By Mariane Tremblay and Lara Rosales
You know what they say, "it's the most wonderful time of the year," and I say it's the perfect time to cozy up and watch tons of movies! Whether you're into classics or more unconventional Christmas movies, there's something for everyone in this list!
The "classics"
How The Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
Directed by Ron Howard, How the Grinch Stole Christmas celebrated its 25th anniversary this year. For the past two decades, this live-action adaptation has been a staple in many households, and it still feels like the perfect choice when you’re looking for a Christmas movie to watch.
Where to watch: Disney+, Netflix, Crave Canada, Amazon Prime Video, and Paramount+
Home Alone (1990)
Can you believe Home Alone celebrated its 35th anniversary this year? And yet, everyone knows the McCallister family and little Kevin (Macaulay Culkin), who’s left behind on Christmas Day. Home Alone truly is a Christmas classic that keeps resonating across generations. If you have younger kids at home, make sure they watch this film during the holidays—it’s one of those rare movies that both kids and adults can enjoy together!
Where to watch: Disney+
The Santa Clause Trilogy
If you’re planning to make a Christmas movie marathon, The Santa Clause trilogy is the perfect choice. Starring Tim Allen, these films follow an ordinary man who unexpectedly becomes Santa Claus, delivering humour, heart, and plenty of Christmas magic along the way. Even years later, the trilogy remains a comforting and festive watch for the whole family.
Where to watch: Disney+
Miracle on 34th Street (1994)
Miracle on 34th Street is pure Christmas magic! It’s the kind of film that reminds you why believing in kindness, in generosity, in a little bit of wonder truly matters. With its heartfelt performances and timeless message, it captures the spirit of the holidays most sincerely. A classic that proves that sometimes, the simplest stories are the ones that stay with us the longest, and it's definitely a must-watch during the holiday break.
Where to watch: Disney+
The Polar Express (2004)
The Polar Express is the kind of movie that creeps you out when you're little but makes you absolutely nostalgic as you grow older. The sort of film that will always remind you of your childhood because it carries the essence of a Christmas movie you can watch in your pyjamas at home. With great animations, perfect music, and a lovely Santa, The Polar Express is one you must rewatch every year.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime, and available to rent or buy
Jingle All the Way (1996)
Jingle All the Way is chaotic Christmas fun at its finest. Loud, over-the-top, and unapologetically silly, it perfectly captures the madness of last-minute holiday shopping and parental guilt. It’s not subtle, but that’s what makes its charm. While most parents may not go to the extreme lengths Howard does, the impulse behind it is universal: doing anything to make your child happy on Christmas morning. What makes the film surprisingly touching is its message, when, in the end, the kid realises he doesn’t need the toy at all. His dad is his real hero, reminding us that presence matters far more than presents.
Where to watch: Disney+
Family thing
The Family Stone (2005)
The Family Stone is probably one of the most divisive Christmas movies, and while we can understand why, it’s still a must-watch during the holidays — laughter, awkward moments, and a dysfunctional family make the perfect recipe.
Don’t be fooled by the fact that it’s categorised as a comedy — grab a tissue box and brace yourself. Watching this movie will hit even harder this year, given the recent loss of our beloved Diane Keaton, whose character, Sybil, is sure to bring tears every single time.
Where to watch: Disney+, Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Crave Canada
Stepmom (1998)
Stepmom is the kind of movie that gently breaks your heart and then wraps you in warmth. Set against the backdrop of changing seasons, with Christmas marking one of its most emotional moments, it’s a film about motherhood, acceptance, and chosen family. Comforting yet devastating, it reminds us that love can take many forms, and that the holidays often make those bonds feel even stronger. Take your tissue box and get cosy with your loved one!
Where to watch: Crave Canada, Amazon Prime, and available to rent or buy
Oh. What. Fun. (2025)
If you're looking to add a new Christmas movie to your yearly tradition, Oh. What. Fun. might not be the movie for you. But if you're simply looking to have a good time amidst the chaos of the holiday season, get comfy and press play. This family will take you on a crazy ride that will remind you why it's important to cherish those you love.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
Have yourself a freaky little Christmas
"This Christmas, get exactly what you want," and Babygirl will surely give you what you want. If you’re looking for something less traditional, a little more provocative, and incredibly sexy, Halina Reijn’s latest film is the perfect choice. Our advice? Pair it with Eyes Wide Shut (1999). Babygirl serves as an incredible response to Kubrick’s film and its exploration of women’s sexual fantasies. Bill and Alice’s discussion echoes Romy’s actions and monologue near the end of Babygirl — not to mention how the ending of Eyes Wide Shut flows seamlessly into the beginning of Babygirl, making the connection all the more relevant.
Start the night with Eyes Wide Shut, immerse yourself in the underground world of New York City at night, and then continue with Babygirl for the perfect freaky Christmas night.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime, Crave Canada, and available to rent or buy
Nosferatu (2024)
Nosferatu is a dark, atmospheric entry into the Christmas watchlist, perfect for those who prefer their holidays a little different. Set in a world of shadows, dread, and icy silence, it turns winter into something eerie and hypnotic. Beneath the horror, the film becomes a meditation on female desires, suppressed, feared, and ultimately powerful. It’s not festive in the traditional sense, but its cold beauty and haunting imagery make it an unforgettable seasonal experience, one where longing and obsession linger long after the snow has settled.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime, and available to rent or buy
Pillion (2025)
"Get what you really want this Christmas," and just like Babygirl, Pillion will surely give you exactly that. While the film isn’t entirely set during the holidays, it opens in a Christmas setting — and that’s more than enough to classify it as a (freaky) Christmas movie. Not to mention that one of its sexiest scenes takes place on Christmas Eve. You’ll definitely get chills while watching this one, but not because you’re cold; you might even get a little hot. Sexy, freaky, and everything you need for an unconventional Christmas night.
Where to watch: In theatres in the UK
A little bit of romance
Bridget Jones's Diary (2001)
Bridget Jones’s Diary is the ultimate cosy, chaotic Christmas movie. Messy, awkward, and deeply relatable, it captures that strange in-between time at the end of the year, when you’re surrounded by family, expectations, and unresolved feelings. With snowy London streets, ugly Christmas jumpers, and Bridget’s New Year’s resolutions, it’s a comfort watch that feels like catching up with an old friend who’s still figuring it all out.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime, Crave Canada, Netflix, and available to rent or buy
The Holiday (2006)
Nancy Meyers is the rom-com director by excellence, and The Holiday is one of her most important pieces. Whether you want the fancy LA life or the coziness of a cottage in the UK, this movie will make you feel all the feels as you navigate the holiday (no pun intended) season by the hand of Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz. There is nothing better to get in the Christmas mood than love and a good soundtrack.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime, Crave Canada, and available to rent or buy
Carol (2015)
Forbidden love might not be the mood for the season, but the love story between Carol and Therese is one you don't want to miss. A story that began close to Christmas leads to the road trip of a lifetime, reminding us that not all roads lead to happiness. But maybe, just maybe, you might get exactly what you wanted under the tree.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime, Crave Canada, and available to rent or buy
The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (1964)
The Umbrellas of Cherbourg might not be a traditional Christmas movie, but it feels like one for the heart. Every line sung, every frame, and Michel Legrand’s sweeping score turn it into a bittersweet reminder that love doesn’t always last, but will always leave a mark. It’s the kind of film you watch wrapped in a blanket, letting yourself feel everything, perfect for a melancholic Christmas night. Not to mention that the ending is set during the holidays, which only strengthens the argument that it’s a perfect Christmas movie!
Where to watch: Available to rent or buy
Love Actually (2004)
Yes, we can all agree Love Actually may not have aged right, but it is a tradition to watch every year on Christmas. A story (or a combination of stories) that reminds us that falling in love can happen at any time in your life; what matters is that you're ready to listen to your heart. After all, this movie is about feeling Christmas all around us.
Where to watch: Disney+, Paramount +, Amazon Prime, Crave Canada, and available to rent or buy
Set during Christmas (or at least in part)
Spencer (2021)
Spencer might not be a traditional Christmas movie, but its entire story unfolds during the holiday season, using it as a haunting backdrop rather than a source of comfort. Set over Christmas at Sandringham, the film turns tradition into a cage, exploring isolation, identity, and quiet rebellion. Wintry, unsettling, and deeply intimate, Spencer is a reminder that Christmas isn’t joyful for everyone, and that freedom can sometimes begin in the coldest moments. If you’re not in the mood for something overtly festive or joyful, it’s the perfect film to watch.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime, Crave Canada, and available to rent or buy
8 Women is Christmas wrapped in velvet, glamour, and murder. Set in a snowed-in mansion during the holidays, the film transforms the festive décor into a theatrical playground of secrets, jealousy, and incredible performances. Campy, colourful, and endlessly entertaining, it’s the perfect choice if you want your Christmas watch to come with a little bit of drama and unforgettable musical numbers.
Where to watch: Available to rent or buy
The Holdovers (2023)
The Holdovers feels like a warm cup of coffee on a quiet winter morning. Set during the Christmas break, it’s a tender, character-driven film about loneliness, unexpected connections, and the people who fall through the cracks during the holidays. Funny, melancholic, and deeply human, it understands that sometimes the most meaningful Christmases happen far away from home.
Where to watch: Netflix, and available to rent or buy
Little Women (2019)
Little Women is comfort cinema at its finest. Greta Gerwig’s adaptation is filled with rich, painterly cinematography that highlights every intimate gesture and snowy winter scene, making the film feel like a living memory. At its heart is a tender and vibrant portrait of sisterhood, full of love, rivalry, and unbreakable bonds as the March sisters grow, clash, and find their own paths. It radiates warmth and nostalgia, the kind that makes you want to wrap yourself in a blanket and hold your loved ones a little closer.
Where to watch: Available to rent or buy
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