With the holiday season in full swing, lovers of all things merry and bright are flocking to streaming sites to watch some of their most belovedChristmasstaples and favorite characters in honor of the festive time of year. Famous faces like Will Ferrell, Macaulay Culkin, and James Stewart are just a few of Hollywood’s talented stars who graced these cherished hits, helping them become certified must-sees year-after-year.
From beloved modern marvels likeElfandHow the Grinch Stole Christmasto timeless classics such asIt’s a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street,andA Charlie Brown Christmas, there is no shortage of acclaimed films to binge to celebrate the holidays. Let’s check out where these celebrated staples are available to stream so you can kickstart your yuletide season right.
10Elf (2003)
Will Ferrell delivered atour de force performanceas the lovable and eccentric Buddy in Jon Favreau’s beloved holiday hitElf, which focuses on the earnest human who was raised by elves in the North Pole as he makes the shocking discovery that he is not like Santa’s other helpers and was actually adopted as a baby. Buddy sets out on an epic journey to New York City to search for his long-lost biological father (James Caan), spreading holiday cheer and falling in love with a department store worker (Zooey Deschanel) along the way.
Ferrell’s Show-Stopping Performance
Lauded by many as one of the greatest Christmas movies of all time and a certified modern classic,Elfis undeniably one of Ferrell’s finest cinematic feats and is a charming must-see every holiday season. Not only didElfgross over $228 million and helped establish Ferrell as one of Hollywood’s most dazzling comedic performers, but it also took audiences on a whimsical ride as they lived vicariously through the endearing innocence of Buddy himself. Few actors will ever be able to capture the delightful naïveté Ferrell served up on the screen in the beloved Christmas staple.Stream onMax.
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9It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
Hands down, one of the silver screen’smost revered holiday classicsis the poignant and enduring dramaIt’s a Wonderful Life, which famously stars James Stewart as the depressed and disenchanted George Bailey who is visited by his guardian angel Clarence Odbody (Henry Travers) after he contemplates suicide on Christmas Eve. Clarence sets out to show George the powerful impact he’s had on his community and loved ones by showing him what the world would be like had he never been born.
A Timeless Cinema Classic
Nearly80 years since it first landedin theaters, the moving storyline inIt’s a Wonderful Lifestill resonates with audiences of all ages and tugs on their heartstrings as they experience the profound sadness of George Bailey. The unforgettable protagonist goes on a major spiritual journey throughout the acclaimed Academy Award-nominated picture as he discovers his life is well-worth living and that he has made far more of an impact than he could have ever imagined on those closest to him.Stream onPrime Video.
8Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
Miracle on 34th Street
Much likeIt’s a Wonderful Life,the transcending holiday dramedyMiracle on 34th Streetis another perennial Christmas staple that audiences return to year-after-year, with the timeless tale telling the story of a department store Santa Claus who causes quite the media frenzy when he makes the stunning declaration that he is in fact actually the real jolly Saint Nick. When Kris Kringle (Edmund Gwenn) is put on trial for his mental health, a charismatic attorney (John Payne) makes it his mission to save Santa and Christmas itself by proving he’s correct.
A Cozy & Comforting Masterpiece
Featuring the additional talents of Maureen O’Hara and Natalie Wood,Miracle on 34th Streetis a warm and cozy masterpiece that is a yuletide favorite and touts exceptional performances by its talented cast. The captivating film went on to win three Academy Awards, including Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Gwenn, with the incomparable actor serving up one of Hollywood’s most spellbinding portrayals of Santa Claus.Miracle on 34th Streetis such a cherished classic that it was even preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2009.Stream onDisney+.
7How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
Actor and comedianextraordinaire Jim Carreymasterfully tackled the titular role of the scheming and grumpy misanthropic misfit in Ron Howard’sHow the Grinch Stole Christmas, which magically brings the Dr. Seuss children’s book to life and follows the holiday-loathing Grinch as he sets out to ruin the residents of Whoville’s merry festivities by sabotaging their epic celebrations. Despite his devious intentions, the Grinch begins to have a change of heart after meeting the sweet and compassionate Cindy Lou Who (Taylor Momsen).
Carrey’s Admirable Devotion to His Craft
Carrey was completely devoted to capturing the hilarious essence of the Grinch and truly embodied the grouchy Christmas-hater, undergoing two and a half hours of intense makeup application in a processhe compared to"being buried alive." The commitment to his craft wonderfully paid off as his dazzling performance earned rave reviews and became the touchstone for any and all reimaginings of the Dr. Suess staple, withHow the Grinch Stole Christmasdominating the box office and grossing over $346 million worldwide.Stream onFreeform.
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6A Christmas Carol (2009)
A Christmas Carol
Jim Carrey served up a knockout portrayal when he starred as yet another literary character in Robert Zemeckis' animated fantasyA Christmas Carol, a wondrous retelling of the Charles Dickens novella that focuses on the greedy and miserable moneylender Ebenezer Scrooge as he finds himself forced to face the decisions he’s made in life when he is visited by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come. The penny-pinching Scrooge is taken on a soul-searching journey that completely changes the way he views the world and himself.
A Delightful Feast For the Eyes
Though critics felt as though the motion capture utilized inA Christmas Carolwas visually stunning and a major filmmaking triumph, others felt it took away from Carrey’s stellar performance, as the Golden Globe-winning actor voices three other characters in the sweeping adaptation. Despite its mixed response, the animated spectacle is still a true feast for the eyes and will transport audiences back in time to Victorian-era London; for more light-hearted viewing and the great Michael Caine, viewers can also check outThe Muppet Christmas Carol.Stream both adaptations onDisney+.
5Love Actually (2003)
Love Actually
Both a cherished Christmas staple and romantic comedy standout,Love Actuallyis a star-studded big screen extravaganza that touts a fantastic cast including Hugh Grant, Liam Neeson, Emma Thompson, and Keira Knightley and takes place during the holiday season while highlighting 10 interconnected stories that focus on the love lives of an eclectic group of people in London. The fan-favorite flick counts down to Christmas as various characters meet, fall-in-love, and experience heartbreak during the cozy winter holiday.
Cue Cards Cause a Major Pop Culture Moment
A bona fide critical and commercial triumph,Love Actuallynot only grossed more than $250 million worldwide and received a Golden Globe nomination but also spawned theiconic cue card scenein whichThe Walking Dead’s Andrew Lincoln showed up to proclaim his love to Knightley as their on-screen counterparts, thus giving the world a legendary pop culture moment. Viewers can’t get enough of the emotional depth and delightful humor in the beloved rom-com, tuning in every year to revisit the magic of the rom-com.Stream onPrime Video.
4Die Hard (1988)
Though the fierce debate about whether or not Bruce Willis' iconic action hitDie Hardis a Christmas movie will continue to rage on, many fans and, as well as the film’sdirector and writer themselves,have declared that the 1988 blockbuster is in fact perfect viewing for the holiday season. Set on Christmas Eve in a Los Angeles skyscraper, the tough and sardonic NYPD detective John McClane finds himself facing off against a group of dangerous German terrorists who have taken over the building his estranged wife becomes a hostage in.
The Great Christmas Debate Will Never End
Widely regarded as one of the greatest action (and controversially holiday) movies of all time,Die Hardalso heavily features many Christmas elements like its setting, visuals, soundtrack, and core themes, with co-writerJeb Stuart defending"the family aspect of it" as McClane was able to perform a Christmas miracle by taking down the bad guys and rescuing his lady love. In fact, in honor of its 30th anniversary in 2018, 20th Century Fox declaredDie Hardas “the greatest Christmas story ever told,” a sentiment shared by Empire magazine.Stream onPrime Video.
3A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
A Charlie Brown Christmas
Based on the celebrated Charles M. Schulz comic stripPeanuts,the timeless and transcending animated television specialA Charlie Brown Christmasfollows the legendary “lovable loser” Charlie Brown as he struggles to get into the holiday spirit and decides to direct his neighborhood Christmas play, leading to some wholesome hijinks as he also searches for the perfect Christmas tree centerpiece. The earnest eight-year-old discovers some much-needed yuletide cheer on his noble and amusing quest.
One of TV’s Most Beloved Specials
Upon its dazzling debut,A Charlie Brown Christmaswas a runaway hit with both critics and audiences, serving up high ratings and garnering appreciation for its endearing storyline and animation as well as the titular character’s underdog likability and spirit. The beloved TV special also received both a Peabody Award and Emmy and is aheavily enjoyed holiday traditionfor fans both old and young and everything in between, with the simple and heartfelt premise still resonating nearly sixty years later.Stream onApple TV+.
2The Polar Express (2004)
The Polar Express
Robert Zemeckis employed some cutting-edge technology and used spellbinding performance capture techniques to create the gorgeous cinematic spectacleThe Polar Express, which centers on a young boy as he goes on the ride of a lifetime after he boards the titular train as it heads to the North Pole, with the skeptical child questioning the existenceof Santa Claus.With the help of a compassionate conductor, the boy goes on a soul-searching journey that helps him rediscover the magic and wonder of Christmas.
Zemeckis' Cinematic Marvel
Zemeckis enlisted the talents of his frequent collaborator Tom Hanks to headline the picture, with the Academy Award-winning actor voicing not only the conductor but also five other characters. While it was divisive upon its initial release, with some deeming it an instant Christmas classic and others an unnerving animated dud,The Polar Expresshas since emerged as a popular must-see during the holiday season that delivers a heaping dose of heart, humor, and oh-so-sweet nostalgia.Stream onMax.
1Home Alone (1990)
Home Alone
Hands down one of the silver screen’s most iconic and wildly entertaining Christmas films of all time,Home Alonetouts a career-making performance by Macaulay Culkin as the sly and devious eight-year-old Kevin McCallister, who takes an epic stand against robbers (Joe Pesci & Daniel Stern) after he is accidentally left behind by his family over their Christmas holiday vacation. Kevin goes to sidesplitting lengths to ensure that the pesky thieves rue the day they ever decided to targetthe McCallister household.
The Ultimate Christmas Extravaganza
What’s not to love about a cunning little boy outsmarting a pair of seasoned robbers?Home Alonehas everything a viewer could want from a Christmas movie: elaborate booby-traps, slapstick humor, a charismatic protagonist, and two unforgettable thieves who are put through the physical and emotional ringer. The comedy helped skyrocket Culkin to superstardom and raked in over $476 million at the box office, while also earning two Oscar nominations and spawning the equally fun sequelHome Alone 2: Lost in New York.Stream onDisney+.
