The 19 Best Christmas Movies You Can Watch on Netflix
If you're anything like us, your holiday viewing begins the minute the Halloween pumpkins are thrown away. So in preparation, we've rounded up some of the best holiday movie options on Netflix. From classics like The Grinch and White Christmas to alternative options like Gremlins and The Ref, there's a little something for everyone . . . whether you're on Santa's naughty or nice list.
A Christmas Prince
This Netflix original might be cheesy, but what better time to surrender yourself to some lighthearted romance than around the holidays? The movie follows a young journalist who attempts to get the scoop on a handsome prince by going undercover at his palace, but ends up falling in love in the process.
Bad Santa
This 2003 dark comedy starring Billy Bob Thornton has everything adults want in a Christmas movie — humor, profanity, and actually a little bit of heart. It also costars Lauren Graham in what is quite the departure from Lorelai Gilmore.
A Christmas Horror Story
For those of you who prefer to eschew the schmaltzy yuletide cheer, here is an anthology of Christmas horror shorts — and bonus points, William Shatner is in one of them as a character called "Dangerous Dan." Excellent.
Dear Santa
Who doesn't want to watch Angel and Person of Interest sweetheart Amy Acker learn a valuable holiday lesson as she falls in love with the owner of a soup kitchen? Nobody, that's who. Bonus points: it's directed by Jason Priestley.
Get Santa
Award-winning actor Jim Broadbent (Iris, Game of Thrones) as Santa Claus who crashes his sleigh and is on the run from the police? Yes, please.
Gremlins
In the same vein as A Christmas Horror Story, put the "ahh!" back in holiday with Gremlins, which is a cheery Christmas story if ever we saw one! But seriously, it's an '80s classic with one of the most disturbing Santa Claus stories of all time.
Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
If you can't watch the original cartoon, this Jim Carrey version is the next best thing. He's at his manic best, plus a pre-Gossip Girl Taylor Momsen stars as Cindy Lou Who.
A Holiday Engagement
After being unceremoniously dumped, a woman hires a man to play her fiancé for her holiday weekend with the family. Hilarity ensues. Bonnie Somerville, Chris McKenna, Haylie Duff, and Shelley Long are just a few of the "Hey, it's that guy/girl!" faces in this Hallmark charmer.
Legend of Frosty the Snowman
Introduce your children to this updated holiday classic, featuring the voice of Coach star Bill Fagerbakke as the titular snowman and Burt Reynolds as the narrator.
Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas
In this sequel to the 1999 animated film Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas, the gang reunites for five holiday shorts: "Belles on Ice," "Christmas: Impossible," "Christmas Maximus," "Donald's Gift," and "Mickey's Dog-Gone Christmas."
The Radio City Christmas Spectacular
Kick off the holiday season with Radio City Music Hall's singing and dancing extravaganza, including several performances by the world-famous Rockettes dance troupe.
The Ref
If you've never seen this holiday comedy starring Denis Leary and Kevin Spacey, you are truly missing out. It puts the "fun" in "dysfunctional family," turned up to 11, as Leary's criminal takes a family hostage on Christmas while he plots his escape — and the family turns out to be kind of insane. Not only are the two big stars hilarious, but Judy Davis, Christine Baranski, and Glynis Johns also turn in epic comedic performances.
Santa's Apprentice
This 2010 French cartoon features Santa Claus looking for a young boy to replace him, with the conditions that the right child must be named Nicholas, must be an orphan, and must have a pure heart. It's an adorable film for holiday family time.
White Christmas
Truly one of the all-time holiday classics, White Christmas combines romance and humor with some outstanding song-and-dance numbers. Starring Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney, Vera-Ellen, and secret MVP-of-everything Danny Kaye, this 1954 heart-warmer is always a top-notch holiday pick.
While You Were Sleeping
This classic rom-com stars Sandra Bullock as a hopeless romantic working for the Chicago Transit Authority, who ends up in a love triangle with Bill Pullman and Peter Gallagher.
When it's available: Dec. 1
Disney's The Santa Clause
After a brash father (Tim Allen) accidentally kills Santa on Christmas Eve, he's magically whisked away to the North Pole and transformed into the mythical gift-giver himself.
When it's available: Dec. 12
Disney's The Santa Clause 2
Tim Allen returns as Scott Calvin in The Santa Clause sequel, which sees him struggling to find a Mrs. Claus.
When it's available: Dec. 12
Disney's The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause
Santa faces a major conundrum in the third installment of the franchise: how can he keep his new family happy while also putting a stop to the evil plan Jack Frost (Martin Short) has to take over Christmas? Hijinks at the North Pole ensue.
When it's available: Dec. 12
Pottersville
If you're in the mood for a Christmas flick with an unlikely premise, look no further than Pottersville. The movie stars Michael Shannon as a local businessman who inadvertently attracts loads of Bigfoot-seeking tourists to his small town around the holidays. It also stars Judy Greer, Christina Hendricks, and Ron Perlman.
When it's available: Dec. 15