Cuddle up on the couch with a mug of something warm and enjoy a cozy holiday movie marathon comprised of these all-time classics…
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
Clark Grizwald can't seem to get a break. This was one of Chevy Chase's finest moments, and it followed him for the rest of his career. Please watch this movie if you haven't, it's adorable, hilarious, and perfect for this year's weird Christmas.
Elf
This 2003 instant-classic starring Will Ferrell is all about an elf named Buddy (Ferrell) who is trying to figure out where he fits in. Buddy leaves the North Pole and travels to New York, in full elf uniform, in search of his real father. Much to his dismay, his father is a cynical businessman on the naughty list. After getting a DNA test that proves Buddy is indeed his son, Walter Hobbs reluctantly attempts to start a relationship with the childlike Buddy with chaotic and hilarious results. This is one holiday film you can watch over and over and over again.
Four Christmases
Reese Witherspoon and Vince Vaughn rock this 2008 movie. This film is about a couple that spends their entire Christmas visiting both of their divorced parents independently, which makes for one seriously hilarious movie of holiday mishaps.
A Christmas Story
Nine years after Bob Clark made Black Christmas, he made A Christmas Story. This movie is an absolute classic. If you've ever seen the "Christmas leg lamp" or heard any stories about a BB gun taking someone's eye out, then you've probably run across this gem at some point in your life, after all, it plays for 24 hours straight on Christmas day.
Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town
This legendary Rankin-Bass stop motion classic film tells the story of Kris Kringle before he was officially named "Santa Claus." This is another movie that you absolutely should have seen on ABC Family when you were younger, but if you didn't, you should really take the time to do so this year.
The Holiday
The Holiday is a 2006 star-studded instant classic. With Jack Black, Jude Law, Cameron Diaz, and Kate Winslett, The Holiday is a sweet rom-com about two women who switch homes for the holidays after experiencing heartbreaks. Soon enough, both lovelorn ladies bump into local lads perfect for a romantic pick-me-up.
The Year Without a Santa Claus
The Year Without a Santa Claus is a Christmas stop motion animated television special that first appeared in 1974. The story begins when Santa Claus wakes up with a cold sometime before Christmas, so Santa decides to take a holiday instead of delivering gifts this year. Mrs. Claus tries to get him to change his mind, but Santa believes no one cares about the Christmas spirit anymore. Mrs. Claus enlists the help of two elves to go out and find believers. The true stars of this film are the Miser brothers: The Heat Miser and the Snow Miser. This is a can't-miss classic.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
We don't know about you, but we think that Jim Carrey's "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" is an absolutely essential holiday movie. Dr. Suess's beloved tale was turned into this top ten classic Christmas film. This one is always worth a rewatch.
A Muppet Christmas Carol
Jim Henson, the creator of the Muppets, tragically died before this film could be released in 1992. But, it's almost as if his spirit was meant to live on in this hilarious, heartwarming, and positively lovely film that will likely remain a classic until the end of time.
A Charlie Brown Christmas
A Charlie Brown Christmas came out in 1965. In this beloved made-for-tv special, Charlie Brown is sad despite it being the beginning of the holiday season. Lucy suggests he direct a neighborhood Christmas play, but his peers simply mock his effort. But when Linus steps in and tells Charlie Brown the true meaning of Christmas, the gang unites for a celebration. This is a classic, must-watch every holiday season.
Love Actually
Love it or hate it, Love Actually is one of the most legendary Christmas movies of all time. If you look at any holiday movies from the last 10 years, you will be able to see the similarities drawn between Love Actually and everything that came after it. It's cheesy, romantic, and totally worth watching.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is an absolutely legendary underdog tale. If you think equality matters, this film will resonate with you in your adult life. This movie embraces differences, difficulty, and personality, and Hermey the elf is just adorable.
Home Alone
Young Macaulay Culkin gets left Home Alone during the holidays and is forced to battle against two inept criminals who are trying to rob his house. This one is an all-time classic holiday flick that you will never get tired of rewatching.
The Princess Switch and The Princess Switch 2: Switched Again
Both the 2018 Netflix original The Princess Switch and its sequel have become staples in the modern home. These films, starring Vanessa Hudgens, recognize Christmas as a truly magical time for all. If you're up for a little holiday romance with some entertaining mishaps along the way, add this one to your queue.
The Santa Clause
The Santa Clause appeared in 1994 starring Tim Allen as divorced dad, Scott. After he accidentally kills a man in a Santa suit, they are magically transported to the North Pole, where an elf explains that Scott must take Santa's place before the next Christmas arrives...
A Christmas Prince
Netflix produced this film that appeared back in 2017. A young journalist is sent abroad to get the inside scoop on a young prince who is destined to soon become king. This film has love, comedy, and a bit of make-believe. While it's a bit cheesy, it will definitely make you believe in the holiday spirit.
The Polar Express
Chances are, you probably saw The Polar Express as a kid, or with your kid. Regardless, this movie completely holds up years later. It serves up the perfect amount of magic for the holiday season, and you should throw it in your Christmas movie queue.
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Is The Nightmare Before Christmas a Halloween movie or a Christmas movie? We think it's safe to say that it's both. Tim Burton nails this one (like all others before) by creating a creepy and relatable Christmas tale of a skeleton who lost his way.
Meet Me in St. Louis
This 1944 musical has all the Christmas imagery you could ever ask for. Plus, you get to hear Judy Garland singing "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" on camera.
One Magic Christmas
This forgotten Disney movie flopped at the box office but has gained a cult following since it came out in 1985. The late Harry Dean Stanton plays an angel who watches over a working-class family whose matriarch has several near-death experiences that brings her closer to the true meaning of Christmas.
The Snowman
If you didn't watch this movie when you were a child, you should definitely give it a shot now. The Snowman is the perfect holiday movie to show to kids, but it also resonates with adults. The general themes center around the impermanence of holidays and childhood innocence. That, and it's a total tear-jerker for kids and adults alike.
Holiday in Handcuffs
So, this movie was released in 2007, and it was ABC Family's most-watched broadcast ever. This movie, starring Melissa Joan Hart and Mario Lopez, is hilarious and strange, you should give it a shot.
Little Women
If you want to see what the absolute perfect representation of a "white Christmas vignette" looks like, please watch the 2019 version of Little Women. Also, if you want to throw it back, you can watch the 1994 original too, it hits just as hard.
Jingle All the Way
Arnold Schwartzenegger has crossed virtually every genre in his career, so it's only natural that he'd make a holiday film. We're not going to ruin any of this movie for you, because it's one of the sweetest and funniest Christmas movies ever made.
Last Holiday
Queen Latifah plays a "terminal" patient who was mistakenly diagnosed by a broken MRI machine. Thinking her days were numbered, she blows her entire savings account on a European vacation to meet her culinary inspiration...
White Christmas
This 1954 musical has everything you would want in a Christmas movie wrapped up in a cute little package. It's got a little bit of something for everyone, and if you like musicals, you're gonna love this flick.
Office Christmas Party
T.J. Miller, Jennifer Aniston, Jason Bateman, and Jillian Bell are just a few of the extremely famous cast members that star in this bizarre "family" Christmas movie. This movie is about two siblings who inherit a multi-million dollar company. Both of them are trying to land a high-stakes client, but they end up being so irresponsible with this Christmas party that they might lose the company as a whole in the end...
Bad Santa
Billy Bob Thornton stars in Bad Santa as a department store Santa with a drinking problem. Don't worry, he eventually learns the true meaning of Christmas. Or, at least, he learns one of the multiple meanings of Christmas.
It's a Wonderful Life
Few films define Christmas quite as well as this 1946 classic. Seriously, this film was actually the first member of the "Christmas movie" family, and it's been popular ever since for a very good reason. It's fantastic, and it holds up.
Jack Frost
This 1998 family-friendly holiday flick is about a touring musician played by Michael Keaton who never had much time for his wife and son. After he tragically passes away in a car accident on Christmas Day, on the one-year anniversary of his passing, his son plays a tune on his father's old harmonica that magically brings a snowman to life, and the snowman is no stranger...
Happy Christmas
Do you like cutesy indie films starring Anna Kendrick? Good, because this one is definitely one of them. Happy Christmas is a little "plotless" but it's still heartwarming nonetheless. This movie may convince you that good things will happen in the future, no matter what.
White Reindeer
Just a few days before Christmas, Suzanne finds out her husband died unexpectedly. She then discovers that he had been having an affair with a woman with whom she becomes friends in an unlikely way. This movie is heartwarming, saddening, and hilarious, all while remaining a good Christmas film.
Prancer
Jessica Riggs finds an injured reindeer in the woods while she's out walking on her own. She brings the reindeer home and discovers that it's a MAGICAL reindeer. Outside of the simple subject matter, this movie approaches class struggle and familial strife like few Christmas movies have.
Mixed Nuts
Young(ish) Steve Martin stands in front of the camera in this legendary Christmas film. This movie is smart, cute, funny, and relatable. It was directed by Nora Ephron too, who had just released Sleepless in Seattle mere months before she started on this holiday film.
A Christmas Carol
Have you ever seen the gif of Ebenezer Scrooge shaking the ghost with all the chains? That's from this movie. It came out in 1951 but it totally holds up, and plenty of moments that could have been considered dramatic actually come off as absolutely hilarious at some points.
The Night Before
This Seth Rogan original might just restore all the faith you've lost in the beauty of Christmas as you've gotten further up in your adult years. If you're a young bachelor (or bachelorette), this is probably the Christmas movie you should check out.
Happiest Season
Kristen Stewart, Dan Levy, and Aubrey Plaza star in this brand new queer Christmas film on Hulu. Happiest Season will inspire you to hang in there when times get tough around the holidays. After all, happiness is just what you make it, right?
Deck the Halls
Matthew Broderick plays a father whose entire world collapses around him because of his crazy neighbor, who was played by Danny DeVito. Basically, this movie is a Christmas decoration competition two grown men have with one another. If you're an engineer or an It's Always Sunny fan, you'd love this movie.
Carol
Carol wasn't intended to be a Christmas movie, but we're glad that it is. This 2015 film stars Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara, Sarah Paulson, Jake Lacy, and Kyle Chandler. This movie is so extremely heartwarming that we highly recommend that you drop what you're doing right now and watch this film instead.
A Very Harold and Kumar Christmas
If you thought Seth Rogan's movies were funny, then you'll love A Very Harold and Kumar Christmas. This movie stars two stoners, Neil Patrick Harris (who plays himself) and a bunch of other all-star cameos that will leave you laughing, crying, and asking yourself, "Haha what?"
Die Hard
Did you know that Die Hard is technically a Christmas movie? Yep, Bruce Willis holding a machine gun (with hair, mind you) fighting terrorists is absolutely considered to be a Christmas movie.
While You Were Sleeping
If Die Hard gets to be called a Christmas movie, then While You Were Sleeping definitely fits the title. This confusing romantic dramedy is just as outrageous as it is engaging.
KISS KISS BANG BANG
When Shane Black makes a movie, he always seems to make it about Christmas one way or the other. Also, he loves Robert Downey Jr. (see: Iron Man 3). You should watch this movie, it's really good.
Gremlins
Yeah, Gremlins is a Christmas movie too. See how deep this runs? It's hard to find something that ISN'T a Christmas movie nowadays.
The Shop Around the Corner
In the spirit of Christmas, rival employees at a Budapest leathergoods store fall in love in front of the mistletoe. However, they hate one another in real life, and they only love one another because they are each other's penpals. Although it may sound confusing, this 1940 film is a sweet holiday classic.
Just Friends
Your favorite acting duo (Ryan Reynolds and Amy Smart) play Jamie and Chris, who are old high school friends. Chris comes home for the holidays after 10 years of being gone after high school. He tries to use his time at home to win the love of his old high school crush, and it works, kind of...
Metropolitan
If you like movies about the Upper East Side of Manhattan in the 1980s, then you'll fit into Metropolitan perfectly. This movie is basically every aristocratic New York society film, just centered around Christmas instead of the "gala."
A Christmas Tale
This French film is all about family dysfunction, reconciliation, and togetherness. Isn't that what the spirit of Christmas is all about?
Black Christmas
This (remade) 1974 cult classic is the grandfather of modern slasher films. Without Black Christmas, Silent Night, Deadly Night would not exist.
Batman Returns
Really? Batman? This movie was set during the holiday season in Gotham. Coincidentally, this was Tim Burton's second Batman film, and this movie helped pull him into his niche direction of exclusively quirky holiday movies. While it's certainly debatable if it is actually a holiday film, we think you should watch and decide for yourself...
The Best Man Holiday
Do you want to watch a hilarious (yet powerful) film about a group of friends reuniting for the first time in 15 years for Christmas? Yeah, we thought so. This 2013 film is a sequel to the 1999 film The Best Man.
The Apartment
This movie HAPPENS on Christmas, but the themes follow more of an eclectic adult drama frame. This movie was given an Academy Award in 1960, and it's considered to be one of American cinema's all-time greats. There are bits of Christmas here and there, but you're going to want to pay attention to the love triangle.
The Family Stone
This movie hosts an all-star cast and an all-star playlist, but while you'd think it would arrange itself as a comedy, it's actually got a tragic plot. With all the tragedy and sadness, there is still plenty of love and energy between the members of the Stone family. Watch this one if you want to laugh, but feel a little bad about it.
It Happened on Fifth Avenue
This post-WWII movie is about veterans that land themselves in a beautiful Manhattan house while the owner escaped to the south. This movie was extremely progressive for its conversation about homelessness in the veteran community.
Miracle on 34th St.
This classic film may have been released back in 1947, but the story is still important today. In the film, an old man going by the name of Kris Kringle fills in for an intoxicated Santa in Macy's annual Thanksgiving Day parade. Kringle is so good at the job that he becomes a regular at the midtown Manhattan Macy's store where he claims to be the real Santa. This leads to a court case where he has to prove himself...
Scrooged
Bill Murray is an absolute legend for this one. He basically recreated the Christmas Carol plot in modern times but instead of a sleazy banker, he was a sleazy TV executive. It's funny how that comes full circle in modern times.
Grumpy Cat's Worst Christmas Ever
Meme movies shouldn't exist. That's just a point of contention that we've reached with modern cinema. Did you like The Room? Maybe you enjoyed Trolls 2, and you're looking for something a bit more "Christmas" to fill your bad (but good) movie fix. Look no further, my friend.
The Nuttiest Nutcracker
Experts are still debating whether this movie actually exists or not. But, Jim Belushi, Debi Derryberry, and Jim Cummings all voiced characters in it, and they swear it happened. Dude, watch this movie. It's so weird.
The Magic Christmas Tree
This movie is like Hansel and Gretel, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Bad Santa all wrapped up into one package. The best part? It was made in 1964, and all the actors take this weird film EXTREMELY seriously. Enjoy at your own risk.
Edward Scissorhands
Johnny Depp rocked it as a strange, leather-suited, scissor-handed person in a suburban Christmastime ordeal. This is more of a Christmas movie than a coming of age tale, at the end of the day.
Silent Night, Deadly Night
This dark 1984 drama was quite controversial when it was released. In this holiday horror, an orphan raised by nuns grows up to be a killer toy-store Santa Claus. It's dark, but cheery holiday films aren't necessarily for everyone.
Santa Claus Conquers The Martians
This 1964 sci-fi comedy is centered around a group of aliens who decide to abduct Santa Claus so they can make their children more like the children of the earth. This is one of the WORST films ever made, but not because it's unwatchable, but because it makes zero sense. It's important to include some bad movies on the best list because some people just love bad movies.
Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale
This movie is an edgy horror film all about Christmas, but not in a good way. Long story short, British archaeologists find a horned Santa Claus living under the ice in Finland. They capture him, but then they have to fight off his elves. This movie is a bit strange, but it's also really really cool. Give it a shot.
Elves
This movie will leave you at a loss for words. It's about demonic elves that try to take over Christmas time to create their race of elf-human hybrids. We give this movie points for originality, but deduct points for the subject matter. That being said, we need to recognize this film because, well, it exists.
Elf Bowling The Movie: The Great North Pole Elf Strike
Do you remember Elf Bowling? It was a marginally popular video game in the early 2000s, but it hardly warranted a movie run. However, the movie that was produced is one of the trippiest and strangest moments in cinematic history. Please watch it for yourself if you don't believe us.
Eyes Wide Shut
This was Stanley Kubrick's final movie, and it is possibly his masterwork. This 1999 film starring Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise, is, at its core, about individual desires and marital tensions, which we all know are the focal points of Christmastime.