Must a Christmas film revolve around Christmas? If it only occurs during Christmas, how significant must the holiday be for it to be considered one of the best Christmas movies? And honestly, does it really have to be a joyful Christmas? The Grinches and Scrooges around us also have streaming subscriptions.
With a more flexible understanding of the holiday, we selected classic Christmas movies of diverse kinds, ranging from nostalgic Old Hollywood classics to contemporary family comedies, along with the raucous, irreverent shows that adults can enjoy after tucking the children in. These holiday movies can be found on streaming services or rented on popular platforms.
Whether you’re a fan of old Christmas movies that take you back to a simpler time or prefer the festive cheer of the best Christmas movies of all time, there’s something for everyone on this list. And, if you’re passionate about Christmas and movies, why not create your own?
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It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
Launched to varied critiques and lackluster box office performance — especially considering director Frank Capra’s reputation as a successful filmmaker following hits like It Happened One Night and Mr. Smith Goes to Washington — It’s a Wonderful Life has risen to become the clear favorite among the best Christmas movies and a shining example of Christmas movie classics.
However, the reasons for its lasting appeal relate to why it took time to gain popularity. The happy, emotionally touching conclusion is incredibly difficult to achieve, coming after a Christmas Eve that represents a profound crisis for George Bailey (James Stewart), a man whose hopelessness nearly pushes him over the edge. It is only upon encountering his guardian angel that George recognizes his worth to his family and community.
Widely regarded as one of the great Christmas movies, this timeless masterpiece has secured its place among Christmas classic movies for its heartfelt message and enduring charm.
A Christmas Story (1983)
In an apparent effort to offset the holiday-themed slasher “Black Christmas” (included later in this compilation), director Bob Clark shifted to this nostalgia-filled comedy, which has emerged as a seasonal classic, although it does contain some frightful elements.
The Parkers are the least fortunate family in their 1940s Midwestern town, and Ralphie (Peter Billingsley) always faces potential humiliation as he yearns for a Red Ryder air rifle for Christmas, yet is repeatedly warned, “You’ll shoot your eye out.” Before his major present, Ralphie has a terrible experience with a mall Santa, uncovers an unsatisfying secret message from Ovaltine, and is made to wear the pink bunny suit his Aunt Clara bought him. However, Ralphie won’t remain a disadvantaged child indefinitely.
Elf (2003)
There was no better option to portray an orphan brought up by North Pole elves than Will Ferrell, whose awkward, adventurous energy had turned him into a rising star on Saturday Night Live. Elf is widely regarded as one of the best Christmas movies, capturing the festive spirit while delivering plenty of laughs.
Possessing the essence of a lengthy sketch, Elf follows Ferrell’s large Buddy as he departs from Santa’s Workshop to New York City in search of his biological father (James Caan), a grumpy children’s book publisher based in the Empire State Building. This holiday classic has become one of the most famous Christmas films, blending humor and heart effortlessly.
Buddy’s charming innocence and unwavering positivity transform Elf into one of the most beloved funny Christmas movies, filled with laugh-out-loud moments and heartwarming scenes. Supported by an exceptional cast featuring Zooey Deschanel, Ed Asner, Mary Steenburgen, and Bob Newhart, it’s undoubtedly one of the must-see Christmas films to watch during the holiday season.
Home Alone (1990)
What is the experience of an 8-year-old when left alone on Christmas? In Home Alone, a festive comedy that has become one of the best Christmas movies, it’s unexpectedly enjoyable for Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin), a mischievous boy who takes control of his family’s large suburban house and defends it against two inept thieves (Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern).
This film has earned its place among the top Christmas movies for its perfect blend of slapstick humor and heartfelt moments. As one of the most famous Christmas films, Home Alone captures the magic and mischief of the holiday season, making it a staple for generations of viewers.
A more heartfelt ending unfolds as Kevin’s family rushes back from Paris to find him, but not before writer John Hughes and director Chris Columbus deliver all the chaos they can from the boy’s limitless creativity and cartoonish traps. It’s no surprise that Home Alone is celebrated as one of the most iconic Christmas movies of all time.
Christmas in Connecticut (1945)
Having established herself as a melodrama expert in “Stella Dallas,” a hidden romantic in “The Lady Eve,” and a cunning femme fatale in “Double Indemnity,” Barbara Stanwyck merges all three traits into a captivating performance in “Christmas in Connecticut,” a heartfelt screwball holiday comedy.
Stanwyck portrays a solitary New Yorker who has been pretending to be a wife and mother from Connecticut to enhance her food column’s appeal to American homemakers. When requested to hold Christmas dinner for a charming war hero (Dennis Morgan), she frantically tries to maintain her fabricated identity, yet amidst the chaos of her imaginary husband and child, she ultimately finds herself attracted to her visitor.
Read also: The Ultimate List of the Best Anime Movies of All Time
White Christmas (1954)
The film equivalent of cozy flannel pajamas, a roaring fireplace, and a generously spiked cup of egg nog, “White Christmas” offers complete comfort, a light musical-comedy that asks little and provides abundant warmth in exchange. Beginning with Bing Crosby performing a fresh version of the title track, which he had first presented over ten years prior in “Holiday Inn,” the movie tracks two Army friends from World War II (Crosby and Danny Kaye) who swiftly rise to fame as a musical pair upon returning home, but desire to establish their lives.
Rosemary Clooney and Vera Ellen perform a charming sister duet that takes them to Vermont for Christmas, resulting in numerous Irving Berlin songs and beautiful settings, thanks to the debut of VistaVision widescreen.
Black Christmas (1974)
John Carpenter’s “Halloween” might be recognized for bringing the first-person camera style to slasher films, yet Bob Clark’s Canadian horror classic achieved this a few years prior, featuring a heavily-breathing murderer pursuing a drunken sorority house on a deserted campus during Christmas.
Margot Kidder (well before her role as Lois Lane) enjoys teasing a prank caller dubbed “The Moaner” by her and her sorority friends, unaware that the calls originate from within the home. While “Black Christmas” follows the familiar pattern of a killer targeting promiscuous youth individually, it also serves as a successful whodunit and maintains a steady stream of dark humor.
Little Women (2019)
In a snow-covered, charming house in 19th-century Massachusetts, Christmas serves as the emotional peak of a turbulent time for the March sisters in Greta Gerwig’s beautiful adaptation of the Louisa May Alcott book. This film is a perfect example of good holiday movies that capture both the festive spirit and the complexities of family relationships.
While the patriarch is away fighting in the Civil War, the Marches are following their own paths: Jo (Saoirse Ronan) aims to publish her work in a predominantly male industry, while Amy (Florence Pugh) heads to Paris to chase her artistic dreams. This heartfelt story easily belongs on any list of good Christmas movies for its warmth, emotional depth, and timeless appeal.
When their sister Beth (Eliza Scanlen) falls ill, Jo and Amy, accompanied by the recently married Meg (Emma Watson), go back to their mother (Laura Dern) for a reunion filled with intense complications and deep emotions. It’s no wonder this film is often considered one of the top 10 Christmas movies, as it perfectly balances festive cheer with meaningful storytelling.
Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
Countless children have faced disillusionment from encounters with a lackluster department store, Santa Claus, yet “Miracle on 34th Street” presents the intriguing idea of Kris Kringle (Edmund Gwenn) being the genuine article.
Certainly, not everyone is convinced that the quirky elderly man brought in to substitute for a drunk Santa at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is genuinely the legendary character from the North Pole, prompting the involvement of the New York legal system. Serving as the audience’s representative in this delightful fantasy, Maureen O’Hara portrays the event director who employs Kris, and her inherent doubt dissolves with the astonishing wonders she experiences directly.
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Scrooged (1988)
At the time, certain critics felt that this comic reinterpretation of Charles Dickens’s “A Christmas Carol” was nearly too jaded, featuring Bill Murray as a TV executive whose harmful demeanor endangers his own live airing of the Dickens tale, with a back-flipping Mary Lou Retton playing Tiny Tim.
However, the sharp edges of “Scrooged” seem less rough today, and Murray’s role as Frank Cross, a Scrooge-like character visited by three aggressive spirits, could not be better suited, building on the joyless deadpan he utilized effectively in ’80s successes like “Stripes” and “Ghostbusters.” Determining whether Frank’s uplifting change — along with that of the film — seems genuine might be somewhat difficult, yet sarcasm is an essential weapon for enduring the holidays.
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The Night Before (2015)
Following a decade-long tradition of partying hard on Christmas Eve, three friends embark on one final wild night in New York City, reminiscent of On the Town but with fewer songs and significantly more hallucinogens. This hilariously chaotic Xmas movie sees Seth Rogen, Anthony Mackie, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt donning the most hideous Christmas sweaters available as they portray overly enthusiastic partygoers hesitantly coming to terms with the duties of young adulthood, all while attempting to attend an elite party.
The aimless, night-long vibe of The Night Before evokes a more chaotic, urban version of Dazed and Confused, featuring an episodic structure that promotes spontaneity and includes numerous guest appearances from actors such as Lizzy Caplan, Mindy Kaling, and Ilana Glazer, along with Michael Shannon portraying a lunatic weed dealer.
Klaus (2019)
Many animated Christmas films geared towards families tend to be excessively sentimental, but this unusual, charming Netflix movie by Spanish writer-director Sergio Pablos takes us to a 19th-century northern setting for a Santa Claus origin tale that genuinely deserves its heartwarming moments.
In the faraway coastal town of Smeerensburg, where two opposing clans are engaged in a fierce conflict, and the community school functions as a fish processing facility, a postal trainee (voiced by Jason Schwartzman) forms a friendship with a solitary toymaker (J.K. Simmons) and their mix of craftsmanship and mail delivery initiates a fresh custom. Rashida Jones, Norm MacDonald, and Joan Cusack complete the voice cast for this unique and extraordinary gem that creates its own quirky mythology.
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Gremlins (1984)
A perfect companion to It’s a Wonderful Life, Joe Dante’s playful comedy disrupts a Capraesque small town when an unusual Christmas gift gives rise to the green invaders featured in the title. As one of the best Christmas movies, Gremlins offers a unique blend of festive cheer and mischievous chaos that sets it apart from traditional holiday films.
During a business trip to Chinatown, an unconventional inventor stumbles upon an adorable creature known as a mogwai and covertly brings it back to his family. However, the new guardians disregard crucial guidelines, such as preventing the mogwai from getting wet and avoiding feeding it after midnight.
The result? The mogwai transforms into the countless beings of the title, who find childlike joy in causing chaos. Combining elements of a monster film and live-action Looney Tunes, Gremlins is an excellent Christmas movie that brings thrilling energy to its picturesque snowy holiday setting.
Final Words
There you have it. You have been blessed with our ultimate Christmas movies list. There is something for everyone. From animated masterpieces to Chrismtas-themed epic romances, one thing is guaranteed: you’ll be left entertained.
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