Numerous Christmas feature films and TV specials have been played and re-run on television; every year in or around December, networks, studios, and production firms create and release new Christmas-themed movies with different takes on the same themes and narratives.
Viewers can refer to the list of Christmas movies mentioned in this piece to watch this holiday season.
Top Christmas movies to watch this season
Home Alone (1990)
The 1990 American comedy Home Alone was written and produced by John Hughes and directed by Chris Columbus. In the first part of the Home Alone series, Macaulay Culkin plays Kevin McCallister, an eight-year-old kid who, after his family mistakenly leaves him behind for their Christmas vacation in Paris, guards his Chicago home from a home robbery by two thieves.
Spirited (2011)
Spirited is a 2022 American Christmas musical comedy film that was written and produced by Sean Anders and John Morris, and directed by Anders. It is both a contemporary adaptation of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens from 1843 and a critique of the numerous subsequent adaptations. Will Ferrell, Ryan Reynolds, Tracy Morgan, Octavia Spencer, Sunita Mani, Patrick Page, and Marlow Barkley are among the film's cast members.
As the Ghost of Christmas Present approaches retirement in the movie, a return to Earth is inevitable. His target is Clint Briggs, an "unredeemable" guy who ultimately assists the Ghost in confronting his own history.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
The 2000 American Christmas fantasy comedy Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas was directed by Ron Howard and co-produced by Brian Grazer. The Grinch is a sour, green recluse who lives on Mount Crumpit. He hates Christmas and the happy people of Whoville, and he sets out to ruin their holiday celebration.
This was the first full-length feature film adaptation of a Dr. Seuss novel, and it was based on the children's book of the same name published in 1957. After the 1966 animated TV special, it is the book's second adaptation and the first live-action version.
Jingle All The Way (1996)
Brian Levant is the director of the 1996 American Christmas family comedy Jingle All the Way. The movie stars Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sinbad as Howard Langston and Myron Larabee, two competitive fathers in Minneapolis who go on a last-minute Christmas Eve shopping spree in an attempt to buy their respective sons the popular Turbo-Man action figure. The iconic Christmas carol "Jingle Bells" is the source of the movie's title.
Elf (2003)
The 2003 American Christmas comedy Elf was written and directed by David Berenbaum and Jon Favreau. Buddy, played by Will Ferrell, is a human who was raised by Santa's elves. After learning about his background, he travels to New York City to meet his biological father.
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)
The 1992 American Christmas comedy Home Alone 2: Lost in New York was written and produced by John Hughes and directed by Chris Columbus.
The second entry in the Home Alone franchise and the follow-up to the 1990 movie stars Macaulay Culkin, Brenda Fricker, Tim Curry, John Heard, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, and Catherine O'Hara. The plot centers on Kevin McCallister, who is separated from his family while they are on vacation in Florida. Following the Wet Bandits' escape from prison, he meets them again in New York City.
Klaus (2019)
Co-written, co-produced, and directed by Sergio Pablos in his directorial debut, Klaus is an animated Christmas adventure comedy released by Netflix and produced by The SPA Studios.
The book, which is set in a fictional 19th-century setting and serves as an alternative origin story for Santa Claus separate from the actual Saint Nicholas of Myra, centers on a postman assigned to an island settlement in the Far North who becomes friends with a reclusive toymaker (Klaus).
Die Hard (1988)
Based on Roderick Thorp's 1979 novel Nothing Lasts Forever, Die Hard is an American action movie that was directed by John McTiernan and written by Jeb Stuart and Steven E. de Souza. In addition to Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman, Bonnie Bedelia, and Alexander Godunov, it also features supporting performances from Reginald VelJohnson, William Atherton, Paul Gleason, and Hart Bochner.
The film centers on John McClane (Willis), a New York City police officer who, while visiting his divorced wife, becomes entangled in a terrorist attack on a Los Angeles tower.
The Christmas Chronicles (2018)
The Christmas Chronicles is a 2018 American Christmas comedy film that was written by Matt Lieberman and directed by Clay Kaytis. Kurt Russell, Judah Lewis, Oliver Hudson, Lamorne Morris, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, and Darby Camp are among the film's stars.
The story revolves around Kate and Teddy, two kids who see Santa Claus at their house and hop into his sleigh with his reindeer. However, they unintentionally cause the sleigh to crash, which results in the loss of the gifts. It is up to the kids and Santa to deliver all of the gifts appropriately as Christmas morning draws near.
The Grinch (2018)
The Grinch, sometimes referred to as Dr. Seuss' The Grinch, is a 2018 American animated Christmas comedy film that was distributed by Universal and produced by Universal Pictures and Illumination. The plot centers on the Grinch and his pet dog Max, who intend to steal all of the town's Christmas presents and decorations to ruin Whoville's celebration.
It is Illumination's second Dr. Seuss film adaptation, after The Lorax (2012), and the third adaptation of Dr. Seuss' 1957 book How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, after the 1966 television special and the 2000 live-action feature-length film.
Bad Santa (2003)
Bad Santa is a 2003 Christmas black comedy crime film that was directed by Terry Zwigoff, written by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa, and starred Billy Bob Thornton in the lead role. Tony Cox, Lauren Graham, Brett Kelly, Lauren Tom, John Ritter, and Bernie Mac were among the supporting cast members.
It revolves around experienced burglars Willie T. Soke and Marcus Skidmore, his dwarf assistant. Every year on the eve of Christmas Eve, Marcus and Willie rob shopping malls as Santa Claus and an elf, respectively, with Marcus' wife Lois acting as their getaway driver. Willie is a sex addict and alcoholic who is progressively unable to work with children whereas Marcus takes his job seriously.
The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special (2022)
Based on the Marvel Comics and starring the superhero team The Guardians of the Galaxy, James Gunn wrote and directed the Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special for the streaming service Disney+.
It is the second Marvel Studios Special Presentation in the MCU, which follows the same continuity as the franchise's movies and TV shows. Marvel Studios created the special, which centers on the Guardians of the Galaxy as they celebrate Christmas and look for a gift for Peter Quill, their leader.
Last Holiday (2006)
The romantic comedy-drama Last Holiday was written and directed by Jeffrey Price and Peter S. Seaman in the United States in 2006. It is based in part on J. B. Priestley's 1950 British film of the same name.
The plot revolves around Georgia, a modest department store employee who is informed that she has a rare brain disorder and only has a few weeks to live. Before she passes away, she quickly decides to use her remaining money on a lavish vacation in Europe. Queen Latifah plays Georgia in the movie.
The Holdovers (2023)
The Holdovers is a 2023 American Christmas comedy-drama film that stars Paul Giamatti, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, and Dominic Sessa. It was written by David Hemingson and directed by Alexander Payne.
The story is set in 1970 and centers on a strict classics instructor at a New England boarding school who is compelled to watch a few children who have nowhere to go over the Christmas break.
The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
The Muppet Christmas Carol is a 1992 American Christmas musical film, which was based on Charles Dickens' 1843 novella A Christmas Carol and directed by Brian Henson in his feature directorial debut.
The plot revolves around Scrooge, a senior citizen miser who despises Christmas. He is visited by ghosts that reveal truths from his past and present and predict his future, altering his perspective on life.
The Night Before (2015)
Jonathan Levine is the director of the 2015 American Christmas comedic stoner film The Night Before, which was co-written by Levine, Evan Goldberg, Kyle Hunter, and Ariel Shaffir.
Three childhood friends, played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen, and Anthony Mackie, get together every year on Christmas Eve to try to find the greatest party in New York City. The film also features Lizzy Caplan, Jillian Bell, Mindy Kaling, and Michael Shannon.
The Holiday (2006)
Nancy Meyers is the writer, producer, and director of the romantic comedy The Holiday. The film stars Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz as Iris and Amanda, two troubled women from opposite sides of the Atlantic Ocean, who set up a house exchange to avoid grief during the Christmas and holiday season.
The film was co-produced by Bruce A. Block and shot in both California and England. Eli Wallach, Shannyn Sossamon, Edward Burns, and Rufus Sewell were cast in supporting parts, while Jude Law and Jack Black played the film's main characters, Graham and Miles.
Arthur Christmas (2011)
The 2011 animated Christmas comedy Arthur Christmas was distributed by Sony Pictures and produced by Columbia Pictures, Sony Pictures Animation, and Aardman Features.
The main character of the movie is Arthur, Santa Claus's youngest son, who learns that his father's fancy ship hasn't delivered a gift for a girl. He sets out on a mission to personally deliver the girl's gift before sunrise on Christmas Day, accompanied only by his grandfather, a Christmas elf, and a group of reindeer.
8-Bit Christmas (2021)
Based on Kevin Jakubowski's novel of the same name, 8-Bit Christmas is a 2021 American Christmas comedy film directed by Michael Dowse. Steve Zahn, David Cross, June Diane Raphael, Neil Patrick Harris, and Winslow Fegley are among its cast members.
The plot centers around a 10-year-old kid in 1980s Chicago embarking on a mission to get the newest and best video game system, the generation's Christmas present.
Love Actually (2003)
Richard Curtis is the writer and director of the 2003 Christmas romance comedy Love Actually. The movie explores multiple aspects of love through ten distinct stories with a diverse cast of characters, many of whom become connected as the plot develops. The tale starts six weeks before Christmas and switches between a weekly countdown to the holiday and an epilogue set in the New Year.
Angela’s Christmas (2017)
The 2017 Irish-Canadian animated film Angela's Christmas was written and directed by Damien O'Connor. It starred Lucy O'Connell as Angela and Ruth Negga as Angela's mother.
The story takes place in Limerick, Ireland in the 1910s and is based on a children's book by Irish novelist Frank McCourt, who won the Pulitzer Prize. The main focus of the narrative is Angela's (Lucy O'Connell) wish to ensure that Christmas is wonderful for everyone.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
The Nightmare Before Christmas, often referred to as Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas, is a 1993 American gothic stop-motion animated musical fantasy film. Tim Burton produced and developed the picture, while Henry Selick directed it as his first feature film.
The King of HalloweenTown, Jack Skellington, is the protagonist of the story. He discovers Christmas Town and plots to take control of the celebration.
Danny Elfman composed the music and songs and delivered Jack's vocals. The main voice actors are Ed Ivory, Glenn Shadix, Paul Reubens, Ken Page, Catherine O'Hara, Chris Sarandon, and William Hickey.
That Christmas (2024)
That Christmas is a 2024 British animated Christmas fantasy comedy film that was directed by Simon Otto in his first directing role and produced by Locksmith Animation and DNEG Animation. It is written by Richard Curtis and Peter Souter and has interwoven plots.
It is based on short stories by Curtis and illustrator Rebecca Cobb from That Christmas and Other Stories. Bill Nighy, Jodie Whittaker, Fiona Shaw, and Brian Cox are among the voice actors.
One Magic Christmas (1985)
Phillip Borsos is the director of the 1985 Christmas fantasy movie One Magic Christmas. It features Mary Steenburgen and Harry Dean Stanton and was released by Walt Disney Pictures.
In order to revive the Christmas spirit of Ginnie Grainger (Mary Steenburgen), the mother of Cal (Robbie Magwood) and Abbie (Elisabeth Harnois), Saint Nicholas appoints the Christmas angel Gideon (Harry Dean Stanton). They have to leave their company-owned home before the start of the new year, and her husband Jack (Gary Basaraba) has been unemployed for six months. Jack fixes motorcycles as a hobby and wants to build his own bike business, but Ginnie, who works as a grocery store cashier, is against it because it would deplete all of the family's savings.
Beyond Tomorrow (1940)
The 1940 American fantasy film Beyond Tomorrow (also titled And So Goodbye and Beyond Christmas) was produced by renowned cinematographer Lee Garmes, one of the few cinematographers who went on to become a producer. Since the story takes place around the Christmas season, it is a modern, although rarely seen, example of a Christmas movie.
It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
Produced and directed by Frank Capra, It's a Wonderful Life is a 1946 American Christmas magical drama film. It is based on the 1943 self-published short story and booklet "The Greatest Gift" by Philip Van Doren Stern, which was partially adapted from Charles Dickens' novella A Christmas Carol and released in 1843.
James Stewart plays George Bailey in the movie. He has sacrificed his personal goals to serve others in his community, and on Christmas Eve, his guardian angel Clarence Odbody interrupts his suicidal thoughts. Clarence shows George all the lives he impacted and what life would have been like without him.
Scrooge (1951)
A 1951 British Christmas fantasy drama film, Scrooge (released in the US as A Christmas Carol) is an adaptation of Charles Dickens's 1843 novel A Christmas Carol. Alastair Sim plays Ebenezer Scrooge in this film, which was written by Noel Langley and produced and directed by Brian Desmond Hurst.
Ebenezer Scrooge, the main character of the tale, is a bitter, prudent businessman who doesn't have time for romanticism and mostly thinks Christmas is a waste of time. He will be visited by three spirits on Christmas Eve, nevertheless, who will point out his mistakes.
Edward Scissorhands (1990)
Tim Burton is the director of the 1990 American gothic romance fantasy film Edward Scissorhands. Starring Johnny Depp, Winona Ryder, Dianne Wiest, Anthony Michael Hall, Kathy Baker, Vincent Price, and Alan Arkin, it was written by Caroline Thompson based on the story she and Burton wrote.
A suburban family adopts an incomplete artificial humanoid with scissor blades for hands, and the unfinished humanoid develops feelings for their teenage daughter.
Violent Night (2022)
Tommy Wirkola is the director of the 2022 American Christmas action comedy Violent Night, which was co-written by Pat Casey and Josh Miller. It centers on David Harbour's character, Santa Claus, as he battles mercenaries who have taken a wealthy family captive in their house. Beverly D'Angelo, Alex Hassell, and John Leguizamo also feature in the movie. A sequel for the movie is in the works.
A Christmas Tale (2008)
Arnaud Desplechin co-wrote and directed the 2008 French Christmas comedy-drama A Christmas Tale (French: Un tale de Noël), which starred Catherine Deneuve, Jean-Paul Roussillon, Mathieu Amalric, Anne Consigny, Melvil Poupaud, Emmanuelle Devos, and Chiara Mastroianni.
The plot centers on a family with tense connections who have recently found out that their mother has leukemia and are spending Christmas at their parents' house. The film competed for the 2008 Cannes Film Festival's Palme d'Or.
FAQs about Christmas movies
A. According to Forbes, The Grinch is the highest-grossing Christmas movie of all time, collecting $526.7 million worldwide.
A. Though it is an action film without typical Christmas tropes, Die Hard is considered a Christmas movie since it is set in the holiday season.
A. Home Alone, The Grinch, and It's A Wonderful Life are considered the most popular Christmas movies.
