The winter-timed holidays are nothing if not a collection of traditions. Some are religious-themed festivals, each with its own distinct practices, while others celebrate the alignment of the earth with the sun. Everyone has their own beliefs and traditions, but no holiday has as many traditions as Christmas. Some countries honor St. Nicholas (the inspiration for Santa Claus), while others teach their children to fear the youngin-stealing Krampus. The English like wearing paper crowns and eating gross desserts, while Americans like getting drunk on eggnog, gifting fruit cake to people we hate, and going overboard on presents and decorations.
However you celebrate it, I think we can all agree that few things fill one with the Christmas spirit quite like a movie set around the holidays. Of course, not every Christmas movie is destined to become a classic, bringing families to gather around the TV screen every year with their hot cocoa. These are the movies that, for better or for worse, have stood the test of time and have taken their place alongside the Rankin/Bass specials and A Charlie Brown Christmas to become part of families’ annual holiday festivities.
Here are the 50 Greatest Christmas Movies of All Time.
20. Bad Santa (2003)
Christmas movies so often lean into the wholesome. This time of year is defined by quality time spent with family, the cozy embrace of avoiding the cold, or the wondrous birth of Christ himself. Which is why the in-your-face raunchiness of Bad Santa is so fun. Inappropriate comedies are always a good time, but when you make the setting Christmastime, it takes on a whole new level of subversion. Of course, at the end of the day, the holiday spirit prevails and we get a happiest of endings for our Bad Santa. But everything leading up to that is bound to land you on the naughty list.
–Raf Stitt
19. Scrooged (1988)
A Christmas Carol is perhaps my favorite story of all time. A cold-hearted miser hoards his wealth and is soon shown the error of his ways by three (or four?) spirits. It’s the ultimate tale of redemption. There have been countless adaptations of Charles Dickens’s Christmas classic, but one of my absolute favorites is Richard Donner’s Scrooged. It modernizes the timeless tale with biting satire and cynicism, anchored by an iconic performance by Bill Murray. Ebenezer Scrooge is now Frank Cross, a man who is cruel, hilarious, and oh so flawed. Scrooged skewers media exploitation and corporate greed, all while embracing the supernatural aspects of the source material.
What makes Scrooged stand out from other adaptations of A Christmas Carol is its refusal to soften its critique of modern Christmas culture. The redemption of Frank Cross is worth the painful journey it takes to get there, and the emotional payoff is surprisingly powerful. Scrooged is the perfect movie for anyone who loves Christmas but is tired of its commercialization, and I genuinely believe it’s among the top three adaptations of the Dickens classic.
–Romona Comet
18. Klaus (2019)
After watching Klaus back when it first dropped onto Netflix, my initial thought was, “Well, that’s added to my annual festive rewatch list.” Joining the likes of Die Hard, Home Alone, and A Nightmare Before Christmas is high praise indeed. Klaus presents an alternative take on Santa Claus’ origin story. The plot revolves around a postman stationed in an island town to the far North, who befriends a reclusive toymaker. The animation is simple, yet gorgeous, and while the usual Christmas tropes of friendship and forgiveness all play out, it never feels stale. Klaus is a festive tale fit for the whole family to enjoy.
–Lee McCutcheon
17. The Santa Clause (1994)
This is my go-to Christmas classic that absolutely needs to be watched at least once during the holidays. Before the sequels got a bit too cartoony (and/or stupid) with their world-building and logic, The Santa Clause asked a simple question: What happens if Santa dies? Well, it turns out that if you do the naughty deed, you’re destined to become the next Kris Kringle.
Tim Allen is the perfect actor to play the lead role, with his grumpy, comedic persona perfectly syncing with that of Scott Calvin, a divorced father willing to keep up the belief that Santa is real, so long as he also doesn’t have to go along for the ride. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what happens, with Scott and his son Charlie getting caught up in all the North Pole shenanigans that come with being Santa Claus. By the time Scott finally embraces being the new Santa Claus, well, that’s when the fun really begins.
–Marmaduke Karlston
16. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
As with Die Hard, many will argue over The Nightmare Before Christmas about whether it’s a Christmas or Halloween movie. I even took part in some spirited debates over the years, but I’ve come to the realization that maybe The Nightmare Before Christmas is just one of those rare movies that belongs to both. It embodies Tim Burton’s distinctive visual style, paired with Danny Elfman’s unforgettable soundtrack, and creates a world that is both spooky and magical. Jack Skellington’s misguided attempt to improve Christmas becomes a clever metaphor for identity and dissatisfaction, not to mention the consequences that can come with chasing something new to escape redundancy.
Since its release, The Nightmare Before Christmas has become a pop culture phenomenon. I think its lasting appeal stems from how it treats its themes, beneath its eerie aesthetic. It’s about learning to appreciate what makes someone, or something, unique. There is darkness and joy to be found in the holiday, and in this movie. The Nightmare Before Christmas is the kind of Christmas (or Halloween!) movie for anyone who loves their stories to be not only heartfelt but maybe a little strange as well.
–Romona Comet
15. The Apartment (1960)
I only saw this movie for the first time last year, and I regret not having watched it sooner. The Apartment is a beautiful romantic dramedy that uses the Christmas season to underscore loneliness, moral compromise, and the desire for human connection. It’s not full of fluff and sentiment; instead, it uses the season to amplify the holiday into something more bittersweet and isolating. Shirley MacLaine and Jack Lemmon deliver incredible performances that are both tender and heartbreaking. A cloud of melancholy hangs over the film, but there’s also the sense of optimism and hope that I think is always needed this time of year, especially for those who are struggling.
What makes The Apartment a Christmas classic is its emotional honesty. Rather than idealizing the season, it acknowledges how painful Christmas can be for some. In its final moments, The Apartment suggests that choosing kindness and integrity, especially when it comes with a personal sacrifice, is itself a kind of holiday miracle.
–Romona Comet
14. Die Hard (1988)
“John McClane had plans!” (Ross Gellar, 2000) This movie will no doubt spark some debate down in the comments about whether or not it’s a true Christmas movie. Society dives into this argument every single year, but I am here to settle the question once and for all: Yes, Die Hard is a Christmas movie. The movie doesn’t use the holiday as mere decoration; it uses it to shape the emotional context, framing John McClane’s journey around family, sacrifice, and reconciliation. It combines festive cheer with explosive violence, which heightens the stakes for our hero. The fact that it’s set around Christmas gives the film its heart, as it’s all about getting home to the people you love. And isn’t that what Christmas is all about?!
Die Hard redefined what a Christmas movie could be. It doesn’t have to be wholesome or full of bright lights and carols. It can be a story about strength, endurance, and forgiveness, just set alongside gunfire and blood! It’s rewatchable, quotable, and has the kind of cultural impact that many holiday movies could only dream of. Not to mention it also features one of the most iconic movie villains of all time in Hans Gruber. So welcome to the party, pal, because Die Hard is one of the best Christmas films of all time.
–Romona Comet
13. The Holdovers (2023)
“They don’t make movies like this anymore” was a line that flowed out of the mouths of critics everywhere when The Holdovers was released in 2023, and that couldn’t be truer! Set in a boarding school in 1970, this tale tells the stories of those left behind over the Christmas break. Alexander Payne’s The Holdovers is the perfect film for the more melancholic viewer during Christmas time. Sure, we enjoy the presents, pageantry, singing, and snow, but what I’ve always loved about Christmas is the chance to slow down and reflect, take stock of the year (or years), and see where you’ve been and where you’re going. Sometimes this process is nostalgic and comforting, but it can also be difficult, mingled with loss and regret. This film feels very much about these moments. Led by a perfectly ‘dramedic’ performance from Paul Giamatti and supported by newcomer Dominic Sessa and Oscar winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph, this is a film perfect for one of the quieter Christmas days.
–Thomas Riest
12. Black Christmas (1974)
This one is a classic for a reason, and it holds up. The characters are interesting, and I found myself invested as the film went on. The performances are fantastic, particularly those of Margot Kidder and Olivia Hussey. The POV camera from the killer’s perspective was used in this film before its use in Halloween, and it creates a surprising amount of dread. Despite a lack of jump scares, the tension is high as the killer watches his prey in silence, waiting for the right moment. This movie is also funny as hell, and Ms. Mac and Barb provide some much-needed levity amongst the horror and tension. I was surprised, however, by how many of the kills take place off-screen, but the way the other characters react to finding the bodies was effective enough that you hardly notice. The ending is the quintessential horror ending: resolved, but the threat is still out there.
–Valerie Morreale
11. A Christmas Carol (1951)
Adaptations of Charles Dickens’ classic holiday tale are a dime a dozen, but Alastair Sim will always be my Ebenezer Scrooge. This version really stands the test of time, and not just because it’s nearly one-to-one with the original novel. Its themes are timeless, and though it’s deeply rooted in a religious perspective, its zest for life and love resonates with viewers of all backgrounds. It’s a redemption story, and Sim’s performance is what makes it so moving as he plays both evil disregard and joyous compassion with equal measure. If you somehow missed this version, or you’ve been hiding under a rock and have never seen or read A Christmas Carol, this is absolutely the version to start with. It’s heartwarming, enrapturing, and has a great ending.
–Valerie Morreale
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What are some of your favorite Christmas movies? Maybe they will show up later in this list!