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Eighties Christmas Movies

Just for fun I thought I'd list out the various movies from the 80s dealing with Christmas. I think there might be a few surprises here, and I welcome any additional movies you can come up with. I'm bascially interested in movies that take place around December and use the Christmas theme in some way, not movies that have one small scene at Christmas time.

Total Number of Movies: 24
all i want for christmas
Is about two kids that want their parents back together, instead of their Mom's sneaky boyfriend.
Submitted by: amanda
An American Christmas Carol
Fonsi stars in a similar too Christmas Carol. Very well done and real Christmasy.
Submitted by: Guy
Babes In Toyland
About Lisa and how she got to toyland when she fell out of Jack's jeep and bumped her head to a tree. It was actually a Christmas Eve and Drew Barrymore was just 11 years old in that movie. Well, Keanu Reeves' acting still won't convince you (duh!), but the story was okay for kids up to the age of 11. It was really cute though.
A Christmas Story
A wonderful tale that takes place in the 40s involving Ralphie, a boy obessesed with the Red Ryder single action rifle. This is probably the best Christmas movie made during the 80s.
Die Hard
The sequel (which is a 90s movie) also takes place at Christmas. The first deals with Bruce Willis coming to visit his wife at her new home and new job. He's to meet her at her company's Christmas party, unfortunately a group of armed thugs decides to take the party hostage and shoot up the place. This should be watched after seeing something like "Ernest Saves Christmas" for contrast.
Emmitt Otter's Jugband Christmas
The characters are otters. It's not a cartoon, but kind of like a muppets movie. The otter family gets together a group of friends to form a band so they can perform in a talent show. This has recently been re-issued on DVD.
Ernest Saves Christmas
I really don't want to remember this, but I think it involves Ernest taking over the Santa Claus role.
Funny Farm
They have Christmas singing in them and its set around Christmas time.
Submitted by: Alex
A Garfield Christmas
The comic strip cat gets his first animated feature, I haven't seen this in a while though, so I forget how it goes.
Gremlins
This black comedy is centered around a Christmas gift that goes horribly wrong.
Submitted by: David
Gremlins
Wasn't the traditional Christmas movie. but took place during Christmas. When Billy Peltzer is given a small creature called a Mogwai by his father, he is unaware of the carnage he is about to encounter. There is a huge responsibility in looking after Gizmo as there are certain rules which must be followed. The Mogwai must be kept away from bright light, never made wet and never, ever be fed after midnight. When an accident occurs involving Gizmo and water, the next evolution stage of the Mogwai appears, and it isn't nice at all.
Submitted by: mickey
It Came Upon The Midnight Clear
An old man promises to take his grandson to New York for Christmas, but dies before he is able to do so.
Submitted by: Twanda Jackson
Lethal Weapon
Not your typical Christmas movie at all, but it does take place at that wonderful time of the year. Some of the Christmas time scenes involve Mel Gibson busting drug dealers at a Christmas tree stand and the opening of the movie has a Christmas song playing in the background.
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
This is a classic Chevy Chase movie, though that doesn't say much. Clark Griswald is trying to have the perfect Christmas, but his brother-in-law is coming to visit (and live in his driveway) as well as a score of other relatives. Lots of slapstick comedy involving all the sacred cows of Christmas.
One Magic Christmas
Not familar with this one.
One Magic Christmas
This is a wonderful movie. I have watched it since I was a little girl.
Submitted by: Michelle
Santa Claus: The Movie
Dudley Moore must save Christmas from corporate takeover.
Scrooged
Bill Murray is a heartless TV executive who needs to discover the true meaning of Christmas and is visited by three ghosts in this "Christmas Carol" update. A forgotten classic of the 80s.
SCROOGE
THIS FILM WITH ALBERT FINNEY FIRST APPEARED CHRISTMAS OF 1970. AN EXCELLENT MUSICAL VERSION OF THE STORY
Submitted by: LYNNE HAGAN
scrooge
A film about scrooge played by Albert finny great Xmas musical.
Submitted by: joe
Silent Night Deadly Night
I took my girlfriend to see this in 1984 BEFORE IT WAS BANNED!A boys parents stop to help a stranded motorist in a Santa suit. He murders the parents in front of the two boys.One is too young to remember and the older one is scarred for life.They are raised in a catholic orphanage run by a deaf priest.The older boy ends up working in a department store and is forced to fill in for the Santa when he doesn't show up.I will not tell the outcome or what happens so not to ruin it for anyone.I think it is available on dvd.As far as I know,this is the only Christmas horror movie.The cinemas were advertising to see it because it was being banned.I haven't seen it since and it has never been shown in theaters again.
Submitted by: joeyjoeyjoey
twas the night before christmas
Great movie about a clock maker who tries to bring Santa back to their town by making a clock at town hall. A mouse writes a letter saying that Santa is a fake.
Submitted by: wade
A Very Brady Christmas
The original cast minus Cindys original actress get together for this great Christmas movie. A must see.
Submitted by: John
Yogi's First Christmas
Yogi wakes up from hibernation and gets to celebrate his first Christmas.
Submitted by: Lisa

Not from the 80s, but bear special mention

A Charlie Brown Christmas
This one dates back to the 60s, but was played every year during the 80s and I don't think there's anyone who hasn't seen it, and it certainly holds up well to repeated viewings.
The Grinch That Stole Christmas
This one dates back to the 60s as well, but since it is probably better known than "A Wonderful Life" it bears special mention. It also bears mentioning because I don't think there's a "Child of the 80s" who wouldn't recognize this one.
It's a Wonderful Life
I know, I know, it is not an 80s movie but it got so much airplay in the 80s (while it was still in the public domain and every station could play over and over so that it was on at least 4 or 5 different channels every night as opposed to the one shot and out viewing now on NBC ... Thank God for video tapes). The message in it makes it a movie that will always be great. At this time of the year, it is far and away my most favorite movie (could be for the rest of the year also, except when I am in a "The Right Stuff" mode).
Do You Have a Christmas Movie to Share?

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