Here is a list of the 28 Best Christmas Movies To Watch These Holidays. It’s time to spread love and joy once more as the spirit of the Christmas season has arrived.
There are countless methods to spread happiness, including Christmas feasts, music, gifts, and greetings. How about some of the best Christmas movies to get the party started this year? Watching good Christmas movies is a great way to get into the festive cheer this year.
Here is a list of our top favorite Christmas movies you can binge-watch because there are so many great ones available. We have something on this list for everyone, from comedies to romantic comedies, animation masterpieces to superhero movies. Prepare to enter a magical world with these Christmas movies, and let the season of giving begin!
28 Best Christmas Movies To Watch These Holidays
It’s the ideal time to cuddle up on the couch with your loved ones and watch some of the all-time best Christmas movies. It could be challenging to choose the perfect Christmas movie from the vast selection available.
Don’t worry; we have a list of the top Christmas films to get you in the holiday spirit! Without wasting more time, here is our compilation of 28 Best Christmas Movies To Watch These Holidays.
1. Home Alone
The first movie on our list is Home Alone which takes you to nostalgia and reminds you of everything a child does when he is alone. In this movie, the child started hearing noises from the basement, which were terrifying.
The child begins to do certain things, which the parents always advise not to do whenever they are present, but a kid is a kid.
The movie opens with a scene where a child is shown sleeping on his parent’s bed, eating ice cream, and watching Johnny Carson. The story begins when the McAllister family goes to Paris for their vacation, and Kevin, their eight-year-old child, is left alone at home. And that’s why he wishes he had no family because his family has left him alone.
The night before the family had to leave, there was a storm in their area. Because of this, electricity and phone lines were damaged. They then had to rush to the airport. In this hurry, they should have remembered to take Kevin with them.
When Kevin wakes up, he finds that his family has gone, and he thinks that his dream has come true, his family has disappeared, and he is home alone. He starts enjoying himself alone, but simultaneously, two thieves enter the house. Kevin knows that and starts planning how to save from them.
Finally, the thieves enter the home, but Kevin has set up booby traps throughout, which result in the thieves being burned and struck in the head, among other things.
- Directed by: Chris Columbus
- Cast: Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, John Heard, and Catherine O’Hara
- Release dates: November 16, 1990
- Running time: 103 minutes
- Genre: Comedy, Family
- IMDB Rating: 7.7
2. Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
This movie is the second part of Home Alone. This movie begins after a year of the Paris trip, when the McAllister family starts planning their trip to Miami, Florida, at Peter and Kate’s house. Kate thinks of buying a silver Christmas tree or decorating a palm tree for Christmas because Kevin loves them, and he will hate to go to Florida because they don’t have Christmas trees there.
After some time, Peter accidentally removes the battery from the alarm clock, sets the alarm, and asks Kevin to prepare for his school Christmas function. When Kevin prepares for school, he goes to the washroom to get his tie and finds that his Uncle Frank is having a shower there and singing. He threatens Kevin to slap him if he doesn’t go out.
After some time, Kevin goes to school when Buzz tries to humiliate him in front of all. Kevin was to perform in front of everyone. He starts pretending to be using the candles as a drumstick on Kevin’s head. After some time, Kevin gets irritated and starts assaulting Buzz in retaliation because he destroyed the pageant.
The big wooden Christmas tree falls on a pianist, and he gets injured. Because of all that, Pete and Kate were unhappy. However, Buzz realizes his mistake and apologies to all of them in the living room. But Kevin refuses to accept any apology from Buzz, who even apologizes for hitting him.
Buzz lates apologies for calling Kevin a little Strout sniffer. Kevin is sad and goes to his room even after Peter threatens to follow him to his room if he goes there.
- Directed by: Chris Columbus
- Cast: Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, Brenda Fricker, John Heard, Tim Curry, and Catherine O’Hara
- Release dates: November 20, 1992
- Running time: 120 minutes
- Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Crime
- IMDB Rating: 6.8
3. Home Alone 3
The final part of the Home Alone movie series is Home Alone 3. This movie differs from the previous parts with a new cast and different stories.
In this movie, the child is home alone because of chicken pox. His mother is at work because of some emergency. His siblings have gone to school, and his father is out for business. He has the phone numbers of the neighbor Mrs. Hess who lives across the street, and 911 as a backup.
The story starts when two bags are exchanged at San Francisco airport. One bag with Mrs. Hess has a computer chip stolen by a group of spies. And by mistake, Mrs.
Hess takes that bag with her. Now to gain that bag again, the four spies travel to Chicago on the same day. They are searching for Hess’s house but need help locating it, and now they think of checking every home on Alex’s street.
Their tasks have become tricky. But to make it possible, the spies use walkie-talkies, computer programs, surveillance vans, a phony baby carriage, and other items. But the kid named Alex was playing with his telescope spots them when they were moving upstairs.
To save him, Kevin calls the police station, but nothing happens, and now Kevin takes the matter into his hand in the last 45 minutes of the movie, sets multiple traps to catch them, and they fall for every trap he sets.
- Directed by: Raja Gosnell
- Cast: Alex D. Linz and Haviland Morris
- Release dates: December 12, 1997
- Running time: 102 minutes
- Genre: Action, Comedy, Crime
- IMDB Rating: 4.5
4. A Christmas Story
Christmas Story is a movie about Ralphie Parker, a nine-year-old boy living in Hohman, Indiana, in middle America. He is the film’s narrator and tells the adventures he and his friends did just before Christmas.
Ralphie and his younger brother Peter get enthralled by a nearby store’s window display. He then decides that all he wants for Christmas is an Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action 200 Shot Range Model Air Rifle with a navigation system & a sundial hook on the top.
Because it is a gun, Ralphie knows he can’t ask for it from his parents, but he wants to get that gun so severely that he gives an advertisement in the newspaper and magazines if anyone wants to provide him with the rifle, but there is no response.
But in the end, when Ralphie knows this will not work in frustration, he asks his mother to buy the gun. But she declines as it can hurt him. Ralphie is devastated as he imagines using only his dependable weapon to protect his family from a group of robbers.
Ralphie has two friends, Flick and Schwartz, who go to school together every day. On their way to school, they talked about some bullshit issues that would happen if any of them licked a cactus and got their tongue frozen.
As the argument intensifies, Schwartz challenges Flick to attempt. Flick licks the ice pole with his tongue after being triple-dog dared and unable to resist
When the school bell rings, and everyone rushes into the classroom to avoid getting in punishment for being late, the boy starts to scream, but no one is left to hear him. When Miss Shields notices Flick outside the classroom window and realizes he isn’t there, she contacts the police and the fire department.
- Directed by: Bob Clark
- Cast: Melinda Dillon, Darren McGavin, and Peter Billingsley
- Release dates: November 18, 1983
- Running time: 94 minutes
- Genre: Comedy, Family
- IMDB Rating: 7.9
5. I’ll Be Home for Christmas
This movie begins in California with Jake Wilkinson, a student at Palisades Academy situated in California. Because of his studies, he cannot go to his home for Christmas, even after promising. But this time to call him back, his father says that if he comes this time, he will give him his 1957 classic Porsche car.
Previously Jake planned to go to Cabo San Lucas, but now he exchanged his flight ticket to New York, where his girlfriend lives, Allie Henderson. Since Jake knows that Allie always comes home for Christmas, she views the behavior as selfish. She pardons Jake after he changes his mind and exchanges the tickets for New York again.
A gang of bullies captures Jake as he is leaving and left for dead in the desert while costumed as Santa Claus. While they were not aware that it was their leader, Eddie Taffet, who withheld the exam cheat sheet so he could push Jake aside and claim Allie for himself, they did this as retribution for not getting an exam cheat sheet from Jake.
Eddie provides Allie with transportation to New York while Jake is stranded in the California desert, leading her to believe that Jake has abandoned her once more.
If Jake wants the car and Allie, he has three days to get to New York. Jake runs into a few challenges and chances, like a crook named Nolan, who is transporting stolen kitchenware to his dealer close to New York. Unaware that he is a thief, Jake decides to ride along with him.
- Directed by: Arlene Sanford
- Cast: Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Jessica Biel, Adam LaVorgna, Sean O’Bryan, and Gary Cole.
- Release dates: November 13, 1998
- Running time: 86 minutes
- Genre: Comedy, Family
- IMDB Rating: 5.5
6. A Christmas Carol
A Christmas Carol is an animated movie based on Charles Dickens’s novel of a similar name. It is the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, whose voice is given by Jim Carrey, which tells the story of a miserly older man who must confront his deepest fears and deal with them efficiently before passing away.
The movie has some of the most talented actors, including Jim Carrey and Robert W. Penn. It received a mixed review from the critics and had a good box office collection.
Set in 1843, the movie’s story revolves around Ebenezer Scrooge, a businessman. He is shown to be a reluctant man who is unwilling to go to the Christmas party and even declines his nephew’s invitation.
Scrooge is one such guy who is unsympathetic to the poor and refuses to pay any donation to them on the occasion of Christmas. He is not so happy about the festival and the fest night. He, however, reluctantly agrees to the leave permission of one of his employees, Bob Cratchit.
On his way back to his house, Scrooge witnesses a strange thing. He encounters the ghost of his business partner, Jacob Marley. It is a big shock to Scrooge because Jacob died seven years back. He sees him bound in heavy chains.
What happens next is something that Scrooge could have never thought of. Jacob warns him to change his insensitive attitude or else he has to pay for the same.
He also tells him that the night will be tough for Scrooge because his encounter with the ghost is not yet over. There are three more to go. As the movie progresses, we find that Scrooge encounters the spirit of Christmas past, which takes him to his childhood. We soon realize that Scrooge had a lonely childhood. The loneliness and hardships he had faced in his youth might be the reason for his present behavior.
He also takes Scrooge to Bob’s house. There he develops a sense of pity for Tiny, who is ill, and as per the ghost, won’t be alive till the following Christmas.
In the next segment of the movie, Scrooge is in his future and realizes that his death is not something that his friends and family are sad about. Because of his behavior throughout his life, nobody is there to mourn his death. Scrooge is later back to his room.
He realizes that it is Christmas. Scrooge changes his attitude and greets everyone with a smile. He also attends Fred’s dinner and tries to be nice to his colleagues by giving him a hike in salary. He now believes in Christmas and the spirit of the festival.
- Directed by: Robert Zemeckis
- Cast: Jim Carrey, Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, Bob Hoskins, Robin Wright Penn, and Cary Elwes.
- Release dates: November 6, 2009
- Running time: 96 minutes
- Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
- IMDB Rating: 6.8
7. Elf
The movie was released in 2003, and the genre of the film is comedy. John Favreau, the known director, directed this movie. The movie’s main character, Buddy, is Will Ferrell. Santa elves bring him, and later, when he knows about this, he heads out to find his biological father.
The movie did well at the box office and managed to make much more money than its making budget. The film drew inspiration from Elf: The Musical and is hailed as one of the most fantastic Christmas movies.
Buddy moves out to New York to meet his biological father. After much effort, he finally meets him but isn’t recognized by his father. A series of events follow, and Buddy ends up in a police station. Walter comes to his help and rescues him.
He later finds out in a DNA test that buddy is his biological son. Buddy is then taken to his stepmother Emily, who insists on taking care of him.
At the other place, Walter is already facing problems because his books are going a flop and his boss wants him to write a new book by Christmas Eve. After Walter encounters a blunder during the meeting with Miles Finch, Walter gets angry at their buddy and disowns him. Buddy is sorry for what he did and writes an apology.
Walter realizes his mistake and gets to know that, but he has already left. He quits his job and then moves out to locate where Buddy is.
Buddy ends up in Central Park, where he sees Santa, who has lost his sleigh engine, without which he cannot fly. Buddy helps Santa find the engine, and at the movie’s end, we see that he unites with his biological parents.
Next Christmas, buddy writes a book about his life. The book proves to be a success, and he becomes the best seller. He helps Walter to set up his own publishing company post up he lives a happy life after that.
- Directed by: Jon Favreau
- Cast: Will Ferrell, James Caan, Zooey Deschanel, Mary Steenburgen, Edward Asner, and Bob Newhart.
- Release dates: November 7, 2003
- Running time: 97 minutes
- Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Family
- IMDB Rating: 7
8. Bad Santa
The next movie on our list is Bad Santa. It is an American Christmas black comedy movie directed by Terry Zwigoff. This movie is remarkable because it was John Ritter’s last movie before his death in 2003. The film is said to be dedicated to him.
Released in the United States of America in 2003 and filmed at the Cannes Film Festival in 2004. it was a huge success and did receive excellent critique reviews.
The main characters in the story are Willie Stoke and Marcus. They both are professional thieves. On the one hand, Willie takes his job very seriously, and Marcus needs to be more serious about his career. Willie, a sex addict throughout the movie, falls into various problems. In one instance, we see him getting into trouble with one of the customers he met at the bar.
After some unforeseen circumstances, Willie goes to the extent of attempting to take his life. He confesses his crimes in a letter that he gives Thurman. However, after seeing Thurman’s black eye, he abandons his plans. The movie ends on a good note, and Thurman, who is in the hospital, is told that he will be discharged soon.
- Directed by: Terry Zwigoff
- Cast: Billy Bob Thornton, Tony Cox, Lauren Graham, Brett Kelly, Lauren Tom, John Ritter, and Bernie Mac
- Release dates: November 26, 2003
- Running time: 92 minutes
- Genre: Comedy, Crime, Drama
- IMDB Rating: 7.1
9. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
Directed by Jeremiah S.Chechik, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is the next movie on our list. Pleased to be back in 1989, but it remains one of the best Christmas movies of all time. The film drew inspiration from a short story published in the national lampoon and titled Christmas 59. It remains a classic Christmas movie with mixed reviews.
Directed by Jeremiah S.Chechik, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is the next movie on our list. Pleased to be back in 1989, but it remains one of the best Christmas movies of all time. The film drew inspiration from a short story published in the national lampoon and titled Christmas 59. It remains a classic Christmas movie with mixed reviews.
Amid all this, Clark’s relative and the children and pet arrive. He indulged in the thought, why had his boss not given him any bonus when the cat got an electric shock? Uncle Louis accidentally burned down the Christmas tree while trying to light his cigar.
When rocky and Ruby go out, they see Santa in the field, and Clark tell them that it is the Christmas star. At the movie’s end, we know that they all celebrate Christmas, and Clark contends that he has given his family a great Christmas this year.
- Directed by: Jeremiah S. Chechik
- Cast: Chevy Chase, Beverly D’Angelo, and Randy Quaid
- Release dates: December 1, 1989
- Running time: 97 minutes
- Genre: Comedy
- IMDB Rating: 7.5
10. Miracle on 34th Street
Miracle on 34th St is a 20th Century Fox release originally named the big heart. It was released in 1947 and is an American comedy-drama. The movie director George Seaton drew inspiration from Valentine’s Davies.
The movie is set in the scene of Thanksgiving and Christmas and is based in New York City. The film’s plot involves the protagonist, who is bound to play the role of Santa at a parade at Christmas. Throughout the movie, Santa Claus at the department tries to convince everybody that he is the real Santa.
The movie has won various awards, including three Academy Awards. The cast members have one trophy, including one in a supporting role, the other for the best writing original story, and the best screenplay. Not only this but it was also nominated for best picture; however, it did not win it. It is indeed a historical movie.
- Directed by: Les Mayfield
- Cast: Richard Attenborough, Elizabeth Perkins, Dylan McDermott, J. T. Walsh, James Remar, Mara Wilson, and Robert Prosky
- Release dates: November 18, 1994
- Running time: 114 minutes
- Genre: Drama, Family, Fantasy
- IMDB Rating: 6.6
11. Olive, the Other Reindeer
Olive, the Other Reindeer is a 3D Animation movie. Written by Steve Young and directed by Steve Moore, this movie was released in 1999. it was produced by the Fox Television studios and had around 6.06 million views during its first broadcast.
The movie was released in theatres and premiered on the cartoon channel Nickelodeon on December 15, 2001. It was then shown on Cartoon Network and broadcasted each holiday season, the last being on December 24, 2012.
The movie has a pretty exciting plot. It traces the story of olive, the dog who decides to go to the North Pole, after he hears an announcement on the radio about Santa, who has to cancel a little Christmas trip because of his injured reindeer.
The dog decides that he will be his replacement. The movie takes a turn when olive encounters an evil mail carrier. He says he’s tired after handling all the Christmas mail and wants Christmas to end so that he has to carry less mail.
- Directed by: Steve Moore
- Cast: Drew Barrymore, Edward Asner, Dan Castellaneta, Joe Pantoliano, Peter MacNicol, and Michael Stipe
- Release dates: December 17, 1999
- Running time: 46 minutes
- Genre: Animation, Comedy, Family
- IMDB Rating: 7
12. Jingle All the Way
Jingle, all the way, was released in 1996 and starred Arnold Schwarzenegger. It is an American Christmas family comedy movie inspired by real-life Christmas toy sellouts.
Randy Kornfield wrote the story of the movie Produced by Chris Columbus. It made a box office collection of $29 million and was highly criticized because it was accused of stealing the original idea from Murray hill publishing.
The claims were later proven to be wrong. Jingle All The Way is the last movie to feature Hartman before his death in 1998. The movie sequel, Jingle all the way 2, was out in 2014. It starred Larry, the cable guy.
Close the relationship between a father and a son. It is time for Christmas, and the father has decided to get his son a turbo man action figure. To his disappointment, he finds out that every toy in the market is sold out, and now he has to travel to the other town to get it. Also, he has two compete with others to find a ticket for his son.
On his mission to find the toy, he meets another father in the exact search. Throughout this, his moral code is tested as he comprehends the real meaning of Christmas. If you want to know the hidden meaning behind Christmas and why it is important to celebrate it with a sense of gratefulness, you must watch this movie.
- Directed by: Brian Levant
- Cast: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sinbad, Phil Hartman, Rita Wilson, Robert Conrad, Jake Lloyd, and Jim Belushi
- Release dates: November 22, 1996
- Running time: 89 minutes
- Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Family
- IMDB Rating: 5.7
13. How the Grinch Stole Christmas
As the name suggests, how the Grinch stole Christmas, This movie is about Grinch, a unique creature who is making all his efforts to cancel the Christmas Celebration.
He steals gifts from everybody’s house and the nearby town. Later in the movie, he realizes that Christmas is not about monetary donations and presents but much more than that.
It was released in 2000 and is a fantasy-based movie directed by Ron Howard. The film drew inspiration from a book of the same name, animals, produced by imagining entertainment. Jim Carrey’s performance in the movie goes highly appreciated. Bloody scary scenes in the film did not influence many.
It had a collection of $345,000,000 and was ragged as the number-one movie in the US for around four weeks. After home alone, it is the second highest-grossing holiday film. Talking about the awards it has won, the movie was nominated for the Academy Awards in the best makeup category and won it.
- Directed by: Ron Howard
- Cast: Jim Carrey, Taylor Momsen, Jeffrey Tambor, Christine Baranski, Bill Irwin, and Molly Shannon
- Release dates: November 17, 2000
- Running time: 105 minutes
- Genre: Comedy, Family, Fantasy
- IMDB Rating: 6.2
14. Eight Crazy Nights
Eight crazy nights is an adult animated dark-themed comedy movie released in 2002. Seth Kearsley directed it, and Rob Schneider was in the lead role. It talks about the Jewish tradition of celebrating Christmas, unlike the traditional Christian style.
The movie is first in the list of animation movies produced by Happy Madison. The title is based on a song. It was not a huge success and did not make a great economic return. It could not recover the cost of the movie-making also and thus was criticized for its flaws.
The movie is set in the new hemisphere. This is a fictional town. The main character in the story is Davey stone, a 32-year-old Jewish alcoholic. He was sober twenty years back. He is accused of cheating the Chinese waiter and has only one chance left.
He would otherwise go to jail. As a part of his sentence, he has to be referee-in-training. He falls in love with Jennifer Freedman, who already has a child.
- Directed by: Seth Kearsley
- Cast: Adam Sandler, Jackie Titone, Austin Stout, and Rob Schneider
- Release dates: November 27, 2002
- Running time: 76 minutes
- Genre: Animation, Comedy, Musical
- IMDB Rating: 5.3
15. Jack Frost
Jack Frost is the next movie on our list, and you can indeed watch this movie during Christmas vacation. It was released in 1998 and was directed by Troy Miller. The genre of the film is Fantasy, and it also involves a comedy tangent.
Jack is a father and musician who is busy and lives his life of stardom. Jack is aging and so occupied that he gives little time to his family. Gabby, his wife, and Charlie, his son, both feel sad about this. The movie follows up, and we see his tragic demise on Christmas Day in a car accident.
The movie takes a happy turn when he returns to life as a snowman on the family lawn. He then tries to make up for the loss in his afterlife.
As the winter draws to a close, Jack starts to melt. He tries his best to make it to Charlie’s hockey game but is ultimately successful. Charlie then takes Jack to a colder location, the mountains, but finds it challenging to persuade Gabby to go along.
Before Jack’s passing, the family was supposed to spend Christmas at the remote cottage. Charlie gets to know from Jack that he must depart. When Gabby comes, Jack emerges from the snowman shell in an ethereal form without the scarf, gloves, or hat.
After bidding his wife and son farewell and expressing his love to them, Jack promises Charlie that he will follow him wherever he goes and departs for the hereafter.
- Directed by: Troy Miller
- Cast: Michael Keaton, Kelly Preston, Mark Addy, and Joseph Cross
- Release dates: December 11, 1998
- Running time: 101 minutes
- Genre: Comedy, Drama, Family
- IMDB Rating: 5.3
16. Fred Claus
Directed by David Dobkin, Fred Claus was released in 2007. It is one of the most liked Christmas movies of all. Made under the banner of Warner Bros, it was a big hit. The movie centers on the two Claus brothers, Fred and Nicholas.
The former always indulges himself in some or the other problems and is then rescued by Nicholas. He is a saint( at least when compared to Fred.)
In one instance, Fred, because of his mischief, is in a very big problem. Then Nicholas comes up and helps him. He takes him to the North Pole and tells him to help him in making toys.
Nicholas is burdened not only with Fred’s responsibility but also now has to evaluate Santa’s work. At the end of the movie, we see that Fred visits Slam and delivers him the puppy he requested for Christmas while advising Slam to improve himself.
- Directed by: David Dobkin
- Cast: Vince Vaughn, Paul Giamatti, Miranda Richardson, John Michael Higgins, Elizabeth Banks, Rachel Weisz, Kathy Bates, and Kevin Spacey
- Release dates: November 9, 2007
- Running time: 116 minutes.
- Genre: Comedy, Family, Fantasy
- IMDB Rating: 5.6
17. A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas
A Very Harold And Kumar Christmas is a comedy movie released in 2011 and was the 3rd sequel to Harold and Kumar franchise. This movie will amaze you for not only its fantastic plot but also its exotic filming location.
It was filmed in Detroit, LA, and New Zealand and was released in 3D. A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas was the first among the three of the Harold and Kumar franchise to have been released in this dimension. Critics praised the movie for its storyline, performance of the actors, and theme.
The movie’s plot focuses on two friends who escaped from Guantanamo Bay detention camp seven years back. They haven’t talked to each other for the past two years and have separated. Both of them are different. Harold is wealthy and successful, whereas Kumar is a poor guy who can hardly earn a living.
Harold flings the joint out the window after Kumar fires it, but it lands in the tree and burns it down. When Harold learns that Adrian will attend a party with a Fraser Fir Christmas tree, he offers to take Adrian there in exchange for the right to keep the tree.
In the movie Harold and Kumar, the two friends reunite and plan to steal a Christmas tree from the Church. This, however, does not happen the way they had planned. They accidentally get into a Christmas show.
They were surprised to see Neil Patrick Harris in the front, which they had thought was dead after being shot outside a Texas whorehouse. It happened seven years back. Neil tells them that he was not granted permission in heaven and was thrown out by Jesus Christ.
The two friends do not make it to their plan, and after they reach Harold’s house, a series of tragic events follow. Santa gets shot in the head, and Perez discovers his missing tree. The movie ends. Happily, the two friends reunite, and Kumar and Venessa are together; Kumar decides that he will try again to give the medical exam again.
- Directed by: Todd Strauss-Schulson
- Cast: John Cho, Kal Penn, and Neil Patrick Harris
- Release dates: November 4, 2011
- Running time: 89 minutes.
- Genre: Adventure, Comedy
- IMDB Rating: 6.2
18. Die Hard
Die Hard is an American movie directed by John McTiernan. It was released in 1988, and several controversies accompanied the movie before its release. It took around a year to film the movie, and its budget was $25 million-$35 million.
The movie’s violence received criticism, but Will’s performance was appreciated. It was, however, nominated for the Academy Awards in 4 categories.
It is now said to be one of the most liked action films and was even selected to be preserved in the National Film Registry 2017. Many people do not think it is a Christmas film, and it is highly disputed. However, we will keep it on our Christmas movies list because no matter what the critics say, fans have loved it as a Christmas movie.
At the movie’s beginning, John McClane plans to visit his wife and daughters. They do not live together, and he is alienated from them. John works in New York Police Department, and his wife works in a Japanese-owned business.
He goes to meet them at its headquarters, where there is a party. However, a misfortune happens at the party after terrorists take over the building. Mc Clane, in no time, realizes that only he can save the lives of so many people.
- Directed by: John McTiernan
- Cast: Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman, Alexander Godunov, and Bonnie Bedelia
- Release dates: July 15, 1988
- Running time: 132 minutes.
- Genre: Action, Thriller
- IMDB Rating: 8.2
19. The Santa Clause
Santa Clause, the 1994 movie, is everyone’s favorite. Anyone who enjoys watching Christmas movies will love this movie as well. The Santa Clause is a fantasy-based movie and starred Tim Allen, who played the role of Scott Calvin.
It made $190 million, and the reviews for the movie were also positive. It has two sequels; the first was released in 2002 and released the other in 2006. Both of these movies were a success as well. Recently, another series in the same lineup was released on Disney+ on November 16, 2022.
The plot of the movie features a man whose name is Claus. In the older times, his work was to deliver toys to villages. His destiny, however, has something else planned for him. He becomes Santa Claus with the help of Patch.
He is an expert in toy-making elves. Santa Claus is currently unable to manage his workload, and after becoming angry, Patch shifts the workshop to New York. He unknowingly risks the future of Christmas after agreeing to take a job at a failing toy company. Who will make toys now? Can there be a Christmas without gifts?
The film’s amazing effects are its best feature. Santa’s sleigh passes by the Brooklyn Bridge thanks to the Salkinds and their friends’ perfected technique for making it appear like someone is flying.
Little kids will enjoy it, and most of this film will likely be enjoyed by them. The flaw is that older children and parents who accompany the younger children are likely to find most of it thin.
- Directed by: John Pasquin
- Cast: Tim Allen, Judge Reinhold, Wendy Crewson, David Krumholtz, and Peter Boyle
- Release dates: November 11, 1994
- Running time: 97 minutes.
- Genre: Comedy, Drama, Family
- IMDB Rating: 6.5
20. Christmas with the Kranks
Christmas with the Kranks is our next suggestion for you. It was released in 2004 and is a comedy genre movie. Skipping Christmas is the novel on which this movie is based. Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis are the star cast of the film. Joe Roth directed it.
Tom Poston, one of the finest actors of all time, only made his last appearance in this movie. He died in 2007, three years later the movie’s release. Sony Pictures distributed this movie, and its budget was $60 million. The collection at the box office was far more than the spending, $96.6 million, which speaks for its popularity.
The two main characters in the movie are Luther and Nora. They planned a Christmas vacation together and decided to abstain from traditional Christmas practices. They two wish to go to the Caribbean on a cruise, and this is what the neighbors don’t like.
The couple’s plan doesn’t coincide with the neighbor’s wishes to win the annual “best-decorated street.” The couple soon realizes they have distanced themselves from society because of their lack of enthusiasm and spirit for the festival of Christmas.
- Directed by: Joe Roth
- Cast: Tim Allen, Jamie Lee Curtis, Dan Aykroyd, Erik Per Sullivan, Cheech Marin, Jake Busey, and M. Emmet Walsh
- Release dates: November 24, 2004
- Running time: 98 minutes.
- Genre: Comedy, Family
- IMDB Rating: 5.4
21. It’s a Wonderful Life
It’s a Wonderful Life is a movie as good as its title. Wonderful is the word that describes this movie. Released in 1946, the theme of this movie is fantasy and drama and Frank Capra. James Stewart is the main cast in the film, and he has done a commendable job in the movie. Even the critics have acknowledged it.
It is undoubtedly one of the best Christmas movies of all time and has been nominated for 5 Academy Awards. The American Film Festival acknowledged it as one of the 100 best American films ever met. Even the movie director, Capla, accepted that it is one of his favorite movies that he has directed. This movie is a perfect choice for your Christmas vacation plans.
In the movie, George Bailey, the main protagonist, is fed up with his life and the problems he has in life. He is so done with these problems that he decides to end his life. It is the time of Christmas. In the same place, Angels in heaven discuss George, and his past life starts playing.
Before George can jump off the bridge, he saves his guardian angel, Clarence. What follows next in the story is something you would want to see, and it would be unethical to give you spoilers. So watch it yourself.
- Directed by: Frank Capra
- Cast: James Stewart, Henry Travers, Ward Bond, Frank Faylen, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, Thomas Mitchell, Beulah Bondi, and Gloria Grahame
- Release dates: December 20, 1946
- Running time: 131 minutes.
- Genre: Drama, Family, Fantasy
- IMDB Rating: 8.6
22. Love Actually
Love actually is another movie on our list that you should consider watching this Christmas. Directed by Richard Curtis, this 2003 romantic comedy movie brings together some of the most eminent actors in British cinema. It was released in 3 countries: the UK, the USA, and France.
Despite getting a mixed review from the critique, it was a box office success and had a collection of $246 million, which was six times more than its actual making cost. Because of its indulging plot, Golden Globe Award recognized the movie in the best motion picture category.
The movie’s theme explores different layers of love that individuals understand differently. All the characters in the film are linked to each other in some other way. The movie is about nine stories based on the team of love, the common binding feature of humanity. This story is about nine different people, the prominent one being David, played by Hugh Grant.
In the movie, he is shown as the newly elected Prime Minister of Britain who cannot help himself falling in love with his junior staff. The following three features Sarah, who is a graphic designer.
She’s shown to be empathetic towards her ill brother, who later proves to be a problem for her, affecting her love life. The following story is about Harry, who gets attracted to his new secretary despite being married to a woman.
- Directed by: Richard Curtis
- Cast: Hugh Grant, Alan Rickman, Keira Knightley, Martine McCutcheon, Liam Neeson, Colin Firth, Laura Linney, Emma Thompson, Bill Nighy, and Rowan Atkinson
- Release dates: 14 November 2003
- Running time: 136 minutes.
- Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
- IMDB Rating: 7.6
23. Happiest Season
Happiest Season is a romantic comedy-drama movie that was released in 2020. The indulging screenplay of the film by Mary Holland and excellent direction by Clea DuVall make it a must-watch. This movie was produced by Tri-Star pictures and was released originally in the United States of America.
The movie is available to watch on Hulu. Recently GLAD Media Award gave it awarded for the “outstanding film” category in 2001.
The movie’s plot revolves around a couple, Abby Holland and Harper Caldwell. Harper invites Abby to the Christmas celebration, and Abby seeks this opportunity to propose to her on the day. When Abby finally does it in front of Harper’s family, she learns she has made a big mistake because she hadn’t yet told her parents about her being a Lesbian.
What follows next in the movie is a series of confessions by the characters in the film and, finally, a happy ending. At the movie’s end, we see the couple happily living and engaged. Their families have also accepted them and are so glad for their children.
- Directed by: Clea DuVall
- Cast: Kristen Stewart, Mackenzie Davis, Dan Levy, Mary Holland, Victor Garber, Alison Brie, Aubrey Plaza, and Mary Steenburgen
- Release dates: November 25, 2020
- Running time: 102 minutes.
- Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
- IMDB Rating: 6.6
24. Last Christmas
Last Christmas was released in 2019 and took its name from a song of the same name released in 1984. Having its first release in the USA, it was released later in the UK. , The critics appreciated the actors’ performance in the movie, and if for nothing else, this makes it a worthy watch.
The movie’s plot involves Kate, a woman in her mid-20s who had a dreadful hospitalization the year before “Last Christmas.” Her illness makes her depressed to the extent that she alienates herself from her family and friends. She is even afraid to lose her job because of all this.
At this time, she meets a stranger, Tom, who brings happiness to her life. He visits Kate at her job, and she finds him lovely. Someday, during one of their talks, Kate tries to corner Tom. She says that her feelings for him seem to be a firm expression that they are dating. Tom, however, doesn’t feel the same for her.
He tells her that she cannot just depend on him for happiness. Kate leaves after being hurt and upset. Following this, Kate begins an apology tour. She offers long owed apologies to people whom she has hurt and alienated. During the movie, they both fall in love, which is their best Christmas gift.
- Directed by: Paul Feig
- Cast: Emilia Clarke, Michelle Yeoh, Emma Thompson, and Henry Golding
- Release dates:8 November 2019
- Running time: 103 minutes.
- Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance, Fantasy
- IMDB Rating: 6.5
25. Black Christmas
As we approach the end of our list, we must ensure that the best movies aren’t left behind. Keeping this thought in mind, here is our next suggestion for you. Black Christmas is a movie unlike the ones we have listed above. It isn’t a happy Christmas movie, but that makes it nothing less watchable than the other listed movies.
The movie office collection of the movie speaks all for the popularity of the film. It was almost three times more than the cost of making the movie. Though the movie is three years old, it continues to be one of the most loved movies for thriller lovers.
Released in 2019 and directed by Sophia Takal, the movie explores the turmoil in the lives of Riley and her sisters. Their college, Hawthorne, will be closed on Christmas, and the students are away for the celebrations back at home. Meanwhile, Riley and her sisters have some other plans for Christmas.
They have decided to stay back and party in the hall. They are also shocked to discover the bloody murders on the campus but do not agree to surrender to the situation. They have decided to fight back against the “Christmas Killer.”
- Directed by: Sophia Takal
- Cast: Imogen Poots, Cary Elwes
- Release dates: 13 December 2019
- Running time: 92 minutes
- Genre: Horror, Mystery, Thriller
26. The Night Before
The second last movie on our list is “The Night Before.” It was released in 2015 and was directed by Jonathan Levine. The movie genre is a comedy, and it has a power-packed performance by some of the most loved actors of all time. The reviews for the movie were mixed, and it also had a good box office collection.
The movie began in 2001, and Ethan Miller lost his parents. They have died in a car accident. During this challenging time, his two friends, Issac and Chris, cheer him up. They have decided to spend Christmas evening with him so he doesn’t feel alone. For the next ten years, the same tradition follows.
The three friends celebrated Christmas together till 2015, when one day, they concluded that they wouldn’t be continuing it any longer. This happens because Isaac is soon to become a father. Thus, they all decide that their last celebration should be as memorable as possible—the movie follows their celebration and what they did to make it a grand celebration.
- Directed by: Jonathan Levine
- Cast: Seth Rogen, Jillian Bell, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Lizzy Caplan
- Release dates: November 20, 2015
- Running time: 101 minutes.
- Genre: Comedy, Fantasy
- IMDB Rating: 6.3
27. The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special
The last and the most recent movie to be released on our list, a Christmas movie, is The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special. Made especially for Christmas, this movie is the favorite Christmas movie of all marvel fans.
It was released in 2022 and was streamed on Disney+. It was a success for the makers, and the humor and incredible performances of the actors in the movie make it a complete entertainment package that you can watch with your family on Christmas.
The movie’s plot is that Christmas is approaching, and Kragin is telling the Guardians a story. It involves how Yondu intentionally spoiled Peter Quills Christmas. Here, Mantis is busy thinking about what present to give to Quill. He asks Drax to advise him on the same. They are trying to comfort Quill, who is still not overcome after the death of Gamora.
- Directed by: James Gunn
- Cast: Chris Pratt, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Sean Gunn, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, Old 97’s, Michael Rooker, and Kevin Bacon
- Release dates: November 25, 2022
- Running time: 42 minutes.
- Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
- IMDB Rating: 7
