Ah Christmas, the only time when lounging around all day watching movies is socially acceptable. (Unfortunately)
It is a well known fact that Christmas movies are the comfiest, warmest, cosiest, most enjoyable things on earth.
If you don’t lay motionless on your couch, and enjoy at least three films after stuffing yourself with turkey on Christmas day – then you’re not doing Christmas right.
So we’ve made a list, and checked it twice, of the top 20 Christmas movies to watch this year.
1. Love Actually
Love Actually may be the greatest Christmas sap-fest ever – but in a great way.
You have heartwarming stories of love, between parents, children, friends, and family. It’s impossible to get bored with so many stories bouncing around.
With appearances from Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson and Mr. Bean, it’s the perfect flick to get you in the festive mood.
2. Home Alone
Home Alone is a beautiful tale that makes you feel better about your life. No matter how badly things are going, at least your parents didn’t forget you and fly to Paris.
Macaulay Culkin stars as our favourite cheeky little kid Kevin McCallister in this Christmas classic.
If this film doesn’t light your Christmas fire, then I don’t know what will.
3. Home Alone 2 – Lost in New York
This is probably one of the only examples in the film world where the sequel is just as good as the original.
Just one year after Kevin was left home alone, he accidentally finds himself in New York City and the burglars he bested the year before are not far behind him.
More booby traps, more Macaulay Culkin, more Christmas and a guest appearance from Donald Trump. What more could you want?
4. The Nightmare Before Christmas
There is a constant debate on whether this particular film is a Halloween or Christmas flick – but it has Christmas in the title so I think we know where we stand.
Tim Burton brings to life the charismatic Jack Skellington, king of Halloween Town. This film finds him discovering Christmas Town and trying to understand the concept.
He and his friends try to bring Christmas to Halloween Town – but they just can’t seem to get it right.
5. Miracle on 34th Street
This is definitely one of the classic Christmas movies.
It follows a young girl who is failing to believe in Santa. But after meeting a special department store Santa, she is given the most precious gift of all. Something to believe in.
Mara Wilson, who played our favourite childhood movie character Matilda, is amazing in this film.
6. Dr Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas
This festive tale follows the grumpy creature known as the Grinch who attempts to end Christmas by stealing gifts from the people of Whoville.
Jim Carrey stars as the iconic character in one of his greatest movie roles to date.
I think we can agree that when his heart grows three times it’s original size – we all ugly cry. Ugly crying is an essential for a happy Christmas.
7. Elf
Will Ferrell stars as Buddy The Elf in this feel-good holiday film.
Buddy is all of us when it comes to Christmas time. “We elves try to stick to the four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corns, and syrup.”
Buddy’s innocent nature is super refreshing and it’s exactly what us cynics need for our souls at Christmas.
8. The Santa Clause
Tim Allen plays the role of Santa Clause so well in this film, that most 90’s kids still believe he is Santa Clause.
It may have a bleak start, when the original Santa accidentally dies, but it turns into one of the most heartwarming films of all time.
Tim Allen was the King of Christmas films in the 90’s.
9. The Muppets Christmas Carol
In this amazing movie, The Muppet characters tell their version of the classic tale of old and bitter Scrooge’s redemption on Christmas Eve.
The Muppets hold Scrooge accountable for his dastardly ways during night-time visitations by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and future.
This is one of the cosiest movies to watch with your family, while curled up on the couch at Christmas time.
10. It’s A Wonderful Life
This classic film follows a despairingly frustrated businessman who is visited by an angel. She shows him what life would have been like if he never existed.
It’s romantic, it’s magical, and it’s heartwarming it’s perfect – it’s a wonderful life.
Old time Hollywood stars Donna Reed and James Stewart star in this flick.
11. Scrooged
Bill Murray came out last year with his musical comedy called A Very Murray Christmas, and it was pretty disappointing.
But 1988 Bill Murray was absolutely fantastic in Scrooged. This movie is what made us fall in love with him in the first place.
This festive comedy follows a selfish, cynical TV executive who is haunted by three spirits bearing lessons on Christmas Eve.
12. Die Hard
John McClane, officer of the NYPD, tries to save his wife Holly Gennaro and several others that were taken hostage by terrorist Hans Gruber during a party in Los Angeles
I know. ‘How is this a Christmas movie?’ you ask. I’ll answer that right now.
The party that they get taken hostage at is a Christmas party, so there you go.
13. Christmas with the Kranks
King of Christmas films Tim Allen is back at it again.
This film follows a usually traditional couple who decide to leave all of their Christmas responsibilities behind and go on a cruise.
We can definitely get behind that concept.
14. The Holiday
Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law and Jack Black star in this cheery festive comedy.
It follows two women who decide to engage in a house swap, one lives in a quaint cottage in the English countryside, and the other in a lavish mansion in LA.
Jude Law features predominantly in this movie, you shouldn’t need any other reason to watch it.
15. Meet Me in St. Louis
Judy Garland stars in this classic Christmas comedy film.
It follows a well off family called The Smith’s. The family is shocked when Mr. Smith reveals that he has been transferred to a nice position in New York.
This means that the family has to leave St. Louis, and they are not sure how to take the news.
16. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
A young Robert Downey Jr. is the main star in this film, need I say more?
A thief posing as an actor is brought to Los Angeles for an unlikely audition and finds himself in the middle of a murder investigation.
The movie opens with thief Robert Downey Jr. robbing a toy store, both for the cash and for the toy on his child’s Christmas wish list.
17. Jingle All The Way
There’s nothing better at Christmas than a family friendly film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. The cheesier, the better.
Arnold plays a father who vowed to get his son a Turbo Man action figure for Christmas, but oh no, every store is sold out of them.
He must travel all over town and compete with everybody else in order to find one. His journey turns out to be very entertaining.
18. Jack Frost
Here’s yet another Christmas movie that will definitely make you ugly cry, so grab the tissues.
A father who can’t keep his promises, dies in a car accident. One year later, he returns as a snowman, who has the final chance to put things right with his son before he is gone forever.
When the weather gets warmer, the son has to say goodbye to his father for real.. I can feel the tears coming on already.
19. Bad Santa
This is a bit of a controversial one, not everyone loves this film. But it’s entertaining, it’s Christmassy and it’s a bit cheeky.
A miserable conman and his partner pose as Santa and his Little Helper to rob department stores on Christmas Eve.
But, they run into problems when the conman befriends a troubled kid, and the security boss discovers the plot.
20. About A Boy
Hugh Grant and Nicholas Hoult (Yes, this adorable kid grows up to be Tony in Skins) star in this fantastic film.
In this cosy movie cynical, immature young man is taught how to act like a grown-up by a little boy.
This film is sure to pull at your heartstrings this Christmas, and make you believe in new beginnings. (Cheesy but true)
21. The Polar Express
This is the perfect Christmas movie if you want to be transported back to your childhood.
A young boy embarks on a magical adventure to the North Pole on the Polar Express. During his adventure he learns about friendship, bravery, and the spirit of Christmas.
Tom Hanks voices the conductor, and his voice is just so soothing. You’ll feel safe and cosy.
22. The Titanic
Young Leonardo DiCaprio? Yes please.
If you don’t watch The Titanic at least three times at Christmas, then you’re not a real person.
There’s insight into true love, heartbreak, the division in society, and much much more. Go on, get it on your laptop right now.
23. A Charlie Brown Christmas
This is one of the cutest Christmas films of all time. Even though it was made in 1965, it’s still so relevant to our world today.
Repelled by the commercialism of Christmas, Charlie Brown sets out to find the true meaning of the holiday.
Who doesn’t love a little Charlie Brown?
24. Bridget Jones’ Diary
When you think Bridget Jones, I assume you see Colin Firth in a Christmas jumper.
There’s nothing like opening a bottle of wine with your mates at Christmas and watching Bridget’s crazy life unfold.
Bridget is our hero, because she gives hope that some day we’ll all find our own Mark Darcy.
25. The Snowman
So technically this isn’t a movie, but a twenty six minute animated television special.
But look, it’s too beautiful to leave out of this list.
The animated special became prominent in popular culture, and it’s showings have since become an annual festive event. So get on it, and enjoy the pure beauty.
26. White Christmas
If you’re looking for a romantic, old-fashioned Christmas musical comedy film, then this is the one for you.
After World War II, song and dance men Bob Wallace and Phil Davis form a successful partnership, eventually becoming top Broadway producers.
Bob agrees to take in a nightclub act by the Haynes sisters, Betty and Judy, as a favour – but of course they all fall in love, how lovely.
27. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
Another classic film is National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.
The Griswolds are preparing for seasonal celebrations, but things never run smoothly for the family.
Their bad luck is worsened by obnoxious family guests, but their bad luck makes for hilarious consequences.
28. Edward Scissorhands
One of the most Christmassy snow scenes of all time is when Edward Scissorhands (Johnny Depp) makes it snow for Winona Ryder.
A kind lady called Peg discovers a boy with scissors for hands and welcomes him into her home. At first, everyone welcomes him into the community, but soon things begin to take a change for the worse.
It gets us every time.
29. Batman Returns
Ah, Christmas in Gotham, where ornaments are used as weapons in the war against bad guys like the Penguin and Catwoman.
Michael Keaton and Michelle Pfeiffer star in this action-packed Tim Burton film.
So curl up on your sofa, enjoy a few boxes of quality street, and prepare to be entertained.
30. Mean Girls
Mean Girls can be watched at any time of the year to be honest, but the girls’ rendition of Jingle Bell Rock is nothing if not iconic.
So use this as an excuse to catch up with Cady and Regina George in Tina Fey’s classic chick flick.
Happy watching, and Happy Christmas.
