Grab your favourite movie snack and snuggle up with these Christmas movies for a cosy evening full of warm fuzzies.
It’s that time of the year – Mariah Carey and Michael Bublé are awakened from their deep slumber, homes are filled with fresh (or fake) trees, festive markets are popping up, and Orchard Road is transformed into a winter wonderland sans (real) snow. To add to the joyous spirit, we’ve curated a list of our favourite flicks for the Yuletide season. From cult classics to comedies and even a tinge of horror, these Christmas movies will get you in the festive mood.
Best Christmas movies to stream
The Holiday
Two lovelorn women, played by Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz, escape their personal heartbreak by flying halfway across the world for a home exchange during the festive season. And Jude Law in a Christmas movie? Count us in. Apart from a cast of Hollywood heavyweights, this movie is endearingly sweet. It’s bound to make even the coldest of hearts melt.
Watch on Netflix
A Bad Moms Christmas
Forget about romance and get into festive mischief with a trio of ‘bad’ mothers. This sequel to the hilarious Bad Moms sees Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell and Kathryn Hahn ditching their annual Christmas preparation for a little harmless fun. To make things worse, all their mums have decided to pay them a visit. Let loose and be prepared for belly-aching laughs.
Watch on Netflix
Elf
Comedian Will Ferrell plays a happy-go-lucky elf, so you know you’re in for a good laugh. But don’t let the title fool you – turns out he’s actually a human who crawled into Santa’s bag when he was a baby. Upon that revelation, he travels from the North Pole to the Big Apple to find his biological dad, and all sorts of silly shenanigans ensue. A great family movie, if you ask us.
Rent on iTunes
Christmas Made To Order
A Hallmark original – it’s Christmas after all – this film sees Steven, played by Jonathan Bennett of Mean Girls fame, hosting his family for the festive season. Not a fan of Christmas, he seeks help from a holiday coordinator. If you’ve seen enough romance films from Hallmark, you would probably know where this is going. Nevertheless, if you’re looking for a light, easy watch, this movie delivers just that.
Watch on Netflix
Four Christmases
Hollywood sweetheart Reese Witherspoon and funnyman Vince Vaughn play a couple who visit all four of their divorced parents… hence the title. If you’re one of those people who dread family reunions during the festive period, this movie will get you in four ways with its funny and heartwarming scenes.
Watch on Netflix
While You Were Sleeping
Now, on the surface, the plot might seem slightly creepy – Sandra Bullock’s character saves her crush, played by ex-heartthrob Peter Gallagher, from a freak accident. Then, she ends up acting as his fiance while he struggles with memory loss. Totes normal! But apart from that, you’ll likely be rooting for her lovable character as she tugs at your heartstrings with her naivety and innocence. Also, spoiler alert: She ends up falling for someone else.
Rent on iTunes
Holidate
Single and dreading family holiday reunions? You might just be able to relate to this film. Two strangers are sick and tired of being single during the holidays so they come up with an arrangement to be each other’s plus one. We say come for Emma Roberts and stay for the feel good plot.
Watch on Netflix
Love Actually
First of all, it’s a holiday must-watch featuring an all-star cast, including the likes of Keira Knightley, Colin Firth, Hugh Grant and Liam Neeson. This British rom-com may have weathered controversy over the years, but it’s still at the top of our festive list. Warning: You may or may not shed a tear as the film shows the different nuances in relationships through 10 love stories that are linked in one way or another.
Rent on iTunes
Home Alone
This movie is a cult classic for over two decades and with good reason. It’s got slapstick humour, a little crazy action, memorable quotes (“keep the change, ya filthy animal!”) and a happy ending all wrapped up in a bow. Plus, you can continue the rib-tickling marathon with its numerous sequels.
Watch on Netflix
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
This is another cult classic with Jim Carrey playing the live-action version of Dr Seuss’ The Grinch. Watch as he turns from a cantankerous green beast to a redeemable Xmas hero. And, if you’re a pop culture guru, you will easily spot baby Taylor Momsen as Cindy Lou. A far cry from her current goth rockstar persona.
Watch on Amazon Prime
The Princess Switch
Christmas is the only time of the year when we close one eye and watch the cheesiest films. Enter The Princess Switch. Starring Vanessa Hudgens, it’s about two lookalikes trading lives. What’s the plot twist? One of them is a princess. We know, the plot seems trite but hey, let’s give credit to the High School Musical actress for taking up a dual role. Continue the mind-boggling action with its sequel.
Watch on Netflix
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
Christmas is magical and what better way to celebrate this joyous occasion with a Harry Potter movie? We know, the other films in the franchise have wonderful Christmas scenes, but they tend to be darker than the original. Also, in the first instalment, Harry spends December at the magical Hogwarts, enthralling us all with the whimsical world of wizardry.
Available on HBO Go
Mariah Carey’s Magical Christmas
Faced with a holiday cheer crisis, The Queen of Christmas helps North Pole to make the world merry again. Enjoy this fabulous and instant classic star-studded spectacular with the whole family as Mariah sings some of her classic Christmas originals and covers.
Watch on Apple TV+
Last Christmas
As the song goes, “Last Christmas, I gave you my heart; but the very next day, you gave it away…” In this holiday movie, be prepared to cry your heart out. Set in wintery London, Kate has everything working against her. She’s homeless and tries to make ends meet by working at a Christmas shop as an elf – all while recovering from heart surgery. Thanks to a strange turn of fate, she meets a charming man called Tom who helps her see how blessed she truly is. Sounds like a Christmas miracle, right? Well, let’s just say not everything is what it seems.
Watch on HBO Go
Gremlins
This one is for the horror junkies. Imagine getting a cute little critter as a Christmas present, but… there are three rules: Don’t get it wet, don’t expose it to light and, most importantly, don’t feed it after midnight. Of course, like all good horror movies, the rules get broken and all hell breaks loose. But don’t worry, it’s more campy than scary.
Rent on iTunes
Frozen
No matter how old we are, Frozen will always have a special place in our hearts. It has sisterhood, magic and it’s set in a town that’s perpetually snowing. Join Elsa, Anna and Olaf on adventures like no other in the first and second movies. No one is judging if you can’t let it go! Extra brownie points if you got the pun.
Rent on iTunes
Mean Girls
Hear us out. Mean Girls deserves to be on this list just for its iconic Winter Talent Show scene where Lindsay Lohan saves Christmas with her rendition of the classic Jingle Bell Rock song alongside a risque dance routine. Come to think of it, truth be told, this movie is for all seasons!
Watch on HBO Go
So what are you waiting for? Binge-watch these superb Christmas movies!
