The Classics
Those Christmas movies you think about as soon as Halloween is over.
Elf (2003)
“Byeeeeee buddy! Hope you find your dad!”
Zooey Deschanel and Will Ferrell did not have to do this for us, but we are so glad they did.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
Jim Carrey is a little scary, but nevertheless, still a classic.
Home Alone (1990)
Home Alone 2 (1992)
In case you haven’t seen enough of Donald Trump on your TV yet.
Jingle All the Way (1996)
Arnold Schwarzenegger stops at nothing to get his son a Turbo Man toy on Christmas Eve. What can’t this man do?
The Santa Clause (1994)
Tim Allen is the 90’s dad. There, I said it.
Santa Clause 2 (2002)
…but not Santa Clause 3 with Jack Frost, because that one does indeed… suck.
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)
Christmas with the Kranks
Movies set during Christmas time, but it’s not shoved in your face.
Basically, movies for when you’re not that festive, yet. I like to call it the Christmas adjacent category.
The Proposal (2009)
Have you ever seen Betty White and Sandra Bullock dance to Hot in Here by Nelly? Well, you should.
Why Him? (2016)
Okay, I will admit this one is a stretch, but it is festive (and hilarious)!
Serendipity (2001)
Easily one of my favorite movies of all time. Hiiiighly recommend.
You’ve Got Mail (1998)
Sleepless in Seattle (1993)
Ghosts of Girlfriend’s Past (2009)
Matthew McConaughey and Jennifer Garner in a hilarious movie about a man who is getting haunted by all of the girls he’s ever done dirty.
Hallmark-esque
Movies for when you are ready to dive into the corniness that is Netflix Orginals and Hallmark. This is how you really know that you’re ready for the holidays.
Holiday in Handcuffs (2007)
This one is a bit odd, since it is about a woman kidnapping a man to be her date, but it has Mario Lopez in it, so that automatically makes it good! Right?
Snowglobe (2007)
12 Dates of Christmas (2011)
The Mistletones (2012)
Tia Mowrey from Sister Sister and Twitches in a cute little movie about an accapella Christmas group. I told you, this is the corny section!
Cartoons!
For when you’re ready to be transported back to the DVD and VCR era of Christmas time.
Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas (1999)
Miser Brother’s Christmas (2008)
“They call me heat miserrrr, whatever I touch, starts to melt in my clutch, I’m too much!” – The catchiest Christmas movie song on the planet, and you cannot convince me otherwise.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer & the Island of Misfit Toys (2001)
Okay, I can’t find anywhere to stream Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer & the Island of Misfit Toys, but I am linking the DVD because, yes, it is THAT good.
The Polar Express (2004)
Remember that one time they compared the little girl in this movie to ASAP Rocky? Well, I had to see it and now so do you:
Now that we got that over with, here is where to watch The Polar Express:
It’s a Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
How The Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)
The cartoon version! Just because it’s old does not mean it ever stopped being good.
Frosty the Snowman (1969)
Mistle-toe-llaneous
Haha! Get it? Instead of miscellaneous!
Unaccompanied Minors (2006)
This is also one of my all-time favorite Christmas movies. A bunch of kids racing around the airport and running from security? All while starring Chris from Everybody Hates Chris AND Fez from That ’70s Show? Yes, please!
The Holiday (2006)
Fred Claus (2007)
Vince Vaughn is just what you need when you’re in the mood for a feel-good, holiday comedy about Santa Claus’ Brother.
I hope this gives you some Christmas movie inspiration for getting into the holiday season. I know it can be difficult, considering the lack of Christmas time activities and gatherings this year, but that just means more time for movies and holiday snacks!