Everyone has at least one favorite movie that they watch every year as a part of a holiday tradition. Here’s our pick of 20 most popular holiday-themed movies that you can watch this Christmas week.
1. Home Alone 1 and 2
Is it even Christmas if you don’t watch Home Alone? Eight-year-old Kevin is left alone at home accidentally while his family is off on a vacation. Kevin’s fight to ward off two of the most wanted burglars in town is a joy to watch. The sequel, Home Alone 2, is my personal favorite as it’s set in the gorgeously-lit New York City with Christmas decorations and snow. “Merry Christmas, ya filthy animal!” If you have watched this one, you know what I’m talking about.
2. Love Actually
This classic romantic comedy with a star-studded cast follows the love stories of a dozen couples throughout the holiday season. The stories featuring Colin Firth and Hugh Grant are my personal favorites. Just grab your loved one and spread some love by watching this together. Love Actually sums up the spirit of Christmas and deserves an annual viewing during the holidays … or several.
3. The Holiday
Romantic movies go well with Christmas and The Holiday is an unapologetic romantic comedy that must be on your Christmas movie list. I have watched this movie at least 10 times and, every time, I wish I could switch places with Kate Winslet or Cameron Diaz in this festive flick. Who doesn’t want to live in those gorgeous houses? It’s a feel-good movie that can be enjoyed with your close ones.
4. Jingle All the Way
I remember watching this movie over and over on our CD player in the 90’s. Arnold Schwarzenegger plays a workaholic dad who forgets to get his son’s Christmas gift — a must-have toy of the season. The climax of the movie with the set up around a parade is my favorite part. The father-son bonding makes this movie an ideal holiday watch.
5. A Christmas Carol (1951)
There are several cinematic renditions of Charles Dickens’ classic novel, A Christmas Carol. However, the one starring Alastair Sim, who plays Ebenezer Scrooge, is still an all-time favorite. Scrooge is a London miser, who despite his wealth, refuses to make charitable contributions. Scrooge receives three spirits on Christmas eve that will take him on a journey through Christmases past, present, and the ones yet to come.
6. The Santa Clause
The movie, The Santa Claus, tells us a new Santa origin story. Scott (Tim Allen) ends up helping Santa Claus with a Christmas crisis and he inadvertently agrees to become the next Santa Claus. Now, Scott has to deal with a suspicious ex-wife while trying to keep his secret safe. This Christmas classic will definitely add some holiday spirit to your life.
7. How The Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)
Chuck Jones’ animated version of the classic Dr. Seuss book How The Grinch Stole Christmas is an all-time favorite holiday movie. Voiced by Boris Karloff, the Grinch lives on top of a hill overlooking Whoville with his dog, Max. Each year during Christmas, the Grinch’s hatred grows stronger toward those insufferably cheerful ‘whos’ down at Whoville. One year, he gets the idea to sabotage Christmas by dressing up as Santa Claus and stealing the decorations.
8. Elf
Elf is a modern Christmas movie starring Will Ferrell as Buddy, a regular-sized man who was raised as an elf by Santa Claus (Edward Asner). When Buddy learns he’s not a real elf, he decides to head back to his place of birth, New York City, in search of his biological family. You can watch this movie with your entire family as it cherishes the holiday cheer with all the zest and fervor.
9. A Christmas Prince
A Christmas Prince came into the limelight only after Netflix called out the 53 people, who supposedly watched the movie 18 days in a row. A Christmas Prince has a cheesy plot that follows a reporter that goes undercover as a tutor to get the inside scoop on a playboy prince. She gets tangled in some royal intrigue and ends up finding love. Watch it if you want to stay away from getting FOMO (fear of missing out).
10. Bridget Jones’s Diary
In my opinion, Bridget Jones’s Diary might be the movie that started the ugly Christmas sweater craze. Who doesn’t love the iconic sweater scene with Colin Firth in the movie? Played by Renée Zellweger, Bridget is searching for love and struggling to lose weight. You have people kissing in the snow and a tinge of Hugh Grant. Enough reasons to watch, right?
11. Bad Santa
Bad Santa features Billy Bob Thornton who disguises a departmental-store Santa. This is a movie about a foul-mouthed conman who eventually turns into a sympathetic hero. The conman and his partner plan to rob department stores on the Christmas eve. However, their plan takes a twist when the conman befriends a troublesome kid. Adults watch this movie after your kids go to bed.
12. Miracle On 34th Street
Miracle On 34th Street is an undisputed Christmas classic. Featuring Edmund Gwenn as Kris Kringle, the movie depicts the story of a departmental-store Santa, who claims to be the real Mr. Claus. When Kringle surprises customers and employees by claiming that he is the real Santa Claus, it leads to a court case to determine his mental health and, more importantly, the authenticity of his claim.
13. The Polar Express
The 2014 animated movie highlights the spirit of a child’s belief in Christmas. The plot revolves around a young boy’s extraordinary journey to the North Pole. The voice cast has Tom Hanks as the jolly conductor of The Express. This animated movie has all the necessary Christmas elements – snow, travel, and reindeer.
14. It’s a Wonderful Life
This bitter-sweet drama tells the story of an angel’s attempts to save the life of a suicidal George Bailey, played by Jimmy Stewart, by showing him how different the world would be without him. This feel-good fable should be on everybody’s Christmas list. There are more than one reason for this film to be a classic.
15. The Family Stone
The Family Stone is a drama that follows the Christmas holiday misadventures of the Stone family in a small New England town. The eldest son, Dermot Mulroney, brings his uptight girlfriend, Sarah Jessica Parker, home with the intention of proposing to her with the cherished family heirloom. Sarah asks her sister to join her for emotional support, triggering further complications.
16. The Nightmare Before Christmas
Jack Skellington longs to spread Christmas joy but his antics put Santa and the holiday in jeopardy. The Nightmare Before Christmas is also generally considered as a Halloween movie but is also a perfect watch for the holiday season. The situation becomes riveting when Jack’s obsession with Christmas leads him to abduct Santa Claus.
17. A Christmas Story
A Christmas Story is about a young boy named Ralphie (Peter Billingsley)) who attempts to convince his parents, his teacher, and Santa that a Red Ryder Carbine-Action 200-shot Range Model air rifle from his favorite comic strip is the perfect Christmas gift. The movie highlights Ralphie’s struggle to fight bullies and also the strong bond he shares with his mother. It is a heartwarming yet comedy movie that has a happy ending.
18. Arthur Christmas
Arthur Christmas answers the one question that all of us want to know — “How does Santa deliver all those presents in one night?”. Santa’s gawky son Arthur learns that a little girl’s Christmas gift has been misplaced due to a technical glitch. Arthur sets out on a mission to deliver the present before it’s too late.
19. Serendipity
Another romantic comedy that you should watch this holiday season is Serendipity. It’s about two strangers falling in love on the night of Christmas, shopping for a pair of Cashmere gloves. Starring John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale, Serendipity is sure to bring holiday cheer and joy to you and your kin.
20. Die Hard
The Christmas movie list cannot be over without including Bruce Willis starrer Die Hard. Dive into the age-old debate over whether Die Hard is a Christmas movie or not. Die Hard screenwriter Steven E. De Souza mentioned on Twitter that he sees Die Hard as a Christmas flick, as “a woman about to give birth features prominently.”. Also Die Hard is considered to be a Christmas movie as McClane’s plans to go to a Christmas party gets interrupted by terrorists.
Holiday Fun With Movies
Just get comfy, curl up in your bed with some hot chocolate and enjoy the holiday fervor. So, which of the above movies are you planning to watch this holiday season? Until next time, Happy Holidays, folks! The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.
