Nothing makes the holiday season merrier and brighter than sitting down to watch a Christmas movie. Whether you're someone who firmly believes that "Annie" and "Die Hard" are actually Christmas movies, a loyal "Elf" rewatcher, or a classic-film lover, there's something here that will bring a festive smile to your face. From Netflix latest slate of Christmas movies [1] to holiday films you can stream right now on Disney+ [2], 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 [3], tons of holiday romcoms, and even some holiday classics that are only debatably Christmas movies. The holiday romances that made the list include the always controversial "Love Actually," the much-beloved "The Best Man Holiday," and the underrated Sandra Bullock [4] 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.
"Annie" (1982)
"The Holiday" (2006)
"Fred Claus" (2007)
"Noelle" (2019)
"The Best Man Holiday" (2013)
"The Christmas Chronicles" (2018)
"The Snowman" (1982)
"Frosty the Snowman" (1969)
"Love Actually" (2003)
"Four Christmases" (2008)
"Mickey's Christmas Carol" (1983)
"The Night Before" (2015)
"This Christmas" (2007)
"The Preacher's Wife" (1996)
"National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" (1989)
"Miracle on 34th Street" (1947)
"Krampus" (2015)
"Meet Me in St. Louis" (1944)
"Home Alone" (1990)
"The Shop Around the Corner" (1940)
"Scrooged" (1988)
"The Best Man Holiday" (2013)
"Black Christmas" (1974)
"The Ref" (1994)
"Babes in Toyland" (1934)
"Happy Christmas" (2014)
"The Santa Clause" (1994)
"The Nightmare Before Christmas" (1993)
"Holiday Inn" (1942)
"Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas" (1977)
"The Apartment" (1960)
"The Muppet Christmas Carol" (1992)
"Joyeux Noel" (2005)
"White Christmas" (1954)
"While You Were Sleeping" (1995)
"The Bishop's Wife" (1948)
"Remember the Night" (1940)
"The Man Who Invented Christmas" (2017)
"Arthur Christmas" (2011)
"How the Grinch Stole Christmas" (1967)
"The Preacher's Wife" (1996)
"Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer" (1964)
"Die Hard" (1988)
"Better Watch Out" (2016)
"A Charlie Brown Christmas" (1965)
"Christmas in Connecticut" (1945)
"The Polar Express" (2004)
"Batman Returns" (1992)
"Bad Santa" (2003)
"Trading Places" (1983)
"A Christmas Story" (1983)
"Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale" (2010)
"Gremlins" (1984)
"Elf" (2003)
"A Christmas Carol" (1951)
"Edward Scissorhands" (1990)
"Un Conte de Noel" (2008)
"Tokyo Godfathers" (2003)
"It's a Wonderful Life" (1946)
