Holiday movies are a lot like the holidays: usually pretty terrible. You’d think there’d be more decent Christmas movies considering it’s the most hyped holiday of the year, but the same formula is used over and over again -- corny jokes, family drama, and mediocre acting. It’s 2016, how is there no Black Friday movie yet? Anyways, we managed to build a half decent list with a good mix of the most popular holiday movies of the last few decades, nostalgic classics, animated films for all ages, and a few personal favorites that may not be on the average ‘best of’ list. So without further ado, here’s 27 holiday movies you should consider watching this Christmas (and where you can watch them).
The Year Without Santa Claus - Amazon Video
Santa wants to skip Christmas, so Ms. Claus and the elves must change his mind.
8 Crazy Nights - Rent
Adam Sandler voices Davey, and alcoholic with a criminal record who wins over the community during Hanukkah.
Snow Day - Netflix
This wintery film is every pre-teen’s dream.
The Best Man Holiday - Rent
Long-lost college friends get together during the holidays and discover not much has changed.
Get Santa - Netflix
Santa gets arrested and it’s up to a young boy and his father to break him out of jail.
A Christmas Story - Rent
Ralphie really really wants a gun for christmas.
Gremlins - Amazon Video
A boy doesn’t follow the rules and green monsters wreak havoc on the town of Kingston Falls during Christmas time.
Arthur Christmas - Rent
Santa’s son, Arthur, goes on a secret mission with his Grandsanta.
Prep & Landing - Rent
Wayne doesn’t get the promotion he wanted, but by the end, he realizes how important being an elf in Santa's Prep and Landing elite unit really is.
Love Actually - Netflix
Love Actually is one of the best romantic comedies ever and it just so happens to fit in the holiday category.
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation - Rent
Christmas gone hysterically wrong.
Bad Santa - HBO Now
Billy Bob Thornton dresses as Santa to rob stores on Christmas Eve.
Trading Places - Rent
One of the most underrated Christmas movies of all time.
This Christmas - Starz
A big family who hasn’t seen each other in years finally comes together for Christmas.
The Santa Claus - Netflix
Can you justify watching Tim Allen in this Christmas Eve classic for the millionth time?
Frosty the Snowman - Rent
A little girl helps Frosty to the north pole before springtime, but little do they know the magician wants his hat back.
Polar Express - Rent
Based on the acclaimed children’s book of the same name, a boy boards a train to the north pole and learns about the spirit of Christmas.
How The Grinch Stole Christmas - HBO Now
The Whos love Christmas, and a brave girl hopes the Grinch (voiced by Jim Carrey) will too.
Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer (1964) - Rent
A misfit reindeer saves Christmas.
The Nightmare Before Christmas - Rent
Jack Skellington, the pumpkin king, visits Christmas Town and tries to convince the residents of Halloween Town to celebrate Christmas.
A Charlie Brown Christmas - Thursday Dec. 22 on ABC
Charlie tries to teaches everyone about the true meaning of Christmas in this 1965 classic.
Home Alone - HBO Now
A cute blonde boy is left at home by accident while the rest of his family is on holiday vacation.
The Preacher’s Wife - Rent
Denzel Washington plays an angel that comes to cure Whitney Houston of her failing marriage during the holidays.
Santa Claus Is Comin To Town - Rent
A mailman reveals the origins of Santa Claus.
Elf - Rent
One abnormally large Elf comes to the U.S. to explore life outside the North Pole.
Holiday in Handcuffs - Rent
A struggling artist loses her job and boyfriend on Christmas Eve so she kidnaps a guy to bring home to her parents.
