Podcast Summary: "Your Christmas Movie Ranking is WRONG, Here Are the Correct Answers"
The Isabel Brown Show — The Daily Wire | December 19, 2025
Episode Overview
In this special Christmas episode, Isabel Brown takes a break from covering heavy news and delivers a passionate, definitive ranking of the top eight Christmas movies of all time—ending, in her view, with the greatest Christmas movie ever made. Infusing personal anecdotes, humor, and cultural commentary, she invites listeners into her family’s beloved holiday traditions while sparking some friendly (and not so friendly) debate over what truly makes a Christmas movie “great.” With bold and occasionally controversial takes, Isabel’s list covers classics, modern favorites, cult hits, and underappreciated gems.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Opening and The “Polar Express” Rant
- Isabel launches the episode cozy in Christmas jammies, determined to settle once and for all which movies deserve a spot at the top.
- Unapologetic Hot Take: The Polar Express is not just a bad adaptation, but actually “a creepy horror movie.”
- Isabel says:
“The Polar Express is a creepy horror movie…animation style? Creepy. Tom Hanks running a train by himself with no parents around? Creepy. Creepy, creepy. Creepy. The Polar Express sucks. The book is great. The movie is terrible.” (06:40)
- She resolves this will not be shown in her household.
- Isabel says:
2. Isabel’s Christmas Movie Criteria
- Shares her family’s deep love for Christmas movies—especially her sister Gabby, who starts watching Hallmark Christmas movies on October 31 and celebrates half-Christmas and “Christmas in July.”
- Isabel’s list is highly personal but claims “objectively” to be the authoritative ranking.
Isabel Brown’s Official Top 8 Christmas Movies
8. The Year Without a Santa Claus (46:50)
- A claymation classic featuring the Heat Miser and Snow Miser.
- Gives it cult-status love, calls it “one of our family’s favorites—a must watch every single Christmas.”
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“If you guys haven’t seen it yet, you absolutely need to.” (50:28)
7. Home Alone (24:30)
- Recognizes its cultural ubiquity and quotability, but finds the premise unrealistic as a parent.
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Highlights its Catholic undertones and the message of faith and redemption in scenes with Kevin at church.
> “No mother in their right mind…would ever forget their child all the way through the airport…” > “What I really love about Home Alone is actually the religious undertones…learning how to find the common, shared humanity in one another. Oh, it’s so, so, so, so good.” *(25:18, 26:44)*
6. White Christmas (11:30)
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Timeless and musical, but just misses top 5.
> “Would I say it’s a top five Christmas movie? I don’t know…It’s a great movie. I will go back to it year after year.” *(12:54)*
5. Miracle on 34th Street (1994 Version) (15:19)
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Defends the 1994 Mara Wilson version over the original, emphasizing the courtroom scene as her favorite legal moment on film.
> “If you’re not crying at that [Santa signing ASL to a deaf girl], there’s something seriously wrong with you.” *(18:55)*
4. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Jim Carrey) (52:00)
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Praises Jim Carrey’s performance, the physical and mental ordeal of his makeup process, and the deeply meaningful story about giving and transformation.
> “Nothing beats Jim Carrey as the Grinch…For a kids book, it is like the most deeply meaningful story of all time.” *(53:10)*
3. The Santa Clause (Tim Allen) (19:22)
- In her eyes, Tim Allen delivers the quintessential “modern” Santa, capturing the “whimsy” of belief.
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Cherishes its practical effects and nostalgia:
> “Even though the CGI was very rudimentary…the practicality of the sets, of the reindeer, of the elf costumes, is part of the reason I love this movie even more.” *(20:58)*
2. Elf (31:24)
- The most “quotable movie of all time,” beloved across all ages for its humor and heart.
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Credits Will Ferrell’s improvisational chaos and the universal appeal:
-> “It captures that same spirit…crusty old, angry grownups learning how to fall in love with beauty, with magic, and believing in something bigger than themselves again.” *(35:00)*
> “It is incredible. It is hilarious, it’s whimsical, it’s fun. It is a hit every single time you watch it.” (35:13)
1. It’s a Wonderful Life (56:00–52:00)
- Declares this the greatest Christmas film—indeed, possibly one of the top three movies ever made—because it centers on sacrificial love, service, community, and faith.
- Offers an in-depth recap, highlighting George Bailey’s struggles, the impact of his choices, and the central lesson:
“That our lives matter because of what we give to others and the love that we experience in our marriages, in our families, in our communities, and in what we can do to help those who are truly marginalized and who do truly need our acts of service.” (50:16)
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Memorable Quotes/Scenes:
> “It is a beautiful portrayal of the human experience of sorrow, of narcissism, of having to navigate the sense of self versus your sense of service to others…” *(51:35)*- Features audio clips of key emotional scenes and analysis of the story’s themes relating to faith and Western values.
- References debates about whether the villain, Mr. Potter, is really “the good guy” (citing Ben Shapiro’s financial analysis), and restates her view that true capitalism must be measured by how it serves people.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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On defining the list:
> “Because I am the arbiter of truth…obviously, the greatest Christmas movies of all time.” *(02:30)* -
On family tradition:
> “My daughter is starting to fall in love with Christmas movies now that she's a little bit more aware of what she's watching every day. And it has been so much fun getting to share some of these with her already.” *(07:42)* -
On “Elf’s” universality:
> “Everyone loves this movie. It is probably the most quotable movie of all time.” *(33:10)*
Timestamps for Major Segments
- Intro and The “Polar Express” Rant (00:00–06:40)
- Movie Ranking Begins:
- White Christmas (11:30)
- Miracle on 34th Street (15:19)
- The Santa Clause (19:22)
- Home Alone (24:30)
- Elf (31:24)
- The Year Without a Santa Claus (46:50)
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas (52:00)
- It’s a Wonderful Life (56:00–52:00 [sic; context continuity])
- In-Depth “It’s a Wonderful Life” Analysis (35:51–53:00)
- With dialogue highlights and cultural analysis throughout
Episode Tone and Style
Isabel balances humor, nostalgia, faith, and “bold truth-seeking.” She frequently jokes about being “objectively correct” and pokes fun at hot takes, while connecting each ranking to broader lessons about family, faith, and the meaning of Christmas in American culture. Family stories and heartfelt personal anecdotes keep the conversation warm and relatable.
For Further Listening
Isabel teases upcoming episodes debating whether Christian families should do “Santa”—promising more cultural and faith discussions in future holiday episodes.
Summary Table: Isabel’s Definitive Christmas Movie Rankings
| Rank | Movie | Reasoning Highlights | |------|----------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1 | It’s a Wonderful Life | Ultimate story about community, faith, and self-sacrifice | | 2 | Elf | Hilarious, universally beloved, endlessly quotable | | 3 | The Santa Clause (Tim Allen) | Modern Santa magic, practical effects, nostalgia | | 4 | How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Carrey) | Deep themes of transformation, iconic pop culture moments | | 5 | Miracle on 34th Street (1994) | Heartwarming, best legal scene, magic of belief | | 6 | White Christmas | Timeless musical, family favorite | | 7 | Home Alone | Quotable, entertaining, deep religious undertones | | 8 | The Year Without a Santa Claus | Cult classic, retro claymation, “Snow Miser” & “Heat Miser” charm |
Final Words
Isabel encourages listeners to unplug and be present with loved ones this Christmas, emphasizing the spiritual and communal heart of the season. She signs off with prayers for a blessed Christmas and promises more holiday-themed episodes soon.
This summary captures the episode’s logical flow, major topics, notable commentary, and the playful, candid style of Isabel Brown’s Christmas ranking special.