Peacock.
Rent/buy How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000 Live-Action Version) on Amazon.

8-Bit Christmas (2021)

Make no mistake about it, 8-Bit Christmas is not only one of the best holiday movies of the past decade, it also has what it takes to one day be in the conversation for best of all time. Michael Dowse’s stellar comedy follows Jake Doyle (played in youth by Winslow Fegley, and in adulthood by Neil Patrick Harris) as he goes to great lengths to aquire the then-new Nintendo Entertainment System in the late ‘80s. It's an adventure that takes him from the safety of the suburbs to the streets of Chicago, resulting in a Christmas experience Jake and audiences will never forget. Though as silly and raucous as can be at times, 8-Big Christmas also packs quite an emotional punch, one you’ll probably think about for some time.

Stream 8-Bit Christmas on Max.
Rent/buy 8-Bit Christmas on Amazon.

The Polar Express (2004)

Once you get past the uncanny valley of its visuals, specifically the arguably disturbing faces of the human characters, Robert Zemeeckis’ 2004 adaptation of the children’s classic The Polar Express is an easily enjoyable animated adventure. Mostly set on the titular train, the movie travels with a group of young children to the North Pole to visit Santa as he’s preparing for his annual trip around the world. It's a delightful and sentimental exploration of the joy and wonder of Christmas, and even though it could stand to use a video game-esque animation upgrade, that shouldn't stop it from being an annual treat for audiences of all ages.

Rent/buy The Polar Express on Amazon.

The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)

There have been countless adaptations of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, but perhaps the best version for the whole family to enjoy this (and any other) holiday season is The Muppet Christmas Carol. With late creator Jim Henson's son Brian Henson as director, this version sees Michael Caine take on the role of everyone’s favorite grump, Ebenezer Scrooge as he is taken on a transformative experience to his past, present, and future. Only this time time, he’s dealing with Muppets, who step in as some of the novella’s most iconic characters. Fun and not as dark as say the 2019 FX version starring Guy Pearce and Andy Serkis, this is a great option for the family.

Stream The Muppet Christmas Carol on Disney+.
Rent/buy The Muppet Christmas Carol on Amazon.

Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)

Though it’s fun to joke about some of the disturbing truths about Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, there’s no denying the fact that it will forever go down as one of the greatest holiday specials in the history of television. Released on NBC in 1964, the stop-motion animated special from what would later become known as Rankin/Bass Productions tells the story of the unlikely reindeer who saved Christmas after embarking upon a perilous journey with new friends and abundant dangers. Classic songs, unforgettable characters, and nostalgia make this a must-watch.

Buy Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer on Amazon.

The Christmas Chronicles (2018)

Action, comedy, and holiday cheer all come together for Clay Kaytis’ 2018 Netflix original movie, The Christmas Chronicles. This new spin on the Santa Story sees none other than Kurt Russell take on the role of St. Nick as he deals with a pair of stowaways who cause him to crash and nearly ruin Christmas. With a ticking clock that could spell disaster for children around the world, the trio attempt to find a way to deliver all the presents (to the right kids) before time runs out. 

Stream The Christmas Chronicles on Netflix.

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

One of the defining releases of 1993, The Nightmare Before Christmas is also one that could be included on the list of best Halloween titles in addition to being a holiday staple. Directed by Henry Selick from a story by producer Tim Burton, the 30-year-old stop-motion movie follows Jack Skellington (Chris Sarandon) as he attempts to take over “Christmas Town,” only to find some hiccups (and joy) in his grand scheme. The soundtrack remains as classic as the animation itself, and Jack and Sally have become some of the most brand-friendly characters in Disney's library, especially from October-December.

Stream The Nightmare Before Christmas on Disney+.
Rent/buy The Nightmare Before Christmas on Amazon.

The Preacher’s Wife (1996)

A black-led Christmas movie that will never not be amazing, Penny Marshall’s The Preacher’s Wife follows Reverend Henry Biggs (Courtney B. Vance) and his wife, Julia (Whitney Houston) as they are visited by Dudleye (Denzel Washington), an angel who changes their lives in more ways than one. Between crises of faith, Christmas pageants, and Whitney Houston’s outstanding singing voice, there’s so much working for this 1996 fantasy drama.

Rent/buy The Preacher’s Wife on Amazon.

Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey (2020)

Directed by David E. Talbert, the 2020 Netflix musical fantasy film Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey centers on Jeronicus (Forest Whitaker), a once joyful inventor and toymaker who finds new purpose in life when his granddaughter, Journey (Madalen Mills) shows up. Fantastical sets, enchanting songs, and outstanding performances from the Jingle Jangle cast all work together to create a phenomenal holiday romp for those who want something they probably haven't seen a thousand times already.

Stream Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey on Netflix.

The Princess Switch (2018)

One of the best Christmas movies on Netflix right now, The Princess Switch follows the Duchess of Montenaro and a Chicago baker (both played by Vanessa Hudgens) as they discover they are practically identical to one another. Having fun with the situation, the pair decide to switch places for a couple of days, a decision that will ultimately lead to major changes in each of their lives.

Stream The Princess Switch on Netflix.

Well, these 15 movies and holiday specials will certainly give you and your family plenty to watch this Christmas. Here's hoping more modern classics are on the way in the years to come.

It may be only the beginning of September, but Halloween has been in full swing at Walt Disney World for weeks already. Magic Kingdom’s annual after-hours Halloween Party started earlier than ever this season, and if there was any fear that guests might not be ready to celebrate the spooky season in the summer, that has been put to rest. Fans waited hours in line for a simple meet and greet.

Disney Blogger Mousesteps posted pictures from one of the first Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party events at Magic Kingdom this year, which included a Nightmare Before Christmas photo op with Jake Skellington and Sally. She entered the line with no idea exactly how long the wait would be, and found herself in line for more than three hours.

Waiting in line to get a picture with a favorite character is something that can put you in line for a long time. The most popular characters have the ability to book times through Genie+ just like rides do because the wait can be just as long, but it has to be said that what turned out to be a three-hour and forty-minute wait is extreme for the most popular attractions, never mind photo ops.

I’ll be honest, I don’t have a lot of photos with characters, and the biggest reason for that is I can’t imagine standing in long lines to get them. I went to Sweetheart’s Nite at Disneyland, where photo ops are half the point. However, left without any because there were other activities, like dancing, that I felt were a better use of time than standing in a line to get a picture, especially since time is so limited for after-hours events. 

Of course, I’m also on the West Coast, and Jack and Sally are regular visitors to New Orleans Square during the Haunted Mansion Holiday, the period from September to January when the Haunted Mansion gets a Nightmare Before Christmas theme. There simply wouldn’t be a line this long to meet them there. I actually have gotten pictures with them simply because the line isn’t usually that long.

At Magic Kingdom, it’s different, and this photo op is something that is only available during the special event. So if you’re a serious Nightmare fan, then you’re going to get in line to say hi and get a picture. And to be fair, it’s a great picture (though I’ve never loved the Jack Skellington half mask). 

Hopefully for the people who waited in a four-hour line to get pictures of Jack and Sally, it was worth the added cost of the ticket for the event. Even for those who waited that long they still had a lot of time to enjoy all the other cool stuff that happens during Magic Kingdoms After Hours events that makes them worth the cost.  

We have declared the word of the day to be two words: Paul Reubens. The actor, who was best known for creating the iconic character, Pee-wee Herman, and portraying him in multiple titles, passed away at the age of 70 after a private, years-long battle with cancer.

Of course, the Emmy-nominated comedian entertained millions with various other great performances outside of his years as Pee-wee, and we will cover all the best in our following list of Paul Reubens movies and TV shows fans can now stream online in his honor. But first, let’s start with some of the best starring our favorite man-child.

Pee-Wee's Playhouse (1986-1991)

A childish grown-up (Reubens), his friends and neighbors, and his sentient belongings go on many fun, wacky, and even informative adventures — sometimes without ever leaving the house.

Why it is one of Paul Reubens’ best: Reubens first debuted his iconic character in the late ‘70s as part of improvisational comedy group, The Groundlings (which he recalled to Jimmy Fallon), but he became a household name by introducing viewers of all ages into his household on Pee-wee’s Playhouse — the Emmy-winning children’s program that also featured acclaimed actors like Laurence Fishburne and S. Epatha Merkerson in recurring roles.

Buy Pee-wee's Playhouse on Amazon.

Pee-Wee's Big Adventure (1985)

When his bike is suddenly stolen, Pee-wee travels across the country, committed to retrieving it at all costs, running into some bizarre situations and meeting some interesting new friends along the way.

Why it is one of Paul Reubens’ best: While Reubens’ first feature film appearance as Pee-wee was in 1980’s Cheech and Chong’s Next Movie, the first film to put him in the spotlight was the highly imaginative and thoroughly hilarious road movie, Pee-wee’s Big Adventure — not only one of the best Tim Burton movies, but the acclaimed visionary director’s feature-length debut that was also co-written by Reubens with Michael Varhol and his Groundlings teammate and SNL legend, Phil Hartman.

Rent or buy Pee-wee's Big Adventure on Amazon.

Big Top Pee-Wee (1988)

After taking up a new life as a farmer, Pee-wee suddenly finds his land occupied by a traveling circus, whose trapeze artist (Italian actor Valeria Golino in her first starring role in an American film) catches his attention.

Why it is one of Paul Reubens’ best: Pee-wee returned to the big screen in a follow-up to Big Adventure, called Big Top Pee-wee, that allows Reubens to broaden his scope as a performer. It was directed by Grease helmer Randal Kleiser and also, once again, penned by Reubens with Pee-wee’s Playhouse writer George McGrath.

Stream Big Top Pee-wee on Paramount+.
Stream Big Top Pee-wee on Amazon Prime.

Pee-Wee's Big Holiday (2016)

A chance meeting with a cool drifter (Joe Manganiello) inspires Pee-wee to leave his quaint hometown and go on a much-needed vacation.

Why it is one of Paul Reubens’ best: Reubens teamed up with director John Lee (co-creator of Adult Swim’s Wonder Showzen), co-writer Paul Rust (creator of Netflix’s Love), and producer Judd Apatow (I’m sure you’re familiar) for the Netflix original comedy, Pee-wee’s Big Holiday, which was Reuben’s first feature-length appearance in the title role in nearly three decades, and also the last.

Stream Pee-wee's Big Holiday on Netflix.

Batman Returns (1992)

Millionaire Bruce Wayne (Michael Keaton, in one of his best movies) dons the cape and cowl once again to save Gotham from a bird-like sewer-dweller (Danny DeVito), while struggling to decided if he has found a friend or foe in a woman dressed as a cat (Michelle Pfieffer).

Why it is one of Paul Reubens’ best: Reubens and (in a fun Easter egg) his Pee-wee’s Big Adventure co-star, Diane Salinger, re-teamed with Burton to play the disavowing parents of one of the most iconic iterations of the Penguin in the cold open for the filmmaker’s second live-action Batman movie, Batman Returns.

Stream Batman Returns on Max.
Rent or buy Batman Returns on Amazon.

Gotham (2016-2017)

As Detective Jim Gordon (Ben McKenzie, who also played Batman in the animated movie, Batman: Year One) struggles to be force for justice in his new corrupt, crime-ridden home, a wealthy, orphaned boy (David Mazouz) aspires toward the same goal to avenge his murdered parents.

Why it is one of Paul Reubens’ best: Batman Returns was not the only time Reubens played the Penguin’s dad, as he would also appear alongside the Gotham cast for three episodes between Seasons 2 and 3 as Elijah Van Dahl — the wealthy, long-lost, and actually accepting fatter of Robin Lord Taylor’s version of Oswald Cobblepot on the hit Fox series set during Bruce Wayne’s youth.

Stream Gotham on Max.
Buy Gotham on Amazon.

DC's Legends Of Tomorrow (2018-2019)

A time-traveling loner (Arthur Darvill) puts together a team of costumed vigilantes and highly skilled criminals in order to prevent a cataclysmic threat.

Why it is one of Paul Reubens’ best: Gotham is not the only great DC TV show which Reubens has appeared on, as he also had a recurring role alongside DC's Legends Of Tomorrow cast as the voice of Dybbuk — a malevolent, possessive spirit that inhabits a doll to terrorize the titular crew of this Arrowverse favorite.

Stream DC's Legends Of Tomorrow on Netflix.
Buy DC's Legends Of Tomorrow on Amazon.

Mystery Men (1999)

When their city’s most trusted superhero (Greg Kinnear) goes missing, it is up to a team of obscure, wannabe vigilantes (William H. Macy, Ben Stiller, Janeane Garofalo, and more) to save the day from a recently released, eccentric criminal mastermind (Academy Award winner Geoffrey Rush).

Why it is one of Paul Reubens’ best: Reubens also got to play a superhero once in the hilarious, underrated comic book movie, Mystery Men, in the very bizarre role of The Spleen, who has been cursed since his youth with the ability to expel a silent, but deadly gas out his… well, you can probably figure that out.

Stream Mystery Men on Peacock.
Rent or buy Mystery Men on Amazon.

Flight Of The Navigator (1986)

After waking up to discover that he has been missing for eight years, but without having aged a day, a 12-year-old boy (Joey Cramer) tries to figure out the answer to his absence, leading him to go on an unforgettable adventure.

Why it is one of Paul Reubens’ best: Before Randal Kleiser directed Reubens in Big Top Pee-wee, the two worked together on Disney’s classic sci-fi flick, Flight of the Navigator, which features the actor as the voice of Max — the alien AI which powers that spacecraft that the young central character discovers he has been programmed to pilot.

Stream Flight Of The Navigator on Disney+.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer (1992)

A high school cheerleader (Kristy Swanson) discovers that she is destined to protect the human race from evil, undead bloodsuckers.

Why it is one of Paul Reubens’ best: When not playing Pee-wee, Reubens has rarely been opposed to letting out his bad side, such as with his memorably off-the-wall performance in the original Buffy the Vampire Slayer movie cast as Amilyn — a fanged, punk rocker villain whom the actor would reprise with a What We Do in the Shadows cameo in 2019.

Stream Buffy The Vampire Slayer on Max.
Rent or buy Buffy The Vampire Slayer on Amazon.

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

The most revered figure in a town obsessed with Halloween (Chris Sarandon) finds the more unique celebration he has been searching for in Christmas, but unwittingly lays the groundwork for a season filled with more fear than cheer.

Why it is one of Paul Reubens’ best: Another one of Reubens’ more menacing characters appears in another one of his collaborations with writer and producer Burton for the stop-motion animated, holiday classic with a spooky twist, The Nightmare Before Christmas, in which the actor voices Lock — one of the mischievous, young trick-r-treaters who conspire to kidnap Santa Claus. 

Stream The Nightmare Before Christmas on Disney+.

Dunston Checks In (1996)

The manager of a luxurious hotel (Jason Alexander — better known as Seinfeld’s George Costanza) fears for his chances of a promotion when he discovers that his sons have befriended an orangutan who has gone on the loose.

Why it is one of Paul Reubens’ best: Reubens took on one of his funnier antagonistic roles as overly serious animal control officer, Buck LaFarge, in Dunston Checks In — one of the more successful and, sometimes, delightful films released when movies about primates seemed more popular than ever.

Rent or buy Dunston Checks In on Amazon.

Blow (2001)

Failed marijuana dealer George Jung (Johnny Depp) receives a second chance at success in the drug trade by helping Pablo Escobar’s Medellin Cartel establish a market for cocaine in the United States during the 1970s. 

Why it is one of Paul Reubens’ best: Reubens surprised critics and audiences with his performance in one of the best Johnny Depp movies, Blow, as a coke-addicted hairdresser named Derek Foreal — a character based on one of the real Jung’s business partners, Richard Barile, according to Stagbite.

Rent or buy Blow on Amazon.

Mosaic (2018)

The investigation into the murder of a popular children’s book author and illustrator (Sharon Stone) uncovers a deadly, conspiratorial game.

Why it is one of Paul Reubens’ best: A more recent example of one of Reubens’ darker roles could be seen on writer Ed Solomon and director Steven Soderbergh’s eight-episode, HBO original whodunit, Mosaic — originally released as an interactive experience that allowed the viewer to choose from multiple perspectives — in which the actor played the best friend of Stone’s slain character.

Stream Mosaic on Max.
Buy Mosaic on Amazon.

For many, he will always be Pee-wee Herman, but it is clear from the titles listed above that there were many sides to Paul Reubens. He will be dearly missed.

As wild as it may sound, 1993 was 30 years ago. Not 10, not 20...30. As I recently attempted to come to terms with this fact, I took a trip down memory lane to look back on all the big movies that defined the year, whether it was a box office juggernaut like Jurassic Park, a critically-acclaimed drama like Schindler’s List, or something in between. And, wow, I realized that some of the movies that shaped my life all came out in this year.

Below is a list of 1993 movies that either made a ton of money at the box office, captured the essence and sensibilities of that year, or remain a part of the collective consciousness of society 30 years after the fact.

Jurassic Park

There is no bigger movie from 1993, both in terms of box office success and cultural impact, than Jurassic Park. Steven Spielberg’s adaptation of Michael Crichton’s landmark sci-fi novel about a theme park with cloned dinosaurs is still an all-time favorite of many, and rightfully so. Its timeliness story, incredible combination of practical and digital effects, and that classic John Williams score set a high bar for blockbusters, both in 1993 and beyond.

Sleepless In Seattle

If you look at any list breaking down the best romantic comedies of all time, you will see Nora Ephron’s Sleepless in Seattle at or near the top of the pack. Sure, a movie about a woman (Meg Ryan) falling in love with a widower (Tom Hanks) after hearing his story on the radio is a little dated, but that adds to the charm of this beloved classic. It laid the foundation for the rom-coms that would follow while also cementing its legacy as an all-time great.

Philadelphia

Jonathan Demme’s 1993 legal drama, Philadelphia, is a movie that ushered in a new era of Tom Hanks’ career, and also came out in a time in which the response to the AIDS epidemic began to change from one of fear to one of understanding and compassion. Set in Philadelphia, this movie follows a promising lawyer (Hanks) as he and his defense attorney (Denzel Washington) attempt to prove that his former firm fired him not because of a mistake at work, but because of his diagnosis. 

Mrs. Doubtfire

One of Robin Williams' movies we’ll never forget, Mrs. Doubtfire is one of the titles I think of the most whenever 1993's films come up in conversation. There are so many iconic moments from this movie that continue to live on 30 years later, even if the concept of a father dressing up as an old British woman to be with his kids is a little problematic. 

The Nightmare Before Christmas

The Tim Burton-produced, and Henry Selick-directed, stop-motion animated classic, The Nightmare Before Christmas, is still considered one of the best examples of the animation style nearly 30 years after it first appeared on the big screen. The story about Jack Skellington (Chris Sarandon) scheming to take over “Christmas Town,” the musical and vocal arrangements by Danny Elfman, and those painstakingly-detailed characters create a timeless effect. 

Menace II Society

More so than maybe any other movie on this list, the Hughes Brothers’ 1993 drama, Menace II Society, captures the fears of the time. This must-watch ‘90s movie is full of incredible lessons and performances by the likes of Tyrin Turner, Larenz Tate, and Jada Pinkett Smith that felt like a direct response to the violence and civil unrest of the region, and country, at the time of its release.

Groundhog Day

There will always be a place for Groundhog Day on the list of best Bill Murray movies, no matter how many times he shows up in a Wes Anderson movie. Directed by the late Harold Raimis, this classic comedy about a grumpy weatherman (Murray) who gets stuck in a time loop on Groundhog Day just never gets old. And not only was it one of the most successful comedy movies of 1993, per BoxOfficeMojo, it also feels like a time capsule of the early ‘90s.

True Romance

Written by Quentin Tarantino and directed by Tony Scott, 1993’s True Romance is one of those rare movies that comes along and hits all the checkmarks for comedy, drama, romance, and action. Primarily following newlyweds Clarence Worley (Christian Slater) and Alabama Whitman (Patricia Arquette), who are on the run from the mafia, the movie is a tremendous example of early ‘90s cinema that continues to be influential 30 years later.

Tombstone

There are few Western movies that can stand toe-to-toe in the O.K. Corral with Tombstone, and that’s saying something. George P. Cosmatos’ 1993 drama about Wyatt Earp (Kurt Russell in one of his most badass roles), his brothers (Sam Elliott and Bill Paxton), and Doc Holiday (Val Kilmer) taking on a group of outlaws and protecting the town of Tombstone, Arizona, is one of those movies I’ll long associate with 1993, and it still hits just as hard 30 years later.

The Fugitive

There are few more quotable lines than Harrison Ford’s delivery of “I didn’t kill my wife,” in Andrew Davis’ action thriller, The Fugitive. This incredibly fun, suspenseful, and intense mystery movie about surgeon Richard Kimble (Ford) being on the run after he's falsely convicted of murdering his wife is another 1993 movie that has withstood the test of time. Everything about this movie just works, especially the cat-and-mouse game played by Kimble and U.S. Marshal Sam Gerard (Tommy Lee Jones).

The Sandlot

David Mickey Evans’ The Sandlot is not only arguably the best kids baseball movie from the early 1990s, it’s one of my all-time favorites. The movie is set in the early 1960s, but few movies of that year, or decade, were a bigger part of my childhood than the story of the Sandlot gang spending a summer playing ball, getting kicked out of the pool, chewing tobacco, and making quick work of the local little league squad. This one will live on forever.

Robin Hood: Men In Tights

The 1993 Mel Brooks comedy, Robin Hood: Men In Tights (“tight tights”), is one of those early ‘90s movies that was everywhere upon its release, and for good reason. With Brooks’ signature style of satirical humor (nothing is off limits), an unforgettable performance by Cary Elwes, and just a lot of fun, it’s easy to see why people still hold this ‘93 movie in such high regard. 

Dave

Watching Ivan Reitman’s all-time great political comedy, Dave, 30 years after its May 1993 release is truly something to behold. The movie, which stars Kevin Kline as a stand-in for the President of the United States (also Kline) after he has a stroke, shows just how much the political landscape has changed over the years. Funnily enough, Dave is also one of the best movies to use the line of succession as a plot device.

Schindler’s List

I started with one of Steven Spielberg’s best movies, and I’ll end it with his other iconic 1993 film: Schindler’s List. Set during the Holocaust, the movie follows Oskar Schindler (Liam Neeson), a German businessman who risks his reputation and life to save as many Jewish refugees as possible from concentration camps. The fun, joy, and excitement of Jurassic Park are not found in this gut-wrenching black-and-white affair, but few 1993 films are more iconic than this Oscar winner.

Honestly, this is just a small portion of the great movies that defined 1993, as including every single major release that’s had an impact would just keep going and going like those old Energizer commercials. If you want to know about the biggest films we might be talking about 30 years from now, check out our 2023 movie schedule.

The holidays are here and it's time to curl up next to the ol' Yule log and stream your favorite winter classics. Now that all the arguing about whether Die Hard is a Christmas movie is finally settled, we've pulled together a list of some of the best Christmas and holiday movies, with some fun behind the scenes facts, interesting tidbits, and most importantly, where you can stream these classic tales. You can also check out what's streaming and airing on TV this holiday season.

A Charlie Brown Christmas

One of the most beloved holiday specials of all-time, A Charlie Brown Christmas has been warming the hearts of fans since 1965. Although the special has aired on various networks over the years, the current home of the Peanuts gang is on Apple TV+, which you can find below.

You can stream A Charlie Brown Christmas on Apple TV+:

• How To Watch A Charlie Brown Christmas This Year
• A Charlie Brown Christmas: 6 Behind-The-Scenes Facts You Probably Didn't Know
• The Reason A Charlie Brown Christmas Almost Never Aired

A Christmas Story

No Christmas movie list is complete without the classic comedy, A Christmas Story.  If you don't already catch this film on the TBS/TNT 24-hour marathon, you can witness Flick sticking his tongue to the flagpole on HBO Max.  Just in case that isn't enough A Christmas Story for you, you can also watch Peter Billingsley in the 2022 sequel, A Christmas Story Christmas streaming on HBO Max.

I triple dog dare you to stream A Christmas Story on HBO Max.

•  How To Watch A Christmas Story Streaming And On TV 
•  A Christmas Story: 10 Behind-The-Scenes Facts From The 1983 Holiday Classic 
•  How A Christmas Story Actually Filmed The Infamous Tongue Scene 

It's A Wonderful Life

Even though it has been over 75 years since its original release, It’s A Wonderful Life is still considered one of the best holiday films.  You can find all the good feels of this classic movie streaming on Amazon Prime Video. 

 You can stream It’s A Wonderful Life on Prime Video. 

•  How To Watch It's A Wonderful Life Streaming And On TV 
•  Stephen King Shares His Dark Take On The Ending Of The Christmas Classic It's A Wonderful Life 
•  It's A Wonderful Life: 12 Behind-The-Scenes Facts About The Classic Christmas Movie 

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

Light up this Holiday season with a little Griswold Family Christmas spirit in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.  Stream this holiday film on HBO max to get the full comedy experience of expectations versus reality of anticipated holiday celebrations. 

You can stream Christmas Vacation on HBO Max.

• How To Watch Christmas Vacation Streaming
• Christmas Vacation Stars Chevy Chase And Beverly D’Angelo Reunited, And There’s Video
• National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation: 10 Behind-The-Scenes Facts About The Holiday Movie

How The Grinch Stole Christmas

Over the years, several different adaptations of Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas have been released.  Watch all three of them this season to see which one is your favorite!

You can stream How the Grinch Stole Christmas on HBO Max
You can stream Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas on Peacock
You can buy (or rent) Ilumination’s Presents: Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch

• How To Watch Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas Streaming
• How The Grinch Stole Christmas: Reasons I Still Believe It's The Best Christmas Special To This Day
• Lizzo Is ‘100% That Grinch’ This Christmas Season In Viral TikTok Post

The Muppet Christmas Carol

In this 1992 film, our felted friends take on the retelling of Charles Dickens' holiday classic. Add in the brilliant Michael Caine as Scrooge and you have a magic in the making.

Sing along and stream The Muppet Christmas Carol on Disney+. 

• Why Michael Caine Decided To Do The Muppet Christmas Carol
• Why The Muppet Christmas Carol's Deleted Song Was Cut, But Really Should Have Stayed
• The Muppet Christmas Carol’s Restored Deleted Scene Is Truly A Holiday Miracle

Elf

Considered a modern holiday comedy classic, Elf follows the naive but charming Buddy the Elf on his journey to New York City in search of his birth father.  If you enjoy watching Will Ferrell in this film on HBO Max, you should also check out Spirited, his new holiday movie with Ryan Reynolds.

You can stream Elf on HBO Max.
You can also stream Spirited on AppleTV+.

• Elf: 7 Sobering Thoughts I Had When Watching The Will Ferrell Movie That Made Me Question Everything
•  Will Ferrell Explains Why He Turned Elf 2 (And A Huge Paycheck) Down 
•  7 Things We Learned About Elf After Watching Netflix's The Christmas Movies That Made Us 
•  Tons Of A-Listers Share Support For Ryan Reynolds And Will Ferrell’s Spirited Dancing But Blake Lively Wins The Comments 

The Nightmare Before Christmas

One of those few films that falls into both the Halloween and Christmas movie categories, this hauntingly fun tale by Tim Burton is the perfect way to add variety to your holiday movie viewing this season. The Nightmare Before Christmas classic stop motion film can be streamed on Disney+. 

 You can stream The Nightmare Before Christmas on Disney+. 

•  Nightmare Before Christmas' Jack Star Has Strong Feelings About A Sequel 
•  The Awesome Way Disneyland Will Celebrate The 20th Anniversary of The Nightmare Before Christmas Haunted Mansion 
•  The Nightmare Before Christmas Told With Emojis Is Adorably Creepy And Fun 

A Christmas Carol

If you are looking for a bit more haunting, look no further than the A Christmas Carol TV Movie. Complete with the infamous creepy ghosts and an adorable Tiny Tim, you can stream this favorite Charles Dickens story on Tubi.

You can stream A Christmas Carol on Tubi. 

• The 6 Best A Christmas Carol Movie Adaptations Ever, Ranked

Even More Holiday Movies

If you're looking for more than just the fan-fave holiday classics, make sure to browse other streaming options like Hallmark and Plex, or check out our lists below of holiday movies by genre, like action, LGBTQ+, horror, and more! 

• Hallmark Christmas Movies Streaming Now
• The Best Christmas Movies On Netflix Right Now
• 11 Christmas Movies Featuring LGBTQ+ Stories
• The 10 Best Christmas Movies Streaming On Disney+
• 13 Christmas Action Movies And Where To Stream Them
• 16 Christmas Horror Movies To Watch
• 9 Christmas Movies Streaming For Free On Plex

Halloween is almost here, and we all tend to see our tastes in film shift a bit toward horror movies. While there are some great horror movies one can enjoy this time of year, in most cases that means truly terrifying movies potentially full of incredibly mature violence. But even horror movies that aren't necessarily terrifying aren't always suitable for everybody. What about those people, of all ages, who don’t mind movies that are a little bit spooky, but need the terror down to a manageable level? The good news is there are some options on Disney+ for Halloween movies that are not too scary.

If you’re looking for a good Halloween movie that has the ability to give you some legitimate chills, but is still suited for the whole family, there are a few great options you can find if you have a Disney+ subscription.

Hocus Pocus (And Hocus Pocus 2) 

Hocus Pocus is a movie that is remembered quite fondly by the generation that grew up with it, and certainly the movie, on balance, is more silly than scary. However, the original Hocus Pocus does have a scene where the three witches are hung by their necks, which, while it certainly isn’t graphic, still shows three bodies hanging off the ground, making the death scene more clear than you might expect from a Disney movie. It’s also about child murder, after all.

Hocus Pocus 2 is probably a bit less terrifying for even the youngest viewers, but it’s still the perfect sort of movie for a family of all ages to enjoy on Halloween together. It has a great spooky vibe going if you want something that feels dark without being all that scary. 

 The Nightmare Before Christmas 

The Nightmare Before Christmas has become an absolute classic over the years, not only as a Halloween movie, but as a Christmas movie too. There's even something of a debate as to whether Nightmare is ultimately a Christmas movie or a Halloween movie. While the film is able to be both things surprisingly well, I would argue that it is primarily a Halloween movie because a lot of the imagery can get quite creepy, even in the more Christmas-focused scenes.

The younger the audience, the scarier The Nightmare Before Christmas can be. The opening musical number alone just throws every manor of scary creature at you one after the other. Oogie Boogie, a walking burlap sack full of all sorts of creepy, crawly things that could easily freak out young viewers. The stop motion animation itself lends itself to a general feeling of unease, as nothing moves quite right. 

The Haunted Mansion 

Disney’s first attempt at a movie based on the Haunted Mansion attraction went so well that Disney is now making a new Haunted Mansion movie in an attempt to help people forget the first one ever existed. The attraction itself, while it has its moments, is not particularly scary. The movie based on it is certainly more of a comedy than horror, but the Haunted Mansion movie isn’t as bad as a lot of people think, and it does have some shining moments as well.

One sequence in the middle of the film sees Eddie Murphy and his daughter stuck in a crypt while numerous corpses come to life, all while the daughter nearly drowns. It's a sequence that would fit almost perfectly in any more more mature horror movie. It has kids screaming in terror, and there’s a decent chance that really young kids might also scream in terror.

Frankenweenie 

Frankenstein is one of the all-time great horror stories that has been adapted so many times in so many ways that it’s near impossible to keep track of them all. Frankenweenie is certainly on the lighter side of the various adaptations but whether you watch Disney's live-action short or the feature length stop motion film, both of which can be found on Disney+, both movies are still distinctly Tim Burton, and therefore distinctly creepy.

There’s something inherently scary about that classic black and white film look, so even the parts of Frankenweenie that aren’t scary on their own feel like they could go that way at any moment. While the title character of the dog that comes back to life is probably the least scary creature in the film, that’s because there’s plenty more to freak you out.

The Adventures Of Icabod & Mr. Toad 

Ok, so this one cheats a tiny bit as technically only half of the movie qualifies for this Halloween theme, but it does it so well we can’t leave it out. The Adventures of Icabod and Mr. Toad comes from the era of Disney Animation when the studio was focusing on packaging shorter animation segments together to build feature films. This one includes an adaption of The Wind in the Willows, which is good, but the Disneyland ride based on it is actually scarier that the film.

The other half, however, is an adaptation of Washington Irvin’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, and it’s actually quite scary. While there are some humorous elements to balance the scares, the Headless Horseman is one of Disney's scariest villains, and the story has a pretty chilling ending, about as far from a traditional Disney happy ending as you could possibly imagine.

Every horror fan has to start someplace, and most probably didn’t find a love for slasher movies out of nowhere. These are the sorts of films that kids watch and discover they actually like the scary parts, leading to them eventually looking for more. 

SPOILER WARNING: The following article contains details about the endings of six ‘90s Disney movies. If you have not seen all of them, at least proceed with caution.

Well, it looks like the upcoming sequel to Hocus Pocus is well on its way, which is certainly exciting, but, all in all, not too surprising, to be honest. I mean, not only has Hocus Pocus 2 - which is set to be exclusively released on Disney+ in the fall of 2022 - been demanded by its loyal, multi-generational fanbase for years, but it is only the latest of many ‘90s Disney movies to receive a follow-up. 

What surprises me, however, is the number of classics from the now nostalgic decade that Disney has yet to give the same treatment to. In fact, I have few favorites in mind that have never spawned a proper sequel, but should have by now, if you ask me. Allow me to plead my case for why Disney should revive the following ‘90s movies, starting with another 1993 release that is also perfect to watch around Halloween…or another particular holiday. 

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) 

We last saw Jack Skellington (Chris Sarandon) at the end of this cult classic discovering his love for Sally (Catherine O’Hara) and rediscovering his love for Halloween through a disastrous attempt to take over Christmas, and saw the Halloween Town residents finally understand the holiday’s true meaning with help from Santa’s magical snowfall. The question that remains is if we can really call The Nightmare Before Christmas a Christmas movie or a Halloween movie. 

Personally, I do not need an answer (because it is both as far as I am concerned), but would like to see a sequel that offers commentary on the matter in light of how prevalent the debate of what constitutes a Christmas movie has become. On top of that, I am certain many Nightmare Before Christmas obsessives would love to know how Jack and Sally are holding up, and see story creator Tim Burton re-team with director Henry Selick on a new stop motion animation film and not just a comic book tie-in, like they released in 2018.

James And The Giant Peach (1996)

Speaking of Henry Selick, his follow-up to The Nightmare Before Christmas was another creepy Disney film about a young man processing an identity crisis through extraordinary circumstances. Paul Terry plays the orphaned title character of James and the Giant Peach, who ends up finally achieving a peaceful existence with his new family of anthropomorphic bugs living inside the pit of the large, magical fruit they used to travel to New York City.

Author Roald Dahl never wrote a follow-up to the 1961 book that inspired this Oscar-nominated adventure, so I am not sure what the next step in these characters lives might look like. I do know, however, that it would look stunning to return to the beautiful world created by combining live-action filmmaking with stop animation effects. There was talk of remaking the film with director Sam Mendes in 2016, but I think expanding on the universe would be more fun than reinterpreting it.

A Bug's Life (1998) 

Another set of bugs whom I would like to check in with are the characters from A Bug’s Life, which was the second feature-length movie from Pixar. It follows bumbling underdog ant, Flik (Dave Foley), who rises above his reputation as the laughing stock of his colony by bravely saving it from an oppressive swarm of grasshoppers with the help of circus performers posing as “warrior bugs.”

The closest we have had to any semblance of A Bug’s Life 2 was a cameo by Flik and the scene-stealing caterpillar, Heimlich (the late Joe Ranft), in a faux blooper during the credits of Toy Story 2 in 1999. Well, this is a Pixar movie sequel I would actually love to see, for a few reasons. For one, it would be great to see a reunion of the all-star cast (also including Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Princess Atta and Hayden Penetierre as her sister, Dot) and I think this underrated gem deserves to be remembered for more than being the other animated movie about ants from 1998, after Dreamworks’ Antz.

RocketMan (1997) 

Another underrated gem from the late ‘90s is RocketMan - not to be confused with the Elton John biopic from 2019. This out of this world comedy (in which Elton John’s “Rocketman” actually does play over the closing credits) stars underrated comedian Harland Williams as a clumsy man-child who gets the chance to fulfill his lifelong dream of being an astronaut when he is selected for the first manned mission to Mars.

The movie ends with our hero, Fred Z. Randall, saving his crew from suffering a deadly crash in the middle of a wild storm on the Red Planet and getting the woman of his dreams (Jessica Lundy) to fall in love with him in the process. I think a new movie about their son or daughter causing unintentional mayhem at NASA would be a cool idea, and not just to prevent the original from falling deeper into obscurity in the midst of the synonymous Elton John movie. Really, I just want to see a funny space movie again and, maybe, see Harland Williams make a comeback. 

The Parent Trap (1998) 

Speaking of comebacks, the world has been waiting to see Lindsay Lohan rise above her behind-the-scenes reputation and move back into the spotlight for years, and her latest attempt is an upcoming holiday rom-com called Falling for Christmas. Well, in case that 2022 Netflix movie release is not quite the hit she hoped for, I think it would be really cool to see her reprise her roles from the film that launched her movie career and celebrated an anniversary not long ago, The Parent Trap - writer and director Nancy Meyers’ remake of 1961 film about long-lost twin sisters who switch places in the hope of reuniting their divorced parents.

Speaking of that original film, starring Hayley Mills as twin sisters Susan and Sharon, it actually did spawn a made-for-TV sequel in which Sharon is unexpectedly reunited with Susan when her daughter schemes to set her up with her new friend’s single father. I think that concept could generate a pretty good modern rom-com with a fresh enough script, effectively making this new film both a sequel and a remake. I can understand if that phrase sounds discouraging, but if done right, this could be the film that brings Lohan back to the A-list.

Another ‘90s Disney movie, which is also unjustifiably underrated, is The Rocketeer - a Dark Horse comic book adaptation helmed director Joe Johnston 20 years before he made a more commercially successful superhero period piece with Captain America: The First Avenger. I was going to include that one in this list before I learned that a Disney+ exclusive reboot is already in the works from producer David Oyelowo. With a new Rocketeer and a new Hocus Pocus on the way, maybe it is only a matter of time before another one of my sequel hopefuls above gets the green light!

I love how we have seen a new generation of Catherine O’Hara fans emerge since her days in the Schitt’s Creek cast as Moira Rosa. Her brilliant performance as the - to borrow from the character’s own colorful vocabulary - “vociferous” and “juvenescent” former soap opera actress would also earn the Canadian comedian her second Emmy Award and first in an acting category.

I hope that, like it has for me, her newfound popularity inspires audiences to take a look at the titles on her resume that they had never seen or revisit ones they had either forgotten or never even realized she was in before. If you are one of those viewers, allow us to point you in the direction of our picks for the best Catherine O’Hara movies and TV shows available on streaming, for digital rental, and/or purchase on physical media, starting with her aforementioned induction into sitcom royalty. 

Schitt’s Creek (2015-2020)

After their business manager leaves them financially ruined, a once-wealthy video store chain tycoon (Eugene Levy), his former soap opera star wife (Catherine O’Hara), and spoiled adult son (Daniel Levy) and daughter (Annie Murphy), have no choice but to live in a small town that also happens to be their only remaining asset.

Why it’s one of the best Catherine O’Hara TV shows: If you are reading this, you have likely already seen all 80 episodes of Schitt’s Creek, but of all the sound reasons to binge it all over again, Catherine O’Hara’s transformative, consistently hilarious, and endlessly quotable performance as Moira Rose tops the list as far as I am concerned.

Stream Schitt’s Creek on Netflix.
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Home Alone And Home Alone 2: Lost In New York (1990-1992)

A precocious 8-year-old boy (Macaulay Culkin) is accidentally separated from his family during the Holiday season twice (first at his own house in Chicago and then in New York City after an airport mixup) and must defend himself from the same pair of bumbling thieves (Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern) with his own knack for setting clever and painful traps.

Why they are some of the best Catherine O’Hara movies: Speaking of endlessly quotable performances, Catherine O’Hara famously shouted the name of her onscreen son, “KEVIN!,” as Kate McCallister in both Home Alone and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York - some of the funniest Christmas movies ever, which were both penned by John Hughes and directed by Chris Columbus.

Stream The Home Alone Movies On Disney.
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Buy/rent Home Alone 2: Lost In New York digitally on Amazon.
Buy Home Alone and Home Alone 2: Lost In New York on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

Waiting For Guffman (1996)

A former theatre professional (Christopher Guest) organizes a stage musical inspired by an eccentric small town in Missouri that somehow attracts the attention of a renowned New York City art critic, convincing the amateur cast and crew of local citizens that this may be their ticket to Broadway.

Why it’s one of the best Catherine O’Hara movies: Catherine O’Hara’s relationship with Schitt’s Creek actor and co-creator Eugene Levy as small screen co-stars actually dates back to their days on SCTV in the ‘70s, but their relationship as big screen co-stars began with Waiting for Guffman - a partially improvised mockumentary that brilliantly satirizes Midwestern culture, which Levy actually co-wrote with star and director Christopher Guest.

Buy/rent Waiting For Guffman digitally on Amazon.
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Best In Show (2000)

An affable salesman (Eugene Levy) and his high-spirited wife (Catherine O’Hara), a lone shop keeper (Christopher Guest), a bubbly gay couple (Michael McKean and John Michael Higgins), and others eagerly and anxiously prepare their beloved pets to win at a prestigious annual dog show as a camera crew captures everything that goes on prior to and during the event.

Why it’s one of the best Catherine O’Hara movies: Years before doing so in Schitt’s Creek, Catherine O’Hara and Eugene Levy played a married couple who enter their Norwich Terrier into the cutthroat competition at the center of Best in Show, which is considered by many to be the best of several acclaimed mockumentaries from star and director Christopher Guest, who also co-wrote this title with Levy.

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A Mighty Wind (2003)

A successful trio of folk musicians known as The Folksmen (Harry Shearer, Michael McKean, and Christopher Guest) reunite, along with some of their most esteemed (and eccentric) contemporary artists to perform at a concert in honor of their former, legendary concert promoter’s recent passing.

Why it’s one of the best Catherine O’Hara movies: Once again, Catherine O’Hara and Eugene Levy played a couple - this time one that is bound in a passion for folk music - in yet another mockumentary co-written by Levy and director Christopher Guest called A Mighty Wind, which pokes fun at the music industry yet was actually nominated for an Oscar for Best Original Song.

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For Your Consideration (2006)

The obscure cast and crew of a low-budget, independent period drama are thrown up in arms by the news that the film has started to generate buzz in the entertainment media as a potential Oscar nominee.

Why it’s one of the best Catherine O’Hara movies: In their most recent collaboration with co-writer and director Christopher Guest, Catherine O’Hara and Eugene Levy do not play a romantically linked couple, but are still as funny as ever in For Your Consideration - a mockumentary which, this time, pokes fun at the film industry, particularly the fervently competitive nature that it becomes consumed by around awards season.

Stream For Your Consideration on HBO Max.
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Beetlejuice (1988)

Unhappy with the family that now inhabits their dream home, the lingering spirits of a recently deceased married couple (Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis) try calling upon the help of a repulsive, self-proclaimed bio-exorcist (Michael Keaton) to help scare them out of the house, which turns out to be a costly mistake.

Why it’s one of the best Catherine O’Hara movies: One of the Catherine O’Hara’s most uproariously funny and iconically quotable performances (which also reminds me a great deal of Moira Rose) is Delia Deetz in Beetlejuice, which is, arguably, the most definitive of director Tim Burton’s movies for its cartoonishly morbid sense of humor and inventively surreal visual design, all anchored by Michael Keaton’s brief, but boisterous performance in the title role.

Buy/rent Beetlejuice digitally on Amazon.
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The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

Bored by the same gloomy and ghoulish celebrations from every other year, the unofficial leader of a town obsessed with Halloween (Chris Sarandon) accidentally comes across another town that is obsessed with Christmas and conspires to teach his peers all about the traditions akin to this new holiday. 

Why it’s one of the best Catherine O’Hara movies: Even though Tim Burton merely wrote the story and directorial duties were handled by underrated stop-motion artist Henry Selick, you could also make an argument that the ultimate Burton movie is the Oscar-nominated The Nightmare Before Christmas - a classic perfect for two different holiday seasons and for which Catherine O’Hara leant her voice to both the role of the romantic lead Sally and of Oogie Boogie’s young henchperson, Shock.

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Where The Wild Things Are (2009)

Wanting to escape from his stressful, disillusioned reality, a young, angsty, adventurous boy (Max Records) runs away from home and into a distant land of fantasy inhabited by large, furry beasts and convinces them to make him their king.

Why it’s one of the best Catherine O’Hara movies: Catherine O’Hara leant her voice to the far less meek role of Judith in director Spike Jonze’s surprisingly dark adaptation of Maurice Sendak’s iconic story, Where the Wild Things Are, which is easily one of the most inventive and visually stunning movies based on a children’s book ever made.

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Glenn Martin, DDS (2009-2011)

After their house suffers a devastating fire, a dentist (Kevin Nealon) decides to take his wife (Catherine O’Hara) and two children (Jackie Clarke and Peter Oldring) on a vacation across the country in an old recreational vehicle.

Why it’s one of the best Catherine O’Hara TV shows: One of Catherine O’Hara’s more underrated voice acting roles was as Jackie, the wife of Kevin Nealon’s title character on Glenn Martin, DDS - a fun stop-motion animated family sitcom that aired as an original for Nickelodeon’s Nick@Nite block and, if you think about it, bears a few similarities to the plot of Schitt’s Creek. 

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Wyatt Earp (1994)

The story of a highly skilled gunslinger (Yellowstone cast member Kevin Costner) who becomes a legend of the Old West over the course of his tragedy-ridden life.

Why it’s one of the best Catherine O’Hara movies: One of Catherine O’Hara’s more unusually dramatic roles was as Allie Earp, the wife of Virgil Earp, in Wyatt Earp - co-writer and director Lawrence Kasdan’s Oscar-nominated, epic historical western inspired by the titular lawman made famous by the fateful events that took place at the O.K. Corral.

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Catherine O’Hara is prepping to make another supposedly dramatic departure from her more common comedic roles by joining the ensemble cast of director Matthew Vaughn’s upcoming adaptation of Elly Conway’s espionage novel, Argylle. 

We are now into the new year, but if you love Christmas movies and the holiday season, you might still be eager to feel those festive feels. Even if the first few months of the year mean occasional balmy temperatures or a complete lack of snow for you, your family and friends, we can all enjoy the magic of the holiday season whenever we want. And, obviously, many of us do that by retreating into our favorite holiday films and the best Christmas movies out there.

While dozens (upon dozens) of new films premiered on the 2022 Christmas movie schedule, with the movies of October, November, and early December replaying regularly through the end of the year, there’s nothing quite like curling up on the couch with a cozy blanket, your favorite hot beverage, and settling in for a night (or afternoon...I hope you do still have some time off) of watching some of the most popular Christmas movies streaming. Luckily, this list is made to help you do exactly that, as we’ll be giving you lots of options so that you can enjoy your favorite holiday movies whenever you want, with no problems at all. Now, let’s get to the good stuff!

Elf (HBO Max)

I will be thoroughly surprised if you haven’t already seen this 2003 Will Ferrell film, where he stars as Buddy, a human who was accidentally taken to the North Pole as a toddler and then raised among Santa’s elves. As an adult, Buddy heads to New York to find his biological father, and comical Christmas shenanigans ensue. This Jon Favreau-directed comedy became a near instant classic for a reason.

Stream Elf on HBO Max.

The Best Man Holiday (Peacock)

This Christmas movie favorite from 2013 sees a group of college friends (played by Sanaa Lathan, Taye Diggs, Nia Long, Terrence Howard, Monica Calhoun, Harold Perrineau, Regina Hall, and Morris Chestnut) reunite after almost 15 years apart to celebrate the holiday, but quickly find old romances and rivalries being reignited. The Best Man Holiday brought back the stars of 1999’s The Best Man, and will definitely make you long for a slightly chaotic, friend-focused gathering at Christmastime.

Stream The Best Man Holiday on Peacock.

It’s A Wonderful Life (Amazon Prime)

Anyone who’s watched It’s a Wonderful Life in a Christmas Eve marathon or during one of its standard holiday season airings would probably be surprised to know that this now-classic was actually a big ol’ flop when it debuted in 1946. Fortunately, it was finally able to find the audience it deserved, and people who love watching Jimmy Stewart’s George Bailey learn just how important he is to his family, friends, and his town will never be without it.

Stream It’s A Wonderful Life on Amazon Prime.
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A Christmas Carol (Tubi)

This Charles Dickens classic has been adapted for the screen numerous times and in numerous ways (we’ll even see a couple more on this list later), but this 1984, made for TV version starring George C. Scott as Scrooge and Edward Woodward as the Spirit of Christmas Present, is my absolute favorite, and I don’t think enough people even know about it. The acting is amazing, and one thing that sets it apart, I believe, is the fact that the visit from Marley’s ghost in the beginning and the Spirit of Christmas Yet to Come near the end are truly creepy and help you see why Scrooge would have a big change of heart.

Stream A Christmas Carol on Tubi.

A Charlie Brown Christmas (Apple TV+)

People love A Charlie Brown Christmas, and it has to be one of the best-known and most beloved animated Christmas movies of all time. And, it really is a heart-warming delight. Where else can you get a story about a kid (Charlie Brown, obviously) who tries to overcome his holiday depression by directing his neighborhood’s Christmas play, set to a wonderfully jazzy (and equally classic and beloved) score? Nowhere, I tell you! Luckily, you can watch A Charlie Brown Christmas streaming, and there will even be a brief window when you won't need a subscription to do it.

Available streaming with an Apple TV+ subscription.

Jingle All The Way (Starz)

It’s good to have a fun, silly Christmas movie, and Jingle All the Way is certainly that. Arnold Schwarzenegger stars as a workaholic dad in this 1996 comedy, who’s trying to make things up to his son and wife by buying the most hotly demanded toy, even though it’s already Christmas Eve, and his search is made even more complicated by a mailman, Myron (Sinbad), hunting for the same item. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this one, so definitely give it a shot if you need to lighten your holiday mood.

Available streaming with a Starz subscription.

The Nightmare Before Christmas (Disney+)

This dark fantasy musical from producer Tim Burton is an odd mix of Halloween movie and Christmas movie, as it follows Jack (Chris Sarandon), the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town as he discovers Christmas Town and becomes obsessed with the holiday. Other voice cast members include Catherine O’Hara, William Hickey, Paul Reubens, and more, helping to make this 1993 classic quite the oddball treat.

Stream The Nightmare Before Christmas on Disney+.

Miracle On 34th Street (HBO Max)

This 1947 film was remade in 1994, but if you want some real Christmas magic, the original is where it’s at. When a divorced mother (Maureen O’Hara) hires a nice man (Edmund Gwenn) to play Santa at Macy’s, she and her daughter (Natalie Wood) are surprised by his claim to be the real deal. Trust me, this one is great for the whole family.

Stream Miracle on 34th Street on HBO Max.

This Christmas (Peacock)

This 2007 family dramedy (starring Regina King, Loretta Devine, Idris Elba, Delroy Lindo, and more) follows the Whitfield family as they all gather for the holidays for the first time in four years, and some major family secrets come to light. If you’re hoping to be able to easily deal with your own large family gatherings this season, This Christmas could help you realize that it probably won’t be as frustrating as you think.

Stream This Christmas on Peacock.

How The Grinch Stole Christmas! (Peacock)

Here’s another classic that’s been remade a few times now, but, again, I think going with the animated, 1966 original is the best idea. Watch as the hateful and unbelievably grumpy Grinch gets so annoyed by the holiday happiness of a nearby village that he dresses as Santa so that he can steal all of their Christmas goods, only to see his efforts foiled by his own change of heart. Cool animation, a great message, and terrific voice work from Boris Karloff, June Foray, and singer Thurl Ravenscroft make this one a must-watch.

Stream How The Grinch Stole Christmas! On Peacock.

A Christmas Story (HBO Max)

This 1983 comedy continues to win hearts with its story of a boy (Peter Billingsley) who spends the Christmas season trying to stay out of a bully’s reach and dreaming of getting a Red Ryder BB gun for the big day.

Stream A Christmas Story on HBO Max.

While You Were Sleeping (Disney+)

Need a sweet, quirky romance in at least one of your Christmas movies? The 1995 Sandra Bullock hit, While You Were Sleeping, has you covered! Bullock stars as a lonely Chicago transit worker who saves her unrequited crush from an on-coming train, only to be mistaken for the now-comatose man’s fiancée by his lovely family, and then ends up falling in love with his brother. All the feels!

Stream While You Were Sleeping on Disney+.

A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas (HBO Max)

This 2011 continuation of the Harold & Kumar franchise takes their stoner comedy to new holiday heights as the duo travel across New York City to try and find a replacement Christmas tree for Harold's father-in-law…in 3D

Stream A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas on HBO Max.

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (HBO Max)

Things have never been more comically difficult for Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) and family as when their hick relatives visit unannounced during the holidays and begin unexpectedly living on their property in an RV. This 1989 Vacation franchise entry quickly became a wacky Christmas classic.

Stream National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation on HBO Max.

The Muppet Christmas Carol (Disney+)

The Muppets take on Charles Dickens in this 1992 retelling of the holiday favorite, which casts our felted friends as characters from the popular tale, with the exception of Scrooge, who’s played by Michael Caine.

Stream The Muppet Christmas Carol on Disney+.

Scrooged (Amazon Prime)

This 1988 modern take on Dickens’ story featured Bill Murray as the titular grump, a TV executive who’s driven away the love of his life with his all-encompassing ambition. But, he gets a chance to reconsider his path in life after firing a member of his staff on Christmas Eve.

Stream Scrooged on Amazon Prime.

Home Alone (Disney+)

Next we have the 1990 film that made a star of Macaulay Culkin, as Kevin McCallister gets left behind when his family travels to Paris for Christmas, and he has to fend off two criminals (Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern) who try to rob his home. Comedy stacked on top of slapstick comedy in this one.

Stream Home Alone on Disney+.

Arthur Christmas (HBO Max)

Last, but not least, let’s take a look at a popular holiday offering that’s much newer than several on this list. In this animated tale, Santa somehow forgets to deliver presents to one child on Christmas Eve, and his son, Arthur (voiced by James McAvoy), takes off to make sure the job is done so that the magic of the season is ruined.

Stream Arthur Christmas on HBO Max.

Of course, these aren’t the only Christmas movies you can watch in the weeks leading up to the big day, but some popular choices (like The Preacher’s Wife, Almost Christmas, and Love, Actually) either aren’t streaming or require a rental for you to watch. In addition, if you’re looking for more animated fare like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer or Frosty The Snowman, you can find several of those movies with your local listings on either cable or broadcast networks. But, the titles here should set you up nicely when it comes to your Christmas movie entertainment choices!

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Billie Eilish has been especially busy this year as she has rolled out her latest album, Happier Than Ever, along with a telling documentary about her life and a Disney+ concert special. She's also the voice behind the newest James Bond theme for No Time To Die and has an upcoming world tour. Along with all of that, the singer has just made her Halloween night plans, and it involves her playing tribute to the season’s classic, The Nightmare Before Christmas to a live audience. 

Just about every year this time of year, Danny Elfman invites fans to his live-to-film concert experience of The Nightmare Before Christmas. The event gives people the chance to see the stop-motion animated movie with the added element of the movie being set to live music and Danny Elfman reprising his voice role as Jack Skellington in the flesh. Elfman has announced that this time around, Billie Eilish has joined the performance to voice Sally and undoubtedly sing her own rendition of “Sally’s Song” in Los Angeles, California.  

On Halloween night at the Banc of California Stadium, Billie Eilish will serve as a special guest at The Nightmare Before Christmas event. Tickets are already on sale, with prices ranging from $40 to $179 and taking place at a large outdoor venue that is also the home of Major League Soccer's Los Angeles Football Club. 

The role of Sally was originally played by Catherine O’Hara, and the actress has previously been in attendance for this live-to-film event to reprise her role. Also joining Danny Elfman and Billie Eilish on Halloween Night this year will be “Weird Al” Yankovic as Lock and Ken Page reprising his role as Oogie Boogie. Grammy-winning conductor John Mauceri will lead a full orchestra of the film’s score to play over The Nightmare Before Christmas. 

This is an unexpected, but great addition to the performance, and on All Hallows’ Eve of all days. Billie Eilish has recently worked with Disney for her concert special Happier Than Ever: A Love Letter To Los Angeles. In the Disney+ movie, the singer performed the entirety of her new album and was animated into a cartoon character of herself. The movie was in part inspired by the Disney character Jessica Rabbit of Who Framed Roger Rabbit.

Much like Roger Rabbit, The Nightmare Before Christmas is another groundbreaking Disney property that pushed the boundaries of the studio and has since become a classic. Eilish has implemented horror elements in a lot of her music, and this movie is heavily influenced by the genre as well. The Nightmare Before Christmas and Billie’s special are both currently available on Disney+. If you’d like to subscribe for the service you can use this link to do so.

Along with the upcoming performance, Billie Eilish has contributed her music talents to the 25th Bond film, No Time To Die, now playing in UK theaters and coming to the U.S. on October 8.

the boundaries of the studio and has since become a classic. Eilish has implemented horror elements in a lot of her music and this movie is heavily influenced by the genre as well. The Nightmare Before Christmas and Billie’s special are both currently available on Disney+. If you’d like to subscribe for the service you can use this link to do so.

Along with the upcoming performance, Billie Eilish has contributed her music talents to the 25th Bond film, No Time To Die, now playing in international theaters and coming to the U.S. on October 8.

Animation has become a fantastic medium of film as of late, with some of Disney’s best appearing so realistic that you might believe it to be live-action before an animated character pops up. But I’ve always had an affection for a certain genre of animation that often goes under the radar, and that is stop motion.

While there’s no denying that regular animation takes just as much hard work and dedication as stop motion does, there’s something about stop motion that always sits well with me, and has for many years. Here are some great stop-motion that you can check out right now.

Coraline (2009)

I often consider this one my favorite out of the bunch. Coraline is a dark fantasy film that was released by Laika, and tells the story of Coraline, a girl who finds a secret door in her new home, leading to an alternative world that is full of secrets.

One of my favorite parts about Coraline is the distinct difference between the two worlds and the contrast both show. In her drab reality, it’s all dark and gloomy but in this new world, everything is full of color and vibrancy, with no end to that joy in sight until it suddenly all comes crashing down at one point.

Rent/Buy Coraline on Amazon.

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

I arguably say that The Nightmare Before Christmas is what popularized stop motion for the more recent generations, considering it came out back in 1993. The Nightmare Before Christmas, directed by Henry Selick (story by the brilliant Tim Burton), is all about Jack Skellington, and how, after having an accidental trip into the world of Christmas, he wants to bring that holiday to Halloween Town – with a couple of twists.

There’s a reason why Disney often stages their whole Halloween celebration at their theme parks around this movie. Not only is it a fun time for both Christmas and scary movie lovers, but the film itself is also interesting enough to watch, and the songs are catchy.

Stream The Nightmare Before Christmas on Disney+.
Rent//Buy The Nightmare Before Christmas on Amazon.

ParaNorman (2012)

This film I consider the underdog of the list here because I feel like no one ever really talks about Laika's ParaNorman. In the film, Norman, a young boy who has been gifted with the ability to talk to ghosts, has to break a 300-year-old witch’s curse on his town, and it’s up to him and a couple of his friends to do so.

While ParaNorman is probably one of the least known entries on this list, that doesn’t mean it’s not just as fun to watch. The towns are created intricately, and the ability of which they are able to portray ghosts within stop motion is fascinating. For fans of the paranormal, ParaNorman is for you.

Rent/Buy ParaNorman on Amazon.

Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)

Such a shame as to what happened with this movie, as it was released the same year as Up so it lost a good amount of the awards it should have won, in my opinion. Fantastic Mr. Fox, based on the book of the same name and directed by Wes Anderson, is about a fox who steals food from three mean and wealthy farmers, and they grow tired of the fox’s ways, and it becomes a battle of wits between the humans and the animals.

This film is absolutely gorgeous. Anything you expect from a Wes Anderson film is there, complete with beautiful scenery, even if it is for a stop motion film. But that just shows the talent and the ability of these creators to be able to make something so vivid. Not only that, but the voice cast is outstanding.

Stream Fantastic Mr. Fox on Disney+.
Rent/Buy Fantastic Mr. Fox on Amazon.

The Boxtrolls (2014)

Co-directed by Graham Annable and Anthony Stacchi, The Boxtrolls is based on the novel Here Be Monsters! and tells the story of a human boy back in the 19th century who is raised by trash-collecting trolls and his quest to try and save them when an exterminator wants to take them out.

The Boxtrolls really has everything you could need when it comes to a successful stop-motion animated movie. Really well-paced animation with some fantastic set design and, of course, a heartwarming story that will capture the heart of anyone. Plus, the cast of this movie is off the charts, with stars like Elle Fanning, Ben Kingsley, Simon Pegg and more among the voice roles.

Rent/Buy The Boxtrolls on Amazon.

Marcel The Shell With Shoes One (2022) 

Based on the film shorts of the same name, Marcel the Shell with Shoes On is all about a little guy named Marcel, an anthropomorphic shell that is discovered in an Airbnb when a documentary filmmaker moves into the house, and this one moment, where Dean discovers Marcel, sets off a whole entire story.

I know that from this premise it doesn’t sound like much, but I can assure you that Marcel the Shell with Shoes On is unlike any other stop motion movie on this list. It’s heartfelt, full of wonder, and unironically very funny. It was actually CinemaBlend’s Top Film of 2022.

Rent/Buy Marcel the Shell with Shoes On on Amazon.

Kubo And The Two Strings (2016)

This film is definitely one of the most unique ones out of the bunch. Kubo and the Two Strings is about Kubo, a young Japanese boy who wields a magical shamisen (a stringed Japanese instrument), and who lost his eye when he was a baby. Now, it is up to him and some buddies to stop his mother’s sisters and his evil grandfather, who are the people responsible for stealing his eye.

Is the premise a little out there? Yes, at least to me. But what really makes Kubo and the Two Strings amazing is the visual effects of this film. You will never see another stop motion film like this one that has so much color and beauty all throughout it, besides probably Wes Anderson’s films. It’s a stunning ride and the ways in which they are able to do this are intriguing to think about.

Stream Kubo and the Two Strings on Netflix.
Rent/Buy Kubo and the Two Strings on Amazon.

Mary And Max (2009)

This is a film that I’m sure not a lot of you have heard of, but you need to. Mary and Max hails from Australia and is a stop-motion film that follows the lives of two pen-pals from across the world, and the connection that forms.

This movie is something else, man. It is something else. I only just watched it for the first time and I was almost disappointed in myself for never having watched it before. The animation is so clean and crisp but the story that you’re watching is really the heart of it, and it bothers me that this film is so under-the-radar. There’s no other film that quite paints unexpected connections like this one.

Rent/Buy Mary and Max on Amazon.

Isle Of Dogs (2018)

If it worked the first time, might as well try again. Isle of Dogs, Wes Anderson’s second dabbling into the stop motion world, tells the story of Atari, a boy who goes searching for his dog on an island, where many dogs were exiled after an outbreak of the canine flu in Japan. He uses the assistance of the pack leader to somehow find him.

Anderson does a spectacular job with the stop motion yet again. It wasn’t as colorful as his first entry on this list, but the style has been upgraded and you can tell straight away that this is a modern stop motion film. The movements feel smoother, the story a bit better, and everything melds well together like a well-oiled machine. And yet again, this voice cast is amazing. Bryan Cranston takes on the starring role, alongside co-stars like Edward Norton, Greta Gerwig, Jeff Goldblum, and more.

Stream Isle of Dogs on Disney+.
Rent/Buy Isle of Dogs on Amazon.

Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio (2022)

God, where do I even start with this movie?

Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio is the latest movie to come from legendary filmmaker, Guillermo del Toro, adapting the famous tale of the wooden boy whose nose grows as he lies. But in this story, we are taken on a coming of age journey where Pinocchio tries to find his place in the world and not be a burden to his papa.

This movie made me sob. And I mean that in the best way. It’s the first stop motion film in a long time that has made me think afterwards and had me pondering my existence in this world. The stop motion is done so fluidly that it looks amazingly animated, and the Pinocchio voice cast is even better. This is truly one of the best adaptations out there. Please go watch it. It even won the 2023 Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.

Stream Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio on Netflix.

Chicken Run (2000)

Oh, Chicken Run. I have so many feelings about this movie but we’ll talk about that in a bit. Chicken Run released back in 2000 and centers around a group of chickens who all begin to follow a rooster named Rocky, as he might be their only way out of certain death of becoming chicken pies by their owners.

Chicken Run is a movie you might not expect to be good, but once you give it a shot, this is one of the funniest stop motion films you will ever watch. The jokes land consistently and will have you laughing throughout the movie, even though the lead characters are literally just a bunch of chickens. The voice cast is great as well, with stars like Mel Gibson and Julia Sawalha taking on the lead roles. Also, this movie grossed $224.8 million, according to Box Office Mojo, which became the highest-grossing stop motion film.

Rent/Buy Chicken Run on Amazon.

Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl (2025)

This was actually the film that inspired me to update this list because it was so much fun. Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl is the most hilarious movie ever, about Feather McGraw returning and reprogramming their garden gnome as revenge against the titular characters.

Look, there are five other Wallace and Gromit films. This stop-motion franchise is lucrative and successful and if you want a Wallace & Gromit film that is more emotional and deep, then check out the others. But man, this film is so much fun and silly and has an entertaining story, something we don’t always get in an animated movie. If you’re going to check out anything, check out this movie.

Stream Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl.

Anomalisa (2015)

And now we take a hard 180 on the genres of these films and move over to drama – with a bit of comedy as well. Anomalisa is all about a lonely customer service expert who sees everyone as completely identical until he meets a unique woman while in a hotel, and from there, his world begins to change.

While most of these films on this list can be viewed by children, I would suggest keeping Anomalisa to yourself and other adults. This film tackles some very deep issues, including depression, anxiety, loneliness, love, and so much more, things you would never expect for a stop motion film. But that doesn’t mean it’s not fantastic. If anything, it’s for that reason that Anomalisa is a standout on this list, and deserves more praise than it received years ago.

Stream Anomalisa on MGM+.

Rent/Buy Anomalisa on Amazon.

The Corpse Bride (2005)

Hands down one of my absolute favorite stop motion films, if only for this piano scene right here. The Corpse Bride, yet another entry on this list that involves Tim Burton, tells the story of Victor, a young man who is engaged to marry but ends up accidentally becoming the husband of a corpse bride, bringing him into the underworld.

Not only are the songs catchy, the animation tremendous, and the voice acting spectacular - with Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter taking on those lead roles - The Corpse Bride is a joyful ride from beginning to end. You’d never expect for a movie with the word “corpse” in it to be perfect for children, but honestly, I have never had as much fun watching a stop motion film as I did this one.

Stream The Corpse Bride on Tubi.
Rent The Corpse Bride on Amazon.

I only hope that in the future there will be even more movies to add to this list, as stop motion is truly one of the most underrated arts out there. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go and watch Coraline for the fifteenth time.

With the holidays being a time of comfort and joy, the idea of a Christmas horror movie may not make much sense to some audiences. However, fans of the genre like myself (usually) take comfort and find joy in watching great horror movies set during the otherwise family-friendly season.

In fact, some of the best Christmas movies, in my opinion, are not always the ones where Santa makes it around the world before morning or a family finds happiness by a cozy fireplace but the ones in which red comes at the sight of blood and green is the color your face might turn by the end. These kinds of thrillers are certainly not traditional Christmas movies but for horror fans who have made them a part of their annual traditions, here are some of the best and how to watch them.

Terrifier 3 (2024)

Director: Damien Leone

Starring: David Howard Thornton, Lauren LaVera

What it’s about: Still recovering from a Halloween tragedy years earlier, Sienna Shaw suspects that Art the Clown is alive and out for revenge while spending the holidays with her aunt, uncle, and cousin.

Why it's one of the best Christmas Horror Movies: The third installment of the intensely gory series of creepy clown movies, Terrifier 3, sees Art the Clown commit his most unspeakable acts yet while dressed as Old St. NIck.

How to watch Terrifier 3

• Rent or buy Terrifier 3 on Amazon

I Trapped The Devil (2019)

Director: Josh Lobo

Starring: Scott Poythress, AJ Bowen, Susan Burke

What it’s about: As a holiday surprise, a man and his wife pay a visit to his brother, whom they discover is holding captive a person he believes is the Devil incarnate.

Why it's one of the best Christmas Horror Movies: Bearing similarities to the classic Twilight Zone episode, “The Howling Man,” I Trapped the Devil is a spine-tingling, paranoia-fueled suspense thriller that may call to mind heated arguments you may have had with a family member in past seasonal gatherings.

How to watch I Trapped the Devil

• Stream I Trapped the Devil on AMC+
• Rent or buy I Trapped the Devil on Amazon
• Buy I Trapped the Devil on Blu-ray on Amazon

All The Creatures Were Stirring (2018)

Director: David Ian McKendry, Rebecca McKendry

Starring: Various

What it’s about: A couple on a Christmas Eve date are treated to a collection of bizarre scary stories all involving the holiday.

Why it's one of the best Christmas Horror Movies: All the more mundane aspects of the season are hyperbolized to a frightening and even funny degree in the anthology horror flick, All the Creatures Were Stirring.

How to watch All the Creatures Were Stirring

• Stream All the Creatures Were Stirring on AMC+
• Rent or buy All the Creatures Were Stirring on Amazon
• Buy All the Creatures Were Stirring on Blu-ray on Amazon

It’s A Wonderful Knife (2023)

Director: Tyler MacIntyre

Starring: Jane Widdop, Joel McHale, Justin Long

What it’s about: Reeling from a tragedy that occurred a year earlier, a young woman discovers her self-worth when she is brought to a world where she had never been born.

Why it's one of the best Christmas Horror Movies: Fans of Frank Capra’s It’s a Wonderful Life and slasher movies will not want to miss out on It’s a Wonderful Knife, which is also available with a Shudder subscription.

How to watch It’s a Wonderful Knife

• Stream It’s a Wonderful Knife on AMC+
• Rent It’s a Wonderful Knife on Amazon
• Buy It’s a Wonderful Knife on Blu-ray on Amazon

A Christmas Horror Story (2015)

Director: Grant Harvey, Steven Hoban, Brett Sullivan

Starring: William Shatner, George Buza

What it’s about: A radio host entertains his listeners with interwoven creepy tales that each involve the holiday season.

Why it's one of the best Christmas Horror Movies: From a pine tree hiding an evil presence, an attack by Krampus, and Santa at war with infected elves, A Christmas Horror Story is an anthology with everything you could want for a spooky holiday.

How to watch A Christmas Horror Story

• Stream A Christmas Horror Story on AMC+
• Rent or buy A Christmas Horror Story on Amazon
• Buy A Christmas Horror Story on Blu-ray on Amazon

Adult Swim Yule Log (2022)

Director: Casper Kelly

Starring: Megan Hayes, Tordy Clark

What it’s about: A holiday tradition that turns out to be more than it seems.

Why it's one of the best Christmas Horror Movies: Adult Swim Yule Log starts off just as the title suggests, as a continuous shot of a burning fireplace, before evolving into a creepy and cheekily funny story from the director of Too Many Cooks which has a sequel coming to Max on December 6, 2024, called, Adult Swim Yule Log 2: Branchin' Out.

How to watch Adult Swim Yule Log

• Rent or buy Adult Swim Yule Log on Amazon

Inside (2007)

Director: Alexandre Bustillo, Julien Maury

Starring: Alysson Paradis, Béatrice Dalle

What it’s about: A recently widowed expectant mother is visited on Christmas Eve by a mysterious woman who wants her unborn child all for her own, by any means necessary.

Why it's one of the best Christmas Horror Movies: Inside is one the best (and most brutal) examples of a few different categories: home invasion thrillers, horror movies that explore grief, and films from the mid-2000s French New Extremity movement.

How to watch Inside

• Stream Inside on Tubi
• Buy Inside on DVD on Amazon

Silent Night (2021)

Director: Camille Griffin

Starring: Keira Knightley, Matthew Goode, Roman Griffin Davis

What it’s about: A well-to-do family goes forward with hosting their annual holiday party with close friends on the eve of a cataclysmic environmental disaster.

Why it's one of the best Christmas Horror Movies: Silent Night is a crazy disaster movie and a deliciously demented satire that elevates the struggle to keep the holidays bright when all hell breaks loose to a literally world-ending degree.

How to watch Silent Night

• Stream Silent Night on Netflix
• Stream Silent Night on AMC+
• Rent or buy Silent Night on Amazon
• Buy Silent Night on Blu-ray on Amazon

Christmas Bloody Christmas (2022)

Director: Joe Begos

Starring: Riley Dandy, Abraham Benrubi

What it’s about: A record store owner’s plans to party on the night before Christmas are interrupted when she becomes the next target of a killer robot Santa.

Why it's one of the best Christmas Horror Movies: As far as I am concerned, the words “killer robot Santa” should be enticing enough to give the technophobic, eye-catchingly neon, old-fashioned slasher Christmas Bloody Christmas a shot.

How to watch Christmas Bloody Christmas

• Stream Christmas Bloody Christmas on AMC+
• Rent or buy Christmas Bloody Christmas on Amazon
• Buy Christmas Bloody Christmas on Blu-ray on Amazon

Await Further Instructions (2018)

Director: Johnny Kevorkian

Starring: Sam Gittins, Neerja Naik

What it’s about: A bickering family discovers on Christmas morning they are trapped by a strange barrier surrounding their home as foreboding messages appear on the TV.

Why it's one of the best Christmas Horror Movies: Sometimes family gatherings during the holidays are not so cheerful and the British sci-fi nail-biter Await Further Instructions exaggerates that very relatable concept to a thoroughly intense degree.

How to watch Await Further Instructions

• Stream Await Further Instructions on Amazon Prime
• Stream Await Further Instructions on Tubi
• Buy Await Further Instructions on Blu-ray on Amazon

ATM (2012)

Director: David Brooks

Starring: Brian Geraghty, Josh Peck, Alice Eve

What it’s about: After making a stop for some cash on their way back from a company Christmas party, three coworkers find themselves trapped inside a vestibule by a stranger whose malicious intentions soon become clear.

Why it's one of the best Christmas Horror Movies: A claustrophobic thriller spliced with a deadly cat-and-mouse game, ATM takes advantage of the winter weather that comes during the holiday season in very horrifying ways.

How to watch ATM

• Stream ATM on AMC+
• Stream ATM on The Roku Channel
• Rent or buy ATM on Amazon
• Buy ATM on Blu-ray on Amazon

Pooka! (2018)

Director: Nacho Vigalondo

Starring: Nyasha Hatendi, Latarsha Rose, Jon Daly

What it’s about: After taking a job as the mascot for a new toy, a struggling actor suspects the furry character is somehow taking over his life.

Why it's one of the best Christmas Horror Movies: The first Christmas-themed installment of Into the Dark – Blumhouse’s Hulu-exclusive horror anthology series of monthly holiday-themed horror features – is Pooka!, which is one of the most unique, unsettling, thought-provoking and, simply, weirdest movies about the holiday.

How to watch Pooka!

• Stream Pooka! on Hulu