Oh boy, movies are just a blast to watch all year round, right? But there’s something extra special about cuddling up with holiday movies that’s just unbeatable. I mean, seriously, who can resist the charm of Elf and Home Alone? Not a single soul, that’s for sure. Holiday movies absolutely rule the roost!
Picture this: you, snuggled on the couch with a steaming cup of hot chocolate (or maybe some wine if that’s more your style), cozying up for a flick about the most magical time of the year. Whether you’re into the OG classics or the latest releases that are totally worth the hype, the options are practically endless. So, we’ve gathered up the crème de la crème of holiday movies that’ll keep your spirits high all season long. It’s time to get comfy and hit play!
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
The reason why there’s a whole ride at Disneyland for this holiday favorite is simple: it’s amazing! Christmas doesn’t get ‘Christmas-sy’ without this masterpiece! The movie tells the story of Jack Skellington, the beloved pumpkin king of Halloweentown. He gets tired of scaring people every year, but everything changes when he discovers Christmastown. It’s a game-changer that gives him a fresh perspective on life. Trust me, it’s a must-watch!
Home Alone (1990)
Home Alone absolutely deserves a spot on every holiday movie list ever! Picture this: the McCallisters accidentally forget their 8-year-old son Kevin when rushing off to the airport. Imagine his surprise when he wakes up in an empty house, convinced that his Christmas wish to be without family has magically come true. But, lo and behold, there are two sneaky criminals plotting to rob the house! With no one else around, it’s up to Kevin to outsmart them and safeguard his home and family. Isn’t that simply adorable?
Die Hard (1988)
During the holiday season, there are two big questions that always come up. The first one is, “Is Santa real?” And the second one is, “Is Die Hard a Christmas movie?” Well, let me tell you, I strongly believe it is. In fact, it’s not just any Christmas movie, it’s a really good one! The story revolves around NYPD officer John McClane who goes to visit his estranged wife and two daughters on Christmas Eve. But guess what?
Their Christmas celebrations get interrupted by a group of terrorists who take over the fancy high-rise building where his wife’s office holiday party is happening. And you know what? John realizes that he’s the only one who can save everyone. It’s an action-packed holiday flick that you don’t want to miss!
Elf (2003)
Christmas just wouldn’t be the same without the sight of Will Ferrell all dressed up as a jolly elf! This beloved classic tale follows the adventures of Buddy, a lovable guy who, by a hilarious twist of fate, found himself in the magical realm of the North Pole as a little tyke. Raised among Santa’s merry elves, Buddy embarks on an exciting journey as an adult, venturing to New York City to find his long-lost dad. Along the way, he manages to create quite a bit of adorable chaos!
Krampus (2015)
Despite it being the holiday season, there’s no reason for spooky season to completely disappear. When a quarrel among a quirky family dampens the young son’s holiday cheer, it unleashes the mischievous wrath of Krampus, a creepy creature from European folklore. As Krampus stealthily approaches the Engel home, the entire family must unite to ensure each other’s safety.
Last Christmas (2019)
If you’re a fan of the heartwarming and tear-jerking TV series Fleabag, then this holiday film is an absolute treat for you! Our story revolves around Kate, a young and spirited Londoner who finds herself working as an elf in a magical Christmas shop all year round. Life hasn’t been going smoothly for her, but that all changes when she crosses paths with Tom – a charming and delightful individual who might just be a dream come true… or maybe even more than that!
Spirited (2022)
A musical comedy featuring the delightful duo of Will Ferrel and Ryan Reynolds. Count us in! Get ready to enjoy their uproarious twist on Charles Dicken’s A Christmas Carol as they hilariously retell the tale from the perspective of the Ghost of Christmas Present. It’s a cute and captivating holiday classic with a charmingly comical touch!
Love Actually (2003)
This world just wouldn’t be the same without the most adored holiday rom-com flick ever! Love Actually swoops into our hearts, exploring the wonders of love as it weaves together nine intertwined stories in the magical weeks before Christmas. Prepare for a heartwarming dose of love that brings us all together!
Falling for Christmas (2022)
You absolutely need to know that this movie marks Lindsay Lohan’s grand comeback to acting, like seriously! But wait, there’s more! LiLo plays a super spoiled heiress who conveniently loses her memory and ends up head over heels for a charming local ski lodge owner in cozy Aspen. It’s, like, a total feel-good story that’s just perfect for snuggling up and enjoying during this delightful season!
Four Christmases (2008)
Brad and Kate find themselves embarking on a chaotic adventure as their much-anticipated vacation takes an unexpected turn. Join them in this delightfully underrated holiday comedy as they navigate through a whirlwind of family get-togethers on Christmas Day. While Brad eagerly awaits an opportunity to escape the eccentric relatives, Kate ponders her own decisions and questions whether her family might just be a tad overwhelming.
Best. Christmas. Ever! (2023)
Every year, Jackie sends out this awesome holiday newsletter that Charlotte, her old college friend, secretly resents. Charlotte thinks Jackie’s life is too perfect to be true. But guess what, fate decides to play a little trick and Charlotte ends up on Jackie’s doorstep during the holidays. Charlotte feels this urge to expose the flaws in Jackie’s world. But surprises, surprises! She soon discovers that their friendship is actually the best holiday gift she could have asked for.
Dash & Lily (2020)
Hey, so technically speaking, this isn’t really a movie but a Christmas series. However, let me tell you, this underrated Netflix special from 2020 is a complete gem of wholesome Christmas romance. It stars Austin Abrams and Midori Francis, and it’s called Dash & Lily. The story revolves around two high schoolers—one who’s not really into Christmas and another who’s a Christmas enthusiast. They start communicating through an anonymous journal that they leave all around NYC. It’s such a heartwarming journey to follow!
Klaus (2019)
Klaus is actually a more recent holiday release that’s absolutely perfect for when we all get in the mood for an animated movie during this time of year. So here’s the deal: after this postman, Jesper, totally proves himself to be the worst student at the postal academy, he ends up getting sent to this frozen town up in the North Pole. And guess what? That’s where he meets this super elusive toymaker dude named Klaus. So get this, they actually become unlikely friends and their story gets pretty awesome!
Dashing Through The Snow (2023)
Eddie Garrick, a social worker, decided to distance himself from Christmas celebrations after a traumatic childhood experience. However, now that he’s a father himself, Eddie takes his 8-year-old daughter out on Christmas Eve. Despite her background, she absolutely adores the holiday. During their outing, they come across a mysteriously cheerful man named Nick, dressed in a red suit. Little did they know, this encounter would lead them on a magical adventure, one that could potentially restore Eddie’s belief in the magic of Christmas.
Something From Tiffany’s (2022)
Picture this – you know that precious engagement ring of yours? Well, imagine it falling into the wrong hands, but here’s the kicker – it turns out to be just what you needed all along! So here’s the lowdown: Rachel and Gary, they’re this super happy couple, no doubt about it. But guess what? They’re not quite ready to take that big commitment leap, you know what I mean? On the other hand, we’ve got Ethan and Vanessa. They are the definition of a picture-perfect couple and are just about to make things official. But get this, a little mix-up of their gifts brings them together and what unfolds is a rollercoaster ride of twists and turns, leading them exactly where they’re meant to be. Pretty crazy, right?
A Christmas Story – Christmas (2022)
It’s been 30 years since its initial release, but you won’t believe it! A Christmas Story, which happens to be one of the most cherished holiday movies of all time, is making a glorious comeback. We catch up with Ralphie, all grown up now, with a delightful family of his own. And you know what? He’s determined to give his kids an enchanting Christmas, just like the amazing ones he experienced during his childhood.
White Christmas (1954)
Sometimes, all you want to do is snuggle up in front of a timeless Christmas movie with an unforgettable soundtrack. I mean, who can resist the charm of Bob Wallace and Phil Davis teaming up with the talented Betty and Judy Haynes to rescue a cozy inn in rural Vermont with their spectacular Christmas show? It’s a classic that you just can’t get tired of. Seriously, it’s a must-watch every year (and don’t forget to sing along!).
The Holiday (2006)
The holiday season just wouldn’t be complete without watching Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet totally switch lives and end up living out these amazing romances they never even thought possible, all happening during the holiday season. It’s this classic Nancy Meyers film where Iris and Amanda, two hearts shattered into pieces, decide to do this totally crazy house swap thing for the holidays: Iris goes to sunny Los Angeles and Amanda goes across the pond to England. And what happens next is just so unexpected – they find themselves totally immersed in these new lives that they might not even want to leave once the season is over!
The Grinch (2018)
You can’t have a holiday movie round-up without mentioning the Grinch, and let me tell you, the 2018 version is probably the best one yet! So, this Grinch dude and his faithful dog, Max, live in a cozy cave on Mount Crumpet all by themselves. Let me tell you, he absolutely loathes Christmas, like, with every fiber of his being. So, he comes up with this crazy plan to dress up as Santa Claus and ruin all the Who’s and their celebration in Whoville. Can you believe it?
Love Hard (2021)
I can definitely relate to this story, as a woman working in the editorial industry. It really resonated with me in the best possible way. You see, our main character, Natalie, meets someone she believes to be her perfect match on a dating app. But here’s the plot twist – when she travels all the way from L.A. to surprise him for Christmas, she discovers that she’s been catfished! Can you imagine? However, thanks to the magic of the holiday season, things take an unexpected turn. It’s quite a journey, I must say!
The Night Before (2015)
If you considered The Hangover as a Christmas movie, you would find The Night Before to be a hilarious bromance tale. For the past decade, Ethan, Isaac, and Chris have come together on Christmas Eve to celebrate with a bang. However, with Isaac about to become a father for the first time, they realize their tradition must come to a close. So, in order to make it truly unforgettable, they embark on a quest to find the Nutcracka Ball, which happens to be the most epic Christmas party in all of NYC.
Single All The Way (2021)
Are you a fan of the fake relationship romantic comedy trope? If so, then this is definitely the movie for you! Meet Peter, who always seems to be single. Every year, when he goes back home for the holidays, his family never fails to remind him of his relationship status. To avoid those annoying questions, Peter comes up with an idea – he asks his best friend, Nick, to play the role of his boyfriend during the holiday season. But as they continue to pretend, the line between make-believe and reality becomes harder to define, and things start getting a little complicated.
A Christmas Frequency (2023)
So, there’s this radio show producer named Kenzie, right? She’s in a bit of a pickle because her boss’s show is totally tanking. Apparently, the ratings have dropped ever since she started being all cynical on-air after her divorce. Talk about bad timing! But here’s the interesting part, to spice things up and hopefully save the show, Kenzie decides to set her boss up on live, on-air blind dates. Pretty bold move, if you ask me! But guess what? Cupid strikes and Kenzie ends up falling head over heels for one of the contestants. Now, she’s caught between her logical thinking and her heart’s desires, and all this drama unfolds just before Christmas. Love and Christmas? A FOREVER bond!!!
Better Watch Out (2016)
It’s kind of like if Home Alone took a different path from what you expect. So, there’s this 17-year-old girl named Ashley who’s babysitting the Lerner family’s 12-year-old son, Luke, during the holidays. They decide to watch a scary movie together, and while doing so, Luke tries to flirt with Ashley by comforting her. But things go from planned to real pretty quickly when some unwelcome intruders show up, and Ashley has to defend herself and Luke.
Family Switch (2023)
Ever wondered what Freaky Friday would be like with a holiday twist? That’s the laugh-out-loud magic that comes together in Netflix’s new film Family Switch, starring Jennifer Garner, Ed Helms, and Emma Myers. The brand new addition to the list…The Walker family is having some trouble *connecting* to one another, so they go on a little holiday adventure. When they wake up the next morning, all six family members (and one dog) have switched bodies. Hilarity ensues.
