As Christmas draws near, there is never a better time to create a warm movie marathon during the festive season. All Christmas films are either old classics or quirky comedies that offer something for any viewer. Whether you are in the mood for nostalgic family favorites like Home Alone or A Christmas Story, or craving something fresh on holiday cheer with the newer gems like The Knight Before Christmas and The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special, all these movies bring joy, laughter, and a little bit of magic.
This handpicked list of the 20 best Christmas movies for a binge-watching session guarantees that your holiday season will be as entertaining, warm, and fun as possible.
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1) Home Alone
This holiday classic stars young Kevin McCallister, who outwits two burglars when his family accidentally leaves him behind. Known for its ingenious traps and unforgettable lines, Home Alone isn't just a slapstick comedy but a heartwarming reminder of family love and resilience. It's so popular that it inspired real-life "Home Alone" themed Airbnb stays!
2) Gremlins
Horrific and Merry, all rolled into one, as with Gremlins, that presents Christmas with a creature a young man receives from Mogwai, but things get more dramatic in the form of more sinister creatures called Gremlins. This cult favorite keeps going because of a darker twist to the merry season of Christmas, using this holiday to tell unique Christmas stories.
3) The Nightmare Before Christmas
It's Tim Burton's stop-motion project that bridges Halloween and Christmas as Jack Skellington discovers the wonders of Christmas Town. Its aesthetic, catchy songs, and memorable characters, like Sally and Oogie Boogie, have made it a cross-season favorite. Fans celebrate its timeless appeal yearly through everything from collectibles to themed experiences.
4) Bad Santa
This dark comedy tells the story of a vile, boozy Santa impersonator who decides to rob all the department stores on Christmas Eve. Bad Santa flips the traditional holiday movie with humor and a redemptive heart. With its sequel, its cult status has grown, so it has become a favorite for those who crave a little edge in their holiday lineup.
5) How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Jim Carrey animated the Grinch, bringing the character to life in vivid color. This live-action adaptation will always be a visual fantasy thanks to its whimsical settings and Carrey's animated performance. Fun fact: hours of makeup daily make a character unforgettable for the audience.
6) Love Actually
This British romantic comedy weaves multiple love stories and loss with the backdrop of the holiday season. Love Actually is one of those Christmas classics with great scenes, including that airport reunion one can never forget. Its perfect humor and emotional depth blend make it a great, cozy, feel-good holiday movie.
7) A Christmas Story
You movie you've probably heard, "You'll shoot your eye out!" This film is Ralphie's intense quest for the perfect Red Ryder BB gun. Famous scenes include the leg lamp and Ralphie's pink bunny pajamas. As it's a film filled with holiday nostalgia, it makes A Christmas Story the ultimate holiday film.
8) Elf
In this instant classic, Buddy the Elf journeys from the North Pole to New York City in search of his biological father, resulting in comedic chaos. The film is hilarious yet heartwarming, with innocent antics and cheerful optimism that bring out the holiday spirit. Each year, through Elf, we are reminded to return to childhood in the spirit of good times.
9) The Polar Express
This animated adaptation of Chris Van Allsburg's book takes you on a magical train ride to the North Pole on Christmas Eve. Voiced by Tom Hanks, the film uses groundbreaking CGI to create a sense of wonder as a young boy questions his belief in Santa Claus. The story's core message—that believing is seeing—resonates with audiences of all ages. The Polar Express remains a holiday classic with a hauntingly beautiful soundtrack and breathtaking visuals.
10) Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
Kevin McCallister returns alone in New York City after another mishap separates from his family. He is staying at the Plaza Hotel, and the notorious Harry and Marv plot is close by. New traps and old-timey humor have captured the New York magic of Christmas. Fans watch it again to go through all the new adventures of Kevin with the festive backdrop of New York during the Christmas period, making this a true classic of Christmas endurance.
11) The Knight Before Christmas
Netflix brings a fairy tale feel to the holiday with the movie Knight Before Christmas by transporting a medieval knight into the present. With Vanessa Hudgens as the teacher named Brooke, guiding the way for the acceptance of the knight in a changed world leads into the holiday romance of the season. Rich in festivity and humor, with amorous and endearing statements and giving a unique spin to everything that has ever been written about the holiday seasons surrounding Christmas, this Knight Before Christmas is warm and is a feel-good holiday watch.
12) Best. Christmas. Ever!
This is the story of an uptight woman who feels competitive after a perfect holiday letter from a good friend. She seeks her confrontation in unearthing all of its comedy and some surprising revelations. Best. Christmas. Ever! holds some humorous twists and expressions for its viewers, who value tales laced with witty repartees about the comings and goings of holiday time spliced together with family values and friendships.
13) Bad Santa 2
Billy Bob Thornton reprises foul-mouthed, hard-drinking Willie Soke for another round of holiday hi-jinks in Bad Santa 2. Willie is pulled back into this Christmas heist by an old partner, Marcus (Tony Cox), and by his estranged mother, Sunny (Kathy Bates), who is just about as foul and conniving as Willie. The dysfunctional trio targets a charity in Chicago on Christmas Eve. Still, things quickly go haywire when Willie tries to break a cycle of self-destructive behavior and has an impulse to be redeemed.
14) Let It Snow
Let It Snow is an adaptation based on a bestselling book wherein a group of teenagers' lives come together because of circumstances at a Christmas Eve snowstorm. Through young love and friendship, Let It Snow brings out a new take on holiday romance, bringing it close to younger audiences.
15) The Night Before
The Night Before stars Seth Rogen, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Anthony Mackie as three lifelong friends embarking on a hilarious Christmas Eve adventure. Their journey through New York City combines holiday cheer with outrageous moments, making it a memorable choice for viewers seeking laughs with a hint of holiday spirit. From wild parties to tender moments of friendship, the film offers an entertaining and heartwarming take on holiday traditions.
16) The Christmas Chronicles
In the Netflix original, Kurt Russell plays the role of a cool, rock-n-roll Santa in a team-up with two siblings to save Christmas. This has quickly become one of the holiday favorites with a unique Santa portrayal by Russell and modern twists on the classic holiday themes. It even has a sequel so that you can have double the fun!
17) Klaus
Klaus is the story of Jesper, a lazy, spoiled postman sent to the remote, frozen town of Smeerensburg as punishment. He's been tasked with delivering 6,000 letters in order not to be cut off by his wealthy family, and this is when he meets Klaus, the reclusive toymaker, and starts delivering handcrafted toys to children that would bring happiness to this town known for its never-ending feuds. Stunning 2D animation and beautiful storytelling bring new holiday magic into the film.
18) The Holiday
This romantic comedy is about two women who switch homes for Christmas. With its beautiful settings in England and California, The Holiday is a heart warmer for the audience because of its cozy atmosphere. The Holiday combines romance with self-discovery, thus becoming an absolute holiday must-have for anyone who loves a warm love story.
19) Jingle All the Way
Arnold Schwarzenegger plays Howard Langston, a good but overly worked father who goes into a wild Christmas Eve chaos to get the hottest new toy of the season that everyone is clamoring after, the Turbo-Man action figure for his son. Ashe battles his way through absurd circumstances, which include crowds and misadventures at a parade, Jingle All the Way brings holiday shopping madness into focus with humor. Its memorable line is, "I'll give you a turbo boost!" And off-the-wall antics make the film a staple for anyone looking for a lighthearted holiday classic.
20) The Guardians of The Galaxy Holiday Special
The Marvel Cinematic Universe, The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special, is a joyful and playful detour from its typical fare of superhero tropes. Mantis and Drax come to Earth to kidnap Kevin Bacon, Quill's childhood hero, for the ultimate Christmas gift. This unique combines Marvel's signature humor with genuine holiday cheer as the Guardians' quirky personalities lead to hilarious misunderstandings and touching moments. The joyful tone makes The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special a must-watch holiday offering for dedicated Marvel enthusiasts and anyone else.
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