What’s the holiday season without the man who invented Christmas? No, I’m not talking about Santa Claus. I mean Charles Dickens and his classic tale, “A Christmas Carol.”
If you haven’t read it (you should, plus it isn’t very long), you’ve definitely seen one of the many film or tv adaptations. With that in mind, I thought why not list all of my favourite adaptations of this classic story.
***OMG I just found out that Amber’s never read “A Christmas Carol”! And she calls herself a Dickens fan. PFFFTTT.
So, without further ado, here they are in no particular order! Be sure to add some of these to your movie list this holiday season.
P.S. Before anyone says anything, no, The Muppet’s Christmas Carol isn’t on here. I was never a fan of them, so I haven’t watched anything to do with them. I’m sure it’s great.
Scrooged, 1988
A selfish, cynical television executive is haunted by three spirits bearing lessons on Christmas Eve.
Director: Richard Donner
Writers: Mitch Glazer, Michael O’Donoghue
Stars: Bill Murray, Karen Allen, John Forsythe
I think my biggest reason I love this movie is because my dad loves it. Ya, it’s only right that I give him a shout out because I would have never watched this movie if it weren’t for him. For all those who know me, you can blame him for my love of 80s films. Also, Bill Murray. It’s hilarious and a great modern interpretation of a Christmas classic.
A Flintstone Christmas Carol, 1994
Fred is cast as Ebenezer Scrooge in a stage adaption of the story, but is acting a bit stingy in real-life.
Director: Joanna Romersa
Writers: Glenn Leopold, Charles Dickens (book)
Stars: Henry Corden, Jean Vander Pyl, Frank Welker
This films SCREAMS nostalgia for me. I remember watching it as a kid and absolutely loving every minute of it. It also helped that I loved the Flintstones, of course. Either way, I always loved when my favourite cartoons would take a stab at “A Christmas Carol”.
Bugs Bunny’s Christmas Carol, 1979
When nasty Ebenezer Scrooge (Yosemite Sam) fires Bob Crachit (Porky Pig) on Christmas Eve, Bugs Bunny sets out to change the miser’s mind that night.
Director: Friz Freleng
Writers: Tony Benedict, John W. Dunn
Star: Mel Blanc
Why stop at the Flintstones? If there is any cartoon my brother and I watched all the time, it was the Looney Tunes. I couldn’t make this list without them, especially if we’re going to mention that magical wonder called nostalgia.
The Man Who Invented Christmas, 2017
The journey that led to Charles Dickens’ creation of “A Christmas Carol,” a timeless tale that would redefine Christmas.
Director: Bharat Nalluri
Writers: Susan Coyne, Les Standiford
Stars: Dan Stevens, Mark Schrier, Patrick Joseph Byrnes
I’ve actually only seen this movie once and it wasn’t during the holiday season. Nevertheless, it’s a good addition to this list as it breaks up the repetitiveness. I mean, that’s expected. We are talking about film adaptations of ONE story. Anyway, this time you get a more inside look at how Charles Dickens came up with the concept and how he creates his characters. For those of you who are writers or aspiring writers, how he develops his characters is a hoot and a half.
A Christmas Carol, 1997
Misanthropic miser Ebenezer Scrooge (Tim Curry) is haunted by his deceased business partner, Jacob Marley (Edward Asner). Marley’s ghost is followed by three more spirits from Christmases Past (Whoopi Goldberg), Present (Kath Soucie), and Yet to Come. Each has a lesson Scrooge must learn.
Director: Stan Phillips
Writers: Charles Dickens (short story “A Christmas Carol”), Jymn Magon (adaptation)
Stars: Tim Curry, Whoopi Goldberg, Michael York
Another movie, another animated feature. Cartoons were a big part of my childhood in the 90s, so it makes sense that a 1997 adaptation would make the list. Out of all of these, besides Scrooged, this is one I’ve watched the most. I mean, Tim Curry, folks. He’s a treasure.
What other “A Christmas Carol” adaptations do you think I should watch? Obviously, I haven’t soon too many, but I am open to watching some more. Comment below to let me know what I should be adding to my watch list this holiday. It’s definitely racking up!
Bibliomavens 
Great post! I LOVE Scrooged, my family and I have watched it around Christmastime for the past few years 🙂 I haven’t seen any of the others, but I had no idea Dan Stevens was in The Man Who Invented Christmas! I loved him in Legion, so I might have to give that one a shot
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