Polar Express

The Polar Express is an animated feature film based on the children's book of the same title by Chris Van Allsburg. It stars actor Tom Hanks in five distinct roles, including the role of Santa Claus. The movie tells the story of a young boy on Christmas Eve who is hoping for belief in the true spirit of Christmas. After he falls asleep, a magical train called the Polar Express pulls up in front of his house and he is invited to journey to the North Pole.

What follows is the boy’s journey through which he makes new friends,  learns new lessons and how he meets Santa Claus.

It’s wonderful life

It's a Wonderful Life is a 1946 American film produced and directed by Frank Capra and based on the short story, ‘The Greatest Gift’ written by Philip Van Doren Stern.

The film takes place in the fictional town of Bedford Falls shortly after World War II and stars James Stewart as George Bailey, a man whose attempted suicide on Christmas Eve gains the attention of his guardian angel, Clarence Odbody (Henry Travers) who is sent to help him in his hour of need.

Most of the film is told through flashbacks spanning George's entire life and narrated by Franklin and Joseph, unseen Angels who are preparing Clarence for his mission to save George.

The film is regarded as a classic and is a staple of Christmas television around the world. It has been since named by the American Film Institute as one of the best films ever made and was placed number one on the list of inspirational American films of all time.

The Muppet Christmas Carol

The Muppet Christmas Carol was the fourth feature film to star The Muppets, and the second produced after the death of Muppets creator Jim Henson. Released in 1992, it is one of many film adaptations of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol.

In this adaptation of the Christmas story narrated by Dickens himself (played by The Great Gonzo) with the occasional commentary of Rizzo the Rat. The movie stars Michael Caine and Kermit the Frog as well.

Miracle on 34th Street

Miracle on 34th Street (also titled ‘The Big Heart’ in the UK) written by Valentine Davies, directed by George Seaton, and starring Maureen O'Hara, John Payne, Natalie Wood and Edmund Gwenn. The film won Academy Awards for Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Edmund Gwenn), Best Writing, Original Story (Valentine Davies) and Best Writing, Screenplay. It was ranked ninth by the American Film Institute on its list of America's most inspiring movies. Davies also penned a short story version of the tale, which was published simultaneously with the film's release.

One of the great Christmas films, Miracle on 34th Street is the story of what takes place in New York City following Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, as a single mother and her daughter, a lawyer, and many others are left wondering whether or not a department store Santa just might be the real Mr Claus.

Santa Claus

Santa Claus: The Movie (known on-screen as simply Santa Claus) is a Christmas film starring Dudley Moore and John Lithgow. It is the last major fantasy film produced by the Paris-based father-and-son production team of Alexander and Ilya Salkind.

The film chronicles the origins of Santa (David Huddleston), who, along with his wife Anya (Judy Cornwell), goes from being a simple working man to becoming an international icon of Christmas. At the same time, the film also tells a contemporary story in which one of Santa's elves (alternately referred to as the "Vendequm" onscreen), a visionary named Patch, sets out to employ Santa's toymaking methods on his own, unaware that he might be ruining the magic of Christmas in the process.

White Christmas 

White Christmas starred Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye and featured the songs of Irving Berlin, including the titular ‘White Christmas’. Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen co-starred. It was directed by Michael Curtiz.

Filming took place between September and November 1953.

The movie was the first to be filmed in the new VistaVision process and its lush Technicolor cinematography has ensured that it has had a long shelf life on TV, video and DVD. Released in 1954, it became the top grossing film of that year.

The title song was first used in Holiday Inn, released in 1942, when it won the Academy Award for Best Original
Song. The song Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep garnered this film an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song.

The Nightmare Before Christmas

Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas is film produced by Tim Burton and directed by Henry Selick. The film follows Jack Skellington, the leader of a holiday-themed world known as Halloween Town, who becomes bored of his repetitive lifestyle and eventually stumbles upon the world of Christmas Town; interested in the new world's
culture, Jack attempts to combine the two holidays, with unexpectedly disastrous results.

The film was a critical and commercial success, with particular praise awarded for the film's stop motion animation, musical score and original storyline. Following its release, the film earned a significant following, with merchandise, video games and other media dedicated to the film.