Isn’t there just something so magical about Christmas movies? If you’re looking for Christmas movie suggestions, best Christmas movies, classic Christmas movies, Christmas movies for kids, romantic comedy Christmas movies, and more, you’re in the right place!

Just about everyone loves Christmas movies. From the time I was a kid I can remember gathering together every year to watch Christmas movies with my family. Old favorites like Elf, Home Alone, A Charlie Brown Christmas, and Jingle All the Way played in our home again and again.

As we grow older, we get to introduce those same Christmas movies to our children, relive the magic with family and friends, and discover new holiday favorites too. Today, with popular streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Paramount+, Peacock, Amazon Prime, and the rise of the Hallmark Christmas movies, there’s no shortage of new Christmas movies to discover every year!

That being said, I can’t help but turn to old favorites each year and rediscover the Christmas movie magic again and again.

As I was compiling this list of best Christmas movies below, please be aware that your favorite may not be on the list simply because I haven’t seen it yet. If you have a suggestion you’d like me to add, drop a comment below! And in other cases, if I haven’t included it on this list, it may be that I don’t actually like that Christmas movie (The Polar Express, for instance), and therefore don’t feel comfortable recommending it. 

Lastly, I have just a few repeats here, like placing A Charlie Brown Christmas under “Best Religious Christmas films” and “Classic Christmas Movies for Families & Kids.” There are not many repeats here—just a few! (Also, each list is in no particular order!)

So, grab your cup of tea or hot chocolate, a cozy blanket, and a Christmas cookie, and let the lights of a Christmas tree twinkling nearby lull you into Christmas movie magic. Don’t forget the popcorn and the sleeping bags on the floor for the little ones!

75+ of the Best Christmas Movies: Romance, Family, Classics, & More!

Classic Christmas Movies for Kids & Families

Classic Christmas movies for kids & families include special favorites we all know and love. From the Home Alone series to A Charlie Brown Christmas, these movies warm our hearts again and again every year and remind us why we love Christmas in the first place.

Personally, I can never watch Elf too many times. And A Christmas Carol always touches my heart anew. With thirty classic Christmas movies on this list, you’re sure to find something you love!

1. Elf (2003)

2. It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)

3. A Christmas Carol (1984)

4. Home Alone (1990)

5. A Christmas Story (1983)

6. Miracle on 34th Street (1947 or 1994)

7. The Santa Clause (1994)

8. The Family Man (2000)

9. Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966 animation)

10. Jingle All the Way (1996)

11. Jack Frost (1998)

12. The Christmas Chronicles (2018)

13. Prancer (1989)

14. Christmas with the Kranks (2004)

15. Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)

16. I’ll Be Home for Christmas (1998)

17. The Nutcracker (1993)

18. The Man Who Invented Christmas (2017)

19. Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)

20. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)

21. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965 animation)

22. Babes in Toyland (1961)

23. Frosty the Snowman (1969)

24. The Shop Around the Corner (1940)

25. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

26. Mickey’s Christmas Carol (1983)

27. The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)

28. Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas

29. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (2024)

30. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, And The Wardrobe (2005)

Best Religious Christmas Movies

The best Christmas movies and classic Christmas movie lists must include Christmas movies with religious themes. Watching religious movies during the holiday season can be a meaningful way to reconnect with the spiritual essence of Christmas.

For instance, the movie It’s a Wonderful Life makes me cry every year and reminds me of the importance of charity, friendship, and leaving behind a meaningful legacy. Religious Christmas movies often include themes around faith, generosity, and the birth of Jesus Christ, helping us reflect on the deeper significance of the celebration beyond the commercial aspects. They can also serve as a way to bring families together, spark thoughtful conversations, and create lasting traditions centered around shared values.

By focusing on the religious roots of Christmas, these movies remind us of the purpose behind the festivities and encourage a spirit of love, compassion, and reverence. 

1. It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)

2. The Nativity Story (2006)

3. The Christmas Candle (2013)

4. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)

5. The Ultimate Gift (2006)

6. I Heard the Bells (2022)

7. Christmas With the Chosen: Holy Night (2023)

8. Veggie Tales: The Best Christmas Gift (2019)

9. Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

10. Believe (2016)

11. The Star (2017)

12. Mickey’s A Christmas Carol (1983)

13. Black Nativity (2013)

14. Chasing the Star (2017)

15. The Preacher’s Wife (1996)

16. Journey to Bethlehem (2023)

17. We Three Kings (2020)

18. A Christmas Carol (1984)

19. Heavenly Christmas (2016)

20. Mr. Krueger’s Christmas (1980)

21. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, And The Wardrobe (2005)

Best Romance/Romantic Comedy Christmas Movies

Romantic Comedy Christmas movies and just plain old Romantic Christmas movies are some of my favorite movies on the planet! For instance, I’ve loved Little Women (the 1994 version with Winona Ryder, the only version in my opinion!) since I was a little girl and have read the book many times. On top of that, You’ve Got Mail, When Harry Met Sally, The Holiday, and While You Were Sleeping all have special places in my heart. Movies like these changed the Christmas movie genre forever, providing heartfelt movies about family, romance, surprises, and love that keep us smiling again and again.

Whether it’s the 90s aesthetic or the sweet love stories, I just can’t get enough of these Romantic Christmas movies. In my humble opinion, these movies are the brightest lights on the Christmas tree (i.e. the cream of the crop for this wonderful genre!). Also, these movies below are in no particular order. I love them all!

1. You’ve Got Mail (1998)

2. Little Women (1994)

3. When Harry Met Sally (1989)

4. Sleepless in Seattle (1993)

5. While You Were Sleeping (1995)

6. Just Friends (2005)

7. Serendipity (2001)

8. Love Actually (2003)

9. The Family Stone (2005)

10. Four Christmases (2008)

11. Hot Frosty (2024)

12. Almost Christmas (2016)

13. The Holiday (2006)

14. The Princess Switch (2018)

15. The Preacher’s Wife (1996)

16. Falling for Christmas (2022)

17. The Spirit of Christmas (2015)

18. Christmas in Conway

19. Journey Back to Christmas (2016)

20. A Bride for Christmas (2023)

Best Alternative Christmas Movies

If you’re looking for a list of alternative Christmas movies, I wrote a whole blog about it here! Alternative Christmas movies are perfect when you’re wanting a break from typical Christmas movies, yet you’re still wanting to watch something that resonates during the holiday season. From emo comedies like Edward Scissorhands to family classics like Jumanji and Star Wars, these movies offer heartwarming moments, fun adventures, and inspiring music perfect for the holiday season.

1. Edward Scissorhands (1990)

2. Jumanji (1995)

3. Die Hard (1988)

4. The Harry Potter Series (2001-2011)

5. Batman Returns (1992)

6. Annie (1999)

7. Groundhog Day (1993)

8. The Phantom of the Opera (2004)

9. Les Misérables

10. Feast of the Seven Fishes (2019)

11. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001-2003)

12. Annie Hall (1977)

13. Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga (2020)

14. Star Wars original trilogy (1977-1983)

15. Beauty & the Beast (1991)

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Whether you’re looking for Christmas romantic comedies, religious Christmas movies, or Christmas movies for kids, there’s so many options for everyone! Christmas movies help bring the holiday tradition to life each year, reminding us what we love so much about the Christmas season, bringing back nostalgic moments we all know and love, and helping to gather families together.