Best Movies, Classics, Comedy, Drama, Foreign-Language, Romance

The Best Christmas Movies Of All-Time

“What are the best Christmas Movies Of All-Time?” We looked at 232 of the top Christmas films, aggregating and ranking them so we could answer that very question!

Everyone has different films that get them in the holiday spirit. Sometimes there are more universal choices (see the top-ranked in the list) and other times there are more eclectic or offbeat films (See some of the lower-ranked entries). There is no right or wrong choice for what movie puts you in a festive mood. Some of our personal favorites (none of which are very high ranking in this list) are: Phantom Thread, Go, Batman Returns, Carol, In Bruges, Tangerine, The Ref, and Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.

The top 47 films, all appearing on 7 or more “Best Christmas” movie lists, are ranked below by how many times they appear. The remaining 175+ movies, as well as the sources we used, are in alphabetical order on the bottom of the page.

Happy Scrolling!



Top 47 Christmas Movies Ever



47 .) A Christmas Carol (1938) directed by Edwin L. Marin

A Christmas Carol (1938)

Lists It Appears On:

  • Hi Consumption
  • IMDB
  • iNews
  • Start
  • Tech Advisor
  • Thrillist
  • Time Out

Classic Charles Dickens holiday tale of Ebenezer Scrooge, the miser’s miser who has a huge change of heart after spirits whisk him into the past, present, and future.



46 .) A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas (2011) directed by Todd Strauss-Schulson

A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas (2011)

Lists It Appears On:

  • Cosmopolitan
  • Esquire
  • IMDB 2
  • Merch Dope
  • Mirror
  • Rotten Tomatoes
  • Thrillist

Six years have elapsed since Guantanamo Bay, leaving Harold and Kumar estranged from one another with very different families, friends and lives. But when Kumar arrives on Harold’s doorstep during the holiday season with a mysterious package in hand, he inadvertently burns down Harold’s father-in-law’s beloved Christmas tree. To fix the problem, Harold and Kumar embark on a mission through New York City to find the perfect Christmas tree, once again stumbling into trouble at every single turn.



45 .) Four Christmases (2008) directed by Seth Gordon

Four Christmases (2008)

Lists It Appears On:

  • Forbes
  • Her
  • IMDB 2
  • Merch Dope
  • Pure Wow
  • RD
  • Start

Brad and Kate have made something of an art form out of avoiding their families during the holidays, but this year their foolproof plan is about go bust — big time. Stuck at the city airport after all departing flights are canceled, the couple is embarrassed to see their ruse exposed to the world by an overzealous television reporter. Now, Brad and Kate are left with precious little choice other than to swallow their pride and suffer the rounds.



44 .) Holiday Affair (1949) directed by Don Hartman

Holiday Affair (1949)

Lists It Appears On:

  • Her
  • IMDB
  • IMDB 2
  • Merch Dope
  • Start
  • Thrillist
  • Vulture

Just before Christmas, department store clerk Steve Mason meets big spending customer Connie Ennis, who’s actually a comparison shopper sent by another store. Steve lets her go, which gets him fired. They spend the afternoon together, which doesn’t sit well with Connie’s steady suitor, Carl, when he finds out, but delights her young son Timmy, who quickly takes to Steve.



43 .) Babes in Toyland (1934) directed by Charley Rogers

Babes in Toyland (1934)

Lists It Appears On:

  • Hi Consumption
  • Hi Consumption
  • Merch Dope
  • RD
  • Rotten Tomatoes
  • Start
  • Thrillist
  • Time Out

Ollie Dee and Stanley Dum try to borrow money from their employer, the toymaker, to pay off the mortgage on Mother Peep’s shoe and keep it and Little Bo Peep from the clutches of the evil Barnaby. When that fails, they trick Barnaby into marrying Stanley Dum instead of Bo Peep. Enraged, Barnaby unleashes the bogeymen from their caverns to destroy Toyland.



42 .) Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005) directed by Shane Black

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)

Lists It Appears On:

  • Detroit News
  • Empire Online
  • Esquire
  • Her
  • Simplemost
  • Start
  • Time Out
  • Vulture

A petty thief posing as an actor is brought to Los Angeles for an unlikely audition and finds himself in the middle of a murder investigation along with his high school dream girl and a detective who’s been training him for his upcoming role…



41 .) Krampus (2015) directed by Michael Dougherty

Krampus (2015)

Lists It Appears On:

  • Forbes
  • IMDB 2
  • Merch Dope
  • Rotten Tomatoes
  • Thrillist
  • Time Out
  • Too Fab
  • Vulture

A horror comedy based on the ancient legend about a pagan creature who punishes children on Christmas.



40 .) Remember the Night’ (1940) directed by Mitchell Leisen

Remember the Night’ (1940)

Lists It Appears On:

  • Her
  • IMDB
  • IMDB 2
  • Merch Dope
  • Rotten Tomatoes
  • Simplemost
  • Start
  • Vulture

An assistant D.A. takes a shoplifter home with him for Christmas.



39 .) The Apartment (1960) directed by Billy Wilder

The Apartment (1960)

Lists It Appears On:

  • Daily Dot
  • Esquire
  • Independent
  • Merch Dope
  • Rotten Tomatoes
  • Simplemost
  • Thrillist
  • USA Today

Bud Baxter is a minor clerk in a huge New York insurance company, until he discovers a quick way to climb the corporate ladder. He lends out his apartment to the executives as a place to take their mistresses. Although he often has to deal with the aftermath of their visits, one night he’s left with a major problem to solve.



38 .) Un Conte de Noël (A Christmas Tale) (2008) directed by Arnaud Desplechin

Un Conte de Noël (A Christmas Tale) (2008)

Lists It Appears On:

  • Esquire
  • IMDB 2
  • Merch Dope
  • Rotten Tomatoes
  • Simplemost
  • Start
  • Thrillist
  • Time Out

When their regal matriarch falls ill, the troubled Vuillard family come together for a hesitant Christmastime reunion. Among them is rebellious ne’er-do-well Henri and the uptight Elizabeth. Together under the same roof for the first time in many years, their intricate, long denied resentments and yearnings emerge again.



37 .) Black Christmas (1974) directed by Bob Clark

Black Christmas (1974)

Lists It Appears On:

  • Daily Dot
  • Esquire
  • Her
  • IMDB 2
  • Merch Dope
  • Rotten Tomatoes
  • Thrillist
  • Too Fab
  • Vulture

A sorority house is terrorized by a stranger who makes frightening phone calls and then murders the sorority sisters during Christmas break.



36 .) Lethal Weapon (1987) directed by Richard Donner

Lethal Weapon (1987)

Lists It Appears On:

  • Empire Online
  • Her
  • IMDB 2
  • Merch Dope
  • Readers Digest
  • Simplemost
  • Start
  • Time Out
  • USA Today

Veteran buttoned-down LAPD detective Roger Murtaugh is partnered with unhinged cop Martin Riggs, who — distraught after his wife’s death — has a death wish and takes unnecessary risks with criminals at every turn. The odd couple embark on their first homicide investigation as partners, involving a young woman known to Murtaugh with ties to a drug and prostitution ring.



35 .) The Family Stone (2005) directed by Thomas Bezucha

The Family Stone (2005)

Lists It Appears On:

  • Cosmopolitan
  • Esquire
  • Her
  • Merch Dope
  • Mirror
  • Pure Wow
  • RD
  • Start
  • Time Out

An uptight, conservative, businesswoman accompanies her boyfriend to his eccentric and outgoing family’s annual Christmas celebration and finds that she’s a fish out of water in their free-spirited way of life.



34 .) The Snowman (1982) directed by Dianne Jackson

The Snowman (1982)

Lists It Appears On:

  • Empire Online
  • IMDB 2
  • Independent
  • Merch Dope
  • Mirror
  • Real Buzz
  • Rotten Tomatoes
  • Tech Advisor
  • Time Out

A young boy makes a snowman one Christmas Eve, which comes to life at midnight and takes the boy on a magical adventure to the North Pole to meet Santa Claus.



33 .) While You Were Sleeping (1995) directed by Jon Turteltaub

While You Were Sleeping (1995)

Lists It Appears On:

  • Cosmopolitan
  • Esquire
  • IMDB 2
  • Merch Dope
  • Pure Wow
  • Rotten Tomatoes
  • Simplemost
  • Thrillist
  • Time Out

A love story built on a misunderstanding. A transit worker pulls commuter Peter off the tracks after he’s mugged. But while he’s in a coma, his family mistakenly thinks she’s Peter’s fiancée, and she doesn’t correct them. Things get more complicated when she falls for his brother, who’s not quite sure that she’s who she claims to be.



32 .) Christmas in Connecticut (1945) directed by Peter Godfrey

Christmas in Connecticut (1945)

Lists It Appears On:

  • IMDB
  • IMDB 2
  • Merch Dope
  • RD
  • Readers Digest
  • Rotten Tomatoes
  • Simplemost
  • Start
  • Thrillist
  • Vulture

Journalist Elizabeth Lane is one of the country’s most famous food writers. In her columns, she describes herself as a hard working farm woman, taking care of her children and being an excellent cook. But this is all lies. In reality she is an unmarried New Yorker who can’t even boil an egg. The recipes come from her good friend Felix. The owner of the magazine she works for has decided that a heroic sailor will spend his Christmas on her farm. Miss Lane knows that her career is over if the truth comes out, but what can she do?



31 .) Joyeux Noël (2005) directed by Christian Carion

Joyeux Noël (2005)

Lists It Appears On:

  • Hi Consumption
  • IMDB
  • IMDB 2
  • Merch Dope
  • Rotten Tomatoes
  • Simplemost
  • Start
  • Thrillist
  • Too Fab
  • USA Today

In 1914, World War I, the bloodiest war ever at that time in human history, was well under way. However on Christmas Eve, numerous sections of the Western Front called an informal, and unauthorized, truce where the various front-line soldiers of the conflict peacefully met each other in No Man’s Land to share a precious pause in the carnage with a fleeting brotherhood.



30 .) The Best Man Holiday (2013) directed by Malcolm D. Lee

The Best Man Holiday (2013)

Lists It Appears On:

  • Cosmopolitan
  • Esquire
  • Forbes
  • Hi Consumption
  • Merch Dope
  • Pure Wow
  • RD
  • Rotten Tomatoes
  • Thrillist
  • Too Fab

When college friends reunite after 15 years over the Christmas holidays, they discover just how easy it is for long-forgotten rivalries and romances to be reignited.



29 .) The Bishop’s Wife (1947) directed by Henry Koster

The Bishop's Wife (1947)

Lists It Appears On:

  • Hi Consumption
  • IMDB
  • IMDB 2
  • Independent
  • Mental Floss
  • Merch Dope
  • Mirror
  • Rotten Tomatoes
  • Start
  • Vulture

An Episcopal Bishop, Henry Brougham, has been working for months on the plans for an elaborate new cathedral which he hopes will be paid for primarily by a wealthy, stubborn widow. He is losing sight of his family and of why he became a churchman in the first place. Enter Dudley, an angel sent to help him. Dudley does help everyone he meets, but not necessarily in the way they would have preferred. With the exception of Henry, everyone loves him, but Henry begins to believe that Dudley is there to replace him, both at work and in his family’s affections, as Christmas approaches.



28 .) Batman Returns (1992) directed by Tim Burton

Batman Returns (1992)

Lists It Appears On:

  • Bustle
  • Daily Dot
  • Empire Online
  • Esquire
  • Heavy
  • IMDB 2
  • Merch Dope
  • Mirror
  • Rotten Tomatoes
  • Start
  • Time Out

Having defeated the Joker, Batman now faces the Penguin – a warped and deformed individual who is intent on being accepted into Gotham society. Crooked businessman Max Schreck is coerced into helping him become Mayor of Gotham and they both attempt to expose Batman in a different light. Selina Kyle, Max’s secretary, is thrown from the top of a building and is transformed into Catwoman – a mysterious figure who has the same personality disorder as Batman. Batman must attempt to clear his name, all the time deciding just what must be done with the Catwoman.



27 .) Edward Scissorhands (1990) directed by Tim Burton

Edward Scissorhands (1990)

Lists It Appears On:

  • Bustle
  • Empire Online
  • Esquire
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  • RD
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  • Too Fab
  • Vogue
  • Vulture

A small suburban town receives a visit from a castaway unfinished science experiment named Edward.



26 .) Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964) directed by Larry Roemer

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)

Lists It Appears On:

  • Esquire
  • EW
  • Heavy
  • Her
  • IMDB 2
  • Mental Floss
  • Merch Dope
  • RD
  • Readers Digest
  • Rotten Tomatoes
  • Start

Sam the snowman tells us the story of a young red-nosed reindeer who, after being ousted from the reindeer games because of his glowing nose, teams up with Hermey, an elf who wants to be a dentist, and Yukon Cornelius, the prospector. They run into the Abominable Snowman and find a whole island of misfit toys. Rudoph vows to see if he can get Santa to help the toys, and he goes back to the North Pole on Christmas Eve. But Santa’s sleigh is fogged in. But when Santa looks over Rudolph, he gets a very bright idea…



25 .) The Holiday (2006) directed by Nancy Meyers

The Holiday (2006)

Lists It Appears On:

  • Cosmopolitan
  • Esquire
  • Her
  • Independent
  • Merch Dope
  • Mirror
  • RD
  • Start
  • The Sun
  • Time Out
  • Vulture

Two women, one (Cameron Diaz) from America and one (Kate Winslet) from Britain, swap homes at Christmastime after bad breakups with their boyfriends. Each woman finds romance with a local man (Jude Law, Jack Black) but realizes that the imminent return home may end the relationship.



24 .) The Shop Around the Corner (1940) directed by Ernst Lubitsch

The Shop Around the Corner (1940)

Lists It Appears On:

  • Esquire
  • IMDB 2
  • Merch Dope
  • Mirror
  • RD
  • Rotten Tomatoes
  • Simplemost
  • Start
  • Thrillist
  • Time Out
  • USA Today
  • Vulture

Two employees at a gift shop can barely stand one another, without realising that they are falling in love through the post as each other’s anonymous pen pal.



23 .) Trading Places (1983) directed by John Landis

Trading Places (1983)

Lists It Appears On:

  • Empire Online
  • EW
  • Heavy
  • Her
  • IMDB 2
  • iNews
  • Merch Dope
  • RD
  • Rotten Tomatoes
  • Simplemost
  • Start
  • Thrillist
  • Time Out

A snobbish investor and a wily street con-artist find their positions reversed as part of a bet by two callous millionaires.



22 .) A Christmas Carol (1951) directed by Brian Desmond Hurst

A Christmas Carol (1951)

Lists It Appears On:

  • Cosmopolitan
  • Esquire
  • Forbes
  • Hi Consumption
  • IMDB
  • IMDB 2
  • Merch Dope
  • Readers Digest
  • Rotten Tomatoes
  • Start
  • Thrillist
  • Too Fab
  • USA Today
  • Vulture

Ebeneezer Scrooge (Alastair Sim) contentedly meanders through his life as a cruel miser until one fateful Christmas Eve when he is visited by three ghosts. The spirits show him how his behavior over the years has made him a lonely, bitter old man, and how his heart has grown colder. Using events from Scrooge’s idealistic past, dreary present and dismal future, the apparitions try their best to melt his steely soul. Tightfisted Ebeneezer Scrooge learns the error of his ways through the intervention of the ghost of his former partner and of the three spirits and, just in time for the holidays, manages to make everyone’s lives a little brighter, his included! (The Title has been changed to “A Christmas Carol”)



21 .) Jingle All The Way (1996) directed by Brian Levant

Jingle All The Way (1996)

Lists It Appears On:

  • Empire Online
  • Forbes
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  • Her
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  • RD
  • RD 2
  • Simplemost
  • Start
  • Tech Advisor
  • Thrillist
  • Too Fab

Meet Howard Langston, a salesman for a mattress company is constantly busy at his job, and he also constantly disappoints his son, after he misses his son’s karate exposition, his son tells Howard that he wants for Christmas is an action figure of his son’s television hero, he tries hard to to make it up to him. Unfortunately for Howard, it is Christmas Eve, and every store is sold out of Turbo Man, now Howard must travel all over town and compete with everybody else to find a Turbo Man action figure.



20 .) How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966) directed by Chuck Jones

How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966)

Lists It Appears On:

  • Cosmopolitan
  • Daily Dot
  • EW
  • Forbes
  • Heavy
  • Hello Magazine
  • Hi Consumption
  • IMDB 2
  • Mental Floss
  • Mental Floss 2
  • Merch Dope
  • Parenting
  • RD
  • Rotten Tomatoes
  • Start
  • Tech Advisor

Bitter and hateful, the Grinch is irritated at the thought of a nearby village having a happy time celebrating Christmas. Disguised as Santa Claus, with his dog made to look like a reindeer, he decides to raid the village to steal all the Christmas things.



19 .) Meet Me in St. Louis (1944) directed by Louis

Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)

Lists It Appears On:

  • Empire Online
  • Esquire
  • Her
  • Independent
  • Merch Dope
  • Mirror
  • Now To Love
  • Pure Wow
  • RD
  • Rotten Tomatoes
  • Simplemost
  • Start
  • Thrillist
  • Time Out
  • Too Fab
  • Vogue

In the year before the 1904 St Louis World’s Fair, the four Smith daughters learn lessons of life and love, even as they prepare for a reluctant move to New York.



18 .) The Polar Express (2004) directed by Robert Zemeckis

The Polar Express (2004)

Lists It Appears On:

  • Cosmopolitan
  • Empire Online
  • Forbes
  • Heavy
  • Her
  • Hi Consumption
  • IMDB 2
  • Merch Dope
  • Parenting
  • RD
  • RD 2
  • Simplemost
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  • Tech Advisor
  • Thrillist
  • Time Out

When a doubting young boy takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery that shows him that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe.



17 .) Arthur Christmas (2011) directed by Sarah Smith

Arthur Christmas (2011)

Lists It Appears On:

  • Forbes
  • Heavy
  • Her
  • Hi Consumption
  • IMDB 2
  • iNews
  • Merch Dope
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  • RD
  • Rotten Tomatoes
  • Simplemost
  • Start
  • Tech Advisor
  • Thrillist
  • Time Out
  • USA Today
  • Vulture

Each Christmas, Santa and his vast army of highly trained elves produce gifts and distribute them around the world in one night. However, when one of 600 million children to receive a gift from Santa on Christmas Eve is missed, it is deemed ‘acceptable’ to all but one – Arthur. Arthur Claus is Santa’s misfit son who executes an unauthorized rookie mission to get the last present half way around the globe before dawn on Christmas morning.



16 .) A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965) directed by Bill Melendez

A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)

Lists It Appears On:

  • Bustle
  • Empire Online
  • Esquire
  • EW
  • Heavy
  • Her
  • IMDB 2
  • Mental Floss
  • Mental Floss 2
  • Merch Dope
  • Parenting
  • Pure Wow
  • RD 2
  • Readers Digest
  • Rotten Tomatoes
  • Start
  • Time Out
  • Vogue

When Charlie Brown complains about the overwhelming materialism that he sees amongst everyone during the Christmas season, Lucy suggests that he become director of the school Christmas pageant. Charlie Brown accepts, but is a frustrating struggle. When an attempt to restore the proper spirit with a forlorn little fir Christmas tree fails, he needs Linus’ help to learn the meaning of Christmas.



15 .) Bad Santa (2003) directed by Terry Zwigoff

Bad Santa (2003)

Lists It Appears On:

  • Bustle
  • Daily Dot
  • Empire Online
  • Esquire
  • EW
  • Forbes
  • Heavy
  • Her
  • Hi Consumption
  • IMDB 2
  • Merch Dope
  • Mirror
  • Now To Love
  • Pure Wow
  • RD
  • Rotten Tomatoes
  • Simplemost
  • Start
  • Tech Advisor
  • The Work Print
  • Thrillist
  • Time Out
  • Too Fab
  • Vulture

A miserable conman and his partner pose as Santa and his Little Helper to rob department stores on Christmas Eve. But they run into problems when the conman befriends a troubled kid, and the security boss discovers the plot.



14 .) Gremlins (1984) directed by Joe Dante

Gremlins (1984)

Lists It Appears On:

  • Bustle
  • Cosmopolitan
  • Daily Dot
  • Empire Online
  • Esquire
  • EW
  • Heavy
  • Hello Magazine
  • Her
  • IMDB 2
  • Independent
  • iNews
  • Merch Dope
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  • Now To Love
  • Readers Digest
  • Rotten Tomatoes
  • Start
  • Tech Advisor
  • Thrillist
  • Time Out
  • Too Fab
  • USA Today
  • Vulture

When Billy Peltzer is given a strange but adorable pet named Gizmo for Christmas, he inadvertently breaks the three important rules of caring for a Mogwai, and unleashes a horde of mischievous gremlins on a small town.



13 .) The Santa Clause (1994) directed by John Pasquin

The Santa Clause (1994)

Lists It Appears On:

  • Bustle
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  • EW
  • Forbes
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  • Hello Magazine
  • Her
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  • IMDB 2
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  • Mental Floss
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  • Now To Love
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  • Pure Wow
  • RD
  • Rotten Tomatoes
  • Simplemost
  • Start
  • The Sun
  • Thrillist
  • Time Out
  • Too Fab

Scott Calvin is an ordinary man, who accidentally causes Santa Claus to fall from his roof on Christmas Eve and is knocked unconscious. When he and his young son finish Santa’s trip and deliveries, they go to the North Pole, where Scott learns he must become the new Santa and convince those he loves that he is indeed, Father Christmas.



12 .) Scrooged (1988) directed by Richard Donner

Scrooged (1988)

Lists It Appears On:

  • Bustle
  • Daily Dot
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  • Esquire
  • EW
  • Forbes
  • Heavy
  • Her
  • Hi Consumption
  • IMDB
  • IMDB 2
  • Mental Floss
  • Mental Floss 2
  • Merch Dope
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  • Pure Wow
  • RD
  • Readers Digest
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  • Start
  • Thrillist
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  • Too Fab
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In this modern take on Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” Frank Cross (Bill Murray) is a wildly successful television executive whose cold ambition and curmudgeonly nature has driven away the love of his life, Claire Phillips (Karen Allen). But after firing a staff member, Eliot Loudermilk (Bobcat Goldthwait), on Christmas Eve, Frank is visited by a series of ghosts who give him a chance to re-evaluate his actions and right the wrongs of his past.



11 .) White Christmas (1954) directed by Michael Curtiz

White Christmas (1954)

Lists It Appears On:

  • Daily Dot
  • Empire Online
  • Esquire
  • EW
  • Heavy
  • Her
  • Hi Consumption
  • IMDB
  • IMDB 2
  • Independent
  • Mental Floss
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Two talented song-and-dance men team up after the war to become one of the hottest acts in show business. In time they befriend and become romantically involved with the beautiful Haynes sisters who comprise a sister act.



10 .) Miracle on 34th Street (1947) directed by George Seaton

Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

Lists It Appears On:

  • Empire Online
  • Esquire
  • EW
  • Heavy
  • Her
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Kris Kringle, seemingly the embodiment of Santa Claus, is asked to portray the jolly old fellow at Macy’s following his performance in the Thanksgiving Day parade. His portrayal is so complete that many begin to question if he truly is Santa Claus, while others question his sanity.



9 .) The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992) directed by Brian Henson

The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)

Lists It Appears On:

  • Daily Dot
  • Empire Online
  • Esquire
  • EW
  • Heavy
  • Hello Magazine
  • Her
  • Hi Consumption
  • IMDB
  • Independent
  • iNews
  • Mental Floss
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  • Simplemost
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  • Vulture

A retelling of the classic Dickens tale of Ebenezer Scrooge, miser extraordinaire. He is held accountable for his dastardly ways during night-time visitations by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and future.



8 .) A Christmas Story (1983) directed by Bob Clark

A Christmas Story (1983)

Lists It Appears On:

  • Bustle
  • Cosmopolitan
  • Daily Dot
  • Empire Online
  • Esquire
  • EW
  • Heavy
  • Her
  • Hi Consumption
  • IMDB
  • IMDB 2
  • iNews
  • Mental Floss
  • Mental Floss 2
  • Merch Dope
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  • Now To Love
  • Parenting
  • Pure Wow
  • RD
  • Readers Digest
  • Rotten Tomatoes
  • Simplemost
  • Start
  • The Muse
  • Thrillist
  • Too Fab
  • USA Today
  • Vogue
  • Vulture

The comic mishaps and adventures of a young boy named Ralph, trying to convince his parents, teachers, and Santa that a Red Ryder B.B. gun really is the perfect Christmas gift for the 1940s.



7 .) Die Hard (1988) directed by John McTiernan

Die Hard (1988)

Lists It Appears On:

  • Bustle
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  • Detroit News
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  • Esquire
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  • Her
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  • IMDB 2
  • Independent
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  • Mental Floss
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  • Simplemost
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  • Time Out
  • Time Out
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  • USA Today
  • Vogue
  • Vulture

NYPD cop John McClane’s plan to reconcile with his estranged wife is thrown for a serious loop when, minutes after he arrives at her office, the entire building is overtaken by a group of terrorists. With little help from the LAPD, wisecracking McClane sets out to single-handedly rescue the hostages and bring the bad guys down.



6 .) National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989) directed by Jeremiah S. Chechik

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)

Lists It Appears On:

  • Cosmopolitan
  • Daily Dot
  • Detroit News
  • Empire Online
  • Esquire
  • EW
  • Forbes
  • Heavy
  • Her
  • Hi Consumption
  • iNews
  • Mental Floss 2
  • Merch Dope
  • Now To Love
  • Pure Wow
  • RD
  • Readers Digest
  • Real Buzz
  • Rotten Tomatoes
  • Simplemost
  • Start
  • Tech Advisor
  • The Muse
  • The Sun
  • The Work Print
  • Thrillist
  • Time Out
  • Too Fab
  • USA Today
  • Vogue

It’s Christmas time and the Griswolds are preparing for a family seasonal celebration, but things never run smoothly for Clark, his wife Ellen and their two kids. Clark’s continual bad luck is worsened by his obnoxious family guests, but he manages to keep going knowing that his Christmas bonus is due soon.



5 .) Love Actually (2003) directed by Richard Curtis

Love Actually (2003)

Lists It Appears On:

  • Bustle
  • Cosmopolitan
  • Daily Dot
  • Detroit News
  • Empire Online
  • Esquire
  • EW
  • Heavy
  • Hello Magazine
  • Her
  • Hi Consumption
  • IMDB
  • IMDB 2
  • Independent
  • Merch Dope
  • Mirror
  • Now To Love
  • Pure Wow
  • RD
  • Rotten Tomatoes
  • Simplemost
  • Start
  • Tech Advisor
  • The Muse
  • The Sun
  • The Work Print
  • Thrillist
  • Time Out
  • Too Fab
  • USA Today
  • Vogue
  • Vulture

Follows seemingly unrelated people as their lives begin to intertwine while they fall in – and out – of love. Affections languish and develop as Christmas draws near.



4 .) The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) directed by Henry Selick

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

Lists It Appears On:

  • Bustle
  • Cosmopolitan
  • Daily Dot
  • Empire Online
  • Esquire
  • EW
  • Forbes
  • Hello Magazine
  • Her
  • Hi Consumption
  • IMDB
  • IMDB 2
  • Mental Floss
  • Merch Dope
  • Mirror
  • Now To Love
  • Now To Love
  • Parenting
  • Pure Wow
  • RD
  • Readers Digest
  • Rotten Tomatoes
  • Simplemost
  • Start
  • Tech Advisor
  • The Sun
  • Thrillist
  • Time Out
  • Too Fab
  • USA Today
  • Vogue
  • Vulture

Tired of scaring humans every October 31 with the same old bag of tricks, Jack Skellington, the spindly king of Halloween Town, kidnaps Santa Claus and plans to deliver shrunken heads and other ghoulish gifts to children on Christmas morning. But as Christmas approaches, Jack’s rag-doll girlfriend, Sally, tries to foil his misguided plans.



3 .) It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) directed by Frank Capra

It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)

Lists It Appears On:

  • Cosmopolitan
  • Daily Dot
  • Detroit News
  • Empire Online
  • Esquire
  • EW
  • Heavy
  • Her
  • Hi Consumption
  • IMDB
  • IMDB 2
  • Independent
  • iNews
  • iNews
  • Mental Floss
  • Mental Floss 2
  • Merch Dope
  • Mirror
  • Now To Love
  • Parenting
  • Pure Wow
  • RD
  • Readers Digest
  • Real Buzz
  • Rotten Tomatoes
  • Simplemost
  • Start
  • Tech Advisor
  • The Sun
  • The Work Print
  • Thrillist
  • Time Out
  • Too Fab
  • USA Today
  • Vogue
  • Vulture

A holiday favourite for generations… George Bailey has spent his entire life giving to the people of Bedford Falls. All that prevents rich skinflint Mr. Potter from taking over the entire town is George’s modest building and loan company. But on Christmas Eve the business’s $8,000 is lost and George’s troubles begin.



2 .) Elf (2003) directed by Jon Favreau

Elf (2003)

Lists It Appears On:

  • Bustle
  • Cosmopolitan
  • Daily Dot
  • Detroit News
  • Empire Online
  • Esquire
  • EW
  • Forbes
  • Heavy
  • Hello Magazine
  • Her
  • Hi Consumption
  • IMDB 2
  • Independent
  • iNews
  • Mental Floss
  • Mental Floss 2
  • Merch Dope
  • Mirror
  • Now To Love
  • Parenting
  • Pure Wow
  • RD
  • RD 2
  • Readers Digest
  • Rotten Tomatoes
  • Simplemost
  • Start
  • Tech Advisor
  • The Muse
  • The Sun
  • The Work Print
  • Thrillist
  • Time Out
  • Too Fab
  • USA Today
  • Vogue
  • Vulture

When young Buddy falls into Santa’s gift sack on Christmas Eve, he’s transported back to the North Pole and raised as a toy-making elf by Santa’s helpers. But as he grows into adulthood, he can’t shake the nagging feeling that he doesn’t belong. Buddy vows to visit Manhattan and find his real dad, a workaholic publisher.



1 .) Home Alone (1990) directed by Chris Columbus

Home Alone (1990)

Lists It Appears On:

  • Bustle
  • Cosmopolitan
  • Daily Dot
  • Empire Online
  • Esquire
  • EW
  • Forbes
  • Heavy
  • Hello Magazine
  • Her
  • Hi Consumption
  • IMDB
  • IMDB 2
  • Independent
  • Mental Floss
  • Mental Floss 2
  • Merch Dope
  • Mirror
  • Now To Love
  • Parenting
  • Pure Wow
  • RD
  • RD 2
  • Readers Digest
  • Real Buzz
  • Rotten Tomatoes
  • Simplemost
  • Start
  • Tech Advisor
  • The Muse
  • The Sun
  • The Work Print
  • Thrillist
  • Time Out
  • Too Fab
  • USA Today
  • Vogue
  • Vulture

Eight-year-old Kevin McCallister makes the most of the situation after his family unwittingly leaves him behind when they go on Christmas vacation. But when a pair of bungling burglars set their sights on Kevin’s house, the plucky kid stands ready to defend his territory. By planting booby traps galore, adorably mischievous Kevin stands his ground as his frantic mother attempts to race home before Christmas Day.




The 175+ Additional Best Movies To Watch At Christmas



# Books Authors Lists
48 Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)  
Cosmopolitan
Empire Online
Forbes
Independent
Start
Thrillist
49 The Night Before (2015) Jonathan Levine Esquire
Forbes
IMDB 2
Merch Dope
Rotten Tomatoes
Thrillist
50 The Preacher’s Wife (1996)  
Cosmopolitan
Forbes
Pure Wow
RD
Rotten Tomatoes
Thrillist
51 About a Boy (2002)  
Cosmopolitan
Merch Dope
Pure Wow
Thrillist
Time Out
52 Carol (2015)  
Independent
Merch Dope
Thrillist
Time Out
Vulture
53 Frosty the Snowman (1969) Jules Bass IMDB 2
Mental Floss
Merch Dope
Rotten Tomatoes
Start
54 In Bruges (2008)  
Detroit News
Her
Merch Dope
Start
Time Out
55 Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987)   Her
Merch Dope
RD
Start
Time Out
56 Serendipity (2001) Peter Chelsom
Cosmopolitan
Her
IMDB 2
Merch Dope
Start
57 The Lemon Drop Kid (1951) Sidney Lanfield IMDB
IMDB 2
Merch Dope
Thrillist
Vulture
58 The Ref (1994) Ted Demme IMDB 2
Merch Dope
Rotten Tomatoes
The Work Print
Thrillist
59 A Christmas Prince (2017)  
Cosmopolitan
Esquire
Mirror
RD
60 Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001)   Daily Dot
Her
Merch Dope
Time Out
61 Eyes Wide Shut  
Detroit News
Esquire
Start
Thrillist
62 Happy Christmas (2014)   Esquire
Independent
RD
Rotten Tomatoes
63 Holiday Inn   Her
Hi Consumption
Start
Thrillist
64 Holiday Inn (1942)   IMDB
Mirror
Time Out
Too Fab
65 How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)  
Empire Online
Mirror
Start
Too Fab
66 It Happened on Fifth Avenue (1947) Roy Del Ruth IMDB 2
Merch Dope
Start
Vulture
67 Just Friends (2005) Roger Kumble
Cosmopolitan
IMDB 2
Merch Dope
Thrillist
68 Mickey’s Christmas Carol (1983)  
Empire Online
Rotten Tomatoes
Time Out
Vulture
69 Mixed Nuts (1994) Nora Ephron IMDB 2
Merch Dope
Start
Too Fab
70 Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale (2010)  
Empire Online
Independent
Rotten Tomatoes
Thrillist
71 8 Women (2001)  
Merch Dope
Start
Time Out
72 Almost Christmas (2016)  
Merch Dope
RD
Thrillist
73 Christmas Vacation (1989) Jeremiah S. Chechik IMDB
IMDB 2
Mental Floss
74 Christmas with the Kranks (2004) Joe Roth Forbes
IMDB 2
Merch Dope
75
Dr.Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
  Her
Now To Love
RD 2
76 Ernest Saves Christmas (1988)   Heavy
Pure Wow
Thrillist
77 Jack Frost Troy Miller Her
IMDB 2
RD
78 Metropolitan (1990)   Esquire
Merch Dope
Thrillist
79 One Magic Christmas (1985) Phillip Borsos Esquire
IMDB 2
Merch Dope
80 Santa Claus The Movie   Her
iNews
Tech Advisor
81 Shrek the Halls (2007) Gary Trousdale IMDB 2
Merch Dope
Parenting
82 Tangerine (2015)  
Merch Dope
Thrillist
Vulture
83 The Year Without a Santa Claus (1974) Jules Bass EW
IMDB 2
Merch Dope
84 Tokyo Godfathers (2003  
Rotten Tomatoes
Simplemost
Start
85 We’re No Angels (1955)   IMDB
Merch Dope
Thrillist
86 A Boyfriend for Christmas (2004) Kevin Connor IMDB 2
Merch Dope
87 A Grandpa for Christmas (2007) Harvey Frost IMDB 2
Merch Dope
88 A Season for Miracles (1999) Michael Pressman IMDB 2
Merch Dope
89 All I Want for Christmas (1991) Robert Lieberman IMDB 2
Merch Dope
90 Beyond Tomorrow (1940) A. Edward Sutherland IMDB 2
Merch Dope
91 Christmas Evil (1980)   Thrillist
Time Out
92 Christmas in Boston (2005) Neill Fearnley IMDB 2
Merch Dope
93 Crown for Christmas (2015) Alex Zamm IMDB 2
Merch Dope
94 Deck the Halls (2006) John Whitesell IMDB 2
Mirror
95 Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas (1977)  
Mental Floss
Rotten Tomatoes
96 Frozen (2013)  
Cosmopolitan
Mirror
97 Grumpy Cat’s Worst Christmas Ever (2014) Tim Hill IMDB 2
Merch Dope
98 Help for the Holidays (2012) Bradford May IMDB 2
Merch Dope
99 Kung Fu Panda Holiday (2010) Tim Johnson IMDB 2
Merch Dope
100 Last Holiday (2006)   Esquire
Mirror
101 Lovely, Still (2008) Nicholas Fackler IMDB 2
Merch Dope
102 Mean Girls  
Cosmopolitan
Her
103 Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence (1983)  
Merch Dope
Time Out
104 Mrs. Miracle (2009) Michael Scott IMDB 2
Merch Dope
105 Nativity! (2009) Debbie Isitt IMDB 2
Merch Dope
106 Noel (2004) Chazz Palminteri IMDB 2
Merch Dope
107 Nothing Like the Holidays Alfredo Rodriguez de Villa IMDB 2
RD
108 November Christmas (2010) Robert Harmon IMDB 2
Merch Dope
109 Prancer (1989) John D. Hancock IMDB 2
Merch Dope
110 Rise of the Guardians   Parenting
RD 2
111 Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town (1970) Jules Bass IMDB 2
Merch Dope
112 Scrooge (1970)   IMDB
Vulture
113 Silent Night (2002) Rodney Gibbons IMDB 2
Merch Dope
114 Snowglobe (2007) Ron Lagomarsino IMDB 2
Merch Dope
115 The Christmas Card (2006) Stephen Bridgewater IMDB 2
Merch Dope
116 The Christmas Shoes (2002) Andy Wolk IMDB 2
Merch Dope
117
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)
  Her
Time Out
118 The Family Man (2000) Brett Ratner IMDB 2
Merch Dope
119 The Great Rupert (1950)   Start
Vulture
120 The House Without a Christmas Tree (1972) Paul Bogart IMDB 2
Merch Dope
121 The Ice Harvest (2005)   USA Today
Vulture
122 The Little Drummer Boy (1968) Jules Bass IMDB 2
Merch Dope
123 The Man Who Invented Christmas (2017)  
Rotten Tomatoes
Start
124 The Most Wonderful Time of the Year (2008) Michael Scott IMDB 2
Merch Dope
125 The Nativity Story Catherine Hardwicke Forbes
IMDB 2
126 The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012) Stephen Chbosky IMDB 2
Merch Dope
127 The Santa Suit (2010) Robert Vaughn IMDB 2
Merch Dope
128 Trapped in Paradise (1994) George Gallo IMDB 2
Merch Dope
129 3 Godfathers (1948)   Start
Vulture
130 12 Dates of Christmas James Hayman IMDB 2
131 A Bad Moms Christmas   RD
132 A Christmas Carol (1999)  
Independent
133 A Garfield Christmas Special’ (1987)   Heavy
134 All Is Bright Phil Morrison IMDB 2
135 Babes in Toyland (1961)   Start
136 Batman   Her
137 Ben Hur   Her
138 Bernie and the Genie   iNews
139 Better Watch Out (2017  
Rotten Tomatoes
140 Black Nativity   RD
141 Brazil (1985)  
Empire Online
142
Charlie and Lola: How Many More Minutes Until Christmas?
  RD 2
143 Chris Osterndorf   Daily Dot
144 Christmas Eve Mitch Davis IMDB 2
145 Christmas Mail John Murlowski IMDB 2
146 Christmas Story Juha Wuolijoki IMDB 2
147 Christmas with the Joker   RD 2
148 Comfort and Joy (1984)   Vulture
149 Cool Runnings   Her
150 Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas   Parenting
151 Donna Reed  
Now To Love
152 Dora’s Christmas Carol Adventure   Parenting
153 E.T. The Extra Terrestrial  
Tech Advisor
154 Eight Crazy Nights Seth Kearsley IMDB 2
155 Elmo’s Christmas Countdown   Parenting
156 Eloise at Christmastime   Start
157 Frank Capra  
Now To Love
158 Fred Claus   Forbes
159 Friday After Next Marcus Raboy IMDB 2
160 Ghostbusters II (1989)   Time Out
161 Go  
Detroit News
162 Green Book  
Detroit News
163 Harry Potter   Her
164
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2001)
  Time Out
165 Holiday in Handcuffs Ron Underwood IMDB 2
166 Holiday Inn (1942  
Rotten Tomatoes
167 Holiday Inn’ (1942)   Heavy
168 How the Grinch Stole Christmas’   Pure Wow
169 Hugh Grant  
Now To Love
170 I’ll Be Home for Christmas Arlene Sanford IMDB 2
171 James Bond   Her
172 James Stewart  
Now To Love
173 Jean Shepherd  
Now To Love
174 Joulutarina (2007)  
Merch Dope
175 Kristin’s Christmas Past Jim Fall IMDB 2
176 Lights: The Miracle of Chanukah   Parenting
177 Little Women   RD 2
178 Merry Christmas, Olivia   Parenting
179 Merry Madagascar   RD 2
180 Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas (1999)  
Merch Dope
181 Night of the Comet   Daily Dot
182 Office Christmas Party   Esquire
183 Olive, the Other Reindeer   RD 2
184 Original Christmas Classics   Parenting
185 Peace on Earth (1939)   Vulture
186 Pee-wee’s Playhouse: Christmas Special   Daily Dot
187 Pete’s Christmas Nisha Ganatra IMDB 2
188 Polar Express (2004)   Mirror
189 Pretty Woman   Her
190 Reindeer Games John Frankenheimer IMDB 2
191
Reve De Noel (The Christmas Dream) (1900)
  Vulture
192 Rocky IV  
Detroit News
193 Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer (1998)   Mirror
194 Santa Buddies   Parenting
195 Shalom Sesame: Chanukah Special   Parenting
196 Silent Night, Deadly Night   Esquire
197 Singin’ In The Rain   Her
198 Speed   Her
199 Surviving Christmas Mike Mitchell IMDB 2
200 The Bishop   USA Today
201 The Charlie Brown Christmas Special   RD
202 The Christmas Chronicles  
Hello Magazine
203 The Christmas Prince  
Hello Magazine
204 The Christmas Spirit Jack Angelo IMDB 2
205 The Christmas Toy  
Mental Floss
206 The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya Tatsuya Ishihara IMDB 2
207 The Dog Who Saved Christmas   Parenting
208 The Holiday Inn (1942)  
Merch Dope
209 The Holiday’   Pure Wow
210 The Holly and the Ivy (1952)   IMDB
211 The Insects’ Christmas (1913)   Vulture
212 The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996)  
Merch Dope
213 The Lord Of The Rings   Her
214 The Man Who Came to Dinner’ (1942)   Simplemost
215 The Merry Gentleman   RD
216 The Santa Clause 2   Forbes
217 The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause   Forbes
218 The Sound Of Music   Her
219 The Star   Parenting
220 The Ultimate Christmas Present Greg Beeman IMDB 2
221 The Wonderful World of Disney William Dear IMDB 2
222 This Christmas   Forbes
223 Titanic   Her
224 Toy Story   Her
225 Tyler Perry’s A Madea Christmas   Forbes
226 Uncle Buck   Her
227 White Reindeer   Esquire
228 Why Him?   Her
229 Will Ferrell.  
Now To Love
230 Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory   Her
231 Window Wonderland Michael Scott IMDB 2
232 You’ve Got Mail (1998)   Time Out



40 Best Movies Taking Place During The Holiday Season Film Sources/Lists



Source Article
Bustle The 13 Best Christmas Movies, According To Rotten Tomatoes
Cosmopolitan 25 Best Christmas Movies of All Time
Daily Dot The Best Christmas Movies of All Time: 20 Must-See Holiday Movies
Detroit News From ‘Elf’ to ‘Die Hard,’ Christmas films for all types
Empire Online The 30 Best Christmas Movies
Esquire 40 Best Christmas Movies of All Time
EW These are the top 20 Christmas movies ever
Forbes The 25 Highest-Grossing Christmas Movies Of All Time At The U.S. …
Heavy 25 Best Christmas Movies of All Time: The Ultimate List (2018)
Hello Magazine The top 10 Christmas movies of all time
Her We ranked the best Christmas films from 53 to one and it’s guaranteed …
Hi Consumption The 25 Best Christmas Movies of All Time
IMDB Poll: Greatest Christmas Films of All-Time
IMDB 2 The Top 100 Christmas movies of all-time
Independent Best Christmas movies: The 20 greatest festive films ranked, from …
iNews Best Christmas movies of all time
Mental Floss The 20 Best Christmas Movies of All Time
Mental Floss 2 The Original Reviews of 10 Classic Christmas Movies
Merch Dope The 100 Best Christmas Movies of All Time
Mirror Best Christmas movies: Top films to watch from Elf to Home Alone …
Now To Love The best Christmas movies of all time
Parenting 25 Best Christmas Movies for Kids
Pure Wow 25 Best Christmas Movies Ranked
RD Best Christmas Movies of All Time, Ranked
RD 2 The Best Kids’ Christmas Movies
Readers Digest 15 Best Christmas Movies of All Time
Real Buzz Top 5 Christmas Movies Of All Time
Rotten Tomatoes The 50 Best Christmas Movies of All Time
Simplemost Christmas Movies Everyone Should See Once
Start The 58 Best Christmas Movies of All Time
Tech Advisor 18 Best Christmas Movies EVER
The Muse The 5 Best Christmas Movies Ever
The Sun FESTIVE FILMS Here are the top 10 Christmas movies of all time and …
The Work Print The Workprint’s Top Ten Christmas Films of All-Time
Thrillist Best Christmas Movies of All Time, Ranked
Time Out 50 Best Christmas Movies Ranked From Naughty To Nice …
Too Fab 25 Greatest Christmas Movies of All Time, Ranked
USA Today Ranked: 20 best Christmas movies ever (yes, ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’)
Vogue Best Christmas Movies: 13 Favorites to Watch on Christmas Morning …
Vulture 40 Best Christmas Movies of All Time