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Thereâs tinsel on the tree, radio stations are playing carols on repeat and bank accounts are quickly dwindling. It must be Christmastime. But it wouldnât really be Christmas without a holiday movie marathon.
From A Charlie Brown Christmas to Violent Night, these are the best Christmas movies to stream this year.Credit: Compiled by Monique Westermann.
Whether youâre celebrating with little ones, maintaining peace around the in-laws or flying solo, thereâs some festive entertainment tailored to you, from family favourites like A Charlie Brown Christmas to offbeat ânaughtyâ hits like Bad Santa.
But first, a trigger warning: neither Love Actually (2003) nor Itâs A Wonderful Life (1946) are on this list. It goes without saying these are both wonderful films filled with holly jolly goodness â no need to rehash universal knowledge.
Now, without further ado, pour some eggnog, heat some fruit mince pies and settle in for a season of streaming.
Miracle on 34th Street
Disney+
Following close on the heels of Itâs a Wonderful Life, this 1947 holiday favourite is everything a Christmas classic should be: tenderly sweet, whimsical and thought-provoking.
Directed by George Seaton, it sees a young girl (played by Natalie Wood) and her mother (Maureen OâHara) defend a department store Kris Kringle who claims to be the real Santa Claus. Itâs a love letter to the child within â the part of us that will always allow space for magic.
âFaith is believing things when common sense tells you not to,â one of its characters says during the film. This message resonated enough with audiences that it inspired four remakes and a Broadway musical.
A Charlie Brown Christmas
Apple TV+
Its Emmy and Peabody Awards speak for themselves â this 1965 animated TV special is a timeless Christmas tale that gets the OG Peanuts crew together, including Snoopy, Sally Brown and Pig-Pen.
Arguably ahead of his time, Charlie Brown (voiced by Peter Robbins) is disheartened by the commercialisation of the holiday season. But while helping prepare for the townâs Christmas pageant, Charlie embarks on a mission to discover the meaning of Christmas beyond gifts, glitz and glam.
Paired with Vince Guaraldiâs jazzy soundtrack, and the classic Christmastime Is Here track, itâs no surprise this film ended up in the Grammy Hall of Fame.
The Year Without a Santa Claus
Disney+
Stop-motion animated Christmas specials are a bit like Vegemite â you either love them or loathe them (think Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer or Jack Frost). But if you can see past the charactersâ dead eyes and robotic movements, films like The Year Without a Santa Claus (1974) are feats of creativity.
Based on Phyllis McGinleyâs 1956 book of the same name, it follows Mrs Claus and two elves as they try to cheer up Santa by proving people still believe in Christmas magic.
Featuring musical gems such as The Heat Miser Song and the unexpected feminist banger, I Could Be Santa Claus (sung by Shirley Booth), itâll send you straight back to your childhood and remind you of the power of generosity.
Scrooged
Netflix, Stan, Binge, SBS On Demand
You canât count the number of Charles Dickensâ A Christmas Carol iterations on one hand, so it makes sense that at least one would make the list (an honourable mention goes to 1992âs The Muppet Christmas Carol).
This 1988 black comedy follows Frank Cross â a cold-hearted television executive played with a dark edge by Bill Murray â who is visited by three Christmas spirits intent on imbuing him with more humility and respect for others during the festive season.
It may not fill you with the warm and fuzzies like A Charlie Brown Christmas does, but itâs a fascinatingly cynical modern take on the Christmas staple.
Die Hard
Disney+
Christmas movie purists are probably shaking their heads. âJust because itâs set during Christmas doesnât make it a Christmas filmâ, some may mutter. But consider the moral of its story: reconciliation and the importance of family. These are prime Christmas themes.
John McTiernanâs 1988 action blockbuster sees police officer John McClane (Bruce Willis) save his wifeâs office Christmas party from a group of European terrorists. Endlessly quotable (âYippee-ki-yay, motherf—â) and gun-heavy, it fills you with as much adrenaline as yuletide cheer.
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
Disney+
Whatâs better than Christmastime in New York? Iâll wait.
Though the first Home Alone tends to get most of the praise, its 1992 sequel has become so iconic that tourists do tours of the filming locations when visiting the âBig Appleâ.
It follows the overly confident Kevin McCallister, as he becomes stranded in New York City without his family before Christmas. The string of homemade traps, Macaulay Culkinâs inspiring performance and a random cameo from former US president, Donald Trump, are enough to warrant a rewatch, but itâs the filmâs depiction of a snow-covered, mistletoe-laden Manhattan that really secures its spot on the list.
Tim Burtonâs The Nightmare Before Christmas
Disney+
Tim Burtonâs 1993 stop-motion animation horror-fantasy film is a multipurpose wonder perfect for both Halloween and Christmas. Itâs about the king of âHalloween Townâ, Jack Skellington, who discovers âChristmas Townâ and decides to bring the holiday back home.
Its bittersweet messaging and hum-worthy songs tone down its creepy visual effects. If you find Rankin-Bassâ specials a touch too sweet, this balance of horror and whimsy is an unbeatable alternative.
The Nightmare before Christmas is the perfect balance between scary and merry.Credit: Touchstone/Photofest
The Santa Clause
Disney+
How does Santa become Santa? Itâs a question most children ponder eventually. John Pasquinâs The Santa Clause (1994) offers a detailed answer by following Scott Calvinâs (Tim Allen) journey to becoming Kris Kringle himself.
For adult viewers, it realistically grapples with the dynamic of a broken family and for child viewers, it brings the North Pole, elves and magic to the real world.
The first of three films and the inspiration behind Disney+âs ongoing television series, itâs as iconic as Home Alone and as hilariously heartfelt as National Lampoonâs Christmas Vacation (which just missed a spot on the list).
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Netflix, Stan, Amazon Prime Video
Dr Seussâ mean, green, Christmas-hating Who has been a holiday staple since the 1966 television special. But itâs arguably the 2000 live-action version starring Jim Carrey that lives in the hearts of every millennial.
The Grinch, whose heart is two sizes too small, becomes determined to steal Christmas from the cheerful townsfolk of Whoville, only to be reformed by Cindy-Lou, a young girl who believes in the spirit of the season.
Jim Carrey stars as The Grinch in How The Grinch Stole Christmas.Credit: AP/Universal Studios
Itâs a relatable watch for those who can be a bit Grinch-like themselves, and itâs another warm and fuzzy sing-a-long for the Cindy Louâs of the world. And shout-out to every single outfit Christine Baranski wears in her role as the sultry love interest, Martha May Whovier.
Elf
Netflix, Stan, Binge, Paramount Plus
Forget Anchorman, this has got to be Will Ferrellâs best role. The 2003 Christmas comedy follows Buddy, a lovably clueless human who has grown up in the North Pole thinking heâs an elf. When he discovers the truth, he ventures into New York City to find his real father.
Though the hijinks and punchlines are enough to warrant this film its spot in the Christmas movie Hall of Fame (Iâd be remiss not to mention the stomach-turning breakfast pasta scene), itâs Ferrellâs goofy performance of a well-meaning man with Peter Pan syndrome that wins viewersâ hearts.
Bad Santa
Stan
Christmas movies are often associated with feel-good innocence, perhaps a modest peck on the lips while under the mistletoe. But Bad Santa (2003) throws the child-friendly antics out the door, replacing them with R-rated tidings.
Billy Bob Thornton plays a mean-spirited con artist who uses his role as a mall Santa to commit larceny. Leaning further into naughty territory than nice, itâs Christmas through the lens of a drunken haze. However, its ending still manages to pull on the heartstrings, no matter how badly they try to desecrate the traditional image of Santa.
Violent Night
Netflix, Binge
Death by sharpened candy cane? Or perhaps death by Christmas ornament? There are plenty of gruesome, yet creatively jolly, death scenes in Tommy Wirkolaâs 2022 action comedy.
The story follows Santa Claus (David Harbour) as he fights a group of mercenaries, who have taken a wealthy family hostage.
A combination of Die Hard action and Elf merriness, it shines Kris Kringle in a whole new light â namely, an alcoholic with a heart of gold who can also pack a serious punch, putting the lyrics âhe sees you when youâre sleepingâ into a different perspective.
Find out the next TV, streaming series and movies to add to your must-sees. Get The Watchlist delivered every Thursday.
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