It's no secret that Hollywood often takes inspiration from best-selling books to create phenomenal and often record-breaking movies. While it can be frustrating for audiences to constantly be paying for "unoriginal" content, sometimes Hollywood does get it right when choosing what written works to turn into movies. While book adaptations are usually reserved for fantasy novels like Harry Potter or teen romances, occasionally Hollywood finds movie gold in other book forms, like Christmas stories. From literature classics to children's picture books and even a young adult novel, there seem to be way more Christmas movies based on books than most people realize.
Updated On December 19th, 2022 by Danielle Bruncati: While 2022 has seen an influx of original Christmas movies, with the David Harbour-led Violent Night performing well at the box office, Christmas is still a time for book adaptation, it seems. The most notable addition this year is a musical twist on the beloved Charles Dickens' novella A Christmas Carol. But it's not just Dickens' Christmas novella that has gotten the adaptation treatment over the years but also pictures books and biographies too.
Eloise At Christmastime (2003)
Stream On Prime Video
Eloise at Christmastime is a made-for-TV movie based on the beloved 1958 book of the same name. It was the third book written by Kay Thompson and illustrated by Hilary Knight in the Eloise book series and the second book to be adapted into a made-for-TV movie.
Like the book, the movie centers on six-year-old Eloise, who lives in the penthouse at the Plaza Hotel in New York City. After learning that the hotel's daughter is getting married, Eloise decides to do some spying and believes that the daughter is getting married for the wrong reason. Thus, Eloise makes it her mission to stop the wedding.
Spirited (2022)
Stream On Apple TV+
Charles Dickens' beloved A Christmas Carol received yet another adaptation in 2022 with the release of Spirited. This time the story was adapted by Sean Anders and John Morris, who turned the beloved classic into a hilarious musical affair.
The movie stars Will Ferrell as Ebenezer Scrooge, who has been working as the Ghost of Christmas Present. Eligible for retirement, Scrooge has put it off despite being tempted to settle down. Instead, he sets his sights on helping redeem Clint Brigg, a controversial media consultant who might just teach Scrooge a thing or two along the way.
The Man Who Invented Christmas (2017)
Stream On Hulu
While dozens of movies have been adapted out of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, few have been made about the author's life during the time he wrote the novel. That is, until 2017 when The Man Who Invented Christmas was released.
Adapted from the Les Standiford novel of the same name, the movie and book explore what Charles Dickens's life was like after his inability to follow up on the success he found with Oliver Twist. In doing so, both forms of media tell the story of how Dickens' penned A Christmas Carol.
A Christmas Carol (2009)
Stream On Disney+
Charles Dickens's legendary novella A Christmas Carol was first published on December 19th, 1843. By Christmas Eve of that same year, the novella was sold out, and since then the book has been republished countless times and adapted for the screen nearly just as much.
While there have been hundreds of adaptations of Dickens's novella, including a Muppets version, one of the most popular in recent years has been Disney's 2009 version. Directed by Robert Zemeckis, the movie used motion capture technology to bring Scrooge and the rest of the beloved characters to life.
A Christmas Story (1983)
Stream On HBO Max
A Christmas Story has become an iconic holiday film and certainly one of the best Christmas movies of the 1980s, but many don't realize that it was based on a book. Written by humorist Jean Shepherd, In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash consists of 31 chapters, each telling a different short story narrated by the fictional character Ralph, who has returned to his hometown as an adult and is reminiscing.
In order to pay homage to Jean Shepherd, the creators of A Christmas Story asked him to narrate the film, which he happily obliged.
Angela's Christmas (2017)
Stream On Netflix
Angela's Christmas was written by Irish-American author Frank McCourt, who also happens to be a Pulitzer Prize winner. McCourt took inspiration from his mother's childhood Christmas memories when writing the children's picture book. Thus, the story follows 6-year-old Angela who is worried about the baby Jesus at the church in town.
In 2017, Netflix adapted the children's book into a short animated movie for their streaming service. It went on to receive several nominations at The Daytime Emmy Awards including "Outstanding Writing for an Animated Program."
Christmas With The Kranks (2004)
Stream On Prime Video
Before Christmas with Kranks was one of the most underrated comedy Christmas movies, it was a comedic novel. Skipping Christmas was written by John Grisham and published in 2001.
Christmas with the Kranks didn't deviate too far from the plot of the original novel, in fact, there were hardly any differences. Both center on Luther and Nora Krank who have decided to skip Christmas for a cruise but have to call it off when their daughter announces a surprise visit.
How The Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
Stream On HBO Max
It's safe to assume that everyone knows that How The Grinch Stole Christmas was first a beloved Dr. Seuss book before it was adapted for the big screen multiple times. The children's book was first published in 1957 and written in Dr. Seuss's iconic rhymed verses. Despite being for children, the book was notable for criticizing the commercialization of Christmas.
While the first onscreen adaptation happened in 1966, arguably the best adaptation has been the 2000 live-action iteration with Jim Carrey transforming into the Grinch. For over a decade, the movie was the second highest-grossing holiday movie of all time.
It's A Wonderful Life (1946)
Stream On Prime Video
It's A Wonderful Life centers on George, a middle-aged man who is contemplating taking his own life on Christmas Eve. As angels watch over him, they discuss his experiences, which audiences see through a series of flashbacks depicting George at happier moments.
While It's A Wonderful Life is one of the most iconic Christmas movies of all time, many don't realize that the story was inspired by two published sources. The first is The Greatest Gift, a short story written by Philip Van Doren Stern, and the second is Charles Dickens's classic, A Christmas Carol.
Let It Snow (2019)
Stream On Netflix
It's no secret that some of the best movies for teenagers are based on books, and Let It Snow is no different. The fix-up novel was written by John Green, Lauren Myracle, and Maureen Johnson, who each wrote separate short stories that are then woven together by the characters' intertwined lives.
Netflix scored its distribution deal and in 2019 Let It Snow the movie was available to stream. Unlike other teen adaptations, the movie didn't deviate too much from the book, which pleased fans.
Olive, The Other Reindeer (1999)
Not Available To Stream
In 1999 Fox Network aired the animated television movie Olive, the Other Reindeer, which was watched by over 6 million viewers. Despite the high numbers, many people don't remember the adorable holiday movie which followed Olive the dog who believes Santa has called her to help him pull his sleigh.
The children's movie was based on the 1977 book of the same name by Vivial Walsh and J. Otto Seibold. It was also unsurprisingly inspired by the Christmas song "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer."
The Nutcracker And The Four Realms (2018)
Stream On Disney+
The Nutcracker is one of the most memorable Christmas stories of all time and has been adapted dozens of times. Produced by Walt Disney Pictures, the movie centers on Clara as she sets out to track down a key to unlock a box that promises to contain a priceless gift.
While most adaptations are successful, The Nutcracker and The Four Realms was not. Not even being adapted from the legendary 1816 short story The Nutcracker and the Mouse King could save it.
The Polar Express (2004)
Stream On HBO Max
The Polar Express is a hotly debated Christmas movie, with many finding the animation style scary. However, the movie pioneered motion capture technology that has been used in hundreds of movies since.
Despite what people think of the movie, there is no denying the timelessness of the story which people first fell in love with when the children's book by Chris Van Allsburg was published in 1985. Both stories tell the story of a young skeptical boy who takes a life-changing trip on the Polar Express where he receives the first gift from Santa Claus.