Spending a night in? Here are 31 holiday movies to watch this December
The red cups are out at Starbucks, which can only mean one thing — holiday season is here. With the temps dropping, now is a perfect time to grab your favorite blanket, snuggle in and watch a holiday movie.
Whether you’re looking for nostalgic classics, new favorites, Hallmark Channel movies or even a scary flick, there isn’t a shortage of holiday-inspired movies in 2021.
I’ve compiled a list of 31 holiday movies to watch in December. Over the years, the holiday season has come to represent different things to people, and the movies listed here reflect that in kind:
“Bad Santa” (2003)
Synopsis: Posing as a mall Santa and his elf, reprehensible Willie and his partner rip off shopping outlets around the holidays. It is a child that makes this con man begin to care again.
How to Watch: Amazon and Apple TV
What to know: MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR GRANDMA: Bad Santa isn’t for everyone, and to put it mildly is very inappropriate, but it is funny with some (strong emphasis on some) heartwarming moments.
“A Charlie Brown Christmas” (1965)
Synopsis: Wanting to get into the holiday spirit and find a deeper meaning to the season, Charlie Brown directs the annual Christmas play.
How to Watch: Apple TV and check local listings
What to know: Classic songs and shenanigans from the Peanuts, but it’s the spindly small tree that is the star of the show.
“A Christmas Carol” (1951)
Synopsis: Charles Dickens’ classic tale of redemption as Ebenezer Scrooge must come to terms with how he has lived his life and the possible consequences of his actions.
How to Watch: Amazon and check local listings
What to know: This classic is in black and white and tends to be darker, no pun intended, than other versions, but that’s what makes the ending that much more poignant.
“The Christmas Chronicles” (2018)
Synopsis: What could possibly go wrong when two siblings try to capture Santa on film on Christmas Eve? Magic, elves, reindeer, and a jailhouse medley with Santa and the inmates.
How to Watch: Netflix
What to know: This one will make you laugh, cry, and most importantly, remind you about the importance of family.
“The Christmas Setup” (2020)
Synopsis: Hugo heads home from the holidays and his mom, Fran Drescher, plays matchmaker for Hugo and his secret high school crush, Patrick. Will love blossom between these two friends in time for the holidays?
How to Watch: Amazon and Lifetime
What to know: A sweet holiday movie, and to make it even sweeter, the actors who play the leads of Hugo and Patrick are married in real life.
“A Christmas Story” (1983)
Synopsis: The joys and dysfunctions of a family during the holidays are all on display in this holiday classic as the eldest son, Ralphie, narrates the adventures of his family one holiday season.
How to Watch: HBO Max, Hulu and check local listings (TNT traditionally has a 24-hour marathon of the film).
What to know: It still holds up, and you’ll still quote all the lines like “You’ll shoot your eye out,” “I triple-dog-dare ya,” and “fra-gee-lay … it must be Italian.”
“Die Hard” 1988
Synopsis: New York police officer John McClane flies out to California to spend the holidays with his children and his estranged wife, Holly. When terrorists storm Nakatomi Plaza and take hostages, including Holly, John is their only hope.
How to Watch: Amazon, HBO Max and Hulu
What to know: It’s a holiday movie.
“Double Holiday” (2019)
Synopsis: While planning a work party together, office rivals Chris and Rebecca learn about their Christmas and Hanukkah traditions and that they may have more in common than previously thought.
How to Watch: Amazon and Hallmark Channel
What to know: Grab your popcorn, snuggle up and root for these two adorably stubborn people to fall in love.
“Elf” 2003
Synopsis: Buddy was accidentally transported to the North Pole and was adopted and raised to adulthood by Santa’s elves. Unable to shake the feeling that he doesn’t fit in, Buddy travels to New York City in search of his real father.
How to Watch: HBO Max and check local listings
What to know: Will Ferrell is in his element as Buddy the Elf. We dare you not to quote the movie.
“Frosty the Snowman” (1969)
Synopsis: A magic top hat brings to life a snowman made by a group of children on Christmas Eve. Frosty and his friends must avoid the owner of the hat, Professor Hinkle, and the rising temperatures.
How to Watch: Amazon and check local listings
What to know: He’ll be back again next year.
“Gremlins” (1984)
Synopsis: A salesman heads to Chinatown looking for a Christmas gift for his son and buys Gizmo, the cute little Mogwai, from the grandson of a local shopkeeper after the shopkeeper refused to sell to him. He is given strict instructions to never expose Gizmo to bright light, keep him away from water and never under any circumstance feed him after midnight. Of course, the rules are broken, and chaos ensues on Christmas Eve.
How to Watch: Hulu, HBO Max, Amazon and Apple TV
What to know: A dark holiday movie with some laughs and heart, Gizmo is still the cutest, and the gremlins are still the nastiest.
“Happiest Season” (2020)
Synopsis: A young woman, Kristen Stewart, plans to propose to her girlfriend while at her family’s annual holiday party only to discover that her partner hasn’t yet come out to her conservative parents.
How to Watch: Hulu
What to know: Heartfelt with strong performances, this movie will move you to tears.
“The Holiday” (2006)
Synopsis: Unlucky in love, Iris, who lives in an English cottage, and Amanda, who lives in a palatial Hollywood mansion, switch houses for a much-needed vacation from their lives. Of course, love and life have other plans for them.
How to Watch: Amazon and Netflix
What to know: Endearing and adorable, you will still cheer for Iris and Amanda no matter how many times you’ve seen this movie.
“Holiday Inn” (1942)
Synopsis: Love, friendship and the holidays all in one beloved musical with Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire.
How to Watch: Amazon and Apple TV
What to know: The musical numbers are a throwback to classic Hollywood and don’t be surprised when you hear the classic holiday song “White Christmas,” as it originated in this movie over 10 years before it became its own movie.
“Home Alone” (1990)
Synopsis: After being left home alone for the holidays, Kevin McCallister must take care of himself and two would-be robbers who have set their sights on robbing Kevin’s home.
How to Watch: Amazon, Disney+ and check local listings
What to know: Aftershave can’t sting that much, can it? Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern as Harry and Marv, the Wet Bandits, are the true standouts.
“How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” (1967)
Synopsis: The beloved story from Dr. Seuss about the Grinch, a bitter curmudgeon who devises a plan to rob the nearby village of Whoville and ruin Christmas for the citizens. Watch as the holiday spirit changes the life, and the heart, of the Grinch forever.
How to Watch: Amazon, Peacock and check your local listings
What to know: You will smile, want a sweet dog named Max and you get the Whoville song stuck in your head.
“Jack Frost” (1979)
Synopsis: A stop motion animated film, Jack Frost, a winter sprite, must choose between becoming a human or helping those he loves.
How to Watch: Apple TV, Tubi and check local listings
What to know: A sweet throwback film with a heartwarming story, the narrator, a groundhog named Pardon-Me-Pete, steals the show at times.
“Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey” (2020)
Synopsis: Decades after being betrayed by his apprentice, Jeronicus Jangle, a once joyful toymaker, is a shell of his former self. An unexpected visit from his granddaughter will forever change his life and luck.
How to Watch: Netflix
What to know: The acting, the music, the sets and Buddy 3000 will make you want to add this holiday movie newcomer to your annual rotation.
“Klaus” (2019)
Synopsis: What happens when a reclusive woodsman skilled at making toys and a disgraced postman join forces? A new take on the Santa Claus story and a new family favorite movie.
How to Watch: Netflix
What to know: Be prepared to be touched by this sweet little movie.
“Krampus” (2015)
Synopsis: Forget about Santa’s list. Whatever you do, make sure you’re not on the list of Krampus, a horned beast who punishes those who have the Christmas spirit. The dysfunctional Engel family unknowingly summons the malevolent spirit. Will the family band together to save each other and defeat Krampus? Or will they be the next in a long line of victims?
How to Watch: Amazon, Apple TV and Hulu
What to know: Funny, scary holiday fun but not for the whole family.
“Love Actually” (2003)
Synopsis: Nine intertwined stories examine the complexities of the one emotion that connects us all: love. The movie culminates with truths revealed during the holiday season.
How to Watch: Amazon and Apple TV
What to know: You will smile and sing “All I Want for Christmas” at the top of your lungs and cheer for young Sam to find Joanna at the airport.
“Miracle on 34th Street” (1947)
Synopsis: A man named Kris Kringle fills in as Santa in Macy’s annual Thanksgiving Day Parade and is so popular that he soon begins appearing in-store as Santa. When Kringle surprises customers and employees alike by claiming that he is the real Santa Claus, it leads to a court case to determine his mental health and, more importantly, his authenticity.
How to Watch: Amazon, Apple TV, HBO Max and Hulu
What to know: The actor playing Santa is so convincing that by the end of the movie, you’ll think he really is the Big Guy.
“Mixed Nuts” (1994)
Synopsis: A dark comedy directed by Nora Ephron and starring Steve Martin, this unconventional holiday movie reminds us that family members are the ones we chose and that there is always hope.
How to Watch: Amazon and check local listings
What to know: While this may not be an obvious choice for a holiday movie as the main character is the director of a suicide prevention hotline, there are memorable characters and tender moments.
“The Muppet Christmas Carol” (1992)
Synopsis: In this retelling of the Charles Dickens classic, the beloved Muppets and some of their human friends bring the characters to life.
How to Watch: Disney+ and check local listings
What to know: Redemption and happiness are still possible and made that much sweeter with Kermit, Miss Piggy, Gonzo and Fozzy as supporting characters.
“National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” (1989)
Synopsis: With the best of intentions, Clark Griswold plans to host a traditional family Christmas. Cousin Eddie, electricity, a stingy boss and others try to thwart his vision for a picture-perfect holiday.
How to Watch: Amazon and HBO Max
What to know: We all have a Cousin Eddie to some degree in our families.
“The Night Before” (2015)
Synopsis: Three best friends (Seth Rogen, Anthony Mackie and Joseph Gordon-Levitt) gather for one last rowdy Christmas Eve celebration before one becomes a father and laughs, karaoke and life happens.
How to Watch: Amazon, Apple TV and Hulu
What to know: Perfectly encapsulated by movie reviewer Richard Crouse, “a stoner comedy that is nuttier than Grandma’s fruitcake but just as sweet.”
“The Nightmare Before Christmas” (1993)
Synopsis: Jack Skellington, Halloweentown’s beloved pumpkin king, has become bored with the same annual routine of frightening people in the “real world.” When Jack discovers Christmastown, with all bright colors and warm spirits, he kidnaps Santa Claus and takes over the role in an attempt to break the monotony of his life. What could go wrong?
How to Watch: Amazon and Disney+
What to know: Jack Skellington may be a skeleton, but he’s got a big heart.
“The Preacher’s Wife” (1996)
Synopsis: Dudley (Denzel Washington) is an angel who comes to earth to help preacher Henry Biggs (Courtney B. Vance) and his wife Julia (Whitney Houston) save their church and their family.
How to Watch: Amazon and Apple TV
What to know: It’s bittersweet but lovely to see Houston in her prime on-screen.
“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” (1964)
Synopsis: All of the other reindeer used to laugh and call Rudolph names due to his red and shiny nose, that is until one foggy Christmas Eve, when Santa needs the little reindeer to guide his sleigh.
How to Watch: Check local listings
What to know: Your heart will break for Rudolph, but you will still cheer him and the other misfits on, no matter how many times you’ve seen it.
“Scrooged” (1988)
Synopsis: In this modern take on Charles Dickens’ classic “A Christmas Carol,” Frank Cross (Bill Murray) is a wildly successful television executive, but it will take three spirits to show him that he needs to change or risk his soul.
How to Watch: Amazon and check your local listings
What to know: From Tab soda (RIP) to the fashions to the technology, the 80s are alive and well in this movie.
“A Wonderful Life” (1946)
Synopsis: George Bailey, thinking that his family and everyone he knows will be better off without him, plans to take his life on Christmas Eve. Clarence, George’s guardian angel, shows George glimpses of his life and what would have happened to his loved ones if he hadn’t been born.
How to Watch: Amazon and check your local listings
What to know: The quintessential holiday movie. Also, never forget that “every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings.”
