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The Top Christmas Movies to Get You in the Festive Spirit

BySarah Bailey

There’s something magical about curling up under a blanket with a mug of tea (or hot chocolate), fairy lights twinkling, and a Christmas film playing on the TV. No matter if you are into heartfelt nostalgia, laugh-out-loud chaos, or full-on festive cheese, there’s a Christmas movie out there that feels like a warm hug.

Here are some of the best, including my personal all-time favourite that never fails to make the season bright.

The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)

Let’s start with a masterpiece. This version of Dickens’ classic tale somehow manages to be both hilarious and deeply moving, all thanks to the perfect mix of Kermit, Miss Piggy, Gonzo, and one of the most committed Scrooges in cinematic history, Michael Caine. The songs are wonderful, the humour’s timeless, and it’s packed with heart. It’s my personal favourite, and I’ll die on the hill that it’s the best Christmas film ever made.

A remote control rests on a blanket in the foreground, with a blurry, lit Christmas tree and a projector on a wooden table in the background, creating a cosy holiday atmosphere.

Home Alone (1990)

Kevin McCallister vs. two bumbling burglars, pure festive chaos. It’s funny, a little bit violent in that cartoonish way, and full of nostalgia. Plus, who doesn’t secretly wish they could booby-trap their own house with marbles and paint cans?

Love Actually (2003)

A modern British classic which is filled with awkward moments, emotional confessions, and, of course, that unforgettable airport scene. It’s cheesy, overstuffed, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. Whether you’re in it for the romance, the chaos, or just the soundtrack, it’s essential December viewing.

The Holiday (2006)

Swapping homes, swapping lives, and falling head-over-heels in the most idyllic festive settings imaginable. It’s charming, funny, and endlessly rewatchable. Also: Jude Law as the world’s most wholesome dad? Yes, please.

Elf (2003)

Will Ferrell dressed as a giant elf running around New York City shouting about Christmas spirit, what’s not to love? It’s pure joy in movie form and never fails to get even the grinchiest person feeling festive.

The Santa Claus (1994)

When an ordinary dad accidentally becomes Santa, chaos (and Christmas magic) ensues. Equal parts funny and touching, it’s one of those films that defined Christmas for a whole generation.

It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)

If you need a good cry and a reminder that your life matters, this one delivers every time. Black-and-white perfection with one of cinema’s most heart-warming endings, it’s the ultimate reminder that kindness counts.

A bowl of popcorn sits on a red checked surface surrounded by glowing fairy lights, with warm, blurry lights in the background creating a cosy atmosphere.

Arthur Christmas (2011)

A newer addition to the Christmas classics, Arthur Christmas gives us a look inside Santa’s high-tech North Pole operation and Arthur’s big heart. It’s funny, clever, and beautifully animated, with a touch of unmistakable British charm.

The Polar Express (2004)

All aboard this slightly uncanny but magical journey to the North Pole, complete with hot chocolate, jingling bells, and the reminder to always believe.

The Grinch (2000 or 2018 – take your pick!)

Jim Carrey’s gloriously over-the-top version is iconic, but the animated one brings a soft, sweet touch that’s great for family viewing. Either way, the message is the same: Christmas isn’t about presents; it’s about heart.

A mug of hot chocolate topped with marshmallows sits on a red checked blanket, with warm fairy lights and a blurred TV screen showing a decorated Christmas tree in the background.

Final Thoughts

Christmas movies are little moments of joy, mixing together feelings of comfort, nostalgia, and festive sparkle. So no matter if you are a Muppet Christmas Carol loyalist (like me), a Love Actually romantic, or a Home Alone prankster, these films remind us that Christmas magic comes in many forms.

So why not grab your cosiest blanket, favourite hot drink and perhaps some popcorn and queue up your favourites! Let the festive movie marathon begin.

Competition

Would you like to win a popcorn maker to help make the perfect snack to go alongside your Christmas movie watching? Then here is your chance! Just follow the steps on the Gleam widget below.

Win a Popcorn Maker.

There is no mandatory entry option on this giveaway; however, the more options you enter, the more entries you will have in the final draw. Picture of Popcorn Maker is for illustrative purposes only – the one you receive may differ both in style of colour.

The competition is open to the UK only and has a closing date of 27/11/25. Good Luck!

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64 Comments

  3. My Dog Arthur is named after Arthur Christmas! Its one of our favourites! Our tradition is to watch our first Christmas film when we get our decs up on the 1st November! My husband books the day off work for this the year before lol. We make sure all the kids are round, its a big thing to put the tree up with all 6 of my children. Even the adult ones who have moved out lol.
    They know its more than their lifes worth to miss Christmas tree n film day!

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  10. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation – simple humour that always gets me laughing, and amusing characters

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  18. I love National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation because I watched it as a child and my children love it too x

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  21. I have two favourite Christmas films. Albert Finney’s 1970 film of Scrooge and the old black and white film, The Bishop’s Wife. I love the music of the first film, and the gentle humour of Cary Grant in the second.

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  26. I love the classic It’s a Wonderful Life, it was my Mum’s favourite too and although she is no longer with us I still watch it as it brings back happy memories

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  29. My favourite Christmas movie is Home Alone it’s funny, nostalgic and reminds me of watching it every year with my family

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  30. I love the original Miracle 34th street. I just get lost in the story, I watch it every year and still enjoy it.

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  32. I’ve never quite worked out if The Nightmare Before Christmas is a Halloween or Christmas movie, but it’s my favourite!

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  35. My favourite Christmas movie is Die Hard. It’s DEFINITELY a Christmas movie (don’t you dare, no, no, don’t you… zip it. Zip it. Don’t want to hear it.) It’s very charming, endearing, sweet, and oh oh oh, now I have a machine gun!

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  36. I love Home Alone as it’s the first Christmas Movie that my son really watched with me all the way through

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  37. Miracle on 34th Street – it’s a fabulous Christmas feel-good film. Christmas isn’t Christmas without watching it at least once!

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  39. Such a beautiful collection of festive movies and I absolutely love the movie Last Christmas with its Wham soundtrack

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  40. One magic Christmas because I loved it as a child so I suppose it always takes me back to childhood and I love the ending

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  42. Our family Christmas movie has to be National lampoon’s Christmas vacation! The only film we all sit together and watch with popcorn, choccie and a glass of wine or two!

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  44. I love a good Christmas film. The Holiday is my favourite on your list. I won’t be getting through Christmas without watching Scrooges as well though!

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  46. The Nativity ~ it’s a funny film, love the comments the children come out with. True meaning of Christmas x

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  47. I love Miracle on 34th Street. I’ve watched all versions but I think the 1994 version is my favourite because of Richard Attenborough’s stellar performance as Kris Kringle. Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas in our family without watching it. Never fails to pull on the heartstrings!

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  53. We each get to choose a film. I usually choose Muppets, hubs chooses Home Alone and our 8 year old goes for Elf. Me and Hubs are also going to watch Violent Night when 8 has gone to bed 😂

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  54. Whilst I love The Holiday and I’m also a fan of Christmas With The Kranks it has to be National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. Classic comedy Christmas movie, some funny memorable quotes and I love how everything goes wrong because Christmas isn’t always picture perfect and you just have to make the best of it, have fun and make memories!

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  61. Well, It stars the muppets for a start but it’s not too childish – a film for all the family. Pretty true to the Dickens original especially in that it’s just as moving, but, surprisingly, in ways, it may even be better. I could watch it again a couple of times but couldn’t reread the Dickens version even if it took the same amount of time.

    Reply