It’s the most wonderful time of the year (well hopefully when you are reading this it is, but absolutely no judgement if watching Christmas films in summer is your thing), and that means its time to dust off the decorations and, of course, those beloved seasonal films. With that always comes the question – ‘what should I watch?’ Well, that’s exactly where this article comes in! Below we have listed the 10 greatest Christmas movies and where to watch them (no, Die Hard is not on the list).

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10. Jingle All the Way

Image by 20th Century Fox

Let’s start this list on a high with this brilliant title, Jingle All the Way. When a workaholic father forgets to buy his son the only thing he wanted for Christmas he lies to his wife and is sent on a wild goose chase around the city competing with every parent for a Turbo Man action figure. That father is none other than Arnold Schwarzenegger – sold yet?

Jingle All the Way is brilliant, funny and, sometimes, a little sad. There are a few jokes however that may not have aged very well, but even then they are always used in good humour – in particular, there is a moment with a bomb. This film is one of the first Christmas movies I watch every year to kick off the holiday season.

Stream Jingle All the Way on Disney Plus.

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9. How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Image by Universal Pictures

Since it was originally published in 1956, there has been many movie adaptations of Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas, but the one that really stands out above them all is the 2000 version with Jim Carrey as The Grinch. The title for this one is very self explanatory, but as always, there is a twist when a little girl called Cindy Lou Who really touches the tiny heart of The Grinch.

Jim Carrey’s overacting shines through in The Grinch. Even the smallest of moments will have you dying of laughter. But with all great things comes some, not so great things. If it was not for that god awful song ‘Where Are You Christmas?’, which makes me want to finish my Baileys just to get through it, The Grinch would be much higher.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas can be streamed on Netflix.

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8. Klaus

Image by Netflix

Here, we have a newer addition to the Christmas watchlist, Klaus. When a selfish postman seeks out a talented and reclusive toymaker, they work together to bring gifts and joy to a town that need it. This is, in short, the story of Santa and his very first helper. The story is amazing but the thing that stands out in this film is the beautiful animation. Unlike most films these days, Klaus was created using 2D animation with a combination of clever lighting and texture to make the film appear 3D.

Though Klaus might not be a classic, it certainly is deserving of a place on this list. With such beautiful and memorable moments, Klaus will surely become a classic to younger generations just like The Santa Clause is to my generation – which brings us to the next one in the list.

Klaus is a Netflix original so can only be streamed on Netflix.

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7. The Santa Clause

Image by Walt Disney Pictures

Every 90’s kid reading this will know what The Santa Clause is, a real classic, but on the off chance you have never heard of it, the concept is simple, and the film is perfection. When Scott Calvin accidentally makes Santa fall off his roof on Christmas Eve, he is forced to finish the deliveries with the help of his son Charlie. Without realising, by putting on the suit, he unknowingly agreed to becoming the next Santa Claus as per the Santa Clause.

Like a few others in this list The Santa Clause has sequel films, 3 to be exact, and a TV series called The Santa Clauses, which are all worth watching, but The Santa Clause and The Santa Clause 2 are the best ones in the franchise.

The entire Santa Clause franchise can be streamed on Disney Plus.

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6. Love Actually

Image by Universal Pictures

In sixth, we have a much loved rom-com, Love Actually. If lies, deception and an unexpected love stories are what you need this holiday season, then this is the film for you! Love Actually follows the stories of 8 different groups dealing with their love lives, some just a simple story of boy meets girl, with another more complicated story of boy meets girl, but girl speaks a different language, so boy has absolutely no way to communicate with girl – that might sound complicated, but that’s actually one of the sweeter stories in the film!

It would not feel right if I did not mention this, but I personally am not too fond of Love Actually. However, my wife absolutely loves it, so with my hatred and her admiration, it evens out to a honourable sixth place – plus I would not be married much longer if I did not mention it. I will say, credit where credit is due, the funny moments in this film are really funny – even I cannot hide my chuckles.

Love Actually can be streamed on Netflix.

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5. Bad Santa

Image by Miramax Films

Another must watch is this dark comedy, Bad Santa. This film is exactly as it sounds – it is a film about a bad Santa (don’t worry kids, he’s not the real one, he’s just pretending). Every year on Christmas Eve, Willie and his partner pose as a mall Santa and his elf then rob the shopping malls after lights out, but this year, that all changes when he befriends and small boy and starts to question his morality. Note, although this film is good for all the family and absolutely hilarious, there are times that the drama side takes over and might make you tear up a little.

This film does have a sequel but I would suggest that you watch some others in this list before you dive into that, as it was kind of unwanted and just not great, although it was really nice to see all the main cast reprise their roles!

Bad Santa is not on streaming but can be rented or purchased on Prime Video, Microsoft Store, Apple TV and more.

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4. Home Alone

Image by 20th Century Fox

Another classic for you here, Home Alone. Both Home Alone and Home Alone 2 are incredible films for the holiday season, which most would have already seen. In case you have yet to experience this masterpiece, Home Alone is about a boy who is accidentally left alone at Christmas when his large family go on holiday. Trouble quickly arises, and Kevin is left to defend his house from burglars known as The Wet Bandits.

Though it undoubtedly is a classic, Home Alone and Home Alone 2 are just not as special to me as the ones that follow. That being said, it is still a must watch every year and is filled with memorable moments throughout.

Both Home Alone and Home Alone 2 can be streamed on Disney Plus – just stay clear of the terrible sequels after the first 2.

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3. Elf

Image by New Line Cinema

This one might be a bit of an acquired taste, but here we have my personal favourite Christmas movie, Elf. This comedy follows the story of Buddy the Elf, a 6-foot something, fully grown man who lives and breathes Christmas, as he travels to the big city in search of his real father, who unfortunately was not ready to take on this ridiculous man child.

Elf is so unbelievably funny, it has me in stitches every time I watch it, but some might find it a bit too silly – brace for a lot of gross humour! This film is everything a Will Ferrell film should be, so if you like some of his other movies like Step Brothers or The Other Guys, then you will love this.

Elf is available for streaming on Sky cinema and Now TV with the Cinema Pass. Unfortunately it is never certain whether you can watch this one year to year, so we would recommend you purchase this one.

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2. The Muppets Christmas Carol

Image by Walt Disney Pictures

If it was not for the next movie on this list being such a staple, The Muppets Christmas Carol would be in first place, but as it stands second place for all-time greatest is much more fitting for this title.

Almost everyone knows Charles Dickens’ The Christmas Carol, and this very is by far the best version of that story today. The Muppets just being… well, Muppets, gives this story the uplifting, light-hearted Christmas cheer it needed. It was always a tradition in my wife’s family to watch The Muppets Christmas Carol every Christmas Eve to kick off the celebration, a tradition that has spilled into our own family and I can honestly say it simply does not feel like Christmas without this film.

The Muppets Christmas Carol is available to stream on Disney Plus.

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1. It’s a Wonderful Life 

Image by RKO Radio Pictures

For the last film in this list, it would not be right if we did not have it be It’s a Wonderful Life. In short, It’s a Wonderful Life is about a caring banker who is just simply unlucky and is faced with bankruptcy and imprisonment. When he contemplates taking his own life, he is visited by a guardian angel who shows him how much worse the world would be without him. As you can probably imagine, this is, at times, incredibly sad.

This film is considered by most to be the best Christmas film of all time and has become a staple concreting itself into history. Despite having such a deep narrative, this is another one that makes Christmas – just make sure to get the box of tissues ready!

It’s a Wonderful Life can be streamed on Prime Video.

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Conclusion

There are many good Christmas films to watch this holiday season, but some just stand out above all the rest. If we missed your favourite Christmas film, let us know in the comments section of this article and we will try and include in a different list!

See also: New Christmas movies to watch in 2024

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