15 Best Christmas Carol Adaptations Ranked

15. Robert Zemeckis’ A Christmas Carol (2009)

The furthest from the 1901 silent film both in time and technology is Robert Zemeckis’ 2009 computer-animated version that starred Jim Carrey as Scrooge and each of the Christmas Spirits. The huge budget for this production was more than made up for by a few weeks atop the box office charts, but the film didn’t quite turn into a worldwide blockbuster the way Disney had probably intended. Personally, I blame the Uncanny Valley effect for this film not being bigger than it was.

The character design and effects work are well-crafted and perfectly suited for Dickens’ exploration of the supernatural, but much like Zemeckis’ previous use of this animation technology in the 2004 film The Polar Express, there’s just something unsettling about the characters’ faces. However, these visuals work spectacularly well when applied to Scrooge’s visits across time and space, specifically during Fezziwig’s fantastical Christmas party. And while Scrooge’s redemption scene benefits from Carrey’s particular brand of over-the-top acting, the fact that Carrey also plays the part of all three Spirits limits their range somewhat. This is a worthwhile and fairly traditional adaptation despite the modern technology, but if the Uncanny Valley effect bothers you, look elsewhere.

14. FX’s ‘A Christmas Carol’ (2019)

I appreciate the exploration of just how dark a 19th century Scrooge (Guy Pearce) could have gone; I actually applaud this version for bringing some rawness and grit to a story that’s become somewhat sanitized in popular adaptations to date. For the bulk of the telling, A Christmas Carol should scare the coal out of both good and sinful people the world over, because it’s an exposé of all of us at our worst moments, a critique of humankind and how we behave on every day of the year except for those where holiday traditions demand we actually be civil for once. But while Knight pays homage to both classic moments in the 176-year-old tale and adaptations gone by, as well as adding his own clever twists and turns to the narrative, neither Scrooge nor the audience is given a chance to breathe free and celebrate joyously. That’s a missed opportunity that robs the story of its redemptive power.

Knight wants his Scrooge to be both a mustache-twirling villain who uses facts and figures to make each and every cold, calculated decision regardless of the human or emotional costs involved, but he also wants us to empathize with Scrooge well before there’s any hint of repentance. That idea in and of itself isn’t new; we’ve seen Scrooge’s troubled boyhood days left alone over the holiday break at a boarding school, or suffering in silence at the death of his sister or the heartbreaking dissolution of his romantic relationships. That used to be enough to humanize Scrooge. Now, Knight has to take that idea to extremes. Abuse of all kinds afflicts the young Scrooge in just about every way imaginable. The adult Scrooge uses this reality as an excuse to harden his heart and treat everyone around him with contempt and disdain, and it’s only when he can voice these past pains against him that he’s able to move forward.

That would be fine if Scrooge was offered the time and opportunity to bounce back in the other direction. Some of the best moments from other adaptations of A Christmas Carol come while watching Scrooge act like a lighthearted boy once more, despite his advanced age and notorious reputation as a cruel miser and skinflint. Pearce’s Scrooge is robbed of this. His character is taken so far into the darkness that basic empathy and care for another human being is as close as he can get to joy, happiness, and reveling in the Christmas spirit. This Scrooge is not hollering from top-floor windows for Christmas goose or dancing around his bedroom with a song in his heart and a spring in his step, and that’s a shame, because Pearce has the talent to let loose but the gravitational pull of this version’s dark subject material just wouldn’t let him go.

FX’s A Christmas Carol certainly brings something new to the tried-and-true story and it’s worth a watch for that alone. It plumbs the depths of darkness to the point that even the usually buoyant Cratchit Family is dragged down with Scrooge. But without a redemptive rise to counterbalance all that darkness, A Christmas Carol misses out on the meaning of the story and the greater meaning of the Christmas season.

13. Mickey’s Christmas Carol (1983)

If you’re looking for a great introductory version of A Christmas Carol to show the kids, then look no further than this special. Not only does it have a fairly short runtime of about 25 minutes, it also features some of Disney’s most recognizable toons. And if you’re looking for a modern connection to this 1983 special, look no further than current chief creative officer of Pixar Animation Studios, Walt Disney Animation Studios, and DisneyToon Studios, John Lasseter, who’s crew listing on this short notes his “creative talent.”

Originally named after Ebenezer Scrooge himself, none other than Scrooge McDuck plays the villainous role in this version; could you have it any other way? And while the various Disney creations that pop up throughout the story are as delightful as you’d expect, my very favorite one is the toon that ends up being the Spirit of Christmas Yet to Come. I won’t spoil the reveal here, but it should bring a smile to Disney fans young and old.

12. A Flintstone’s Christmas Carol (1994)

Now we can start getting into the serious stuff! While a Flintstones adaptation might not spring to mind when thinking about A Christmas Carol adaptations, this 1994 special is actually quite good. It’s a must-watch for fans of Bedrock’s first family, and a great way for the whole family to enjoy Dickens’ Christmas tale.

Much like Mister Magoo’s version, this special sees the town of Bedrock putting on A Christmas Carol production with Fred Flintstone playing Scrooge, of course. Unlike that version, however, the Flintstones writers expertly play on the franchise characters’ traits – such as Slate stating he’d make a better Scrooge than Fred, which Barney agrees with – and weave in modern humor – like last-minute Christmas shoppers running over a mall Santa – in order to add a meta layer or two. Further deepening this tale, Fred’s star status starts to go to his head as the play goes on, and it’s up to his family, friends, and fellow cast members to bring his ego back down to Earth. It not only entertains adults and children alike, it manages to pull of Dickens’ Christmas classic and reforms Fred’s selfishness at the same time. Yabba-dabba-doo!

11. A Christmas Carol (1999)

He’s played Professor X, Captain Jean-Luc Picard, and even King Richard, but taking on the role of Ebenezer Scrooge in this television special allowed Patrick Stewart to cross the iconic character off his to-do list. Granted, the TV movie came after a run of Stewart’s theatrical performances of A Christmas Carol on Broadway and in London. Despite the gravitas he brings to the role, this isn’t the best of the live-action adaptations (though it did earn a primetime Emmy nomination), even if it’s far from the worst.

There are some elements of Dickens’ story that are rekindled in this version that others seem to have forgotten, such as the author’s metaphorical mulling over the phrase “dead as a doornail” or the visit to far-flung Christmas revelers at a distant lighthouse and a ship at sea during the Ghost of Christmas Present’s lesson. But Stewart’s Scrooge eventually just sort of wanders through his scenes, even though the supporting cast is strong. It makes his redemptive scene towards the movie’s end a little less impactful, though watching it just for Stewart’s bizarre laughter as Scrooge learns to take himself less seriously almost makes it all worthwhile.

10. A Christmas Carol (1997)

If your kids have graduated past the stage of Flintstones and Mickey Mouse but still prefer to view their Dickens’ stories in animated fashion, then this 1997 version makes a great next step. It features the fantastic Tim Curry in the voice role of Scrooge, which not only gives him a chance to bring his usual villainous flair to the character but also lets him experience some redemption (for once). And although this is a musical version, it’s one of the rare ones that actually manages to conjure up some emotion through the songs themselves.

This version has a few departures from Dickens’ story, like Scrooge’s cartoonish bulldog (named Debit) or Scrooge engaging in an epic song battle against a tavern full of well-wishers calling for “Random Acts of Kindness.” The songs feel much more organic than other musical versions, perhaps owing to the animated nature of the movie, but two in particular are very effective. One occurs during the lessons of Christmas Past when a younger Scrooge and his fiancee Belle are trying to sort out their relationship and “cross this bridge together”; it’s fittingly heart-breaking. Another occurs during Scrooge’s redemptive scene in which Curry gets to express his character’s Christmas spirit through a song. That’s the way you do musicals, and this is the way you do an animated Christmas Carol.

9. Spirited (2022)

Will Ferrell and Ryan Reynolds delight in Spirited, a modern Christmas Carol-inspired musical comedy. As political strategist Clint Briggs, Reynolds oozes his typically hilarious cynical charm. Briggs has lost his way and his naughty antics have earned him the starring role in this season’s haunting. But can Ferrell’s character – his identity being quite the holiday twist – design a haunting impressive and compelling enough to realign Briggs’ moral compass? While the catchy tunes, fun dance numbers with fabulous choreography, and overall modern take certainly elevate this Christmas Carol version, it’s Octavia Spencer as Kimberly, Briggs’ associate, who absolutely steals the show. Her song, especially, is a heartfelt moment worthy of holiday time viewing. – Rebecca Landman

8. The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)

We’ll pretty much be splitting hairs from here on out, because these adaptations of A Christmas Carol appeal to different folks for different reasons. In this particular instance, die-hard Muppets fans would probably like to see this version a little higher on the list, but I’m not as fond of the Jim Henson creations as most are. That aside, my only gripe with this version has nothing to do with the fantastically funny Muppets, but rather with their very human Scrooge.

You’d think that two time Oscar-winner Michael Caine would be able to pull off Scrooge in his sleep, but I was surprised to find that he seemed to walk through the role at times. Maybe it was the humorous, fourth-wall-breaking style of the Muppets that threw him off, or maybe he felt like he was playing second fiddle to a cast of funny puppets. The Muppets folks certainly know how to punch up the humor in scenes that seem tailor-made for their brand of hijinks; can you really have a better Fezziwig than Fozzie-wig? But ultimately it’s Caine’s sometimes-flat performance as Scrooge – even during his sing-song redemptive moments – that keeps this version from climbing higher on the list. Plus, Brett Goldstein recently interviewed the Muppets about this movie for their 30th anniversary.

7. A Christmas Carol (1984)

It’s at this point in the list where we start to talk about the classic adaptations of A Christmas Carol and the names associated with them. I hate to say it, but if someone mentioned George C. Scott, I’d know his name from this 1984 version of the holiday tale before I’d recall his Oscar-winning title role in director Franklin J. Schaffner’s biopic Patton, or his part in Stanley Kubrick’s Dr. Strangelove. There’s actually quite a bit of starpower in this TV movie, including Oscar-nominated Frank Finlay, Emmy-winner David Warner, and Emmy-nominated actor, the late Roger Reese.

With big-name stars on the small screen, this adaptation certainly feels more like a feature-length period drama. The pacing is slowed down to allow viewers to soak into the experience and the actors appear to do the same. Interestingly, the religious iconography is more overt in this version than others, for example, when Jacob Marley’s ghost appears from just beneath a painting of “The Last Supper.” Scott’s redemptive scenes at the movie’s end is one of the best out of all the adaptations, a moment that led to his nomination for a Primetime Emmy for the role. If you haven’t seen this version, definitely add it to your list.

6. Scrooge: A Christmas Carol (2022)

The latest Christmas Carol rendition dreamed up by Netflix, Scrooge A Christmas Carol is an animated musical, exploring the classic tale with modern touches. Luke Evans stars as Ebeneezer Scrooge, a familiar crumedgeon with a heartwarming dog companion named Prudence. Olivia Colman delights as the Ghost of Christmas past, whimsically winding Scrooge through the memories of his past, encouraging him to change for the better. While it’s not necessarily the absolute strongest take on the classic story, the animated nature of this rendition provides powerfully emotional moments – the kind you want out of any solid holiday movie. The animation style also really successfully brings the almost science-fictiony nature of this Christmas story – what with all the time traveling – into sharper focus, finding really creative ways to carry the audience through time and unpacking Scrooge’s memories effectively.

5. Scrooged (1988)

Easily the best non-traditional adaptation of A Christmas Carol, Richard Donner’s 1988 comedy Scrooged is a testament to just how timeless Dickens’ tale is. Set in the hyper-violent and profit-obsessed entertainment world of the 1980s, Bill Murray plays Frank Cross, a TV network executive who’s under the gun to bring in huge numbers for the channel’s upcoming Christmas special. What follows is an exploration that goes behind the scenes of a “traditional” TV adaptation of the story, and more importantly, a character examination of Cross as a modern-day Scrooge.

You can tell right off the bat whether the brand of humor seen in Scrooged is your cup of mulled cider or not, as it opens with a promotional piece showing armed assailants shooting up Santa’s workshop, only to see Lee Majors save the day. That sort of humor continues as Cross is visited by three Christmas spirits, causing him to hallucinate wildly and put production of his Christmas special in jeopardy. It’s worth noting that this is a very loose adaptation of the story, but the emotion between Cross and his bleeding-heart true love Claire (Karen Allen) is a great example of how adaptations can trump translations. And using a classic tale of redemption as the framework for a satire of modern culture’s desire to embrace the irredeemable is just too good to pass up. Make sure Scrooged is on your watchlist if you want something other than the traditional adaptation.

4. A Christmas Carol (1971)

Our last animated version of A Christmas Carol came as a surprise to me. It’s one of the few versions I hadn’t seen before and is now one of my favorites. I love the traditional hand-drawn animation that brings the characters to life in a realistic portrayal, though occasionally transitioning to sketchy or dream-like styles. It’s a beautiful rendition of Dickens’ tale that looks like classic Victorian era illustrations come to life. It also helps that Alastair Sim reprises his role of Scrooge, a role he made famous 20 years earlier.

This adaptation, a brisk 25-minute one at that, is both charming and spooky, providing an experience that’s the next best thing to reading the tale itself. It does something I have rarely seen in live-action adaptations: While Scrooge bears witness to the lessons of the Christmas Spirits, his mind occasionally flashes back to a moment in his recent past when he could have, and should have, been kinder. It’s done with a deft touch and shows attention to detail, much like the character design that draws directly from Dickens’ own poetic descriptions. While the ending feels a bit rushed and Scrooge’s redemption falls short of some of the live-action performances on this list, this one’s a hidden gem.

3. Scrooge (1935)

Now we’re solidly into the classics. Again, your mileage may vary here, but for my money and time, these three are the best traditional adaptations of A Christmas Carol that currently exist. The oldest of them is this 1935 version starring Sir Seymour Hicks in the role of Scrooge. It’s the rare version that actually includes Dickens’ playful preface at the introduction of the tale, but adds its own clever embellishments along the way. One such embellishment is what made this adaptation so endearing to me.

Though Scrooge is a very rich man in all versions of the tale, this telling goes a step further in elucidating that fact. Yes, there’s the portrayal of Scrooge as thinking himself above the common man, especially street urchins and those who owe him money, but director Henry Edwards goes further. While later adaptations stick to this one-sided portrayal of Scrooge, this version takes time to show the royal family and their many, many guests and servants celebrating Christmas with a lavish feast. The opulence, refinement, and even humor of this one scene is juxtaposed against Scrooge’s own meager feast (by his own design) in a dingy chop house in which he sups alone. Bookending Scrooge’s scenes in this manner is a brilliant way to show him as a man adrift in society. That alone makes this Scrooge one of my favorite adaptations, but the fact that it feels like the most earnest and least “produced” certainly doesn’t hurt. The only downside is that Hicks feels a bit too old to really let himself get carried away during the redemptive scene. Regardless, this version is definitely worth your time.

2. A Christmas Carol (1938)

Appearing just a few short years after Edwards’ version, Edwin L. Marin’s 1938 take featured Reginald Owen in the role of Scrooge, along with Hollywood darlings Gene and Kathleen Lockhart (and their daughter June Lockhart) as the Cratchits. This is one of the rare adaptations that explores the lives of some of the tale’s supporting characters a bit more and does so in a way that casts light on Scrooge’s character, or lack thereof.

Much like the previous version on our list that bookended scenes of Scrooge with moments of penury and extravagance, so does this version frame Scrooge with scenes of his clerk Bob Cratchit and Scrooge’s nephew, Fred. What’s wonderful about this approach is that each of the men delight in the Christmas spirit without worrying about their financial situation. In fact, Bob is actually fired by Scrooge in this version, but goes a bit goofy and buys the biggest Christmas feast his family’s ever seen. Though the encounters with the ghosts are not quite as fantastical as those in Dickens’ book, Owen’s performance is an endearing one. Scrooge’s villainy is soon unmasked to reveal a sad and lonely old man, which is torn away altogether in Owen’s delightful redemptive moment. Perhaps it’s a fitting testament to the strength of this movie’s supporting cast that the best example of Scrooge’s change of heart is seen in the reactions of those who know him best. This is a solid adaptation that should be on your watchlist year after year.

1. A Christmas Carol (1951)

Here it is! The granddaddy of them all! The best adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol of all time, IMHO. It’s the most dramatic work of all the versions listed above, with Alastair Sim turning in a wonderfully nuanced performance that is at turns despicable and delightful. There’s humor to be found in every scene, even if it’s Scrooge scaring off carolers, or dismissing extra bread at dinner, or even facing his own death. There are beautiful moments brought to life by Sim and his co-stars that could easily be missed or under-appreciated during a cursory viewing, making this version not only the best adaptation but the one most deserving of repeat viewings.

I’ll grant that the spirits might be a bit more pedestrian than some of the others presented in this list, but Sim’s ability to act circles around any technological shortcomings in the effects department more than makes up for this. The real homerun in this version is Sim’s portrayal of Scrooge’s redemption. It’s easily the most uplifting, spirited, child-like, and hilarious performance found on this list. He sings, he dances, he literally stands on his head. He terrifies his housekeeper with his newfound Christmas spirit and his laughter is positively infectious. In fact, if you give Dickens’ classic tale another read and watch Sim’s portrayal soon after, I think you’ll agree that this is the closest an adaptation has ever come to bringing the pages of A Christmas Carol to life.