The holiday season is a time for family and friends, spreading love and good cheer, celebrating the birth of Jesus, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and more. And, since it’s winter, it’s also a perfect opportunity to spend time together as a family by snuggling up on the couch under blankets and watching our favorite Christmas movies. Did you know that there is even a National Christmas Movie Marathon Day? It’s on December 23rd. But who can wait until then? It’s time to start watching Christmas movies now!
The problem is that there are so many Christmas movies out there! How can you possibly choose which ones to watch? Allow me to help! I’ve put together a list of some of my favorite Christmas movies. These include classics, Hallmark movies, lesser knowns, animated and live action, family friendly, and those that are just for adults. So, put on your cozy Christmas pj’s, grab a blanket, snuggle up on the couch, and get watching!
Note: You will see a date in parenthesis after some of the movies. Those are the versions I recommend.
Classic Movies
- It’s a Wonderful Life
- Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
- White Christmas
- A Christmas Story
- Meet Me in St. Louis
- A Christmas Carol (1984)
- National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
- Holiday Inn
- Christmas in Connecticut
Animated Movies & Christmas Specials
- Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)
- A Charlie Brown Christmas
- Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (1964)
- Frosty the Snowman (1969)
- Emmet Otter’s Jug Band Christmas
- Santa Clause is Comin’ to Town (1970)
- The Year Without a Santa Claus (1974)
- The Little Drummer Boy (1968)
For the Grown Ups
- Love Actually
- The Holiday
- The Family Stone
- Four Christmases
- A Bad Mom’s Christmas
- Bad Santa
- Gremlins
- Scrooged
- Die Hard (I know…but I had to put it here!)
Family Movie Classics
- Home Alone
- Elf
- The Santa Clause
- The Muppet Christmas Carol
- The Nightmare Before Christmas
- The Polar Express
- Mickey’s Christmas Carol
- The Christmas Shoes (Get out the Kleenex for this one!)
- The Nutcracker and the Four Realms
Netflix Christmas Movies
- Jingle Jangle
- A Castle for Christmas
- The Christmas Chronicles
- The Princess Switch
- A Christmas Prince
- Falling for Christmas
- Journey to Bethlehem
Hallmark Christmas Movies
- A Biltmore Christmas
- Christmas in Noting Hill
- A Merry Scottish Christmas (Party of Five fans: look who’s back together!)
- A Royal Christmas
- The Christmas Contest
- Santa Tell Me
- A 90s Christmas
- Three Wise Men and a Baby
- Hanukkah on Rye
- A Christmas Carousel
Whatever you choose, you can’t go wrong. As long as you’re spending time with your family, enjoying a cozy night in, that’s all that matters. Oh, and don’t forget the hot chocolate!
