Cinderella, Muppets and co: these are the best Christmas movies

Streaming and TV - Cinderella, Muppets and co: these are the best Christmas movies

Television and the festive season - for many people, they are inextricably linked. At Christmas in particular, holiday movie watchers can draw from the full: hundreds of Christmas films lie dormant in the archives of TV broadcasters and are available on streaming platforms such as Amazon Video or Neftlix. Over the years, a few classics have emerged from the flood of Christmas films. These are our favorites.

The best: "Three Hazelnuts for Cinderella"

Some people can't imagine Christmas without this movie. Understandable, because this film adaptation of the "Cinderella" motif is simply beautiful. Lovingly told, staged with an eye for detail, with a surprisingly self-confident female protagonist. You can't help but feel sorry for Cinderella when her stepmother is nasty to her again. To feel free with Cinderella when she chases Nicholas through the forest on her white horse. Feeling like a princess with Cinderella when she dances at the ball. And, of course, falling in love with Cinderella and the prince. Oh! The movie is now 40 years old (which you can tell from the prince's ponytail hairstyle). But always beautiful.Czechoslovakia/GDR 1987, director: Václav Vorlíček, screenplay: František Pavlíček. Here you can find all broadcast dates.

The Prince (Pavel Trávnícek) fits Cinderella's (Libuse Safránková) lost shoe.

The touching one: The Muppets Christmas Story

Charles Dickens' famous "A Christmas Carol" filmed in a completely different way: Most of the roles are played by the Muppets. Gonzo and Rizzo follow the story of the embittered Ebenezer Scrooge, played by Oscar-winner Sir Michael Caine, in 19th century London. The old miser bullies his fellow man wherever he can. On Christmas Day, three ghosts suddenly appear at his house. Through this encounter, he learns about compassion, charity and the true meaning of Christmas. Directed by Brian Henson - son of Muppets creator Jim Henson.USA 1992, Director: Brian Henson. With: Sir Michael Caine, Steven Mackintosh, the Muppets, Meredith Braun

The late bloomer: Isn't life beautiful?

When this film was released in 1946, it flopped at the box office. The fact that this movie became a classic after all was more of a coincidence. Because the copyright expired in 1974 and nobody cared about the rights, the television stations broadcast the film free of charge. This is how a young generation rediscovered this film - and more than 30 years after it was made, "Isn't Life Beautiful?" became a cult film after all. It is now one of the 100 best films of all time in many rankings. On Christmas Eve of all days, kind-hearted George Bailey (James Stewart) is faced with financial ruin and wants to end his life. The rescue angel Clarence wants to prevent this by any means necessary. Because only if he saves a human life will he finally get his wings. He presents Bailey with a vision of how the world would have developed if he had never been born. His hometown of Bedford Falls would have fallen into the hands of the money-grabbing Mr. Potter (Lionel Barrymore) and fallen into ruin. Director Frank Capra uses this story to demonstrate how the American dream turns into its opposite when selfishness prevails instead of public spirit. Of course, the whole thing ends well, so there are plenty of tears. But no one cries below their level with this movie.USA 1947, Director: Frank Capra. With: Lionel Barrymore, James Stewart, Donna Reed, Thomas Mitchell.

The kitschy one: The little lord

The "Heidi" story in male form: eight-year-old Ceddie lives with his widowed mother in the slums of New York, unaware of his aristocratic origins. Until his grandfather, the Count of Dorincourt, takes him to England to raise him as an heir befitting his station. The old gentleman - superbly played by Sir Alec Guinness - is bitter and stingy. But Ceddie soon succeeds in warming his cold heart - and that of the audience as well. Director Jack Gold combines a successful milieu study from the Victorian era with an appeal to humanity.Great Britain 1980, Director: Jack Gold, With: Rick Schroder, Alec Guinness, Eric Porter, Colin Blakely, Connie Booth, Rachel Kempson

The scary one: "Tim Burton's Nightmare Before Christmas"

This bizarre fantasy spectacle is based on characters created by Tim Burton. His penchant for jokes with scary elements dominates the story of the spindly skeleton Jack Skellington, who lives in Halloween Town and suddenly finds himself in a strange and fascinating alternative world: In Christmas Town, everything is all colorful and the people are cheerful. Jack decides to kidnap Santa Claus to take his place and give presents to the children of this world himself - with spooky Halloween toys. Only his girlfriend Sally suspects the impending disaster. Although a happy ending was intended, the film breaks all the laws of animated films, as the heroes are neither sweet nor particularly cute, but instead wonderfully mean and morbid. Suitable for anyone who wants to celebrate Christmas in a different way than with walnuts, gingerbread and an Advent wreath.USA 1993, Director: Henry Selick, Music: Danny Elfman, Producers: Tim Burton and Denise De Novi

The musical: "White Christmas"

This US classic may not have a plot worth mentioning, but it has plenty of other qualities: Top-notch actors (Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney), colorful images, great music, and all of it superbly staged by "Casablanca" director Michael Curtiz. Crosby and Kaye play two singing and dancing artists who team up with a female duo - both professionally and privately. Together they want to put on a show to save the dilapidated ski hotel owned by the general in whose unit they fought in the Second World War. The great soundtrack by Irving Berlin provides the right swing on Christmas Eve.USA 1954, Director: Michael Curtiz, Music: Irving Berlin. With: Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, Dean Jagger

The funny one: "The Muppets celebrate Christmas"

Mother Bear had imagined things very differently: This year she actually wanted to spend Christmas in sunny California. Doc and his dog Sprocket have promised to look after the house in the meantime and are looking forward to a peaceful festive season. But that doesn't work out, because suddenly Fozzie Bear shows up at the door with all his friends: Kermit and his nephew Robin, Gonzo and all the other Muppets. Only Miss Piggy is still missing, as she has a photo shoot. Doc makes friends with the bunch and helps to decorate the house for Christmas as more and more guests arrive for the party: Waldorf and Statler, the old grumps. Ernie, Bert and the other "Sesame Street" residents. Even the Fraggles have come all this way to celebrate with the other members of the Henson universe. There is also a running gag: What the tiger's head is to "Dinner for One", the icy doorstep is to the Muppets: someone is constantly tripping over it. And so every new arrival has to say: "Watch out for the threshold".Great Britain 1987, director: Brian Henson, screenplay: Jerry Juhl