Buzz
From the quirky charm of Buddy the Elf to the vintage appeal of Bedford Falls, some films have become holiday staples—though they weren’t always instant hits. Discover what critics initially said about these 10 beloved Christmas classics.
1. It's A Wonderful Life (1946)
The Jimmy Stewart-Donna Reed masterpiece appears to have won hearts immediately. On December 18, 1946, Variety praised the film with glowing enthusiasm, stating:
"It’s a Wonderful Life will thrive at the box office, and rightfully so. Following the extensive hype surrounding Liberty Films' debut, word-of-mouth will further drive audiences to theaters. After a series of heavy psychological dramas and overtly propagandistic films, the refreshing sincerity and humanity of this movie serve as a vivid reminder that cinema, at its core, excels in delivering genuine, straightforward entertainment."
Variety’s critic had praise for everyone involved. Frank Capra "once again demonstrates his ability to transform what might seem like sentimental clichés into captivating, universally appealing entertainment," Jimmy Stewart "retains his youthful charm while showcasing newfound depth and maturity," and Donna Reed "is poised to achieve full stardom with this performance." The critic also commended the film's innovative snow effects.
2. Miracle On 34th Street (1947)
The enduring appeal of this film is no surprise: Similar to It’s a Wonderful Life, both audiences and critics have adored Kris Kringle’s story since its 1947 release. It earned a Best Picture Oscar nomination, and while it didn’t win in that category, Edmund Gwenn took home Best Actor, Valentine Davies won for Best Writing, Original Story, and George Seaton for Best Writing, Screenplay. The only detractors were the Catholic League of Decency, who gave it a "B" rating due to the divorced mother being deemed "morally objectionable."
3. White Christmas (1954)
Following the massive success of the song “White Christmas” from the 1942 Bing Crosby film Holiday Inn, composed by Irving Berlin, expectations were sky-high for White Christmas, a similarly themed movie released 12 years later. With Bing Crosby and Irving Berlin both returning, The New York Times critic Bosley Crowther noted, “Surprisingly, the final product isn’t as delightful as anticipated. The charm lies more in the cast than in the material. Despite the cast’s energetic efforts in singing, dancing, and delivering jokes, the content feels lackluster and uninspired.” Crowther did praise the film’s visual appeal, particularly its use of the then-innovative VistaVision technology, but lamented, “It’s unfortunate that the film doesn’t resonate as strongly with the ears and the funny bone as it does with the eyes.”
4. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
Snoopy and the gang faced numerous hurdles before their 1965 TV debut. Network executives criticized the show’s slow pacing, objected to Linus quoting the Bible, disliked the absence of a laugh track, and deemed the decision to cast real children instead of adult voice actors as a disastrous choice.
However, they were proven wrong on all counts. Nearly half of all households with TVs watched A Charlie Brown Christmas that November, and the special has remained a beloved tradition ever since.
5. How The Grinch Stole Christmas (1966) / (2000)
The initial TV special received lukewarm, indifferent reviews. One critic remarked, “It’s likely on par with other holiday cartoons. I don’t see any reason for people to dislike it.” The Jim Carrey remake, however, would envy such mild critiques.
From Entertainment Weekly’s Ty Burr:
Dr. Seuss' original "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" is a timeless tale of antimaterialism, encapsulated in one iconic line: "'Maybe Christmas,' he thought, 'doesn’t come from a store.'" Ted Geisel’s message was clear—the season isn’t about material possessions. In contrast, Ron Howard’s adaptation is overwhelmed by excess. The film’s chaotic sets, bizarre Who designs, and Jim Carrey’s over-the-top performance prioritize sensory overload over genuine emotion. And it doesn’t stop there—merchandise like the "Grinch" video-and-plush-doll pack, Collector’s Edition DVD, and Grinch Shower Radio flood the market. Let the kids enjoy it, but crank up the volume to drown out Ted Geisel’s spinning in his grave.
6. A Christmas Story (1983)
Both Siskel and Ebert praised this Jean Shepherd adaptation. “It’s a film everyone can relate to,” Ebert noted, and the annual 24-hour marathon proves his point.
7. Scrooged (1988)
Critics weren’t won over by Bill Murray’s performance. The Los Angeles Times described this modern take on A Christmas Carol as “as bloated as its Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come and about as humorous as a robbery.” Sheila Benson lamented that the talented cast was “utterly wasted, often in ways that make you cringe on their behalf.” Ebert echoed this sentiment, labeling the film “disturbing,” “contrived,” and “downright depressing,” with moments that felt “awkward” and “painful to watch.”
8. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)
While millions of viewers eagerly tune in annually to laugh at Clark Griswold’s antics and his 25,000 twinkling lights, The New York Times critic Janet Maslin isn’t among them:
John Hughes’ screenplay for "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" is essentially a series of disconnected jokes strung together; without the countdown to Christmas, the film would lack any sense of progression. The production quality feels cheap, with flimsy sets and occasionally hazy visuals, while Jeremiah S. Chechik’s direction struggles with inconsistent comedic timing.
Despite her criticisms, she found one redeeming quality in the film: “The highlight is the return of Cousin Eddie, the crafty, attention-grabbing slob whose revolting antics provide plenty of laughs.”
9. Home Alone (1990)
Ebert was far from impressed with Home Alone, though he praised Macaulay Culkin’s performance. He noted:
The storyline is so far-fetched that it’s difficult to feel invested in the child’s predicament. What saves the film, to some extent, is Macaulay Culkin’s remarkable talent as Kevin. He’s such a natural and skilled young actor that I’d love to see him in a more compelling narrative. "Home Alone" falls short in that regard. When the burglars break into Kevin’s house, they encounter an absurd series of traps that feel like they were dreamed up by Rube Goldberg or a deranged filmmaker. With all sense of realism abandoned, the movie shifts into a showcase for stunt work and special effects, leaving behind any emotional connection it might have promised.
10. Elf (2003)
Surprisingly, Ebert found himself thoroughly enjoying Elf—a twist even he didn’t see coming:
If I told you that "Elf" features Will Ferrell as Buddy, a human who believes he’s an elf, and Ed Asner as Santa Claus, would you rush to see it? I certainly didn’t. I expected it to be clumsy, silly, and predictable, much like "The Santa Clause 2" or "How the Grinch Stole Christmas." I imagined it would rely on over-the-top effects and clumsily attempt to spread holiday cheer, complete with a forced romance involving the only woman in America oblivious to the fact that a man who thinks he’s an elf might raise some eyebrows. That’s what I anticipated. But within seconds of seeing Will Ferrell in his elf outfit, I realized how mistaken I was. This is one of those rare holiday comedies that combines heart, wit, and a sharp sense of humor, effortlessly winning over its audience.
He concludes his review with, “... Let’s hope Buddy inspires enough people to believe. It shouldn’t be hard. He managed to convince me this was a great film, and that’s nothing short of a Christmas miracle.”
This story has been updated for 2020.
