It’s that time of year! Thanksgiving is over, and you’re probably ready to feel all the holiday feels. What better way is there to do that than cozy up on the couch and watch some Christmas movies?
I feel like even people who aren’t huge movie buffs get so excited to watch holiday movies when December rolls around, whether it’s the holiday classics or the Hallmark Christmas movies that always seem to have the same plot. It’s honestly the cutest thing that seems to bring family and friends together.
I love Christmas so much that I have a list of favorites myself! Whether you’re reading this for recommendations or you’re just trying to see if your personal favorite made the cut, here are the Christmas movies I think deserve a spot on everyone’s watchlist this season.
Good Luck Charlie, It’s Christmas!
In my opinion, this movie is better than all of Disney Channel’s Christmas episodes combined, and criminally underrated in general. It’s a genuinely hilarious spin-off of Good Luck Charlie that really keeps viewers on their toes. Despite it being a Disney Channel movie, it doesn’t feel like it’s made for kids — it could easily earn its spot on any regular streaming platform. There are no dead storylines so every plot line is entertaining. This movie feels like the most chaotic, but also relatable and heartwarming, family road trip ever.
Elf
You could probably smell this one coming from miles away. Elf is a hilarious Christmas classic that is likely on most people’s top Christmas movies list. It’s always a hit, no matter how many times you watch it. It’s one of those films that you come back to every year, even if it’s not particularly one of your favorites. What makes Elf work is that Will Ferrell commits 110% to the role of Buddy. It’s hard to imagine any other actor playing him!
Spirited
This one is a little more niche, since it came out in 2023. But I totally recommend giving it a watch. Spirited is proof that new Christmas movies can still be good. It also stars Will Ferrell, but also alongside Ryan Reynolds, an ultimate movie duo. The movie is a hilarious modern take on A Christmas Carol that doesn’t feel cringey. The soundtrack is genuinely *chef’s kiss*, and way better than expected. (I was streaming “That Christmas Morning Feelin’” for weeks after I watched this.)
The Polar Express
The animation for this film might be unsettling to some, but it’s undeniably timeless all the same. The nostalgia that hits me every time I rewatch The Polar Express is absolutely unmatched. And honestly, I think that the hot chocolate scene alone makes it worth watching. It’s definitely a once-a-year type movie… any more might get scary. It’s a weirdly emotional film without trying too hard.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
You might not have expected this one, because it’s so old and definitely geared towards very young children, but that’s exactly why the movie cut it for me. It’s pure nostalgic gold, and claymation just hits different. Of course, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer has a classic storyline that never gets old. The character itself is basically a holiday staple alone. The Island of Misfit Toys is still a magical place for me, and I think it will always be in my heart.
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Christmas movie? Halloween movie? Who cares? It’s both in my book. (And more so Christmas, in my opinion, because it’s literally in the name!) This movie is an aesthetic masterpiece; Tim Burton never, ever misses. It’s the perfect film for people who are anti-cheesy Christmas movies. And of course, the soundtrack is so iconic; no skips in my book.
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
This movie is literally the blueprint for holiday insanity. Clark Griswold spends the entire time trying to force his family into having the “perfect Christmas,” and instead, everything that could possibly go wrong… does. The lights don’t work, there’s a squirrel situation, a cat literally explodes… what a funny sequence of disasters! And if your family is even remotely crazy during the holidays, you’ll relate way more than you might want to. It’s quotable, ridiculous, and mandatory viewing every December.
Honorable Mention: Love, Actually
If you didn’t like my The Nightmare Before Christmas mention, you probably won’t like this one. It’s technically not a Christmas movie, but it’s set during the holidays and has that winter vibe, so I think it counts. It’s funny, heartwarming, and heartbreaking all at once. Yes, half the relationships are messy and might stress you out, but that’s the point! Plus, the scene where Andrew Lincoln shows up with the cardboard signs is one of the most insane romantic gestures in film history.
I highly encourage you to check out some of my favorite movies, and if you’ve watched all of them, give them a rewatch! You’ll have a long winter break, and honestly, this is the perfect way to pass the time instead of bed rotting. So go ahead and pop some cookies in the oven, warm up some hot chocolate, and get comfy on your couch. You have some holiday spirit waiting for you!