Christmas: The Best Holiday Movies of All Time
Of course we have to watch Christmas movies during Christmas. What else would we do?
I can’t think of anything better to do than snuggling up on the couch with a cup of hot chocolate (or wine, always) on December nights.
One caveat I will make about my Holiday Movie List is that I was born in the year 1989. What this means is, no, I never watched A Christmas Story or It’s A Wonderful Life growing up. I have since watched those movies, and they are good films, but they unfortunately missed the golden opportunity to imprint on me.
This is a list of holiday movies that will either make you laugh out loud or make you want to fall in love. Two things in life I consider extremely anti-aging and full of holiday spirit. Enjoy!
1. Elf (2003)
Okay, I didn’t think I would like Elf. I am not big on Will Ferrell’s type of comedy (yes, I said it!), and generally don’t find his movies very funny. When my husband insisted that this is one of his favorite Christmas movies and would really appreciate I watch it with him, I poured myself another glass of Chianti and reluctantly said okay. To my surprise, I looooved the movie!
This is my favorite Will Ferrell performance by far; his endearing and sincere portrayal of Buddy absolutely stole my heart.
This is a story about Buddy the Elf, a human boy who ended up in the North Pole by mistake, growing up thinking he was one of Santa’s Elves. Learning his human origins, Buddy goes on a quest to New York City to find his long lost father. At the heart of it, the movie is about the love between a father and a son, and what’s not to love about that?
2. Home Alone (1990)
Duh! Home Alone. Best Christmas Movie, ever. I just watched this movie last night!
Besides the after-shave scene, one of my favorite things about Home Alone is the score for the movie.
It’s scored by John Williams, who also composed for Star Wars, Jaws, ET, the Indiana Jones films, the first two Jurassic Park films, and the first three Harry Potter films (yes, the man is a genius)! Watching this movie and listening to its music is Christmas, my friends.
Fun Fact: Did you know that the entire house was purposely decorated with only red and green colors by the creators to truly exemplify the Christmas spirit? These are small touches of blue here and there, but mostly red and blue! Watch closely next time!
3. Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)
Macaulay Culkin. New York City. Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree. This best (fictional) toy store ever?!! Again, this is a no brainer for me.
Christmas would not be complete without watching Kevin McCallister order all the ice cream in the world for room service. Merry Christmas, you filthy animal!
4. The Holiday (2006)
Now, a little romance! The synopsis goes: Dumped and depressed, Iris (Kate Winslet) agrees to swap homes with similarly unlucky in love Californian Amanda (Cameron Diaz) for a much-needed break during Christmas. Iris finds herself in a palatial Hollywood mansion while Amanda navigates the lanes of a snow-covered English village. Soon enough, both lovelorn ladies bump into local lads perfect for a romantic pick-me-up.
Did I mention the movie has a young Jude Law?
Between him and Cameron Diaz’s perfectly white turtleneck sweaters, this is the perfect girls-night holiday movie.
5. Klaus (2019)
If there’s one movie on this list that will make you cry your eyeballs out, this one is it. If you’re not ready for this heart-string tugged hard situation, please avoid this movie at all costs.
Yes, it is a cartoon. Yes, it is a great movie (even for adults). Yes, 100% tears guaranteed.
This is a story about the origins of Santa Clause, how he came to be, how the presents came to be, and the people that helped him along the way. It is also a redemption story about how love and compassion can really turn one’s life around. Hell, this should be Oscar-nominated! For my sake, please watch this movie and let me know what you think.
6. The Holiday Calendar (2018)
A holiday movie list would not be complete without corny Netflix Christmas Rom-Coms, am I right ladies?
I would like to state now that I am an expert when it comes to Netflix Christmas movies. I watch them all, no matter how bad they are.
A Christmas Prince, The Royal Wedding, The Royal Wedding, The Princess Switch, The Princess Switch: Switch Again. The Holiday Calendar, in my opinion, was actually good! It’s a movie I would actually recommend to another human being publicly (vs. watching in secret by myself).
The story goes that a struggling but talented photographer (Kat Graham) inherits an antique holiday advent calendar from her grandmother, the contents of which seem to predict the future and leading her closer to love with every passing day.
By the way, this is one of those movies that my husband would never watch, even if you paid him. It’s heavy on the “Rom” part of the “Rom-Com.” Just for some context.
7. The Christmas Chronicles (2018)
Netflix really killed it with The Christmas Chronicles!
This movie is the best Christmas movie produced in the last couple of years. It’s magical. It’s exciting. It’s funny. It’s heart-felt (I definitely cried).
I did not check my phone one time throughout the entire movie (yes, that’s how good it is)! Netflix really surprised me in the best way with this one.
The synopsis goes: Siblings Kate and Teddy Pierce hatch a scheme to capture Santa Claus on Christmas Eve. When the plan goes awry, the kids join forces with a somewhat jolly Saint Nick and his loyal elves to save the holiday before it's too late. So, do they save Christmas? There’s only one way to find out!
8. The Christmas Chronicles: Part 2 (2020)
Probably not as good as the first movie, but what sequel is? Despite not having me on the edge of my seat as Part 1, Part 2 of the Christmas Chronicles is still a magical and fun movie experience.
I loved seeing Santa’s Village, Goldie Hawn, and watching Kurt Russell belt out some rock and roll Christmas songs on screen again!
9. Holidate (2020)
Best Rom-Com that’s been made in the last couple of years, holiday movie or not! This one is legit funny.
Like, I am almost crying laughing at some points. And it’s legit romantic. Like, butterflies in my stomach, screaming at the TV “KISS HER ALREADY PLEEEASE” kind of romantic.
The story goes: Fed up with being single on holidays, two strangers agree to be each other's platonic plus-ones all year long, only to catch real feelings along the way. Did I mention the male lead has an Australian accent?!!
10. Just Friends (2005)
The funniest Christmas movie, hands down.
Samantha James (Anna Ferris) absolutely steals the show in this movie, and so many great lines! Forgivenessssss, is more than saying sorry (if you know, you know)!
This is a movie about a guy (Ryan Reynolds) that got friend-zoned in High School by his best friend/hottest girl (not Anna Ferris) in school, spends the next 10 years becoming a successful and womanizing record executive, only to find himself right back with the girl of his dreams, still friend-zoned. While the movie lacks the heart-warming feeling that I really love about most Christmas movies, Just Friends still made it on my list because it makes me laugh, and Ryan Reynold’s face doesn’t hurt either ;)
