The Best Christmas Movies To Watch

Our definitive list of the best Christmas movies of all time features flicks old and new, classic and modern, so there’s truly something for everyone in the family to bond over. So whip up some Christmas cocktails and home-theater snacks (a.k.a. gingerbread cookies), hunker down and start your holiday movie marathon right now!

1  The Polar Express (2004)

A lot of people think The Polar Express looks creepy with its uncanny valley CGI characters. Other than that, this is a quintessential Christmas movie, nowhere near as creepy as your average Christmas party attendee named Uncle Geoffrey.

2  How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)

Jim Carrey is the Grinch in this movie adaption of the Dr. Seuss book.

3  Home Alone (1990)

When you’re 8 years old, not much can spoil Christmas — except maybe being left accidentally at home while your family goes on vacation. But don’t worry, Kevin McCallister (‎Macaulay Culkin) can handle himself even against two nincompoop burglars played by Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern.

4  Love Actually (2003)

This romantic comedy is now 13 years old. But it still delights, in large part due to its great cast: Colin Firth, Emma Thompson, Liam Neeson, Martin Freeman, Keira Knightley and Hugh Grant, among others.

5  Elf (2003)

When he was a toddler, Buddy (Will Ferrell) was accidentally taken to the North Pole and raised there alongside elves. As an adult, Buddy travels to New York to find his real father. This film provides as many laughs as it does touching moments.

6  Bad Santa (2003)

Who doesn’t love an inebriated mall Santa? And who doesn’t love Billy Bob Thornton as the aforementioned inebriated mall Santa!? This movie is equal parts hilarious and redeeming.