Top 10 Best Christmas Movies of All Time
When it comes to holiday traditions, watching Christmas movies has got to be one of the most beloved. There's something magical about getting cozy with a blanket, some hot cocoa, and a film that brings all the festive cheer of the season right into your home. But with so many iconic holiday flicks out there, the big question is: which ones truly stand the test of time?This list of the best Christmas movies offers a collection of fan-favorites that have been voted on by people just like you. Some of these movies make you laugh out loud, others might pull at your heartstrings, but all of them share one thing - they get you into the holiday spirit. Whether you're into the lighthearted family comedies that bring together all generations, or classic stories filled with nostalgic charm, there's something here for everyone.
Most Christmas movies follow a simple format: a random guy tags along with Santa and has to help him, throwing in elves and reindeer, and saving Christmas. Home Alone does none of this stereotypical format. It is a legend. With its unique and hilarious format, it is the king of Christmas movies.
To me, it's the only truly original Christmas movie. Everyone else just throws Santa, elves, and reindeer into a film about a random guy on Christmas. Home Alone ignores this boring format and makes a genuinely good Christmas movie.
Every year, you must watch it at least once. There are so many things you can reference in Elf, so many golden lines that you remember at other times of the year, and you can really feel the spirit of Christmas that the movie gives. Will Ferrell is the best. It's great.
It's so hilarious! Each year I watch it, the jokes are still funny. Will Ferrell is hilarious! Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without this film.
Elf is one of my favorite films of all time. It's probably one of the most humorous movies ever made! Will Ferrell is so funny! I roll around the floor laughing every time.
I love Home Alone, but for my money, "A Christmas Story" is in a league of its own. The nostalgia, the setting of the Midwestern USA, and the period in which it takes place all contribute to its charm. Perfect acting from each character. Everyone either had a mom and father like Ralphie's parents or at least knew parents like them.
It perfectly encapsulates the wonderful feeling of excitement for Christmas in the eyes of a child.
I watch this movie every Christmas. I love it so much I sometimes even watch it when it's not close to Christmas. It has tons of character and is a great classic. It should be number one on the list!
This movie is excellent. It may not be a comedy like Home Alone, Elf, Christmas Vacation, or The Grinch. And I don't follow Christianity or any religion. But this movie tells the message that bad stuff happens, but that doesn't mean that your entire life is garbage. It's important to look at the good stuff that happens in your life.
This movie also is shown in other popular Christmas movies. I just want to say that this is all my opinion, but in my mind, It's a Wonderful Life is the best movie to watch during the holidays.
"Honey, dinner's ready!" Clark is in the bush and says, "Great, I'm starved," and Ellen is just looking for him.
I also like when Clark is reading the magazine and keeps tearing out the pages because of tree sap.
Awesome movie. I love the part where Clark tells the kids he heard on the news that Santa was in their area, and Uncle Eddie says, "Are you serious, Clark?" My vote for number one!
One of the funniest movies, not just for Christmas but of any film ever. Easily the best of the Vacation films and a contender for top Christmas films of all time.
A Christmas classic, sure Elf and Home Alone are super funny and popular, but Rudolph is a real keeper. It reminds me of my childhood. I'm 13, and I still enjoy sitting down with some hot chocolate and watching Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer on Christmas Eve!
How is THIS not in the top ten? This is the most nostalgic holiday movie ever made! The song "There's Always Tomorrow," when Clarice sings it to Rudolph, especially tugs at my heartstrings. And I'm fifteen years old!
I love this special. A true treasure of the holidays! Along with every other film listed.
How can you not love this movie? It has all the Christmas spirit you can possibly get! This is the one Christmas movie I watch the night of Christmas Eve every year. It's so heartwarming it always puts me in a good mood and makes me like Christmas that much more whenever I watch it.
The Polar Express will always be number 1 in my world!
I would choose Miracle on 34th Street, but this is the gold star on top of the Christmas tree. Action-packed, good characters, and really, really Christmassy. Sure, Father Christmas made greedy people unite, but The Polar Express created a Christmas story. Fantastic!
I was about to vote for Charlie Brown until I saw this. It takes place in NYC, and the toy store is so awesome. The plot makes sense, and the humor is more hilarious than in the first one. This is an all-time classic. After this movie, the series went downhill, and now we have the less impressive Home Alone movies. 1 and 2 are classics.
Also, it's an underrated movie that you could enjoy with your family.
While I really like the first one, this sequel never gets old and presents a much more difficult situation for Kevin. It's sad that they couldn't make another.
It's been my favorite Christmas movie ever since I was little. I love it so much. "Where Are You Christmas?" is my favorite Christmas song, too. It has such a good message.
Not as good as the animated original, but very special in its own way. Another tradition for our family. It's just not Christmas without watching Jim Carrey in Whoville.
This is a classic Christmas movie, both the animated one and the live-action one. I don't know why this isn't higher than Home Alone 2. It should be in the top 10.
How can it be confirmed as a Halloween movie? Jack is bored of Halloween. No one in Halloween Town actually knows what Christmas is. They accidentally kidnap the Easter Bunny and then give Christmas Town presents that scare them because they don't know what Christmas is.
I just love the movies that Tim Burton directs, such as Edward Scissorhands, Frankenweenie, and Corpse Bride. He is also very well known for Sleepy Hollow, Beetlejuice, Miss Peregrine, Dumbo, and Alice in Wonderland.
This is one of my favorite Christmas movies and is now a classic. This movie is timeless. Every year around Christmas and Halloween, I have to watch it. Tim Burton is a creepy, creative genius.
The Newcomers
This film was truly unlike any other Christmas film when it first came out. It completely changed the game in Christmas entertainment. The concept of a main character fighting criminals during the Christmas season was a totally original idea for such films. With its action-packed scenes, it became a hit never to be forgotten.
In fact, it was the inspiration for the Home Alone films. Whoever commented on the #1 item that Home Alone was original should've watched this first. Without Die Hard, there would be no Home Alone. This was truly the most original Christmas film ever made.
Beautiful animation, narration, and music. Still holds up decades later. It's something children, parents, and grandparents can enjoy together. It truly is timeless.
I absolutely love this movie, and the best song in it is You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch. I really love Jim Carrey. This holiday movie is my all-time number one favorite.
Wow, how is this great classic so low on this list? It's one of the best Christmas classics of all time.
I just loved this movie from the first time I saw it! It has humor and heart, and I love the idea that different men get the role of Santa over the generations.
In December, we watch this at least once every day. It's a little annoying, but still my favorite Christmas movie!
This movie is a staple in the days leading up to Christmas. Hilarious and heartwarming, it gets me in the spirit.
I won a poetry competition, so the other winners and I in my school got to go to Waterstones (a British book shop) to have hot chocolate in its cafe (it was delicious!) and pick any book. Any book. I was going to pick a Harry Potter one, wait no! A Jacqueline Wilson one, oh! A Rick Riordan. Then I saw my friend getting Oliver Twist. I wished I had gotten that book. I asked him if there were any more, and he said no, but there was one like it. That was the original Christmas Carol.
This happened yesterday and I'm in love with the book so much, the description, the characters... everything. Thank you, Charles Dickens.
This film is a staple in not just Christmas films, but films in general. Winner of 3 Academy Awards and nominated for Best Picture. And it has one of the very best Santa Clauses ever. It defines Christmas specials, and it only gets better with time.
Wonderfully acted, with an excellent story. Natalie Wood is so sweet and funny. It's one of the greatest films ever made.
"But when he spoke Dutch to that girl" is one of my all-time favorite movie moments.
I love a whole lot of Christmas movies, but The Muppet Christmas Carol is probably the best. With an outstanding cast (Michael Caine!) and the amazing Muppets, a heartwarming soundtrack, and laugh-aloud moments, it's the best movie ever. Staying true to Charles Dickens' classic but still perfect for all ages. It's the best.
This holiday movie is a classic. It is my special favorite during Christmas. I really love it so much. Besides, it has some of everything: humor, great songs, and wonderful acting.
It is not humanly possible to watch this movie without laughing. Its scenes switch from kid-friendly to incredibly violent in seconds with no transitions. The whole thing is so absolutely horrible that the only movie I can think of that is funnier is Gremlins 2.
One minute it's a cute little creature, the next some guy just got stabbed with a syringe.
It might seem like a horror film, but it is great on its own.
Amazing! The singing is timeless, and the acting is amazing! I will forever love this musical.
Absolutely love the wonderful singing and dancing. Should be Top 5!
I only like the end and it always makes me cry because it's so pretty.
This is the best Christmas movie of all time. This should be number one!
Well, it just proves there really is a Father Christmas, doesn't it?
Deserves to be in the top five. It's so heartwarming!
I love this movie so much! It is my family's tradition to start every Christmas season by watching it while putting up the tree.
I've seen it like a billion times. You can never stop laughing at it. Home Alone is very overrated.
I am from Minnesota. How can you not like this one!
This is not just one of the most underrated Christmas movies ever. It's one of the most underrated movies in history.
Arthur Christmas is so hilarious and exciting, you might spew a fruit cake. It's brilliant.
I have no shame in saying that this is the best Christmas movie of all time.
This is an all-time classic comedy, Christmas or otherwise. It's quotable and has a wonderful combination of drama, cynicism, comedy, absurdity, and (as any Christmas movie should) redemption. Bill Murray is at his slapstick, sarcastic-and-vulnerable peak.
This movie is absolutely hilarious. The three ghosts are perfect!
Definitely a great Christmas movie, checks all the boxes for me!
Literally the only movie in the entire franchise that happens to be a Christmas movie.
A masterpiece. My favorite Christmas movie (It takes place at Christmas time).
Not really a Christmas movie, but still awesome. Best one in the franchise.