65 Christmas Movies to Watch this Holiday Season
One of my favorite ways holiday tradition is to curl up with a cozy blanket watch a good movie with my whole family.
I love having a mix of old favorites and new discoveries, for those chilly evenings when we are all ready for our Christmas family movie date.
In this post, I’ve put together Christmas movies including nostalgic classics, comedies, animated adventures, romantic holiday favorites, which I hope your family likes as well. Scroll below and pick your favorites.
- Please note: Streaming availability is subject to change and may vary by location. Please check your preferred streaming service for the latest availability.
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Classic, Nostalgic Christmas Films
1. Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
This beloved Christmas classic follows Kris Kringle, a kind-hearted man hired to play Santa Claus at a department store. When he insists that he really is Santa, his identity is challenged in court. See the movie here.
2. A Christmas Story (1983)
This comedy follows young Ralphie Parker as he tries to convince his parents that a Red Ryder BB gun is the Christmas gift he wants most. But between school mishaps, family antics, and holiday traditions, Ralphie’s Christmas plans don’t go quite as smoothly as he imagines. Watch the movie here.
- Parent note: This comedy has some irreverent and slapstick humor, so parents may wish to check its rating and content before choosing it for younger children.
3. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) and The Grinch (2018)
The 2000 film stars Jim Carrey as the grumpy Grinch, who plots to steal Christmas from Whoville. The 2018 animated version offers a colorful retelling of the same story.
4. White Christmas (1954)
This classic musical brings together two entertainers who team up with a sister act to help save a struggling Vermont inn. A lovely choice for families who enjoy old-fashioned holiday musicals. See this movie.
5. It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
George Bailey has spent his life helping others, but on Christmas Eve, he reaches a breaking point. An angel shows him how different the world would have been without him. Watch here.
6. Prancer (1989)
Young Jessica believes she has found one of Santa’s reindeer after discovering an injured reindeer. Determined to nurse it back to health, she discovers the power of believing in something magical. See the movie here.
7. All I Want for Christmas (1991)
Siblings Ethan and Hallie come up with a plan to reunite their divorced parents before Christmas. It’s a sweet nostalgic pick for families who enjoy stories about family reunions. Streaming: Kanopy and Hoopla
8. A Christmas Carol (1984)
George C. Scott plays Ebenezer Scrooge in this traditional adaptation of Dickens’s famous tale. When three spirits visit the miserly businessman on Christmas Eve, they reveal the consequences of his choices and give him an opportunity to change. Watch it here.
Funny Christmas Movies for a Family Movie Night
9. The Santa Clause Trilogy (1994, 2002, 2006)
When an ordinary dad unexpectedly becomes Santa Claus, his life takes a magical turn, leading to 3 films filled with North Pole adventures and mishaps. Streaming: Disney+
10. Christmas with the Kranks (2004)
When their daughter announces a surprise Christmas visit, a couple who planned to skip the holidays must scramble to pull together a festive celebration. See the movie here.
11. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)
Clark Griswold tries to host the ultimate family Christmas, but annoying relatives and bad luck turn it into pure chaos. Watch the movie here
12. Home Alone (1990) and Home Alone 2 (1992)
Kevin McCallister is accidentally left behind during Christmas vacation in the first movie, then finds himself lost in New York City in the hilarious sequel, where he outsmarts two familiar burglars once again.
13. Diary of a Wimpy Kid Christmas: Cabin Fever (2023)
When Greg Heffley accidentally damages a snowplow while building a snowman, he worries he’ll end up on Santa’s naughty list, especially when a massive snowstorm traps him indoors with his family just before Christmas. Streaming: Disney+
14. Four Christmases (2008)
A couple tries to visit all four of their divorced parents’ families on Christmas Day, leading to awkward family drama. Watch the movie.
15. Jingle All the Way (1996)
A busy dad races around town on Christmas Eve, desperately trying to find a sold-out Turbo Man action figure for his son in this chaotic holiday comedy starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. Watch this movie.
16. Deck the Halls (2006)
Two neighbors turn Christmas decorating into a hilarious rivalry when one sets out to make his house visible from space. Get this movie.
17. Elf (2003)
A human raised by Santa’s elves travels to New York City to find his biological dad and spread holiday cheer. See the movie.
18. Fred Claus (2007)
Santa’s mischievous older brother Fred heads to the North Pole, where sibling rivalry and holiday chaos threaten to disrupt Christmas. See here.
Animated Holiday Movies
19. The Polar Express (2004)
A young boy who is beginning to doubt Santa takes a magical train ride to the North Pole and discovers the wonder of believing in Christmas. See this movie.
20. Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas (2011)
When Sid accidentally destroys Manny’s treasured Christmas rock, he travels to the North Pole with his friends to make things right before Christmas. Streaming: Disney+
21. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
When Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, discovers Christmas, he becomes determined to take over the holiday. Get this movie.
22. That Christmas (2024)
A record-breaking snowstorm throws the seaside town of Wellington-on-Sea into holiday chaos. Streaming: Netflix.
23. Klaus (2019)
A selfish postman and a reclusive toymaker form an unlikely friendship that brings kindness and Christmas spirit to a divided town. Streaming: Netflix.
24. Arthur Christmas (2011)
When Santa’s high-tech gift delivery operation accidentally misses one child, his enthusiastic son Arthur sets out on a race against time to save Christmas. Watch here.
25. Scrooge: A Christmas Carol (2022)
This animated musical reimagines Charles Dickens’s classic tale as Ebenezer Scrooge confronts three Christmas spirits and gets a chance to change his future. Streaming: Netflix.
26. The Flight Before Christmas (2008)
A young reindeer named Niko ventures away from home, discovering friendship and courage along the way. Streaming: YouTube Free
27. Angela’s Christmas (2017)
Little Angela comes up with a compassionate idea that leads to a touching story about love and family during Christmas. Streaming: Netflix.
28. The Snowman (1982)
When a young boy’s snowman magically comes to life, the two embark on a beautiful, wordless adventure to the North Pole. Streaming: Fandango at Home
29. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)
A young reindeer with a glowing red nose runs away from home and ends up saving Christmas for Santa. See this movie.
30. Shrek the Halls (2007)
Shrek tries to plan a quiet family Christmas, but Donkey and the gang have other ideas. Streaming: Crave and HBO Max (in select regions)
31. Kung Fu Panda Holiday (2010)
Po must balance hosting an important winter celebration with spending the holiday with his father in this funny animated special. Streaming: Amazon Prime, Netflix (might not be available in all countries)
32. Robin Robin (2021)
An optimistic little robin raised by a family of mice makes a Christmas wish that leads her on a heartwarming journey. Streaming: Netflix.
33. Barbie in the Nutcracker (2001)
When Clara receives a magical nutcracker, she is swept into an enchanting adventure to help break a spell and defeat the Mouse King. Streaming: Disney+
Best Romantic Holiday Movies
34. While You Were Sleeping (1995)
A lonely transit worker saves a handsome stranger’s life and is mistaken for his fiancée while he is in a coma. Streaming: Disney+
35. Love Actually (2003)
Follows the lives of eight very different couples dealing with love and heartbreak in London before Christmas. Streaming: Netflix, STARZ
36. Serendipity (2001)
Two strangers spend a magical night together in New York and leave it up to fate to bring them together again. See here.
37. The Shop Around the Corner (1940)
Two gift shop co-workers who can’t stand each other unknowingly fall in love through anonymous letters. Watch here.
38. The Holiday (2006)
A cozy, feel-good romance set around Christmas, featuring two women who swap homes for the holidays. See here.
39. Last Christmas (2019)
A cynical woman working as a holiday store elf keeps bumping into a charming optimist who changes her life. Streaming: Hulu
40. The Family Stone (2005)
When a woman joins her boyfriend’s close-knit family for Christmas, an awkward holiday gathering leads to unexpected romantic twists. See here.
41. Something from Tiffany’s (2022)
A mix-up involving an engagement ring brings two couples’ lives together in an unexpected Christmas romance in New York. Watch here.
42. The Family Man (2000)
A wealthy businessman gets a magical glimpse of the family life he might have had with his former sweetheart, making him reconsider what truly matters in life. See here.
Christmas Adventure Movies
43. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (2024)
When the mischievous Herdman siblings take over their town’s Christmas pageant, their performance teaches everyone a heartwarming lesson. See here.
44. Noelle (2019)
Santa’s daughter sets off on a mission to find her brother after he panics about taking over the family Christmas business. Streaming: Disney+
45. A Boy Called Christmas (2021)
A young boy embarks on a magical journey to the mythical village of Elfhelm in search of his father. Streaming: Netflix
46. Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey (2020)
A once-famous toymaker and his adventurous granddaughter set out to bring a magical invention to life. Streaming: Netflix.
47. The Nutcracker and the Four Realms (2018)
A mysterious key leads Clara into a magical world of four realms, where she faces a challenge that could change everything. Streaming: Disney+.
48. The Claus Family (2020) and The Claus Family 2 (2021)
Jules Claus discovers that his grandfather is Santa and becomes involved in delivering Christmas presents, before taking on a new holiday adventure. Streaming: Netflix
49. Prep & Landing (2009)
Two elves from Santa’s elite preparation team encounter unexpected problems while getting a home ready for Christmas Eve. Streaming Disney+
50. The Naughty Nine (2023)
After discovering he’s on Santa’s naughty list, a clever boy recruits a team of rule-breaking kids for an outrageous mission. Streaming: Disney+.
51. Christmas Break-In (2018)
When burglars become trapped inside her school during a snowstorm, a young girl must find a way to save the day. See here.
52. 8-Bit Christmas (2021)
This nostalgic comedy follows an 11-year-old boy determined to get the video-game system that every kid dreams of. Streaming: HBO Max
53. The Star (2017)
A brave little donkey and his animal friends embark on an adventure that leads them to become unlikely heroes of the very first Christmas.
54. The Christmas Chronicles (2018) and The Christmas Chronicles 2 (2020)
When two siblings accidentally disrupt Santa’s Christmas Eve journey, they team up with him to save Christmas. Streaming: Netflix.
55. Dashing Through the Snow (2023)
A social worker and his daughter meet a mysterious man in a red suit and embark on a magical Christmas Eve adventure. Streaming: Disney+
Late Night Movies for Grown Ups
56. Scrooged (1988)
Inspired by A Christmas Carol, a cynical television executive gets a Christmas Eve visit from three spirits who force him to reconsider his selfish ways. Watch here.
57. Bad Santa (2003)
A foul-mouthed conman posing as Santa plans to rob a department store on Christmas Eve, but his plans go awry. See here.
58. The Ref (1994)
A burglar who takes a bickering couple hostage on Christmas Eve ends up playing an unlikely referee in their family drama. See here.
59. Office Christmas Party (2016)
When a company’s branch faces closure, its employees throw an outrageous Christmas party to impress a potential client. Watch now.
60. A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas (2011)
After a Christmas tree mishap, Harold and Kumar embark on a chaotic adventure to find a replacement. See here.
High-Octane Holiday Thrillers
61. Die Hard (1988)
New York detective John McClane battles a group of terrorists who take over his wife’s office building during Christmas. See here.
62. Lethal Weapon (1987)
Two mismatched Los Angeles detectives investigate a dangerous criminal operation during the Christmas season. Streaming: Fawesome
63. Violent Night (2022)
When mercenaries take a wealthy family hostage on Christmas Eve, a surprisingly tough Santa must fight back to save them. Streaming: Netflix
64. Gremlins (1984)
A boy receives an unusual creature as a Christmas gift, but breaking its care rules unleashes mischievous monsters. Watch here.
65. Red One (2024)
After Santa Claus is kidnapped, a North Pole security chief teams up with a skilled tracker to save Christmas. See here.
Suktara
Hi! I’m Suktara, the creator of this website with a background in communication and passion for personal development, relationships, and mental health. I created this space to share honest insights and practical advice on dating, love, relationships, and self-improvement.
