Ah,Christmas, an experience some of us wish could last all year long. But since that’s not really possible, we have Christmas movies. And they can be more than just passive holiday entertainment — they’re a visual treat, a window of delight that can take you into the spirit of the season and gives you a free pass to stay there for as long as you want. From tear-jerking romantic comedies toanimated musical adventures, the best Christmas movies encapsulate the holiday’s cultural meaning and magic in endearing and affectionate ways.
After all, nothing quite mimics the feeling of Christmas like settling in with a festive flick that gives you familiar tropes like snowy little towns blanketed in white, carolers singing away on street corners, and families reconnecting with one another. These movies remind us of what really matters at this special time of the year – being with our dear and beloved, sharing gratitude, and serving others from a place of honesty and care. Even if you must crawl through an air vent in a skyscraper to do it. We’ve ranked our favorite Christmas movies according to these metrics:
And if you’r elooking for something more recent, there have been a surprising amount of impressive new holiday movies in the past few years.Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point, The Holdovers, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Le Pupille, Terrifier 3, An Almost Christmas Story, and evenSpirited.
40Jingle All the Way (1994)
Jingle All the Way
A tremendously silly and over-the-top movie filled with some very cringe moments,Jingle All the Wayis still a very funny and unique movie that’s wonderful for the whole family. Arnold Schwarzenegger continued his attempt to be funny in Hollywood with this immensely festive flick that plays very straight despite its honestly surreal story. A giant, muscular, Austrian mattress salesman in the Minneapolis suburbs tries to prove he’s a good dad by finding a very popular action figure to give his son for Christmas. Unfortunately, there aren’t many left, and he ends up in an epic fight with a United States Postal Service worker over the last toy.
Jingle All the Way Is Bonkers and Nostalgic
That plot alone is pretty silly, but the extent to which director Brian Levant takes it is even more absurd. From Arnold fighting a warehouse full of black market Santas, to he and Sinbad engaging in an airborne fight with jetpacks,Jingle All the Wayis simply nuts. It’s also very nostalgic for a certain time, when there were massive toy trends that shook the nation (like Elmo and Beanie Babies). Now, we click a few links and order anything. It’s also very sweet to see the greatly missed Phil Hartman, who is hilarious here as an obnoxious neighbor; he would be murdered two years later. WhetherJingle All the Wayis a clever satire about capitalism and the nuclear family, or just a bonkers good time, is up to you.Jingle All the Wayis Available to Stream on Disney+.
The 25 Best Christmas Movies on Netflix to Watch Right Now
Christmas is such a magical time of the year, and Netflix sure knows it. They’ve been pumping out holiday films and these are the 25 best.
39The Ref (1994)
Bickering spouses (Judy Davis, Kevin Spacey) annoy the cat burglar (Denis Leary) who takes them hostage in their Connecticut home.
For the vast majority of its runtime,The Reffocuses on just three characters: a husband, a wife, and a thief. Too bad for the thief (played by a great Denis Leary), but the husband and wife are decidedlynothappily married, forcing him to put up with the most dysfunctional bitterness he could ever imagine.
An Uncomfortable Shouting Match with a Great Cast
For those who like to feel comically uncomfortable around the holidays,The Refis a solid choice. The anti-chemistry between Judy Davis and Kevin Spacey is rock solid, never failing to ensure the audience that, for one, they were once happy, and, two, they aren’t now. Toss in the volatile Leary (who is, for all intents and purposes, playing a heightened version of himself), andThe Refis a very different but very enjoyable Christmas classic, despite a dumb ending.The Refis Available for Rent on Amazon, YouTube or Vudu.
38About a Boy (2002)
About a Boy
Hugh Grant, a young Nicholas Hoult, and Toni Collette star in the beautifulAbout a Boy. The story follows Will Freeman, a wealthy man-child living in London. He often attends single-parent meetings in hopes of connecting with women. When Marcus, the 12-year-old son of one of the single moms from the meeting, strikes a friendship with Will, something shifts inside him. He takes Marcus under his wing, they deal with bullies and family issues, and spend a sweet holiday season together.
A Mature, Quiet Rom-Com with Great Music
Adapted from the 1998 novel by Nick Hornby (High Fidelity), the film is heartwarming and genuinely funny.Hugh Grant is the heart of the movie. He shines as the selfish Will learning the newfound joys of friendship, compassion, and making a positive impact on someone’s life. Hoult also charms as the wise-beyond-his-years Marcus in a movie that doesn’t condescend to kids. Add to that the wonderful indie rock soundtrack from Badly Drawn Boy, and you have a surprisingly mature early 2000s rom-com classic.About A Boyis Available to Stream on Starz.
37Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
Home Alone 2: Lost in New Yorkfollows Kevin McCallister as his family embarks on another holiday trip, and somehow loses sight of him once again, with him boarding a plane to New York. That’s a little more rational than the illogical first movie, though the fact that he runs into Marv and Harry, the Sticky Bandits fromHome Alone, is utterly ridiculous. Kevin spends some magical time in New York, meeting people like the Pigeon Lady and Donald Trump before helping the police capture the Sticky Bandits again.
A Pretty Portrait of New York at Christmas
However sillyHome Alone 2: Lost in New Yorkmay be, it does a wonderful job at expanding the world of the first film by putting the self-sufficient and sarcastic Kevin in New York City. From capturing the snowy skyscrapers and endless decorations of the city, to exploring the upper class of the city (Trump Tower) and the downtrodden (the beloved Pigeon Lady), director Chris Columbus has a knack for filming the multiple facets of an epic, wondrous place in winter (something he would do again withHarry PotterandThe Christmas Chronicles).Home Alone 2: Lost in New Yorkis Available to Stream on Disney+.
Naughty Christmas Movies for a Dark and Sad Detox from the Holiday Season
For those who don’t think “it’s a wonderful life,” there exists many great sad, dark, nasty, or weird Christmas movies like these.
36Violent Night (2002)
Violent Night
David Harbor dons the silk red coat and hat of Santa Claus in Violent Night, a black comedy Christmas action film by director Tommy Wirkola. A group of mercenaries lays siege on the property of a wealthy family on Christmas Eve in hopes of scoring a self-bestowed gift of $300 million, leaving Santa Claus as the unlikely but capable last line of defense. Though the family themselves may not be perfect, the youngest daughter remains a kind-hearted child. With her help, and a unique repertoire of magical skills and tools at his disposal, Santa will double-check his naughty and nice list as he dispenses his own brand of justice to the assailants.
David Harbour steps into the role of a jaded and alcoholic Santa Claus who has grown tired of decades of delivering presents. Once a proud Viking, Santa must tap into his dark past to help save a wealthy family, the Lightstones, with the youngest daughter of one of the children providing a glimmer of hope to keep the Christmas Spirit alive.
A Very Bloody Christmas
The vision of a drunken, violent Santa does not necessarily illicit feelings or give the impression of celebrating the best aspects of Christmas. However, subverting these expectations to craft a movie that emphasizes family and children’s wonderment around the holiday is what makes Tommy Wriloka’sViolent Nighta potential future classic.Harbour is great as a disgruntled Santa, and his journey to getting in touch with his violent roots for the sake of saving the holiday is a fun transformation to watch. For action and horror fans, there are also enough fights and bloody mayhem to scratch that itch as well. This is certainly meant for a mature audience, but it resonates with all the great things about Christmas movies of the past and modernizes it with a lot of fun, chaotic style.Violent Nightis Available for Rent on Apple TV, Amazon, and YouTube.
35The Santa Clause (1994)
The Santa Clause
Scott Calvin is a divorced father more focused on his business than his family. However, when he accidentally causes Santa Claus to fall off his roof on Christmas Eve, he takes on the role of Jolly St. Nick when he dons his uniform. At first reluctant to take on the role, his body and tastes begin to change to mimic that of Santa Claus, and he soon becomes drawn into the possibility of delivering presents and shifting his focus to his family after years of neglect.
Filling the Shoes of Jolly Old St. Nick
Disney’sThe Santa Clausehas become a staple around the holiday seasons, thanks to its family-friendly themes focused on the importance of family and emphasis on the ‘magic’ of Christmas. Tim Allen is great here as a curmudgeon turned savior of the season as he transforms into Santa Claus and fully embraces his role, and the comedic elements throughout complement the family drama elements. The series would prove popular, and for those who want more of Tim Allen as Santa Claus, there are two sequels and a TV series, The Santa Clauses.The Santa Clauseis Available to Stream on Disney+.
Best Santa Claus Movies of All Time
Santa Claus may be one of Hollywood’s biggest A-listers as he’s appeared in hundreds of movies throughout the history of cinema, and these are his very best Christmas movies.
34Anna and the Apocalypse (2018)
Anna and the Apocalypse
If you’re looking for something a little different for Christmas,Anna and the Apocalypsescratches all the itches. It’s a pop musical about a zombie outbreak in a small UK town on Christmas, and follows some high school students as they attempt to survive senior year (literally). It doesn’t get more seasonal than watching a zombie in a snowman outfit get beat down by a teenager wielding a giant candy cane decoration. From the snow to the lights, costumes, and decorations, this film screams (or sings) ‘Christmas.’
Great Music and Heartfelt Emotions in a Weird Christmas Musical
The music is surprisingly catchy and thematically important inAnna and the Apocalypse, and most main characters get a chance to sing something character-specific. It’s the kind of cast performance that will melt the hearts of music theater geeks everywhere. There are also some deeply emotional moments that speak to growing up and moving on from friends, family, and home as people go from high school to college or beyond. The film is a sweet, dark delight.Anna and The Apocalypseis Available to Stream on AMC+.
33Arthur Christmas (2011)
Arthur Christmas
Arthur Christmasis a genuinely hilarious little movie that is perfect for kids and their parents to watch together. It’s one of the rare feature-length animated Christmas comedies to do such a thing and not feel stupid, sappy, or annoying to adults. Sony and the great Aardman Animations scored a big win with this sci-fi comedy about Santa’s sweet failed son Arthur, who goes on a quest with his grandfather and a passionate elf to deliver an undelivered present.
A Laugh Out Loud Funny Christmas Spectacular
Director Sarah Smith and Peter Baynham’s brilliant screenplay comes to imaginative life, as we’re treated to Santa’s Workshop as a kind of corporate technocracy engineered by Santa’s most egotistical son. The commentary on technology and capitalism is very clever, and Arthur’s antics are flat-out funny in this quick, delightful gem.Arthur Christmasis Available to Rent on Apple TV and Prime.
32Elf (2003)
Starring Will Ferrell as Buddy, a human who was raised by elves at the North Pole,Elffollows his travels to New York City as he searches for his biological father. While searching for his real family, Buddy spreads Christmas cheer to everyone he meets. His childlike innocence and unfamiliarity with the big city makes it seem like he’s been living under a rock, which helps other people see the world and Christmas with new eyes.
Love It or Hate It, Will Ferrell Is a Great Elf
Ferrell is truly wonderfulas the hilarious and overly enthusiastic Buddy. From his affection for the holiday and humanity itself to his love for elf culture and unflinching zest for the little things in life, Buddy’s story is brimming with joy and optimism.Elfexplores the joy that is often missing from Christmas, and allows adults to see the awed perspective of children in a very different way. Many people find the film to be completely obnoxious, and yet it has remained a special classic to many others, so this one is (North) polarizing.Elfis available for Rent on Apple TV, Amazon, and YouTube.
31Edward Scissorhands (1990)
Edward Scissorhands
One ofTim Burton’s best films(and right up there withBatman Beginsin terms of being the most personal and Christmasy),Edward Scissorhandsis the thematically resonant tale of a particularly bizarre outcast. The narrative follows the titular Edward, a scientist’s creation, as he finds himself pulled into the society that lies just outside his castle. Suffice it to say, it’s a very different world, and he’s not going to be easily accepted.
Johnny Depp, Winona Ryder, and the Supporting Cast Are Great
The leading work by Johnny Depp and Winona Ryder (not to mention the chemistry shared) is enough to makeEdward Scissorhandsan all-timer. But then there’s the production design, Burton’s incredibly tight direction, and the beautiful supporting performances. Alan Arkin and Dianne Wiest are wonderful in the film, but it’s Vincent Price that chokes us up in his final performance, playing Edward’s caring creator.Edward Scissor Handsis Available to Stream on Max.
