Where to find the top holiday movies for viewing
For some people, getting into the holiday spirit involves activities like decorating a tree, baking cookies, or watching houses adorned with string lights. Alternatively, some prefer to kick off the festive season by watching Christmas movies. Whether you’re planning a holiday movie marathon, looking to revisit a classic, or wanting to shake up your family movie night with something new, there’s a wide selection to choose from. We’ve curated the best Christmas movies available for streaming or rental, ranging from sentimental classics with a twist to cozy romantic comedies, emotional indie dramas, and high-speed action thrillers.
The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996)
While Die Hard may be hailed as the ultimate Christmas action movie, do not overlook The Long Kiss Goodnight. In this action thriller directed by Renny Harlin, Geena Davis portrays Samantha, a small-town school teacher and mother who mysteriously lost her memory years ago. Following a car accident, Samantha begins to recall her past and discovers her elite knife skills. As she navigates this revelation, a man from her past emerges, leading to a series of explosive events that unveil her true identity as a CIA assassin. Teaming up with Samuel L. Jackson’s character, Samantha dives back into her dangerous world, delivering an action-packed and thrilling holiday experience.
How to watch: The Long Kiss Goodnight is available for streaming on Fubo and Paramount+, and for rental on Apple TV+, Prime Video, and Fandango at Home.
Home Alone (1990)
Watching Macaulay Culkin’s Kevin McCallister defend his home with ingenious booby traps in Home Alone remains a timeless delight. This heartwarming Christmas classic offers a mix of humor, charm, and a valuable lesson about family bonds during the holiday season, making it a beloved choice for festive viewing.
How to watch: Home Alone can be streamed on Disney+ or rented on Apple TV+, Prime Video, and Fandango at Home.
The Preacher’s Wife (1996)
Featuring Whitney Houston and Denzel Washington, The Preacher’s Wife offers a heartwarming Christmas tale with a touch of magic. Washington plays Dudley, a charming angel sent to help a struggling pastor and his family find hope and rediscover the true spirit of the holiday season. With a mix of humor, romance, and heartfelt moments, this film is a perfect choice for a cozy holiday viewing experience.
How to watch: The Preacher’s Wife is currently available for streaming on Fubo and for rental on Apple TV+, Prime Video, and Fandango at Home.
The majority of family-friendly Christmas movies often tell the same types of holiday stories about Santa. But Sergio Pablos’ Klaus proposes a new origin story for Old Saint Nick. In the animated adventure, it all begins with a Norwegian postman named Jasper (voiced by Jason Schwartzman) who’s sent away to an icy northern town called Smeerensburg to carry out his mail delivery duties. There he happens to stumble upon a reclusive bearded toymaker named Klaus (J.K. Simmons). When Jasper helps Klaus donate one of his creations to a local kid, soon every kid in town is desperate to send the toymaker a letter to get a gift in return. And so, Santa is born. Pablos’ animated film is a welcome addition to the Christmas movie canon, not only for its originality but also for its gorgeous animation that’s glowing with light and Christmas-y warmth.
How to watch: Klaus is streaming on Netflix.
We all need a sad gay romance to weep over during the holidays, and there isn’t one better than Carol. Todd Haynes’ 1950s-set love story follows Cate Blanchett as the eye-catching Carol Aird, a glamorous mother recently separated from her irate homophobic husband (Kyle Chandler), and Rooney Mara’s budding young photographer, Therese Belivet. The two women begin to fall in love over a shared lunch of martinis and a trip to Carol’s Connecticut home. But remember, this is the ’50s, and Carol’s queer relationship is soon used against her in her divorce.
Set over the holidays in New York City, Carol beautifully captures the Christmastime atmosphere of the East Coast in winter. There’s a snowy trip to a tree lot, the frazzled energy of a department store amid the holiday shopping bustle, long winter coats and scarves, and the cozy relief of escaping the icy streets for a warm holiday party where eyes meet over cocktails.
How to watch: Carol is streaming on Netflix, Fubo, and Paramount+, and available to rent on Apple TV, Prime Video, and Fandango at Home.
It’s Christmas Eve in Hollywood and Sin-Dee, a Black trans woman and sex worker, has just gotten out of jail. She meets up with her best friend Alexandra and soon finds out that her pimp/boyfriend Chester has been cheating on her — and not with just anyone, but with a white cis woman. Now it’s time for revenge.
Tangerine follows the two friends over the course of the night as they walk across Hollywood searching for Chester. A simple story blossoms into a profound and emotional journey that sheds light on the real-life experiences many Black trans sex workers encounter on the daily. When Sean Baker’s film first came out, it was praised for its low-budget indie style, and for being shot entirely on iPhones. But it’s really the story, rich with intimate human moments and bursts of comedy, along with Rodriguez and Taylor’s raw performances, that makes Tangerine such a moving film, and one about the power of chosen family.
How to watch: Tangerine is streaming on Hulu, Netflix, Fubo, and Hoopla, and available to rent on Apple TV, Prime Video, and Fandango at Home.
How to watch: The Holiday is available to rent on Apple TV+, Prime Video, and Fandango at Home.
10. It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
In Frank Capra’s enduring Christmas classic, It’s a Wonderful Life, Jimmy Stewart portrays George Bailey, a selfless man who sacrifices his dreams to help his neighbors during a financial crisis. Bailey’s guardian angel, Clarence, shows him the impact he has on his town and family, highlighting the value of life and the influence we have on others, even when unaware of it.
How to watch: It’s A Wonderful Life is streaming on The Roku Channel, and available to rent on Apple TV+, Prime Video, and Fandango at Home.
11. Elf (2003)
In the Christmas comedy Elf, Will Ferrell plays Buddy, a man who grew up in the North Pole believing he was one of Santa’s helpers. Buddy travels to New York City to find his real father, leading to humorous escapades and heartwarming moments, perfect for a festive family movie night.
How to watch: Elf is streaming on Max, and available to rent on Apple TV+, Prime Video, and Fandango at Home.
12. Phantom Thread (2017)
For a different take on a Christmas movie, consider watching Phantom Thread, a period romance set in the 1950s. The film explores relationship dynamics between a London dressmaker and a waitress, offering a unique and intriguing story with a wintry, atmospheric feel.
How to watch: Phantom Thread is streaming on Netflix and available to rent on Apple TV+, Prime Video, and Fandango at Home.
13. The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
Experience the classic tale of A Christmas Carol with a fun twist in The Muppet Christmas Carol, featuring Michael Caine as a grumpy Scrooge surrounded by beloved Muppet characters. This musical adaptation adds humor and joy to the traditional story, making it a delightful holiday watch.
How to watch: The Muppet Christmas Carol is streaming on Disney+, and available to rent on Apple TV+, Prime Video, and Fandango at Home.
Some people watch A Christmas Story every December, while others put on Moonstruck. The romantic comedy may not be about Christmas, but in almost every scene it gives off big Christmas energy. There’s Cher’s Loretta walking through the snowy streets of New York City in a long black trench coat and sipping wine by a fireplace. There’s the Lincoln Center tree lit up behind Loretta and Nic Cage’s Ronny as they attend the opera. There’s the twinkling of string lights and Christmas decor along the streets and shops in the backdrop. The energy of Christmas is all around in this movie as Loretta falls in love with the ill-tempered Ronny while his brother (her fiancé) is away in Sicily. While Moonstruck is a perfect movie to watch any day of the year, it’s especially fitting to snuggle up with it during the holiday season.
How to watch: Moonstruck is streaming on The Roku Channel, Tubi, and Pluto TV, and available to rent on Apple TV+, Prime Video, and Fandango at Home.
15. Miracle on 34th Street (1994)
When you imagine a picturesque Santa Claus, jolly, endearing, and kind, no one fits the bill better than Richard Attenborough in Miracle on 34th Street. The beloved actor just looks the part, with his rosy cheeks, warm smile, and inviting demeanor. Sadly, no one in Manhattan except a 6-year-old girl named Susan actually believes he’s Santa.
In the wholesome 1994 remake of the classic film from 1947, Attenborough plays a sweet old man named Kris Kringle who gets hired to play Santa at a Manhattan department store. Kris keeps insisting that he’s actually the famous guy from the North Pole, but everyone in New York seems to have lost the spirit of Christmas so much that a plot is formed to institutionalize the poor guy. It’s up to Susan (Mara Wilson) and a lawyer (played by Dylan McDermott) to defend Kris Kringle in court and prove that he’s not just wearing a red and white suit for a seasonal gig.
How to watch: Miracle on 34th Street is streaming on Disney+ and The Roku Channel, and available to rent on Apple TV+ and Fandango at Home.
