Top 10 Best Christmas Movies of All Time

The Top Ten
1 Home Alone

A great fun movie with enough family-friendly action to engage everyone and some good laughs at the expense of the baddies.
I could never fully understand the family going without Kevin (surely there was a ticket check and an empty plane seat if nothing else), but once they do, the fun begins!

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.

I don't really need to explain much about why this movie is so good, considering how many other people have already said positive things about it. However, I can positively say that the first "Home Alone" movie is a brilliant classic that deserves its praise. It's very funny and entertaining, especially how the main protagonist, Kevin, tries to go up against some thieves when he is left alone at home.

2 Elf

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 actually probably one of the most humorous movies ever made! Will Ferrell is so funny! I roll around the floor laughing every time.

3 A Christmas Story

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's a movie with tons of character. It's a great classic. It should be number one on the list!

It's a tradition in our family that we watch this every Christmas, but if I watch it too much, the movie will shoot my eye out, laugh out loud!

4 It's A Wonderful Life

I haven't seen this as often as I probably should have - it's not as flashy or exciting as other movies and doesn't interest my kids as much - but I love the simplicity and heart of this movie. I think we all could do with a reminder occasionally that we do have a wonderful life, despite some unpleasant bits. This movie reminds us without being preachy.

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.

It's A Wonderful Life is one of two movies I always watch around Christmas time, the second one being Home Alone. But this movie has to be the greatest Christmas movie ever and is my personal favorite. The music, cinematography, acting, and overall storytelling are just amazing. I especially love the ending of this movie, one of the best endings to a movie ever created. It just makes you want to happy cry. This isn't just my favorite Christmas movie ever, I'd consider it one of the best movies of all time.

5 National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

"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 #1!

One of the funniest movies, not just Christmas but of any film ever. Easily the best of the Vacation films and a contender for top Christmas films of all time.

6 Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer

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.

7 The Polar Express

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 can't go a Christmas without watching this. It's a little tradition of mine to watch it once a week before and on Christmas Eve. A great movie that gets me into the spirit of Christmas! I love this movie so much. It never gets old!

8 Home Alone 2: Lost in New York

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...

This should be number 2 because, unlike other movie sequels, it is actually good. It's better because it also is a Christmas movie.

9 Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas

This is a classic Christmas movie, both the animated one and the real-life one. I don't know why this isn't higher than Home Alone 2. It should be in the top 10.

It's been my favourite Christmas movie ever since I was little. I love it so, so much. "Where Are You Christmas?" is my favorite Christmas song, too. It has such a good message, too.

Not as good as the animated original, but very special in its own way. Another tradition for our family. Just not Christmas without watching Jim Carrey in Whoville.

10 The Nightmare Before Christmas

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 favourite 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 Contenders
11 Die Hard

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.

Absolutely. I was wondering the same thing. This might be my favorite Christmas movie. It was a blast to see in the theater back in the day and it never gets old. Not the typical holiday movie!

A movie with the perfect amount of action and a story that engages the viewers from start to finish. Die Hard has it all. It's definitely my number one go-to action movie around Christmas time.

12 How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Beautiful animation, narration, and music. Still holds up decades later. Something children, parents, and grandparents can enjoy together. It truly is timeless.

I absolutely love this movie so very much, and the best song in this movie is You're the Mean One, Mr. Grinch. I really love Jim Carrey so very much. 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.

13 The Santa Clause

I just loved this movie from the first time I saw it! It has humour and heart, but 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 heart-warming, it gets me in the spirit.

14 A Christmas Carol (1951)

I won a poetry competition, so me and the other winners in my school got to go to Waterstones (a British book shop) to have hot chocolate in its cafe (it was delicious!) and to 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.

I love the story of this movie. Not particularly this adaptation, but I love the story of Scrooge and how he is shown the error of his ways before it's too late.

Please note that my vote is for the 1951 film. I cannot honestly say any other adaptation is anywhere near as good.

15 Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

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.

I think they actually mean this one is #11.

16 The Muppet Christmas Carol

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. This movie is my special favorite during Christmas. I really love this movie so very much. Besides, this movie has some of everything: humor, great songs, and wonderful acting.

Absolutely outstanding and the best representation of the Dickens classic by a long shot.

17 Gremlins

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.

18 Miracle on 34th Street (1994)

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 5. It's so heartwarming!

19 Frosty the Snowman
20 White Christmas

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

21 Arthur Christmas

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.

22 Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town
23 Jingle All the Way

I love this movie so much! It is my family's tradition to start every Christmas season by watching this movie 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!

24 Batman Returns

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.

25 Scrooged

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!

8Load More
PSearch List