If you’re anything like us, you’re trying to watch as many Christmas films as possible over the holiday season. Here are the best available in the US.
Why you can trust Pocket-lint (Pocket-lint) – If you’re anything like us, you’re trying to watch as many Christmas films as possible over the holiday season. There are tonnes to choose from after all, including cult classics and, of course, the occasional oddball holiday flick that you secretly enjoy. But instead of trudging through the snow to a video store (if those even exist anymore) to get physical copies, you should just step into the 21st century and stream them. From Disney+ to Netflix, the movie-streaming services available are aplenty. Pixar Theory: The best Pixar movie order All you have to do is browse the list below, pick a movie, then pick a streaming service to watch it from. We’ve included links to all of them for US sites. Some we’ve chosen cost a tiny bit of money, while others are free. Happiest Season (2020) Happiest Season (2020) Watch it now: Netflix A woman plans to propose to her girlfriend while at her family’s annual holiday party only to discover her partner it’s out of the closet yet. Arthur Christmas (2011) Arthur Christmas (2011) Watch it now: YouTube, Amazon, Google Play, iTunes, Vudu Arthur Christmas shows how an overly modernized process of delivering presents lead to a single present being misplaced. Santa’s clumsy son, Arthur, is tasked by his grandfather to deliver the present the old fashioned way, with an old sleigh and the great-grandchildren of the original reindeers. Holidate (2020) Holidate (2020) Watch it now: Netflix Sick of being single on holidays, two strangers agree to be each other’s plus-ones all year long, only they begin to develop feelings on the way. Bad Santa (2003) Bad Santa (2003) Watch it now: YouTube, iTunes, Google Play, Amazon A drunken conman and his partner pose as Santa and his elf helper to rob a department store on Christmas Eve, but while casing the store, the conman forms an unlikely friendship with an awkward young boy. The Polar Express (2004) The Polar Express (2004) Watch it now: YouTube, Amazon, Google Play, iTunes, Vudu A young boy begins to lose his belief in Santa Claus until a magical train appears in front of his house on Christmas Eve. Boarding the train, the boy goes on a magical journey to the North Pole aboard the Polar Express with everyone’s favorite holiday character, Tom Hanks. It’s A Wonderful Life (1946) It’s A Wonderful Life (1946) Watch it now: Amazon, Google Play, iTunes, Vudu George Bailey spends his life thinking of others, helping ensure all those around them achieve their dreams at the expense of his own. When money is misplaced that could lead to George being arrested, his guardian angel, Clarence, shows him what the world would have been like if he had never existed. The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992) The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992) Watch it now: Amazon, Google Play, iTunes, Vudu, Disney+ The Muppets tell their own laugh-filled version of Ebenezer Scrooge’s redemption. There’s also a ton of great musical numbers throughout the movie. If that’s not enough, then there’s also Micheal Caine as a very serious Scrooge complaining about his muppet tenants not paying rent. Joyeux Noel (2005) Joyeux Noel (2005) Watch it now: Amazon, Google Play, iTunes, Vudu This foreign film tells the heartwarming story of the first Christmas to happen during World War I. Without any instructions or negotiations, soldiers on both sides put down their arms and celebrated together for one night. Elf (2003) Elf (2003) Watch it now: Amazon, Google Play, iTunes, Vudu Santa mistakenly brings a baby back to the North Pole, where he’s raised as a Buddy the Elf. Once his size and lack of toy-building talent becomes an issue, he travels to New York to meet his father, who’s got a regular place on the naughty list. Four Christmases (2008) Four Christmases (2008) Watch it now: YouTube, Amazon, Google Play, iTunes, Vudu A couple who both have divorced parents have four family Christmases they don’t want to attend. While their families push them to the brink of leaving one another, their relationship ends up coming away from the holiday even stronger. How The Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) How The Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) Watch it now: Netflix, Amazon, Google Play, Vudu, iTunes A green miser tries to ruin Christmas for all the Whos in Whoville until he learns what Christmas is really about. This rendition of the Dr Seuss classic is the only live-action version and features Jim Carrey as the Grinch. Jingle All The Way (1996) Jingle All The Way (1996) Watch it now: YouTube, Amazon, Google Play, iTunes, Vudu, Arnold promises his son a Turbo Man doll for Christmas — the only problem is they’re all sold out. He spends all of Christmas Eve fighting tooth and nail to get his hands on a Turbo Man, before donning the costume himself and fighting Sinbad during the big Christmas parade. Eyes Wide Shut (1999) Eyes Wide Shut (1999) Watch it now: YouTube, Amazon, Google Play, iTunes, Vudu Eyes Wide Shut might be the only movie on here you can’t watch with your kids. After his wife admits to almost cheating on him, a man goes on a dangerous night of self-discovery. It’s not directly a Christmas movie, but it’s set during the holidays and is a fun one for parents to watch. The Ref (1994) The Ref (1994) Watch it now: YouTube, Amazon, Google Play, iTunes, Vudu A couple who’s been attending therapy and have grown to hate each other end up spending the holiday tied up by a burglar, played by Denis Leary, who ends up being a great therapist in his own right. One Magic Christmas (1985) One Magic Christmas (1985) Watch it now: YouTube, Amazon, Google Play, iTunes, Vudu With her husband’s current unemployment and Christmas on the way, Ginny is having trouble feeling much excitement about the holidays. Her two kids, with the help of an angel named Gideon show her that Christmas isn’t just about presents, but about the people you love. George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker (1993) George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker (1993) Watch it now: Amazon, iTunes The classic story of a young girl who dreams of her toys coming to life, and her nutcracker saving her from the Mouse King. Keep your eye out for a pre-Home Alone Macaulay Culkin. Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964) Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964) Watch it now: Vudu Rudolph is born with a red nose, which forces other reindeer to treat him like an outcast until he leaves the North Pole, but just when he leaves, a storm moves in, and Santa could use someone with a bright red nose to guide him through it. The Family Man (2000) The Family Man (2000) Watch it now: YouTube, Amazon, Google Play, iTunes, Vudu A selfish businessman wakes up next to the love of his life he left decades ago and their three children he never had. While at first, he’s miserable about the switch, he comes to see what he missed out on. The Little Drummer Boy (1968) The Little Drummer Boy (1968) Watch it now: Vudu One of the cartoon classics that have become Christmas staples, The Little Drummer Boy follows an orphaned little boy who has his life changed forever when he meets three wise men on their way to Bethlehem. Jack Frost (1998) Jack Frost (1998) Watch it now: Amazon, Google Play, iTunes, Vudu Micheal Keaton plays a musician who dies while trying to return home to his family at Christmas. The following year he returns as a snowman with one last chance to spend a Christmas with his son. The Bishop’s Wife (1947) The Bishop’s Wife (1947) Watch it now: Amazon, iTunes, Vudu A Bishop asks heaven for help in his mission to build a cathedral. The response comes in the form of an angel, played by Carey Grant, who’s there to help not only with the Cathedral but save the Bishop’s marriage as well. Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town (1970) Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town (1970) Watch it now: Vudu, iTunes Have you ever wondered where most of your favorite Christmas traditions come from? Well, Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town has all the answers of how Kris Kringle became Santa Claus, married Mrs.
