It’s a Wonderful Life and Home Alone are classics, but this list of funny, romantic and animated
holiday flicks offers up some great alternatives.
BYÂ LYNDSEY MATTHEWSÂ ANDÂ CAMERON JENKINS
The best memories from your childhood Christmases (aside from the toys under the tree)
are probably wrapped up in your family coming together to watch some classic Christmas
movies. There's just something about holiday films that bring out the best in people.
Perhaps it's the lessons learned from A Christmas Story (like the fact that triple dog dares
can have some serious consequences). Or maybe it's the thankfulness you experienced
knowing that your parents would never forget you at Christmas unlike Kevin in Home
Alone. But possibly, it could be just the excitement of the season embodied in Buddy
from Elf, who highlighted the true meaning of the season.
So while you prepare for another holiday filled with love and joy, check out our list of
the best Christmas movies of all time to make your nights merry and bright. We've
included funny Christmas comedies, romantic holiday flicks, famous animated
classics, must-sees for kids and, well some horror holiday films if that floats your boat.
While everyone knows that the Hallmark Channel’s films reign supreme at this time of year,
you don’t have to have cable to enjoy a movie that’ll fill you with the holiday spirit. There are
a ton of Christmas movies on Disney+, plenty of holiday fun to be found on Netflix, an
endless supply of yuletide on Amazon Prime and so much cheer on HBO Max.
So, while you and your family decide on what cookies you’ll set out for Santa this year, pop
on one of these films and let the holiday season begin! And don't forget to tell us in the
comments if we missed any of your favorites.
1
Let It Snow (2019)
Based on the best-selling novel by John Green, in this teen rom-com a group of high school
students navigate love and friendship after a snowstorm falls on their small town on
Christmas Eve.
2
Noelle (2019)
Noelle must come to the rescue when her brother Nick gets cold feet about taking over the
family business, which just happens to be the business of being Santa. Chaos ensues when
Nick doesn't return from a break, and Noelle must try to save the day.
3
Remember the Night (1940)
When Barbara Stanwyck's character gets arrested for shoplifting right before Christmas in
this rom-com, it's up to the D.A. (played by Fred MacMurray) to help her get out of jail.
4
Holiday Rush (2019)
A widowed radio DJ is fired from his job just before Christmas. He and his four children,
after being forced to move in with his aunt, discover the true meaning of the season as they
adjust to a new lifestyle.
5
A Snow Globe Christmas (2014)
When a television executive is magically transported into a snow globe, she discovers the life
she's always wanted.
6
Scrooge (1951)
There are too many film adaptations of Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol to count, but
this 1951 version (originally called Scrooge when it was first released) is considered to be
the best version, according to The New York Times film critic A.O. Scott.
7
The Bishop's Wife (1947)
Cary Grant plays an angel in this movie that inspired '90s remake The Preacher's
Wife starring Denzel Washington and Whitney Houston.
8
Ernest Saves Christmas (1988)
Santa Claus is on the hunt for his successor — and kooky but lovable Earnest is here to help
save the day.
9
Happiest Season (2020)
Abby and Harper are heading home to Harper's family home for the holidays, and Abby is
planning on proposing — until she realizes that Harper hasn't been honest with her family
about their relationship. It'll make you laugh, cry and realize the best gift is being yourself.
10
A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas (2011)
Looking for something to watch after the little ones go to bed? Press play on this bawdy
holiday comedy, which is the third installment of the Harold & Kumar series.
11
A Christmas Prince (2017)
A Christmas Prince packs every Hallmark holiday rom-com cliche you can think of into 90
minutes — and that's exactly what makes it so delicious to watch. When a journalist is
assigned to cover the handsome but mysterious prince of a small country named Aldovia,
she gets more than she bargained for (of course!). The film ushered in two sequels, A
Christmas Prince: The Royal Wedding and A Christmas Prince: The Royal Baby.
12
This Christmas (2007)
The Whitfield family is set to enjoy their first Christmas together in four years. But when
family secrets slowly begin to come to light, chaos ensues as multiple secrets slowly come to
light. The film stars Idris Elba, Chris Brown, Loretta Devine, Columbus Short, Regina King
and more.
13
Deck the Halls (2006)
When Buddy Hall (Danny DeVito) moves into the neighborhood he gives Christmas-loving
Steve Finch (Matthew Broderick) a run for his money while attempting to out-decorate him
for the holidays.
14
It Happened on 5th Avenue (1947)
Set in New York during the holidays, this classic black-and-white film is about a homeless
man who squats in a 5th Avenue mansion while the rich owner is wintering somewhere
warmer.
15
A Bad Moms Christmas (2017)
In this follow-up to 2016's Bad Moms, the moms (Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell and Kathryn
Hahn) have to deal with their own mothers for the holidays.
16
Last Holiday (2014)
In this heartwarming rom-com, Queen Latifah plays a small-town saleswoman who spends
her life savings on a holiday trip to Europe after finding out she has a terminal illness …
except there's a twist! Celebrate the most wonderful time of the year and show a bit of
gratitude during the season.
17
Prancer (1989)
A magical fantasy drama starring Sam Elliott that the whole family can
enjoy, Prancer follows a little girl who finds a hurt reindeer in the woods, whom she believes
to be none other than Santa's Prancer.
18
Holiday Affair (1949)
Set in a New York department store during the holiday season, this romantic comedy was a
box office failure when it originally came out in the '40s. Since then, it's turned into a
Christmas movie classic thanks to repeated airings on TCM over the years.
19
Santa Claus: The Movie (1985)
A Santa Claus origin story, this film stars Dudley Moore as an enterprising elf and John
Lithgow as a sinister toy manufacturer.
20
The Night Before (2015)
Once the kids go to bed, turn on this rated-R Christmas comedy about three best friends
(Anthony Mackie, Seth Rogen and Joseph Gordon-Levitt) who are on the hunt for the
ultimate holiday party — the "Nutcracker Ball."