The list
In order of release.
It's a Wonderful Life
A man on the edge sees what his town would be without him.
Miracle on 34th Street
A department store Santa who might be the real one.
White Christmas
Song-and-dance stars save a snowless Vermont inn.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
The animated TV special with the heart that grew three sizes.
A Christmas Story
Ralphie wants one thing for Christmas, and everyone says no.
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
The Griswolds try for the perfect family Christmas.
Home Alone
Kevin, left behind, defends the house from burglars.
The Muppet Christmas Carol
Dickens told by Muppets, with Michael Caine as Scrooge.
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Halloween's Jack Skellington discovers Christmas.
The Santa Clause
A dad accidentally becomes Santa.
Love Actually
Linked London love stories in the weeks before Christmas.
Elf
A human raised by elves goes to New York to find his father.
The Polar Express
A boy boards a magic train to the North Pole.
The Holiday
Two women swap homes, and lives, for Christmas.
Arthur Christmas
Santa's youngest son must deliver one forgotten present.
Klaus
An animated origin story for Santa, set on a frozen island.
Make it a tradition
Pick a film for each weekend using the weekends countdown, or save the best for Christmas Eve. New releases are on the 2026 movies page.
What makes a classic Christmas movie?
A classic Christmas movie is one people come back to every year, often with the same people on the same night. The films above span eight decades, from the black-and-white warmth of It's a Wonderful Life (1946) to the hand-drawn look of Klaus (2019). What they share is a feeling: the sense that Christmas makes people kinder, braver or simply funnier.
Best Christmas movies for kids
For younger children, start with The Polar Express, Arthur Christmas, Klaus and The Muppet Christmas Carol. They are gentle, funny and short enough for a weeknight. How the Grinch Stole Christmas! is under half an hour, perfect before bed.
Best family Christmas movies
For all ages together, Elf, Home Alone and The Santa Clause are the safe bets: big laughs and plenty for grown-ups too. Miracle on 34th Street is a lovely older choice for a family that likes a bit of courtroom drama.
Best Christmas movies for adults
It's a Wonderful Life is often voted the greatest Christmas film of all time. Love Actually and The Holiday are the classic romantic picks, and National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation is the one for anyone whose family Christmas has ever gone slightly wrong.
A Christmas movie countdown
Sixteen films fit neatly into the countdown: two a week from early November. Or follow our Wednesday movie night plan, and save It's a Wonderful Life for 23 December. For this year's new releases, see new Christmas movies 2026, and for quiz questions about these films, see the movie round in Christmas trivia.
Questions people ask
Quick answers about this countdown.
What is the most popular Christmas movie of all time?
It's a Wonderful Life, Home Alone and Elf regularly top polls.
What is a good Christmas movie for young kids?
The Polar Express, Arthur Christmas, Klaus or the animated How the Grinch Stole Christmas!.
Is Die Hard a Christmas movie?
It is set on Christmas Eve, so many fans say yes. It is an action film for adults, though, not one for the family.
Keep exploring
More countdowns, tools and Christmas reading on Christmas Days Left.