1. Charles Dickens’ Christmas Carol
In one sentence: THE classic: Three ghosts teach the miser Ebenezer Scrooge what Christmas means – most beautifully in the 1984 film adaptation with George C. Scott.
And the morals? Selfishness makes you lonely.
Tear factor: 10 out of 10
2. The Little Lord
In a sentence: The Earl of Dorincourt (Sir Alec Guinness) is a misanthrope until his grandson Cedric (Ricky Schroder) cracks the nobleman’s hard shell – filmed in 1980, still hasn’t grown old.
And the morals? Family is the most important thing, but money isn’t wrong either.
Tear factor: 9 out of 10
3. Isn’t life beautiful?
In a sentence: In Frank Capra’s highly pathetic, now slightly outdated drama, George Bailey (James Stewart) thinks about suicide until an angel shows him what the world would be like without him.
And the morals? Life is beautiful.
Tear factor: 8 out of 10
4. Kevin alone in New York
In a sentence: In the second “Home Alone” film from 1992, Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) accidentally flies to New York without his family, rents a luxury hotel and fights bad guys again.
And the morals? It’s better not to let the children out of your sight, even during the stress of the holidays.
Tear factor: 4 out of 10
5. Nice presents
In one sentence: In addition to the “Kevin” films, John Hughes also created this crazy comedy about a family man (Chevy Chse) who means a little too well with the Christmas decorations and doesn’t get anything else baked.
And the morals? It’s better not to expect too much from Christmas.
Tear factor: just tears of laughter!
6. Actually… love
In one sentence: In Richard Curtis’ romantic comedy from 2003 there are many funny and cheesy pre-Christmas encounters – from the prime minister (Hugh Grant) to the writer (Colin Firth), everyone finds happiness.
And the morals? All You Need Is Love, Love Is All Around and so on.
Tear factor: 7 out of 10
7. The Miracle of Manhattan
In one sentence: A Santa Claus (Richard Attenborough) doesn’t want to be corrupted by the terror of consumerism, is supposed to be declared insane – and then turns out to be a savior, whether heavenly or not.
And the morals? There are always miracles.
Tear factor: 6 out of 10
8. The Grinch
In a sentence: A green Grantler named Grinch (Jim Carrey) steals presents until he gets caught and realizes that this won’t help him get over his Christmas trauma.
And the morals? Gifts aren’t the most important thing at Christmas.
Tear factor: 2 out of 10
9. Love doesn’t need a vacation
In a sentence: An American woman (Cameron Diaz) and a British woman (Kate Winslet) escape the holidays, swap houses and find love in the form of Jude Law and Jack Black.
And the morals? Luxury villa in LA or small cottage – the main thing is that the right man knocks on the door.
Tear factor: 3 out of 10
10. Harry and Sally
In one sentence: Not really a classic Christmas film, but what would be nicer during the holidays than Nora Ephron’s story about two friends (Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal) who become lovers at the latest to the sounds of “Auld Lang Syne”?
And the morals? It’s been unclear for 25 years: Can men and women really not be friends?
Tear factor: 10 out of 10