This list won’t beat ABC Family’s fabulous 25 Days of Christmas, but if you’re a college student with no cable, this comes pretty close. You most likely have at one of these services: Netflix, Hulu or Prime. So I’ve made a list of Christmas movies that both might scream nostalgia or entirely new for you.
1. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Netflix)
The Grinch, of course, a Christmas classic. Whether you’re reading the book, watching the cartoon movie or watching this movie, you’ll be delighted with the wonders of the Grinch.
IMDb Summary: “On the outskirts of Whoville, there lives a green, revenge-seeking Grinch who plans on ruining the Christmas holiday for all of the citizens of the town.”
2. Jack Frost (Amazon Prime)
This is a personal favorite because this is (or at least, used to be) one of the movies ABC Family would play every year. It is the tale of Jack Frost.
IMDB Summary: “The Groundhog tells the story of how, for once, Jack Frost became human, and helped a knight win his lady love.”
3. Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas (Netflix)
This is another classic that if you grew up watching Disney, you most likely saw on the channel around Christmas time. It is definitely worth the watch for nostalgia as well as the lighthearted comedy that Mickey and his friends bring to every tale.
IMDb Summary: “A Christmas themed, three-part anthology-style video. The first part, “Donald Duck: Stuck on Christmas,” is essentially a retelling of Groundhog Day (1993), with Huey, Dewey, and Louie reliving Christmas ad infinitum. Next is “A Very Goofy Christmas,” in which Goofy tries to overcome his son’s skepticism about Santa Claus. Finally, “Mickey & Minnie’s Gift Of The Magi” recreate the classic tale of ironic Christmas selflessness. The stories are linked together by narration by Kelsey Grammer.”
4. Charlie Brown’s Christmas Tales (Amazon Prime)
If you watched Charlie Brown as a kid or teen or whenever it was on, this a definite watch for you this December. It’ll be worth the time. There are more Charlie Brown movies on Prime that you can watch along with this one.
IMDb Summary: “The Peanuts gang have more misadventures at Christmas time.”
5. Dear Santa (Hulu)
This is a newer heartwarming Christmas movie that you should enjoy with a cup of hot chocolate and get ready for the feels.
IMDb Summary: “A young woman who comes from a life of privilege falls for the owner of a soup kitchen after discovering a Dear Santa letter written by his seven-year-old daughter.”
6. The Nightmare Before Christmas (Netflix)
This movie is another must. I know it’s a Halloween movie, but hey, it has both Halloween and Christmas in it, so I think some exceptions can be made. It’s a delight no matter what season you’re watching it in. Jack Skellington is quite the catch if I do say so myself.
IMDb Summary: “Jack Skellington, king of Halloween Town, discovers Christmas Town, but his attempts to bring Christmas to his home cause confusion.”
7. Bad Santa (Hulu)
Heads up: This is not a PG movie. It is, however, entirely hilarious from start to finish. If you’re looking more for a laugh than nostalgia this December, this is the movie for you.
IMDb Summary: “A miserable conman and his partner pose as Santa and his Little Helper to rob department stores on Christmas Eve. But they run into problems when the conman befriends a troubled kid, and the security boss discovers the plot.”
8. Becoming Santa (Hulu)
This is another heartwarming movie, although in a much more different way than you’d expect. In fact, it’s a documentary and a charming one at that. I feel that if you’re looking for something different in a Christmas movie, this would be the one for you.
IMDb Summary: “The story of one man entering the culture and character of Santa Claus for a single season. We follow Jack as he bleaches his hair and goes to Santa School. He tries to do everything that Santa is asked to do. He works as a sidewalk Santa, does home visits, a Polar Express Train and a parade. Along the way, Jack collects children’s wishes, learns about the benefits of belief, the history and origin of Santa and the ordinary people keeping the spirit alive.”
9. My Santa (Netflix)
This is a ridiculously adorable Romantic comedy. If you’re into rom-coms, this would be the Christmas movie for you with a charming twist.
IMDb Summary: “Single mom Jen Robbins, who is a writer of human interest stories for the newspaper in the small town where she has lived all her life, lost the Christmas spirit ever since her ex-husband Paul walked out on her six years ago on Christmas Eve, when their son Eric was only one year old. Jen, however, wants to make a happy life for Eric, who still believes in Santa Claus and the magic and spirit of Christmas. Part of that happiness is finding a man to be that father figure that Eric never had.”
10. A Merry Friggin’ Christmas (Amazon Prime)
If you need humor, drama and a bit of Robin Williams this season, this is the movie for you. This is the kind of movie you’d let play in the background while you wrapped your presents.
IMDb Summary: “Boyd Mitchler and his family must spend Christmas with his estranged family of misfits. Upon realizing that he left all his son’s gifts at home, he hits the road with his dad in an attempt to make the 8-hour round trip before sunrise.”
Bonus: A Christmas Horror Story (Netflix)
Here’s a movie that is a collection of different stories. This one I added for a laugh because there’s just a lot that’s going on in it. If you’re looking for a laugh, but also to be a little freaked out, this is the movie for you.
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