Whether on the big screen or the TV screen, hundreds of Christmas movies have been made through the decades — and like Santa’s naughty or nice list, some were good and some were not too good.

“Not too good” would be an understatement when describing “Santa Claus Conquers the Martians.”

Rotten Tomatoes, a website devoted to gathering critics’ reviews, said the film, released in 1964, remains one of the worst Christmas movies ever made and just a really bad film in general.

Million Monkey Theater, which promotes quality B-movie reviews on its website, said the film was “insulting to anyone with an intelligence higher than a gerbil.” Harsh as that may be, the 60-year-old film, which centered on Martians from Mars kidnapping old St. Nick to bring Christmas to all the Martian kiddies, has become somewhat of a cult classic.

TV Christmas kings

Television’s Hallmark Channel is devoted to making all kinds of movies, particularly for Christmas — and not just in December because after all, there is Christmas in July.

The channel got its start in 2001, and since that time, has produced close to 500 holiday films, such as “Battle of the Bulbs,” “Single Santa Seeks Mrs. Claus,” and “The Sons of Mistletoe.”

Hallmark’s higher-ups obviously knew how to capitalize on a good thing. Forbes magazine reported in December 2023 that a third of Hallmark’s ad revenue, $350 million, comes from their its features.

More money is made from Hallmark merchandise as well, with such signature items as “This is My Hallmark Christmas Movie Watching Shirt” and “Shhh … I’m Watching Hallmark Christmas Movies” tree ornaments.

Famous remakes

More than any other holiday story, Charles Dickens’ classic 1843 novella, “A Christmas Carol,” has been adapted to the screen dozens of times. Ebenezer Scrooge, Bob Cratchit, Marley, Fezziwig, Tiny Tim and Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come are among its cast of characters. Daniel Smith was the first actor to portray the miserly curmudgeon in the 1901 British silent film, “Scrooge or Marley’s Ghost.” It wouldn’t take very long to watch, so don’t bother making popcorn. Originally, the film was just over 6 minutes. Now, only 3 minutes and 26 seconds have been preserved. Nine years later, the Thomas Edison Studio released its 10-minute version, which reportedly had “pretty decent special effects for its time.”

The first “A Christmas Carol” movie may have been released in 1901, but it was not the first Christmas story to be immortalized on film.

That distinction goes to “Santa Claus,” directed by pioneer British filmmaker George Albert Smith. Filmed in 1898, if you blink, you just might miss the entire flick, which is only 77 seconds long.

Actors such as Alastair Sim, Albert Finney, Jim Carrey, George C. Scott, Bill Murray, and others have tackled the role of Scrooge, the fictional old grump. Capitalizing on its continued popularity, “The Muppet Christmas Carol,” was released in 1992. The movie starred acclaimed British actor Michael Caine as Scrooge, with Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy as Bob and Emily Cratchit.

Caine received rave reviews for his performance and the New York Daily News called the movie a “delightfully imaginative musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic tale.”

Top Christmas movies

The top grossing Christmas movie of all time is the 2018 animated film “The Grinch,” which featured the voices of Benedict Cumberbatch and Rashida Jones. The still popular “Home Alone,” released in 1990, is second on the list, with revenue at close to $477 million.

A feature on holiday stories brought to the big screen would not be complete without mentioning “A Christmas Story” and “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Set in 1940, “A Christmas Story” is the tale of Ralphie and his quest for the best Christmas gift ever, a Red Ryder Carbine Action 200-shot Range Model air rifle.

Released in 1983, while it got positive reviews 41 years ago, it was not a box office smash by any means. It wasn’t until it was released for VCR and later, as a DVD, did it reach its zenith in popularity.

“There are many small but perfect moments,” wrote the late Roger Ebert, longtime movie critic for the Chicago Sun Times, who said there was “a real knowledge of human nature beneath the comedy.”

Jay Carr, the film critic for the Boston Globe, wrote a 1983 review that told of its future.

“A Christmas Story isn’t just about Christmas; it’s about childhood and it recaptures a time and place with love and wonder,” wrote Carr. “It seems an instant classic, a film that will give pleasure to people not only this Christmas, but for many Christmases to come.”

Carr was right. The film did become a classic.

A holiday tradition since 1997, the movie airs each year on TBS and TNT beginning on Christmas Eve and plays nonstop for 24 hours. Oddly enough, “It’s a Wonderful Life” did not do well when it was released in 1946. The Frank Capra film is now considered not only one of the best Christmas movies, but one of the best films in movie history.

Starring Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed, the movie didn’t even break even at the box office. It wasn’t until it made its way into the public domain in 1974 that the film would get much of its accolades.

Now 78 years old, the film remains a favorite among many and a must-see each holiday season.