Few stories have been retold as often as Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. Since its publication in 1843, the tale of Ebenezer Scrooge's ghostly redemption has become a festive staple, adapted countless times for stage, radio, and screen. The first film version appeared in 1901, just years after the invention of cinema itself. With new versions, like a reported Johnny Depp-starring horror take, still in the pipeline, which cinematic interpretations truly capture the story's spirit? We've been visited by the Ghost of Christmas Past to select the five very best.
The Timeless Tale of Scrooge
Charles Dickens' novella was an instant sensation upon its release just days before Christmas in 1843. Its transition to performance was swift, with stage adaptations appearing within weeks. Dickens himself gave the first public reading of the book to a rapturous audience at Birmingham Town Hall in 1853. The story's journey to film began with Scrooge, or, Marley's Ghost in 1901, a silent film that used pioneering visual effects for its time. In the 180 years since the book's publication, everyone from Alastair Sim and Patrick Stewart to Jim Carrey and Ryan Reynolds has taken a turn as the miser, proving the story's enduring, universal appeal.
The Top Five Film Adaptations Ranked
5. Mickey's Christmas Carol (1983)
This delightful Disney animated short proves a faithful, if abridged, retelling. Scrooge McDuck finally fulfils the destiny of his name, playing the miser with a Scottish accent and a Logan Roy-esque disdain for his underlings. Mickey Mouse appears as Bob Cratchit, with Goofy as a hilariously clumsy Jacob Marley and Jiminy Cricket as the Ghost of Christmas Past. Packed with loving detail and cameos, like Toad from The Wind in the Willows as Fezziwig, its brisk 26-minute runtime makes it perfect for younger viewers. Mickey's Christmas Carol is available to stream on Disney+.
4. Scrooge (1970)
Following the success of the musical Oliver!, this film adaptation brings song and dance to Dickens' story. A 34-year-old Albert Finney, under excellent makeup, won a Golden Globe for his performance as the titular miser, relishing both the classic "humbug" dialogue and energetic musical numbers like "I Hate People." Alec Guinness is a chilling Jacob Marley, intoning the creepy "See the Phantoms." Nominated for four Academy Awards, this version remains the definitive musical take, superior to its 2022 animated remake. Scrooge (1970) is streaming on Paramount+ in the U.S. and on Prime Video in the UK.
3. Scrooged (1988)
Bill Murray stars in this wildly unconventional, satirical update, playing cynical TV executive Frank Cross. This is a Christmas Carol for the cynical, media-saturated age. The ghosts are brilliantly cast, with New York Dolls frontman David Johansen stealing scenes as a cab-driving, wisecracking Ghost of Christmas Past and Carol Kane as a violently festive Ghost of Christmas Present. Panned by critics on release, its reputation has grown, culminating in a barnstorming, eight-minute climax that is pure Murray. A deliberate antidote to schmaltz, it has become a cult classic. Scrooged is available on Paramount+ and Prime Video in the US, and via Sky Go and Now TV in the UK.
2. A Christmas Carol (1984)
This made-for-television film is often hailed as the most faithful and dramatically powerful adaptation ever made. George C. Scott delivers a bravura, imposing performance as Scrooge, capturing a real nastiness that makes his redemption profoundly moving. It meticulously brings Dickens' entire story to screen while thoughtfully expanding Scrooge's backstory. The result is a chilling, compelling version that The Atlantic called the only "truly great" one in 2023. A Christmas Carol (1984) is streaming on Paramount+, Hulu and Disney+ in the US and can be purchased via Apple TV and Prime Video in the UK.
1. The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
Against all odds, the greatest adaptation is a musical starring a frog, a pig, and whatever Gonzo is. Michael Caine plays Scrooge with utter, unwavering sincerity, never winking at the Muppet mayhem around him, which gives his emotional journey genuine weight. The film is both hilariously funny—packed with rapid-fire gags—and deeply respectful of its source material, with songs by Paul Williams that have become classics. It is a perfect blend of heart, humour, and Dickensian spirit, making it not just the best Christmas Carol, but one of the best Christmas films of all time. The Muppet Christmas Carol is available on Disney+.
A Story for All Christmases
From the heartfelt to the hilarious, these five films demonstrate the incredible versatility of Dickens' original story. Whether you seek traditional fidelity, musical spectacle, cynical satire, or family fun, there is a Scrooge for every viewer. As new adaptations continue to emerge, these versions have earned their place as perennial classics, ensuring that the message of redemption and goodwill continues to resonate with audiences every holiday season.
