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16 Best Christmas Movies to Watch This Holiday Season
Writer: TJ Editorial Team
Nothing beats the festive season with a cozy blanket, a mug of hot cocoa, and a list of the best Christmas movies to make your holiday merry and bright.
From family-friendly animations to laugh-out-loud comedies and unexpected action thrillers, this lineup promises something for everyone.
So, let the holiday countdown begin with our handpicked selection of the best christmas movies.
Best Christmas Movies
- Best Overall: The Polar Express (2004)
- Best for the Family: Home Alone (1990)
- Best Classic: It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
- Best Comedy: National Lampoons Christmas Vacation (1989)
- Best Romance: Love Actually (2003)
1. It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
It’s a Wonderful Life is an oldie, but it will certainly embrace the magical journey Christmas takes us on. Made in 1946, the black-and-white film follows a frustrated businessman who subsidises family growth for work, making him contemplate his life. Consequently, an angel is then sent to him to show him what life would have been like without his existence, helping him understand the important things.
It’s a heartfelt classic that will have everyone reflecting on what’s most important this Christmas. A must-watch, and our top Christmas movie of all time.
2. Klaus (2018)
Netflix’s Klaus offers an offbeat origin story of Santa with stunning animation and a narrative that suits all ages.
The story follows a postman who’s proven to be the worst student at the academy, so he is sent to a frozen town in the North where he discovers an old toymaker named Klaus.
JK Simmons, Jason Schwartzman, and Rashida Jones bring this tale to life, proving that even the most cynical hearts can melt in the spirit of Christmas. A true story of the meaning of connectedness.
3. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Tim Burton’s stop-motion claymation (animation made with clay) masterpiece, The Nightmare Before Christmas, presents a visually stunning and musically enchanting tale of a Halloween-Christmas merger.
The story follows Jack Skellington of Halloween Town, who ventures off and finds Christmas Town, where his obsession with Christmas leads him to abduct Santa Claus.
4. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
Jim Carrey’s hilarious portrayal of the Grinch brings Dr. Seuss’s classic to life with a touch of laughter and heart.
The Grinch lives in solitude at the top of a mountain just outside Whoville. He hates the townsfolk and especially hates Christmas. As he tries to steal their Christmas from them, a young girl sets out to change his heart.
The Grinch has had three portrayals in movies starting in 1966 (Cartoon), followed by Carrey’s film in 2000, and most recently the animation release in 2018 played by Benedict Cumberbatch.
All three are worth the watch but our pick is Jim Carrey’s 2000 rendition.
5. The Polar Express (2004)
Robert Zemeckis’s enchanting animation, The Polar Express, unfolds a magical journey with Tom Hanks playing multiple roles. This performance-capture marvel is a delightful mix of whimsy, reindeer, elves, and a snowy adventure that makes it a perfect holiday heartwarmer.
With one of the best soundtracks of all Christmas movies combined, The Polar Express will have you inspired.
6. Elf (2003)
Will Ferrell’s endearing portrayal of Buddy, a towering elf searching for his father in NYC, brings laughter and warmth.
Elf is much more than a comedy it’s a genuine celebration of holiday cheer that stands out in a genre often saturated with predictability.
7. Love Actually (2003)
Richard Curtis’s ‘Love Actually’ intertwines multiple love stories, sprinkling holiday cheer and a bit of spice.
Despite the characters destined for the naughty list, the film beautifully captures the essence of Christmas, proving that a bit of naughtiness makes the nice shine even brighter.
The film has a star-studded line-up including High Grant, Emma Thompson, Colin Firth, Claudia Schiffer, Liam Neeson, Keira Knightley, Rowan Atkinson, Bill Nighy and Alan Rickman. What a cast!
8. Home Alone (1990)
Ahh Home Alone. One of the most iconic Christmas movies of all time, and a Family favourite for many.
John Hughes crafts a rollicking holiday classic with Home Alone, featuring Macaulay Culkin’s mischievous Kevin.
The trilogy, filled with festive chaos, showcases the warmth of family bonds amid comedic capers and memorable music.
9. The Christmas Chronicles (2018)
Kurt Russell’s portrayal of a gruff Santa adds a refreshing twist to The Christmas Chronicles.
It follows two young kids who devise a plan to catch Santa Claus on Christmas Eve. But when the plan fails, they are forced to join forces with Saint Nick and his elves to save the holiday before it’s too late.
10. Die Hard (1988)
The never-ending debate continues. Is Die Hard a Christmas Movie?
Amid this debate, there’s no denying the thrill it brings to the holiday season.
Ring in the festivities with machine-gun fire, C4 explosions, and Alan Rickman’s iconic performance in this action-packed classic set on Christmas Eve.
11. Batman Returns (1992)
Tim Burton’s Batman Returns takes a dark and frosty turn in Gotham during Christmas. Michelle Pfeiffer’s fierce portrayal of Catwoman adds a layer of intensity to this gothic Christmas tale, making it a slightly bleak but captivating holiday watch.
“Mistletoe can be deadly if you eat it. But a kiss can be even deadlier if you mean it.”
12. National Lampoons Christmas Vacation (1989)
While the Griswold family opts for a staycation, chaos ensues in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.
Chevy Chase’s portrayal of an overly ambitious patriarch guarantees uproarious laughter in this madcap Christmas comedy that turns tranquillity into disaster.
The perfect choice for a laughter-filled evening with the family.
13. Bad Santa (2003)
Billy Bob Thornton’s irreverent Bad Santa thrives on its single joke but surprises with genuine warmth.
Amidst the crude humour, Thornton’s unlikely friendship with a bullied kid adds a heartwarming touch that makes it an unconventional yet delightful Christmas watch.
14. Gremlins (1984)
Joe Dante’s Gremlins turns a well-intentioned Christmas gift into a comedic nightmare.
When a young boy receives a strange creature as a pet, it spawns other creatures which soon cause destructive and mischievous events.
With threatening instructions and chaotic consequences, this horror-comedy is an unexpected yet entertaining addition to the Christmas movie lineup.
15. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)
For an escape into a far away fantasy land, Narnia is the choice.
Lucy and her siblings are playing when they stumble across a wardrobe that lands them in a mystical place called Narnia. They soon realise that is was fated and they must now unite to defeat the evil Queen.
Based on C.S. Lewis’s beloved novel, and filled with enchanting characters, including Father Christmas and the White Witch, this dreamlike adventure is a perfect escape into Christmas magic.
16. The Santa Claus (1994 then 2002 & 2006)
Rounding off our list of the best Christmas movies to watch this holiday season, is Paul Allens, ‘The Santa Clause’, made in 1994.
join Allen as he inadvertently finds himself stepping into the iconic red suit after a fateful mishap with Santa.
This heartwarming Christmas classic takes a surprising turn, steering away from potential Cronenbergian nightmares to deliver a warm and endearing tale.