Rating Our Favorite Christmas Movies (And Where to Stream Them)
We’ve watched nearly EVERY Christmas movie, the good, the amazing, and the awful, and have rated them 1-5 “Christmas Trees,” so the you can cut through the fluff and enjoy only the best Christmas movies (and series) the streaming services have to offer! This list is a work in progress and will be updated as we work through the list and more holiday movies are released. If we’ve missed one of your favs, shoot us an email with your recommendation!
Scroll down to see our ratings. Please don’t @ me if you don’t like my scoring, it is arbitrary. 😂 Listed in alphabetical order.
A
Alien X-Mas (2020), TBD, Netflix
I fell asleep when I tried to watch this (it was late-night), so we’ve yet to properly watch it, but were intrigued by the thumbnail and that Jon Favreau’s involved! My guess is it’ll be a funky classic. Will update.
Annabelle’s Wish
“Beyond the first glance - the story of a cow who wants to become a reindeer - is a story about acceptance, love, and Christmas hope. 4/5 stars!'“ - @leahtackles
Arthur Christmas (2011), TBD, Starz
Recommended by @mroho6961
B
Babes in Toyland (1961) 🎄🎄🎄🎄, Disney+
This one was weird but absolutely charming in that 1960s way - with some very recognizable actors! Disney’s first live action musical!
Babes in Toyland (1986), TBD, Prime Video
Starring Drew Barrymore and Keanu Reeves
A Bad Moms Christmas (2017)🎄🎄🎄🎄, Netflix
Starring Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell, and Kathryn Hahn. Big budget, comedic forces of nature, and some love stories to boot. A fun action comedy amidst the oversaturated cheesy Xmas norm.
Bad Santa (2003) 🎄, Rent for $2.99 on Prime Video or Google Play.
If you like a dark comedy to balance out the Lifetime fluff, this will be a great movie to cleanse the palette between cheese and cheer.
Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas (1997)🎄🎄, Disney+
Don’t ask me why this movie was a sure fire way to make me cry back in high school (hormones?), it just did. I guess that means it’s good?
C
Christmas Belle (2013) 🎄🎄🌱, Hulu
Starring Haley Duff and a grumpy dude.
Christmas Break-In (2019) 🎄🌱, Netflix
The might win the award for worst Christmas movie ever created. 😂. Dave didn’t hate it (actually quite enjoyed the action heist), but Tasha recommends you not waste your time.
A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965) 🎄🎄🎄
The original Christmas classic. Not my personal favorite, but nostalgic none-the-less.
The Christmas Calendar (2017) 🎄🎄🎄🌱, Hulu
Cute movie with fun characters and a touch of romance!
The Christmas Candle (2013), TBD, Prime Video
A Christmas Carol (2009), TBD, Disney+
Starring Jim Carrey.
Christmas Catch (2018), TBD, Netflix, Prime Video
The Christmas Chronicles (2018) 🎄🎄🎄🎄, Netflix
Starring Kurt Russell. This is an action packed Santa Netflix original with a great story and a great budget! Special effects were impressive. This one is definitely worth a watch!
The Christmas Chronicles 2 (2020) 🎄🎄🎄, Netflix
This is a 2-star movie with exactly two 5-star scenes, both taking place in 1990. Just wait for Grace to break out in song! I’ll average this out to a (generous) 3 stars. The kids will love it. Adults may want to skip this one.
The Christmas Contract (2018), TBD, Prime Video
Christmas Inheritance (2017) 🎄🎄, Netflix
We love these cheesy, low budget Christmas films! Terrible acting, but a fun story.
Christmas in Mississippi (2017) 🎄🎄🎄🎄, Prime Video
This one was surprisingly great! Romantic, but not too cheesy. The perfect amount of charm!
Christmas in the Smokies (2015) 🎄🎄🎄, Netflix
This has all the makings of a favorite holiday TV movies! Small town girl + hot shot guy + a failing farm = Christmas love story. Watch it.
The Christmas Lodge (2014) 🎄🎄🌱, Prime Video
I barely remember this one, but have fond feelings. Probably decent!
Christmas on Holly Lane (2019), TBD, Prime Video, Hulu
Christmas Perfection (2018) 🎄🎄🎄, Prime Video, Hulu
Groundhog’s Day meets The Good Place. Another Mar Vista Production. Silly and charming.
A Christmas Prince (2017) 🎄🎄🎄🎄, Netflix
This might be the movie that kicked off the content wars for original Christmas themed content by the major players! This movie was a huge success, following the tried and true Christmas rom-com formula. Sweet and romantic. Worth a watch.
A Christmas Prince - The Royal Wedding (2018) 🎄🎄🎄, Netflix
One step down from the original, but still worth a watch!
A Christmas Prince - The Royal Baby (2019)🎄🎄, Netflix
Boy, they were REALLY stretching on this one, understandably trying to capitalize on the success of the previous two films. Wasn’t really up to par IMO. Skip this one unless you have a lot of free time or just love this story.
A Christmas Princess (2019) 🎄🎄🎄🌱, Amazon Prime
I give this a solid 3.5 Trees. Was entertained even though I should’ve gone to bed!
A Christmas Story (1983) 🎄🎄, Rent for $3.99 on Prime Video, Google Play, or Apple TV
One of the only Christmas Classics that Tasha really despises. 😂. Too slow and cynical for my taste, but as a classic, is something you should watch at least once! Rated 5/5 by @xjdanny
Christmas Wedding Planner (2017) 🎄, Netflix
You can skip this one. I watched it and it was not memorable.
Christmas with a Prince (2018) 🎄🎄🌱, Netflix
Stars a ‘Dr. Tasha’ so definitely worth a watch if you love a charming, low-budg rom-com with royal storyline! 👑
Christmas with a View (2018) 🎄, Netflix
I 100% watched this and remember none of it, so, don’t waste your time. 😂
A Christmas Wish (2020), TBD, Prime Video
Christmas With The Kranks (2004) 🎄🎄🎄, Rent for $2.99 on Prime Video
Any Christmas film with Tom Allen gets an immediate green light until proven wrong. Have a watch!
A Cinderella Story Christmas Wish (2019) 🎄🎄, Netflix
I remember this one a low-budget, silly, but with a kind of quirky charm. Have an afternoon to waste? Why not.
Claymation Christmas Celebration (1987) 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄
Will Vinton’s Claymation Christmas is a national treasure, but unfortunately YOU CAN’T STREAM IT ANYWHERE! I will link places to buy it here. Trust me, it’s worth purchasing a DVD hard copy to watch every year! FIVE TREES!
D
Daddy’s Home 2 (2017), TBD, $2.99 on Prime Video Google Play
Starring Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg. A great comedic duo makes for a fun action comedy!
Dash & Lily (2020) 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄, Netflix (*Series)
This young, fun Netflix mini-series is Serendipity meets Freak and Geeks. It’s lighthearted, romantic, and full of adventure, and you’ll be hooked from the first episode. FIVE TREES!
Deck The Halls (2006), TBD, $3.99 Prime, Google Play, Apple TV
Starring Matthew Broderick and Danny DeVito.
Die Hard (1988) 🎄🎄🎄🎄, HBO
Is this even a Christmas movie??!
“I’ll give you my favorite quote from the movie as my review; ‘Now I have a machine gun. Ho ho ho.’ - Alan Rickman. 5 stars!” - @p.devvv
Also recommended by @mroho6961
A Dogwalker’s Christmas Tale (2015), TBD, Hulu
Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the Square (2020) 🎄🎄🎄🎄, Netflix
Listen, this doesn't have the glitz of Jingle Jangle, but this is a really excellent musical! It looks like they spent exactly $4 on their opening credits, and the opening scene made me dizzy, but hang on past those first couple minutes and you’ll be glad you did! The music, the voices, the acting, the story - this one’s really good!
E
Elf (2003) 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄, Starz
Starring Will Ferrell and Zooey Deschanel. This funny flick follows Will Ferrell’s journey from the North Pole (where he’s an XL elf) to the Big Apple to meet his dad. Somehow, despite all his antics, he wins our hearts every time!
“So many iconic lines, Will Ferrell is a riot, Zooey Deschanel is her usual quirky/adorable self, and so many other great moments. Also Peter Dinklage! 5/5 stars.” - @kyla.traveladventures
Also endorsed by @misaeluriasv, @samidedolph, @seansteeles, @mroho6961
Ernest Saves Christmas (1988), TBD, Rent for $2.99 on Prime Video or Apple TV
F
Falling for Christmas aka Snowcapped Christmas (2017) 🎄🎄🎄, Prime Video
Why does this have two names??
Falling Inn Love (2019) 🎄🎄🎄🌱, Netflix
Starring Christina Milian. She wins an inn and wins his heart. Excellent.
The Family Stone (2005), TBD, HBO
Four Christmases (2008) 🎄🎄, Rent for $2.99 on Prime Video
Starring Vince Vaughan and Reese Witherspoon.
Frosty the Snowman (1969) 🎄🎄🎄
Another 1960s Rankin/Bass classic. This one is animated (my personal favorites of this era are the stop-motion films), but charming and worth re-watching every year!
Friday After Next (2002), TBD, Rent for $2.99 on Prime Video
Contributed by @mroho6961
G
Get Santa (2014) 🎄🎄🎄, Netflix
A very British Christmas movie.
The Grinch (2018) 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄, Netflix
The graphics! So visually stunning! I hope your internet connection is good, because you’ll want to watch this in full HD.
H
Happiest Season (2020) 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄, Hulu
I think this might be five trees! Original storyline, stellar cast. Only one scene that was a little “odd” in tone compared to the rest of the movie. Really enjoyed this one!
Holidate (2020) 🎄🎄🌱, Netflix
Starring Emma Roberts. This Netflix Christmas flick won’t be winning any awards, but if you’re looking for a way to waste a couple hours, this isn’t a bad way to do it. Low budget, low stakes.
The Holiday (2006) 🎄🎄🎄🎄, Rent for $2.99 Prime Video
Starring Kate Winslet, Jack Black, Cameron Diaz, and Jude Law. This one is excellent! Major motion picture with an (obviously) stellar cast and a budget to match! A Nancy Myers film. Endorsed by @misaeluriasv
The Holiday Calendar (2018) 🎄🎄🎄, Netflix
A charming little low-budg, romantic Christmas movie. Definitely worth a watch.
Holiday Engagement (2012), TBD, Prime Video
Holiday in the Wild (2019)🎄🎄🌱, Netflix
Starring Rob Lowe and Kristin Davis. This is a fun, romantic movie. Not groundbreaking but good for a cozy, feel good evening. One of the only Christmas films on this list that doesn’t take place in a snowy locale!
Holiday Inn (1942), TBD, Rent for $3.99 on Apple TV
Holiday Rush (2019), TBD, Netflix
Holly Star (2018) 🎄🌱, Netflix
This one was one of those I wanted my time back after watching. 😂
Home Alone (1990) 🎄🎄🎄🎄🌱, Disney+
In a world of constant connection and easy communication via cell phones and social media, it is fun to take a look back at life before the internet. Doubt this storyline would be plausible in today’s world! Endorsed by @adamreay and @ohwowtina
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄, Disney+
We love the toy store, the pidgeons, the abandoned buildings, and a hot, greasy cheese pizza! 🍕 This movie brings back all the ✨magic✨ of the holiday season in NYC. Donald Trump also makes an appearance. 😂 Endorsed by @adamreay and @ohwowtina
Home for Christmas (2019), TBD, Netflix (*Norwegian Series)
We haven’t watched this one yet, but I’m intrigued! I’ll have to watch this one without Dave bc I prefer to listen to the original audio and read the subtitles instead of watching a dubbed movie, and he hates reading! 📖
Home for the Holidays (1995), TBD, Starz
This one has a truly star studded cast. Holly Hunter, Robert Downey Jr., Claire Danes, Dylan McDermott, and the list goes on… Directed by Jodie Foster.
Hometown Christmas (2018), TBD, Amazon Prime
Hometown Holiday (2018) 🎄🎄🌱, Netflix
This movie was full of those formulaic, typical holiday movie tropes, but was entertaining none the less. City life vs small town. Everybody’s looking for love. Maybe people aren’t as different as they seem.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966), TBD
The original animated TV movie. Recommended by @samidedolph
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄, Netflix
Starring Jim Carrey. THIS IS A TRUE CHRISTMAS CLASSIC! Watch it and feel your heart grow three sizes! Endorsed by @akilahh and @samidedolph
I
I’ll Be Home For Christmas (1998)🎄🎄🎄🌱, Disney+
Starring teenaged heartthrobs JTT and Jessica Biel. A great throwback to simpler 90’s times!
J
Jack Frost (1979)🎄🎄🎄🎄, Prime Video
A Rankin-Bass production, which are all winners in my book!
Jingle All The Way (1996) 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄, Rent for $3.99 on Prime Video, Google Play, Apple TV
Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger in a hilarious, action-packed raced for the last “it” toy of the season. Endorsed by @adamreay
Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey (2020) 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄, Netflix
A steampunk, musical Christmas, starring an all-black cast. This is FIVE STARS! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ The costumes, the choreography, the voices! Absolute perfection. Feels like we have a new Christmas classic on our hands. Truly spectacular! Starring the beloved Forest Whitaker and Keegan-Michael Key.
K
Klaus (2019) 🎄🎄🎄🎄🌱, Netflix
This one is sure to warm even the coolest of hearts! Must watch! Academy Award Nominee!
The Knight Before Christmas (2019) 🎄🎄🎄🎄, Netflix
Starring Vanessa Hudgens. This movie is unapologetically self aware. Why wouldn’t a knight fall for a modern day woman in this far fetched rom-com. Favorite repeat joke - “The night air.” 🤣☃️
L
Last Christmas (2019) 🎄🎄🎄🌱, HBO
Starring Emilia Clarke. This one is frustrating to watch bc the entire first half of the movie Emilia plays the most self-centered and unloveable character you will ever see, but it ends with a shocking twist and will leave you feeling some sort of way.
Let It Snow (2019) 🎄🎄🎄🎄🌱, Netflix
The one is very cute! Give it a shot!
The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus (1985), TBD
Rankin Bass.
The Little Drummer Boy (1968), TBD
Rankin Bass.
Love Actually (2003) 🎄🎄🎄🎄, Amazon
Starring Hugh Grant, Liam Neeson, Keira Knightly. Dave’s favorite. Eight love stories - so you’ll have plenty of chances to relate, and they all get tied together in a magical, British way!
M
The Man Who Invented Christmas (2017), TBD, Hulu, Showtime
Married By Christmas (2016), TBD, Hulu
Merry Happy Whatever (2019) 🎄🎄🎄🌱, Netflix (*Series)
Starring Ashley Tisdale and Dennis Quaid. Who says you can’t make a sitcom style Christmas miniseries?
Meet Me in St. Louis (1944), TBD, Rent for $2.99 on Prime Video
“Song, dance, romance, Judy Garland. What more could you want???” - @samidedolph.
Plus it has a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes!
Merry Christmas, Mr. Bean (1992) 🎄🎄🎄🎄, Prime Video (*Mr. Bean Series, Episode 7)
This one is a classic! I feel like, growing up, we always used to watch this one all together with the cousins after dinner on Thanksgiving to “get Christmas started off on the right foot!” Gather the family ‘round and have a laugh!
Mickey’s Christmas Carol (1983), TBD, Disney+
Rated 5/5 by @xjdanny
Midnight at the Magnolia (2020) 🎄🎄🎄🎄, Netflix
A couple radio host BFFs that fake a relationship for ratings? Such a millennial movie 😂 - but worth the watch!
Miracle on 34th Street (1947), TBD, Disney+
Miracle on 34th Street (1994), TBD, $3.99 on Prime Video, Google Play, Apple TV
The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992) 🎄🎄🎄🎄🌱, Disney+
Full of fun, muppet humor. Kids will love it, and it’s got jokes for the adults too! Doesn’t take itself too seriously.
“A Muppet Christmas Carol takes the classic tale by Dickens, that is mostly gloom (until the end), and lightens it with muppets including Kermit as Bob Cratchet and Rizzo the Rat as himself. 4/5 stars.” - @leahtackles
N
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989) 🎄🎄🎄, $2.99 on Prime Video
“The nostalgia brings me back. My family watches it every year. The scene where they accidentally destroy the neighbors bedroom is so iconic and I always laugh out loud! 5/5 stars!” - @kyla.traveladventures
Also endorsed by @chang.pf
Nestor the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey (1977) TBD
A New York Christmas Wedding (2020) 🎄🌱, Netflix
We quit after 17 minutes of a very sloooow start to this movie. Felt a bit like a student film. Might be good but we didn’t make it that far. 🤷🏽♀️
Noelle (2019) 🎄🎄🎄🎄, Disney+
Starring Anna Kendrick and Bill Hader. Disney stepped up the budget with this one. An instant classic.
O
Office Christmas Party (2016), TBD, $2.99 on Prime Video
One Magic Christmas (1985) 🎄🎄🎄, Disney+
Recommended to us as a ‘Canadian Christmas Classic,’ we gave it a try. It’s a tiny bit sad, and true to 80’s movies, sometimes throws logic out the window, but overall was very sweet and I’d recommend it!
Operation Christmas Drop (2020) 🎄🎄🎄, Netflix
Low budget, but fun. A love story in Guam. If you’re in the mood for a tropical Christmas with a hilariously CGI’d gecko, this is the one for you!
P
Planes, Trains, and Automobiles (1987), TBD, $2.99 on Prime Video or Google Play
The Polar Express (2004) 🎄🎄🎄, $3.99 on Prime Video, Google Play, Apple TV
Starring Tom Hanks.
A Princess for Christmas (2011), TBD, Netflix
The Princess Switch (2018) 🎄🎄🎄🎄, Netflix
Starring Vanessa Hudgens. A Parent Trap style film that Vanessa Hudgens knocks out of the park.
The Princess Switch - Switched Again (2020) 🎄🎄🎄🎄, Netflix
Went into this expecting the worst, but Vanessa (and her several iterations) pulled it off. A fun flick, but be sure to watch The Princess Switch first!
Q
R
Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale (2010), TBD, Hulu, Prime Video
Rudolph and Frosty’s Christmas in July (1980), TBD, $2.99 Prime Video and Apple TV
Rudolph’s Shiny New Year (1976), TBD, $2.99 Prime Video and Apple TV
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964) 🎄🎄🎄🎄🌱, Airing on CBS Tuesday Dec 1, 8 PM and Saturday Dec 12, 8 PM
This classic Rankin/Bass stop-motion TV special will fill you with nostalgia!
S
Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town (1970) 🎄🎄🎄🎄🌱, Airing on ABC Friday Dec 4, 8 PM
I can’t get enough of these Rankin-Bass Christmas specials!
The Santa Clause (1994) 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄, Disney+
Starring Tim Allen, a must-watch Christmas classic as an in-over-his-head dad becomes Santa, whether he likes it or not.
The Santa Clause 2 (2002), TBD, Disney+
Tim Allen delivered in TSC, so why not watch the second installment? ‘Two’ is full of as much charm as the first. At this point, Tim Allen as the dad-Santa delivers in movies you can rewatch year after year.
Santa Girl (2019), TBD, Netflix, Prime Video
Scrooged (1988), TBD, $2.99 on Prime Video
Starring Bill Murray.
“A great version of a classic story. And it makes me cry.” - @andyjreid81
Serendipity (2001), TBD, $2.99 Prime Video and Google Play
Starring Kate Beckinsale and John Cusack. A Christmas film on technicality as it begins during the Christmas season, but this truly is just an overall romantic comedy classic.
“So cheesy but a classic. 3.5/5 stars.” - @ohwowtina
The Spirit of Christmas (2015) 🎄🎄, Hulu, Amazon Prime
Something about a ghost? With romance?
T
Three Days of Christmas (2019), TBD, Netflix (*Spanish Series)
Twelve Pups of Christmas (2019) 🎄🎄🌱, Hulu
Cute one! The puppies don’t hurt!
U
V
A Very Country Christmas (2017) 🎄🎄🎄 Netflix, Prime Video
This is a solid 3 star Christmas movie, with surprisingly good acting and heartfelt and tender moments. They ran out of time and had to wrap it up abruptly, which was disappointing, but overall I enjoyed this one!
A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas (2011) 🎄🎄🎄🌱, HBO
Weird, crude, and funny, if you’re into that sort of thing!
W
White Christmas (1954) 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄, Netflix
Irving Berlin’s ‘White Christmas’ is a classic worthy of rewatching every year. Starring Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney, Danny Kaye, and Vera Ellen. The BEST Songs (‘Snow’ is one of my all-time favorites!), and fun dance numbers. Might be my #1 pick. Also endorsed by @samidedolph
It’s A Wonderful Life (1946) 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄, Prime Video
Heartbreakingly sad and endlessly frustrating to watch a man’s. dreams slip away from him, but has an ending that will have you crying happy tears!
X
Y
The Year Without a Santa Claus (1974)🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄
Another Rankin-Bass classic to breathe nostalgia into the holiday! Can’t get enough of Heat Miser and Snow Miser. Their song is ingrained my memory! 🔥 ❄️
