Below you will find my personal list of the TOP TEN dads from all of the Christmas movies and specials that I’ve seen over the years. You will find holiday titles from the 1930s to the present. And everything is dedicated to dear ole dad! (Don’t worry – we haven’t forgotten about mom!)
This was not a mission I took lightly. I perused all of my Christmas movie reviews, took copious notes and ultimately had to make some very rough choices.
And like all lists of this kind, ask me tomorrow, and it may look totally different.
Some movie dads I considered but ultimately turned down include Bruce Willis in DIE HARD, Danny Glover in LETHAL WEAPON, Nicolas Cage in THE FAMILY MAN, James Caan in ELF and Robert Reed in A VERY BRADY CHRISTMAS.
But for now, I’m satisfied with these choices
TOP 10 CHRISTMAS DADS
In no particular order, here are some thoughts about my personal TOP 10 CHRISTMAS DADS.
Enjoy!
IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE
I’m actually not a HUGE fan of this movie – I like it, but I don’t love it. It’s not traditional viewing for me like it is for so many others. But a list like this would be incomplete without George Bailey, thanks to James Stewart’s warm and compassionate performance. It’s impossible to imagine anyone else bringing this character to life.
THE FAMILY STONE
Here’s another movie I don’t like as much as others. I gave it **1/2 out of ***** in my review, so it was a close call. One of the saving graces is Craig T. Nelson’s patriarch of the titular family. His Kelly Stone has a few moments in the spotlight, but he is often in the background working on the Christmas tree or giving hugs or reacting to the cacophony surrounding him. He may be the “realest” fictional dad on this list – and Nelson is an underrated screen presence.
THE HOLIDAY
Writer/director Nancy Meyers basically creates the ideal man in Graham Simpkins – it’s almost as if he’s computer generated. And Jude Law in 2006 was perfect casting – not only does he have the romantic leading man looks, but he also has that attractive strong yet vulnerable thing going. And the scene with his children, which is the film’s highlight for me, practically earns him a place on the Mount Rushmore of movie men. It’s as delightful a scene as you’ll find in any movie – Christmas or otherwise. And Graham’s ability to be practically perfect in every way yet remain humble is an impressive balancing act.
A CHRISTMAS STORY
Here’s another obvious choice, but it’s obvious for a reason – Old Man Parker is among the most iconic Christmas dads of the last 50 years, if not all time. This list would be incomplete without him. Darren McGavin created a slightly idealized version of the father of a man looking back on his childhood. Sure, he’s cranky and irascible and stubborn, but there’s also a reminiscent fondness. And let’s face it, without Old Man Parker, we wouldn’t have the leg lamp which has become almost as big a symbol of the holidays as the Christmas tree itself.
A CHRISTMAS STORY CHRISTMAS
This 2022 sequel doesn’t come within miles of the nostalgia or the charm or the humor of its 1983 predecessor, so much so that I gave it a negative review. That being said, there’s a certain symmetry of having a grown-up Ralphie on the same list as his “old man” – I just couldn’t resist. And even though Peter Billingsley won’t be confused with Olivier or Brando anytime soon, it’s an undeniable pleasure watching him return to his signature role. The old man would be proud!
TREE MAN
I first became acquainted with Francois the Tree Man several years back when I did a review for this documentary while writing for THE HOLY MESS website. And I have never forgotten the story of this incredible man who is forced to leave his family during the holidays every year in order to support them by selling Christmas trees in New York. In the process, he creates a second family among those who will annually purchase their trees from Francois and Francois only. He becomes a part of their Christmas tradition. I get goosebumps just typing the words… If you can find this streaming somewhere, I highly recommend it.
JACK WHITEHALL: CHRISTMAS WITH MY FATHER
This Netflix comedy special has joined the titles of Christmas movies and specials I have to watch every year. And the biggest joy is simply watching Jack and his curmudgeonly dad Michael sit around talking, reminiscing and giving each other a bloody difficult time. Jack jokingly said in an interview that Michael is the type of man who will go to McDonalds and ask that his hamburger be cooked medium rare. And after an hour with them together, you feel like you’ve known them for years.
A CHRISTMAS CAROL/SCROOGE
Basically you can place here the version of Dickens’ 1843 novella of your choosing. My favorite has always been the 1938 adaptation featuring Gene Lockhart as Bob Cratchit. But if you want to put Kermit the Frog here from THE MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL, more power to ya! (Here are some versions for you to consider.) This is yet another practically inevitable choice for a list like this if only for the presence of his sickly son Tiny Tim. But Cratchit is an unforgettable family man, who puts up with the insults of Scrooge for their sakes.
GREMLINS
Gadget salesman Randall Peltzer, as played by singer/songwriter Hoyt Axton, is one of the ultimate cinematic examples of a father who is forced to sacrifice time with his family in order to follow his own personal passion but still support his wife and son. Peltzer is an inventor at heart, and while he could have settled for a 9-to-5 in town, that would have been like taking a piece of his soul. Axton’s performance subtly conveys that creative obsession coupled with a weariness of his time spent on the road. And without him, we wouldn’t be introduced to Gizmo!
NATIONAL LAMPOON’S CHRISTMAS VACATION
Last but not least, we come to the immortal Clark W. Griswold, the Christmas dad of all Christmas dads. I’m not a fan of Chevy Chase, but the National Lampoon VACATION movies are his cinematic raison d’être, and Griswold fits him like a warm, comfortable glove. In trying to analyze why I’m so entertained and occasionally moved by these goofy National Lampoon movies, I came to the conclusion it was because Clark is a man who will do ANYTHING for his family. He lives for his family. He will take a slapstick pratfall for his family. And his wife and children realize that, even when they’re ready to strangle him. That kind of devotion is exceedingly rare nowadays.
So, what Christmas dads are missing from my list? Who would you like to have seen make an appearance?
Share your comments below.
More Christmas Movie Posts for You
Top 10 Christian Christian Movies
Leave a Reply