6 Christmas Movies That Deserve The Broadway Treatment!

Everyone has their favorite holiday movie, but surprisingly few Christmas classics have ever gotten the full Broadway treatment that many of them deserve. When we built this list, we looked for holiday movies with emotional depth, visual spectacle, or thematic weight that could be transformed into a definitive, high-budget Broadway production, be it a play, a musical, or somewhere in between. Some of these titles have had smaller stage adaptations before, but none that truly feel like the "official" Broadway hits that they could be. We can already imagine the peppermint mocha drink specials, the Christmas merch, and the Christmas spirit in the air, so, here are our six holiday favorites that are primed for their Broadway debut.

1. Home Alone

Home Alone would be a live-wire physical comedy style play. Imagine the Christmas version of The Play That Goes Wrong accompanied by the nostalgia and already immense love for this movie. The stage could revolve, rooms could rotate, and traps could reveal themselves in exciting ways for audiences. Although we think this would work really well as a play, there would have to be a lot of movement rehearsal, choreography, and stage combat, incorporating stunt actors for some of the bigger stunts.  A live play version of this would perfectly capture the spectacle, comedy, and sweetness that is this movie.

2. The Polar Express

All ABOARD!!! The tickets for this show would be train tickets, everybody would receive hot hot chocolate, and it would be set as a strong, over-the-top fun, family-friendly musical with puppets. The set could be a giant, moving, magical train, and we have no idea how that would work, which only makes this show idea even more exciting. At its core, this show poses the question, "What does it take to still believe in wonder when you’re growing up?" This show would not only be a large, fun spectacle, but it could be a really nice reminder to all of us that there is a lot of wonder and magic in this season, and it’s only a train -- or subway -- ride away!

3. The Santa Clause

The Santa Clause is a classic Christmas story, and its Broadway version would give many A-List actors a real chance to play an iconic role. This would probably be a play, as we would get a chance to re-watch Scott Calvin go from cynical businessman to a reluctant Father Christmas character. For a seasoned actor, this would be a welcome challenge and a big possibility for transformation. There are also a lot of magical elements to this story, and quick-changes, stunts, and (hopefully) reindeer would all be present. This Broadway version would be somewhat unique on our list as it blends many real-world elements with fantastical ones, and given the chance for a seasonal star-making role, and the love and familiarity with this particular version of Santa, we think this would be a hit.

4. Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey

This would be a soulful, spectacle-forward, Broadway musical full of dancing and joy. So many beloved Christmas shows lean on nostalgia, but Jingle Jangle brings a fresh, modern vibe that would really work for Broadway. The movie is about a genius toymaker, Jeronicus Jangle, losing his spark after having his invention stolen by his apprentice; however, thanks to the help of his granddaughter Journey Jangle, he gets his Christmas spirit back. Tonally, this movie already feels like a musical as it’s full of bold characters, emotional anthems, and ensemble moments that are tailored for Broadway. And just as important, it centers Black storytelling and Black joy, creating a new kind of holiday classic that today’s audiences deeply want to see. The movie’s cast was already prolific, with names like Forest Whitaker, Madalen Mills, Keegan-Michael Key, Anika Noni Rose, and Phylicia Rashad to its credit, so we’re sure that this Broadway version would draw some of the greatest performers of our time.

5. It’s a Wonderful Life

Although there have been adaptations of It’s a Wonderful Life in the form of small plays, radio show renditions, and even an opera, nothing would compare to this fully re-designed Broadway version. It’s a Wonderful Life is regarded by many to be one of the greatest Christmas movies of all time. It has many beautiful messages with the throughline story surrounding George Bailey’s terrifying thought of wondering if things would have been better if he had never been born. When it was first released in 1946, it didn’t do very well at the box office; however, given the universal themes, the timeline, and lines like, "Remember, no man is a failure who has friends," it speaks to many of the great things about this season, and a Broadway show would draw huge crowds.

6. The Nightmare Before Christmas

Last but not least, The Nightmare Before Christmas would not only work as a Christmas show, but it would work in tandem with Beetlejuice. Similar to Beetlejuice, another Tim Burton show, there would be large musical numbers, incredible characters, and tons of magic. This is a rare holiday show that would inspire multiple fanbases. We would see the Disney die-hards, spooky season go-ers, and the theater kids who love the music and theatrics. The set would transform from Halloween Town to Christmas Town, and there would be puppets, crazy costumes, and, musically, a large orchestra. It would easily be a show that ran for many seasons.

One central theme that repeats itself in many of these movies is that of friendship and community. When Kevin was left at home alone, he really needed a pal, or perhaps a few. When George Bailey was down on his luck, Clarence was there to keep him from totally losing it. And if anyone ever stops hearing the silver bell, it will take community and family and friends to remind them what the seasons are all about. We believe that these movies turned Broadway shows will do just that!