The 10 best Christmas movies to watch right now

EntertainmentMoviesThe 10 best Christmas movies to watch right nowWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. EntertainmentMoviesThe 10 best Christmas movies to watch right nowWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. (Image credit: Universal Pictures) What are the best Christmas movies in 2024? ‘Tis the season to be jolly, eat way too much chocolate, and indulge in the most sickly sweet Christmas movies the Lifetime channel has to offer. Whether you want to experience a blissful muppet classic, look past the traditional margins for holiday horrors, or rewatch A Wonderful Life for the millionth time, sitting down with hot cocoa to watch holiday films is one of the most wonderful parts of Christmas. Though we’ve got plenty of thebest action moviesandbest thriller moviesto recommend, it stands to reason that a Christmas marathon should be a little more relaxing. On that note, we’ve got a diverse collection that extends to multiple genres, but they all share something in common: a cozy throughline. These picks will be handy for solo nights on the sofa or if you’re looking for something to share with your family on the big day. Whatever the scenario, these are the 10 best Christmas movies to make the most of the occasion. 10. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Image credit: Universal Pictures) Year:2000Director:Ron Howard The Grinch, a grumpy solitary creature living on the outskirts of the endlessly cheery town of Whoville, hatches a plan to steal Christmas from the gift-obsessed residents. But his plan goes awry when he meets a little girl, Cindy, who wants to return the holiday to its true meaning. Howard’s adaptation of the famous Dr. Seuss book is the most iconic, and for good reason. The movie’s quirky Whoville slant, all-in Jim Carrey performance, and endearing songs have made it a staple on most people’s Christmas watchlist. It’s cheeky, absurdly silly, and warm-hearted despite the Christmas-hating green crank at the center of it. It carries that elusive holiday feeling better than almost any other movie, and that’s why it’s so enduring. 9. Arthur Christmas (Image credit: Sony Pictures Releasing) Year:2011Director:Sarah Smith Santa Claus is retiring soon, and his beefing sons Steve and Arthur are next in line for the red fluffy crown. The problem is that the family members have extremely different ideas about how to execute Christmas, which has become a mission of epic proportions thanks to an expanding population. It turns out even the Claus family bicker at the dinner table. Sign up for the Total Film Newsletter Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox Succession, but make it Christmas! This animated movie is an earnest gem. Like many other Christmas films, it hones in on the difference between what Christmas is meant to be versus what it often becomes. The animation quality has aged fairly since its 2011 release, but James McAvoy’s voice acting, the cheery humor, and the unique take on Santa as an institution keep it afloat. Arthur Christmas is also very rewatchable, due to an emotional core that just works. Read ourArthur Christmas reviewfor more animated cheer. 8. Home Alone (Image credit: 20th Century Fox) Year:1990Director:Chris Columbus You know the story: a young boy left behind when his family goes on vacation must defend his home from bumbling bandits. Whipping back and forth between his dream-turned-nightmare scenario and his frantic mother trying to get back home, this is a classic. Many folks will argue it’s not really Christmas if you’ve not snuck in a Home Alone rewatch. That’s fair, but we’ll opt for the original over Home Alone 2… or the other ones, which we don’t talk about. This hammy home invasion film is the perfect family movie; kids will love watching Kevin fend for himself, and older viewers will find themselves loving Catherine O’Hara’s matriarch more with each revisit. For more classics, check out our list of thebest Disney Plus Christmas movies. 7. The Holdovers (Image credit: Focus Features) Year:2023Director:Alexander Payne There’s a quiet reassurance in seeing strangers evolve into a found family, overcoming their disparities and challenges. The Holdovers is a heartfelt tribute to the resilience of the human spirit, embracing understated melancholy over loud declarations. While imbued with moments of sorrow, it becomes a cherished and feel-good winner. Read our five-starThe Holdovers reviewfor more information! 6. Gremlins (Image credit: Warner Bros) Year:1984Director:Joe Dante Had enough of the toothless holiday stories? Don’t fret, an army of cuddly but demonic creatures are here to save you. Just don’t feed them after midnight, obviously. This horror comedy is a practical effects showcase with mischievous humor and an impressive cast. It zips through several tones effortlessly, with the strong duo of young adults Billy and Kate at the center. The havoc is so much fun to watch, but Gremlins is also sentimental in the right places. Check out ourGremlins reviewfor more on one of thebest Christmas horror moviesof all time! 5. Die Hard (Image credit: 20th Century Fox) Year:1988Director:John McTiernan It’s Christmas at Nakatomi Plaza, and an employee holiday party is about to go very wrong. When NYPD officer John McClane visits his estranged wife, Holly, he ends up being the last line of defense against a terrorist group targeting the plaza. This legendary action flick features Bruce Willis at the height of his powers. But despite the macho qualities, it’s the story’s everyman angle that sets it apart. John is not a superhero, he’s at the wrong place at the wrong time. He has a simple goal of saving the woman he loves and he’s going to get it done, shoes or no shoes! There’s also the matter of Alan Rickman’s infamous villain, Hans Gruber — if you need reminding of the late actor’s range, there’s always Die Hard. Is Die Hard a festive classic? See if it’s on our list of thebest Christmas movies that aren’t really Christmas movies. 4. Krampus (Image credit: Universal Pictures) Year:2015Director:Michael Dougherty When a young boy loses his Christmas spirit, an eerie snowstorm turns a family reunion upside down. When his grandma shares the story of a malevolent creature, it becomes clear that the bumps in the night and increasing tension aren’t just because of bubbling relative rivalries. Krampus is the perfect introduction to Christmas horror. This unhinged fable about a dark spirit antithetical to Santa Claus is imbued with chaotic practical effects, realistic family drama, and a snowed-in isolated setting. Despite how much straight-to-DVD trash about this mythical creature exists, Dougherty’s capable hands transform it into a cynical but exhilarating ride with plenty of tricks up its sleeve. The ending will stick with you, we promise. 3. Little Women (Image credit: Sony Pictures Releasing) Year:2019Director:Greta Gerwig In 19th-century Massachusetts, the March sisters — Jo, Meg, Amy, and Beth — come of age amongst civil war, the pressures of womanhood, and a loss that changes their lives forever. This adaptation of the 1868 novel is a stirring drama with fantastic performances. It’s impossible to overstate Saoirse Ronan’s hold on Little Women. Whether it was her evolving creative partnership with director Gerwig or just the right role at the right time, Ronan’s Jo March is the definitive on-screen version of the character. We experience the story through her eyes, as the non-linear editing unfolds the details of her life. The stretched timeline only strengthens the period piece’s characters, their endearing dynamics, and the challenges of a budding novelist trying to make sense of a family tragedy. Read ourLittle Women reviewfor more on this must-watch! Little Women$9.68at Amazon$9.80at Amazon$10.09at Amazon Little Women $9.68at Amazon$9.80at Amazon$10.09at Amazon $9.68at Amazon $9.80at Amazon $10.09at Amazon 2. Carol (Image credit: The Weinstein Company) Year:2015Director:Todd Haynes Aimless department store clerk Therese meets an alluring but troubled older woman in 1950s New York. When sparks fly over Christmas gifts and shared glances, their circumstances and ties to normality threaten to put a stop to dreams of a whirlwind love affair. Did you order romance? Haynes’ period piece is endlessly dreamy. It has the power to stop time in its tracks — the entrancing score, Edward Lachlan’s cinematography, and career-best performances feel as if they’re suspended in the air. Carol’s grainy visuals, hypnotic storytelling, and the blue melancholy of longing put you in a vice. This is mature romance at its most enthralling, heartache and painful growth set against snowflake flurries and winter fur coats. Check out our five-starCarol reviewfor more on this modern Christmas staple. 1. The Muppet Christmas Carol (Image credit: Walt Disney Pictures) Year:1992Director:Brian Henson A muppet interpretation of Charles Dickens' tale of Ebenezer Scrooge, penny-pincher extraordinaire. Held accountable for his dastardly ways during three ghostly visits on Christmas Eve, the cold miser confronts past, present, and future. You would think a tale as expansive and weighty as this would suffer from high-pitched muppet voices infiltrating every facet of the story, but you’d be wrong. This retelling is warm, funny, chilling, and touching. It’s not just the finest muppet adaptation, it’s a timeless and toasty musical that hits every single one of its marks. Michael Caine goes all in on his Scrooge, and he lends a gravitas that is as non-sensical as it is moving. You know a movie is powerful when you’re teary-eyed over green frog puppets. For more on our top festive pick, check out ourThe Muppet Christmas Carol review. Want more holiday recommendations? Head over to our lists of thebest Netflix Christmas moviesand thebest Christmas TV episodes. 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panic attack scene is one of the best depictions of anxiety ever – and something Pixar director Kelsey Mann is incredibly proud of: “I couldn’t be happier” Marvel Rivals has what it takes to shake up the PvP shooter genre if it can maintain its hero fantasy while also making balance changes GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating 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thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now"2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now"2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now"2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS 1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 1 Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 2 Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 3 Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4 Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5 Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1 Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2 Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3 Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4 The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5 Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 1 Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2 Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3 Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4 Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5 Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”