Home Alone, Elf & more: The 14 Christmas films that are actually good, and will get you in the festive mood
We all know that this time of the year, we’re bombarded with a lot of terrible new Christmas movies, especially rom-coms, that have no distinguishing features.
But you don’t have to be a slave to the algorithm. You can reward yourself with actually good Christmas movies that won’t make you feel like you just ate a ton of fast food that makes you bloated and unsatisfied.
These are the Christmas movies we love, and why they deserve a spot on your annual list.
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Little Women is not strictly a pure Christmas movie in that the story of the March sisters takes place over different stretches of time. But a huge chunk of it is set at Christmas, and more important, Greta Gerwig’s version embodies the spirit of the holiday, and of the beautiful chaos of families coming together.
How to watch: Stan
HOME ALONE
It’s been 35 years since Kevin was left behind at Christmas time in an improbable Rube Goldberg cascade of events, much like the elaborate traps he set for the would-be robbers played with such devilish panache by Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern. More importantly, it was the undeniable charisma of Macauley Culkin that really seals it.
How to watch: Disney+
HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS
Jim Carrey has done a lot of brilliant comedic (and dramatic) work over the years, and created unforgettable characters, but it’s as if he was born to play Dr Seuss’s creation. His flexibility and ability to embody this lithe recluse with an antipathy for joy, while still pulling you onto his side is masterful work.
How to watch: Netflix, Prime, Paramount+, Stan, Disney+, Binge
THE HOLDOVERS
Director Alexander Payne assembled the most exquisite cast in Paul Giamatti, Da’Vine Joy Randolph and Dominic Sessa in telling this truly humanist story about loneliness and connection. It’s centred on classics teacher Paul Hunham, who refers to his students as “reprobates” but is actually, when it really matters, a decent person who had too many knocks in life.
How to watch: Paramount
THE MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL
There are many screen adaptations of Charles Dickens’ classic Christmas fable (we also like Scrooged) but it’s hard to top the sheer joy, irreverence and playfulness of The Muppet Christmas Carol. Kermit as Cratchit is brilliant, and obviously we love Statler and Waldorf as the Marleys, but it’s Michael Caine’s Scrooge, and how he interacts with the Muppets that really puts the icing on the pudding.
How to watch: Disney+
BAD SANTA
Until Bad Santa existed, you would be hard-pressed to convince anyone that Billy Bob Thornton would anchor now one of the most beloved Christmas movies of all time. That was the key, leveraging Thornton’s gruff weirdo persona to create a thief who uses his job as a shopping centre Santa to rob the joints. The semi-redemption arc is all the more rewarding.
How to watch: Prime, Stan, Binge
ELF
There are two types of people in the world, those who find the sight of Will Ferrell, dressed in a giant elf costume, eating lollies-infused spaghetti either the funniest or cringiest thing they’ve ever seen. You can only be friends with one of these cohorts. Ferrell’s comic timing is impeccable and his wide-eyed wonder as Buddy is pure Christmas joy.
How to watch: Netflix, HBO Max, Stan, Binge, Prime
THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS
While Tim Burton did not technically write or direct The Nightmare Before Christmas, his creative vision is all over it. Based on a poem and concepts he birthed a decade earlier, the gothic musical tells the story of Jack Skellington, the king of Halloween who tries to take over Christmas and eventually discovers a renewed appreciation of holidays.
How to watch: Disney+
KLAUS
Oh, hey, a Netflix Chrismas movie that’s actually good! No, really. Yes, we’re all surprised. But this charming tale features not only impressive animation but an old-fashioned, folky origin story about a postman who is exiled to a far north island where he meets a toy-maker. Their partnership thaws a long feud between the locals with the spirit of generosity and new traditions.
How to watch: Netflix
HAPPIEST SEASON
A big family gathering is not everyone’s idea of a dream Christmas break. All those people asking all those questions you don’t want to answer. Who needs it. Happiest Season stars Kristen Stewart as a young woman who hasn’t yet admitted to her conservative family she’s a lesbian and pretends her girlfriend is just a mate. Secrets, misunderstandings and reckonings ensue.
How to watch: Binge
GREMLINS
Before Stitch, there were Gremlins, little chaos monsters who tear down every string of Christmas lights they meet. The movie is a genuinely hilarious piece of physical comedy, and there is something mischievous in all of us delighting in the destruction of a small town. Who doesn’t love creature feature shenanigans, especially when they’re seemingly so bloody adorable. If anyone has a line on a vintage Gizmo toy, let us know.
How to watch: Stan, Prime, HBO Max
IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE
Frank Capra specialised in the everyman American – a decent family bloke ideal that was supposed to represent all that was good about US aspiration. Jimmy Stewart’s George Bailey is that guy, but he gave up on his own dreams in service of others, and now he’s feeling a bit terrible about it. Until a guardian angel shows him the difference he’s made, and the real value of a good life. It’s schmaltzy but, damn, if it doesn’t make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
How to watch: Stan, Binge
THE NIGHT BEFORE
We love a buddy comedy and there’s nothing like three adults trying to maintain a decade-long, kind-of-immature tradition in search of a mythical party every Christmas Eve. The hunt is the excuse, the real reason is the friendship, and we all need our friends. We also need to watch Seth Rogen, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Anthony Mackie vibe off each other.
How to watch: Prime, Binge
MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET
A beloved classic for a reason, especially the 1947 version with Maureen O’Hara and John Payne. Miracle on 34th Street about a department store Santa who insists he’s the real deal. It’s not just that the film triggers nostalgia for it specifically, but it triggers a longing for a time when we all believed such things as Santa Claus was real. If there’s one time of the year to keep the magic alive, it’s now.
How to watch: Disney+
