The Greatest Christmas Movies of All Time
Christmas is a month away and we know you're getting ready to cozy up in front of the fire, put on a good Christmas movie, and drink some hot chocolate. Here are some of the greatest Christmas movies of all time.
The Year Without A Santa Claus
The Year Without A Santa Claus (1974) tells a fantastic take of rediscovering the Christmas spirit. Down on his luck and suffering from a cold, Santa must be convinced by his elves to tackle Christmas anyway, with a little help from those who still believe, in this animated Christmas classic.
ABC, The Year Without a Santa Claus (1974)
How The Grinch Stole Christmas
One of Jim Carrey's first features was also one of his best. How The Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) tells the story of the infamous Christmas character, played by Carrey, who's plans to scupper Christmas are thwarted by an endearing young girl. How The Grinch Stole Christmas is based on the book of the same name by Dr Seuss.
Universal, How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
The Holiday
Starring Cameron Diaz and Kar Winslet, The Holiday (2006) is a unique take on Christmas featuring a house swap between two women, one in England, the other in America. They swap homes and lives over the Christmas period, leading them from heartbreak to happiness in this Christmas romantic comedy.
A Very Murray Christmas
A Very Murray Christmas (2015) stars the titular Bill Murray, George Clooney, Rashida Jones, and Miley Cyrus in a diverse comedy-musical that is one of Bill Murray's latest and greatest movies.
Zoetrope, A Very Murray Christmas (2015)
Deck The Halls
This Christmas comedy may not have performed well on Rotten Tomatoes, receiving only 6%, but it's a good-humored movie for those looking for some Christmas chuckles. Deck The Halls (2006) stars Matthew Broderick as an eccentric suburban Dad who picks a fight with his new neighbor about who will have the best Christmas lights display. Hilarity and one-upmanship ensue.
Twentieth Century, Deck the Halls (2006)
The Family Stone
The Family Stone (2005) stars Sarah Jessica Parker as Meredith Morton, the girlfriend of Everett Stone (Dermot Mulroney), who's invited her to his parents house for Christmas. But when Meredith invites her sister along unannounced, Christmas with the Stones doesn't quite go to plan.
Twentieth Century, The Family Stone (2005)
Silent Night, Deadly Night
While horror might not be your forte at Christmas, for those who do enjoy the spooky (and murderous) at Christmas, we present Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984). Telling the creepy tale of a killer toy store Santa, this is one you may want to put the kids to bed for.
TriStar, Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984)
It Happened On Fifth Avenue
"Love will find a way" might be the theme of It Happened On Fifth Avenue (1947). As a homeless veteran meets the daughter of a wealthy businessman while staying at her father's vacant New York home, Christmas romance is in the air.
Allied Artists, It Happened on 5th Avenue (1947)
Edward Scissorhands
Edward Scissorhands (1990) isn't what you'd typically think of when considering Christmas movies. But Tim Burton's fantasy classic of a boy with scissors for hands trying to fit in, with a Christmassy backdrop, tells a powerful tale of inclusion.
Twentieth Century, Edward Scissorhands (1990)
The Santa Clause
Tim Allen stars in this "that's so 90s" Christmas flick as a Dad who has to assume the role of Santa, after he accidentally kills Santa on Christmas Eve. Filled with plenty of laughs and silly comedy moments, as well as some body shaming stuff that wouldn't fly today, The Santa Clause (1994) is a good all-round family movie for Christmas laughter.
Walt Disney, The Santa Clause (1994)
Christmas With The Kranks
Starring Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis as Luther and Nora Krank, Christmas With The Kranks (2004) tells the story of the Kranks' attempt to exchange some Christmas cheer for some Caribbean sun and how that does not sit well with their Christmas-obsessed neighbors.
Sony, Christmas with the Kranks (2004)
The Holdovers
Imagine if Scrooge adopted a son? That's what The Holdovers (2023) might as well be about. Starring Paul Giamatti as Paul Hunham, a teacher with a "Bah! Humbug" approach to Christmas, who must look after some students who have to stay at school for the holidays.
Focus Features, The Holdovers (2023)
The Polar Express
One of the greatest animated Christmas movies of all time, The Polar Express (2004) tells the story of a Christmas Eve train trip to the north pole aboard the Polar Express. Perfectly capturing all the magic of Christmas, The Polar Express is a great watch for all ages.
Warner Bros., The Polar Express (2004)
How The Grinch Stole Christmas
Another animated Christmas classic for our list is How The Grinch Stole Christmas (1966). Long before Jim Carrey was the iconic Grinch character, he was voiced by Boris Karloff (of Frankenstein) in this tale of the Grinch's anti-Christmas antics in Whoville.
MGM, How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966)
A Very Harold And Kumar Christmas
You might not immediately think of Harold and Kumar when you think of Christmas, but A Very Harold And Kumar Christmas (2011) telling of their comedic journey across New York to find the perfect Christmas tree for Harold's father-in-law is the stuff of Christmas movie classics.
Warner Bros., A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas (2011)
Die Hard
Widely considered the greatest Christmas movie of all time, Die Hard (1988) is the introduction of action hero John McClane (Bruce Willis) and his fight against terrorists to free the Nakatomi Plaza and his captive wife, Holly. Die Hard has generated a cult following and a franchise.
Twentieth Century, Die Hard (1988)
Miracle On 34th Street
There's possibly not a more endearing Christmas movie than Miracle On 34th Street (1994). When her mother hires Kris Kringle (Richard Attenborough) to be Santa at Macy's, young Susan Walker comes to believe in the power of miracles.
Twentieth Century, Miracle on 34th Street (1994)
Gremlins
Gremlins (1984) is a horror-comedy with a Christmas angle that introduces the "Mogwai" to a family at Christmas. After doing exactly what they weren't supposed to—feed it after midnight and expose it to the light—a chaotic Christmas ensues.
The Shop Around The Corner
Starring Margaret Sullivan and Jimmy Stewart, The Shop Around The Corner (1940) tells the tale of two anonymous pen pal lovers who can't stand each other in real life, falling in love over Christmas. It inspired You've Got Mail (1998).
MGM, The Shop Around the Corner (1940)
A Christmas Tale
One of the most powerful Christmas movies that reminds us of the importance of family is A Christmas Tale (2008). When a reuniting family must set aside its grievances and focus on its ailing matriarch, A Christmas Tale reminds us all of what's most important.
Wild Bunch, A Christmas Tale (2008)
Black Christmas
Another entrant for the Christmas-horror category is Black Christmas (1974), a slasher with a Christmas vibe. As sorority girls unwittingly bait a serial killer into their midst, Christmas this year will be one of survival.
Telefilm Canada, Black Christmas (1974)
Love Actually
A comedy romance encased in Christmas is Love Actually (2003), starring Hugh Grant, Alan Rickman, Colin Firth, and a host of other stars in an interconnected tale of nine love stories at Christmastime.
Universal, Love Actually (2003)
Jingle All The Way
Jingle All The Way (1996) is the perfect Christmas comedy, starring the hot commodity of the 1990s, Arnold Schwarzenegger, as a father desperate to please his son on Christmas, searching for an elusive toy that has him making some questionable decisions.
Twentieth Century, Jingle All the Way (1996)
The Best Man Holiday
The Best Man Holiday (2013) tells the tale of the ultimate college reunion, happening at Christmastime. As eight friends reunite over the Christmas period, they discover just how much has changed and how much remains the same.
Universal, The Best Man Holiday (2013)
Meet Me In St Louis
Meet Me In St Louis (1944) is an iconic Christmas musical that focuses on four sisters and their learnings of the ways of the world, including love of the boy next door at Christmastime. Singing, dancing, and joy are at the forefront of this Christmas classic.
NGM, Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)
Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer
While the movie has been remade countless times, the original Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer from 1964 still holds a special place in the hearts of many. A stop-motion animated movie about the iconic reindeer, Rudolph is a Christmas classic for all ages.
NBC, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)
A Charlie Brown Christmas
The legendary Charlie Brown animated pictures took on Christmas in A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965). Alongside his faithful companion, Snoopy, Charlie Brown learns all about the magic of Christmas in this festive masterpiece.
CBS, A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
Elf
Elf (2003) is one of Will Ferrell's most famous movies and has achieved cult status since its release. As a tall Elf in the North Pole learns that Santa isn't his real Dad, he ventures to America to find his real father and try to get him into the Christmas spirit, while vying for his affection at the same time.
Jack Frost
Jack Frost (1998) tells the tale of a tragic passing on Christmas Day that gives a father and son more time together after a magic harmonica brings Jack Frost to life.
Warner Bros., Jack Frost (1998)
The Nightmare Before Christmas
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) sees Jack Skellington, the nightmare of Halloweentown, plot to destroy Christmas by kidnapping Santa Claus. His plans go awry in an interesting plot that kicked off the Jack Skellington franchise.
Touchstone, The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
A Christmas Carol
Based on the iconic novel by Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol (2009) stars Jim Carrey as Ebenezer Scrooge, a man with a "Bah-Humbug!" approach to Christmas who is forced to confront his character flaws through the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future.
Walt Disney, A Christmas Carol (2009)
The Muppet Christmas Carol
A Christmas Carol (2009) might have been based on The Muppet A Christmas Carol (1992), as Kermit, Marley, Miss Piggy, and the gang revisit the Charles Dickens classic.
Walt Disney, The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
Bad Santa
For those who love Christmas capers, Bad Santa (2003) is the movie for you. Billy Bob Thornton stars as one half of a duo of Christmas robbers that reunite annually for a Christmas robbery. Bad Santa's humorous take is a refreshing Christmas comedy. Bad Santa 2 was released in 2016.
Scrooged
This 1988 take on A Christmas Carol stars Bill Murray as Frank Cross, a cold-hearted media mogul who must atone for his sins after firing a staff member on Christmas Eve, via the visitations of the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future.
Home Alone
An iconic Christmas movie, if ever there was one, Home Alone (1990) stars Macaulay Culkin as eight-year-old Kevin McAllister. Left home alone on Christmas Eve, Kevin must use his wit to battle two home invaders in this comedic Christmas classic.
Twentieth Century, Home Alone (1990)
White Christmas
Starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kay, and Rosemary Clooney, White Christmas (1954) is all about reimagining the Christmas spirit. Four friends unite with a sisterly musical act to perform a yuletide Christmas play to save the failing inn.
Paramount, White Christmas (1954)
A Christmas Story
Following the eponymous novel written by Jean Shepherd, A Christmas Story (1983) tells the tale of Ralphie Parker, a young boy dealing with bullies, a cranky Dad, and an all-too-doting mother in the quest for the perfect toy: a Red Ryder Air Rifle.
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
Following the Griswold family at Christmas is always going to be entertaining. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989) sees Clark Griswold try everything in his power to give his family the perfect Christmas. The third installment from the National Lampoon magazine is one of the greats.
Warner Bros., National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)
It's A Wonderful Life
It's A Wonderful Life (1946) is an iconic Christmas movie. It tells the tale of George Bailey, a man alone and depressed at Christmas, who's life is told in a series of flashbacks, culminating in an unforgettable love story that makes this the greatest Christmas movie of all time.
RKO, It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
It's A Wonderful Life Targeted By The FBI
It's A Wonderful Life was released in 1946, and while not quite at the height of McCarthyism, the rumblings were still there. The movie's sinister antagonist, Mr Potter, is an ardent capitalist and the movie villainized him. It also featured a "community bank". These were reasons enough for the FBI to investigate the movie and refer it and its production crew and cast to the House Un-American Activities Committee. Ultimately, the committee decided not to pursue any action against the production, but the Orwellian actions of The Bureau didn't help the movie, which was crucified by critics at the time.
