20 Christmas movies that deserve a remake

In retrospect, Holiday Inn has some glaring issues, but the story itself is a lot of fun, as are the musical numbers. No one can replace Bing Crosby or Fred Astaire, but a great remake could be made so the story can be told without the overt racism. 

White Christmas is all sorts of fun, and a remake could make it even better. With modern budgets, sets, and camera equipment, the musical numbers and dance sequences could become even more grand than they were to begin with. 

The Shop Around the Corner has been remade multiple times already, with You’ve Got Mail being the most notable. But the remakes have taken more of an adaptation approach than a true remake, and a true remake would be appreciated. 

Christmas in Connecticut is a genuinely funny movie with a hysterical premise. Modern audiences would love another remake of this film (one remake was made for TV back in the ‘90s), especially one in color that lets viewers wrap themselves in the festive, wintry setting. 

It is bold to say that anything starring Judy Garland should be remade, but it’s rarely a mistake to remake a musical, even Meet Me in St. Louis. Sure, filmmakers run the risk of doing a worse job than the original, but the story and music still get passed on to new generations, and that’s what matters. 

Some might argue that Gremlins is too precious to remake, but Hollywood reuses old IP all the time, so why not give Gremlins the remake treatment? New generations would love an updated version of that crazy Christmastime story. 

You’re probably wondering whether we need another A Christmas Carol movie, and in this case, we do. Scrooge is a loveable musical version of the story, shot by the same cinematographer as Oliver! and using some of the same sets. An updated version of this film would delight audiences. 

And if Scrooge were going to be remade, what would be the point in remaking Scrooged? Well, Scrooged is much different than Scrooge, and a modern actor with a similar affectation as Bill Murray could make for a memorable retelling of the Dickens classic. 

Jack Frost is a wild film. The Michael Keaton classic has an absolutely bizarre premise, and that’s exactly why it should be remade. Let the children of today fear that their father may one day die a tragic and unexpected death and come back to life as a snowman. 

Babes in Toyland has been remade multiple times, with the most famous one arguably coming out of the ‘80s and starring Drew Barrymore. It’s a story that should continue being retold so each generation has their own wild, campy version to hold onto. 

Many years ago, The Cheaters was a Christmastime staple. A hilarious plot full of antics and hijinks, a remake of The Cheaters could instantly be added to modern yearly holiday rewatch lists. 

Desk Set is more Christmas-adjacent than a true Christmas film, but it’s got themes that still ring true today. Plus, it was written by Nora Ephron’s parents, so you know it’s got a great script to work from. 

Any film that’s set in New York City around Christmastime is worth remaking. It Happened on Fifth Avenue could be made even more dazzling than it already is with updated sets and filming technology. 

Mixed Nuts is a little bonkers, but it’s been unfairly criticized in the past. A remake could turn this somewhat maligned Christmas film into a zany classic, perfect for people who prefer a non-traditional holiday celebration. 

Unfortunately for us all, The Polar Express has officially become old. Granted, it’s not nearly as old as some of the films on this list, but it’s still been around for multiple decades now. The Polar Express could use the live-action remake treatment. 

The Snowman is a darling animated film based on the children’s book of the same name. A British production, some citizens of the U.K. see this as classic as A Charlie Brown Christmas or How the Grinch Stole Christmas. A live-action remake of this story would be lots of fun, too. 

Some of the Rankin/Bass stop-motion specials are too sacred to remake, like The Year Without a Santa Claus or Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. But Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town is in that sweet spot - it’s well-known enough to have an audience but not so perfect that a remake would be useless. 

Rudolph’s Shiny New Year is another Rankin/Bass special that’s a good candidate for a remake. It would be a blast to see in a live-action format, especially the scenes where Rudolph and company visit the Archipelago of Last Years.  

Any film that has become a cult classic in the years since its release is worthy of at least a discussion about a remake. This 1985 film is a dream for anyone who loves Santa lore, and it would be a fantastic option for an animated remake. 

Since You Went Away is a beautiful story that shows how a woman and her daughters adjust to life while their husband and father is at war. It’s not a feel-good flick, but it’s got themes that are relevant today and worth discussing during the holidays.