Top 10 Holiday Movies That Arent Home Alone

Kicking off our list is 1996’s “Jingle All The Way,” a movie about the chaotic Christmas Eve rivalry between Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Howard and Sinbad’s Myron. The two dads each set out to get their son the highly coveted Turbo-Man action figure but of course, it’s sold out everywhere. Howard goes through a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day, involving brawling with counterfeit Santas, repeat run-ins with the police, and a rogue reindeer, all to give his son a great Christmas. It’s a race-against-the-clock comedy about what lengths parents may go through during the stressful holiday season, akin to Kevin’s mom doing whatever it takes to get home to her abandoned son.

Keeping with the theme of parents and last-minute shopping, Joe Dante’s “Gremlins” begins with Randall Peltzer purchasing his son a strange, adorable little creature. The new pet, a mogwai he names Gizmo, comes with strict instructions – no sun, no water, and no food after 12am. Billy bonds with Gizmo right away but the fun ends (or starts, depending on your point of view) when he’s accidentally exposed to water. Suddenly, they’re dealing with multiple mogwai, which are the titular gremlins who cause chaos around town and attack its residents. The movie’s Scrooge, Ruby Deagle, experiences this firsthand when the mischievous little terrors take her out in a “Home Alone”-esque manner. While this horror comedy wasn’t marketed as a holiday film, it takes place on Christmas Eve, and we’d say it qualifies.

There are countless adaptations of Charles Dickens’s “A Christmas Carol.” But most will agree that the Muppets’ take on the classic is undeniably one of the best. And if “Home Alone” holds a special place in your heart, chances are this early ‘90s gem does, too. With Gonzo and Rizzo acting as narrators, we follow the familiar tale of Bob Cratchit, played by Kermit the Frog, and his Christmas-hating employer, Michael Caine’s Ebenezer Scrooge. With its grim atmosphere and tragic characters like Tiny Tim, this Dickens retelling is usually a downer. But like two robbers set on hurting a young prankster in “Home Alone”, “The Muppets Christmas Carol” added absurdity and goofiness to make the situation comical rather than horrifying.

John Hughes loves a good old family dramedy, which made him the perfect co-writer/producer to bring the 1994 remake “Miracle on 34th Street” to life. While the 1947 original’s magic is undeniable, we’ve chosen Hughes’s 90s version for our “Home Alone” fans. We follow the perpetually busy Dorey Walker, director of Cole’s Department Store’s special events, and her similarly cynical daughter Susan, played by Mara Wilson of “Matilda” fame. Richard Attenborough perfectly embodies Kris Kringle, the cheerful white-bearded man who is adamant that he’s the one-and-only Santa Claus. Despite his unusual claim, Dorey hires him to be the store’s St. Nick for the season. Naturally, he’s excellent at the job, but some question Kringle’s sanity, leading to a corporate rivalry and a bizarre court case.

Many of us grew up watching the animated “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” on TV every year, but in 2000, Ron Howard’s live-action adaptation gave us another instant classic to watch on repeat. Comedy legend Jim Carrey, in his usual over-the-top self, delivers a hilarious and endearing performance as the infamous mean one. After little Cindy Lou Who looks into his heartbreaking past, she encourages the hairy green cave dweller to join in on the Whoville celebrations. But she’s initially alone in this admirable quest to spread the holiday cheer. Cindy Lou and Kevin McCallister are both precocious kids who triumph in the face of cruel antagonists. The Grinch does have some redeeming qualities. But Uncle Frank…not so much.

Most of the titles on this list became beloved films because they’re endlessly quotable, and that holds true for “A Christmas Story.” Though it came out in the early 1980s, the story of Ralphie Parker is set in the 1940s. He just wants one thing for Christmas – a Red Ryder Carbine Action 200-shot Range Model air rifle. But the wise adults in his life keep telling him the same thing and stand between him and what he considers the perfect present. Throughout the film, we’re treated to memorable vignettes with everything from a nightmarish trip to see a mall Santa to the soapy consequences of Ralphie’s accidental expletive. The iconic scene with Flick submitting to a triple-dog-dare seems like something Kevin would enjoy.

“Home Alone” might be the most popular Christmas movie from the 1990s, but “The Santa Clause” comes in as a close second. After a fatal slip sends Santa tumbling down his roof, Tim Allen’s Scott Calvin must assume the role of the annual gift giver. He’s not the most cheerful guy to begin with, but when he finally embraces the new gig, Scott really comes into his own. Plus, taking over North Pole duties gives him a chance to get closer to his son Charlie. Because what kid wouldn’t be thrilled if their dad was the Santa Claus? The success of the 1994 movie was followed by multiple sequels and even a Disney+ series.

While it’s not set around the holidays, John Hughes’s “Uncle Buck” definitely deserves a spot on this list. Canadian comedian John Candy stars as the eponymous Buck Russell, an aimless bachelor with few responsibilities who’s tasked with babysitting his nieces and nephew while their parents are away. A pre-“Home Alone” Macaulay Culkin is a scene-stealer as his nephew Miles, another inquisitive kid wise beyond his years. It’s this performance that impressed Hughes and Chris Columbus enough to cast him as Kevin McCallister. Though there’s no Christmas tree or hectic holiday happenings, the wintery Windy City setting gives the movie a cozy Midwest feel. The cult classic is a family comedy you can enjoy year-round.

Ask anyone to name one of Will Ferrell’s most iconic roles of his career and they’re likely to say Buddy the Elf. It’s hard to imagine anyone else playing the wild-eyed optimist in 2003’s “Elf,” the story about a human raised by elves who journeys to the Big Apple to find his biological father. Kevin also has a solo adventure in 1992’s “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York” and experiences the same iconic sights and sounds like the dazzling Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree. Buddy’s heartwarming fish-out-of-water tale is far more fantastical than most titles on this list. But it’s still about family and making connections during the holidays.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

“I’ll Be Home for Christmas” (1998)
A Cross-Country Christmas Adventure Starring Jonathan Taylor Thomas

“Prancer” (1989)
A Lonely Girl Befriends One of Santa’s Reindeer

“Babes in Toyland” (1986)
Drew Barrymore & Keanu Reeves Star in This Bizarre Tale of Nursery Rhyme Characters

“All I Want For Christmas” (1991)
Two Siblings Get Up to “Parent Trap” Shenanigans for the Holidays

“A Dennis the Menace Christmas” (2007)
Another Crafty Kid with a Penchant for Mayhem

If you’re familiar with the “National Lampoon’s Vacation” series, you know that John Hughes’s third installment is a standout. Despite what the title may suggest, Clark Griswold and his family forgo another ill-fated road trip, opting for a holiday at home. That means all the craziness comes to them in the form of in-laws from both sides and the surprise arrival of cousin-in-law Eddie’s obnoxious clan and their slobbering Rottweiler. It has the unhinged energy of the McCallisters and their extended relatives rushing to the airport, except it’s in every scene. Clark runs himself ragged trying to create the perfect Christmas, but everything that can go wrong does, making for some side-splittingly hilarious scenes.

Did your favorite holiday movie make the list? Spread the cheer in the comments below.