The jingle bells and the shiny stars decorate the lush green trees. With Christmas around the corner, everything looks so magical and cheery. Red and white decorations bring in the warmth of togetherness. Sure everyone gets happy, cozy, and comfortable during Christmas. And here are some Christmas movies to add more joy.
These are some of the best Christmas movies you can lay back and watch. The given movies are perfect, whatever genre you love – be it comedy or romance, animated or real life. What makes these Christmas movies special is that they bring the joy and fun of the Christmas season. These are the top 25 movies to watch this Christmas.
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Top 25 Christmas Movies Of All Time
Santa Claus: The Movie (1985)
The movie ‘Santa Claus: The Movie’ starred Dudley Moore, David Huddleston, and John Lithgow and was directed by Jeannot Szwarc. The movie is a fantasy adventure where Santa is on his way to rescue one of his elves who has been manipulated to work for a failing toy factory.
The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
The movie brings in the Christmas mood using the storyline of Charles Dicken’s ‘Christmas Carol’ as the base. This is one of the best movies to watch on Christmas as it is heartwarming and brings the spirit of Christmas to our homes.
The Polar Express (2004)
It would be a loss if you miss this movie. ‘The Polar Express’ takes kids to the North Pole on a very special train. The train has loads of kids, a conductor, and a ghost. The movie shows the innocence of childhood and how the kids are unbiased and caring for each other.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1989)
This is one of the most commercially and critically acclaimed Christmas films of all time. It was nominated for Best Visual at the 1994 Oscars. The story revolves around, the Pumpkin King of Holloween Town, Jack Skellington who is bored living with the tricks and treats. He wants to celebrate Christmas this time. Watch the movie to see how that goes.
Miracle On 34th Street (1994)
The 1994 movie is about a girl named Susan Walker who is skeptical about Santa Claus being real. But then she meets Kris Kringle who claims to be the real Santa. This is one of the best Christmas movies of all time.
A Christmas Carol (2009)
This is yet another adaptation by Disney of Dicken’s tale. But this movie has superior visuals and has received mixed reviews from critics. The movie came out in 2009 and was directed by Robert Zemeckis.
Home Alone (1990)
There is no need for an introduction to ‘Home Alone’. Kevin McCallister, the 8-year-old is mistakenly left behind in the house as the family leaves for a holiday in Paris. Though Kevin is happy about being alone, soon he faces trouble from two robbers who are trying to steal from his house. One of the Christmas movies you will never get tired of watching.
Elf (2003)
What happens when you’re a human raised by elves? That’s exactly what happened to Buddy, a human who came along with Santa to the North Pole as a toddler. Realizing, that he’s not an elf but a human, he returns to New York to find his real father. This would be a perfect Christmas tale to watch with your family.
The Holiday (2006)
Two women who are unlucky in love swap homes for taking a break from their routine lives. But Iris (Kate Winslet) and Amanda (Cameron Diaz) did not think that they would for love forever as they met two lads from the locality. That Christmas season becomes a special one for the two. ‘The Holiday’ was an instant hit and can be added to the must-watch list.
The Railway Children (1970)
The movie is based on a book of the same name. Bobbie, Phyllis, and Peter have to leave the comfort of their London middle-class homes as their father unexpectedly flees from home. The children and their mother move to a modest home in the countryside and watch the trains as they go by. The movie is simple and heartwarming.
A Christmas Tale (2008)
The movie revolves around the matriarch of the family, Junon Villiard. She recently discovered that she has leukemia and needs a bone marrow donor to help her live. As her family gathers at her home for Christmas, she turns to them for help. Then the family members have a strained relationship which causes every gathering to end in petty fights and bickering. Though the movie gives an open ending, it shows the troubles of a family.
Klaus (2019)
Here’s a stirring story of an unlikely friendship bringing happiness to the village where people hardly talked to each other. The postmaster Jesper and the carpenter Klaus brings back joy to the village by giving the residents gifts through the chimneys. This movie is a must-watch for it brings the real spirit of Christmas.
Scrooged (1988)
The TV executive producer, Frank Cross is experiencing his own version of being Scrooge. He humiliates his employees, cuts off everyone, and is having a foul mood for the Christmas season. The dark comedy movie also has the coming of three ghosts who remind Cross that he has to change himself.
Christmas Chronicles (2018)
Kate and Teddy Pierce are living everyone’s dream. The siblings on Christmas Eve plot to capture Santa Claus on camera. But things don’t go as planned. Instead, the kids end up helping Santa and his elves deliver all the presents correctly.
Tangerine (2015)
The movie is about a transgender prostitute, Sin-Dee Rella who is searching for her boyfriend who cheated on her with another woman while she was in prison. Now Sin-Dee is in search of her boyfriend and not even her friends can stop her. The film is different but likable. The movie was shot on three iPhone 5S smartphones.
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Arthur Christmas (2011)
‘Arthur Christmas’ is about Santa’s clumsy son Arthur who learns that a gift for a young girl has been misplaced due to some technical glitch. And he goes out with Grand Santa to correct the mistake before it is too long. The movie is fun and can give you a good laugh.
Carol (2015)
This love story is directed by Todd Haynes and stars Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara. Set in the 1950s, the romance is between two women, Therese Belivet who works in a department store, and much older Carol. The intimate relationship they foster faces so many troubles as they have to keep their relationship from the eyes of the world.
How The Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)
It would be odd to end the Christmas season without a movie on Grinch. So here’s the movie on Grinch, ‘How The Grinch Stole Christmas’ based on the book of the same name. The movie shows the Grinch who along with his dog Max comes down to the town and tries to take away everything related to Christmas. But there’s a girl Cindy Lou who is trying to disrupt the plan.
Trading Places (1983)
Here’s another fun and thrilling movie for Christmas. ‘Trading Places’ had the street hustler Billy Ray Valentine and a top executive Louis Winthrop switching positions. The two have strange circumstances to encounter and deal with. They help each other out through these situations.
A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
Here’s the customary Charlie Brown movie for the Christmas season. Bill Melendez directed the movie based on the globally acclaimed comic strip ‘Peanuts’ from the 1960s. Charlie Brown sees that Christmas is being more commercialized and wants to change this. In the process, he tries to find the true meaning and joy of Christmas.
Gremlins (1984)
This American black comedy, ‘Gremlins’ came out in 1984 and became a box office hit. Directed by Joe Dante uses the Christmas theme to narrate a horror story that begins with Randall finding a cute stuffed animal, Gizmo. Though instructed not to do some things, everything doesn’t go according to the plan. Finally, the gremlins turn out to be evil. A perfect horror movie for the holidays.
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)
Clark Griswold wants a perfect Christmas for himself and his family. But things don’t go as planned. though his wife Ellie and children set up the best Christmas, there occurs some unexpected turn of events. There is an unplanned visit from his cousin and Clark misses his Christmas bonus too. This 1989 film is perfect to watch on Christmas Eve.
The Shop Around The Corner (1940)
Here’s another classic romance to watch this Christmas. The employees at the general store in Budapest, Alfred and Klara are at odds with each other. But one day they find that they are pen pals who were major distractions in their lives. The movie closely follows how the two react to their newfound friendship.
Bad Santa (2003)
Willie and his partner dress up every year on Christmas as Santa and his elf pose in the shopping mall. They steal from the shops in the mall. But this year, Willie is not ready for his yearly ritual. He is an alcoholic and depressed. The movie explores Willie’s life as he tries to overcome his sorrow.
It’s A Wonderful Life (1946)
George Bailey is a good man, helping his loved ones and townsfolk to have a better life. But on Christmas Eve, his uncle Billy loses the money he had to pay at the bank. Realizing that he would be held responsible and sent to jail, Bailey tries to take his life. But his guardian angel Clarence helps him out and shows him how different the town would have been without him. This heartfelt movie is one of the best choices for Christmas.
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