Christmas movies are loved for the feeling of the holiday: trees, snow, family quarrels and reconciliations. We have gathered 12 films that are already out, from It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) to Last Christmas (2019): family comedies and animated films, romantic stories and classics. Each entry gives the year, director, runtime and a reason to watch. No spoilers: only the setup. English titles are taken from English Wikipedia. The facts were checked against Wikipedia on October 19, 2026. We do not list age ratings: they differ between countries and services, so check the rating on the film’s page before watching with children.
It’s a Wonderful Life
Official trailer · “It’s a Wonderful Life” (1946)George Bailey gave up his own dreams for his hometown, and on Christmas Eve a guardian angel helps him by showing what the world would be like without George. It’s a Wonderful Life is based on Philip Van Doren Stern’s story “The Greatest Gift” and was nominated for five Oscars, including Best Picture. It did not make its money back in theaters but later became a Christmas classic. Why watch: a classic that is traditionally watched at Christmas.
A Christmas Story
Official trailer · “A Christmas Story” (1983)The comedy A Christmas Story, based on Jean Shepherd’s book, tells about Christmastime in the early 1940s through the eyes of nine-year-old Ralphie, who dreams of one single gift while the adults keep telling him “no.” The story is made of short episodes with voice-over commentary by the grown-up Ralphie. In the US, TV channels run a round-the-clock marathon of the film every year, and in 2012 it was added to the US National Film Registry. Why watch: a nostalgic comedy about childhood dreams and holiday bustle.
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
Official trailer · “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” (1989)American Clark Griswold wants to give the whole family a “good old-fashioned” Christmas, but every idea of his adds to the chaos. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is the third installment of the Vacation series, written by John Hughes. Critics at first gave the film mixed reviews, but over time it came to be regarded as a Christmas classic. Why watch: a loud comedy about a holiday that does not go to plan.
Home Alone
Official trailer · “Home Alone” (1990)A family accidentally leaves eight-year-old Kevin at home when everyone leaves for Paris for Christmas, and the boy defends the house in suburban Chicago on his own against two burglars. Home Alone was written and produced by John Hughes, with Macaulay Culkin in the lead role. The film was nominated for two Oscars and was added to the US National Film Registry in 2023. In Ukraine it is traditionally shown on TV during the Christmas and New Year holidays. Why watch: a family comedy with a simple, recognizable setup.
Love Actually
Official trailer · “Love Actually” (2003)Ten interwoven stories about different forms of love unfold over the five weeks before Christmas, with an epilogue set in the New Year. For Richard Curtis, Love Actually was a directing debut, and it was shot mostly in London. The film was nominated for a Golden Globe as Best Comedy or Musical, and over time it became a film that is traditionally shown at Christmas in the UK and US. Why watch: an ensemble romantic comedy where everyone will find a story of their own.
Elf
Official trailer · “Elf” (2003)Buddy is a human raised by Santa’s elves at the North Pole. After learning about his origins, he sets off for New York to find his biological father. In Elf the lead role is played by Will Ferrell, and critics especially praised his performance. The film inspired a Broadway musical in 2010. Why watch: a lighthearted comedy for a family evening.
The Polar Express
Official trailer · “The Polar Express” (2004)On Christmas Eve a mysterious train stops outside the house of a boy who has begun to doubt that Santa Claus exists, and takes him to the North Pole. The Polar Express is based on Chris Van Allsburg’s 1985 book, and Tom Hanks plays several roles in it. The film combines live action with motion-capture computer animation; its budget was a record for an animated film at the time. Why watch: a fairy-tale journey that is pleasant to watch with the whole family.
The Holiday
Official trailer · “The Holiday” (2006)Two women from opposite sides of the Atlantic, both disappointed in love, swap homes over the Christmas holidays: American Amanda goes to an English cottage, and Briton Iris goes to Los Angeles. The Holiday, written by Nancy Meyers herself, stars Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law and Jack Black. Critics gave the film mixed reviews: they praised the visuals and the cast but found the plot predictable. Why watch: a cozy romantic comedy about a fresh start.
The Grinch
Official trailer · “The Grinch” (2018)An animated adaptation of Dr. Seuss’s book How the Grinch Stole Christmas!: the reclusive green Grinch and his dog Max want to ruin the holiday in the nearby town. The film was made by Universal Pictures and Illumination, and the Grinch is voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch. The Grinch is the third screen adaptation of the book, after the 1966 TV special and the 2000 live-action film; in Ukraine it was released in theaters on December 20, 2018. Why watch: an animated comedy for the whole family.
The Christmas Chronicles
Official trailer · “The Christmas Chronicles” (2018)A brother and sister, Teddy and Kate, spot Santa Claus in their home and jump into his sleigh. After a crash, the kids and Santa have to save Christmas and deliver the presents. Santa in The Christmas Chronicles is played by Kurt Russell; the film came out on November 22, 2018, on Netflix, and a sequel followed in 2020. Why watch: quick Christmas adventures for the whole family.
Klaus
Official trailer · “Klaus” (2019)This is an origin story of Santa Claus in a fictionalized 19th century: a lazy postmaster’s son is sent as a postman to an island town far in the north and befriends a reclusive toymaker, Klaus. Klaus was made in traditional animation and is Sergio Pablos’s directing debut. It was the first Netflix animated film to receive an Oscar nomination, and it won seven Annie Awards and the BAFTA for Best Animated Film. Why watch: animation with humor and warmth about the beginning of a Christmas tradition.
Last Christmas
Official trailer · “Last Christmas” (2019)Kate works as an elf in a year-round Christmas shop in London and meets a mysterious man named Tom. Last Christmas is inspired by the Wham! hit “Last Christmas” (1984); the screenplay was written by Bryony Kimmings and Emma Thompson, and the cast includes Emilia Clarke, Henry Golding, Emma Thompson and Michelle Yeoh. Critics praised the acting and the chemistry of the leads but had complaints about the script and plot. Why watch: a romantic story inspired by a famous song.
What to choose by mood
| What you want | What to pick |
|---|---|
| The whole family | Home Alone, Elf, The Polar Express, The Grinch, Klaus, The Christmas Chronicles |
| Romance | Love Actually, The Holiday, Last Christmas |
| Classics | It’s a Wonderful Life, A Christmas Story, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation |
| Animated films | The Polar Express, The Grinch, Klaus |
| Comedy | National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, Home Alone, Elf |
For a romantic evening there is also our selection of love movies worth watching, and for little ones, the best animated films for the whole family.
Tip. For an evening with little kids, start with the animated films, such as “The Polar Express,” “The Grinch” or “Klaus,” and save the romantic comedies for an evening for two.
How we chose
We took films that are already out, have detailed Wikipedia pages and are known specifically as Christmas films: from the classics of the 1940s to films of recent years. This is not a ranking or a complete list, and the order is set by release years. We take awards and nominations from Wikipedia pages and do not invent our own ratings or box-office figures.
Frequently asked questions
What should we watch at Christmas with kids?
The Polar Express, The Grinch, Klaus, Elf and Home Alone will suit the whole family. Age ratings differ between countries and services, so check them on the film’s page.
Which film should I choose for an evening together?
Among the romantic ones, the selection has Love Actually, The Holiday and Last Christmas. All three are about love against the backdrop of the Christmas holidays.
Which of these films are considered classics?
The oldest in the selection are It’s a Wonderful Life (1946), A Christmas Story (1983) and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989); Wikipedia calls them Christmas classics. The first two have been added to the US National Film Registry, and Home Alone got there in 2023.
Which films in the selection are animated?
Three: The Polar Express, The Grinch and Klaus. The Polar Express combines live action with computer animation.
Where can I watch these films?
Streaming catalogs change, so we do not list them. The Christmas Chronicles and Klaus came out on Netflix; for the rest, check the film’s page on a service available to you.
Sources
- It’s a Wonderful Life (Wikipedia)
- Home Alone (Wikipedia)
- Love Actually (Wikipedia)
- The Polar Express (film) (Wikipedia)
- Klaus (film) (Wikipedia)
Data was checked against Wikipedia on October 19, 2026.
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