Christmas Movie Marathon Time
There's no better way to get excited for the holidays than curling up on the couch with the one of the best Christmas movies ever. Now that subject may be a source of some serious debate. What ARE the best Christmas movies ever? What are your favorites and why?
No matter what your favorites are you just can’t beat a Christmas movie marathon. Of course, planning one requires some serious prep in the form of stockpiling on cookies, hot chocolate, and mountains of blankets.
Then comes the hard part: Picking what to watch. Whether it's planning when to watch live with our TV Christmas movie guide or queueing up the best Netflix Christmas movies, you've got some thinking to do. Sure, Hallmark Christmas movies are great, and everyone loves the year's newest Christmas movies in theaters, but sometimes what you really need is a true classic. Which is why we’ve put together a list of the best films from throughout the years. There are black-and-white Christmas movies you'll remember from childhood, funny Christmas movies that always make you laugh, romantic Christmas movies to keep the spark alive, and top Christmas movies for kids for the entire family to enjoy. With so many options, you won't have to look anywhere else to pick the perfect flick from these best Christmas movies of all time.
It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
Although not considered a success when first released, the Frank Capra film starring Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed has become a beloved holiday classic, and it is one of my personal favorites.
A Christmas Story (1983)
From "You'll shoot your eye out!" to the infamous leg lamp, the '80s movie has given us many hilarious holiday references.
A Christmas Carol (1951)
The 1951 iteration of the Charles Dickens classic is probably the most iconic of the versions
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)
The adorable animated film is certain to make your heart grow three sizes.
Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
Miracle on 34th Street kicks off, well, on 34th Street in Manhattan, during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. But make no mistake, this movie is all about Christmas and contains a very important lesson: "Faith is believing in something when common sense tells you not to."
The Santa Clause (1994)
Tim Allen takes the place of Santa in a feel-good family Christmas movie.
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)
Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) is determined to host the perfect family Christmas. Of course, everything goes horribly (and hilariously) wrong.
Elf (2003)
He may not be a real elf, but Buddy (Will Ferrell) saves Christmas (and his dad from the naughty list) with his endless supply of cheer.
Home Alone (1990)
Precocious Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) gets left behind and manages to make do—despite the efforts of a pair of con men.
Home Alone 2 (1992)
Kevin McAllister finds himself alone in the big Apple facing the same criminals as last time.
Rise of the Guardians (2012)
Jack Frost joins forces with Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and more on their mission to save the children of the world from the evil spirit Pitch.
The Chronicles of Narnia (2005)
Three kids discover a mysterious wardrobe, and are transported to a magical world full of adventure (and one very evil witch).
Prancer (1989)
A young girl discovers a wounded reindeer who she believes is the real-life Prancer. With the help of Sam Elliot’s character, they take care of Santa’s sweet animal.
The Christmas Chronicles (2018)
Kurt Russell is one cool Santa in this Netflix original Christmas movie. His real-life wife, Goldie Hawn, even makes an appearance as Mrs. Claus!
I'll Be Home for Christmas (1998)
Jonathan Taylor Thomas took a break from Home Improvement to film the Disney classic about a boy who needs to get his priorities in line before the holidays.
Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas (1999)
Mickey and the rest of the gang will get your kids in the spirit of the season with this film that features several treasured holiday stories.
Fred Claus (2007)
Vince Vaughn stars as Santa’s Big Brother with serious sibling rivalry issues. He has to travel to the North Pole to help his little brother in exchange for some much needed cash for investment opportunities.
Four Christmases (2008)
Vince Vaughn is back this time with Reese Witherspoon to star in a romantic comedy about splitting time on the holiday with their families.
Gremlins (1984)
Although this is not your “Conventional” idea of a Christmas movie it does revolve around the holidays and a special gift. It does, however, contain a Santa Claus Spoiler!
The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
Kermit, Miss Piggy and the crew take on the Charles Dickens classic with the help of Michael Cain in the role of Ebenezer Scrooge, miser extraordinaire.
Jingle all the Way (1996)
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s character embarks on the impossible quest to find the hottest toy of the season for his son on Christmas eve.
Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
Jim Carrey takes on the role of the famously grumpy green character in this reinvention of the classic tale.
Holiday Inn (1942)
Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire and Marjorie Reynolds shine in this black and white musical that gave us the classic song “White Christmas”
White Christmas (1954)
Bing Crosby continues his reign as the king of Christmas movies with White Christmas, named after the song that was made famous in Holiday Inn. Co-Starring Danny Kaye, and Rosemary Clooney.
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (1964)
This iconic stop-motion special gives hopes to “misfits” everywhere and continues to be a Christmas Must Watch.
A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
The Coca-Cola Company commissioned this cute illustrated TV special based on the Peanuts Gang and it quickly became a classic.
Santa Claus is Coming to Town (1970)
A fantastical follow up to Rudolph, another stop-motion staple from Rankin-Bass. This time the tale of Kris Kringle.
The Year Without a Santa Claus (1974)
It's up to Mrs. Claus and Santa's elves to save Christmas when Santa decides to skip delivering presents for a year in this stop-motion classic.
Scrooged (1988)
A modern retelling of Dickens’ Christmas Carol with Bill Murray as a very Scrooge-like character in need of some Christmas spirit.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Tim Burton gives us Jack Skellington, the king of Halloweentown and his enchantment by a neighboring holiday-Christmas.
Bad Santa (2003)
A Christmas Comedy that is definitely on the Naughty List. Staring Billy Bob Thornton as a Shopping Mall Santa and conman.
Christmas with the Kranks (2004)
Tim Allen brings us another Christmas flick, this time alongside Jamie Lee Curtis. They are empty nesters that decide to skip the holidays and quickly find that this upsets their community.
The Polar Express (2004)
An animated adventure with Tom Hanks to help restore the believe in Santa Claus for children everywhere as they take a magical trip to the North Pole.
Santa Claus: The Movie (1985)
Dudley Moore stars as one of Santa’s elves who leaves the North Pole, meets up with B.Z. the head of a struggling toy enterprise, and havoc ensues.
Arthur Christmas (2011)
Santa’s clumsy son Arthur reveals the incredible answer to every child’s question, “How does Santa deliver all the presents” as he sets out on a mission to deliver a gift that was misplaced.
Die Hard (1988)
For the Action adventure crowd here is a Christmas tale of an NYPD officer trying to save his wife and several others taken hostage by German terrorists during a Christmas party at the Nakatomi Plaza in Los Angeles.
The Night Before (2015)
On Christmas eve, three lifelong friends spend the night in New York City looking for the Holy Grail of Christmas parties.
Surviving Christmas (2004)
A lonely, obnoxious young millionaire pays a family to spend Christmas with him. He discovers love and what it is like to be part of a real family.
Christmas in Connecticut (1945)
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.
A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas (2011)
Six years after their Guantanamo Bay adventure, stoner buds Harold Lee and Kumar Patel cause a holiday fracas by inadvertently burning down Harold's father-in-law's prize Christmas tree.
Mixed Nuts (1994)
The events focus around a crisis hotline business on one Crazy night before Christmas starring Steve Martin.
Deck the Halls (2006)
Neighbors, Matthew Broderick and Danny DeVito embark on an epic battle over the holidays. What would you do if your neighbor wanted so many Christmas lights on their house that it could be seen from space?
A Bad Mom’s Christmas (2017)
Three moms trying to take back the joy of Christmas while dealing with their own mothers. This is a hilarious tale of finding common ground and coming to understand why your mom is crazy.