RD.COM Holidays & Observances Christmas
70 Best Christmas Movies of All Time
Molly Pennington, PhDUpdated: Nov. 21, 2022
Did your favorite holiday flick make our list of the all-time best Christmas movies?
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The best Christmas movies to add to your must-watch list
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, and you know what that means: It's time for a Christmas movie watch party! Whether you're a fan of classic Christmas movies, Hallmark Christmas movies, romantic flicks or the best Christmas movies for kids, there's something on our list for everyone. 'Tis the season to lounge on the couch in an ugly Christmas sweater, snuggled under a blanket with your loved ones. Picture hot cocoa steaming in your favorite mug while one of the best Christmas movies plays on your television. This must be the coziest feeling in the world.
Our list narrows it down to the best of the best, from classic cartoons all the way to the best Christmas movies on Netflix that have debuted in recent years. Make it a festive family movie festival with the best Christmas movies on Hulu, Lifetime and Amazon Prime to keep it easy and streamable. Have yourself a movie little Christmas!
Hosting family and friends for the holidays this year? Find decor inspiration, gift ideas and hosting tips on RD.com, and get ready to bring joy home for the holidays.
How we chose the best Christmas movies
As we all know, there are movies about Christmas, and then there are the Christmas movies we look forward to watching every single year. That is to say, these aren't just the greatest Christmas movies; they're some of the best movies, period. To make our list of the best Christmas movies of all time, each holiday flick had to have at least one of a few essential things: tons of great reviews, a fan following, classic Christmas movies status, a fun singalong or a certain seasonal magic that just makes it feel like Christmas. You know it when you see it! Get ready to laugh, cry and jingle bell rock along with these must-watch Christmas movies.
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This whimsical, dreamy animated tale follows a group of pajama-clad kids, roused from slumber and pulled aboard a train bound for the North Pole. It's based on the 1986 Caldecott-winning book of the same name, one of the best Christmas books for kids.
Rated: PG-13
This star-studded rom-com features the ol' house-swap plot line. Kate Winslet stars as the owner of an adorable English cottage who swaps homes for the holiday with a Hollywood mogul (played by Cameron Diaz) in this romantic Christmas movie.
Christmas in Connecticut
Rated: Not rated
Return to classic Hollywood in this fun rom-com starring screen legend Barbara Stanwyck as a woman who pens the popular "Diary of a Housewife" column. When her publisher insists she host a Christmas dinner on the farm for a vet returning home from the war, she may just fall in love with him. Here are the best funny Christmas movies for anyone who likes their holiday dramas merry and light.
Steve Martin and John Candy play stranded businessmen who end up on a disaster-filled trek to finally get home for Thanksgiving. Get ready for laughs galore and just enough holiday sentiment to make your eyes tear up. This film ranks as one of our favorite Thanksgiving movies too. If you're looking to settle into a cozy nook with a book instead, check out these Christmas books to read around the holidays.
The Shop Around the Corner
One of the best Christmas movies is this classic love story that inspired multiple mistaken identity rom-coms, including You've Got Mail. Christmas Eve revelations finally bring love to light in this classic film. See how many of these Christmas movie trivia questions you can answer correctly.
via appletv.com
This Christmas classic premiered more than 50 years ago, and we've been watching it every year since. Based on the song of the same name, this stop-motion animated television special captures audiences with its sweet story about accepting differences. Want to make it a double feature? These are the best kids Christmas movies to watch on Netflix right now.
This classic still lulls with nostalgic merriness and impressive visuals. You'll also see magical set pieces and lots of toy soldiers. Set the kids in front of the TV and pop on this film—you'll have plenty of uninterrupted time to shop online for all the important people in your life. Need some inspiration? Start with these gifts for sisters.
Reese Witherspoon shines in this comedy about heading home for Christmas—to four different homes, that is. Vince Vaughn plays her longtime boyfriend, who weathers the family time by her side. It may not qualify as a classic movie yet, but give it a couple more decades, and it'll rank up there with A Christmas Story.
The Merry Gentleman
Michael Keaton directed this art-house drama featuring gorgeous visuals that capture the stark isolation for those who are alone at Christmas. Next, check out these Christmas movie locations that actually exist in real life.
The whole cast returns in this sequel to the 1990s hit The Best Man. Meet up with the group of friends as they descend upon a Christmas estate for tense dinners, plenty of melodrama and some choreographed dancing. Speaking of dancing, get ready to rock around the Christmas tree to one of these funny Christmas songs.
In 1990's Edward Scissorhands, things come to a head during Christmas when Edward, who has scissors for hands, carves sculptures and shaves ice into Christmas snowfall for the girl he loves. After the best Christmas movies, check out the best Christmas town in every state.
Elf sits among the top 10 on many best Christmas movie lists because it offers the kind of feel-good hilarity the whole family can enjoy. Prepare for tender moments that depict loneliness and the need to fit in interspersed with Will Ferrell's particular brand of madcap comedy.
via netflix.com
It's one of the most spectacular classic Christmas movies, so feast your eyes on dazzling, over-the-top numbers bursting with the holiday aesthetic as stranded performers put on a show. There are also a few engagements, so if holiday romance is your thing, this film's a sure bet. Looking for more love? Find it on the page of one of these romance novels.
Almost Christmas
Rated: MA
Danny Glover stars as a recent widower who invites his grown kids home for Christmas. It's a family melodrama that offers platters of romance and comedy alongside moments that will move you.
After a breakup, an immature woman played by Anna Kendrick moves in with her brother, his wife and their 2-year-old and tries to put her life back together during the Christmas season in Happy Christmas.
The Santa Clause
If something should ever happen to Santa, don't worry. There's a little-known clause that assures one of the most important Christmas symbols will carry on. Tim Allen plays the dad destined to become Santa in this heartwarming comedy about belief. Lovers of the kid's classic will be happy to hear that Disney+ is releasing a six episode series of The Santa Clause.
Amp up the Scrooge vibes in this crass take on the Christmas spirit. Billy Bob Thornton stars as a real-life Grinch—he poses as a mall Santa so he can rob stores.
Scrooged
Return to the heyday of 1980s comedy in this retelling of the classic A Christmas Carol story starring Bill Murray as the "Bah, humbug!" type.
Best watched with a spiked eggnog in hand, A Bad Moms Christmas is one of the best Christmas movies to watch with your girlfriends. Mila Kunis, Kathryn Hahn and Kristen Bell return as seasoned moms forced to put on the perfect Christmas for their families and generally failing at it. Even worse: Their own moms are watching (and judging) their every move.
One of the best Christmas movies for parents, Jingle All the Way may feel like a slice of real life. The plot is inspired by Christmas toy frenzies of the past—you know, the parents who did anything for Cabbage Patch Dolls, Tickle Me Elmos and other must-have seasonal toys. In this case, two rival dads vie for the rare Turbo-Man action figure topping every kid's Christmas list.
This popular Christmas movie offers a fluffy, sugar-coated love story set during the holidays as an intrepid reporter finds herself falling for the heir to the Aldovian throne. Speaking of romance, make sure to check out these gifts for your wife. They not only say "I love you" but also "I didn't shop at the last minute."
Some of the best Christmas movies thrive on themes of angels, ghosts and other magical entities coming along to teach people what the holidays are really about. In this case, it's a wry snowman come to life who wants one last chance to show his family he cares.
Out of all the remakes and adaptations of A Christmas Carol, the Muppets version rises to the top as it manages to be both witty and heartwarming in a way that kids and adults can enjoy together.
The Preacher's Wife
This remake of The Bishop's Wife stars Denzel Washington as a super handsome angel who comes along right around Christmas to help out Whitney Houston with some family problems. We may not be able to help you settle family feuds, but if your problem is around Christmas decoration ideas, we're here to help.
Trading Places
This classic Christmas movie catapulted Eddie Murphy to superstardom. He plays the hapless man who falls victim to the schemes of two ultra-rich stockbroker bad guys, but he turns the joke on them.
This adorable animated film is an unexpected delight with a heartwarming story that captures audience members of every age. The film follows Santa's son, Arthur, on his quest to deliver a lost toy before the deadline (Christmas Eve!) is up.
Nothing Like the Holidays
During the holiday season, nothing hits the spot like a great family Christmas movie set around the dinner table. This drama depicts strong bonds and the love that ties us together in relatable and heartfelt scenes by great performers.
The most important adventures take place on Christmas Eve—including one of the best Christmas movies to feature a heist on the Nakatomi skyscraper. Who needs Santa when Bruce Willis delivers the goods in this classic action flick? Watching Die Hard is a fantastic Christmas Eve tradition.
Love Actually feels like a ridiculous and romantic trifle. And it is. Giving into its many implausible plots and nutty scenarios is part of the ever-watchable charm that makes it one of the best Christmas movies to ever hit the big screen.
Christmas lights will never be the same after you see the Griswold display. Chevy Chase plays the dad who tries to do what's right for his family amid nonstop epic and hilarious fails in the classic National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.
via apple.tv.com
A Charlie Brown Christmas Special
Nothing captures Christmas quite like Charlie Brown's forlorn little tree and a rewatching of A Charlie Brown Christmas Special. Snoopy saves the day with some help from the ultimate wise man, Linus, plus the Peanuts kids, who learn the meaning of Christmas.
Don't miss Mary J. Blige as the Christmas angel in this musical drama based on the famous Langston Hughes play. The movie comes alive during the musical numbers, which are both lyrical and sometimes ultra-realistic. On that note, if you don't know what to write in a Christmas card, song lyrics are always a good idea.
The Family Stone
Get ready for slapstick comedy mixed with tragic heartbreak. The Family Stone is the kind of Christmas movie you can rely on for laughs and tears, and you'll no doubt end up watching it again and again each Christmas.
Meet Me in St. Louis
Judy Garland's iconic rendition of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" bumps Meet Me in St. Louis onto any list of the best Christmas movies.
Macaulay Culkin steals the show as the kid left alone at Christmas who fights off bungling burglars while his mom and dad (Catherine O'Hara and John Heard) freak out from afar in the '90s classic Home Alone.
via hulu.com
This rom-com explores wanting to be accepted by those you love most, being true to your own identity and coming out to your conservative parents at Christmas. If this flick doesn't put you in the festive mood, the best Christmas songs will do the trick.
Have a hankie handy for the happy reunion at the end of this film with a decked-out Christmas tree set, a crowded party, cute kids and your favorite line: "Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings."
The stop-motion animation looks charming and eccentric while the songs make you tap your foot and sing along in this story about a Pumpkin King who wants to take over Christmas. Don't worry—Santa ends up safe and sound!
This remake of the 1947 film about the power of belief is big on charm and Christmas miracles. There's also a legit Christmas dream home at the end! For more merry-making, don't miss these gifts for mom—the woman who says she doesn't need anything but deserves everything.
The TV classic boasts terrific animation based on Dr. Seuss's iconic and bizarro illustrations. And it contains the added tune "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch," with its genius lyrics that roast any scrooge-like meanie.
Watching A Christmas Story is how most kids learn to never touch their tongues to a frozen flagpole. During December, the film is always playing around the clock on TV, and you can catch any scene and still enjoy it.
Kurt Russell gives an inspired performance as a rock 'n' roll Santa in this popular recent hit. Goldie Hawn, his longtime real-life partner, plays Mrs. Claus. Set aside some time for a double feature, because the kids will love this flick and the sequel that follows. And if you happen to be a fan of any of Goldie Hawn's other movies, Falling For Christmas—a new Netflix holiday movie—is somewhat similar to Hawn's film, Overboard.
The Christmas Chronicles 2
Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn reprise their roles as Santa and Mrs. Claus in an adventure involving the evil elf Belsnickel. The Christmas Chronicles 2 features live action mixed with spirited CGI. If you love animation, here are the best Christmas cartoons to enjoy.
One of the best Christmas movies of the past few years is the spectacular Netflix musical Jingle Jangle. A brilliant toymaker's apprentice tries to steal his idea in this movie filled with exuberant art design, gorgeous costumes and rip-roaring dance numbers.
In this sweet rom-com, more than one teen romance takes off when the snow comes down. In one story line, a famous pop star gets snowed in to a small town on Christmas Eve. He spends time with a local teen, who is not impressed with his fame. Check out the best Christmas movies on Disney+ if you're looking for more teen-dream rom-coms.
Holiday Rush
A single dad loses his lucrative radio show job right before Christmas in this touching film. His kids, used to affluence, are in for some lessons when they all downsize in this heartwarming comedy.
Dashing in December
If you're looking for a beautiful Christmas romance, go for Dashing in December. Andie MacDowell plays a mom whose grown son returns home to her ranch for Christmas, only to find himself falling for her totally dashing ranch hand. Here are more great LGBTQ movies to indulge in.
Anna Kendrick and Bill Hader play Santa's adult children, who have to take over duties after their father's passing. But neither is really up to the job in this delightful comedy, which you can find on Disney+.
In this heartfelt romantic comedy, a woman receives an advent calendar from her grandpa. Once she opens it, the contents of each day seem to magically connect to what's happening in her life—and might even predict the future.
Dolly Parton's Christmas on the Square
Dolly Parton provides all the songs in this Emmy-winning musical about an executive (Christine Baranski) who's selling all the land in her hometown right before Christmas. What a Scrooge! Take the opposite approach this holiday by creating the best holiday ambiance in your home with easy DIY Christmas decorations anyone can make.
In this Christmas comedy, a couple (Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis) decides to skip Christmas, since their grown daughter is away, but then she announces she is coming home after all—with her new fiancé in tow. Her parents try to throw together the perfect last-minute celebration, with hilarious results.
Holiday in the Wild
In Holiday in the Wild, Kristin Davis plays a divorcée who goes on her second honeymoon solo. It's a safari, so she ends up needing to save a baby elephant with her hunky pilot—played by Rob Lowe. Sparks fly.
Queen Latifah gives a moving performance in this totally brilliant rom-com about a woman who decides to live life to the fullest when she's diagnosed with a terminal illness right before Christmas. LL Cool J plays the co-worker who follows her across the globe (in the snow!) to let her know he's in love with her before it's too late.
Anna and the Apocalypse
If all you want for Christmas is a zombie movie—that's also a musical that takes place during the holidays—then Anna and the Apocalypse was made for you. Christmas season is also the season of the undead, with singing, fighting teens to boot. Speaking of teens, yours will love these hilarious Christmas memes.
Audiences and critics love this animated retelling of the Santa Claus myth. In this moving story, a hapless mailman joins forces with a reclusive toymaker to bring gifts to the kids in the local village.
Holidate is the ideal romance for anyone who loves, loves, loves the holidays. You'll find every seasonal celebration in this one, including Christmas, as a fake couple is thrown together during every festivity. Will they realize their one true love is right under their nose? It's a holiday rom-com, so you bet.
The Bishop's Wife
Cary Grant stars as a dashing angel who descends to earth to answer a bishop's prayer. Soon, the angel finds himself falling for the bishop's wife in one of the most beloved classic Christmas movies.
A Christmas Tale
You'll find yourself enraptured by this acclaimed French drama (you won't mind the subtitles!) starring the legendary Catherine Deneuve as a matriarch hosting a Christmas family reunion. If you'd rather skip the family party this year, these Christmas getaways will help you escape the cold.
There have been subsequent remakes, but this classic Christmas movie—a full-on horror flick—still packs a chilling punch as sorority sisters battle a killer over Christmas break. It's perfect if you like your Christmas more macabre than merry.
If you're in the mood for raucous comedy, look no further than this anthem to wild Christmas parties. It stars Jason Bateman, Jennifer Anniston, Kate McKinnon and Olivia Munn.
Mario Lopez plays a single dad (Feliz NaviDAD, get it?) whose daughter signs him up for a dating app in this sweet Christmas rom-com directed by Melissa Joan Hart.
Horror fans will love this dark take on Home Alone as a babysitter and her young charge battle home invaders during Christmas. But nothing is as it seems. Heed the title! And if you're stuck babysitting this holiday season, these Christmas crafts for kids will keep them busy—sans horror, we promise.
If you're looking to sit back with some silly, R-rated comedy, try this romp about three friends (Seth Rogen, Anthony Mackie and Joseph Gordon-Levitt) who are determined to tie one on before Christmas.
via hbomax.com
It's a very WASP-y Christmas with this talky, Oscar-nominated indie film about rich college kids trying to be sophisticated. Inevitably, Christmas break brings plenty of drama.
via hallmarkmoviesandmysteries.com
The Christmas Doctor
For Hallmark fans, The Christmas Doctor is one of the best Christmas movies of all time. Everyone loves this romance about a doctor doing a temp gig in a small town over the holidays. She doesn't like to be tied down, but her handsome landlord makes that impossible!
Getting coal in your stocking is a piece of cake compared with a visit from this horned monster who comes for naughty kids. This horror comedy is not for the little ones in your family! Keep them busy with these Christmas brain teasers instead.
The Knight Before Christmas
A medieval knight time-travels to the present day, where he falls for a high school science teacher. Prepare for a super sweet holiday romance!
The Man Who Invented Christmas
Dan Stevens (of Downton Abbey fame) plays Charles Dickens in this delightful biopic about the author who penned one of the most famous Christmas stories, A Christmas Carol, back in 1843.
This classic rom-com climaxes during the holiday season, when the two besties finally figure out they don't want to spend another holiday without each other.
Prancer
This sweet drama stars Sam Elliott as the widowed father of a young girl who believes she's found one of Santa's reindeer. If you can unglue yourself from the couch, these Christmas party themes will take your holiday get-together to the next level.
Additional reporting by Chloë Nannestad.
Originally Published: October 04, 2021
Molly Pennington, PhD
Molly is a writer and collage artist with a PhD in film and cultural studies from the University of Pittsburgh. Her professional astrology services and artwork are available at Baroque Moon Astrology. She covers the zodiac, books, movies, TV and culture for Reader's Digest, and loves to talk about all the ways we make meaning.