Best Movies To Watch On Christmas
Here are our picks for the best movies for the holidays!
helloIt's A Wonderful Life (1946)
A downtrodden family man gets to experience what life would be like if he were never born. Hailed as one of the greatest films of all time, this Christmas classic is a must see movie for people of all ages. It's a romantic, dramatic, and comedic look at small town life and the impact just one man can have on those around him. This is a superbly crafted film from top to bottom with it's cunning direction, clever writing, believable acting, and moving music. This is one you should watch with the whole family every year.
Availability: DVD & Blu-ray, and for streaming on Amazon, iTunes, and Vudu
Director: Frank Capra
Writers: Frances Goodrich, Albert Hackett, and Frank Capra based on The Greatest Gift by Phillip Van Doren Stern
Cast: James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, Thomas Mitchell, Henry Travers, Beulah Bondi, Ward Bond, Frank Feylen, and Gloria Grahame
Composer: Dimitri Tiomkin
Cinematographers: Joseph Walker and Joseph Biroc
Editor: William Hornbeck
Release Date: December 20, 1946
Running Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
Budget: $3.18 million
Box Office Gross: $3.3 million
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 93%
Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
A man claiming to be Santa Claus is put on trial after others question his mental health.
Availability: DVD & Blu-ray, and for streaming on YouTube, Amazon, GooglePlay, iTunes, and Vudu
Director: George Seaton
Writer: George Seaton
Cast: Maureen O'Hara, John Payne, Natalie Wood, Edmund Gwenn, Gene Lockhart, Porter Hall, William Frawley, Jerome Cowan, and Philip Tonge
Composer: Cyril J. Mockridge
Cinematographers: Llyod Ahern and Charles G. Clarke
Editor: Robert L. Simpson
Release Date: June 4, 1947
Running Time: 1 hour 36 minutes
Budget: $630,000
Box Office Gross: $2.7 million
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 96%
White Christmas (1954)
Two soldiers become entertainers after the war and throw a party for their former commanding officer at a hotel during the holidays. The joyous music and wonderfully choreographed dance sequences make this a delightful holiday treat. The cast is magnificent as each of them play their roles with fervor. There's plenty of fun romance and hilarious comedy too. It's also got an ending that'll tug on your heartstrings.
Availability: DVD & Blu-ray, and for streaming on YouTube, Amazon, GooglePlay, iTunes, Vudu, and Netflix
Director: Michael Curtiz
Writers: Norman Krasna, Norman Panama, and Melvin Frank
Cast: Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, Vera-Ellen
Composer: Irving Berlin
Cinematographer: Loyal Griggs
Editor: Frank Bracht
Release Date: October 14, 1954
Running Time: 2 hours
Budget: $3 million
Box Office Gross: $30 million
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 90%
A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
Upset by the commercialism of the holiday season, Charlie Brown tries to direct a Christmas play. This short film with the Peanuts gang is a funny and meaningful seasonal story. The animation is great, that iconic music is superb, and the voice actors do a brilliant job bringing these characters and this purposeful story to life.
Availability: DVD & Blu-ray, and for streaming on Amazon
Director: Bill Melendez
Writer: Charles M. Schultz
Cast: Peter Robbins, Chris Shea, Kathy Steinberg, Tracy Stratford, Bill Melendez, Ann Altieri, Chris Doran, Sally Dryer, Karen Mendelson, and Geoffrey Ornstein
Composer: Vince Guaraldi
Release Date: December 9, 1965
Running Time: 25 minutes
Budget: $96,000
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 92%
A Christmas Story (1983)
A child who only wants a Red Ryder BB Gun for Christmas, experiences all of the strange American holiday traditions. This film has become as much a tradition as the events depicted in the movie. There are solid performances here as we follow a quintessential small town family as they buy a Christmas tree, visit Santa at the mall, and bundle up for cold weather. It's a hysterical look at the oddity of our Christmas traditions.
Availability: DVD & Blu-ray, and for streaming on YouTube, Amazon, GooglePlay, iTunes, and Vudu
Director: Bob Clark
Writers: Jean Shepherd, Leigh Brown, and Bob Clark based on In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash by Jean Shepherd
Cast: Peter Billingsley, Ian Petrella, Melinda Dillon, Darren McGavin, Scott Schwartz, R.D. Robb, Zach Ward, Yano Anaya, Tedde Moore, and Jeff Gillen
Composers: Carl Zittrer and Paul Zaza
Cinematographer: Reginald H. Morris
Editor: Stan Cole
Release Date: November 18, 1983
Running Time: 1 hour 33 minutes
Budget: $3.3 million
Box Office Gross: $20.6 million
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 85%
Gremlins (1984)
After a boy receives a small creature as an early Christmas present, he accidentally transforms it into an army of monsters who terrorize his small town. This is an excellent horror/comedy that solidified the popular genre mashup. It's got some great scares but never becomes too horrifying for younger viewers. The stunning puppetry and special effects help make this one really remarkable.
Availability: DVD & Blu-ray, and for streaming on GooglePlay, iTunes, Vudu, and Hulu
Director: Joe Dante
Writer: Chris Columbus
Cast: Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates, Hoyt Axton, Polly Holliday, Frances Lee McCain, Corey Feldman, and Keye Luke
Composer: Jerry Goldsmith
Cinematographer: John Hora
Editor: Tina Hirsch
Release Date: June 8, 1984
Running Time: 1 hour 46 minutes
Budget: $11 million
Box Office Gross: $153.1 million
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 84%
Lethal Weapon (1987)
An aging police officer teams up with a wild detective to track down a dangerous drug lord. This is the ultimate buddy cop film. It's full of witty one-liners and exciting action sequences. The casting of the two leads is fantastic with Gibson and Glover playing perfectly off each other. They add layers and depth to their characters in each and every important scene. Even though the plot doesn't have much to do with Christmas, it does take place during the holidays, so it counts and is a welcome respite from the overwhelming sentimentality for us action junkies.
Availability: DVD & Blu-ray, and for streaming on YouTube, Amazon, GooglePlay, Vudu, and Crackle
Director: Richard Donner
Writer: Shane Black
Cast: Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Gary Busey, Mitchell Ryan, Tom Atkins, Darlene Love, and Jackie Swanson
Composers: Michael Kamen and Eric Clapton
Cinematographer: Stephen Goldblatt
Editor: Stuart Baird
Release Date: March 6, 1987
Running Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
Budget: $15 million
Box Office Gross: $120.2 million
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 83%
Scrooged (1988)
A heartless business man learns humility and selflessness through a series of bizarre encounters from the great beyond. This Christmas comedy is a bold, modern take on the classic story of Ebenezer Scrooge. It's well made and teaches us important lessons through the prism of the greedy world Hollywood. Bill Murray is at his absolute best here playing a slimeball who is met with his own mortality and hubris.
Availability: DVD & Blu-ray, and for streaming on YouTube, Amazon, GooglePlay, iTunes, Vudu, and Starz
Director: Richard Donner
Writers: Mitch Glazer and Michael O' Donoghue based on A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
Cast: Bill Murray, Karen Allen, John Forsythe, Bobcat Goldthwaite, David Johansen, Carol Kane, Robert Mitchum, Michael J. Pollard, and Alfre Woodard
Composer: Danny Elfman
Cinematographer: Michael Chapman
Editors: Fredric Steinkamp and William Steinkamp
Release Date: November 23, 1988
Running Time: 1 hour 37 minutes
Budget: $32 million
Box Office Gross: $60.3 million
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 69%
Die Hard (1988)
When terrorists take over a skyscraper full of hostages, it's up to one tough cop to stop them. This holiday classic is also a genius action film. The dialogue is spectacular, the fights and shootouts are intense, and the acting performances are phenomenal. This one actually has a lot to do with Christmas as it's about a family struggling to stay together in the midst of the chaos. Bruce Willis plays his most famous character, John McClane, a wisecracking New York police officer, and Alan Rickman also gives us the best movie villain of all time in the charismatic and clever Hans Gruber. It's a blast from start to finish.
Availability: DVD & Blu-ray, and for streaming on YouTube, Amazon, GooglePlay, iTunes, Vudu, and Cinemax
Director: John McTiernan
Writers: Jeb Stuart and Steven E. de Souza based on Nothing Lasts Forever by Roderick Thorp
Cast: Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman, Alexander Godunov, Bonnie Bedelina, Reginald VelJohnson, Paul Gleason, De'voreaux White, William Atherton, Clarence Gilyard, Hart Bochner, and James Shigeta
Composer: Michael Kamen
Cinematographer: Jan de Bont
Editor: Frank J. Urioste and John F. Link
Release Date: July 15, 1988
Running Time: 2 hours 12 minutes
Budget: $28 million
Box Office Gross: $140.8 million
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 93%
Christmas Vacation (1989)
Clark Griswold welcomes his extended family to stay at his home for the holidays and chaos ensues. This is the funniest Christmas movie ever made. It's got so many relatable moments and characters and each line of dialogue is highly quotable year round. The performances are totally believable no matter how ridiculous the situation becomes. It's also got lots of heartfelt moments and shows us what the holidays are all about.
Availability: DVD & Blu-ray, and for streaming on YouTube, Amazon, GooglePlay, iTunes, and Vudu
Director: Jeremiah S. Chechik
Writer: John Hughes
Cast: Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo, Juliette Lewis, Johnny Galecki, Randy Quaid, Miriam Flynn, Cody Burger, Ellen Hamilton Latzen, Doris Roberts, E.G. Marshall, Diane Ladd, John Randolph, Nicholas Guest, Julia Louis-Dreyfuss, Brian Dole-Murray, Natalia Nogulich, Mae Questel, and William Hinckey
Composer: Angelo Badalamenti
Cinematographer: Thomas E. Ackerman
Editors: Jerry Greenberg and Michael A. Stevenson
Release Date: December 1, 1989
Running Time: 1 hour 37 minutes
Budget: $25 million
Box Office Gross: $71.3 million
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 64%
Home Alone (1990)
A child is left behind while his family goes overseas on vacation, and he must defend his home when bandits try to break in. This is a hysterical holiday hit. There's some excellent slapstick comedy and brutal action here. It's the ultimate wish fulfillment for kids of all ages and has a beautiful life lesson in the midst of it too. It's basically Die Hard for children.
Availability: DVD & Blu-ray, and for streaming on YouTube, Amazon, GooglePlay, iTunes, and Vudu
Director: Chris Columbus
Writer: John Hughes
Cast: Macauley Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, Catherine O'Hara, John Heard, and Roberts Blossom
Composer: John Williams
Cinematographer: Julio Macat
Editor: Raja Gosnell
Release Date: November 16, 1990
Running Time: 1 hour 43 minutes
Budget: $18 million
Box Office Gross: $476.7 million
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 62%
Batman Returns (1992)
The enigmatic billionaire Bruce Wayne must don the cape and cowl again to must face off against two new villains who threaten his city. With this sequel to the original 1989 hit, Tim Burton let his gloriously freaky vision shine. It's a dark and brooding action movie with scary characters and frightening action sequences. Everything works due to the gothic take on this comic book world that the filmmakers created. Here we have the Caped Crusader fighting bad guys during Christmastime which is why this unique entry is on our list.
Availability: DVD & Blu-ray, and for streaming on YouTube, Amazon, GooglePlay, iTunes, and Vudu
Director: Tim Burton
Writers: Daniel Waters from a story by Daniel Waters and Sam Hamm
Cast: Michael Keaton, Danny DeVito, Michelle Pfeiffer, Christopher Walken, Michael Gough, Pat Hingle, and Michael Murphy
Composer: Danny Elfman
Cinematographer: Stefan Czapsky
Editor: Chris Lebenzon
Release Date: June 19, 1992
Running Time: 2 hours 6 minutes
Budget: $80 million
Box Office Gross: $266.8 million
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 80%
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
When the mayor of Halloweentown is transported to Christmastown, he transforms that world into the image of his own. This creepy stop-motion feature is an impressive achievement in the astonishing art form. The music is unforgettable and the performances are marvelous. It's a great movie for either of the two holidays depicted, but works best for Christmas since that season represents the main thrust of the story.
Availability: DVD & Blu-ray, and for streaming on YouTube, Amazon, GooglePlay, iTunes, and Vudu
Director: Henry Selick
Writer: Caroline Thompson
Cast: Chris Sarandon, Catherine O'Hara, William Hickey, Glenn Shadix, Ken Page, Ed Ivory, Paul Reubens, and Danny Elfman,
Composer: Danny Elfman
Cinematographer: Pete Kozachik
Editor: Stan Webb
Release Date: October 29, 1993
Running Time: 1 hour 16 minutes
Budget: $18 million
Box Office Gross: $76.2 million
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 95%
The Santa Clause (1994)
A suburban dad gets transformed into Santa after accidentally killing the jolly man in red. It's a dark premise for such a fun-filled family film, but it's all done rather tastefully. There are plenty of funny moments, lots of great performances, and some good writing in this one. It's also full of weighty and dramatic moments that somehow never manage to bog down the fun storyline. This is a family classic of the holiday genre.
Availability: DVD & Blu-ray, and for streaming on YouTube, Amazon, GooglePlay, iTunes, and Vudu
Director: John Pasquin
Writers: Leo Benvenuti and Steve Rudnick
Cast: Tim Allen, Eric Lloyd, Wendy Crewson, Judge Reinhold, David Krumholtz, and Peter Boyle
Composer: Michael Convertino
Cinematographer: Walt Lloyd
Editor: Larry Bock
Release Date: November 11, 1994
Running Time: 1 hour 37 minutes
Budget: $22 million
Box Office Gross: $189.8 million
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 74%
Jingle All the Way (1996)
When a father forgets to purchase his son's Christmas gift, he must traverse the city to hunt down the world's most popular toy. This offbeat comedy is a relatable adventure through the holiday shopping season. It's got a lot of moments that'll make you laugh-out-loud and some fun action in it too. You'll be quoting this film all the time thanks to it's funny lines of dialogue. It remains one of Schwarzenegger's most underrated films.
Availability: DVD & Blu-ray, and for streaming on YouTube, Amazon, GooglePlay, and Vudu
Director: Brian Levant
Writer: Randy Kornfield
Cast: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sinbad, Rita Wilson, Phil Hartman, Jake Lloyd, E.J. De La Pena, Jim Belushi, Martin Mull, and Robert Conrad
Composer: David Newman
Cinematographer: Victor J. Kemper
Editors: Kent Beyda, Wilton Henderson, and Adam Weiss
Release Date: November 22, 1996
Running Time: 1 hour 22 minutes
Budget: $75 million
Box Office Gross: $129.8 million
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 16%
How The Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
An outcast looks to ruin the holiday season for all of the prejudiced inhabitants of the seemingly pleasant city of Whoville. Turning one of Dr. Seuss' most beloved tales into a feature length film is a difficult task which these filmmakers somehow pulled off. The costumes and sets are outstanding and the acting performances are just as good. The music is haunting and the moral lesson is important, relevant, and tear-inducing.
Availability: DVD & Blu-ray, and for streaming on Amazon, iTunes, Vudu, and Netflix
Director: Ron Howard
Writers: Jeffrey Price and Peter S. Seaman based on How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss
Cast: Jim Carrey, Taylor Momsen, Bill Irwin, Molly Shannon, Jeffrey Tambor, and Christine Baranski,
Composer: James Horner
Cinematographer: Don Peterman
Editors: Dan Hanley and Mike Hill
Release Date: November 17, 2000
Running Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Budget: $123 million
Box Office Gross: $345.1 million
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 52%
The Family Man (2000)
A self-obsessed businessman living the life of a bachelor is thrown for a loop when he wakes up one day married with a family. This is very much a throwback to It's a Wonderful Life but manages to stand apart due to it's modern setting, new cast, and heartfelt story. There are excellent performances here and an emotional tale about what's really important.
Availability: DVD & Blu-ray, and for streaming on YouTube, Amazon, GooglePlay, iTunes, Vudu, and Cinemax
Director: Brett Ratner
Writers: David Diamond and David Weissman
Cast: Nicholas Cage, Tea Leoni, Jermy Piven, Lisa Thornhill, Saul Rubinek, Josef Sommer, Harve Presnell, Francine York, and Don Cheadle
Composer: Danny Elfman
Cinematographer: Dante Spinotti
Editor: Mark Helfrich
Release Date: December 22, 2000
Running Time: 2 hours 6 minutes
Budget: $60 million
Box Office Gross: $124.7 million
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 53%
Elf (2003)
When a human who is raised by elves discovers his true parentage, he must travel to New York City to find his real family. A modern classic of the Christmas genre, this movie has become a staple in most households. Will Ferrell's performance is one for the ages as his childlike innocence is totally believable. The hilarious situations and dialogue help bring this fantasy to vibrant life.
Availability: DVD & Blu-ray, and for streaming on YouTube, Amazon, GooglePlay, iTunes, and Vudu
Director: Jon Favreau
Writer: David Berenbaum
Cast: Will Ferrell, Zooey Deschanel, James Caan, Mary Steinberger, Daniel Tay, Bob Newhart, and Ed Asner
Composer: John Debney
Cinematographer: Greg Gardiner
Editor: Dan Lebental
Release Date: November 7, 2003
Running Time: 1 hour 37 minutes
Budget: $33 million
Box Office Gross: $220.4 million
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 83%
The Santa Clause 2 (2004)
This sequel has the new Santa find out he has to get married or else all of Christmas will be threatened. In the follow-up to the 1996 original, Tim Allen again charms in the lead role, but the rest of the production is overblown with too many storylines and characters to keep any kind of meaningful focus. However, there are still plenty of funny scenes, and it's heartwarming story that will satisfy fans of the original.
Availability: DVD & Blu-ray, and for streaming on YouTube, Amazon, GooglePlay, iTunes, and Vudu
Director: Michael Lembeck
Writers: Don Rhymer, Cinco Paul, Ken Daurio, Ed Decter, and John J. Strauss
Cast: Tim Allen, Eric Lloyd, Elizabeth Mitchell, Wendy Crewson, Judge Reinhold, Liliana Mumy, David Krumholtz, Spencer Breslin, Aisha Tyler, Peter Boyle, Jay Thomas, Michael Dorn, Kevin Pollak, and Art LaFleur
Composer: George S. Clinton
Cinematographer: Adam Greenberg
Editor: David Finfer and Edward A. Warschilka
Release Date: November 1, 2002
Running Time: 1 hour 44 minutes
Budget: $65 million
Box Office Gross: $172.9 million
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 55%
The Polar Express (2004)
A young boy is whisked away onboard a magical train to the North Pole. This is a stunning achievement in visual effects as the motion capture technology translates these beautiful performances to the big screen in a dazzling way. It's got heart-pounding action sequences, memorable music, and is an enjoyable tale about the power of belief.
Availability: DVD & Blu-ray, and for streaming on YouTube, Amazon, GooglePlay, iTunes, and Vudu
Director: Robert Zemekis
Writers: Robert Zemekis and William Broyles Jr. based on The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg
Cast: Tom Hanks, Daryl Sabara, Josh Hutcherson, Nona Gaye, Chantel Valdivieso, Megan Moore, Tinashi, Isabella Peregrina, Ashly Holloway, Jimmy Pinchak, Peter Scolari, Hayden McFarland, Jimmy Bennett, Matthew Hall, Eddie Deezen, and Michael Jeter
Composer: Alan Silvestri
Cinematographers: Don Burgess and Robert Presley
Editors: R. Orlando Duenas and Jeremiah O'Driscoll
Release Date: November 10, 2004
Running Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
Budget: $165 million
Box Office Gross: $310.6 million
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 56%
Christmas with the Kranks (2004)
An aging couple change their vacation plans when their daughter decides to come home for the holidays, forcing them to decorate their home in a very short amount of time to the amusement of their neighbors. This is an underrated comedy with a unique premise. It's got a really funny cast and some entertaining moments throughout it's brief running time, including many we can all relate to. Put this one on if you're in need of some laughs.
Availability: DVD & Blu-ray, and for streaming on YouTube, Amazon, GooglePlay, iTunes, and Vudu
Director: Joe Roth
Writers: Chris Columbus
Cast: Tim Allen, Jamie Lee Curtis, Dan Akroyd, Dava Hulsey, Erik Per Sullivan, Cheech Marin, Jake Busey, M. Emmet Walsh, Elizabeth Franz, Austin Pendleton, and Julie Gonzalo
Composer: John Debney
Cinematographer: Don Burgess
Editor: Nick Moore
Release Date: November 24, 2004
Running Time: 1 hour 38 minutes
Budget: $60 million
Box Office Gross: $96.6 million
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 5%
The Nativity Story (2006)
A young woman is told by an angel she will give birth to the Son of God, but she must make a journey with her betrothed husband to be counted in the census by command of Caesar Augustus. This is an amazing depiction of the birth of Jesus Christ with great production design and wonderful performances. The greatest story ever told comes to vibrant life in this realistic, and dramatic telling of the events surrounding the first Christmas.
Availability: DVD & Blu-ray, and for streaming on YouTube, Amazon, GooglePlay, iTunes, and Vudu
Director: Catherine Hardwicke
Writer: Mike Rich
Cast: Keisha Castle-Hughes, Oscar Isaac, Hiam Abass, Shaun Toub, Shohreh Aghedashloo, Stanley Townsend, Alexander Sidigg, and Ciaran Hinds
Composer: Mychael Danna
Cinematographer: Elliot Davis
Editors: Robert K. Lambert and Stuart Levy
Release Date: December 1, 2006
Running Time: 1 hour 41 minutes
Budget: $35 million
Box Office Gross: $46.4 million
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 38%
The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause (2006)
The sinister Jack Frost looks to take Santa's place as king of the North Pole. This final entry in the Santa trilogy is a lackluster sequel for the most part. However, it still has a few laughs and some heartwarming moments. Fans of the series will want to check it out since it does do a better job than it's predecessor at focusing the plot and bringing the characters closure.
Availability: DVD & Blu-ray, and for streaming on YouTube, Amazon, GooglePlay, iTunes, and Vudu
Director: Michael Lembeck
Writers: Ed Decter and John J. Strauss
Cast: Tim Allen, Elizabeth Mitchell, Liliana Mumy, Wendy Crewson, Judge Reinhold, Spencer Breslin, Eric Lloyd, Ann-Margret, Alan Arkin, and Martin Short
Composer: George S. Clinton
Cinematographer: Robbie Greenberg
Editor: David Fifner
Release Date: November 3, 2006
Running Time: 1 hour 32 minutes
Budget: $12 million
Box Office Gross: $110.8 million
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 17%
A Christmas Carol (2009)
A ruthless businessman is visited by ghosts of the past, present and future who each teach him meaningful lessons. Another leap forward in performance capture film technology, this version of the classic tale is a feast for the eyes. It's a gorgeous looking movie full of brilliant performances and powerful music. This is the most recent retelling of the story, and perhaps it's most frightening, but remains a movie that the entire family will enjoy.
Availability: DVD & Blu-ray, and for streaming on YouTube, Amazon, GooglePlay, and Vudu
Director: Robert Zemekis
Writers: Robert Zemekis based on A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
Cast: Jim Carrey, Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, Bob Hoskins, Robin Wright, and Carey Elwes
Composer: Alan Silvestri
Cinematographer: Robert Presley
Editor: Jeremiah O'Driscoll
Release Date: November 6, 2009
Running Time: 1 hour 36 minutes
Budget: $185 million
Box Office Gross: $325.3 million
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 60%
Toy Story That Time Forgot (2014)
Woody, Buzz and the gang are taken by their new owner Bonnie to a friend's house and end up having to fight for survival in a battle against some very dangerous new toys. A short film from the folks at Pixar, this one's set on Christmas Day just after Bonnie and her neighbor friend have opened their new gifts. It's both hilarious and action-packed with illustrious animation, matchless music, and distinguished performances. This short film tells a joyous tale of the season in typical Disney fashion.
Availability: DVD & Blu-ray, and for streaming on YouTube, Amazon, GooglePlay, iTunes, and Vudu
Director: Steve Purcell
Writers: Steve Purcell
Cast: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Kristen Schaal, Wallace Shawn, Kevin McKidd, Steve Purcell, Don Rickles, Timothy Dalton, Joan Cusack, Jonathan Kydd, Emma Hudak, Lori Alan, R.C. Cope, and Emily Hahn
Composer: Michael Giacchino
Cinematographer: Joseph Walker, and Joseph Biroc
Editor: William Hornbeck
Release Date: December 2, 2014
Running Time: 22 minutes
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%