[+] Top10nerScore71.934 / 100
p>DIRECTOR: Sarah Smith
WRITERS: Sarah Smith, Peter Baynham
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Jericca Cleland
STARRING: James McAvoy, Hugh Laurie, Bill Nighy, Jim Broadbent, Ashley Jensen, Imelda Staunton
GENRE: Computer Animation, Comedy
THEME: Christmas, Family
Each Christmas, Santa and his vast army of highly trained elves produce gifts and distribute them around the world in one night. However, when one of 600 million children to receive a gift from Santa on Christmas Eve is missed, it is deemed ‘acceptable’ to all but one—Santa’s misfit son, Arthur.
Arthur Christmas delivers a refreshingly modern twist on festive cheer, blending heartfelt family dynamics with clever humor. Its vibrant animation and inventive take on Santa’s high-tech operations capture the spirit of generosity and wonder, making it a holiday classic.
[+] Top10nerScore72.007 / 100
p>DIRECTOR: Christian Carion
WRITERS: Christian Carion
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Walther van den Ende
STARRING: Diane Kruger, Benno Fürmann, Guillaume Canet, Daniel Brühl, Gary Lewis, Dany Boon, Alex Ferns, Steven Robertson
GENRE: Period Drama, War
THEME: Christmas
France, 1914, during World War I. On Christmas Eve, an extraordinary event takes place in the bloody no man’s land that the French and the Scots dispute with the Germans…
Joyeux Noël bridges the horrors of war with the spirit of Christmas, dramatizing the 1914 ceasefire when enemies found humanity in shared carols and communion. A poignant blend of history and holiday, it captures the fragile hope of peace in the season of unity.
[+] Top10nerScore72.076 / 100
p>DIRECTOR: Henry Koster
WRITERS: Robert E. Sherwood, Leonardo Bercovici
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Gregg Toland
STARRING: Cary Grant, Loretta Young, David Niven, Monty Woolley, James Gleason
GENRE: Low Fantasy, Romantic Comedy
THEME: Christmas
Bishop Henry Brougham, discouraged by his efforts to obtain funds for a cathedral, prays to God for help, and is instantly visited by Dudley, who claims to be an angel. When Dudley ingratiates himself into the family as his assistant, and worse, gains Henry’s wife’s affection.
A heavenly charmer blending holiday warmth with witty elegance, The Bishop’s Wife radiates timeless cheer. Cary Grant’s angelic charisma and the film’s tender reflections on faith, love, and miracles offer a sophisticated yet heartfelt embrace of Christmas spirit.
[+] Top10nerScore72.132 / 100
p>DIRECTOR: Edwin L. Marin
WRITERS: Hugo Butler
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Sidney Wagner
STARRING: Reginald Owen, Gene Lockhart, Terry Kilburn, Barry MacKay, Lionel Braham, Ann Rutherford
GENRE: Drama, Low Fantasy
THEME: Christmas
Miser Ebenezer Scrooge is awakened on Christmas Eve by spirits who reveal to him his own miserable existence, what opportunities he wasted in his youth, his current cruelties, and the dire fate that awaits him if he does not change his ways. Scrooge is faced with his own story of growing bitterness and meanness, and must decide what his own future will hold: death or redemption.
With warm visuals and a heart steeped in Dickensian spirit, A Christmas Carol captures the transformative magic of Christmas. Reginald Owen’s Scrooge reminds us of redemption’s glow, while carols and festive imagery envelop audiences in timeless holiday wonder.
[+] Top10nerScore72.266 / 100
p>DIRECTOR: Richard Curtis
WRITERS: Richard Curtis
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Michael Coulter
STARRING: Hugh Grant, Alan Rickman, Emma Thompson, Liam Neeson, Colin Firth, Laura Linney, Bill Nighy, Andrew Lincoln, Keira Knightley, Martine McCutcheon, Thomas Brodie-Sangster Lúcia Moniz, Kris Marshall, Chiwetel Ejiofor
GENRE: Romantic Comedy
THEME: Christmas, Hyperlink Cinema
Eight London couples try to deal with their relationships in different ways. Their tryst with love makes them discover how complicated relationships can be.
A festive mosaic of intertwining stories, Love Actually celebrates the complexities of love against a twinkling Christmas backdrop. With its iconic soundtrack, heartfelt moments, and bittersweet humor, the film captures the season’s warmth, chaos, and longing for connection.
[+] Top10nerScore73.968 / 100
p>DIRECTOR: Jim Henson
WRITERS: Jerry Juhl
STARRING: Jerry Nelson, Frank Oz, Richard Hunt, Jim Henson, Dave Goelz, Marilyn Sokol, Eren Ozker
GENRE: Puppetry, Musical
THEME: Christmas, Family, Fable, Slice of Life
A poor otter family risks everything for the chance to win the cash prize of a talent contest for Christmas.
Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas blends heartwarming holiday spirit with Jim Henson’s signature puppetry, delivering a charming tale of community and sacrifice. Its timeless themes of family and selflessness, set to catchy tunes, make it a unique, nostalgic Christmas classic.
[+] Top10nerScore74.289 / 100
p>DIRECTOR: Mitchell Leisen
WRITERS: Preston Sturges
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Ted Tetzlaff
STARRING: Barbara Stanwyck, Fred MacMurray, Beulah Bondi, Elizabeth Patterson, Willard Robertson
GENRE: Romantic Comedy
THEME: Christmas
Unexpected love blossoms when an assistant district attorney agrees to take a recidivist shoplifter home so she doesn’t have to spend Christmas alone in jail.
Remember the Night is a heartfelt Christmas romance that expertly combines holiday warmth with emotional depth. Set against the backdrop of the season, its poignant exploration of love, redemption, and second chances offers a refreshing take on festive storytelling.
[+] Top10nerScore75.325 / 100
p>DIRECTOR: Jon Favreau
WRITERS: David Berenbaum
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Greg Gardiner
STARRING: Will Ferrell, James Caan, Zooey Deschanel, Bob Newhart, Mary Steenburgen, Ed Asner, Daniel Tay
GENRE: Comedy, Low Fantasy, Cringe Comedy
THEME: Christmas, Family
When young Buddy falls into Santa’s gift sack on Christmas Eve, he’s transported back to the North Pole and raised as a toy-making elf by Santa’s helpers. But as he grows into adulthood, he can’t shake the nagging feeling that he doesn’t belong. Buddy vows to visit Manhattan and find his real dad, a workaholic.
[+] Top10nerScore75.712 / 100
p>DIRECTOR: Jeremiah S. Chechik
WRITERS: John Hughes
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Thomas E. Ackerman
STARRING: Chevy Chase, Beverly D’Angelo, Randy Quaid, Juliette Lewis, Johnny Galecki, John Randolph, Doris Roberts, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Nicholas Guest
GENRE: Comedy, Slapstick
THEME: Christmas
It’s Christmastime, and the Griswolds are preparing for a family seasonal celebration. But things never run smoothly for Clark, his wife Ellen, and their two kids. Clark’s continual bad luck is worsened by his obnoxious family guests, but he manages to keep going, knowing that his Christmas bonus is due soon.
Christmas Vacation is a chaotic holiday classic that blends slapstick humor with heartfelt family moments. It captures the frustrations and absurdities of Christmas, celebrating the unpredictability of the season and the enduring spirit of togetherness, no matter the mishaps.
[+] Top10nerScore75.810 / 100
p>DIRECTOR: Michael Curtiz
WRITERS: Melvin Frank, Norman Krasna, Norman Panama
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Loyal Griggs
STARRING: Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, Vera-Ellen, Mary Wickes, Dean Jagger
GENRE: Musical, Romantic Comedy
THEME: Christmas, Buddy
Two talented song-and-dance men team up after the war to become one of the hottest acts in show business. In time they befriend and become romantically involved with the beautiful Haynes sisters who comprise a sister act.
White Christmas is a festive classic, celebrating holiday spirit through dazzling musical numbers and heartwarming camaraderie. Its vibrant color palette, nostalgia-driven themes of generosity and togetherness, and iconic performances make it a timeless seasonal favorite.
[+] Top10nerScore76.356 / 100
p>DIRECTOR: Luis García Berlanga
WRITERS: Rafael Azcona, Luis García Berlanga, José Luis Font, José Luis Colina
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Francisco Sempere
STARRING: Cassen, José Luis López Vázquez, Elvira Quintillá, Manuel Alexandre
GENRE: Black Comedy, Satire
THEME: Christmas
In a small Spanish town, during the Christmas holidays, a group of rich old ladies organize a peculiar event that consists of inviting a homeless person to sit down to dinner at their wealthy table. Plácido, a humble worker, is hired by the organizers to participate in a parade with his three-wheeled vehicle, a seemingly simple mission that will not be easy for him to accomplish.
Plácido offers a satirical look at Christmas through a small-town charity event. With dark humor and sharp social commentary, it critiques consumerism, hypocrisy, and societal expectations, all while maintaining a quirky, festive atmosphere that challenges traditional holiday values.
[+] Top10nerScore76.754 / 100
p>DIRECTOR: Bob Clark
WRITERS: Roy Moore
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Reginald H. Morris
STARRING: Olivia Hussey, Keir Dullea, Margot Kidder, John Saxon, Marian Waldman, Andrea Martin
GENRE: Slasher
THEME: Christmas
MOVEMENT: Canuxploitation
It’s time for Christmas break, and the sorority sisters make plans for the holiday. But the strange anonymous phone calls are beginning to put them on edge, and it’s only the beginning…
Black Christmas redefines the holiday genre, blending festive cheer with chilling suspense. Its innovative use of Christmas as a backdrop for horror, paired with an eerie atmosphere and sharp social commentary, elevates it as a pioneering classic of seasonal terror.
[+] Top10nerScore77.429 / 100
p>DIRECTOR: Joe Dante
WRITERS: Chris Columbus
CINEMATOGRAPHY: John Hora
STARRING: Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates, Hoyt Axton, Frances Lee McCain, Corey Feldman, Dick Miller
GENRE: Black Comedy, Horror, Low Fantasy, Horror Comedy
THEME: Christmas
When Billy Peltzer is given a strange but adorable pet named Gizmo for Christmas, he inadvertently breaks the three important rules of caring for a Mogwai, and unleashes a horde of mischievous gremlins on a small town.
A holiday horror-comedy classic, Gremlins expertly mixes festive cheer with chaotic mischief. Its dark humor, inventive creature effects, and memorable setting make it a perfect Christmas cult favorite, exploring themes of innocence lost and the unpredictability of the holiday spirit.
[+] Top10nerScore77.430 / 100
p>DIRECTOR: Larry Roemer
WRITERS: Robert May, Romeo Muller
STARRING: Billie Mae Richards, Burl Ives, Larry D. Mann, Paul Soles, Stan Francis
GENRE: Puppet Animation, Musical, Fantasy
THEME: Christmas, Family
A young reindeer Rudolph lives at the North Pole. His father is one of Santa’s reindeer and it is expected that Rudolph will eventually be one too. However, he has a feature which is a setback and causes him to be ostracized: his red nose.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is a heartwarming holiday classic that celebrates the values of acceptance and perseverance. Through its iconic stop-motion animation, endearing characters, and timeless themes, it remains a beloved staple of Christmas traditions for all ages.
[+] Top10nerScore79.529 / 100
p>DIRECTOR: Chris Columbus
WRITERS: John Hughes
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Julio Macat
STARRING: Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, Catherine O’Hara, John Heard, Roberts Blossom, John Candy
GENRE: Slapstick, Comedy
THEME: Christmas, Family
Delighted by getting his wish that his whole family would disappear over the Christmas Holidays, 8 year old Kevin soon runs into problems when two burglars decide to set their sights on his home.
A riotous holiday staple, Home Alone reinvents Christmas mischief with sharp humor and heart. Kevin’s booby-trapped battle against burglars captures the chaotic charm of childhood, while its festive score and snowy suburban warmth cement its place as a seasonal treasure.
[+] Top10nerScore80.203 / 100
p>DIRECTOR: Brian Desmond Hurst
WRITERS: Noel Langley
CINEMATOGRAPHY: C.M. Pennington-Richards
STARRING: Alastair Sim, Mervyn Johns, Glyn Dearman, George Cole, Kathleen Harrison, Michael Hordern
GENRE: Drama, Low Fantasy, Dark Fantasy
THEME: Christmas, Family
Ebenezer Scrooge malcontentedly shuffles through life as a cruel, miserly businessman; until he is visited by three spirits on Christmas Eve who show him how his unhappy childhood and adult behavior has left him a selfish, lonely old man.
Scrooge captures the haunting beauty of Dickens’ classic with atmospheric cinematography and Alastair Sim’s masterful turn as Ebenezer Scrooge. Its sharp exploration of redemption, holiday spirit, and the ghosts of one’s choices remains a definitive Christmas treasure.
[+] Top10nerScore80.946/ 100
p>DIRECTOR: Brian Henson
WRITERS: Jerry Juhl
CINEMATOGRAPHY: John Fenner
STARRING: Michael Caine, Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire, Jerry Nelson, Frank Oz, David Rudman, Don Austen
GENRE: Musical, Puppetry, Comedy, Low Fantasy
THEME: Christmas, Family
A retelling of the classic Dickens tale of Ebenezer Scrooge, miser extraordinaire. He is held accountable for his dastardly ways during night-time visitations by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future.
A festive reimagining of Dickens’ classic, The Muppet Christmas Carol wraps heartfelt storytelling in cheerful songs, whimsical humor, and warm holiday spirit. With Caine’s earnest Scrooge paired with Muppet charm, it captures the essence of redemption and Christmas magic.
[+] Top10nerScore81.403 / 100
p>DIRECTOR: George Seaton
WRITERS: George Seaton
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Lloyd Ahern Sr., Charles G. Clarke
STARRING: Edmund Gwenn, Maureen O’Hara, John Payne , Natalie Wood, Porter Hall, Gene Lockhart
GENRE: Legal Drama
THEME: Christmas, Family
Kris Kringle, seemingly the embodiment of Santa Claus, is asked to portray the jolly old fellow at Macy’s following his performance in the Thanksgiving Day parade. His portrayal is so complete that many begin to question if he truly is Santa Claus, while others question his sanity.
Miracle on 34th Street captures the magic of Christmas with a poignant tale of belief and kindness. Its charming portrayal of holiday spirit, legal drama, and childhood wonder continues to resonate, offering a heartwarming reminder of faith in the extraordinary.
[+] Top10nerScore81.998 / 100
p>DIRECTOR: Bob Clark
WRITERS: Bob Clark, Leigh Brown, Jean Shepherd
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Reginald H. Morris
STARRING: Peter Billingsley, Melinda Dillon, Darren McGavin, Jean Shepherd
GENRE: Comedy
THEME: Christmas, Family
The comic mishaps and adventures of a young boy named Ralph, trying to convince his parents, teachers, and Santa that a Red Ryder B.B. gun really is the perfect Christmas gift for the 1940s.
[+] Top10nerScore82.533 / 100
p>DIRECTOR: Satoshi Kon
WRITERS: Satoshi Kon, Keiko Nobumoto
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Katsutoshi Sugai
STARRING: Toru Emori, Aya Okamoto, Yoshiaki Umegaki, Satomi Koorogi
STARRING (ENGLISH): Jon Avner, Victoria Grace, Shakina Nayfack, Kari Wahlgren
GENRE: Anime, Comedy, Drama, Family Drama
THEME: Christmas
During a Christmas Eve in Tokyo, three homeless people, middle-aged alcoholic Gin, former drag queen Hana, and dependent runaway girl Miyuki, discover an abandoned newborn while looking through the garbage. With only a handful of clues to the baby’s identity, the three misfits search the city to find its parents.
Tokyo Godfathers captures the magic and hardship of Christmas through the lives of three homeless outcasts. Its vibrant animation and offbeat humor contrast with poignant moments, exploring themes of family, redemption, and the unexpected miracles that define the season.
[+] Top10nerScore84.317 / 100
p>DIRECTOR: Alexander Payne
WRITERS: David Hemingson
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Eigil Bryld
STARRING: Paul Giamatti, Dominic Sessa, Da’Vine Joy Randolph
GENRE: Comedy, Drama
THEME: Christmas
A curmudgeonly instructor at a New England prep school is forced to remain on campus during Christmas break to babysit the handful of students with nowhere to go. Eventually, he forms an unlikely bond with one of them — a damaged, brainy troublemaker — and with the school’s head cook, who has just lost a son in Vietnam.
The Holdovers delivers a heartwarming holiday tale that fuses sharp humor with emotional depth. Set during Christmas at a prep school, it explores themes of loneliness, unexpected bonds, and redemption, all while capturing the season’s bittersweet charm.
[+] Top10nerScore84.916 / 100
p>DIRECTOR: Sergio Pablos
WRITERS: Sergio Pablos, Jim Mahoney, Zach Lewis
STARRING: Jason Schwartzman, J.K. Simmons, Rashida Jones, Joan Cusack
GENRE: Animation, Comedy
THEME: Christmas, Family
When Jesper distinguishes himself as the Postal Academy’s worst student, he is sent to Smeerensburg, a small village located on an icy island above the Arctic Circle, where grumpy inhabitants barely exchange words, let alone letters. Jesper is about to give up and abandon his duty as a postman when he meets local teacher Alva and Klaus, a mysterious carpenter who lives alone in a cabin full of handmade toys.
Klaus re-imagines the origins of Santa Claus with stunning animation and heartfelt storytelling. The film captures the magic of Christmas, exploring themes of generosity, redemption, and unlikely friendships, all while offering a fresh, visually captivating take on holiday tradition.
[+] Top10nerScore86.137 / 100
p>DIRECTOR: John McTiernan
WRITERS: Steven E. de Souza, Jeb Stuart
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Jan de Bont
STARRING: Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman, Bonnie Bedelia, Reginald VelJohnson, Alexander Godunov, Paul Gleason, William Atherton
GENRE: Action, Thriller
THEME: Christmas
NYPD cop John McClane’s plan to reconcile with his estranged wife is thrown for a serious loop when, minutes after he arrives at her office, the entire building is overtaken by a group of terrorists. With little help from the LAPD, wisecracking McClane sets out to single-handedly rescue the hostages and bring the bad guys down.
Die Hard reinvents the Christmas film with its thrilling action and unexpected holiday heart. Set against the backdrop of a festive office party, it intertwines iconic seasonal elements with a gripping heist, proving that Christmas can be both chaotic and heartwarming.
[+] Top10nerScore87.392 / 100
p>DIRECTOR: Henry Selick
WRITERS: Tim Burton, Caroline Thompson
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Pete Kozachik
STARRING: Chris Sarandon, Danny Elfman, Catherine O’Hara, William Hickey
GENRE: Musical, Puppet Animation, Portal Fantasy, Claymation, Dark Fantasy
THEME: Christmas, Halloween, Gothic
Tired of scaring humans every October 31 with the same old bag of tricks, Jack Skellington, the spindly king of Halloween Town, kidnaps Santa Claus and plans to deliver shrunken heads and other ghoulish gifts to children on Christmas morning. But as Christmas approaches, Jack’s rag-doll girlfriend, Sally, tries to foil his misguided plans.
The Nightmare Before Christmas offers a whimsical, gothic twist on holiday cheer. Its stop-motion animation, hauntingly beautiful design, and clever commentary on the clash of traditions make it a seasonal classic that explores identity, acceptance, and celebration.
[+] Top10nerScore96.827 / 100
p>DIRECTOR: Frank Capra
WRITERS: Frank Capra, Frances Goodrich, Albert Hackett
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Joseph F. Biroc, Joseph Walker, Victor Milner
STARRING: James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, Thomas Mitchell, Henry Travers, Gloria Grahame, Beulah Bondi
GENRE: Drama, Low Fantasy
THEME: Christmas, Family
George Bailey has spent his entire life giving to the people of Bedford Falls. All that prevents rich skinflint Mr. Potter from taking over the entire town is George’s modest building and loan company. But on Christmas Eve the business’s $8,000 is lost and George’s troubles begin.
3 Godfathers | 1948 |
About a Boy | 2002 |
Bachelor Mother | 1939 |
Die Hard 2 | 1990 |
Edward Scissorhands | 1990 |
Lethal Weapon | 1987 |
Little Women | 1933, 1994, 2019 |
Meet Me in St. Louis | 1944 |
Rise of the Guardians | 2012 |
The Apartment | 1960 |
The Day of the Beast | 1995 |
The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya | 2010 |
The Lion in Winter | 1968 |
The Shop Around the Corner | 1940 |
Trading Places | 1983 |
While You Were Sleeping | 1995 |
8-Bit Christmas | 2021 |
A Boy Called Christmas | 2021 |
A Christmas Story Christmas | 2022 |
It Happened on Fifth Avenue | 1947 |
Krampus | 2015 |
Last Christmas | 2019 |
Spirited | 2022 |
The Family Man | 2000 |
The Grinch | 2018 |
The Night Before | 2015 |
We hope you enjoyed the list and discovered some inspiration for your next movie night.
Happy watching! And make sure to check out our other lists.
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