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Christmas Films have a unique way of filling our hearts with warmth, joy, and a touch of festive magic, perfectly capturing the spirit of the holiday season. In this list of the 50 Greatest Christmas Films of All Time, we’ve curated a selection of the most beloved movies that embody the essence of Christmas, drawn from the highest ratings and most acclaimed reviews from audiences and film critics alike.
From Scrooge to Santa, this collection offers a delightful range of stories, from heartwarming dramas of family and togetherness to comedies that bring laughter and holiday cheer. Whether you’re in the mood for a classic story of redemption, a magical adventure, or a festive romp that celebrates the holiday spirit, these films remind us of what makes Christmas so special.
So, grab a cup of hot cocoa, snuggle up under a cozy blanket, and get ready to immerse yourself in these 50 unforgettable Christmas classics. Whether you’re watching for the first time or revisiting old favorites, these 50 films will bring the magic, wonder, and joy of Christmas into your home and heart.
Click below to delve deeper into our rating system and learn all about the inner workings of our algorithm.
[+] Top10nerScore64.476 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Clea DuVall
WRITERS: Clea DuVall, Mary Holland
CINEMATOGRAPHY: John Guleserian
STARRING: Kristen Stewart, Mackenzie Davis, Mary Steenburgen, Victor Garber, Alison Brie, Mary Holland, Dan Levy, Aubrey Plaza
GENRE: Romantic Comedy, Family Drama
THEME: Christmas, LGBTQ+
A young woman’s plans to propose to her girlfriend while at her family’s annual holiday party are upended when she discovers her partner hasn’t yet come out to her conservative parents.
Set against a festive backdrop, Happiest Season offers a refreshing take on holiday traditions, blending comedy and heartfelt drama. Its wintry charm, tender exploration of family dynamics, and LGBTQ+ themes redefine the cozy Christmas movie formula for modern audiences.
[+] Top10nerScore64.722 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Chris Peckover
WRITERS: Zack Kahn, Chris Peckover
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Carl Robertson
STARRING: Olivia DeJonge, Levi Miller, Ed Oxenbould, Dacre Montgomery
GENRE: Black Comedy, Psychological Thriller, Horror Comedy
THEME: Home Invasion, Christmas
On a quiet suburban street tucked within a ‘safe neighborhood’, a babysitter must defend a twelve-year-old boy from strangers breaking into the house, only to discover that this is far from a normal home invasion.
Better Watch Out twists holiday cheer into unsettling chaos, blending festive decor with sinister surprises. Set in a cozy, snow-covered suburb, it masterfully subverts Christmas tropes, delivering a chilling tale that explores innocence lost amid yuletide tension.
[+] Top10nerScore64.767 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Don Hartman
WRITERS: Isobel Lennart
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Milton Krasner
STARRING: Robert Mitchum, Janet Leigh, Wendell Corey, Griff Barnett
GENRE: Romantic Comedy
THEME: Christmas
Just before Christmas, department store clerk Steve Mason meets big spending customer Connie Ennis, who’s actually a comparison shopper sent by another store. Steve lets her go, which gets him fired. They spend the afternoon together, which doesn’t sit well with Connie’s steady suitor, Carl, when he finds out, but delights her young son Timmy, who quickly takes to Steve.
Holiday Affair blends Christmas charm with heartfelt postwar themes, as a widowed single mother’s unexpected romance unfolds amid bustling holiday storefronts. Its tender exploration of love, family, and second chances captures the season’s spirit with understated warmth and wit.
[+] Top10nerScore65.037 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Les Mayfield
WRITERS: George Seaton, John Hughes
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Julio Macat
STARRING: Richard Attenborough, Mara Wilson, Elizabeth Perkins, Dylan McDermott
GENRE: Legal Drama
THEME: Christmas, Family
Six-year-old Susan Walker has doubts about childhood’s most enduring miracle—Santa Claus. Her mother told her the secret about Santa a long time ago, but, after meeting a special department store Santa who’s convinced he’s the real thing, Susan is given the most precious gift of all—something to believe in.
A warm reimagining of the 1947 classic, Miracle on 34th Street rekindles holiday wonder with its snowy New York charm, heartfelt belief in Santa, and a courtroom twist. Anchored by Richard Attenborough’s radiant Kris Kringle, it’s a yuletide tale of faith, family, and seasonal magic.
[+] Top10nerScore65.134 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Ted Demme
WRITERS: Richard LaGravenese, Marie Weiss
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Adam Kimmel
STARRING: Denis Leary, Judy Davis, Kevin Spacey, Glynis Johns, Robert J. Steinmiller Jr., Raymond J. Barry, Richard Bright
GENRE: Crime, Comedy, Black Comedy
THEME: Christmas, Home Invasion
A cat burglar is forced to take a bickering, dysfunctional family hostage on Christmas Eve.
The Ref turns holiday cheer on its head with biting wit and chaos. Set against a backdrop of dysfunctional family dynamics in a quaint New England town, this dark comedy skewers Christmas traditions, delivering sharp satire wrapped in the trimmings of seasonal discontent.
[+] Top10nerScore65.282 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Clay Kaytis
WRITERS: Matt Lieberman
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Don Burgess
STARRING: Kurt Russell, Darby Camp, Judah Lewis, Goldie Hawn, Kimberly Williams-Paisley
GENRE: Low Fantasy, Comedy, Adventure
THEME: Christmas, Family
Siblings Kate and Teddy try to prove Santa Claus is real, but when they accidentally cause his sleigh to crash, they have to save Christmas.
The Christmas Chronicles captures the festive spirit with a modern flair, blending heartwarming family themes, dazzling holiday visuals, and Kurt Russell’s charismatic Santa. Its lively adventure and whimsical nods to seasonal lore make it a spirited treat for holiday film lovers.
[+] Top10nerScore65.411 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Ron Howard
WRITERS: Jeffrey Price, Peter S. Seaman
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Donald Peterman
STARRING: Jim Carrey, Taylor Momsen, Jeffrey Tambor, Christine Baranski
GENRE: Comedy, Fantasy
THEME: Christmas, Family
On the outskirts of Whoville lives a green, revenge-seeking Grinch who plans to ruin Christmas for all of the citizens of the town.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas reimagines Whoville with vibrant, whimsical detail and festive flair. Jim Carrey’s zany performance anchors this visually lush tale of redemption, while its snowy setting and heartwarming themes offer a chaotic yet cozy ode to the holiday spirit.
[+] Top10nerScore65.463 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Jalmari Helander
WRITERS: Jalmari Helander
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Mika Orasmaa
STARRING: Onni Tommila, Jorma Tommila, Tommi Korpela, Peeter Jakobi
GENRE: Low Fantasy, Black Comedy, Adventure
THEME: Christmas
Young Pietari lives with his reindeer-herding father in arctic Finland. On the eve of Christmas, a nearby excavation makes a frightening discovery and an evil Santa Claus is unleashed…
Rare Exports subverts holiday traditions with dark humor and chilling mythology, set in a remote Finnish village. Blending horror, adventure, and satire, it reimagines Santa Claus as a terrifying ancient being, offering a twisted, thought-provoking take on Christmas folklore.
[+] Top10nerScore66.133 / 100
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DIRECTOR: John Pasquin
WRITERS: Leo Benvenuti, Steve Rudnick
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Walt Lloyd
STARRING: Tim Allen, Eric Lloyd, Judge Reinhold, Wendy Crewson, David Krumholtz
GENRE: Comedy, Low Fantasy
THEME: Christmas, Family
On Christmas Eve, divorced dad Scott Calvin and his son discover Santa Claus has fallen off their roof. When Scott takes the reins of the magical sleigh, he finds he is now the new Santa, and must convince a world of disbelievers, including himself.
[+] Top10nerScore66.415/ 100
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DIRECTOR: Bharat Nalluri
WRITERS: Susan Coyne
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Ben Smithard
STARRING: Dan Stevens, Christopher Plummer, Jonathan Pryce, Justin Edwards, Morfydd Clark
GENRE: Biopic
THEME: Christmas
The journey that led to Charles Dickens’ creation of “A Christmas Carol,” a timeless tale that would redefine Christmas.
The Man Who Invented Christmas transforms the creation of ‘A Christmas Carol’ into a festive tale of inspiration. Blending rich Victorian charm with holiday warmth, it captures the season’s magic through a vivid depiction of Charles Dickens’ struggles, wit, and imagination.
[+] Top10nerScore66.423 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Robert Zemeckis
WRITERS: Robert Zemeckis
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Robert Presley
STARRING: Jim Carrey, Gary Oldman, Robin Wright, Colin Firth, Bob Hoskins, Cary Elwes
GENRE: Computer Animation, Fairy Tale
THEME: Christmas, Family
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.
Zemeckis’ A Christmas Carol delivers Dickens’ timeless tale with a blend of ghostly chills and holiday warmth. Stunning motion-capture animation amplifies its eerie yet festive tone, while Jim Carrey’s versatile performance captures Scrooge’s transformative Christmas journey.
[+] Top10nerScore67.190 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Nancy Meyers
WRITERS: Nancy Meyers
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Dean Cundey
STARRING: Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, Jack Black, Eli Wallach, Rufus Sewell, Edward Burns
GENRE: Romantic Comedy
THEME: Christmas
Two women, one from the United States and one from the United Kingdom, swap homes at Christmas time after bad breakups with their boyfriends. Each woman finds romance with a local man but realizes that the imminent return home may end the relationship.
The Holiday wraps its festive charm in a heartwarming tale of self-discovery, love, and seasonal cheer. With its picturesque settings and cozy Christmas atmosphere, it delivers a feel-good escape, blending humor, romance, and holiday spirit to delightful effect.
[+] Top10nerScore67.449 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Robert Zemeckis
WRITERS: Robert Zemeckis, William Broyles Jr.
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Don Burgess, Robert Presley
STARRING: Tom Hanks, Daryl Sabara, Nona Gaye, Eddie Deezen, Michael Jeter, Peter Scolari
GENRE: Computer Animation, Adventure, Low Fantasy
THEME: Christmas, Family, Train Movie
When a doubting young boy takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery that shows him that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe.
The Polar Express delivers a visually enchanting Christmas journey that captures the magic of belief and the warmth of holiday spirit. Its pioneering motion-capture animation blends wonder with eerie charm, crafting a timeless tale of discovery, camaraderie, and festive joy.
[+] Top10nerScore67.491 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Tommy Wirkola
WRITERS: Josh Miller, Pat Casey
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Matthew Weston
STARRING: David Harbour, John Leguizamo, Leah Brady, Beverly D’Angelo, Alex Hassell, Alexis Louder
GENRE: Black Comedy, Action, Low Fantasy
THEME: Christmas, Home Invasion
When a team of mercenaries breaks into a wealthy family compound on Christmas Eve, taking everyone inside hostage, the team isn’t prepared for a surprise combatant: Santa Claus is on the grounds, and he’s about to show why this Nick is no saint.
Violent Night injects the Christmas genre with a darkly comedic edge, blending festive cheer with brutal action. As Santa confronts ruthless mercenaries, the film wraps holiday magic in mayhem, crafting a wickedly entertaining sleigh ride that flips seasonal tropes on their head.
[+] Top10nerScore68.080 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Chris Columbus
WRITERS: John Hughes
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Julio Macat, Douglas F. O’Neons
STARRING: Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, Catherine O’Hara, Tim Curry, John Heard, Brenda Fricker
GENRE: Slapstick, Adventure
THEME: Christmas, Family
Instead of flying to Florida with his folks, Kevin ends up alone in New York, where he gets a hotel room with his dad’s credit card—despite problems from a clerk and meddling bellboy. But when Kevin runs into his old nemeses, the Wet Bandits, he’s determined to foil their plans to rob a toy store on Christmas Eve.
With a festive flair, Home Alone 2 swaps snowy suburbs for New York’s dazzling holiday chaos. Kevin’s antics blend slapstick with yuletide charm, while timeless Christmas themes of family, generosity, and resilience shine through the Big Apple’s glimmering seasonal backdrop.
[+] Top10nerScore68.751 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Mark Sandrich
WRITERS: Elmer Rice, Claude Binyon
CINEMATOGRAPHY: David Abel
STARRING: Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, Marjorie Reynolds, Virginia Dale
GENRE: Musical, Romantic Comedy
THEME: Christmas
Lovely Linda Mason has crooner Jim Hardy head over heels, but suave stepper Ted Hanover wants her for his new dance partner after fickle Lila Dixon gives him the brush. Jim’s supper club, Holiday Inn, is the setting for the chase by Hanover and his manager.
Holiday Inn blends festive cheer with romance, set against the backdrop of a charming inn celebrating each season. Its standout moments, like the iconic ‘White Christmas’, cement the film’s place in holiday tradition, offering a heartwarming look at love and celebration.
[+] Top10nerScore68.909 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Terry Zwigoff
WRITERS: John Requa, Glenn Ficarra
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Jamie Anderson
STARRING: Billy Bob Thornton, Tony Cox, Brett Kelly, Lauren Graham, Bernie Mac, John Ritter
GENRE: Black Comedy, Crime
THEME: Christmas
A miserable conman and his partner pose as Santa and his Little Helper to rob department stores on Christmas Eve. But they run into problems when the conman befriends a troubled kid.
Bad Santa subverts the holiday genre with its irreverent humor, crass characters, and sharp critique of Christmas consumerism. Blending dark comedy with heart, it explores unlikely redemption amidst the chaos, challenging the usual festive conventions. A twisted holiday classic.
[+] Top10nerScore70.110 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Arnaud Desplechin
WRITERS: Emmanuel Bourdieu, Arnaud Desplechin
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Éric Gautier
STARRING: Catherine Deneuve, Jean-Paul Roussillon, Anne Consigny, Mathieu Amalric, Chiara Mastroianni, Melvil Poupaud, Emmanuelle Devos
GENRE: Family Drama, Black Comedy
THEME: Christmas
When their regal matriarch falls ill, the troubled Vuillard family come together for a hesitant Christmastime reunion. Among them is rebellious ne’er-do-well Henri and the uptight Elizabeth. Together under the same roof for the first time in many years, their intricate, long denied resentments and yearnings emerge again.
A subversive holiday dramedy, A Christmas Tale redefines festive traditions by delving into family turmoil and fragile reconciliation. Desplechin crafts a complex narrative that mixes humor, tension, and poignant moments, capturing the bittersweet nature of togetherness.
[+] Top10nerScore70.647 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Peter Godfrey
WRITERS: Adele Comandini, Lionel Houser
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Carl E. Guthrie
STARRING: Barbara Stanwyck, Dennis Morgan, Sydney Greenstreet, Reginald Gardiner, S.Z. Sakall
GENRE: Romantic Comedy
THEME: Christmas, Food
A food writer who has lied about being the perfect housewife must try to cover her deception when her boss and a returning war hero invite themselves to her home for a traditional family Christmas.
Christmas in Connecticut blends holiday cheer with romantic comedy, offering a warm, whimsical take on Christmas traditions. Its charm lies in the heartwarming mix of mistaken identity, homey meals, and a sense of love rekindled, all set against a snowy, festive backdrop.
[+] Top10nerScore70.658 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Richard Donner
WRITERS: Mitch Glazer, Michael O’Donoghue
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Michael Chapman
STARRING: Bill Murray, Karen Allen, John Forsythe, John Glover, Bobcat Goldthwait, David Johansen
GENRE: Low Fantasy, Comedy, Parody
THEME: Christmas
Frank Cross is a wildly successful television executive whose cold ambition and curmudgeonly nature has driven away the love of his life. But after firing a staff member on Christmas Eve, Frank is visited by a series of ghosts who give him a chance to re-evaluate his actions and right the wrongs of his past.
Scrooged delivers a darkly comedic spin on the classic A Christmas Carol, blending sharp satire with festive cheer. Bill Murray’s sardonic charm and the film’s sharp critique of commercialization offer a quirky yet heartfelt meditation on redemption, kindness, and the holiday spirit.
[+] Top10nerScore71.044 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Jules Bass, Arthur Rankin, Jr.
WRITERS: William J. Keenan
STARRING: Shirley Booth, Mickey Rooney, Dick Shawn, George S. Irving, Bob McFadden, Rhoda Mann, Bradley Bolke
GENRE: Musical, Puppet Animation
THEME: Christmas, Family
Feeling forgotten by the children of the world, old St. Nick decides to skip his gift-giving journey and take a vacation. Mrs. Claus and two spunky little elves, Jingle and Jangle, set out to see to where all the season’s cheer has disappeared.
[+] Top10nerScore71.322 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Tim Burton
WRITERS: Daniel Waters
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Stefan Czapsky
STARRING: Michael Keaton, Danny DeVito, Michelle Pfeiffer, Christopher Walken, Michael Gough
GENRE: Action, Crime
THEME: Superhero, Gothic, Christmas
It’s Christmas time in Gotham, and Batman must confront The Penguin, a sewer-dwelling gangster bent on gaining acceptance into society. Meanwhile, another Gotham resident is transformed into Catwoman, seeking revenge amidst the holiday chaos.
Batman Returnstransforms Gotham into a snow-blanketed playground for Burton’s dark holiday fantasy. Its Christmas backdrop amplifies themes of isolation, renewal, and twisted family dynamics, blending festive imagery with grotesque oddities in a surreal celebration.
[+] Top10nerScore71.371 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Peter Harris, Eric Till
WRITERS: Jerry Juhl
STARRING: Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Dave Goelz, Jerry Nelson, Richard Hunt, Kathryn Mullen, Steve Whitmire
GENRE: Puppetry, Musical
THEME: Christmas, Family
Fozzie Bear surprises his mother on Christmas Eve by bringing the entire Muppet gang to her farm to celebrate the holidays. Doc and his dog Sprocket, who had planned a quiet Christmas, end up joining the Muppets in their holiday activities and preparations.
A Muppet Family Christmas blends heartwarming holiday cheer with Muppet mischief. The special unites beloved characters in a festive celebration, exploring themes of family, tradition, and togetherness. Its whimsical charm and seasonal spirit capture the magic of Christmas.
[+] Top10nerScore71.422 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Ronald Neame
WRITERS: Leslie Bricusse
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Oswald Morris
STARRING: Albert Finney, Alec Guinness, Edith Evans, Kenneth More, Laurence Naismith
GENRE: Musical, Low Fantasy
THEME: Christmas
A musical retelling of Charles Dickens’ classic novel about an old bitter miser taken on a journey of self-redemption, courtesy of several mysterious Christmas apparitions.
Scrooge blends Dickensian spirit with lavish musical numbers, offering a vibrant retelling of ‘A Christmas Carol’. Finney’s dynamic performance anchors a festive tale of redemption, enhanced by memorable songs and a timeless message of generosity and transformation.
[+] Top10nerScore71.757 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Arthur Rankin Jr., Jules Bass
WRITERS: Romeo Muller
STARRING: Fred Astaire, Mickey Rooney, Keenan Wynn, Paul Frees, Robie Lester, Joan Gardner
GENRE: Fantasy, Puppet Animation, Musical
THEME: Christmas, Family
A postman, S.D. Kluger, decides to answer some of the most common questions about Santa Claus, and tells us about a baby named Kris who is raised by a family of elf toymakers named Kringle. When Kris grows up, he wants to deliver toys to the children of Sombertown. But its Mayor is too mean to let that happen.
Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town blends festive whimsy with a charming origin story for Santa. Its stop-motion animation and catchy songs bring Christmas traditions to life, while themes of kindness, generosity, and the magic of belief shine throughout the holiday classic.
