The Best Christmas Movies To Watch 2024
The top Christmas movies to watch to get you into the holiday spirit.
It seems like only yesterday we were celebrating the holidays, fully-decked out for Christmas and loosening our pants for the festive feasts. Time flies when you’re excited for that crisp turkey and the rest of the Christmas crew.
As the nights get that little bit longer and the cold air starts to tap at our bones, it only really means one thing. Time to cozy up on the couch and watch the best Christmas movies, new and old, to get you into the Christmas vibes.
Christmas is different for everyone, but there’s one thing that many connect over, and that’s a good ol’ Christmas movie. Whether you prefer the nostalgia of classic Christmas movies or more modern adaptations with several subplots, we’ve got you covered.
Check out the best Christmas movies in 2024 to get inspiration for your nights on the couch. Candy and Eggnog at the ready…
Not everyone is into Christmas; if you’re a fan of the more macabre or supernatural, we’ve got the best horror movies and where to stream them.
Streaming movies on a run-down laptop? We’ve got the best laptops under $600 to help you watch movies from beginning to end.
Jump to:
- Funny Christmas movies
- Family Christmas movies
- Christmas movies animated
- LGBT Christmas movies
- Best Christmas movies on Hulu
- Christmas movies Netflix
- Christmas movies Disney Plus
Funny Christmas movies
Christmas is all about feeling good, so stick on one of these funny Christmas movies and you’ll be ha-ha-ha-ing through the night.
Elf (2003)
A classic, and well-loved Christmas film with the iconic Will Ferrell. It’s hard to believe Elf turned 20 years old last year. But you can’t argue that it has fully cemented itself into the Christmas zeitgeist. Because who hasn’t wanted to answer the phone and say, “Buddy the Elf, what’s your favorite color?”
All round good vibes.
How The Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
The Grinch has had quite a few adaptations, but the 2000’s How The Grinch Stole Christmas is probably one of the best. Jim Carrey, Taylor Momsen, the Christine Baranski (Mamma Mia’s style icon, Tanya) — what more do you need? Oh, and Max the dog, too.
Revel in Carrey’s hilarious, albeit slightly scary, portrayal of the Grinch and you’ll soon come to sympathize with him.
The Holiday (2006)
Anything with a star-studded cast is a win in our eyes, and The Holiday stars some of the best names in the biz’. Funny ones, too, like Jack Black (the Nation’s sweetheart).
A house-swap and basically life-swap is the center of this funny Christmas movie, and of course a love story or two thrown into the mix. One of the best funny Christmas movies, and perfect for a night-in with your pals over some holiday snacks.
Family Christmas movies
Christmas time = family time (whatever family means to you). And to make sure you’re all in the holiday spirit together, gather around and light the fire to watch one of these family Christmas movies.
A Christmas Story (1983)
Another iconic Christmas movie, A Christmas Story perfectly encapsulates what it feels like being a kid at Christmas time — the anticipation, hoping for a present you never think you’ll get, and everything in between.
The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
Michael Caine playing the role of Scrooge so seriously while being surrounded by Muppets will never not be an iconic performance. There’s the ideal blend of drawing directly from Dickens’ original text, but with the flair only the Muppets can bring.
One of the best family Christmas movies for sure.
The Santa Clause (1994)
If you’re a child of the 90s or 2000s, you watched The Santa Clause every year, and it’s likely one of your favorite family Christmas movies. There’s no denying Tim Allen’s charm as Santa. Plus, the film was super innovative for the time.
Christmas movies animated
A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
It truly is not the Christmas season until you watch this animated Christmas movie at least once. There isn’t a better movie that perfectly sums up the Christmas experience. Enjoy the nostalgia.
Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)
It’s not really Christmas until you watch one Rankin and Bass movie. Rudolph is definitely the best of the bunch — special shoutout to Yukon Cornelius for being one of the most underrated characters of all time.
The Polar Express (2004)
An absolute classic Christmas movie, The Polar Express is one that is returned to each year. While the animation style is maybe a little bit off-kilter, it’s still one of the best animated Christmas movies of our childhood. Plus, Tom Hanks can really do no wrong.
LGBT Christmas movies
Carol (2015)
Cate Blanchett. That’s it. That’s the only reason to watch this film. An LGBT icon.
On a serious note, there really aren’t a lot of LGBT Christmas movies out there, but Carol is one of the best. Plucking at the heartstrings of same-sex female relationships, Carol focuses on an aspiring photographer who develops an intimate relationship with an older lady in 1950s New York.
A love story that is set during Christmas and will have you feeling all sorts of feels.
Single All The Way (2021)
A romantic-comedy, Single All The Way is about the pressure surrounding being single over the holidays and receiving judgement from the family.
Chronically single Peter convinces his best friend to pretend to be his boyfriend and to join his family over Christmas to avoid the single-judgement. A really great LGBT Christmas movie that will have the whole family laughing.
Let It Snow (2019)
LGBT Christmas movies are far and few, but Let It Snow, while not exclusively centered around LGBT relationships and community, is an inclusive film that is feel-good and well worth the watch this Christmas.
It follows a group of young people who are brought together by a snowstorm on Christmas Eve.
Best Christmas movies on Hulu
Die Hard (1988)
Yes, Die Hard is a Christmas movie, and anyone who argues otherwise is wrong… it’s one of the best Christmas movies on Hulu. This debate comes up every year, and we here at Student Beans are pro-Die Hard as a Christmas movie. Yippee ki-yay!
Four Christmases (2008)
Another all-star cast with the likes of Vince Vaughn, Reese Witherspoon, and Kristen Chenoweth just to name a few. Four Christmases is the ultimate rom-com and one of the best Christmas movies on Hulu.
As the title suggests, the film follows a couple who struggle to visit all four of their divorced parents; expect heated family feuds and belly-laughs.
The Family Stone (2005)
The Family Stone is such a classic film, and luckily for you, it’s one of the best Christmas movies on Hulu. Yet another star-studded cast, the movie centers around a woman who spends Christmas with her boyfriend in an attempt to gel with his family.
Clashing opinions, tension over the dinner table, and Sarah Jessica Parker.
Sign up to Student Beans to find a Hulu student discount of $1.99 per month.
Christmas movies Netflix
Holidate (2020)
Why is everyone so bothered about being in a relationship around Christmas? Give. Us. A. Break.
Holidate taps into what many of us feel — incurable single syndrome. Starring Emma Roberts, her character is mocked for being single, so as any person would do, she brings a date (who she’s just met) to her holiday plans.
Does she stay single? Watch this Christmas movie on Netflix to find out.
Family Switch (2023)
One of the many hilarious Christmas movies on Netflix, Family Switch is fun and full of laughs.
Family members switch bodies and their journey towards normality brings them closer than ever.
Love Hard (2021)
The sequel to Die Hard.
We’re kidding. Nina Dobrev stars in this comedy/romance where she finds her perfect match on a dating app. Can you smell a catfish in here? You better watch it on Netflix to find out.
Christmas movies Disney Plus
If you’re looking for Christmas movies on Disney Plus, you’re in the right place…
Use our Disney Plus student discount to get 15% off a 12-month membership.
Noelle (2019)
Anna Kendrick stars in this Christmas comedy as the daughter of Santa Claus. When her father/Santa retires, she has to step up and take over the family business after her brother gets cold feet.
The Naughty Nine (2023)
Underrated, The Naughty Nine is an original Christmas movie on Disney Plus.
When little kid Andy finds out he’s on the naughty list this Christmas, he gets together all the other naughty kids to fight for the presents they deserve.
Cheeky and charming, what Christmas is all about.
Speaking of presents, shop for your Christmas presents with our sustainable Christmas gifts guide to make your holiday a bit more eco-conscious.
Christmas… Again?! (2021)
My sentiments exactly.
Disney film, Christmas Again?! follows 12-year-old Rowena, who makes a wish for things to be like they were before her parents’ divorce; but instead she finds herself reliving Christmas day over and over again.
Lucky for some, horror for others. Although I wouldn’t mind eating a Christmas dinner every day…
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