With the holiday season upon us, the hunt for the best Christmas movies is on! Streaming services are packed with options, catering to everyone's tastes—whether you're after family-friendly films, rom-coms, or something with a bit of edge. Let’s explore the best Christmas movies you can stream this year, so you can settle down with some popcorn and enjoy the festivities.
Disney+ remains one of the top choices for holiday classics. This streaming platform boasts all the festive favorites you know and love, including Home Alone, The Santa Clause series, The Muppet Christmas Carol, and Miracle on 34th Street from 1994. They also offer lesser-known treasures like While You Were Sleeping, which, even if some debate its Christmas status, is still perfect for those chilly nights.
Coming up next is Netflix, which also offers a standout collection of films this season. New releases such as Hot Frosty, Meet Me Next Christmas, and The Merry Gentlemen are this year's additions, with perennial favorites like The Christmas Chronicles and Holidate making their return. Netflix’s blend of romantic comedies, escapades, and edgy humor—like A Bad Moms Christmas—ensures there's something for everyone.
Crave deserves recognition for its impressive list of holiday essentials, featuring classics like Elf, A Christmas Story, and The Night Before. A personal favorite of many, Love Actually, can also be found here, offering intertwining stories of love and heartbreak during the holidays.
Amazon Prime Video may come as a surprise, with some people placing it lower on their streaming priority list, but it harbors gems like The Holdovers—quite possibly one of the biggest film recommendations of the year. This emotional comedy-drama stars Paul Giamatti as he navigates the ups and downs of school life during winter break. The platform goes beyond Christmas films, with titles such as Die Hard, which inevitably sparks the age-old debate: is it really a Christmas movie?
Among the new offerings on Prime, you can catch After Santa Claus (Code Name: RED ONE), where Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans save Christmas amid action-packed escapades. Classics are still available as well, offering nostalgic options for those warm, fuzzy holiday feelings.
Have you ever debated which movies fall under the Christmas category? It's common to include titles like Tangerine and Lethal Weapon, where the festive backdrop weaves through the storyline, creating memorable experiences regardless of genre. It appears most lists agree upon perennial favorites like It’s A Wonderful Life and Elf, often sparking conversations about modern interpretations versus cherished classics.
Among the ratings and rankings, Meet Me in St. Louis emerges as the surprise contender topping many best-of lists, even with just limited holiday scenes. Meanwhile, The Holdovers has made waves for its genuine portrayal of holiday life intertwined with personal growth and connections—it’s been said to forget the ho-ho-hos and focus on heart.
This Christmas season, whether it’s The Grinch, Love Actually, Christmas with the Kranks, or new offerings you haven’t yet discovered, there’s no shortage of films to fill your holidays with joy and laughter. Grab your cocoa and settle in as you check off your viewing list!