The world lay silent under a blanket of snow, a calm hush settling over the landscape like a gift-wrapping ribbon. The moon, a silent witness, illuminated a wintry picture, creating a scene as if a holiday card brought to life. In the kitchen, the scent of cinnamon and nutmeg danced with the aroma of roasting chestnuts. The twinkling lights adorned each corner, casting a warm glow. A symphony of joy echoed as families gathered, sharing tales of Christmases past and present. As the clock ticked closer to midnight, a magical stillness enveloped the night. It was a moment suspended in time, where the spirit of Christmas whispered secrets of generosity and goodwill.
I’ve tried to describe the best Christmas Eve above but somehow it is incomplete, something seems missing. “Classic Christmas movies”—Christmas is incomplete without curling up on the couch with a mug of hot cocoa wearing fuzzy socks, festive sweaters, and a true Classic Christmas movies marathon. This blog is to rescue you from hours of channel surfing or digging through streaming sites. Simply bookmark our definitive guide of the best Classic Christmas movies to watch, and refer back to it as you’re planning out your viewing for the night.
List of Classic Christmas Movies:
1. The Shop Around the Corner (1940)
On the top of our list of Classic Christmas Movies is a story of two gift shop salespeople, harboring a mutual despise for each other, who unexpectedly find love through their anonymous pen-pal exchanges. Does the storyline sound familiar? It should. The onscreen narrative of James Stewart and Margaret Sullavan serves as the inspiration for Nora Ephron’s timeless classic, You’ve Got Mail.
2. Holiday Inn (1942)
Taking place in the WWII era, the film explores a romantic entanglement that unfolds at a hotel during the holiday season. Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire’s characters serenade their way through romantic complexities. Irving Berlin crafted 12 original songs for the film, with the timeless “White Christmas” among them. This iconic song later served as the inspiration for a separate 1954 movie (Also later featured in our list of Classic Christmas Movies), once again featuring Crosby in a starring role.
3. It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
Regardless of the version you choose, Frank Capra’s timeless film is a portrayal of the “the grass is always greener” adage. However, if you lean towards the black-and-white original, “the grass is always grayer” might be a more fitting sentiment. A seminal holiday classic, it features James Stewart as a man who gains insight into what life would be like without him.
4. Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
From the list of best Classic Christmas movies, this film received three Academy Awards (with a Best Picture nomination), George Seaton’s dramedy, Miracle on 34th Street, features Edmund Gwenn as a department store Santa who asserts he’s the genuine article. The 1994 remake, featuring Richard Attenborough in a compelling performance, stands as a timeless Christmas classic in its own right.
5. A Christmas Carol/Scrooge (1951)
Indulging in the timeless Charles Dickens classic that chronicles a miser’s transformation after encounters with three ghosts is a no-brainer. However, selecting the most fitting version from a plethora of adaptations can be a headache. No need to worry; we’ve got you covered. If you crave satire, opt for the Richard Donner/Bill Murray comedy, Scrooged. For those in search of animation, Mickey’s Christmas Carol is the go-to choice. But if you’re a traditionalist at heart, stick with the crowd-pleasing “A Christmas Carol” by Brian Desmond Hurst, to complete your Classic Christmas movies marathon.
6. White Christmas (1954)
The existence of two snowy Irving Berlin tales, both featuring Bing Crosby and set at General Waverly’s Inn— “White Christmas” (1954) and “Holiday Inn” (1942)—is a cinematic mystery we may never fully unravel. Instead, we consider it a cinematic gift from Santa, providing an excellent excuse for a double feature. Our preferred choice between the two, however, is the one where Crosby and Danny Kaye sing and dance to rescue their inn from closure.
7. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
Snoopy, Lucy, Linus, and those unmistakable Peanuts dance moves—the unmistakable signs that A Charlie Brown Christmas is on the horizon. Revisit the animated special that accompanied your childhood, witnessing your beloved introverted and contemplative comic strip character navigate the holiday’s distinctive commercialism in search of the genuine essence of Christmas.
8. Trading Places (1983)
Numerous holiday films incorporate serendipitous twists, but Trading Places stands out as the lone one situated in the list of high finance. In this film, a charismatic street hustler (Murphy) and a preppy commodities broker (Dan Aykroyd) exchange places on a dare, revealing unexpected talents. Although not explicitly a Christmas-themed narrative, the movie unfolds during the holiday season and consistently secures its place among the finest Christmas-set comedies.
9. A Christmas Story (1983)
Did Christmas truly unfold if Ralphie Parker didn’t passionately express his wish for an “official Red Ryder, carbine action, 200-shot, range model air rifle, with a compass in the stock and this thing that tells time”? Thanks in part to its 24-hour broadcasts on cable networks, it has become an unwritten tradition for everyone to tune into the Bob Clark narrative. The tale revolves around a 40s kid’s endeavor to persuade Santa to grant him a coveted BB gun.
10. Home Alone (1990)
Embarking on a Christmas trip from Chicago to Paris, the McCallisters inadvertently leave their mischievous 8-year-old son behind. Alone at home, he must defend their three-story house against a duo of burglars. This film not only catapulted Macaulay Culkin into widespread recognition but also transformed John Hughes’s box-office success into a perennial household classic Christmas movie.
11. Edward Scissorhands (1990)
In Tim Burton’s unique holiday tale, a costumed Johnny Depp adds a touch of the strange and unusual to Christmas, making it a far cry from the traditional holly and jolly. The film concludes with one of the most enchanting and contemplative faux snowstorms in cinematic memory and ends up on our list of best classic Christmas movies.
12. The Santa Clause (1994)
Tim Allen transforms into the season’s most iconic figure, donning a bushy beard and a hearty belly as Santa Claus in The Santa Claus. The film follows the unexpected journey of divorcee Scott Calvin, who stumbles into the role of leading the enchanting realm of elves, magic, and toy crafting. Can we all agree that Allen reigns as the top Claus in all the Candy lands?
13. All I Want for Christmas (1994)
This nostalgic gem doesn’t pretend—it’s an unapologetically sentimental tale of the O’Fallon siblings crafting a heartwarming parent trap during Christmas to reunite their family. Starring the cherubic faces of Ethan Embry and Thora Birch, with Lauren Bacall as Grandma and Leslie Nielsen as Mr. Claus, it’s a sweet blast from the past.
14. The Preacher’s Wife (1996)
In The Preacher’s Wife, a celestial visitor aids a man on his journey to self-improvement, a theme not unfamiliar in Christmas movies (Think It’s a Wonderful Life). What sets it apart? Denzel Washington and Whitney Houston bring this heavenly tale to life, with Washington as the divine helper who, during his mission, unexpectedly develops feelings for—the preacher’s wife.
15. Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
In the 2000 adaptation of Dr. Seuss’s classic children’s book, Jim Carrey takes on the role of the Grinch, the ultimate holiday grump akin to Scrooge. Rest assured, the green-hued recluse’s heart undergoes a transformation, “growing a size” thanks to Cindy Lou Who (Taylor Momsen), one of the joyful residents of Whoville.
16. Elf (2003)
The classic Christmas movies don’t truly commence until Will Ferrell dons the Kelly-green Buddy tunic and joyfully traverses New York City like a child in a candy store. Portraying a spirited man-child searching for his estranged father, Ferrell shines as Santa’s titular helper in the instant classic. It is directed by Jon Favreau, alongside the golden-haired Zooey Deschanel.
17. Love Actually (2003)
Richard Curtis’s splendidly British Christmas ensemble film offers so many highlights: Bill Nighy as a hip-swiveling rock star, Colin Firth navigating linguistic hurdles, and Hugh Grant earnestly seeking his true love door-to-door. In a blend of humor, warmth, and poignant moments, Curtis crafts a holiday film that, to us, is simply perfect.
18. Just Friends (2005)
Real-life pals Ryan Reynolds and Anna Faris team up for bi-coastal holiday hilarity. Reynolds transforms from a hefty Jersey teen shedding nerd status in Los Angeles to a successful record producer. Returning to the East Coast a decade later, he aims to escape the friend zone his high school crush (Amy Smart) had consigned him to.
19. The Holiday (2006)
The Holiday is like getting two Nancy Meyers rom-coms in one. Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet portray women opting to exchange homes during the holidays, trading a stunning L.A. residence for a charming English cottage. Amidst twinkling lights and falling temperatures, both discover a love that spans the Atlantic.
20. The Man Who Invented Christmas (2017)
If you’ve exhausted every Christmas Carol adaptation—there are plenty, with a few on this list of classic Christmas movies—try this film about the man behind many holiday tropes: Charles Dickens. Dan Stevens (Downton Abbey) portrays the accomplished author as his life intertwines with one of his most iconic tales.
Conclusion
As the echoes of familiar carols fade, the best leave us with more than just cinematic memories—they gift us timeless tales of love, joy, and the magic of the holiday season. From heart-warming journeys of self-discovery to adventures in winter wonderlands, these films are not mere entertainment but cherished traditions. It’s a perfect way to dose off into the warm comfort with the people you love in front of a movie wrapped in nostalgia on the cold night of December. Like the light in the darkest winter nights, these classic Christmas movies are a reminder that, like the characters we adore, the spirit of Christmas resides in our hearts year after year. I hope you enjoy these movies and Merry Christmas!
