Famous Aussies share their favourite Christmas movies
Does National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation cop a mention on your Christmas must-see list? Photo: Getty
It’s almost that time of year again when excessive eating, drinking and shopping lead us to collapse on the sofa, sticking on a favourite Christmas movie.
And it’s not just us. We ask some of our favourite stars what their go-to silly season fix is.
Rebecca Maddern
The Footy Show host says she cannot go past The Holiday. “One of my all-time favourite rom-coms, it always gets me in the Christmas spirit. It’s funny, romantic and Jude Law is adorable – the perfect way to spend the night wrapping presents.”
Celia Pacquola
The Rosehaven star loves Tim Allen in The Santa Clause. “I don’t know why, it’s the one movie if it’s on at any point I have to watch it to the end. And you always know which point it is, because if he’s not Santa yet, it’s the start, and if he is Santa, it’s the end.”
Lachy Hulme
Starring in Stan’s rebooted Romper Stomper series, he cheekily nominates the original movie. “Head-kicking always puts me in the mood for a roast turkey lunch. What could be more Christmas-y than that?”
Ita Buttrose
The Studio 10 co-host nominates Love Actually. “It’s funny and sad with unforgettable poignant moments and a fabulous cast including Hugh Grant, Liam Neeson, Bill Nighy, and Colin Firth – what a line-up of gorgeous blokes. And it has one of the best festive songs, Mariah Carey’s All I Want for Christmas is You.”
Shane Jacobson
The Kenny star will appear alongside Magda Szubanski in new Aussie movie The BBQ, out next month. His go-to Christmas film is The Polar Express. “Our family has probably watched it a million times, and I’m sure this Christmas we will increase that number again.”
Benjamin Law
The Screen Time presenter and The Family Law creator, appearing in NASSIM at Arts Centre Melbourne next month, favours Gremlins. “It’s all about the Christmas spirit and the importance of giving cute creatures that can spawn horrific demon monsters. I’m a kid of the ‘80s and ‘90s, so I watched all those creature films with my siblings.”
Josh Lawson
The Little Death director loves Scrooged. “I cry in the last scene every time, when Bill Murray goes off on his rant and has finally learnt his lesson. And I’m not kidding when I say every time. Rivers of tears.”
Stephen Curry
The Hounds of Love star brazenly opted for his own turn in Ben Young’s harrowing movie. “It’s actually set at Christmas. Weird, right? You were thinking I was going to say National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation with Chevy Chase.”
Charlie Pickering
The Weekly host enjoys a Christmas movie trifecta. “My family always begin the holiday season with Love Actually, followed by Elf and ending with It’s A Wonderful Life. They are the most perfect Christmas movies.”
Casey Donovan
The Australian Idol winner and I’m a Celebrity contestant will also sing at Carols By Candlelight. She rates: “Home Alone. All of them, minus the one without McCauley.”
Tom Ballard
The comedian and Tonightly with Tom Ballard host says, “I love About a Boy because it’s funny, melancholic and has one of the finest cinematic soundtracks of all time. It’s about people struggling through life and trying to connect with each other. What’s more Christmas-y than that?”
Tim Campbell
The TV host will sing in Channel Nine’s Carols By Candlelight, but if he was at home with hubby Anthony Callea, he’d watch stop-motion animation The Island of Misfit Toys. “Not gonna lie, I may have teared up once or twice watching it. I’ve hardened up a bit since and also watch Bad Santa to capture the Christmas spirit – mostly vodka!”