Another Holiday season is upon us, and so is Christmas. If you are wondering which movie you should binge-watch on the jolly day, we have come prepared with the list!
Like overeating mince pies or pushing one glass of mulled wine too far, bingeing on Christmas movies is part of the ritual. The season feels incomplete without them. The best festive films come in many shapes. Warm family favourites, sharp comedies, big action stories set on Christmas Eve. Even strange and dark holiday tales, where some barely nod to Santa, and others embrace him fully. What connects them all is that hard-to-explain spark that makes December feel special.
But worry not. We have the perfect list for you here, where you will get the names of the best Christmas movies that always feel right to watch this time of the year. So, let’s move ahead with our list!
- The Polar Express (2004)
Director: Robert Zemeckis
Starring: Tom Hanks, Nona Gaye, Leslie Zemeckis, Peter Scolari
Robert Zemeckis’ first full dive into performance capture, The Polar Express, has always divided opinion. The stiff expressions and those famously lifeless eyes still pull some viewers out of the experience, yet that criticism tends to fade once the film hits its stride. On a big screen, especially in 3D, the action sequences have real momentum, from skidding across frozen lakes to the sheer rush of riding the rails at impossible speeds. There is also genuine charm in the quieter moments onboard the train, where the journey itself feels as important as the destination. The fragile and fleeting idea of childhood belief sits gently beneath the spectacle. Tom Hanks adds to the curiosity by voicing six separate characters, a playful technical flex that never overwhelms the story. It may stumble into the uncanny at times, but its ambition and heart secure its place as a modern Christmas staple.
- How The Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
Director: Ron Howard
Starring: Jim Carrey, Taylor Momsen, Jeffrey Tambor, Christine Baranski, Molly Shannon, Clint Howard, Bill Irwin
Buried beneath layers of green latex and prosthetics, Jim Carrey still blasts through the screen in this live-action take on the Dr Seuss classic. His voice, physical comedy, and manic energy cut straight through the makeup. Combined altogether on screen, it makes the Grinch impossible to ignore. The film strays further from the original poem than the 1966 animated version, but it makes up for that freedom with lavish production design and astonishing effects. Rick Baker’s transformative work deserved its Oscar. It turned Whoville into a tactile, twisted wonderland. It also helps that the film is genuinely funny, with Carrey constantly riffing and improvising while chaos swirls around him. There is a knowing wink beneath the excess, an understanding of how ridiculous it all is. As a final curiosity, Cindy Loo Hoo later grew up to be Taylor Momsen, proof that heavy makeup became familiar territory early on.
- The Snowman (1982)
Directors: Dianne Jackson, Jimmy T. Murakami
Starring: Peter Auty, David Bowie, Raymond Briggs
It runs for under half an hour, barely speaks a word, and opens with a strange David Bowie introduction in some versions, complete with the Goblin King in a snowman scarf. None of this should work, yet it somehow feels essential to Christmas. Skip it, and the season feels unfinished. The hand-drawn animation is beautiful in a quiet and fragile way. The music lingers long after it ends. The story avoids easy cheer and leans into something softer and sadder than most festive favourites. It understands loss and kindness without spelling anything out. Small children often cry. Adults do too, even if they pretend otherwise. There is no escaping it. Watch it every year or accept that Christmas dinner is officially off limits. Those are the rules, and they are non-negotiable!
- White Christmas (1954)
Director: Michael Curtiz
Starring: Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, Vera-Ellen, Dean Jagger, Mary Wickes
The song first appeared in 1942’s Holiday Inn, but that film comes with baggage best left in the past. It was wisely reworked into this warmer and far more festive classic. Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye play former soldiers who turn entertainers who are heading to their old commander’s struggling inn to put on a show. Along the way, they fall for two talented sisters and let the music do most of the talking. What follows is pure Christmas comfort with big smiles and slick dance numbers, along with skating scenes that feel endlessly charming. The plot is soft and predictable, and yes, it leans hard into sentiment, but that is part of the appeal. Irving Berlin’s songs carry the film with ease, especially one tune that defines the season. By the time the final number lands, resistance feels pointless; you are fully on board and happily so.
- A Christmas Story (1983)
Director: Bob Clark
Starring: Peter Billingsley, Melinda Dillon, Darren McGavin, Ian Petrella, Scott Schwartz
This film, another product of the eighties, has never really embedded itself in the UK. But in the US, it is a full-blown Christmas institution. The story follows young Ralphie, growing up in the 1940s, and fixated on one thing above all else. He wants a BB gun for Christmas. Every adult he encounters shuts the idea down instantly. His parents, his teacher, and even Santa deliver the same warning. He will shoot his eye out. None of that shakes Ralphie’s belief that this is the only gift that matters. The film captures childhood obsession with painful accuracy, that tunnel vision where one present becomes the centre of the universe. It is funny and sharply observed, and it taps into a feeling most adults recognise even if they no longer admit it.
- Edward Scissorhands (1990)
Director: Tim Burton
Starring: Johnny Depp, Winona Ryder, Dianne Wiest, Vincent Price, Alan Arkin, Anthony Michael Hall
The story is framed as a grandmother explaining to her grandchild why it always snows at Christmas. That simple idea gives the film its quiet magic. Most of the memories in between glow with pastel colours and bright sunlight, very much of its 1950s California setting. Yet the moments that linger longest are wrapped in snow. The opening. The ending. And one scene that cuts straight to the heart. Edward’s finest moment comes when he sculpts ice for the girl he loves, sending flakes drifting into the air as she dances beneath them. It feels romantic and impossibly sad all at once. The final revelation makes that sadness even deeper when it becomes clear he has kept the snow falling for her every year despite their long separation. By then, any composure is gone. If your eyes sting a little, no one will judge you.
- Lethal Weapon (1987)
Director: Richard Donner
Starring: Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Gary Busey, Mitch Ryan, Tom Atkins, Darlene Love
Of course, it counts as a Christmas movie. It opens with Jingle Bell Rock, wanders through a Christmas tree lot, and closes with a family gathered around the tree on Christmas Day. That feels decisive enough. Like the best festive films, it works as a morality tale beneath the explosions. Riggs slowly chooses life over self-destruction. Murtaugh learns not to judge the unhinged cop on first impressions or to blindly trust old friendships. The seasonal heart lands hardest in its strangest gift exchange. Riggs hands over the bullet he once planned to use on himself. It is bleak, sincere, and oddly touching all at once. Practicality is another matter. No one knows where that gift is meant to live, or if socks might have been the better option. Still, intention matters. At Christmas, especially, that is usually enough.
- Elf (2003)
Director: Jon Favreau
Starring: Will Ferrell, James Caan, Mary Steenbergen, Zooey Deschanel, Ed Asner, Bob Newhart
A relatively recent addition to the Christmas canon, yet one that instantly claimed its place and never let go. Much of that comes down to how endlessly quotable it is. Jon Favreau’s 2003 comedy feels like a modern miracle, a festive film built to last. Buddy the Elf ranks alongside Ron Burgundy as Will Ferrell’s finest creation, a grown man raised by Santa’s elves who carries boundless wonder into a jaded New York City. The joy comes from Ferrell’s total commitment. He plays Buddy with complete sincerity, never breaking character or nudging the audience for approval. That wide-eyed innocence turns every awkward moment into something genuinely warm. The sugar highs, the misplaced optimism, the earnest belief in Christmas all land perfectly. Cynicism barely stands a chance, and by the end, you would need a heart of stone to avoid smiling or laughing wholeheartedly.
- Bad Santa (2003)
Director: Terry Zwigoff
Starring: Billy Bob Thornton, Tony Cox, Brett Kelly, Lauren Graham, Bernie Mac, John Ritter
Santa, as we know him, gets a brutal rewrite here. Forget the jolly warmth and gentle morals. This version swears, drinks too much, smokes constantly, robs stores, cracks safes, and despises almost everyone, himself included. Somehow it works. Billy Bob Thornton feels perfectly cast as a miserable man hiding behind a filthy red suit, stumbling through December with zero interest in redemption. What makes it better is the kid. Not cute. Not charming. Just deeply odd and painfully sincere. Their bond grows sideways and mostly by mistake, which makes it feel oddly honest. Any lesson learned happens reluctantly and often in self-defence. The Christmas spirit creeps in through the back door, uninvited but effective. It is rude, bleak, and surprisingly tender. Ideal viewing for anyone who claims to hate Christmas, then secretly watches every year anyway.
- Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)
Director: Shane Black
Starring: Robert Downey Jr, Val Kilmer, Michelle Monaghan, Corbin Bernsen, Dash Mihok
This is not a film that screams Christmas at first glance, unless you count Michelle Monaghan’s Santa outfit, which, for many viewers, does a lot of festive heavy lifting all by itself. That may be enough. Chances are you missed it too, judging by the box office numbers, which is an absolute shame. Shane Black delivers a warped and wildly entertaining spin on film noir, set against a Los Angeles that just happens to be wrapped in tinsel. A thief turned accidental actor teams up with a private eye to investigate a murder, trading insults with the same enthusiasm most people reserve for gift swapping. The jokes land in strange places. The tone is unpredictable. It is funny in a way that feels genuinely different, and also funny in the laugh-out-loud sense. Christmas may be in the background, but the chaos fits the season surprisingly well.
- The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
Director: Brian Henson
Starring: Michael Caine, Frank Oz, Steven Mackintosh, Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire, Jerry Nelson
Michael Caine singing opposite a cast of puppets sounds like a terrible idea on paper. Somehow it works beautifully. The Muppets slide effortlessly into Dickens’ winter tale, delivering what might be the finest adaptation of the story while still causing cheerful chaos along the way. The jokes land fast and strange, often stealing scenes without ever breaking the spell. Gonzo, entirely out of place in the nineteenth century, becomes an inspired narrator. He borrowed much of his language directly from the novel. At the centre of it all, Caine plays Scrooge with total sincerity. He never mugs for the camera or winks at the absurdity around him. That commitment makes his journey from cold miser to warm-hearted human feel earned and surprisingly moving. It is funny and oddly profound, proving that a Muppet Christmas can still hit exactly where it should.
- Gremlins (1984)
Director: Joe Dante
Starring: Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates, Judge Reinhold, Corey Feldman, Jackie Joseph
Gremlins roasting in microwaves, nippung at noes, singing Yuletide carols, and sending people screaming through the streets – something like that, anyway. This is arguably the most delightfully twisted of all Christmas monster movies, gleefully shredding the season’s traditions while keeping the laughs coming. It even sneaks in one of the best monologues about fathers who try and fail to play Santa. Best not to linger on the odd smells drifting from the chimney. The real reason? If you get a new pet this year, handle it with care. And whatever you do, do not feed the little monsters after midnight. If you do so, chaos and comedy are guaranteed.
- It’s A Wonderful Life (1946)
Director: Frank Capra
Starring: James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, Henry Travers, Thomas Mitchell
Frank Capra’s classic might not sit at the very top of the list, but it remains essential Christmas viewing. The early stretch is tougher than many people remember. George Bailey spends much of the film trying to do the right thing, only to watch his choices narrow and his hopes quietly erode. It can feel heavy, even uncomfortable, as the weight of responsibility closes in around him. That heaviness matters. When the story shows what the world would look like without his kindness, the contrast lands with real force. The intervention feels earned, not sentimental. By the time the ending arrives, the relief is genuine and deeply felt. It is Christmas spirit without sugar coating. Warm and quietly devastating before it ever becomes joyful.
- Batman Returns (1992)
Director: Tim Burton
Starring: Michael Keaton, Michelle Pfeiffer, Danny DeVito, Christopher Walken, Michael Gough
Yes, it really is a Christmas movie. Tim Burton’s second Batman outing pulls off the tricky balance of festive trimmings and comic book chaos. Snow falls over Gotham while multiple villains circle, and the film quietly teaches a useful seasonal lesson. Mistletoe is not for eating. A kiss can be even more dangerous if you mean it. Batman, Catwoman, the Penguin, and Max Schrek crash through a city wrapped in tinsel and menace, happily weaponising Christmas decorations when the moment calls for it. Trees become traps. Or hiding places for bats. It all makes a strange kind of sense here. Beneath the gothic style sits a sharp and underrated action romp that deserves far more affection than it usually gets. And then there is Michelle Pfeiffer. Her performance alone earns the film a permanent place on any festive watchlist.
- Lethal Weapon (1987)
Director: Richard Donner
Starring: Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Gary Busey, Mitch Ryan, Tom Atkins, Darlene Love
Of course, it qualifies as a Christmas movie. It kicks off with Jingle Bell Rock, wanders through a Christmas tree lot, and ends with a family gathered around the tree on Christmas Day. That feels fairly definitive. Like the best festive films, it works as a moral tale beneath the action. Riggs slowly learns that staying alive matters, and Murtaugh learn not to judge the unstable cop at first glance, or to trust old friendships without question. The emotional core lands in an unlikely place, with one of the strongest Christmas gifts ever put on screen. Riggs hands over the bullet he once planned to use on himself. The film is dark and sincere, where practical concerns do linger, the storage is unclear, and socks may have been easier. Still, it is the intent behind it that matters. At Christmas, that usually counts for a lot!
- Carol (2015)
Director: Todd Haynes
Starring: Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara, Sarah Paulson, Jake Lacy, Kyle Chandler
Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara are quietly devastating in Todd Haynes’ Carol. The film traces a growing connection between Therese, a shop girl with dreams of photography, and Carol, a magnetic woman on the edge of divorce. Set in the early fifties, it unfolds during the Christmas season, framed by shop windows, soft snowfall, and stolen glances that linger longer than words. At first, it might seem like another seasonal romance, complete with a Santa hat meet cute and festive backdrops. That expectation fades quickly. This story leans into the sadness that often sits beneath the holidays. It carries the weight of longing, restraint, and the pain of a mother fighting to stay close to her child. Romance here is patient and aching. It builds slowly and honestly. The final moments reward that patience with something rare. Hope that feels earned and deeply human.
- The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Director: Henry Selick
Starring: (voice) Chris Sarandon, Danny Elfman, Catherine O’Hara, Paul Reubens, William Hickey, Greg Proops
One of the great joys of Henry Selick’s stop-motion classic, built from Tim Burton’s story, is its perfect timing. You can start watching it from Halloween and keep going straight through December without guilt. It scratches that early Christmas itch while keeping one foot firmly in spooky season. As Jack Skellington discovers Christmas for himself, the film gently mocks the sweetness people expect from the holiday. At the same time, it highlights what actually matters. Safety. Warmth. And toys that do not try to kill you. That last point feels essential. Selick and Burton balance darkness and wonder with real confidence, letting the music carry the mood while the visuals do the rest. It is strange, funny, and oddly sincere. Few films manage to feel so at home in two holidays at once.
- Home Alone (1990)
Director: Chris Columbus
Starring: Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, Catherine O’Hara, John Heard
Home Alone is basically a live-action cartoon powered by a John Hughes script. It is not subtle. It is not clever in any traditional sense. It is also enormous fun. Beneath the slapstick chaos, it carries a surprisingly sincere message about love and family, one that is not far removed from It’s A Wonderful Life. Like George Bailey, Kevin only understands what he has once it is taken away. Being cut off from family and safety forces him to grow up fast, even if that growth involves paint cans and micro machines. Defending the house becomes his strange path toward appreciating Christmas. The film understands childhood logic perfectly. Independence feels thrilling. Fear sits just beneath it. By the time the family reunion arrives, the relief feels real. The laughs still land. The traps still hurt to watch. And yes, someone gets a hot iron dropped on their face. That alone earns it a place in festive film history.
So, which movie is going on your binge-watch list?
