Best Christmas films
by oriente385 | created - 25 Dec 2018 | updated - 29 Jan 2023 | PublicHappy and festive first, then a bit scary (starting with A Christmas Carol), sci-fi and action, and then just scary. Christmas comedies and Christmas thriller/horror films in one list)) For any mood. I added just the best ones IMHO, The ones I've rated 8-10.
At the end there are also some Bmovies, 7 and 6 stars. However, there is one that I've rated 3.. It's so bad , it's good XD The facial expressions of the main protagonist are just incredible XD But beware, once again it is bad! Only for extreme Bmovies lovers XD It's Silent Night, Deadly Night 2.
And after that amazingly bad film there are some normal films that aren't the best, that I have rated 6ish, but they still have Christmas spirit and some other good characteristics and deserve to be known.
- Instant Watch Options
- Genres
- Movies or TV
- IMDb Rating
- In Theaters
- Release Year
- Keywords
1. The Christmas Chronicles (2018)
PG | 104 min | Adventure, Comedy, Family
The story of sister and brother, Kate and Teddy Pierce, whose Christmas Eve plan to catch Santa Claus on camera turns into an unexpected journey that most kids could only dream about.
Director: Clay Kaytis | Stars: Kurt Russell, Darby Camp, Judah Lewis, Oliver Hudson
Votes: 83,501
Kurt - the best Santa!
2. Elf (2003)
PG | 97 min | Adventure, Comedy, Family
Raised as an oversized elf, Buddy travels from the North Pole to New York City to meet his biological father, Walter Hobbs, who doesn't know he exists and is in desperate need of some Christmas spirit.
Director: Jon Favreau | Stars: Will Ferrell, James Caan, Bob Newhart, Zooey Deschanel
Votes: 310,845 | Gross: $173.40M
3. The Night Before the Night Before Christmas (2010 TV Movie)
TV-PG | 88 min | Family, Fantasy
When Santa sets off on his Christmas duties a day early, crashes into the Fox family's house, ends up with amnesia, and loses his magic sack of presents, he needs help. But the Foxes are a ... See full summary »
Director: James Orr | Stars: Jennifer Beals, Rick Roberts, R.D. Reid, Jordan Prentice
Votes: 732
4. The Santa Clause 2 (2002)
G | 104 min | Comedy, Family, Fantasy
Scott Calvin has been a humble Santa Claus for eight years, but it might come to an end if he doesn't find a Mrs. Claus.
Director: Michael Lembeck | Stars: Tim Allen, Spencer Breslin, Elizabeth Mitchell, Eric Lloyd
Votes: 63,913 | Gross: $139.24M
5. Arthur Christmas (2011)
PG | 97 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Santa's clumsy son Arthur sets out on a mission with Grandsanta to give out a misplaced present to a young girl in less than two hours on Christmas Day.
Directors: Sarah Smith, Barry Cook | Stars: James McAvoy, Jim Broadbent, Bill Nighy, Hugh Laurie
Votes: 67,112 | Gross: $46.46M
6. Love Actually (2003)
R | 135 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
Follows the lives of eight very different couples in dealing with their love lives in various loosely interrelated tales all set during a frantic month before Christmas in London, England.
Director: Richard Curtis | Stars: Hugh Grant, Martine McCutcheon, Liam Neeson, Laura Linney
Votes: 531,617 | Gross: $59.70M
7. The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause (2006)
G | 92 min | Adventure, Comedy, Family
Santa, a.k.a. Scott Calvin, is faced with double-duty: how to keep his new family happy and how to stop Jack Frost from taking over Christmas.
Director: Michael Lembeck | Stars: Tim Allen, Martin Short, Elizabeth Mitchell, Eric Lloyd
Votes: 42,671 | Gross: $84.50M
8. Bridget Jones's Diary (2001)
R | 97 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
Bridget Jones is determined to improve herself while she looks for love in a year in which she keeps a personal diary.
Director: Sharon Maguire | Stars: Renée Zellweger, Colin Firth, Hugh Grant, Gemma Jones
Votes: 263,750 | Gross: $71.54M
9. The Munsters' Scary Little Christmas (1996 TV Movie)
Not Rated | 91 min | Comedy, Family, Horror
Get ready for some holiday spirits as the first family of fright rallies to show melancholy Eddie Munster (Bug Hall) some of the holly, jolly magic that only Santa can bring.
Director: Ian Emes | Stars: Sam McMurray, Ann Magnuson, Bug Hall, Sandy Baron
Votes: 718
10. 12 Dates of Christmas (2011 TV Movie)
PG | 90 min | Comedy, Family, Fantasy
A story that follows Kate, a young woman who after a horrible blind date on Christmas Eve, wakes up to find she is re-living that same day and date all over again.
Director: James Hayman | Stars: Laura Miyata, Vijay Mehta, Amy Smart, Audrey Dwyer
Votes: 8,321
11. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
PG | 76 min | Animation, Family, Fantasy
Jack Skellington, king of Halloween Town, discovers Christmas Town, but his attempts to bring Christmas to his home causes confusion.
Director: Henry Selick | Stars: Danny Elfman, Chris Sarandon, Catherine O'Hara, William Hickey
Votes: 375,227 | Gross: $75.08M
12. The Ref (1994)
R | 97 min | Comedy, Crime, Drama
A cat burglar is forced to take a bickering, dysfunctional family hostage on Christmas Eve.
Director: Ted Demme | Stars: Denis Leary, Judy Davis, Kevin Spacey, Robert J. Steinmiller Jr.
Votes: 26,554 | Gross: $11.44M
13. A Christmas Carol (2009)
PG | 96 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy
An animated retelling of Charles Dickens' classic novel about a Victorian-era miser taken on a journey of self-redemption, courtesy of several mysterious Christmas apparitions.
Director: Robert Zemeckis | Stars: Jim Carrey, Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, Steve Valentine
Votes: 129,551 | Gross: $137.86M
14. Rare Exports (2010)
R | 84 min | Adventure, Fantasy, Horror
In the depths of the Korvatunturi mountains, 486 meters deep, lies the closest ever guarded secret of Christmas. The time has come to dig it up. This Christmas everyone will believe in Santa Claus.
Director: Jalmari Helander | Stars: Jorma Tommila, Onni Tommila, Peeter Jakobi, Tommi Korpela
Votes: 32,152 | Gross: $0.26M
15.
Black Mirror (2011– )
Episode:
White Christmas
(2014)
TV-MA | 73 min | Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi
Three interconnected tales of technology run amok during the Christmas season are told by two men at a remote outpost in a frozen wilderness.
Director: Carl Tibbetts | Stars: Jon Hamm, Rafe Spall, Oona Chaplin, Natalia Tena
Votes: 68,256
16. Die Hard (1988)
R | 132 min | Action, Thriller
A New York City police officer tries to save his estranged wife and several others taken hostage by terrorists during a Christmas party at the Nakatomi Plaza in Los Angeles.
Director: John McTiernan | Stars: Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman, Bonnie Bedelia, Reginald VelJohnson
Votes: 945,858 | Gross: $83.01M
17. Die Hard 2 (1990)
R | 124 min | Action, Thriller
John McClane attempts to avert disaster as rogue military operatives seize control of Dulles International Airport in Washington, D.C.
Director: Renny Harlin | Stars: Bruce Willis, William Atherton, Bonnie Bedelia, Reginald VelJohnson
Votes: 383,176 | Gross: $117.54M
18. Better Watch Out (II) (2016)
R | 89 min | Comedy, Horror, Thriller
On a quiet suburban street, a babysitter must defend a twelve-year-old boy from intruders, only to discover it's far from a normal home invasion.
Director: Chris Peckover | Stars: Olivia DeJonge, Levi Miller, Ed Oxenbould, Aleks Mikic
Votes: 46,264 | Gross: $0.02M
19. Black Christmas (1974)
R | 98 min | Horror, Mystery, Thriller
During their Christmas break, a group of sorority girls are stalked by a stranger.
Director: Bob Clark | Stars: Olivia Hussey, Keir Dullea, Margot Kidder, John Saxon
Votes: 48,370 | Gross: $4.05M
20. P2 (2007)
R | 98 min | Crime, Horror, Thriller
A businesswoman is pursued by a psychopath after being locked in a parking garage on Christmas Eve.
Director: Franck Khalfoun | Stars: Rachel Nichols, Wes Bentley, Simon Reynolds, Philip Akin
Votes: 36,438 | Gross: $3.99M
21. Krampus (I) (2015)
PG-13 | 98 min | Comedy, Fantasy, Horror
A boy who has a bad Christmas accidentally summons a festive demon to his family home.
Director: Michael Dougherty | Stars: Adam Scott, Toni Collette, David Koechner, Allison Tolman
Votes: 84,091 | Gross: $42.59M
22. Gremlins (1984)
PG | 106 min | Comedy, Fantasy, Horror
A young man inadvertently breaks three important rules concerning his new pet and unleashes a horde of malevolently mischievous monsters on a small town.
Director: Joe Dante | Stars: Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates, Hoyt Axton, John Louie
Votes: 247,874 | Gross: $148.17M
23. Decoys (2004)
R | 95 min | Horror, Sci-Fi
Luke and Roger are just another couple of college guys trying to lose their virginity. But when Luke sees something unusual, he begins to suspect that the girls on campus aren't exactly human.
Director: Matthew Hastings | Stars: Corey Sevier, Stefanie von Pfetten, Kim Poirier, Elias Toufexis
Votes: 5,312
24.
South Park (1997– )
Episode:
Woodland Critter Christmas
(2004)
TV-MA | 22 min | Animation, Comedy
Stan helps a group of woodland critters by killing a mountain lion, only to discover that he's helping them give birth to the Antichrist.
Director: Trey Parker | Stars: Trey Parker, Matt Stone, Dante Alexander, Adrien Beard
Votes: 5,160
25. A Christmas Horror Story (2015)
Not Rated | 99 min | Fantasy, Horror, Mystery
Interwoven stories that take place on Christmas Eve, as told by one festive radio host: A family brings home more than a Christmas tree, a student documentary becomes a living nightmare, a Christmas spirit terrorizes, Santa slays evil.
Directors: Grant Harvey, Steven Hoban, Brett Sullivan | Stars: William Shatner, George Buza, Rob Archer, Zoé De Grand Maison
Votes: 12,488
26.
Tales from the Crypt (1989–1996)
Episode:
And All Through the House
(1989)
Not Rated | 22 min | Comedy, Crime, Fantasy
A greedy woman makes the mistake of murdering her husband while an escaped mental patient dressed in a Santa Claus outfit is on the loose.
Director: Robert Zemeckis | Stars: John Kassir, Mary Ellen Trainor, Larry Drake, Marshall Bell
Votes: 2,190
27. Christmas Evil (1980)
R | 100 min | Horror, Thriller
A toy factory worker, mentally scarred as a child upon learning Santa Claus is not real, suffers a nervous breakdown after being belittled at work, and embarks on a Yuletide killing spree.
Director: Lewis Jackson | Stars: Brandon Maggart, Jeffrey DeMunn, Dianne Hull, Andy Fenwick
Votes: 8,575
28. Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984)
R | 79 min | Horror, Thriller
Little Billy witnesses his parents getting killed by Santa after being warned by his senile grandpa that Santa punishes those who are naughty. Now Billy is 18 and out of the orphanage, and he has just become Santa himself.
Director: Charles E. Sellier Jr. | Stars: Lilyan Chauvin, Gilmer McCormick, Toni Nero, Robert Brian Wilson
Votes: 18,816 | Gross: $2.49M
29. Silent Night, Deadly Night Part 2 (1987)
R | 88 min | Horror, Thriller
The now-adult Ricky talks to a psychiatrist about how he became a murderer after his brother, Billy, died, which leads back to Mother Superior.
Director: Lee Harry | Stars: Eric Freeman, James Newman, Elizabeth Kaitan, Jean Miller
Votes: 9,059 | Gross: $0.15M
This is the one that is incredibly bad, so bad, it becomes entertaining. The first 40 min it's a recap of the first film with some scenes with the incredibly amazing main protagonist remembering all that. I rated it 3 but I still put it on this lists.. It deserves it XD LOL
30. Hogfather (2006 TV Movie)
189 min | Comedy, Fantasy
It's Hogswatch (equivalent to Christmas) on the Discworld and the Hogfather has gone missing, requiring Death to take his place while his granddaughter Susan endeavors to find out what has happened.
Director: Vadim Jean | Stars: David Jason, Marc Warren, Michelle Dockery, David Warner
Votes: 11,040
I have mixed feelings about this. As I have never read Terry Pratchett's books I was a bit lost and the pace was slow and one character was very annoying.. I kept watching because of my love for fairy tales and it's originality. When I got to the second part it became better, more interesting, had some good lessons and definitely a lot of Christmas spirit :)
31.
The Big Bang Theory (2007–2019)
Episode:
The Bath Item Gift Hypothesis
(2008)
TV-PG | 21 min | Comedy, Romance
Leonard is disappointed when Penny develops an interest in an attractive physicist at the university. Meanwhile, Sheldon struggles to find an appropriate Christmas gift for Penny.
Director: Mark Cendrowski | Stars: Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons, Kaley Cuoco, Simon Helberg
Votes: 7,015
32. Fatman (2020)
R | 100 min | Action, Adventure, Comedy
A rowdy, unorthodox Santa Claus is fighting to save his declining business. Meanwhile, Billy, a neglected and precocious 12 year old, hires a hit man to kill Santa after receiving a lump of coal in his stocking.
Directors: Eshom Nelms, Ian Nelms | Stars: Mel Gibson, Walton Goggins, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Chance Hurstfield
Votes: 30,151
33. Grumpy Cat's Worst Christmas Ever (2014 TV Movie)
G | 87 min | Action, Adventure, Comedy
Grumpy Cat is an Internet meme sensation with over 6 million Facebook friends, who has graced the cover of New York Magazine, is the spokescat for Friskies, appeared on American Idol and the MTV Movie Awards.
Director: Tim Hill | Stars: Grumpy Cat, Megan Charpentier, Daniel Roebuck, Russell Peters
Votes: 2,665
34. Trapped in Paradise (1994)
PG-13 | 111 min | Adventure, Comedy, Crime
Residents of a friendly Pennsylvania town foil three brothers' plan to rob a bank on Christmas Eve.
Director: George Gallo | Stars: Nicolas Cage, Jon Lovitz, Dana Carvey, Richard B. Shull
Votes: 16,591 | Gross: $5.78M
35.
South Park (1997– )
Episode:
Mr. Hankey's Christmas Classics
(1999)
TV-MA | 22 min | Animation, Comedy
Mr. Hankey hosts a collection of Christmas songs sung by South Park characters.
Director: Trey Parker | Stars: Trey Parker, Matt Stone, Mary Kay Bergman, Isaac Hayes
Votes: 2,890
36. Love Hard (2021)
TV-MA | 104 min | Comedy, Romance
An LA girl, unlucky in love, falls for an East Coast guy on a dating app and decides to surprise him for the holidays, only to discover that she's been catfished. This lighthearted romantic comedy chronicles her attempt to reel in love.
Director: Hernán Jiménez | Stars: Nina Dobrev, Jimmy O. Yang, Darren Barnet, James Saito
Votes: 61,646
37. The Polar Express (2004)
G | 100 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy
On Christmas Eve, a young boy embarks on a magical adventure to the North Pole on the Polar Express, while learning about friendship, bravery, and the spirit of Christmas.
Director: Robert Zemeckis | Stars: Tom Hanks, Chris Coppola, Michael Jeter, Leslie Zemeckis
Votes: 241,368 | Gross: $183.37M
38. Deadly Games (1989)
Not Rated | 92 min | Action, Horror, Thriller
On Christmas Eve, a resourceful young boy has to defend himself and his grandfather from a killer dressed as Santa Claus.
Director: René Manzor | Stars: Brigitte Fossey, Louis Ducreux, Patrick Floersheim, Alain Lalanne
Votes: 2,783
39. The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996)
R | 121 min | Action, Crime, Drama
Samantha Caine lives in a small town with her daughter. Eight years ago she emerged, two months pregnant, from a nearby river with no memory of her past or who she is. However, she's getting closer to finding out about her past.
Director: Renny Harlin | Stars: Geena Davis, Samuel L. Jackson, Yvonne Zima, Craig Bierko
Votes: 85,685 | Gross: $33.33M
40. Single All the Way (2021)
TV-PG | 99 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
Desperate to avoid his family's judgment about his perpetual single status, Peter convinces his best friend Nick to join him for the holidays and pretend that they're now in a relationship.
Director: Michael Mayer | Stars: Michael Urie, Philemon Chambers, Luke Macfarlane, Barry Bostwick
Votes: 19,595
41. A Boy Called Christmas (2021)
PG | 106 min | Adventure, Drama, Family
In this origin story of Father Christmas, an ordinary boy--with a loyal pet mouse and a reindeer at his side--sets out on an extraordinary adventure to find his father, who is on a quest to discover the fabled village of Elfhelm.
Director: Gil Kenan | Stars: Maggie Smith, Isabella O'Sullivan, Joel Fry, Eden Lawrence
Votes: 27,261
42.
NCIS (2003– )
Episode:
Silent Night
(2008)
TV-14 | 44 min | Action, Crime, Drama
A Metro detective investigates a burglary and double homicide at Christmas in Washington; the suspect is a former Navy petty officer who supposedly died 17 years ago; the Gibbs gang take an interest, find the pieces, and put them together.
Director: Tony Wharmby | Stars: Mark Harmon, Michael Weatherly, Cote de Pablo, Pauley Perrette
Votes: 834
43. Daddy's Home 2 (2017)
PG-13 | 100 min | Comedy
Having finally gotten used to each other's existence, Brad and Dusty must now deal with their intrusive fathers during the holidays.
Director: Sean Anders | Stars: Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Mel Gibson, John Lithgow
Votes: 82,312 | Gross: $104.03M
44. Spirited (2022)
PG-13 | 127 min | Comedy, Family, Musical
A musical version of Charles Dickens's story of a miserly misanthrope who is taken on a magical journey.
Director: Sean Anders | Stars: Will Ferrell, Ryan Reynolds, Octavia Spencer, Patrick Page
Votes: 50,288
45. The Santa Box (2020)
90 min | Family
Kallie thinks she's cursed by Christmas. For the past 5 years, something bad has happened every Christmas season. One day she finds THE SANTA BOX on her doorstep. Inside is a note that changes how Kallie feels about Christmas forever.
Director: Spanky Dustin Ward | Stars: Cami Carver, Shawn Stevens, Tatum Langton, Sarah Eichner
Votes: 215
46. Christmas with You (2022)
TV-PG | 89 min | Comedy, Family, Romance
Follows a pop star who's got a career burnout and escapes to a small town where she finds not only inspiration but a shot of love.
Director: Gabriela Tagliavini | Stars: Aimee Garcia, Freddie Prinze Jr., Gabriel Sloyer, Grace Dumdaw
Votes: 7,656
47. Violent Night (2022)
R | 112 min | Action, Comedy, Thriller
An elite team of mercenaries breaks into a family compound on Christmas Eve, taking everyone hostage. However, they aren't prepared for a surprise combatant: Santa Claus is on the grounds, and he's about to show why this Nick is no saint.
Director: Tommy Wirkola | Stars: David Harbour, John Leguizamo, Beverly D'Angelo, Alex Hassell
Votes: 99,130 | Gross: $50.06M
Tell Your Friends