It's the most wonderful time of year. A time for love, for joy, for time with family, and of course for cooping yourself inside with a mug of hot chocolate watching Christmas movies. With the festive season in full force, I've decided to use it as an excuse to rank my favourite Christmas movies. This is the toughest list I've made on here, as it isn't as easy as just ranking them in order of preference. So many arguments are had over what is and isn't a Christmas movie, and there are some amazing movies that I can definitely see the argument for, but just don't quite get me in the Christmas spirit. There are likewise many movies that aren't objectively as good, but much better fit the cozy holiday season. So while most lists I do are solely ranked by how good I think the films are, this list is ranking them based on preference as Christmas movies. So while I do count films like Kiss Kiss Bang Bang and Lethal Weapon as Christmas movies, they don't tickle that festive itch as much as other films. So a few movies I've decided to leave off are those two, along with Edward Scissorhands, The Apartment, Meet Me in St. Louis, and Iron Man 3, all films that I absolutely love that can be counted as Christmas movies but just didn't have enough holiday spirit for me to include this time around. One last caveat, I will only be including one film from any franchise, that way I can include more different films. Without further adieu...
#25 - Anna and the Apocalypse (2017)
If you've never had the privilege of watching Anna and the Apocalypse, I urge you to make this the year you do so. I love when any film blends genre, and this does that tenfold as a Christmas action zombie musical. That's right, it's a holiday apocalypse set amidst a wintery England town facing a zombie epidemic and a propensity for breaking out into song. Ella Hunt as the titular Anna is quite frankly ridiculously charming, and despite how ridiculous the premise sounds, the music is honestly pretty great. It's one of those movies that itches the alternative Christmas vibe while still feeling cozy which I always appreciate.
#24 - Elf (2003)
I know a lot of people will think this is too low, but please bear in mind I really enjoy all of these movies. Elf is one I've obviously watched too many times to count, and it's great. Will Ferrell is hilarious, James Caan is the perfect curmudgeon, and the rest of the ensemble is lovely. It's a pretty goofy comedy that doesn't always hit, but there's no denying its place as a holiday classic.
#23 - Better Watch Out (2016)
I threw this on a few years ago not expecting much and was treated to one of the most fun twists on the home invasion subgenre that I've ever seen. Better Watch Out is a movie that I think is pretty much perfect gateway horror, offering good thrills while never taking itself too seriously. It isn't light and cheery by any means, but it's a ton of fun and is absolutely filled with bright Christmas colours and decor.
#22 - Eyes Wide Shut (1999)
If you're looking for alternative Christmas movies, you can't get much more out there than Eyes Wide Shut. You could argue that this is a fringe holiday movie like the others I mentioned before, but this takes place mostly amidst the holidays and I know is a staple for a ton of people this time of year. If we were just ranking on film quality this would be way higher, as Kubrick's final film is a brilliantly paced, brilliantly acted, and gorgeous looking. It sure as hell isn't one you want to put on for the kids, but Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise are near their best in this one.
#21 - Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
This is the kind of classic that just has to be on here. Edmund Gwenn gives in my opinion the all time best Santa performance, and the film is shockingly unique narratively for a Christmas movie. It shifts from standard holiday fair to a courtroom drama, but thanks to Gwenn and a great breakthrough performance from a young Natalie Wood the film never loses the Christmas magic & charm.
#20 - Batman Returns (1992)
This is such a fun one to throw on around the holidays. This is one that could easily be set at another time of year, but I'm glad it isn't because the Christmas setting adds even more vibrancy to Tim Burton's already flashy take on the caped crusader. As a Batman movie I do wish we got another great villain, rather than a poorly misused Christopher Walken. As a superhero movie set amidst the holidays though I really think this is a blast.
#19 - The Holiday (2006)
The Holiday is just a perfectly enjoyable holiday rom com. The way the film swaps American and British culture is a ton of fun, and the four leads all play really well off of each other. I will say there are times it doesn't feel as Christmassy as I wish just due to half of the film being set in Los Angeles, but it still scratches the itch well enough while also delivering a good rom com.
#18 - A Christmas Story (1983)
I thought about putting this higher but I didn't really watch it much growing up. I've seen it several times as I've gotten older and I have a lot of fun with it every time, but it just wasn't really in my Christmas rotation when I was younger so I don't hold it as close to myself as I do with other movies. There are so many iconic moments here that you really can't go through the holidays without, and the film as a whole is near the pinnacle in terms of iconic Christmas movies.
#17 - The Santa Clause 2 (2002)
Subjectivity and nostalgia have to come in to play when discussing Christmas movies, and this is a perfect example. Is any film in The Santa Clause franchise better than Eyes Wide Shut? Absolutely not. But I grew up watching these so they hold a special place in my heart. I love the first movie but I think this one feels more like it's found its footing which I appreciate. The romance aspect of it is really lovely in my opinion, and it feels like we get more of a fully fleshed out story while the first film needed to set everything up. This is far from perfect but I will always throw it on in December.
#16 - Carol (2015)
This is a really beautiful film. Cate Blanchett and Mara Rooney are both magnificent and have a beautiful chemistry that could carry the film on its own. The film itself holds so much strength in addition to them though, with a perfect recreation of the time and some gorgeous cinematography. The score is among my favourites of the 2010s and the story holds a heartbreaking beauty to it. Christmas doesn't necessarily play a big part in it but the film has a deeply cozy feeling thanks to its holiday setting.
#15 - Christmas in Connecticut (1945)
This is one I just watched for the first time recently and was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. It's the type of screwball comedy that reminds you of just how fun classics can be, and offers a ridiculous story that honestly feels somewhat modern despite being nearly 80 years old. Barbara Stanwyck is a ton of fun here, but really it's the way everyone plays off of each other amidst this hilarious turn of events that make this such a blast.
#14 - Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)
Of all the classics I watched as a kid this might be the one I saw the most. It's just a classic through and through, one that has made all the other reindeer look like slackers for decades. I'm a sucker for stop-motion animation especially when it's used to tell such a charming story. The characters are all great, it's filled to the brim with cheer, how could you not love it.
#13 - How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)
Until very recently I didn't realize this was so short. I've watched it for so long and found it packs in so much story that I didn't have a clue it was less than half an hour long. Some of you may be expecting to see the Jim Carrey live-action movie on here, but that's because you're all weird. That is an okay movie that most of my generation has a very strange nostalgia for, while the animated classic is just perfect through and through. It really feels like a Dr Seuss book brought to life and I love it for that.
#12 - National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)
This is right up there with A Christmas Story in terms of classic holiday comedies. Prime Chevy Chase pretty much always works for me and I love Beverly D'Angelo in the Vacation movies so putting their comedy in a Christmas setting is just a perfect recipe for hijinx. The house lighting scene is an all timer, cousin Eddie is hilarious, there's just too many great moments here.
#11 - Santa Clause is Comin' to Town (1970)
Rudolph may be the one I watched more, but Santa Clause is Comin' to Town is my favourite of the 60s/70s stop motion Christmas movies. I can never get enough of this one, a great story of someone bringing light and joy to a dreary place. The visuals perfectly match the themes of the film and the cast of characters beyond the titular man in red are all just delightful. The music is great too, with some songs honestly cementing themselves in pop culture even beyond Christmas music. I've just always loved this one.
#10 - Arthur Christmas (2011)
People sleep on Arthur Christmas way too much. I remember seeing it in theatres way back in 2011 and feeling like it was something special, and I watch it nearly every year now. I don't tend to love when films try to modernize the idea of Santa Claus, but the world created here is so detailed and vibrant that I can look past that. The highlight, aside from a very touching story, is James McAvoy delivering some of the most charming voice work you'll hear.
#9 - Love Actually (2003)
While The Holiday is a great Christmas rom-com, Love Actually is without question the top one. Bouncing between several different interconnected stories, some naturally more interesting than others, this just has everything you could want from a holiday love story. We get several different romantic arcs with a bunch of the iconic romance storylines, and the film is filled with lovable characters you can't help but love even amidst their mistakes. It's just such a fun and hilarious watch and perfect for the holidays.
#8 - The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
If we were just talking about how much I enjoy a movie, this would no doubt make the top five as I consider it a 5/5 film. However, it very much splits its tone between Halloween and Christmas which limits how much cheer it can deliver. I still very much count it as a Christmas movie, and it works incredibly well as one of those alternative holiday movies. Yes it has a song about Halloween but it also delivers a semi-spooky twist on a lot of Christmas iconography which I really enjoy it for.
#7 - Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)
This is probably a hot take, but I like Home Alone 2 just a bit more than its predecessor. I love the first movie, but this one just adds a ton of lovable characters that push it over the edge for me. We once again get Harry and Marv, as well as Kevin's suspect at best family, but we also get the toy store owner Mr. Duncan and the pigeon lady (I don't remember if she has a name) who are both absolute delights. The hijinks are heightened amidst the film's Big Apple setting, and I love the way Kevin's antics play out especially in the hotel he stays in.
#6 - Black Christmas (1974)
If you want something darker for Christmas, you can't get much better than Black Christmas. This is not just a great Christmas movie, but one of the quintessential horror movies of all time in my opinion. So much of what we see in the slasher genre can be traced back to Black Christmas, but that by no means makes it a movie to watch in October. Despite its creepiness this is very much set during Christmastime, and the holiday lights make for a fascinating watch while the film crawls under your skin. If you want something schlocky and full of disgusting gore for the holidays I would recommend the 2006 remake, but if you want something really good this is the one to watch.
#5 - The Holdovers (2023)
It's kind of crazy to think that The Holdovers is barely a year old. Despite it being still so new I think it's a no brainer as a holiday classic already. Alexander Payne takes us back to the 70s for a nostalgic tale of two outsiders stuck together over the holidays that fills my heart each time I watch it. Da'Vine Joy Randolph's Oscar winning supporting performance brings so much heart, with Paul Giamatti and the revelation of the film Dominic Sessa carry most of the story with perfect chemistry. I think the best holiday films are the ones that can make you laugh but also make you feel something deeper, and this is a perfect example as a hilarious movie that may just bring a tear to your eye. Whether it's the nostalgia or just how warm the film feels, you can't get much cozier than this one and if you haven't gotten around to seeing it yet I highly urge you to do so.
#4 - The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
I truly believe this film proves a fact that Disney now needs to understand with more of their stories: everything is better with the Muppets. Just a couple of years after Jim Henson's passing, his son Brian delivers one of the best works with the Muppets, retelling the classic Dickens story with a comedic twist that I absolutely love. Gonzo as Dickens is magnificent, with both him and Rizzo delivering some of the best lines you'll ever hear in a Christmas movie. Michael Caine is no doubt a standout though, delivering a hilariously serious performance despite acting opposite a bunch of puppets. This is in my opinion the best retelling of the classic tale, and a film full of a copious amount of heart and humour.
#3 - Die Hard (1988)
Yes, Die Hard is a Christmas movie and there really isn't an argument against it being one. It's set entirely on Christmas Eve & Day at a staff holiday party and is filled with festive references that truly make the film. And what says Christmas more like fighting your way through trials and tribulations to reunite with family? Die Hard is a top of the line action movie while leaning into the Christmassy vibes which makes it a perfect watch as a changeup from the family fair. No it isn't as heartwarming as some other films, but it has a cozy ending at least, and is just such a fun time. To those who say it isn't a Christmas movie because it could be set any time of year I say to you two things. 1. the same can be said of Home Alone. 2. "now I have a machine gun HO HO HO" would make a lot less sense if it took place in April.
#2 - It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
Is there a more classic Christmas movie than It's a Wonderful Life? I doubt it. This is just a perfect movie, one that tells a story wide in both scope and emotion. Yes it doesn't take place around Christmas until the last act, but that almost makes it feel more Christmassy. We make our way through the year to get to the holidays and time off, and we make our way through the movie to get to the incredible holiday-set third act. But everything works so well, painting a beautiful picture of a man struggling to find contentedness and questioning what he means to the world. James Stewart is one of the greats, and there isn't a film that leaves you on a more heartwarming note than this one.
#1 - Gremlins (1984)
I used to say my favourite was Die Hard, but in the past few years Gremlins has become the new holiday staple for me. Gremlins is perfect for me because it can qualify as an alternative Christmas movie based on the horror elements, but it's also covered in Christmas decor. There are so many dark elements but at the end of the day the story brings a family and their cute new pet together to stop some monsters from destroying Christmas. There is one hilariously bleak scene that always kills me, but the star of the show is undoubtedly Gizmo, one of the all time cutest movie characters. I love the chaos, I love the characters, and I love how unashamedly Christmassy the movie is despite the gore and monsters. Maybe it's the Amblin tone causing some nostalgia but this just feels strangely cozy and I can't go through the Christmas season without watching it.
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