The Best Christmas Movies of All Time You Need to Watch
From Home Alone and Elf to Love Actually and The Holiday, we've pulled together a festive edit of the best Christmas movies of all time and where you can watch them.
Nothing gets you in the festive mood like a good old Christmas flick. From cult classics to cute romantic comedies laced with holiday cheer; these are the movies to binge on over the festive season. And we’ve even thrown in where you can watch your favourite films online. If Kevin McAllister and Buddy the elf can’t get you in the Yuletide spirit, quite frankly, we don’t know what will.
Put your Santa hat on and roast your chestnuts by an open fire (or substitute it for an icy pole in the summer heat), because these are the best Christmas movies of all time.
Deck the Halls (2006)
Deck the Halls is a whole lot of laughs for the whole family—it stars Danny Devito, after all. Two neighbors, uptight optometrist Steve and free-spirited newcomer Buddy clash when Buddy decorates his house with an extravagant display of Christmas lights visible from space. As their rivalry spirals out of control, their families are caught in the chaos, leading to hilarious mishaps and heartwarming lessons about the true meaning of the holidays.
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation follows Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) as he tries to create the perfect Christmas for his family, but his plans hilariously unravel amid dysfunctional relatives, over-the-top decorations, and countless holiday mishaps. It's a Christmas classic, and it would be a crime not to watch this film year after year.
Home Alone (1990)
Every ‘90s child’s favourite Christmas film. Who could forget the infamous McCallister family heading off on their Christmas travels without their eight-year-old son? As Kevin McCallister discovers how to fend for himself, he comes face-to-face with two bonehead burglars who attempt to rob his family home, but little do they know that this small boy is a force to be reckoned with.
Elf (2003)
Brought to you by the king of comedy–Will Ferrell frolicking around, dressed up as a giant elf in the middle of New York makes this one of the most feel-good flicks of all time, let alone Christmas. Adoringly sweet and riotously funny, Buddy the Elf is bound to rouse a few laughs this Christmas.
While You Were Sleeping (1995)
We're calling it. This under-the-radar '90s Sandra Bullock rom-com is one of the best Christmas movies of all time. Often left out of the holiday conversation, this one is actually perfect for the lonely season.
Having been forced to work over Christmas, Lucy (played by Bullock at her slightly hapless, most endearing best), a token collector, saves a passenger Peter's life. She is mistaken for his fiancée by his family and while Peter is in a coma, things complicate as Lucy begins to fall in love with his brother. Trust us, you'll also fall a little love with Bill Pullman after watching this.
Love Actually (2003)
Arguably the most heartwarming Christmas rom-com of all time, this comical Brit flick is guaranteed to get you feeling warm and fuzzy this festive season. But among the comical quips – Hugh Grant and Bill Nighy’s hilarious cameos are well worth a watch – there’s also a touch of melancholy that’s sure to pull on the heartstrings. We deny anyone unable to shed a tear as Emma Thomspson unwittingly tears open that present. We’re welling up at just the thought of it.
Jingle All The Way (1996)
Everyone's favourite terminator steps up into the lead role of this Christmas classic, as the exhausted parent trying to find the one present his child wants. Leaving it a little late to secure the most popular toy of the season, he goes on an epic, and hilarious, mission to buy one before Christmas Day. Expect lots of laughs.
Die Hard (1988)
There will forever be the argument of whether Die Hard (1988) is a Christmas film, but no matter what side of the fence you sit on, this is a great watch. An action-packed Christmas caper, Bruce Willis' Die Hard is a film that has stood the test of time.
Looking to reconnect with his estranged wife, police detective John McClane gets trapped in an office tower on Christmas Eve while it is being taken over by terrorists. Expect high-octane action, thrilling suspense, and a little romance for good measure.
Little Women (2019)
If Die Hard gets a spot on the list of the best Christmas movies of all time, Little Women also deserves a place. Plus, the opening scene is literally set at Christmas time, so if that doesn't qualify, we don't know what does. Little Women follows the lives of the four March sisters as they navigate life during the American Civil War. The themes of family, love, nostalgia and generosity all tie into the themes that surround Christmas, making it the perfect movie to watch in the lead up to the festivities.
Let It Snow (2019)
Ah, the festive smell of teenage angst...at Christmas time. Let it Snow is a heartwarming holiday rom-com that weaves together the stories of a group of teens navigating love, friendship, and self-discovery during a snowstorm on Christmas Eve. Based on the best-selling novel by John Green, Let It Snow is full of drama, and themes of coming-of-age that we never get sick of.
Klaus (2019)
An animated, Christmas adventure comedy film, this highly-rated (95% on Rotten Tomatoes) caper is one of the best Christmas movies of all time. It tells a great story of loss, forgiveness and determination, with a fairy-light string of likeable characters and beautiful music helping to make it a must-watch over the festive season.
Happiest Season (2020)
Abby (played by Kristen Stewart) plans to propose to her girlfriend, Harper (Mackenzie Davis), in front of Harper's family members. But she is in for a shock when she learns that Harper is yet to come out to her parents.
A holiday romantic comedy that captures the range of emotions tied to wanting your family's acceptance, and yet being true to yourself. With a fantastic cast including scene-stealers Dan Levy, Mary Holland and Aubrey Plaza, this is an easy-to-watch flick to have on your radar this Christmas.
It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
One of the best Christmas movies—if not the best—ever made, It’s a Wonderful Life tells the tale of George Bailey (James Stewart), a man struggling to balance failing finances with an unhappy home life. After travelling to a bridge with the intention of ending his own life, he encounters Clarence, his guardian angel who reminds George of all the joy, love and happiness in his life. Wonderfully uplifting and full of seasonal cheer, this 1946 classic is an enduring favourite that will fill you with festive warmth.
Falling for Christmas (2022)
You know when a Christmas movie is so cliche, it's so bad that it's actually kind of...good? That's exactly how we can describe Falling for Christmas, starring Lindsay Lohan as Sierra Belmont, a heiress who is diagnosed with amnesia after a skiing accident just days before Christmas. She finds herself in the care of the owner of a ski lodge, who just happens to be quite handsome. The rest? You can probably guess what happens, but we still encourage giving it a watch...
The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
Witty, warm-hearted and full of festive cheer, Jim Henson’s loveable take on Dickens’ age-old classic, A Christmas Carol, is a must over the Christmas holidays. Michael Caine as Scrooge is reason to watch alone, but pair that with Kermit as Bob Cratchit and Gonzo as the legendary Charles Dickens, and you’re onto a festive winner.
The Holiday (2006)
When Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz swap LA and London homes in a bid to escape the clutches of their disastrous exes, they both find love in the most unexpected places. Cliche and gooey, yet gloriously uplifting, this is one Christmas flick every girl should get on board with. If not to swoon unashamedly at the gorgeous Jude Law, then to chuckle at Jack Black at his most delightfully goofy.
Miracle On 34th Street (1947)
A woman who raises her six-year-old daughter to believe that Santa Claus does not exist, has a change of heart when they meet a department store Father Christmas who claims to be the man himself. With Richard Attenborough, Elizabeth Perkins, Mara Wilson and Dylan McDermott, this is an impressive cast to act out a feel-good film.
How The Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
In this Dr Seuss classic, Jim Carey plays a grumpy Grinch, who plots to ruin Christmas for the village of Whoville. However, his plans take an unexpected turn when he encounters Cindy Lou (Taylor Momsen) Who, a young girl determined to show him the true spirit of the holiday.
You’ve Got Mail (1998)
When two business rivals, Kathleen Kelly (Meg Ryan) and Joe Fox (Tom Hanks) who despise each other in real life meet in an anonymous chat room, they fall desperately in love with each other. But will their feelings subside when they realise their true identities?
You've Got Mail may not be the most traditional Christmas movie, but it's certainly one of the best!
The Santa Clause (1994)
This all-American festive favourite stars Tim Allen as a divorced dad, who is forced to step into Santa’s shoes after he accidentally kills a man in a Santa suit (who turns out to be the actual Santa) on Christmas Eve. Following a magical trip to the North Pole, Scott, who slowly starts to morph into the big man himself – think white beard and wobbly round belly – and his son are given the important task of delivering all the presents on Christmas Eve.
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Dark and twisted to its core, Tim Burton and Henry Selick’s gloriously macabre Halloween-Christmas mash-up follows the misadventures of Jack Skellington–Halloween Town’s notorious Pumpkin King–as he accidentally discovers Christmas Town in all its brightly coloured and warm-spirited glory. Bored of his harrowing Halloween routine, he plots to take control over Christmas, but despite meticulous prepping, his plans start to go seriously awry.
A Very Murray Christmas
When Bill Murray is forced to present his live holiday special without the help of special guests – they’ve all been snowed in – the producers are worried it will be a complete disaster. But with the help of a few last-minute drop-ins from the likes of George Clooney, Chris Rock, Miley Cyrus and The Muppets, plus a few festive sing songs, the show is a huge success. Bill Murray serenading Miley Cyrus is slightly surreal but hilarious nevertheless. You can stream this one on Netflix, too. Winning.
Loving our edit of the best Christmas movies of all time and looking for more holiday inspo? Well, we have a whole list of things to keep you occupied over the holidays. From festive sips to stir up this silly season to the best advent calendars to count down the days until Santa's here, we have got you covered!
