The 12 Films of Christmas: The Assassin’s Top Festive Movies Ranked. 

No. 12: Die Hard (John McTiernan, 1988) 

Yes It IS a Christmas movie. The Assassin has spoken.

No 11: In Bruges (Martin McDonagh, 2008) 

Colin Farrell and Brendon Gleeson play hitmen in McDonagh’s comedy-thriller debut. Set in Bruges (where else?) during the festive holidays.

No 10: Gremlins (Joe Dante, 1984)  

Horror-comedy. Gizmo and friends cause mayhem on Christmas Eve.

No 9: Bad Santa (Terry Zwigoff, 2003) 

Billy Bob Thornton excels as the randy, foul-mouthed, alcohol-sozzled Santa with nefarious intent. 

No 8: Trading Places (John Landis, 1983) 

More yuletide adult humour with a great cast (Dan Ackroyd, Jamie Lee Curtis, Ralph Bellamy, Don Ameche, Denholm Elliott and Eddie Murphy at his very best). 

No 7: The Bishop’s Wife (Henry Koster (1947) 

 

Cary Grant as an angel sent to Earth to help a Bishop with his problems. Also starring Loretta Young and David Niven. 

No 6: Brazil (Terry Gilliam, 1985) 

Have yourself an Orwellian little Christmas with this dystopic masterpiece. 

No 5: Scrooge (Ronald Neame, 1970) 

The first adaptation of A Christmas Carol to make the list. The great Albert Finney makes a for a marvellous Scrooge but it's the songs which make the film. 

No 4: Meet Me in St Louis (Vincente Minnelli, 1944) 

Minnelli directs the wonderful Judy Garland who sings “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”. Is there need to say anymore? 

No 3: A Christmas Carol (Brian Desmond Hurst, 1951) 

The best adaptation of Dickens’ Christmas tale and Alastair Sim is the greatest Scrooge. Will never be beaten. 

No 2: It’s a Wonderful Life (Frank Capra, 1946) 

Cary Grant contemplates suicide, so his guardian angel is sent to save him. Those who see the film as an example of Capra’s cloying sentimentality fail to appreciate the dark underbelly of the director’s masterpiece. 

And the winner is... 

No 1: The Apartment (Billy Wilder, 1960) 

Another Christmas confection with a surprisingly dark and bitter centre. Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine sparkle in Wilder’s classic rom-com.