There’s something magical about the Christmas season, and the holiday movie lineup is no exception. Whether you’re revisiting old favorites or discovering a classic for the first time, these films capture the heart, humor and nostalgia that make Christmas movies so enduring.
‘The Santa Clause’ (1994)
Rated: PG
Streaming: Disney+, Hulu
Scott Calvin (Tim Allen) isn’t expecting his life to change on Christmas Eve, but then Santa falls off his roof and Scott inherits the job. Follow along as he accepts his new role as the one and only Santa Claus.
‘A Christmas Story’ (1983)
Rated: PG
Streaming: Disney+, HBO Max, Hulu, YouTube
All Ralphie (Peter Billingsley) wants for Christmas is the “Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred Shot Range Model Air Rifle with a compass in the stock and this thing which tells time.” But every adult has the same warning: “You’ll shoot your eye out.” A favorite full of charm and a bit of holiday chaos.
‘White Christmas’ (1954)
Rated: Not rated
Streaming: AMC+, Amazon Prime Video
Two Army buddies turned musical-comedy partners (Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye) cross paths with a pair of rising singer sisters (Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen). They follow the sisters to a Vermont inn owned by their former Army commander, and soon hatch a plan to save the charming lodge from closing. A heartwarming, song-filled classic.
‘Miracle on 34th Street’ (1947)
Rated: PG
Streaming: Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu, Paramount+, Peacock, YouTube
Kris Kringle (Edmund Gwenn) steps in as a department-store Santa and immediately causes a stir — not because he’s bad at the job, but because he insists he’s the real Santa Claus. A skeptical world soon learns that a man in red suit just might be their miracle.
‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’ (1966)
Rated: Not rated
Streaming: Amazon Prime Video (requires add-on)
Dr. Seuss’s classic tale comes to life as the Grinch (Boris Karloff), a grouchy green fellow who lives at the top of Mount Crumpit, plots to steal Christmas from Whoville. But even he can’t predict how the holiday spirit might expand his heart.
‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ (1946)
Rated: PG
Streaming: Amazon Prime Video, Hulu
George Bailey (James Stewart) feels the weight of the world during the holiday season — until an angel gives him a profound glimpse of how deeply he’s impacted the lives around him. A timeless story filled with hope, community and redemption.
‘Home Alone’ (1990)
Rated: PG
Streaming: Disney+, Hulu
When his large family takes off to Paris for the holidays, they accidentally leave Kevin (Macaulay Culkin) behind. However, while he is home alone he becomes the sole protector of his family home when a pair of burglars target the house, leading Kevin to engineer the ultimate homemade security system to protect it.
‘The Muppet Christmas Carol’ (1992)
Rated: G
Streaming: Disney+
A Muppet twist on Charles Dickens’ beloved story, this adaptation is packed with signature Muppet humor, heart and a faithful retelling of the classic tale.
‘While You Were Sleeping’ (1995)
Rated: PG
Streaming: Disney+, Amazon Prime Video
A lonely transit worker rescues her commuter crush after he falls onto the tracks. Through a series of misunderstandings, she’s mistaken for his fiancée while he’s in a coma, but finds herself unexpectedly falling for his brother instead.
‘Elf’ (2003)
Rated: PG
Streaming: HBO Max, Hulu, YouTube
Will Ferrell stars as Buddy, a human raised at the North Pole who heads to New York City to find his long-lost father. However, things in the Big Apple aren’t what he dreams of finding.