What is Christmas without watching a feel-good movie from your cosy couch?
Ever since the dawn of cinema, tons of Christmas movies have been released almost every year. Definitely, you cannot watch all of them; that is why we have handpicked some of the best Christmas movies for you.
Below are the 30 best Christmas movies to watch with your family. The list contains a mix of musical, drama, romantic, and even animated movies. Lots of classics, along with newly released movies, are centred around Christmas. The best movie buffs in town have handpicked all these movies.
So, buckle up with your blankets and popcorn; you’re about to jump into a sea of movies!
Best Christmas Movies List (Top 10)
| Rank | Name | IMBD Rating | YouTube link |
| 1. | A Christmas Story | 7.9/10 | Click Here |
| 2. | Elf | 7/10 | Click Here |
| 3. | Carol | 7.2/10 | Click Here |
| 4. | It’s a Wonderful Life | 8.6/10 | Click Here |
| 5. | The Santa Clause | 6.5/10 | Click Here |
| 6. | Klaus | 8.1/10 | Click Here |
| 7. | Bad Santa | 7.1/10 | Click Here |
| 8. | The Home Alone series | 7.7/10 | Click Here |
| 9. | The Nightmare Before Christmas | 7.9/10 | Click Here |
| 10. | Falling for Christmas | 5.2/10 | Click Here |
1. A Christmas Story (1983)
Director- Bob Clark
It is one of the greatest Christmas movies of all time. With a straightforward storyline, the movie follows young Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsley), remembered by adult Ralphie Parker (Jean Shepherd) in Indiana. Parker wishes for a rifle on his 9th Christmas and gets it; the subsequent happenings are recorded realistically and engagingly.
With positive reviews worldwide, the film stayed in the theatre for over a hundred days altogether.
2. Elf (2003)
Director- Jon Favreau
One of the classic Christmas comedies of all time, Starring Will Ferrell. Ferrell is raided by elves and acts as if he’s one. Soon he learns the truth about himself and travels to the city to meet his father. Ferrell’s hilarious performance carries the story throughout. He was praised for giving one of the best comic appearances in this movie.
3. Carol (2015)
Director- Todd Haynes
The Rom-com drama involves two women’s private affairs during the ’50s. Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara appear in the prominent roles of Carol Aird and Therese Belivet. The movie was released in 2015 and was critically appreciated for its precise and sophisticated storytelling.
4. It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
Director- Frank Capra
Based on a short story, it’s a beautiful life that follows the life of a man who dedicates his entire life to his community. The movie explores the deep grief of George Bailey (James Stewart). A Guardian Angel arrives and saves him from suicide in the climax.
Praised as one of the greatest Christmas films, the movie has received numerous awards and is still screened during Christmas at times.
5. The Santa Clause (1994)
Directors- Leonard William Benvenuti and Stephen Mark “Steve” Rudnick
It is the first of the three films released under the same franchise. Scott Calvin, the main character (played by Tim Allen), accidentally makes Santa fall from his roof. Now that Santa is hurt, he and his son deliver all of Santa’s gifts. Tim Allen appears in this movie as a cheerful Santa, convincing others that he is the real Santa.
6. Klaus (2019)
Director- Sergio Pablos
Directed by Spanish director Pablos as his debut movie, Klaus was released on Netflix in 2019. It is an animated movie tracing the origin of Santa Claus. The story begins with a postmaster trying to discipline his lavish son. Taking place in the 19th century, the movie discusses the dispute between families and the redemption of Jesper (Jason Schwartzman).
7. Bad Santa (2003)
Director- Terry Zwigoff
Most Christmas movies are centred around family, Santa Claus, comedy, and romance. Bad Santa, alternatively, explores black comedy. The story follows the life of two thieves and their unconventional lives.
If you are bored by the usual Christmas movie genre, bad Santa might lighten up your Christmas this year better.
8. The Home Alone series
Director- Chris Columbus
One of the all-time classic Christmas movies is the Home Alone series. Most of us watched the Home Alone series of movies growing up. With excellent comedy and engaging and reliable screenplay, the movies can keep you glued to your couch all day.
The series consists of around 5 movies by different directors under approximately the same storyline.
9. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Director- Henry Selick
Telling the story of the battle between the good and the bad, the nightmare before Christmas is a fictional animated musical film. The movie has frightening animations and a dark theme and can be a tremendous Christmas-night watch.
10. Falling For Christmas (2022)
Director- Janeen Damian
One of the fresh releases this year is falling for Christmas. Lindsay Lohan, a rich and spoiled brat, loses her memory after getting into an accident. The movie follows her journey towards inheriting her father’s hotel and facing the consequences of her accident.
11. White Christmas (1954)
Director- Michael Curtiz
The musical film comprises multiple songs and the famous title song white Christmas from the movie Holiday Inn. The movie takes place during the Second World War following Captain Bob Wallace and Phil Davis’s singing journey from Christmas to Christmas eve.
12. Single All the Way (2021)
Director- Michael Mayer
With the Classic romantic Christmas movie plot, the movie follows Michael Urie’s pressure to get into a relationship. Since he is gay, he convinces his best friend to pretend to be his boyfriend. When he gets home, there awaits a surprise for him arranged by his mother. With the regular twists and turns of a romantic comedy, the movie finally ends happily.
13. Holiday (2006)
Director- Nancy Meyers
Unlike regular holiday movies, the screenplay focuses on two women trying to cope with their relationships. When things get stressful, they choose to switch places in different countries. This holiday away from home results in both unconventional yet happy relationships.
14. A Christmas Tale (2008)
Director- Arnaud Desplechin
The movie tells the story of a French family with estranged relationships with one another. Even though they aren’t close, they decide to come together for Christmas, wher a crisis awaits them. The climax involves multiple tragedies within the family, and the movie ends without relief from grief.
15.The Snowman (1982)
Director- Dianne Jackson
Adapted from a Symphony by Raymond Briggs, this animated movie has a simple story of a small boy finding a snowman. They eventually travel to Norway to meet other snowmen. The film runs for half an hour covering the events spanning over the night. The following morning, James (the boy) wakes up only to find his dear friend melted away.
16. The Princess Switch trilogy
Director- Mike Rohl
Released in consecutive years, the Princess switch is the story of a Duchess exchanging lives with the commoner and the following events. The chaos that follows the exchange is shown in the three consecutive films.
17. Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey (2020)
Director- David E. Talbert
Yet another new musical movie on the list has arrived. With The Pinch of fantasy and music, the film is an excellent choice for children. Jeronicus Jangle is an inventor and toy maker who receives the final component of his latest invention, a sentient matador doll named Don Juan Diego. Diego convinces Gustafson to get revenge on Jeronicus by stealing his inventions, leading to Jeronicus’ financial hardship.
In the end, Jeronicus and Jessica come together and receive funding for any invention he desires to make.
18. Christmas In Connecticut (1945)
Director- Peter Godfrey
A single woman pretends to be a mother and eventually falls in love with a soldier. The writer’s role is played by Barbara Stanwyck, and the soldier by Dennis Morgan. Through its appealing cinematography and excellent writing, the movie was a box office hit and is perfect for a Christmas date.
19. Happiest Season (2020)
Director- Clea DuVall.
This is yet another holiday rom-com movie released in 2020. The film is centered around Kristen Stewart is struggling lesbian who comes out in front of her conservative parents. The movie was appreciated for bringing out a common problem that isn’t widely spoken about. Kudos to the director for casting Stewart, who came out publicly as a lesbian.
20. Last Christmas (2019)
Director- Paul Feig
Named after the song, last Christmas was released in 1984. The British ROM com follows Emilia Clarke and her imaginary boyfriend with whom she falls in love eventually. Kate (Emilia), is a single woman trying to fix her life slowly. Her sudden encounters with Tom change the course of her life.
21. The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
Director- Brian Henson
Here comes yet another musical drama on this list. This is a fictional story e adapted from a novel by Charles Dickens named A Christmas carol. It has some extra characters, such as the muppets, different from the original story. Multiple releases (film and TV series) have been under the muppets franchise.
Funny and witty, muppets might steal your hearts this Christmas!
22. Arthur Christmas (2011)
Director- Sarah Smith
This animated science fiction movie follows Arthur Claus, the son of Santa Claus, who delivers gifts in an automated vehicle. The reckless young Arthur travels in his father’s car to provide a missing gift with his grandfather’s spirit. He then proceeds to give presents by himself, landing him in trouble.
23. Christmas Evil (1980)
Director- Lewis Jackson
This crime drama film brings in a new type of Santa Claus, who kills. Even though it’s a classic, it might serve well for crime thriller fans who find themselves having nothing to watch this Christmas.
24. One Magic Christmas (1985)
Director- Phillip Borsos
Canadian Christmas film featuring Santa Claus and some Angels from heaven. It begins with Santa Claus assigning gifts for Christmas. The story later comes to Cal and Abbie, played by Robbie Mein wood and Elizabeth Harnois, featuring a lot of fictional settings.
25. Happy Christmas (2014)
Director- Joe Swanberg
The messed-up family and personal lives of anna Kendrick and her brother joe Swanberg is comically pictured in happy Christmas, exploring their relationship with each other and other family members.
26. Merry Christmas (2005)
Director- Christian Carion
The French drama film centres around 6 main characters who are soldiers and Opera stars. The timeline is set in 1914 featuring the Christmas truce during the first world war. The story tells the story of soldiers from two opposing forces (Allies and Axes) from Britain and Germany.
27. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
Director- Ron Howard
Based on Theodor Seuss Geisel’s book “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”, the film was first released in 2000. The movie had adopted an animated version earlier, but this was the first live film to come out.
The witty grinch lives away from the town in a cave. He hates Christmas and tends to ruin everybody else’s. He ends up falling in love with a girl and redeeming himself from his past mistakes.
28. Office Christmas Party (2016)
Director- Will Speck and Josh Gordon
Based on a story by Jon Lucas and Scott Moore, the comedy film features fictional companies and a corporate-style Christmas celebration, justifying the title. Exploring the personal lives of the workers, Christmas that year brings peace to every character.
29. Holiday Affair (1949)
Director- Don Hartman
John D’s Christmas gift was later adapted into a movie named Holiday Affair. Set in New York, the film explores the relationship between Robert Mitchum, Janet Leigh, and Wendell Corey. Starting before Christmas, the love affair extends after Christmas with a complicated ending.
30. Four Christmases (2008)
Director- Seth Gordon
The story features the 4 different types of Christmases at four other people’s houses. A couple decides to visit their family e for Christmas. Since all of their parents were divorced, they had to go to four different homes. Dealing with rejection and denial from their families, the couple finally comes to terms and has a child.
Related Reads
- 17+ Best Movies To Watch On Netflix
- 20+ Best Free Movie Streaming Websites To Watch
- Top 10 Best Movies to Watch on Prime Video
- Best 20th Century Fox Movies
Wrapping-up
We’ve sifted through the many alternatives to bring you the most engaging and enjoyable films. These films are fascinating due to their well-crafted plots and production values.
