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The 54 Best Christmas Movies [That You Can Stream Right Now]

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Is there truly anything better than curling up by a fire with some hot cocoa, a bowl full of popcorn and a Christmas classic on the TV? Growing up, Christmas movies were in heavy rotation starting the day after Thanksgiving, and not much has changed.

Though we didn’t have the luxury of live streaming, we relied heavily on Freeform’s 25 Days of Christmas. We were at the mercy of their schedule.

But now with the different streaming services out there, you can pick your favorite movie at any time of day.

Below we have featured our 54 favorite holiday movies available to stream now. You elves full of holiday cheer can watch a Christmas movie every single day of December and then some!

Classic Christmas Movies

You’ve probably heard of these Christmas movies at one point or another, but they are classics for a reason!

1. White Christmas

Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye star in this 1954 Christmas classic. The duo teams up with two sisters (Rosemary Clooney and Judy Haynes) putting on a spectacular Christmas show, singing and dancing their way through Vermont.

You’ll surely be singing along to Irving Berlin’s music by the end of White Christmas!

Available on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video 

2. The Bishop’s Wife

This 1947 fantasy film is based on a novel, where an angel (Cary Grant) guides a bishop through his problems.

Watch miracles unfold and understand why this classic won the Academy Award for Best Sound.

Available on Tubi and Amazon Prime Video 

3. Miracle on 34th Street

Based in New York City, Miracle on 34th Street is a Christmas classic that you don’t want to miss.

Kris Kringle (Edmund Gwenn) claims to be the real Santa Claus at a mainstream department store. He even goes to court to prove he is the real deal.

This movie tears at your heartstrings and truly makes you believe in the magic of Christmas.

Available on Hulu, Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video

4. The Nightmare Before Christmas 

You might recognize this film as Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, a 1993 Disney masterpiece. In true Burton fashion, it’s a dark and twisted rendition of the holidays. This movie could also be considered a great Halloween movie!

You’ll recognize the voices of Danny Elfman, Chris Sarandon and Catherine O’Hara in this animated Halloween meets Christmas film. The holiday spirit is brought to life with skeleton reindeer, a ghost dog, and of course, the “Pumpkin King.”

Available on Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video 

5. It’s A Wonderful Life 

The beautifully written 1946 Christmas film, It’s a Wonderful Life, stars James Stewart, Donna Reed and Lionel Barrymore.

This feel-good movie is a timeless Christmas classic. A relatable man struggles with the stressors life throws at him questioning his will to live. But, when saved by an angel, his outlook quickly changes.

There is a reason this film is on the American Film Institutes, 100 best films ever made list and number one on America’s Most Inspiring Movies.

Available on Amazon Prime Video

6. A Christmas Story 

You’ve probably seen the infamous leg lamp pop up a time or two from this 1983 classic film. A Christmas Story is all about one particular Christmas when Ralphie Parker was 9 years old and only had one thing on his mind for Christmas. A Red Ryder Action 200 air rifle, also known as a BB gun.

In true 9-year-old fashion, Christmas time has some hiccups for Ralphie, filled with bullying, daydreaming, a bunny suit and many more hilarious moments.

Available on Hulu and Amazon Prime Video

7. A Christmas Carol

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens might be your mother’s favorite Christmas movie. When various ghosts visit Ebenezer Scrooge throughout his life, his outlook slowly transforms, and he is not so miserable in the end!

If you have already seen this classic, you can check out Scrooged with Bill Murray and get the comedic take or the animated rendition on Disney+!

Available on Amazon Prime Video

Related: Hulu Vs. Netflix: What Streaming Service Wins?

Dramatic Christmas Movies

Christmas and drama, how could that possibly be? Family gatherings, romantic pressure, traveling and giving gifts…that can all add up to be a little stressful!

8. Let it Snow

This 2019, Netflix Original film Let it Snow is based on a novel and stars Isabela Moner, Shameik Moore and Kiernan Skipka.

In typical winter fashion, a snowstorm hits the town, and profound messages sparkle throughout the storyline. Love is love, and it’s heartwarming to watch it unfold on these teens.

Available on Netflix

9. The Knight Before Christmas 

The Knight Before Christmas, is a story about an old English Knight (Josh Whitehouse) who is stuck in time and runs into Brooke (Vanessa Hudgens) living in Ohio in the present day.

The story unfolds with an old English Knight wanting to achieve his quest, but will falling in love guide him on a different pursuit? Watch the magic unfold.

Available on Netflix

10. The Christmas Chronicles

Kurt Russell plays the man in the big red suit in this 2018 Massachusetts Christmas film.

It’s a familiar story; siblings are determined to find out if Santa Claus is real. And catching Santa Claus in the act is the only true way to confirm so they set up a camera and await to reveal.

Much to their surprise, Santa is not what they envisioned.

Available on Netflix

11. A Very Brady Christmas

The entire Brady family you know and love gets back together for this 1988 Christmas movie, A Very Brady Christmas. Minus Cindy (Susan Olsen), who was on her real-life honeymoon, and Jennifer Runyon cast in her place.

Christmas time in the Brady house is a full house. Six kids, their in-laws and their grandchildren, what could go wrong? Watch how the holiday stress unfolds on the picture perfect Brady’s.

Available on Hulu and Amazon Prime Video 

12. Christmas Perfection

This 2018 dramedy is a story about life as Darcy (Caitlin Thompson) sees it. Waking up in the town, she made up as the perfect Christmas in her head. The dream is too good to be true. Is it really happening? Is Christmas perfect in the Christmas Perfection?

Torn between the romantic man in her fairytale and her best friend, Darcy, ultimately realizes she cannot live without her best friend, Brandon (James Henri-Thomas).

Available on Hulu and Amazon Prime Video 

13. The Most Wonderful Time of the Year 

Henry Winkler and Brooke Burns star in The Most Wonderful Time of the Year Christmas drama.

Jen (Brooke Burns) struggles to throw together Christmas as a single mom, and her uncle (Henry Winkler) shows up with a stranger (Warren Christie) in tow, which adds another element to her stress.

Little does Jen know; she will be falling for this new guy in no time.

Available on Hallmark Channel or Amazon Prime Video 

Related: 20 TV Shows From The 90s You Probably Forgot

14. Die Hard

It’s a Christmas movie! No, really! 

Whatever your stance on the film, we couldn’t make a list of Christmas movies to stream without including this Bruce Willis classic. If you’ve never watched it, this dramatic film, which takes place during the holidays and follows Willis’ John McClane as he attempts to save his wife and a group of hostages trapped at a holiday party (because who can’t relate to being trapped by terrorists at a Christmas party they just don’t want to be at?).

Available on Amazon Prime Video

15. Krampus 

Is Christmas a little too wholesome and heartwarming for your film tastes? Miss Halloween? Then go with a holiday horror. Krampus is a film all about the mythical German man-beast-creature by the same name. A kind of demonic Santa, Krampus punishes children who behaved badly during the year. As such, this movie focuses on a family who must fight off the monster to save their lives. It’s a bit campy but totally fun at the same time. 

Available on Amazon Prime Video 

16. Happiest Season 

A little on the lighter side, Happiest Season stars Kristen Stewart as a woman who goes home with her girlfriend to meet said girlfriend’s family over the holidays. Only, the family doesn’t know that the girlfriend … has a girlfriend. Dramatics ensue.

Available on Hulu 

17. 8-Bit Christmas

This new release for 2021 comes to you from HBO Max and has been described as a new take on the classic film, A Christmas Story. You’ll find lots of 80s nostalgia to love here in this movie that stars famous faces such as Neil Patrick Harris and Steve Zahn. 

Much like A Christmas Story, the film follows the adventures of a 10-year-old child, but with narration from that child’s older, adult character. Plus, with a PG rating, this is a movie that everyone can enjoy.

Available on HBO Max

18. Father Christmas is Back 

In Father Christmas is Back, a new holiday offering from Netflix, Kelsey Grammar plays a dad who tries to reconnect with his daughters ahead of the holidays. A lush setting and lots of drama make for an enjoyable watch.

Available on Netflix 

Family Christmas Movies

Grab your Christmas pajamas (we know your Mom or Grandma have given you a pair over the years) and snuggle up with the family for any of these family Christmas flicks.

19. Elliot the Littlest Reindeer

The 2018 animated film, Elliot the Littlest Reindeer, will give you all the feels. Elliot (Josh Hutcherson) is determined to make Santa’s reindeer team, but there is one problem. He is a horse!

Through determination, lots of practice, support of his friends, and a little Christmas magic, will Elliot have enough to make it on Santa’s team?

Available on Netflix or Amazon Prime Video 

20. Dr. Suess’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas 

A 2002 remake from the classic Dr. Seuss cartoon, Jim Carey plays the cynical green Grinch in How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

With elaborate plans to ruin Christmas for all the cheery Who’s in Whoville, he is caught off guard by an unexpected tiny Who, Cindy Lou Who (Taylor Momsen).

Eventually, the Grinch embraces the spirit of Christmas and is the cheeriest Who in Whoville.

Available on Amazon Prime Video 

21. Home Alone

Can the holiday season really even be considered complete without a showing from Kevin McCallister? If you haven’t seen Home Alone by now, you are missing out. The youngest McCallister, Kevin (Macaulay Culkin), is left at home while his entire family jets off to France for Christmas. Stuck in Chicago, all alone, what could possibly go wrong? You’d be surprised how a little kid can outsmart burglars in his own home.

This Christmas comedy is one you can watch over and over and it never gets old!

Available on Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video 

22. Elf 

Buddy the Elf (Will Ferrell) grew up at the North Pole and was never exposed to the outside world. In his gut, he knows he doesn’t fit in with the other elves at Santa’s workshop and goes to NYC in search of his real father.

This Christmas comedy is full of new experiences for Buddy, lots of sugar and of course, loads of holiday spirit.

Available on Amazon Prime Video 

23. A Charlie Brown Christmas

The animated Christmas movie from 1965 is an all-time favorite. The whole peanuts crew is together, and even though it is only 30 minutes long, it is sure to tug at your heartstrings. Poor Charlie Brown is sad during the most joyous season, and Lucy has a wonderful idea that he put on a Christmas play!

After a few bumps in the road, Linus comes to the rescue and helps Charlie Brown understand what the real meaning of Christmas is all about.

Available on Amazon Prime Video  

24. Christmas Cartoons: 14 Christmas Cartoon Classics 

These Christmas Cartoons could also fall under the classic section because they are all-time favorites. You’ll see appearances from Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer, Jack Frost, Santa, Frosty the Snowman and many more!

Anyone who loves Christmas will love this family-friendly compilation.

Available on Amazon Prime Video

25. The Santa Clause 

In this holiday favorite, Charlie’s dad Scott Calvin (Tim Allen), causes the real Santa Claus to fall off their roof on Christmas Eve; he unknowingly has some big pants to fill.

Scott Calvin not only morphs into Santa Claus, but he has to help with all of the deliveries scheduled at the North Pole for the big day as well as convincing his family he is indeed the real deal… Grab your cookies and milk, this is one you won’t want to miss!

Available on Disney+ or Amazon Prime Video 

26. The Polar Express

You’ve probably read this book once or twice as a kid, but the animated version with Tom Hanks brings a whole new perspective to The Polar Express. This rendition uses live-action motion animation, which makes the characters seem so realistic!

Following along with a group of kiddos that head up to The North Pole to visit Santa and see what the true magic of Christmas is all about.

Available on Amazon Prime Video

27. Home Alone 2: Lost in New York

If your family loved the OG holiday classic Home Alone, you’ve got to watch Home Alone 2: Lost in New York next. The sequel is just as delightful as the first movie in this series, which is definitely a difficult feat for Hollywood to pull off. The movie packs in all kinds of 90s nostalgia, courtesy of Macaulay Culkin, along with plenty of quintessential New York City at Christmastime scenery. 

Watch on Disney+

28. Home Sweet Home Alone

There are some lesser-loved Home Alone movies in the franchise, and you can skip over those without guilt, but you might want to make a little room in your movie-watching schedule for the latest installment. Home Sweet Home Alone is a 2021 spin-off that’s basically the same premise as all the rest — kid winds up home alone over the holidays, and two criminals try to break in. 

Watch on Disney+ 

29. Jack Frost 

Jack Frost is a sometimes overlooked film, but still worth your time if your family has already made its way through the rest of these family-friendly Christmas flicks and you’re looking for something new to watch. Michael Keaton plays a busy dad who dies in a snowy car accident. Then, he comes back to life as a snowman to spend extra time with his son. The two get into plenty of hijinks before the snowman meets his ultimate fate (you had to see it coming, right?). Just be prepared with some tissues at the end. This one will hit you right in the feels when you least expect it.

Watch on Amazon 

30. The Muppet Christmas Carol 

If you think the original Christmas Carol isn’t quite to your children’s tastes, try the Muppet Christmas Carol on for size. The musical brings together all your favorite muppets, plus Michael Caine as Scrooge, for a fun time that still manages to stay relatively true to Charles Dickens’ book. While some of the special effects are a bit dated, something about this classic is still sure to put you in the Christmas spirit.

Watch on Disney+

31. Prancer 

Another older, family-friendly Christmas season film that sometimes gets overlooked, Prancer is a sweet, innocent movie that will appeal to animal-loving children. The film focuses on a girl who nurses a reindeer in hopes of returning him to Santa. 

Watch on Amazon Prime Video

32. A Boy Called Christmas

On the newer end of things, A Boy Called Christmas is new this year from Netflix. The family-friendly children’s movie stars some big names, such as Maggie Smith and Kristen Wiig, and centers around one boy’s search for his father. Elves, snow and holiday spirit abound.

Watch on Netflix 

33. Robin Robin

This gorgeously animated children’s Christmas special is just over 30 minutes, making it ideal for those times when the kids want to watch something, but you’d rather them get in bed ASAP. The short film is brought to you by the same folks who made Shaun the Sheep, so you know it’s going to delight. Robin Robin follows a bird’s search for a true family after being raised by mice. 

Watch on Netflix 

34. Mariah Carey’s All I Want for Christmas is You 

Originally released on Apple TV+, this short animated film stars (of course) Mariah Carey but also familiar faces such as Henry Winkler. It follows a young girl’s Christmas adventures as she tries to prove that she’s responsible enough to take care of a new puppy. 

Watch on Netflix

35. Noelle

Noelle is a cute one for the family that even the adults will enjoy. Starring Anna Kendrick and Bill Hader as siblings, or, more specifically, Santa and Santa’s sister, the film asks what might happen if Kris Kringle suddenly decided to go on the run and take up a new job as a yoga instructor. 

Watch on Disney+ 

Related: The 15 Best NEW Christmas Movies of 2019

Funny Christmas Movies

Everyone needs a good laugh, especially around the holidays. These Christmas comedies are sure to make you laugh out loud at least a few times!

36. Christmas with the Kranks 

Luther (Tim Allen) and Nora Krank (Jamie Lee Curtis) decide to ditch Christmas for the first time ever in this 2004 comedy, Christmas with the Kranks. The Kranks are Christmas fanatics, but their only daughter Blair (Julie Gonzalo) won’t be home this year; since she is in the Peace Corps.

To the Krank’s surprise, Blair plans to be home for Christmas, calling home with a few hours warning. With the help of the entire neighborhood and town, they scramble to give Blair the Christmas she knows and loves.

Available on Amazon Prime Video 

37. Unaccompanied Minors

Children stranded at the airport on Christmas, what could be worse? Five kids run wild while trapped in an airport due to a blizzard in the 2006 Unaccompanied Minors film.

The poor airport official (Lewis Black) doesn’t know what hit him. These youngsters outsmart the airport official and explore the depths of the airport, facilitating their own Christmas cheer.

Available on Amazon Prime Video 

38. A Very Murray Christmas 

This 2015 comedy/musical will have you singing and laughing at the same time.

Bill Murray is joined by Miley Cyrus, George Clooney, Michael Cera, Chris Rock, Amy Poehler and many more famous faces you know and love. A Very Murray Christmas is a classic crowd-pleasing sing-a-long.

Available on Netflix

39. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

This might be one of the all-time best Christmas movies out there and one of Clark Griswold’s (Chevy Chase) finest moments.

In typical Griswold fashion, it seems like nothing can go right for the family, even though Clark is determined to make their Christmas perfect. From extended in-law visits to surprise relatives showing up in an RV, this movie will make you laugh out loud year after year, no matter how many times you have seen it.

From cousin Eddie’s shenanigans to squirrels inside the house, things get out of hand rapidly.

Available on Amazon Prime Video

40. Just Friends 

This hilarious not-for-the-kids holiday movie features a lot of big-name celebrities from back in the 2000s (and if you love mid-2000s comedies, this film is exactly what you can expect from the time period). The movie follows Ryan Reynolds’ newly-successful main character, who returns home for the holidays, along with his girlfriend (played by Anna Faris). While there, he reunites with his high school BFF (played by Amy Smart), who rejected him in a publicly humiliating fashion years before. Shenanigans (and lots of laughs) ensue. 

Available on Netflix

41. Scrooged

This adaptation of Dickens’s Christmas Carol is probably the one on our list that drifts the furthest away from the classic tale, but it still packs in all the requisite ghosts and one grumpy guy at the center of it all. The movie stars Bill Murray as a grouchy and powerful TV executive who must learn to be a little nicer in order to save his job and love life. 

Available on Amazon Prime Video 

42. The Housewives of the North Pole

Who doesn’t love a little housewives-based drama? In this funny flick from Peacock, two Christmas decorators go head to head, but the drama escalates until it impacts their entire Vermont town and even receives national attention. 

Watch on Peacock

Romantic Comedy Christmas Movies

Snow, Christmas lights, Christmas music, hot chocolate and a crackling fire, does it really get more romantic? No, the answer is no, it doesn’t. Romance and Christmas time go hand in hand, and even the Grinchiest Grinch will lighten up to these rom-coms.

43. Love Actually 

If you haven’t seen this Christmas rom-com, you are missing out! It will make you cry, laugh all while keeping you in the Christmas spirit.

Not to mention it is based in London, and there truly isn’t a more romantic city to be in during the holiday season. This love story, like any good love story, has its ups and downs. You follow a few different characters throughout the movie and soon learn how their lives are all intertwined and Christmas is all around them.

By the end of the movie you will be singing along to Christmas is All Around; you’ve been warned.

Available on Amazon Prime Video

44. A Christmas Prince

As the title implies, Amber (Rose McIver) goes on an assignment as an undercover reporter of a prince. A Christmas Prince is heartwarming, romantic and complete with a Christmas Eve Ball. We can’t think of anything more magical than a Christmas Ball.

And if you want a real royal movie marathon, you can watch A Christmas Prince: The Royal Wedding and A Christmas Prince: The Royal Baby.

Available on Netflix

45. Holiday in the Wild 

A 2019 release, Holiday in the Wild, is a romantic story where Kate (Kristin Davis) and Derek (Rob Lowe) spend Christmas in Africa.

Starting as strangers, Derek is Kat’s safari guide. As time goes on, she falls deeper in love with Africa and Derek, even though she won’t admit it. Will she decide to stay in Africa forever?

Available on Netflix

46. Miss Me This Christmas 

Filing for divorce around Thanksgiving can make for a messy Christmas. Miss Me This Christmas tells the story of Regina (Erica Ash) and Franklin’s (Redaric Williams) relationship.

Has one of them moved on? Is the other still holding on? Watch this disaster unfold around the holidays.

Available on Amazon Prime Video

47. The Spirit of Christmas

The 2015 Spirit of Christmas isn’t your average romance. Kate (Jen Lilley) has given up on love until she meets a ghost. Yes, you read that right, a ghost.

But, he isn’t a scary ghost. Daniel (Thomas Beaudoin) is a handsome and charming ghost. Watch to see if Kate can help him break the curse and set him free.

Available on Amazon Prime Video 

48. While You Were Sleeping

This romantic comedy is an oldie but a goodie. The Sandra Bullock Christmas classic film follows Lucy (Bullock), who saves a man from getting hit by a train on Christmas. The man’s family assumes that Lucy is his fiancé, and she just kind of goes along with it until she finds herself falling for the man’s brother. It’s definitely a feel-good film that’ll warm your heart without being overly jolly. 

Available on Hulu

49. The Holiday 

No rom-com fan can get through the season without watching The Holiday at least once. Cameron Diaz, Jack Black, Jude Law and Kate Winslet come together to make some serious Christmas magic when two women swap houses for a brief time around the holidays after both of their lives take a turn for the worst. Laughter, love and “Mr. Napkin Head” ensue.

Available on Amazon Prime Video 

50. The Princess Switch

Probably Vanessa Hudgens’ most popular film in a long time, The Princess Switch receives high marks from those who love Hallmark-esque romantic Christmas films. Hudgens plays two different characters in the movie, a duchess and a baker, who just happen to be doppelgängers and who (much like in The Holiday) decide to switch lives for a bit. The best part? If you like The Princess Switch, there are two more movies in this series for more to love.

Available on Netflix 

51. A Castle for Christmas

Likely Netflix’s most anticipated 2021 holiday movie, A Castle for Christmas stars Brooke Shields and Cary Elwes. Shields plays a famous author who travels to Scotland for the holidays, only to find herself entangled in some drama with a duke. The movie delivers tons of holiday cheer and is just the thing if you’ve been searching for a new Christmas romcom to devour.

Available on Netflix 

52. Love Hard

Another new romcom from Netflix, Love Hard also pulls in some big names, such as Nina Dobrev in the lead role. This movie follows Dobrev’s character, a journalist, as she struggles to find a boyfriend for the holidays. But when she flies to Lake Placid to meet up with her latest guy, she realizes she’s been catfished. 

Available on Netflix 

53. Single All the Way 

Netflix just keeps delivering this year with holiday romcoms. This one is about a single guy who goes on a blind date, which only forces him to reckon with his previous (unacknowledged) feelings for his best friend. Fun, fuzzy-warm and feel-good, this is one you’ll love to love.

Available on Netflix 

54. Royally Wrapped for Christmas

What is it with holiday movies that feature a royal love interest? If that’s your thing, here’s another one to add to your must-watch list ahead of Christmas. Royally Wrapped for Christmas follows a charity director looking for a new job, but she falls in love with a prince along the way.

Watch on Peacock 


If you make it through the whole holiday season without watching one of these movies, we will refer to you as the Grinch. There are plenty to choose from; one has to spark some Christmas joy in you! And the die-hard Christmas fans have probably already seen them all.

From Scrooge to Santa Claus to Buddy the Elf and happenings at the North Pole, most of the movies on this list were box office Hollywood hits and continue to be at the top of everyone’s Christmas Yuletide watchlist, year after year. From Hallmark to 20th Century Fox to Universal Pictures, there is a holiday film out there bound to get anyone in the Christmas mood.

We suggest you turn on your Christmas tree right now. Grab your coziest blanket, put on your Christmas pajamas (we know your Grandma has given you a pair), and get comfortable on the couch for your binge-watching marathon because even the Grinch came around to the festivities!

You might also be interested in: The Best Football Movies of All Time

The 54 Best Christmas Movies of All Time:

Classic Christmas Movies

Dramatic Christmas Movies

Family Christmas Movies

Funny Christmas Movies

Romantic Comedy Christmas Movies

Christine Devereaux Evangelista

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