The 10 best Christmas films of all time

Nothing quite mimics the feeling of Christmas like settling in with a festive flick that gives you familiar tropes like snowy little towns blanketed in white, carolers singing away on street corners, and families reconnecting with one another. These movies remind us of what really matters at this special time of the year – being with our dear and beloved, sharing gratitude, and serving others from a place of honesty and care.

These are our favorite Christmas movies:

10. Elf (2003)

Starring Will Ferrell as Buddy, a human who was raised by elves at the North Pole, Elf follows his travels to New York City as he searches for his biological father. While searching for his real family, Buddy spreads Christmas cheer to everyone he meets. His childlike innocence and unfamiliarity with the big city makes it seem like he's been living under a rock, which helps other people see the world and Christmas with new eyes.

Ferrell is truly wonderful as the hilarious and overly enthusiastic Buddy. From his affection for the holiday and humanity itself to his love for elf culture and unflinching zest for the little things in life, Buddy’s story is brimming with joy and optimism. Elf explores the joy that is often missing from Christmas, and allows adults to see the awed perspective of children in a very different way. Many people find the film to be completely obnoxious, and yet it has remained a special classic to many others, so this one is (North) polarizing.

Available to stream on Prime Video, Hulu, Youtube.

9. The Santa Clause (1994)

Scott Calvin is disgusted to learn that his ex-wife, Laura, and her husband, Neil, have tried and failed to break it easy to their 6-year-old son, Charlie, that Santa Claus isn't real. On Christmas Eve, Scott reads "The Night Before Christmas" and then receives an unexpected visitor on his roof. When Santa is startled by Scott's calling out and falls off, he disappears, leaving only an 8-reindeer sleigh and a suit with instructions to put it on if he's involved in an accident. Scott does so and is transported around the town dropping gifts through chimneys until he's taken to the North Pole and informed by a group, who claim they're elves, that he is now Santa. Charlie is proud of Scott's new job, though he's convinced it was a dream. Then his hair turns white, his beard refuses to stay shaved, he gains weight inexplicably, and he has a sudden love of junk food. Now he's accepted it, there's just one problem: how to keep it a secret from his disbelieving family.

Available to stream on Disney+Hotstar.

8. Christmas, Again (2014)

For anyone alone and sad at Christmas, it can be difficult to watch movies about families and romances, even if they're highly dysfunctional or sad ones. There's something infinitely relatable and quietly peaceful about watching one Christmas tree salesman in New York do his lonely job day after day in the microbudget film Christmas, Again. Largely set in an alleyway pop-up to sell Christmas trees, the movie follows Kentucky Adler's quiet character as he does his job, sleeps in the on-site RV, and take painkillers out of his advent calendar.

He eventually helps a very intoxicated woman survive a cold night, which gets him involved in some relationship drama, but ultimately, Christmas, Again is not about drama or conflict. It's an anti-Hollywood movie, and extremely honest as a result. Most Christmases don't have intense family flare-ups, lots of laughs, meaningful moments, or beautiful romances. Christmas isn't visually stunning or heartwarming for most of us, and for some of us, it's just another day. Maybe that's sad, but Christmas, Again provides solace to all of us for whom that is real.

Available to stream on ??

7. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)

One of the most physical Jim Carrey performances, How the Grinch Stole Christmas is an underappreciated classic. The narrative, not unlike the animated original short, follows a mountain-bound green meanie who was ostracized by his community long ago. Now, with Santa on his way, the Grinch decides it's time to exact vengeance on a small village with the help of his hesitant dog, Max.

Back in 2000, The Grinch dominated the box office, and it did so week after week. What's impressive is that it did so in the face of poor critical reviews, most of which called it over-produced and filled with unnecessary fluff. Two decades later, the film has had somewhat of a critical reappraisal, with people growing up to love the practically hallucinatory production design, costumes, and makeup effects. Director Ron Howard has created a very literal manifestation of the story, which dances through the uncanny valley with tremendously designed characters giving their all with very physical performances.

Available to stream on Youtube.

6. Family Switch (2023)

The Walkers are a nuclear family of five: Mom Jess, Dad Bill, 16 year old daughter CC, 14 year old son WYATT, and 2 year old son Miles. But when a mysterious event occurs at the Griffith Park Planetarium, the nuclear elements split and recombine; Jess's mind is in CC's body (and vice versa), while Bill's mind is in WYATT's body (and vice versa). While CC and Wyatt try to navigate the impossibly complicated world that is adulthood (responsibilities, skills, fears, ambitions), Jess and Bill must work their way through the insanely intricate network of rites of passage (bullying, soccer games, music, parties, romance) that comes with being a teenager, while all four scramble to undo the spell that catastrophically recombined their personalities.

Available to stream on Netflix.

5. It's a wonderful life (1946)

George Bailey has spent his entire life giving of himself to the people of Bedford Falls. He has always longed to travel but never had the opportunity in order to prevent rich skinflint Mr. Potter from taking over the entire town. All that prevents him from doing so is George's modest building and loan company, which was founded by his generous father. But on Christmas Eve, George's Uncle Billy loses the business's $8,000 while intending to deposit it in the bank. Mr. Potter finds the misplaced money and hides it from Uncle Billy. When the bank examiner discovers the shortage later that night, George realizes that he will be held responsible and sent to jail and the company will collapse, finally allowing Mr. Potter to take over the town. Thinking of his wife, Mary, their four children, and others he loves will be better off with him dead, he contemplates suicide. But the prayers of his loved ones result in his guardian angel named Clarence Odbody coming to Earth to help him, with the promise of earning his wings. He shows him what things would have been like if he had never been born.

Available to stream on Plex, Prime Video, Youtube.

4. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

Jack Skellington, king of "Halloween Town," has grown weary of scaring people and now wishes to spread Christmas cheer by kidnapping Santa and taking over his role. But Jack's selfish and unconventional methods threaten to ruin the holiday for children everywhere. The Nightmare Before Christmas is a beloved stop-motion animation classic surrounding Jack's adventures between the worlds of Halloween and Christmas.

Director Henry Selick uses colorful Gothic elements to add horror, and sweetly sinister characters like Sally the rag doll to weave a story that resonates with viewers of all ages. The takeaway? At its heart, this enduring classic is about embracing change and understanding differences even when they seem too big and bothersome. Something we could all use.

Available to stream on Disney+Hotstar

3. Best. Christmas. Ever. (2023)

Every Christmas, without fail, Jackie sends a boastful holiday newsletter that makes her old college friend Charlotte feel like a lump of coal. When a twist of fate lands Charlotte, her husband Rob, and their family on Jackie and her husband Valentino's snowy doorstep just days before Christmas, Charlotte seizes the opportunity to prove that her old friend's "perfect" life can't possibly be that perfect. But in her overzealous attempt to expose Jackie, Charlotte nearly ruins Christmas for both families and must team up with her old friend to reassemble the pieces.

Available to stream on Netflix.

2. The Polar Express (2004)

Late on Christmas Eve, after the town has gone to sleep, a boy boards the mysterious train that waits for him--The Polar Express. When the boy arrives at the North Pole, Santa Claus offers him any gift he desires. The boy asks only for a bell from the harness of Santa's reindeer. But on the way home, the bell is lost. Christmas morning, the boy finds the bell under the Christmas tree, and when he shakes it, the bell makes the most beautiful sound he's ever heard. His mother admires the bell, but she laments that it is broken ... for, you see, only a true believer can hear the sound of the bell.

Available to stream on Jio Cinema, Prime Video, Hulu, Youtube.

1. Home Alone (1990-1992)

This is a movie that probably needs no description because, come on, you’ve all seen it. But still, let’s do a quick recap. Home Alone follows an eight-year-old prankster named Kevin, who is accidentally left behind when his family flies away to Paris for Christmas. With no adults around, little Kevin can do whatever he wants. But his freedom is interrupted when two dim-witted burglars plot to enter his house on Christmas Eve. This unwelcome company arrives with comedy, pranks, hijinks, and violent fun while Kevin tries everything to defend his home and his holiday.

The movie taps into the hope and joy we feel for the festival as children – a time when the house is full of toys, sweets, and presents. It’s an absolute paradise. Macaulay Culkin perfectly captures the mixture of innocence and mischief that has defined the notoriety of his character. Meanwhile, Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern are deliciously wicked as the burglars. Ultimately, the film allows you to make the most of your favorite time of the year.

Available to stream on Prime Video, Hulu, Youtube.

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