Christmas is not one of my favorite times of the year. From the expectations of family and the obligatory feeling for giving gifts, family traumas, and the overwhelming feeling of giving your time and energy. For me it’s just not my idea of fun. One thing I do look forward to would be the movies. The nostalgic movies that we watch every year to get us in the Christmas mood.
Every year I break out the classics… I guess it’s my own little tradition I can count on when I can’t count on anything else this time of year. The characters will always be the same, and their heartfelt and warm stories help warm and open my heart to the holidays.
Their stories give me the hope that my family gatherings will go a little better, or maybe I won’t say the things I’m actually thinking and accidentally start an unintentional argument. But enough about that sob story….
These are my favorites and the classics, which I’m sure you have all heard of before, but in case you haven’t I hope you too will learn to love these classics for years to come.
Below I separated the movies by these lists:
- Traditional Christmas Classics
- Family Friendly
- Christmasy Classics
- Personal Favorites
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New Christmas movies come out every year, but few are actually worth the watch. These lists feature timeless classics that I genuinely watch again and again. Christmas mood here we come…
Traditional Christmas Classics
- White Christmas (YouTube, Google Play, AppleTV, and Amazon, and Fandango)
- Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer (Google play, AppleTV, and Amazon)
- A Charlie Brown Christmas (available on AppleTV and Amazon)
- Frosty The Snowman (available on hulu/disney+, peacock, Amazon, YouTube, Google Play, AppleTV, and Fandango)
- Santa Claus Is Comin to Town (available on peacock, Amazon, YouTube, and Fandango)
- Scrooged (available on plutoTV, paramount, and Amazon, YouTube, Roku, Google Play, AppleTV, and Fandango)
- A Christmas Carol (1984 Xumo, Roku, Plex, Hulu/Disey+, YouTube, Amazon, AppleTV, and Fnadango) (1999 Hulu, SlingTV, YouTube, Amazon, Google Play, AppleTV, and Fandango) (2009 disney+, Amazon, AppleTV, and Fandango)
- Home Alone (available on disney+, Amazon, AppleTV, and Fandango)
***Availability of these movies may vary, as streaming providers frequently update their catalogs. Please note that listings are subject to change.
This movie has an irresistible charm, filled with singing, dancing, and pure holiday joy. A true Christmas classic everyone should experience at least once.
This stop-motion classic follows Rudolph as he proves that being different can shine bright, especially on Christmas Eve. A must-watch for anyone who loves nostalgic, feel-good holiday magic. A childhood favorite!
Poor Charlie Brown just wants to find the real meaning of Christmas, and watching him try is both funny and surprisingly sweet. It’s one of those feel-good favorites you’ll never get tired of.
When a little holiday magic brings Frosty to life, you can’t help but smile. It’s one of those classic Christmas stories that makes you feel like a kid again.
This stop-motion favorite is full of whimsy, warmth, and that classic Christmas magic. This fun, old-school classic tells the story with catchy songs and all the Christmas charm you could ask for.
This modern (well, ’80s modern) take on A Christmas Carol is full of sarcasm, laughs, and a surprising dose of holiday spirit. Bill Murray absolutely steals the show, my absolute favorite version.
They have remade this classic so many times, and even if it is a remake I can’t help myself, I have to watch it. Story line is the same, but circumstances change. Try watching them all or just 1 or 2. The 1983 version is a childhood favorite, the 1999 version has Patrick Stewart and I’m a Star Trek Fan. The 2009 version has Jim Carey he is does a great job as well.
Who doesn’t love this one, it is a true classic. It’s shocking, fun, and heartfelt. It’s one of those you can’t help but watch every year.
My Personal Favorites
- Love Actually (hulu/disney+/HBO, peacock, Amazon, Google Play, AppleTV, and Fandango)
- The Holiday (Amazon, Google Play, AppleTV, and Fandango)
- Elf (available on hulu/disney+/HBO, YouTube, Roku, Amazon, Google Play, AppleTV, and Fandango)
- The Santa Clause (disney+, Amazon, AppleTV, and Fandango)
- Miracle on 34th Street (disney+/hulu, plutoTV, and Roku Channel, Amazon, AppleTV, and Fandango)
- Die Hard (Hulu/Disney+, Amazon, SlingTV, Youtube, AppleTV, Fandango, TBS, and TNT)
***Availability of these movies may vary, as streaming providers frequently update their catalogs. Please note that listings are subject to change.
From awkward office crushes to airport goodbyes, Love Actually has every kind of holiday romance covered. It’s sweet, funny, and full of that feel-good Christmas magic.
Two women swap homes for the holidays and end up finding a lot more than they expected, love, peace, and a little Christmas magic. It’s cozy, funny, and just the perfect Christmas RomCom.
If you ever need a reminder to enjoy the little things about Christmas, Elf is it. It’s laugh-out-loud funny with just the right amount of heart. This one is a childhood favorite that will stay in rotation for a lifetime.
Tim Allen as a reluctant Santa might just be one of the best Christmas surprises ever. It’s a little goofy, super charming, and always puts you in a good mood. My husbands favorite childhood Christmas movie.
Miracle on 34th Street (1947/1994)
Whether you watch the old or the newer version, Miracle on 34th Street never fails to warm your heart. It’s all about believing in a little Christmas magic (and maybe Santa, too).
Not your typical Christmas flick, but that’s what makes it great. Die Hard has holiday lights, hostages, and a whole lot of attitude, the perfect mix of action and Christmas chaos. No matter what they say Die Hard is a Christmas movie!
Family Friendly Christmas
- National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (Hulu/Disney+/Max, Youtube, Roku, Amazon, YouTube, Google Play, AppleTV, and Fandango)
- Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (Disney+, Amazon, AppleTV, and Fandango)
- The Muppet Christmas Carol (Disney+, AppleTV, Amazon, and Fandango)
- Jingle All the Way (Hulu/Disney+/Max, fuboTV, SlingTV, Youtube, Amazon, AppleTV, and Fandango)
- Jack Frost (YouTube, Amazon, Google Play, AppleTV, and Fandango)
- The Princess Switch (Netflix)
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas (peacock, Hulu/Disney+/Max, fuboTV, slingTV, Amazon, Google Play, AppleTV, Fandango, TBS, and TNT)
- Christmas with the Kranks (Netflix, Philo, SlingTV, Youtube, Amazon, Google Play, AppleTV, and Fandango)
- The Polar Express (Hulu/Disney+/Max, YouTube, Roku, Amazon, Google Play, AppleTV, and Fandango)
- The Chronicles of Narnia (Hulu/Disney+/Max, Amazon, AppleTV, and Fandango)
- Frozen (Hulu/Disney+/Max, Amazon, AppleTV, and Fandango)
- The Grinch (peacock, hulu/Disney+/Max, fuboTV, Amazon, Google Play, AppleTV, and Fandango)
***Availability of these movies may vary, as streaming providers frequently update their catalogs. Please note that listings are subject to change.
If your family holidays ever feel a little wild, this movie will make you feel right at home. Christmas Vacation is pure holiday comedy gold, messy, festive, and absolutely iconic.
Kevin’s back and this time he’s taking on New York City all by himself. It’s festive, funny, and packed with that same mischievous holiday magic we all love. You can’t watch Home Alone with out watching Home Alone 2.
It’s A Christmas Carol, but with Muppets, so you know it’s going to be both hilarious and oddly touching. A perfect pick for a cozy family movie night.
One dad’s desperate hunt for the hottest Christmas toy turns into total mayhem in the best way possible. It’s fun, fast, and full of nostalgic ’90s Christmas vibes.
A dad gets a second chance to connect with his son, as a snowman, it’s funny and tear-jerking. Jack Frost is sweet, a little sad, and full of that winter magic.
If you love a good holiday rom-com with snow, twinkle lights, and a little unexpected romance, The Princess Switch delivers. Cozy, cheerful, and totally binge-worthy.
Jim Carrey brings the Grinch to life in all his grumpy, hilarious glory as he tries to steal Christmas from the Whos. It’s over-the-top, funny, and somehow manages to be really heartwarming too.
When you think skipping Christmas sounds like a good idea… think again. Christmas with the Kranks is chaotic, funny, and ultimately all about family and holiday spirit.
Hop on for a snowy adventure with a little boy, a magical train, and a whole lot of Christmas spirit. This movie is enchanting, heartwarming, and perfect for the whole family.
Snow, talking animals, and epic battles, Narnia makes you feel like Christmas magic could exist anywhere. It’s thrilling, heartwarming, and full of wonder for all ages.
From frozen castles to warm family moments, Frozen is all about love, courage, and a little holiday magic. It’s fun, heartfelt, and impossible not to enjoy.
Watching the Grinch try (and fail) to ruin Christmas never gets old. It’s silly, sweet, and packed with festive fun for the whole family.
Romantic Christmas Time
- While You Were Sleeping (Disney+, Amazon, AppleTV, and Fandango)
- You’ve Got Mail (YouTube, Amazon, Google Play, AppleTV, and Fandango)
- Bridget Jones’s Diary (MGM+, Paramount+, YouTube, fuboTV, slingTV, Roku, Philo, Amazon, Google Play, AppleTV, and Fangando)
- Serendipity (PlutoTV, Starz, YouTube, Hulu, fuboTV, SlingTV, Philo, Google Play, Amazon, AppleTV, and Fandango)
- The Family Stone (hulu/disney+/Max, peacock, fuboTV Philo, SlingTV, Amazon, AppleTV, and Fandango)
- Maid in Manhattan (Tubi, YouTube, Google Play, Amazon, AppleTV, and Fandango)
***Availability of these movies may vary, as streaming providers frequently update their catalogs. Please note that listings are subject to change.
Sometimes love sneaks up on you in the most unexpected way, like this delightful holiday rom-com. Warm, charming, and perfect for a feel-good Christmas movie night.
A story about love, misunderstandings, and Christmas magic (even if it’s subtle). You’ve Got Mail is charming, comforting, and perfect for curling up on a winter night.
From awkward office moments to festive family chaos, Bridget Jones keeps us laughing and rooting for her the whole way. A perfect blend of humor, romance, and holiday vibes.
A chance encounter leads to love, fate, and a little holiday magic. Serendipity is sweet, charming, and perfect for a cozy Christmas movie night.
Sometimes family gatherings are messy, and that’s exactly what makes this movie so relatable. Cozy, emotional, and full of holiday charm.
From mistaken identities to unexpected love, this rom-com is full of festive charm and heartwarming moments. A fun, romantic holiday movie to curl up with.
Christmas-y Classics
- Trading Places (PlutoTV, Roku, Paramount+, YouTube, Amazon, Google Play, AppleTV, and Fandango)
- Gremlins (Hulu/Disney+/Max, YouTube, Roku, Amazon, Google Play, Apple TV, and Fandango)
- Edward Scissorhands (Hulu/Disney+/Max, YouTube, fuboTV, SlingTV, Roku, Amazon, AppleTV, and Fandango)
- The Nightmare Before Christmas (Hulu/Disney+/Max, Amazon, AppleTV, and Fandango)
- Little Women (MGM+, YouTube, fuboTV, SlingTV, Roku, Philo, Amazon, Google Play, AppleTV, and Fandango)
- Batman Returns (HBO, YouTube, SlingTV, Roku, Amazon, Google Play, AppleTV, and Fandango)
- The Family Man (peacock, YouTube, Amazon, Google Play, AppleTV, and Fandango)
***Availability of these movies may vary, as streaming providers frequently update their catalogs. Please note that listings are subject to change.
Nothing says ’80s Christmas like a crazy mix-up, lots of laughs, and a little holiday comeuppance. A little old in the times, Trading Places is silly, smart, and slightly offensive at times, but it was the 80’s.
Mischief, mayhem, and Christmas lights gone wild, Gremlins is a holiday classic like no other. It’s chaotic, fun, and perfect for fans of quirky Christmas movies.
Tim Burton’s classic blends holiday spirit with a quirky, magical story about love and acceptance. Edward Scissorhands is whimsical, touching, and full of wintery charm
Not your typical Christmas movie, but the snow-covered Gotham and holiday-season schemes give it a festive twist. Batman Returns is dark, fun, and full of quirky holiday energy.
We all know and love this classic… Halloween meets Christmas in this charming, musical adventure full of quirky characters and festive fun. It’s playful, magical, and impossible not to love.
From snowy days to heartfelt family moments, this adaptation of Little Women captures the warmth of the season perfectly. Sweet, touching, and perfect for a holiday movie night.
A man gets a glimpse of what life could’ve been like if he’d made different choices, just in time for the holidays. The Family Man is heartwarming, funny, and full of festive charm.
Final Thoughts
Amazon has some of these movies available with the Amazon Prime subscription, which most of us already have. Fandango at Home, and AppleTV currently offer many of these titles (not a sponsor), but you can also stream, rent, or buy them from any of the other listed providers . I hope you enjoyed my ultimate Christmas movie list. Enjoy my favorites and the classics to help you get in that Christmas mood.
Many more lists for all sorts of occasions and moods to come. Jump on the nostalgic train and sign up for the newsletter to see more!
