With a Nightmare Before Christmas prequel comic set for release in 2023, it seems that nostalgia for the film has reached a peak. It's one of those few movies which has remained perennially popular around both Halloween and Christmas, and with the winter season drawing near, other Christmas classics from the 1990s are bound to be dusted off.
Though the decade doesn't sport as many critically adored Christmas flicks as the 1980s, the 1990s still boasts some iconic features that remain in heavy rotation on television. As can be gleaned by the highest-rated Christmas movies on Rotten Tomatoes, the best films were those that subverted the trappings of the genre in some way or another.
Home Alone (1990) - 67%
Macaulay Culkin's signature film, Home Alone sees the child star play Kevin McCallister as he grapples with the responsibility of being left home alone at Christmastime. It seems like a wish come true until Kevin must protect himself from a duo of burglars played by Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern.
Despite the film's initial reviews being mixed, Home Alone has cemented itself as a Christmas classic thanks to the deft blend of comedy and warmth. Even after thirty years, the gags and slapstick still elicit laughter from audiences, and the narrative surrounding Catherine O'Hara's character is bound to melt hearts.
The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996) - 68%
Written by Shane Black, The Long Kiss Goodnight is an action thriller about an amnesiac schoolteacher named Samantha Caine who attempts to learn about her past with the help of a private investigator. As they discover more about Samantha's identity, the duo find themselves wrapped up in a plot involving a secret criminal organization.
While some would argue that The Long Kiss Goodnight merely uses the Christmas setting as set dressing in an attempt to replicate the success of Die Hard, the film is perfect for the holiday season. The plot is driven by Samantha's desire to protect her family, and a major subplot involves Samuel L. Jackson's character attempting to reconnect with his son.
Die Hard 2 (1990) - 69%
Set two years after the original film, Die Hard 2 sees John McClane uncover a terrorist plot at Washington Dulles International Airport as he waits for his wife to land. Teaming up with the airport police and a skeptical military commander, he must work to stop the terrorists in order to save everyone up in the air.
While Die Hard has always been a contentious film with regard to its status as a Christmas classic, Die Hard 2 is undoubtedly more stooped in the spirit of the season. The Christmas setting is more overt and played up due to the music and snow-covered setting, though the themes of camaraderie and reconciliation are lacking due to the cookie-cutter plot.
The Santa Clause (1994) - 73%
The Santa Clause is one of Tim Allen's signature films and sees the famed comedian take on the guise of Santa Claus after having accidentally killed Santa on Christmas Eve. The bulk of the movie is then dedicated to Allen's character grappling with his newfound responsibility while fighting for the right to raise his son.
Though The Santa Clause isn't a very deep movie, it's an unambiguously charming flick that blends comedy and family drama with deft. Tim Allen is funny throughout, and the finale where he's arrested while delivering presents is a hoot.
The Ref (1994) - 73%
Attempting to balance a tale of familial drama with a criminal comedy, The Ref sees Dennis Leary play a burglar who kidnaps a married couple on Christmas Eve as he attempts to flee town. Trapped in the couple's house, he's forced to intercede in their domestic squabbles while awaiting his away driver.
The Ref is an intriguing black comedy that takes A Christmas Story and Christmas Vacation to the next level. Though it sometimes lends to jokes which feel too mean-spirited, the film generally succeeds in eliciting laughs, thanks in large part to Leary's performance.
The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992) - 75%
The first Muppet's movie to be produced following Jim Henson's death, The Muppet Christmas Carol finds Kermit and company plopped into the story of A Christmas Carol, with Michael Caine in the role of Scrooge. The movie sticks closely to Charles Dickens' original tale, though replaces many of the main characters with the Muppets.
What differentiates The Muppet Christmas Carol from so many other adaptations of the classic story is the added whimsy the Muppets provide. Their presence lends a more comedic take on an age-old classic, but the humor never gets in the way of the emotional throughline of the story (which Caine sells in his performance).
Batman Returns (1992) - 81%
One of several Tim Burton movies set during Christmastime, Batman Returns focuses on the exploits of the Penguin as he attempts to gain the favor of Gotham City whilst blackmailing the evil Max Schreck. It's up to Batman to put a stop to the Penguin's machinations, while also contending with the fact that he's in love with the vigilante Catwoman.
Though it's a far darker film than most Christmas movies, Batman Returns works as a nice commentary on the nature of the season. The themes can be somewhat muddled at times, but at the heart of the film is a longing for connection from its three main characters, an idea that works wonderfully with the Christmas setting.
While You Were Sleeping (1995) - 81%
While You Were Sleeping is one of Sandra Bullock's best movies, and finds the star playing a lonely fare token collector who ingratiates herself into the Callaghan family after she saves Peter from being hit by a train. Despite pretending to be engaged to a comatose Peter, she soon falls in love with his younger brother Jack.
While the premise has all the trappings of a Hallmark movie, While You Were Sleeping is more than just simple Christmas cheese. It's a legitimately compelling romance full of holiday cheer, a heartwarming family dynamic, and an endearing performance from Bullock who lends every scene she's in a certain clumsy charm.
Little Women (1994) - 93%
Though it's one of several adaptations of Louis May Alcott's magnum opus, Gillian Armstrong's Little Women from 1994 is among the most notable. Like the source material, the film is focused on the lives of the four March sisters as they grow from childhood into adulthood and documents the strife that comes with the loss of loved ones.
What makes the Gillian Armstrong version of Little Women a welcoming addition to the Christmas canon is the use of its setting to elevate the story. The first third of the film is resplendent in Christmas imagery, and it heightens the altruism of the March sisters as they attempt to give to others despite the misfortunes which plague their family.
