As the winter weather becomes chillier and we near the end of the year, there’s always a festive attitude in the air as Christmas grows closer. With a cup of hot cocoa in hand, watching one of the best Christmas movies of all time is a great way to spend a night and get into the holiday spirit.
Much like how horror movies are a staple of Halloween, it’s almost a tradition to sit down and enjoy a lighthearted Christmas romp with the entire family. Between the cozy classics that fill us with nostalgia to unique tales of the holiday that subvert our expectations, the best Christmas movies bring more to the table than just festive fun. If you’re looking for a laid-back activity that fills you with seasonal joy, we highly recommend you check out some of these fantastic films. Ranked in no particular order, these are our picks for the best Christmas movies of all time.
Keep in mind, some of these movies might not be appropriate for younger audiences, so be sure to check out official ratings before screening them for the whole family. With that said, relax and bask in the joy of the holidays with this list of the best Christmas movies of all time!
The Best Christmas Movies of All Time
1. Home Alone
Released in 1990 and directed by Christopher Columbus, Home Alone is a hilarious and chaotic Christmas movie ripe with slapstick humor and outrageous comedy. The film follows Kevin (played by Macaulay Culkin), a young boy who is forgotten at his home in Chicago when his family takes a holiday vacation to Paris, France.
When a local pair of burglars decide to break into Kevin’s home, he decides to defend it with booby traps and quick thinking. With tons of memorable scenes and some surprisingly violent moments, Home Alone is a 90s Christmas classic that stands up to the test of time. If you want to watch a Christmas movie that provides plenty of laughs while staying true to the spirit of the season, Home Alone is a perfect pick.
2. Elf
Directed by Jon Favreau, the same creator behind the first MCU film Iron Man, Elf is a 2003 modern Christmas comedy classic with a hilarious lead character. The movie focuses on Buddy the Elf (played by Will Ferrell), a human who believes he is an elf after being raised by Santa’s workshop workers at a young age. As a gleefully naive adult, Buddy travels to New York City to find his biological father, a stressed businessman working at a children’s book publisher.
Arriving in the big city, Buddy must grow accustomed to the unfamiliar life of normal humans while trying to shower everyone around him with Christmas spirit. Part fish-out-of-water story and part tale of familial redemption, Elf has quickly become one of the most popular post-2000s holiday films. Between the positive message, family-friendly storytelling, and hilarious performance from Will Ferrell, Elf earns its spot on our list of the best Christmas movies of all time.
3. It’s a Wonderful Life
It’s a Wonderful Life is easily one of the most iconic Christmas movies ever made, as it has become a staple film that airs on television and streaming services every year. Initially released in 1946, this black-and-white film was directed by Frank Capra and tells the story of George Bailey (played by James Stewart), a depressed and downtrodden businessman who feels unfulfilled with his life’s work. One Christmas Eve, George decides to take his own life, resulting in the arrival of an angel named Clarence (played by Henry Tavers) who shows George how the world would be had he never existed.
While the premise is quite grim for a holiday film, It’s a Wonderful Life has secured its spot as one of the best Christmas movies ever made, garnering accolades and praise from viewers around the world. Through its somewhat bleak examination of a man down on his luck, It’s a Wonderful Life tells an unforgettable story while preaching some important lessons.
4. A Christmas Story
When it comes to Christmas movies that fill us with nostalgia, very few hit the spot like A Christmas Story does. This 1986 comedy was directed by Bob Clark and tells the story of Ralphie (played by Peter Billingsley), a young boy living in the suburbs of Indiana during the 1940s. More than anything else, Ralphie dreams of receiving a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas, although his odds of being gifted one are slim.
As the verbose narration of an adult Ralphie guides us through the story, we are treated to a slew of scenes that celebrate the childhood wonder of the Christmas season with a healthy dose of comedy to boot. With memorable scenes like Ralphie receiving a pink bunny suit to the iconic line of “you’ll shoot your eye out!”, there are countless moments in A Christmas Story that help it land a spot on our list of the best Christmas movies of all time.
5. Bad Santa
For those festive film-watchers looking for a more risque movie to celebrate the holiday season, Bad Santa fits the bill very nicely. This 2003 comedy film was directed by Terry Zwigoff and follows Willie (played by Billy Bob Thornton) and Marcus (Tony Cox), two con artists who plan to rob a mall by getting jobs as a department store Santa Claus and elf helper. As Willie further descends into alcohol-induced depression and bad behavior, he begins to reexamine his life after meeting an endearing yet unintelligent boy named Thurman (played by Brett Kelly).
Full of gross-out comedy, devious behavior, and a barrage of foul language, Bad Santa is an explicit Christmas movie that brings the laughs. Despite its adults-only nature, the film still has a heartwarming message, teaching a valuable lesson about redemption and overcoming adversity. It might not be a movie for all ages, but it’s definitely one of the best Christmas movies of all time.
6. How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Dr. Seuss is one of the most influential children’s book writers of all time, so it’s no surprise that the cartoon based on his 1957 story, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, would land on our list of the best Christmas movies of all time.
Although the movie was remade into a live-action film in 2000, we far prefer the 1966 animated movie, which details the life of the green beast named the Grinch, who despises Christmas. In an effort to ruin the holiday for the citizens in the nearby town of Whoville, the Grinch impersonates Santa and attempts to steal all the presents.
Like many other Christmas movies, the story emanates feelings of winter wonder while presenting a tale of festive redemption. However, the vibrant visuals and unforgettable characters elevate it to the next level, making How the Grinch Stole Christmas a must-see film when the holiday season rolls around.
7. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
This uproarious family comedy film was released in 1989 and directed by Jeremiah S. Chechik, and like Home Alone, was penned by the legendary 80s writer John Hughes. As the third entry in the National Lampoon’s Vacation franchise, Christmas Vacation once again centers on the Griswold family as they attempt to have an old-fashioned holiday gathering at their home in Chicago.
As usual, clumsy father Clark Griswold (played by Chevy Chase) endures tons of headaches, both through self-inflicted folly and unexpected surprises. With a flurry of funny moments and relatable family drama, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation succeeds with slapstick humor and honest emotion.
This quirky tale of a family trying their hardest to enjoy the yuletide season has earned a permanent spot in our rotation of holiday films, and in the process, earned its spot on our list of the best Christmas movies of all time.
8. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
While not technically a feature-length film, the stop-motion classic Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer still takes a spot on our list of the best Christmas movies of all time, thanks to its unique visuals and timeless tale of individuality. The movie was first released as a television special in 1964, and since then, has become a staple of television broadcasting during the Christmas season.
The story follows Rudolph (voiced by Billie Mae Richards), a young reindeer born with a bright and shiny red nose. His vibrant nose causes plenty of trouble as he goes through life, challenging Rudolph with discrimination and abandonment. Through a series of magical encounters with other misfits, Rudolph learns the importance of being yourself while providing a sufficient amount of holiday joy.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is an easy choice whenever we want to kick back and watch something festive and light.
9. Krampus
Although horror movies are a big deal during Halloween, there are a few creepy films that celebrate Christmas, but only 2015’s Krampus is good enough to warrant a spot on our list. Directed by Michael Doughtery, the movie tells the story of the dysfunctional Engel family, who gather to celebrate Christmas despite their constant bickering.
When the persistent stress brings the ancient holiday demon Krampus to their neighborhood, the family must put aside their differences or fall prey to the monster’s attacks. Full of festive fright and a classic story arc of a family finding redemption during the holiday season, Krampus is a one-of-a-kind Christmas movie that horror fans will enjoy.
10. A Charlie Brown Christmas
Like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, A Charlie Brown Christmas is a beloved animated television special that first aired in 1965, appearing as the first special based on the Peanuts comic strip. With its simplistic animation style and a goofy cast of characters, the story follows lead character Charlie Brown, who has become depressed with the onset of Christmas.
To try to lift his spirits, Charlie Brown puts on a Christmas play, but the production is plagued by problems. By abandoning his preconceived notions of what the holiday entails, Charlie Brown must rise above rampant materialism and remind his hometown of the true meaning of Christmas. When stacked against the rest of the cartoons based on the Peanuts, A Charlie Brown Christmas is easily the most iconic, and for a good reason.
With its straightforward message, brisk runtime, and universal acclaim, A Charlie Brown Christmas is definitely one of the best Christmas movies of all time.
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