Nothing makes the holiday season merrier and brighter than sitting down to watch a Christmas movie. Whether you’re someone who firmly believes that “Die Hard” is actually a Christmas movie, a loyal “Elf” re-watcher, or a classic film lover, there’s something here that will bring a festive smile to your face. From Netflix Christmas movies to holiday films you can stream right now on Disney+, there’s a lot out there to enjoy this December.
The list includes holiday classics like “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “Meet Me in St. Louis,” quite a few adaptations of “A Christmas Carol” that reimagine Scrooge’s story, and, of course, tons of holiday rom-coms. The holiday romances that made the list include the always controversial “Love Actually,” the much-beloved “The Best Man Holiday” stan, and the underrated Sandra Bullock and Bill Pullman Christmastime classic “While You Were Sleeping.” Whether you need something to play in the background while making Christmas cookies, a movie to watch with the whole family on Christmas Eve night, or something to play when your bestie comes over for a night of festive fun, there are tons of ideas for what to watch on this list.
Ahead, these are some of the best, most-beloved Christmas movies of all time.
Everett Collection / Courtesy Everett Collection
"Frosty the Snowman" (1969)
Everett Collection / Courtesy Everett Collection
"Mickey's Christmas Carol" (1983)
©Buena Vista Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection
"The Preacher's Wife" (1996)
Everett Collection / 20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection
©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection
"National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" (1989)
©Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection
©Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection
©Columbia Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection
"The Night Before" (2015)
©Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection
©Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection
"The Best Man Holiday" (2013)
Warner Bros. Courtesy: Everett Collection.
©Touchstone Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection
©Buena Vista Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection
"The Muppet Christmas Carol" (1992)
©Sony Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection
©Magnolia Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection
©Buena Vista Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection
"The Santa Clause" (1994)
Courtesy Everett Collection
Everett Collection / Everett Collection / Courtesy Everett Collection
"Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas" (1977)
©Buena Vista Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection
"While You Were Sleeping" (1995)
©Dimension Films/Courtesy Everett Collection
©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection
Courtesy Everett Collection
"The Bishop's Wife" (1948)
Everett Collection / Everett Collection / Courtesy Everett Collection
"The Man Who Invented Christmas" (2017)
©New Line Cinema/Courtesy Everett Collection
Courtesy Everett Collection
"A Christmas Carol" (1951)
©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection
Everett Collection / Everett Collection / Sean O'Reilly
"Better Watch Out" (2016)
©Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection
Courtesy Everett Collection
"Christmas in Connecticut" (1945)
©IFC Films/Courtesy Everett Collection
"Un Conte de Noel" (2008)
©Samuel Goldwyn Films/Courtesy Everett Collection
"Tokyo Godfathers" (2003)
Oscilloscope/Courtesy Everett Collection
"Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale" (2010)
Courtesy Everett Collection
"Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer" (1964)
Courtesy Everett Collection
"A Charlie Brown Christmas" (1965)
Everett Collection / 20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection
"Edward Scissorhands" (1990)
MGM/courtesy Everett Collection
"A Christmas Story" (1983)
©Columbia Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection
"Arthur Christmas" (2011)
Everett Collection / 20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection
Courtesy Everett Collection
"Remember the Night" (1940)
Everett Collection / Courtesy Everett Collection
"How the Grinch Stole Christmas" (1967)
Courtesy Everett Collection
Courtesy Everett Collection
"Babes in Toyland" (1934)
©Buena Vista Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection
"The Nightmare Before Christmas" (1993)
Courtesy Everett Collection
"The Shop Around the Corner" (1940)
Courtesy Everett Collection
Courtesy Everett Collection
"Miracle on 34th Street" (1947)
Courtesy Everett Collection
"Meet Me in St. Louis" (1944)
Courtesy Everett Collection
"It's a Wonderful Life" (1946)
