While Freeform and other channels on cable offer 25 days of Christmas movies, my idea of a Christmas tradition lasts all month long not just for the first 25 days of December. This means holiday decorations, dressed in my fleece warm Rudolph, the rednosed reindeer pajamas, my cozy fleece reindeer Christmas blanket, some delicious treats like peppermint hot cocoa and my special peppermint brownies, playing my Christmas music playlist and singing to my favorite songs in the car on the way to work or Christmas shopping and of course my all time favorite Christmas films that I never grow tired of watching every year.
My gift to you is compiling and sharing a list and a little overview of some of my favorite feel good Christmas movies that will not only help those of you who struggle to find a good movie to watch but will hopefully put you in the Christmas mood all month long like it does for me. You’ll never have to leave the comfort of your living room because some of the movies listed are either on Netflix, Hulu, Peacock, Tubi, and even YouTube (although some are free on YouTube, some of these movies need to be rented but you'll have 24 hours to watch them) but if you prefer to get your own copy on DVD you could get these movies at Target or Best Buy or better yet order it online and have it shipped to you. I also want to note that I went ahead and made it easier on you by listing what sites these movies are streaming on. I also want to note that when you come across the movie titles that are highlighted in blue, just simply click on the title and it will redirect you to the movie on YouTube where it is streaming for free. (This way you are not searching and getting lost looking for the right video post.)
Most of you have probably already seen some of these, maybe you need a refresher because you forgot the name of a movie or you might have always wanted to watch one of these but could not remember the name of the title, and so I hope this list of movies helps you!
A Christmas Carol (1938) | Drama/Fantasy | - Starring Reginald Owen : Streaming on HBO Max & Disney’s A Christmas Carol (2009) | Fantasy/Family | - Starring Jim Carrey Streaming on Disney+.
A Christmas Carol (1938): Grumpy businessman Ebenezer Scrooge does not care for Christmas, mistreats his employee Bob Cratchit who is a family man who tries to take care of his family especially his son Tiny Tim who suffers from rickets and tuberculosis as well as ignores anyone who tries to give friendly hello or Merry Christmas. Until one night, Scrooge is visited by his former business partner’s ghost spirit and three other Christmas spirits who just might convince Scrooge to change his attitude and become a more compassionate person.
A Christmas Carol (2009): Just like the other remakes of ‘A Christmas Carol', Ebenezer Scrooge who is voiced by Jim Carrey, thinks Christmas is all humbug. When Scrooge is home getting ready for bed, his former business partner’s spirit warns him that he will be visited by three ghosts who will take Scrooge on a visit to the past, present and future with the hopes of transforming his bitterness to happiness.
Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn (1942) | Musical | -Starring Fred Astaire & Bing Crosby : For rent on YouTube for $3.99.
In this holiday Christmas classic musical, Jim (Bing Crosby), and Lila are apart of a performing trio group who plan to quit and run a hotel but when Lila confesses to Jim that she has fallen in love with another dancer, brokenhearted Jim leaves town and finds himself turning an inn into a holiday’s only live entertainment venue, he winds up falling for Linda (Marjorie Reynolds), an entertainer he booked for the venue. But then, Ted shows up at the inn after Lila breaks up with him and finds himself set on Linda too.
Christmas in Connecticut (1945) | Comedy/Romance | - Starring Barbara Stanwyck : For rent on YouTube for $2.99.
While war hero Jeff is recovering in a hospital, he becomes family with the “Diary of a Housewife” column written by Elizabeth Lane. Jeff’s nurse is kind enough to reach out to Lane’s publisher Alexander Yardley, to arrange for Jeff to spend the holiday at Ms. Lane’s Connecticut farm property with Lane, her husband and child. However, the column is a sham, and Yardley finds himself quickly arranging a publicity stunt by setting up single Ms. Lane in a house on a farm up in Connecticut with a pretend husband and child. Later, Ms. Lane finds herself secretly falling in love with war hero Jeff.
It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) | Drama/Fantasy | - Starring Donna Reed & Jim Stewart : Streaming on Tubi for free with ads.
It’s Christmas time and George Bailey (Jim Stewart) finds himself dealing with so many problems and mistreats his family due to the stress and aggravation he has, he thinks of ending it all. As the angels discuss George Bailey, flashbacks of his life are shown. When George is about to jump on the bridge, he finds himself rescuing his guardian angel, Clarence who then takes George on a path down an alternate reality of what the town would have looked like if it weren’t for all the good deeds George did for his friends, family, and the town.
The Bishop’s Wife (1947) | Fantasy/Romance | - Starring Cary Grant : Streaming for free on Youtube, Tubi and Pluto Tv.
Crestfallen by his efforts to raise money to build a cathedral, Bishop Henry Brougham calls on heaven for guidance and in not long after he is visited by Dudley (Cary Grant) who claims to be an angel. The Bishop is skeptical and soon grows irritated when Dudley ingratiates himself into the household as the Bishop’s assistant and even more so when he wins the attention of the Bishop’s wife who has longing for her husband’s love and affection. When Dudley continues to charm the Bishop’s wife and daughter and intervenes in the Bishop’s struggles, the Bishop decides to challenge heaven and win back the heart of his wife.
Miracle on 34th Street (1947) | Comedy/Drama | - Natalie Wood : Streaming on HBO Max.
When an intoxicated Santa shows up for the job, an old man by the name Kris Kringle fills in. Kringle proves to be the best fit for Santa and soon begins appearing regularly at the main store in midtown Manhattan. However, when Kringle surprises people by claiming to be the real Santa Clause, it leads to a court case to determine his mental health.
Irving Berlin’s White Christmas (1954) | Musical | - Starring Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney, Vera Ellen & Danny Kaye : Streaming on Netflix.
After leaving the army, Bob Wallace (Bing Crosby) and Phil Davis (Danny Kaye) end up in the show business as singers. Wallace and Davis eventually find themselves teaming up with sisters Betty (Rosemary Clooney) and Judy Haynes (Vera Ellen) to perform a Christmas show in rural Vermont at the Columbia Inn. There Wallace and Davis run into their former General, Waverly who happens to run the Inn. When Wallace and Davis find out General Waverly is not only having financial difficulties but that the inn is failing, Wallace, Davis and the Haynes sisters decide to put on an extravagant musical show that will help put the inn back on the market for guests.
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (1964) | Family/Fantasy | Streaming for free on YouTube.
Sam the snowman tells the story of a misfit reindeer, Rudolph who is being ousted from playing reindeer games with the other reindeer and finds himself running away from home where he meets a misfit elf, Hermey who does not want to be an elf in Santa’s workshop but become a dentist. These misfit friends both go on a search to find a place that will accept them for who they are and who they want to be.
A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965) | Animation/Short film |
Christmas time is here and while the peanut gang is full of joy, Charlie Brown is the only one with Christmas blues. To try to get into the Christmas spirit, Charlie Brown takes his sister Lucy’s advice and directs a Christmas play. When Charlie Brown goes to look for the perfect Christmas tree to put in the play, everyone makes fun of the short, spindly tree he presents. But with a Christmas miracle and some Christmas magic, all ends merry and bright for the peanut gang, including Charlie Brown.
Frosty the Snowman (1969) | Comedy/Fantasy | : Streaming on YouTube for free.
This special classic story follows a group of children who build a snowman called Frosty. When they place a magician’s top hat on Frosty the snowman’s head, he comes to life and brings joy to the group of children. But when professor Hinkle wants the top hat and the temperature begins to heat up, the children fight to keep Frosty safe.
Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town (1970) | Fantasy/Musical | - Starring Fred Astaire : Streaming for free on YouTube.
A postman, voiced by Fred Astaire, answers some questions about Santa Claus and tells the story of how a baby named Kris was left on the doorstep of the Kringle family, who happen to be toymakers. When Kris gets older he decides he wants to deliver toys to children of Sombertown. However, Sombertown’s burgermeister is too mean and cold to let Kris deliver toys to the children and an evil wizard named Winter makes Kris’s journey to deliver toys worse.
The Year without Santa Claus (1974) | Fantasy/Musical | Can be rented on YouTube for $2.99.
While Mrs. Claus tells the story of the year Santa decides to take a break from delivering toys to children around the world, elves Jingle and Jangle set out on a mission to find children who still believe in Santa to prove that the Christmas spirit still exists.
Pinocchio's Christmas (1980) | Animation/Family | For rent on YouTube for $3.99.
It is Pincchio’s first Christmas and Geppetto tries to think of how to buy Pinocchio a gift. Geppetto sells his boots and buys Pinocchio a gift but Pinocchio later ends up selling the gift to buy Geppetto a gift.
A Christmas Story (1983) | Comedy/Family | : Streaming on HBO Max.
Set in the 1940’s, ‘A Christmas Story,’ follows a story of a young boy named Ralphie from Cleveland, who spends most of his time dodging the school bully and dreaming of his Christmas wish and gift, a Red Ryder air rifle.
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989) | Comedy | - Starring Chevy Chase : Streaming on HBO Max.
As the holiday approaches, Clark Griswold plans to have the perfect family Christmas, so he pesters his wife and children to make sure things meet his standards, that means holiday decorations and the right tree. However, things go awry when his cousin and his cousin’s family show up leaving the Griswold Christmas in a chaotic mess.
Home Alone (1990) & Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992) | Comedy/Family | - Starring Macaulay Culkin : Streaming on Disney+.
Home Alone (1990): When Kevin McCallister is sent to the attic after acting up, he wishes his family was gone. When the McCallister family are in a hurry to make their flight to Paris for Christmas vacation, they mistakenly leave Kevin McCallister behind. When 8 year old Kevin awakes to find the house empty, he assumes his wish came true. Kevin takes this time to do whatever he pleases, but his vacation takes a turn when not only does he begin to miss his family but two con men try to steal valuables from the McCallister home.
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992): After Kevin McCallister loses track of his father at the airport, he mistakenly jumps on a flight to New York while his family is fly to Florida. When Kevin realizes he is alone in New York City, he cons his way into a hotel room at the Plaza Hotel and begins his usual antics. When Kevin discovers the same con men who tried to steal from his home in the past are on the loose, he finds a way to keep them from breaking into and robbing a toy story.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) | Family/Fantasy | - Starring Danny Elfman & Chris Saradon both as Jack Skellington : Streaming on Disney+.
Halloweentown’s beloved pumpkin King, Jack Skellington has become a little bored of the same annual traditions of frightening people. As Jack takes a walk in the forest he stumbles across Christmas town which is full of bright colorful lights and decorations and warm spirits. Jack then plots to steal Christmas by kidnapping Santa Claus and fulfilling the role himself. However, Jack realizes that some plans do not always go as planned.
Beauty and the Beast The Enchanted Christmas (1997) | Family/Fantasy | : Streaming on Disney+.
It’s almost Christmas and Belle is full of Christmas spirit however her monstrous beau Beast is not in the celebratory mood. When Belle and the rest of the castle crew are set on decorating, the pipe organ, Forte, opposes Belle's presence and her plans to celebrate Christmas so he sends his friend to set up schemes in hopes to ruin the Christmas festivities and the relationship between Belle and Beast.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966) | Animation/Short & How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) | Family/Fantasy | - Starring Jim Carrey : For rent on YouTube $3.99.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966) : Boris Karloff narrates an animated tale of a lonely, cold, heartless character called Grinch who decides to impersonate Santa and steal the Christmas decorations and gifts from the people of Whoville.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000): The recluse and grumpy green Grinch (Jim Carrey) decides to ruin Christmas for the cheerful citizens of Whoville. With his dog Max, the Grinch disguises himself and sneaks into Whoville to snatch up every holiday decoration and gifts. While the Grinch is snuffing out his plan, he finds himself in a small hiccup when he encounters a little girl, Cindy Lou Who.
The Family Man (2000) | Comedy/Romance | - Starring Nicholas Cage and Téa Leoni : For rent on YouTube $3.99.
Jack Campbell is living the fast paced and lavish lifestyle until he stumbles into a grocery store where he disarms a gunman who happens to be a guardian angel who tests people. Jack is given the opportunity to see how his life would be if he ended up living a suburban lifestyle with his college sweetheart (Téa Leoni).
Elf (2003) | Comedy/Family | - Starring Will Ferrell : Streaming on HBO Max.
Buddy (Will Ferrell) was accidentally transported to the North Pole from the orphanage, when he snuck into Santa’s red bag when he was a baby. He is then raised by the elves however as he got older he began to feel that he did not quite fit in with the elves in the North Pole. When Buddy finds out he was adopted, he travels to New York to find his father who is a cynical businessman. Here in the world of humans, Buddy begins to adapt and meet some very special people.
The Polar Express (2004) | Family/Fantasy | -Starring Tom Hanks : Streaming on HBO Max.
When a doubtful young boy who does not believe in Santa travels on what seems to be a magical train ride that’s headed to the North Pole, he embarks on a journey of self discovery that the magical wonders of life never fades for those who truly believe in the spirit of Christmas and Santa.
The Legend of Frosty the Snowman (2005) | Animation/Family | : Streaming on YouTube for free.
The mayor of Evergreen dismisses magic and talks of magic as nonsense, but when Frosty the Snowman comes to town, he shows the town’s children that magic exists. After the children encounter some fun magical moments with Frosty, they want to spread the word about Frosty’s fun loving attitude and magical antics.
The Santa Clause (1994), Santa Clause (2002) & Santa Clause 3: the Escape Clause (2006) | Comedy/Family | - Starring Tim Allen : Streaming on Disney+.
The Santa Clause (1994): Divorced father Scott Calvin (Tim Allen) has custody of his son Charlie on Christmas Eve. After startling a man on his roof dressed in a Santa suit who slips and falls, Scott finds a card stating to put the suit on if anything should happen to the person who was wearing it. After Scott puts the Santa suit on he is transported to the North Pole, where the lead elf, Bernard explains that Scott must take Santa’s place before the next Christmas or Christmas will be gone. Scott does not have much of a choice when he begins to gain weight and grows a white bread.
Santa Clause 2 (2002): Scott Calvin has adjusted and grown to love being Santa for the past 8 years, however when he is dealt with some shocking unexpected news. Not only has his son Charlie ended up on the naughty list but he must find a Mrs. Clause by Christmas Eve or else he will stop being Santa forever.
Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause (2006): Christmas cheer is quickly turned to holiday chaos when Scott aka Santa invites his family to spend the holiday in the North Pole. While trying to keep his secret from his in-laws, he must also watch out for Jack Frost’s (Martin Short) scheme to take over the North Pole and become Santa himself. Scott (Santa) and his head elf Curtis have to join forces to keep Jack Frost from succeeding to take control of the North Pole.
Last Holiday (2006) | Comedy/Romance | - Starring Queen Latifah & LL Cool J : For rent on YouTube $2.99.
When quiet, extrovert Georgia Bryd is told that she has a terminal illness she decides to go out and do things she’s never done before. She withdraws her savings and takes a flight to Europe where she lives lavishly. WIth her joyous, friendly attitude she charms everyone she meets, even the famous Chef Didier who she idolizes. The only thing missing from her life is her longtime crush Sean Matthews (LL Cool J).
The Holiday (2006) | Comedy/Romance | - Starring Jack Black, Cameron Diaz, Jude Law & Kate Winslet : Streaming on Netflix and Hulu.
Dumped and depressed during the holidays, Rose is looking for a getaway from her life in the English countryside in the U.K. Similarly to Rose, Amanda is also looking to escape from her life in California after finding out her boyfriend cheated on her. While looking for vacation spots, Amanda stumbles upon a cute cozy little cottage home which happens to be Rose’s. After a small conversation between Rose and Amanda, the two decided to swap homes for the holiday’s. Although the two are looking for a getaway they discover their happy holiday ending.
Dear Santa (2011) | Drama/Romance | : Streaming on Youtube and on Peacock for free with ads.
Crystal, a wealthy party girl finds a letter written to Santa asking for a new mom. Crystal finds the letter to be cute and charming, so she decides to change her rich girl ways and get to know the little girl who wrote the letter and the little girl's father in hopes of winning their hearts.
Holiday Engagement (2011) | Comedy/Drama/Romance | : Streaming for free on Pluto Tv and Tubi for free with ads.
Hillary gets engaged and then finds herself alone again after her fiance leaves her just before they were supposed to meet up with her family for the holiday’s. Rather than face her parents disapproval of still being single, Hillary hires an actor to play her fake fiance and future husband to be.
12 Dates of Christmas (2011) | Drama/Romance | : Streaming on Disney+.
Kate is a young woman who finds herself reliving Christmas Eve over and over again. In an attempt to win back her ex boyfriend on Christmas Eve, she ends up ruining her blind date with Miles. In the 12 days of reliving Christmas Eve, Kate soon begins to change and accepts that she may never end up with her ex boyfriend and finds herself falling for Miles.
The Spirit of Christmas (2015) | Drama/Romance | : Streaming for free on YouTube.
After finding out that a historic inn has still not been closed for sale, Kate takes a trip to the historic inn to try and close the sale herself. When she comes across Daniel, a ghost who died a century ago, she has reason to believe that he is the one behind the reason for the inn not selling. As irritating as she finds Daniel, she soon begins to fall in love with him.
A Christmas Prince (2017), A Christmas Prince The Royal Wedding (2018) & A Christmas Prince The Royal Baby (2019) | Comedy/Romance | : Streaming on Netflix.
A Christmas Prince (2017): As Christmas nears, journalist Amber is sent abroad to write a story about a playboy prince who is destined to be the next King. When she has no luck getting an interview to meet the soon to be King, she goes undercover as a tutor from the United States. However, Amber not only finds herself swooning over this King who they call the playboy prince but she uncovers a hidden secret of the royal family.
A Christmas Prince: the Royal Wedding (2018): A year after Amber helped Richard secure the crown, the two are set to tie the knot in a royal Christmas wedding but Amber begins to question whether or not she’s cut out to be a Queen.
A Christmas Prince: The Royal Baby (2019): It’s Christmas time in Aldovia again, and a royal baby is on the way. Queen Amber and King Richard are getting ready to take time off to prepare for their baby’s arrival. However, they have to host King Tai and his wife Queen Ming of Pengalia to renew a 600 year old sacred truce in order to keep the peace. When a storm hits on Christmas Eve and the 600 year old treaty goes missing, the peace is jeopardized and an ancient curse looms throughout the castle. With Amber and the help of her friends and family, she will have to find out what happened to the treaty before the clock strikes midnight for the sake of her family and the kingdom.
The Holiday Calendar (2018) | Rom-Com | - Starring Kat Graham : Streaming on Netflix.
A talented photographer (Kat Graham) inherits an antique holiday advent calendar from her grandfather that she believes to predict her future including a budding romance. Although the calendar is giving the right signs, she is blinded by who she believes to be the man (Ethan Peck) when in reality she has been looking at the wrong person.
The Princess Switch (2018), The Princess Switch Switched Again (2020) & The Princess Switch Romancing the Star (2021) | Rom-Com | - Starring Vanessa Hudgens : Streaming on Netflix.
The Princess Switch (2018): Stacy (Vanessa Hudgens) always follows a schedule but one day she decides to take a spontaneous trip to Belgravia which her best friend Kevin suggested. There they join and prepare for the Royal Christmas Baking Contest but Stacy bumps into an identical stranger, Margaret Delacourt the fiance of the Prince of Belgravia. Margaret wants to experience life as a normal person before she marries the Prince so she suggests she and Stacy switch places for a short while but what Margaret does not plan is falling in love with Stacy’s best friend and Stacy did not plan to fall in love with the Prince.
The Princess Switch: Switched Again (2020): Duchess Margaret inherits the throne to Montenaro but hits a rough patch with her boyfriend Kevin. Stacy suggests that they switch places again so she can help patch Margaret and Kevin’s relationship. However, another sticky situation arises when Margaret’s evil cousin Lady Fiona, tries to disguise herself as Maragret in hopes of stealing the throne.
The Princess Switch: Romancing the Star (2021): All is well in the Royal world until a priceless Christmas relic is stolen. Royal look-a-likes Margaret and Stacy decide to turn to the audacious doppelgänger Fiona and her ex for help to get back the Christmas relic.
Noelle (2019) | Comedy/Fantasy | - Starring Anna Kendrick : Streaming on Disney+.
Kris Kringle’s daughter Noelle (Anna Kendrick) is full of Christmas spirit but wishes she could do more like her brother Nick who will eventually take over for their father this Christmas. When Nick is faced by too much pressure, Noelle suggests he take a break and getaway but when Nick does not return, Noelle goes out to find her brother in time to save Christmas.
The Knight Before Christmas (2019) | Rom-Com | -Starring Vanessa Hudgens : Streaming on Netflix.
A medieval knight is transported to the present day where he meets and falls for a beautiful high school science teacher (Vanessa Hudgens) who has lost her belief in true love.
Holidate (2020) | Drama/Romance | - Starring Emma Roberts : Streaming on Netflix.
When two people become fed up with being single on the holidays and happen to meet, they agree to be each other's platonic plus ones all year long but eventually the two catch feelings for each other.
Love Hard (2021) | Drama/Rom-Com | - Starring Nina Dobrev : Streaming on Netflix.
When Natalie Bauer (Nina Dobrev) miserably strikes out with online dating and being catfished she turns it into a column that becomes a big hit. However, when she finds herself swiping away on a dating app, she matches with who she believes to be her perfect match. After days of good conversation with her perfect match and not having officially met her match, she decides to fly 3000 miles from home to surprise him for Christmas.
Now that I have shared a pretty decent solid list of some of my favorite Christmas movies, I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. I also want to add a warning, some of these rom-com holiday films might be equal to or maybe even cheesier than a cheese lovers pizza but who doesn't like a good cheesy rom-com? I know there are plenty more movies out there but I’d be here forever trying to list them. I also know there are probably plenty more I have yet to see, so if you have any more movies you can think of or that you love, add them to this list and feel free to share your list. Now go get cozy and get ready to binge on some good holiday movies to get Christmas started!
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