The top ten Hollywood Christmas movies of all time - SEE VIDEOS

From Bing Crosby to Will Ferrell, Irish actors feature

By: BUZZ BRADY | Published Sunday, December 4, 2011, 7:03 AM | Updated Sunday, December 4, 2011, 7:03 AM

SEE VIDEOS - Clips of the top Christmas movies

There’s nothing better over the Christmas season that huddling up by the fire, in the glow of the Christmas tree and watching a Christmas movie.
 
Here are some of our favorites acted and created by Irish and Irish American.
 
1. “Elf”
 
Will Ferrell’s character, Buddy the Elf, has become a famous Christmas character and his move, “Elf” is beloved by all ages. The movie tells the story of Buddy (Ferrell) who travels from the North Pole to New York City to find his birth father.  Since its release in 2003 it has been a classic.
 
2.“Miracle on 34th Street”
 
This is a 1947 Christmas Classic staring our own Maureen O’Hara. The movie tells the tale of a group of people who are left wondering whether or not a department store Santa is the real deal.

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3.“How the Grinch Stole Christmas”
 
This 2000 live-action film version of the Dr. Seuss book was a massive success. With Jim Carrey playing the Grinch, and direction from Ron Howard they managed to fit in most of Dr Seuss original rhymes from 1957. The spent four week as #1 in the U.S.
 
4. “Holiday Inn”

This is the actual film the famous “White Christmas” came from. It tells the story of jilted fiancée (Bing Crosby) who gives up show business to run a farm. Finding farming a bit tough he opens Holiday Inn, staging shows on national holidays.
 
The 1942 movies stars Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire with 12 original pieces from Irving Berlin written specifically for the movie including “White Christmas”.
 
5. “Scrooged”
 
This 1988 modern version of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” sees Bill Murray get “Scrooged”. Murray plays a mean grumpy TV exec who is visited by three ghosts like the original story. The marketing team used Murray’s prior history and involvement in “The Ghostbusters” to sell movie. The U.S. tagline read “Bill Murray is back among the ghosts, only this time, it's three against one.”
 
6. “Bad Santa”
 
Although it’s not exactly the most family friendly Christmas tale it is pretty hilarious and definitely sends the message of Christams. Lauren Graham plays the love interest alongside Billy Bob Thornton, Tony Cox and Bernie Mac. Thornton plays a department store Santa with a wandering eye, a foul mouth and a drinking problem.
 
7. “White Christmas”
 
This 1954 movie starring Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye is probably the best known Christmas movie of all time. Of course, the movie includes Irving Berlin’s song “White Christmas”. It also stars the brilliant Rosemary Clooney and Vera Ellen.
 
8. “Family Stone”
 
The Family Stone is a 2005 American comedy-drama film starring Dermot Mulrooney and Sarah Jessica Parker. It tells the tale of the Christmas holiday misadventures of the Stone family in a small New England town when the eldest son brings his girlfriend home with the intention of proposing to her with a cherished heirloom ring.

SEE VIDEOS - Clips of the top Christmas movies