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65 of the best Christmas films of all time

From The Holiday to The Princess Switch

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preview for Best. Christmas. Ever! | Official Trailer | Netflix

Christmas isn't Christmas without some classic Christmas films. Fact. And there are so many festive movies out there, it can be hard to choose which ones to watch. So, to save you a job, we've rounded up our ultimate list of the best Christmas movies to settle down on the sofa with. Now all you need is a duvet, some Christmas chocolate and these lot on the TV. The dream.

Best Christmas films vs new releases

Of course, there are plenty of classic Christmas films out there which we watch year after year without fail. But that doesn't mean there aren't newer releases that deserve some special attention too. If you're after an all-time Christmas classic, then staples such as Home Alone, Elf and Love Actually never fail to disappoint.

As for some newbies, films like Falling For Christmas and The Princess Switch are already up there as firm favourites. Meanwhile, in 2023 we're set to see the release of new Christmas films Candy Cane Lane, starring Eddie Murphy and Best. Christmas. Ever! featuring Brandy Norwood and Heather Graham, which we have a feeling will be staying on our faves list for years to come too.

And once you're done with all that, check out our favourite underrated Christmas movies and Netflix Christmas specials to add to your lineup.

1

Dashing Through The Snow (2023)

netflix's chicken run 2 has a name and release date omg
BBC

A film about Eddie Garrick (played by Ludacris), a man who has lost his faith in Christmas, until he spends time with his daughter on Christmas Eve and bumps into a man named Nick in a red suit.

Available on Disney+

2

The Family Switch (2023)

netflix family switch incest storyline
Netflix

Starring Jennifer Garner, Ed Helms and Emma Myers, the film follows the Walker family who wake in each other's bodies on the morning of the most important day of each of their lives. Freaky Friday, eat your heart out!

Available on Netflix

3

Your Christmas Or Mine 1 and 2 (2022 / 2023)

netflix's chicken run 2 has a name and release date omg
BBC

James's dad has invited Hayley and her family to spend Christmas with them in the Austrian alps, so they can all meet. But a mix up at the airport means the families end up at each other's accommodations - which is fairly different from what they both expected.

Available on Prime Video

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4

Wonka (2023)

the first trailer featuring timothée chalamet in wonka is here
Warner Bros.

A prequel to the Willy Wonka movies we know and love, about Willy starting out in the chocolate business. Played by Timothée Chalamet, this comes from the same creators as Paddington, so expect all singing, all dancing fun, with tunes you can sing along to. Just don't forget to take your snacks!

5

Best. Christmas.Ever! (2023)

best christmas films 2023
Netflix

Ok, we're really excited for this one. Best. Christmas. Ever! stars Heather Graham as Charlotte, a woman who is fed up with hearing how wonderful her former college friend Jackie's life is and so she decides to turn unannounced at Christmas to see if everything is just as amazing as Jackie pretends it to be. BTW Jackie is played by the Brandy Norwood, which is reason enough for us to be watching the movie on repeat all festive season.

The comedy film is available on Netflix now

6

Candy Cane Lane (2023)

best christmas films 2023
Amazon Prime

Eddie Murphy and Tracee Ellis Ross star in Prime Video's new Christmas movie Candy Cane Lane which sees Chris (Murphy) inadvertently make a deal with an elf that sees the 12 Days of Christmas come to life and completely wreak havoc on his family and town. This is a serious case of be careful what you wish for.

Watch the comedy movie on Prime Video now

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7

The Grinch (2018)

the grinch
20th Century Fox; Paramount Pictures; Universal Pictures; Warner Bros.; Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer/Dimension Films/The Weinstein Company; Design by Yoora Kim for Seventeen

An animated adaptation of Dr. Seuss’s 1957 book, The Grinch follows the cynical Mr Grinch and his pet dog Max, as they plan to ruin Christmas for everyone who lives in Whoville. Featuring original music from Tyler, The Creator and a voiceover from Benedict Cumberbatch, it’s a worthy change to the 2000 movie.

8

The Noel Diary (2022)

best christmas films 2023
Netflix

Justin Hartley stars as a successful writer Jake, who returns home to settle his mother's estate. When he arrives home, he discovers a diary which holds many intriguing secrets about his past and that of Rachel (Barrett Doss), a mysterious young woman he just met in town.

Watch the romantic comedy on Netflix now

9

Falling for Christmas (2022)

best christmas films
Netflix

Cosmopolitan cover star Lindsay Lohan is the lead in this Christmas romantic comedy, which tells the story of a newly engaged heiress who is diagnosed with amnesia following a skiing accident. In the days leading up to Christmas, she finds herself in the care of the handsome lodge owner and his daughter. Lindsay Lohan is back where she belongs: starring as a rom-com lead. Add in Glee's Chord Overstreet and we're already fans.

Watch the romantic comedy on Netflix now

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10

Spirited (2022)

how to watch spirited in the uk
Claire Folger//Apple

How have we survived without a musical version of Charles Dickens' Scrooge up to this point? This all-singing all-dancing Apple TV film follows the miserly misanthrope who is taken on a magical journey. Ryan Reynolds. Will Ferrell. Singing. So much to like.

WATCH NOW

11

Love Hard (2021)

best christmas films
Bettina Strauss//Netflix

When an LA girl falls for an East Coast guy, the last thing she expects is to be catfished when she decides to surprise him for the holidays. Fun fact: Love Hard is a combination of the two leads favourite Christmas films - Love Actually and Die Hard

We wouldn't recommend hanging out with a full-on catfish IRL but, hey, it is a Christmas film after all.

Watch this romantic comedy on Netflix now

12

A Castle for Christmas (2021)

best christmas films
Netflix

Another Netflix Christmas film released in 2021, A Castle For Christmas tells the story of a bestselling author, who escapes scandal by heading to Scotland for Christmas. When she falls in love with a castle, she must convince the grumpy duke who owns it to let her stay. So. Many. Kilts.

Watch this romantic comedy on Netflix now

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13

8-Bit Christmas (2021)

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Neil Patrick Harris stars in this festive feel-good film, set in 1980s Chicago. A 10-year-old sets out on a quest to get the Christmas gift of his generation: the latest and greatest video-game system. Ultimate childhood nostalgia.

WATCH NOW

14

Silent Night (2021)

61 of the best christmas films of all time
YouTube

Kiera Knightley is back in a Christmas movie! 20 years after Love Actually dropped on our screens, she stars as the lead in this black comedy. Nell, Simon, and their son Art are ready to welcome friends and family for what promises to be a perfect Christmas gathering. Perfect except for one thing: everyone is going to die.

WATCH NOW

15

The Princess Switch 3 (2021)

the princess switch 3 is happening release date, cast and more
Netflix

OK, so there are three The Princess Switch films to get your teeth stuck into, after Netflix unofficially crowned Vanessa Hudgens the queen of Christmas films. In the third instalment, Queen Margaret and Princess Stacy work alongside cousin Fiona to retrieve a priceless relic that's been stolen.We're ready for a fourth movie now, please.

Watch this family feature film on Netflix now

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16

Single All The Way (2021)

single all the way  best christmas films
Philippe Bosse/Netflix//Netflix

Another Netflix film, Single All The Way follows Peter who, after years of family judgement about his perpetual single status, convinces his best friend Nick to pretend they're in a relationship for the holidays. BRB, just taking notes on how to pull this off.

Watch this romantic comedy on Netflix now

17

Boxing Day (2021)

best christmas films  boxing day
Warner Bros.

Leigh-Anne Pinnock makes her acting debut in Boxing Day, a festive film which follows British author Melvin who lives in America, and returns home to London for Christmas to introduce his American fiancée, Lisa, to his eccentric British-Caribbean family. Their relationship is put to the test when Lisa struggles to place together her Melvin and the world he left behind.

WATCH NOW

18

Holidate (2020)

best christmas films  holiday
Netflix

A Christmas love story couldn't get more formulaic than this - and that's part of the reason we love it. Two strangers agree to be each other's plus-ones for a whole year, after getting bored of being single during the holidays. We'll let you guess what happens next.

Watch this romantic comedy on Netflix now

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19

The Happiest Season (2020)

best christmas movies  the happiest season
The Happiest Season: Hulu

Kristen Stewart and Mackenzie Davis star in this holiday romcom, which tells the story of Abby, who plans to propose to her girlfriend Harper over the holidays, only to realise Harper isn't yet out to her family. A story of self acceptance and being true to yourself - and also trying to keep everyone happy at Christmas.

WATCH NOW

20

All I Want For Christmas (1991)

all i want for christmas best christmas films
All I Want For Christmas

Indulge in your classic Christmas film this year with a tale as old as time. A brother and sister attempt to bring their divorced parents back together for Christmas, facing all sorts of trials and tribulations along the way.

Watch this comedy on Prime Video now

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