Yahoo Finance A Complete List of the Best Christmas Movies of All Time
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A Complete List of the Best Christmas Movies of All Time
Snuggling up with a mug of hot cocoa on the couch and watching a marathon of the best Christmas movies ever made is the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit, and it's never too early to start. Everyone knows that watching a heartwarming holiday flick as the snow falls outside is one of the merriest parts of the season (along with decorating the tree and baking grandma's famous Christmas cookie recipe, natch).
Whether you're in the mood for a tried-and-true family holiday classic or a romantic Hallmark Christmas movie that's as saccharine as a plate of freshly-baked sugar cookies, there are so many must-watch holiday films to choose from on our list, including Christmas movies for kids, so-bad-they're good holiday rom-coms, funny Christmas comedies and even Christmas horror movies. Our definitive list of the best Christmas movies of all time features flicks old and new, classic and modern, so there's truly something for everyone in the family to bond over. So whip up some Christmas cocktails and home-theater snacks (a.k.a. gingerbread cookies), hunker down and start your holiday movie marathon right now!
Hearst Owned - 2/66
A Christmas Story (1983)
This movie deserves a major award! There's a reason why TBS plays A Christmas Story for 24 hours straight every Christmas. The classic gave us the infamous leg lamp and Red Ryder BB guns — and most importantly, it taught us to never lick a frozen pole (even under the intense pressure of a "triple dog dare").
Amazon Prime - 3/66
It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
Frank Capra's iconic film isn't just one of the best Christmas movies of all time — it's one of the best movies ever made, period. It's a Wonderful Life was nominated for six Academy Awards and ranks #11 on the American Film Institute's original list of the 100 Greatest American Films of All Time.
Amazon Prime - 4/66
Elf (2003)
Even though this hilarious but heartwarming movie, about a human man raised by Santa's elves in the North Pole, was released less than 20 years ago, it's quickly become a holiday classic. In short: If you don't think Elf is one of the greatest Christmas movies ever made, you're a cotton-headed ninny muggins.
WATCH NOWNew Line Cinema - 5/66
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)
Do you dread having your in-laws visit for the holidays? Watching this Chevy Chase movie will make anything your family does at Christmas seem totally normal by comparison.
Amazon Prime - 6/66
Home Alone (1990)
Over thirty years have passed since beloved Christmas movie Home Alone earned $285 million at the box office, but we'll never tire of watching 8-year-old Kevin McCallister foil the Wet Bandits' home burglary plans.
Amazon Prime - 7/66
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)
Kevin McCallister's family manages to leave him behind yet again in Home Alone 2 ... and this time around he winds up in New York City, where he manages to outwit the Wet Bandits once more (sorry, the Sticky Bandits).
Amazon Prime - 8/66
The Christmas Chronicles (2018)
Starring Kurt Russell as Santa Claus, this jolly Netflix original film follows two kids who encounter Santa in their own home — and find themselves on a magical adventure to help him save Christmas. If you're a fan, add The Christmas Chronicles: Part Two to your watchlist, as well.
Netflix - 9/66
Scrooged (1988)
This modernized version of A Christmas Carol stars Bill Murray as a curmudgeonly New York City TV executive who learns the true meaning of Christmas.
Amazon Prime - 10/66
Klaus (2019)
This Netflix original about a postman who befriends a reclusive toymaker is a great family Christmas film — especially with the beautiful animation that will leave you really feeling the holiday magic.
Netflix - 11/66
Dr. Seuss' The Grinch (2018)
No list of Christmas movies is truly complete without an appearance from the Grinch, and this new-ish animated version deserves a place in the holiday movie canon, thanks to Benedict Cumberbatch's memorable take on everyone's favorite green holiday grump.
Amazon Prime - 12/66
The Santa Clause (1994)
When a divorced businessman (Tim Allen) accidentally kills Santa, he must step in to fill his shoes (not to mention his giant red suit).
Amazon Prime - 13/66
The Santa Clause 2 (2002)
If you loved the first Santa Clause movie, then you'll want to follow it up with this heartwarming sequel about Santa's search for the perfect Mrs. Claus.
Amazon Prime - 14/66
A Christmas Prince (2017)
A Christmas Prince packs every rom-com cliche you can think of into 90 minutes — and that's exactly what makes it so delicious to watch. When a journalist is assigned to cover the handsome but mysterious prince of a small country named Aldovia, she gets more than she bargained for (of course!).
Hearst Owned - 15/66
Almost Christmas (2016)
Danny Glover is a retired widower who only wants one thing for Christmas: His grown children and their families to get along for the holidays. This performances from this talented ensemble cast will make you grateful for your folks this December.
Hearst Owned - 16/66
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Is it a Christmas movie? Is it a Halloween movie? Tim Burton blends both holidays together in a way that's both spooky and heartwarming at the same time. Be prepared to want to (oogie) boogie to the catchy songs in this '90s holiday favorite.
Amazon Prime - 17/66
Christmas With the Kranks (2004)
In the mood for a light-hearted holiday comedy? This funny flick follows a couple, played by Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis, who anger their neighbors by making plans to skip Christmas in favor of taking a Caribbean cruise instead.
Amazon Prime - 18/66
A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas (2011)
Looking for something to watch after the little ones go to bed? Press play on this bawdy holiday comedy, which is the third installment of the Harold & Kumar series.
Amazon Prime - 19/66
A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
In this timeless cartoon, Charlie Brown seeks out the true meaning of Christmas with the help of his friends, his curious dog and one tiny (yet strong) Christmas tree.
Amazon Prime - 20/66
Last Holiday (2014)
In this heartwarming rom-com, Queen Latifah plays a small-town saleswoman who spends her life savings on a holiday trip to Europe after finding out she has a terminal illness ... except there's a twist! Celebrate the most wonderful time of the year and show a bit of gratitude during the season.
Amazon Prime - 21/66
The Family Stone (2005)
This holiday flick about a dysfunctional family features an all-star cast that includes Sarah Jessica Parker, Luke Wilson and Diane Keaton.
Amazon Prime - 22/66
Black Christmas (1974)
Hey, some people like their Christmas movies with a side of gore — we're not here to judge. If you're a fan of holiday horror movies, get into this slasher flick about a group of sorority sisters is stalked by a killer. (There's also a 2019 remake you can check out, too.)
Hearst Owned - 23/66
The Family Man (2000)
Nic Cage stars as a workaholic bachelor in New York City, who wakes up on Christmas Day to find himself in a New Jersey suburb — with a family and a completely different life.
Hearst Owned - 24/66
Jingle Jangle (2020)
In this fantastical sci-fi holiday tale, an aging toymaker betrayed years earlier by his trusted apprentice finds renewed interest in his work when his granddaughter shows up on his doorstep.
Netflix - 25/66
Ernest Saves Christmas (1988)
Santa Claus is on the hunt for his successor — and kooky but lovable Earnest is here to help save the day.
Hearst Owned - 26/66
The Holiday (2006)
This romantic comedy about a pair of house-swappers that fall in love abroad might make you want to spend next Christmas in a charming English cottage (and make out with Jude Law, of course).
Amazon Prime - 27/66
Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
When Kris Kringle goes on trial to prove his identity in this magical holiday classic, he'll have you (and especially your kids) believing in the magic of Santa Claus.
Hulton Archive - Getty Images - 28/66
Prancer (1989)
A magical fantasy drama that the whole family can enjoy, Prancer follows a little girl who finds a hurt reindeer in the woods, whom she believes to be none other than Santa's Prancer.
Amazon Prime - 29/66
The Best Man Holiday (2013)
A sequel to 1999's The Best Man, director Malcom D. Lee reunites the original cast, including Taye Diggs, Terrence Howard and Nia Long for a holiday-themed comedy.
Hearst Owned - 30/66
Planes, Trains,and Automobiles (1987)
Funny men John Candy and Steve Martin team up for a holiday tale gone awry in Planes, Trains and Automobiles. Released in the '80s, this film features the two comedy greats at their best, playing two rivals just trying to make their way home for the holidays.
Amazon Prime - 31/66
Christmas in Connecticut (1945)
Barbara Stanwyck stars in this romantic comedy about a magazine writer who lies about her perfect (and fictitious) country life in her columns. She must figure out how to cover her tracks when her boss and a returning war hero invite themselves over for Christmas dinner.
Amazon Prime - 32/66
Santa Claus: The Movie (1985)
A Santa Claus origin story, this film stars Dudley Moore as an enterprising elf and John Lithgow as a sinister toy manufacturer.
Hearst Owned - 33/66
Holiday Affair (1949)
Set in a New York department store during the holiday season, this romantic comedy was a box office failure when it originally came out in the '40s. Since then, it's turned into a Christmas movie classic thanks to repeated airings on TCM over the years.
Amazon Prime - 34/66
The Polar Express (2004)
The Polar Express features Tom Hanks in an animated adventure based on the children's book by Chris Van Allsburg. In the fantasy flick, a little boy takes a magical train ride to the North Pole and discovers the significance of the holiday along the way.
Amazon Prime - 35/66
The Bishop's Wife (1947)
Cary Grant plays an angel in this movie that inspired '90s remake The Preacher's Wife starring Denzel Washington and Whitney Houston.
Amazon Prime - 36/66
The Man Who Invented Christmas (2017)
This story behind the story of how Charles Dickens wrote the classic A Christmas Carol stars Dan Stevens (of Downton Abbey fame) and is a delight for all ages. Trust us: This film can jump-start joy in any Scrooge.
Amazon Prime - 37/66
Jingle All the Way (1996)
Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sinbad as dads competing to get their sons the most popular Christmas toy of the year, this movie is as silly — and fun — as it sounds.
Amazon Prime - 38/66
Mixed Nuts (1994)
This 1994 Nora Ephron dramedy stars Steve Martin as the director of a crisis hotline on Christmas Eve.
Amazon Prime - 39/66
Disney's A Christmas Carol (2009)
A must-watch for the entire family, Disney's animated take on the classic Charles Dickens tale offers a unique visual experience (and also stars the hilarious Jim Carrey as the curmudgeonly Scrooge).
Disney - 40/66
Die Hard (1988)
Is Die Hard a Christmas film? We say yes. This action flick about an office Christmas party taken over by terrorists is sure to add a bit of adrenaline to your holiday. Yippee-ki-yay!
Amazon Prime - 41/66
It Happened on 5th Avenue (1947)
Set in New York during the holidays, this classic black-and-white film is about a homeless man who squats in a 5th Avenue mansion while the owners are wintering somewhere warmer.
Amazon Prime - 42/66
Scrooge (1951)
There are too many film adaptations of Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol to count, but this 1951 version (originally called Scrooge when it was first released) is considered to be the best version, according to The New York Times film critic A.O. Scott.
Amazon Prime - 43/66
The Night Before (2015)
Once the kids go to bed, turn on this rated-R Christmas comedy about three best friends (Anthony Mackie, Seth Rogen and Joseph Gordon-Levitt) who are on the hunt for the ultimate holiday party — the "Nutcracker Ball."
Amazon Prime - 44/66
Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
The Grinch gets the live-action treatment in this feature-length film starring Jim Carrey. This whimsical holiday film is a feast for the eyes — not to mention it will make your heart grow three sizes.
Amazon Prime - 45/66
Arthur Christmas (2011)
Santa does the unthinkable and forgets to deliver a gift to a child on Christmas Eve — and his youngest son, Arthur, must make the delivery before dawn. Pixar-level animation and wry British humor from the Wallace & Gromit team make this a heartwarming flick for the whole family.
Amazon Prime - 46/66
The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
If you want to introduce your kids to this classic Christmas tale, then give them a good starting point with a musical that pulls on the heartstrings featuring all of their favorite Muppets (think: Kermit and Gonzo) playing Charles Dickens's characters. Jim Henson fans will adore this magical holiday tale.
Amazon Prime - 47/66
Love Actually (2003)
This rom-com — which follows the love stories of almost a dozen couples throughout the holiday season — has quickly become part of the classic canon of Christmas movies, though it's not without its detractors (some critics have even called it the least romantic film of all time).
Amazon Prime - 48/66
The Great Rupert (1950)
This Christmas classic brings together two struggling families and a friendly squirrel named Rupert. Let's just say the holiday gets rather interesting...
Amazon Prime - 49/66
Four Christmases (2008)
Christmas has a way of bringing everyone together — even when you least expect it. In this modern Christmas tale, Reese Witherspoon and Vince Vaughn play an unhappily married couple whose tropical holiday plans get derailed.
Amazon Prime - 50/66
Office Christmas Party (2016)
Jason Bateman and Jennifer Aniston star in this hilarious movie about a high-stakes (you guessed it) office Christmas party.
Amazon Prime - 51/66
Babes in Toyland (1961)
Disney reinterpreted the classic Christmas tale in Technicolor with this 1961 musical starring Annette Funicello.
Amazon Prime - 52/66
Eloise at Christmastime (2003)
The holiday season isn't complete without Julie Andrews. She stars in Eloise at Christmastime as the nanny of a spunky six-year-old named Eloise, who has a mission to reunite two young lovers — while chasing them all around the Big Apple.
Amazon Prime - 53/66
Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)
Although this '60s TV short is just 26 minutes long, it would be a Christmas travesty to not include the classic on this list. (Plus, it's good for little kids with short attention spans.) Get ready to sing along with this family favorite this season!
Amazon Prime - 54/66
Gremlins (1984)
In this holiday(ish) horror movie, a cute and fuzzy present spawns evil offspring that ruin Christmas Eve after a boy breaks three important rules.
Amazon Prime - 55/66
Tokyo Godfathers (2003)
In this hand-illustrated anime reinterpretation of the Nativity story, a homeless group in Tokyo stumbles across an abandoned baby on Christmas Eve. Tokyo Godfathers is a surprisingly funny tale of friendship, family and the universal desire to belong.
Amazon Prime - 56/66
Miracle on 34th Street (1994)
This '90s remake of the classic film, starring Richard Attenborough as Kris Kringle, is an excellent reimagining of the original.
Amazon Prime - 57/66
Trading Places (1983)
This modernized version of Mark Twain's The Prince and The Pauper is set during the holidays and stars Dan Aykroyd and Eddie Murphy. Get ready for a laugh riot!
Amazon Prime - 58/66
Joyeux Noel (2006)
You might not have heard of this French film about the Christmas truce during WWI, but it's worth watching. It was even nominated for the best foreign language Academy Award in 2006.
Amazon Prime - 59/66
A Christmas Carol (1938)
This classic Christmas movie is one of the earlier (and better) full-length film adaptations of the Charles Dickens classic.
Amazon Prime - 60/66
Bad Santa (2003)
Leave this dark comedy for when the kids have gone to bed and you want a good laugh.
Amazon Prime - 61/66
A Christmas Tale (2008)
Even if you haven't heard of this French film before, this family drama set during Christmas and starring Catherine Deneuve is worth adding to your must-watch list.
Amazon Prime - 62/66
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)
Although this Rankin/Bass stop-motion animated film is technically just a TV special and not a feature-length film, it's such a classic that it's been aired every single year since it debuted in the '60s.
Amazon Prime - 63/66
Frosty the Snowman (1969)
Another Rankin/Bass TV special from the '60s that deserves its own place on this list, Frosty brings joy to us all every year.
Amazon Prime - 64/66
Remember the Night (1940)
When Barbara Stanwyck's character gets arrested for shoplifting right before Christmas in this rom-com, it's up to the D.A. (played by Fred MacMurray) to help her get out of jail.
Amazon Prime - 65/66
Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)
This movie takes place over the course of an entire year, so it's not entirely a holiday film. But we couldn't exclude the movie that gave us Judy Garland singing "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," could we?
RELATED: 50+ Festive Christmas Songs to Get You in the Holiday Spirit
Amazon Prime - 66/66
The Shop Around the Corner (1940)
The plot of this 1940 black-and-white Christmas film is pretty much the same as You've Got Mail — just swap emails for letters and Tom Hanks for Jimmy Stewart, and there you have it.
RELATED: 40 Forgotten Christmas Movies You Should Watch Right Now
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