The best Christmas movies capture the warmth and joy of the season, from the hilarious Home Alone to the heartwarming Miracle on 34th Street. These timeless classics remind us of the magic of belief and holiday cheer. Ready to relive the wonder? Dive into our list of must-watch Christmas films!
Christmas movies capture the holiday’s magic and diversity, from nostalgic classics like It’s A Wonderful Life to modern hits like Klaus. Whether you love comedy, action, or even horror, there’s something for everyone making these films timeless holiday traditions.
Our recent update on the 12 Best Christmas Movies highlights some of the holiday’s most iconic and scary films, now featured in the Christmas horror movies guide. Among the most culturally significant entries are A Nightmare Before Christmas and Black Christmas, each a masterful blend of festive and eerie. The season naturally encourages moments of warm and cozy reflection with familiar classics enjoyed over the years. Whether it’s inviting family for traditionally re-watches or discovering films with positive receptions, there’s something uniquely comforting about revisiting these stories. For me, watching these films has always been a cherished part of the holidays, sparking shared memories and lively discussions about our favorites around the fireplace.
Embarking on a sleigh ride through movie history, we gathered a big red bag of festive treasures and carefully ranked the movies by their scores, spotlighting the Certified Fresh films that define this joyful season. Entering this wonderland of cinematic delights, we celebrate the Best Christmas Movies ever crafted, each one evoking timeless holiday magic. Growing up, these films were like unwrapping presents from a memory-filled bag of goodies, and every rewatch feels like riding through a storybook of cherished moments.
Table of Contents
Meet Me in St. Louis
Critics Consensus: Meet Me in St. Louis is a sweet, classic musical with outstanding performances by Judy Garland and Margaret O’Brien, offering a holiday treat for all ages.
Synopsis: This romantic comedy from MGM follows the lives of four sisters and is set in the early 1900s. It’s a perfect mix of heartwarming moments and catchy music, directed by Vincente Minnelli.
Starring: Judy Garland, Margaret O’Brien, Leon Ames, Lucille Bremer.
Directed By: Vincente Minnelli.
The Shop Around the Corner (1940)
Critics Consensus: A classic romantic comedy, brilliantly directed by Ernst Lubitsch with a smart, funny script by Samson Raphaelson, featuring outstanding performances from the cast, making it one of the finest films in the genre.
Synopsis: In a Budapest store, coworkers Alfred and Klara unknowingly fall in love through anonymous letters, creating a charming holiday tale.
Starring: Margaret Sullavan, James Stewart, Frank Morgan, Joseph Schildkraut
Directed By: Ernst Lubitsch
The Holdovers (2023)
Critics Consensus: Beautifully bittersweet, The Holdovers marks a satisfying return to form for director Alexander Payne.
Synopsis: From acclaimed director Alexander Payne, The Holdovers follows a curmudgeonly instructor (Paul Giamatti) at a New England prep school who…
Starring: Paul Giamatti, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Dominic Sessa, Carrie Preston
Directed By: Alexander Payne
Tangerine (2015)
Critics Consensus: Tangerine shatters casting conventions and its filmmaking techniques are up-to-the-minute, but it’s an old-fashioned comedy at heart — and a wonderful one at that.
Synopsis: After hearing that her boyfriend/pimp cheated on her while she was in jail, a transgender sex worker and her best friend embark on a journey of revenge, navigating the complexities of relationships in the process.
Starring: Kitana Kiki Rodriguez, Mya Taylor, Karren Karagulian, Mickey O’Hagan
Directed By: Sean Baker
Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
Critics Consensus: Irrefutable proof that gentle sentimentalism can be the chief ingredient in a wonderful film, Miracle on 34th Street delivers a warm holiday message without resorting to treacle.
Synopsis: In this Christmas classic, an old man going by the name of Kris Kringle (Edmund Gwenn) fills in for a department store Santa, spreading joy and belief in the magic of Christmas.
Starring: Maureen O’Hara, John Payne, Edmund Gwenn, Gene Lockhart
Directed By: George Seaton
Little Women (2019)
Critics Consensus: With a stellar cast and a smart, sensitive retelling of its classic source material, Greta Gerwig’s Little Women proves some stories truly are timeless.
Synopsis: In the years after the Civil War, Jo March lives in New York and makes her living as a writer, navigating both personal and professional challenges with determination and heart.
Starring: Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, Eliza Scanlen
Directed By: Greta Gerwig
Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas
Critics Consensus:The Nightmare Before Christmas is a stunningly original and visually delightful work of stop-motion animation.
Synopsis:Jack Skellington, Halloweentown’s pumpkin king, discovers Christmas and sparks a holiday clash in this whimsical adventure.
Starring:Danny Elfman, Chris Sarandon, Catherine O’Hara, William Hickey
Directed By: Henry Selick
Klaus (2019)
Critics Consensus: Beautiful hand-drawn animation and a humorous, heartwarming narrative make Klaus an instant candidate for holiday classic status.
Synopsis: A desperate postman accidentally brings about the genesis of Santa Claus.
Starring: Jason Schwartzman, J.K. Simmons, Rashida Jones, Will Sasso
Directed By: Sergio Pablos
Carol (2015)
Critics Consensus: Shaped by Todd Haynes’ deft direction and powered by a strong cast led by Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara, Carol lives up to its groundbreaking source material.
Synopsis:In 1950s Manhattan, Therese and Carol’s holiday encounter blossoms into a love that defies societal norms.
Starring: Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara, Sarah Paulson, Jake Lacy
Directed By:Todd Haynes
It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
Critics Consensus: The holiday classic to define all holiday classics, It’s a Wonderful Life is one of a handful of films worth an annual viewing.
Synopsis: George Bailey (James Stewart) wishes he had never been born, and an angel (Henry Travers) is sent to earth to show him the value of his life.
Starring: James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, Thomas Mitchell.
Directed By: Frank Capra.
Die Hard (1988)
Critics Consensus: Die Hard is a definitive holiday action classic, praised for its taut thrills and setting the standard for imitators and sequels that never quite measure up.
Synopsis: On Christmas Eve, New York City policeman John McClane (Bruce Willis) reunites with his estranged wife (Bonnie Bedelia) in Los Angeles, only to find himself caught in a high-rise action situation.
Starring: Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman, Bonnie Bedelia, Reginald VelJohnson.
Directed By: John McTiernan.
The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special (2022)
Critics Consensus: More of a stocking stuffer than a fully-rounded parcel, this yuletide excursion is a delightful showcase for Drax, Mantis, and a very game Kevin Bacon.
Synopsis: Star-Lord, Drax, Rocket, Mantis, and Groot engage in some spirited shenanigans.
Starring: Chris Pratt, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan, Zoe Saldana
Directed By: James Gun