From family comedies like ‘Home Alone’ to rom-coms like ‘The Holiday’ and ‘Love Actually,’ these films are Christmas essentials.

There are many ways to get into the Christmas spirit (and yes, even while dealing with holiday blues), but the easiest one would be to pop on the couch and watch a holiday-themed flick.

Christmas movies are a significant part of our holidays as they bring a sense of nostalgia, comfort, and tradition. They take us back to our childhood days when the whole family would gather in the living room with the lighted Christmas tree on the side, bring in some popcorn, and play a video tape (or simply click on Netflix for the young ones) of what we then consider the best Christmas movie ever.

These nostalgic, entertaining, thrilling films bring warmth to our holidays and have become a cherished part of our Christmas traditions. And while not every film may be the most traditional holiday movie, many of them have earned the reputation of being a Yuletide essential simply for the joy they bring to us.

If you have not already started this tradition, here are films from pretty much every genre —so start your holiday movie tradition with the fam!

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The Holiday (2006)

The Holiday tied for the fifth spot in Samba TV’s list of most streamed Christmas movies of 2024. Described as sweet and touching, the movie follows two women—Iris (Kate Winslet) from Britain and Amanda (Cameron Diaz) from California—as they swap homes at Christmastime after going through bad breakups with their boyfriends.

Their much-needed break leads Iris to Amanda’s palatial Hollywood mansion while Amanda finds herself in Iris’ picture-perfect village. Soon enough, each finds romance with a local lad and realizes that their return home could possibly end their relationship.

Home Alone series (1991-2003)

Talk about Christmas movies, and the first one that comes to mind for many is the Home Alone series. Its funny premise and festive Christmas setting boosted by Macauley Culkin’s cute performance make it a fun and heartwarming film for all ages.

It is loved by many, so much so that according to a report by Forbes, Home Alone was streamed by 4.1 million households in the US in 2024 alone. The data was gathered by TV tech company Samba TV, which measured audience data from network and streaming TV from Nov. 1 to Dec. 10 this year.

The Home Alone series began its three-chapter story with the first film released in 1992. It follows bratty 8-year-old Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) as he is accidentally left home alone by his family. Kevin thinks his wish to have no family has come true. What was a seemingly perfect holiday for the kid turned out otherwise when two con men (Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern) plan to rob the McCallister residence, and that he alone must protect the family home.

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)

Named the top Christmas movie streamed in 2024 by Samba TV, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is a comedy of mayhem that results in festive family cheer. It tells the story of ever-optimistic family man Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase), who plans the perfect Christmas for his family—only to be sabotaged by his hick cousin Eddie (Randy Quaid) and his family who starts living in a camper on their property and Clark’s employers cutting off the holiday bonus he needs.

Christmas Vacation is the third installment in the National Lampoon magazine’s Vacation film series and was watched by 9.4 million households in 2024 alone.

Elf (2003)

Elf has become a cult favorite—and this year’s second most-watched Christmas movie—for its wholesome, comedic, and positivity-boosting story starring Will Ferrell.

The 2003 flick follows Buddy (Ferrell) who was accidentally transported to the North Pole as a toddler and raised as an adult among Santa’s elves. Well aware that he doesn’t belong there, Buddy, in full elf uniform, travels to New York at Christmastime to look for his real father, who happens to be Walter Hobbs (James Caan), a cynical businessman. Chaos ensues as the two attempt to start a relationship despite their comical differences.

The film is filled with Yuletide cheer and a heartwarming lesson to do what you love, even if it’s not what others expect.

Die Hard (1988)

For fans of action films, Christmas isn’t complete or exciting enough without re-watching John McTiernan’s critically acclaimed 1988 film Die Hard. The Bruce Willis-starrer is what people consider the ultimate holiday action classic, with the actor’s notable performance and suspenseful action scenes, all set around the Christmas season.

Die Hard centers on New York City policeman John McClane (Willis) who visits his estranged wife (Bonnie Bedelia) on Christmas Eve and joins her at a party in the headquarters of the Japanese-owned business she works for. But the festivities are interrupted by a group of terrorists invading the high-rise and everyone in it. McClane then realizes that there’s no one else to save the hostages but him.

Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

Tim Burton’s artistic vision of combining Halloween and Christmas into one film has made watching The Nightmare Before Christmas an essential holiday tradition for many families since its release in 1993.

The visually delightful film uses stop-motion animation to tell the story of Jack Skellington, Halloweentown’s beloved pumpkin king, who has become bored with the same annual routine of frightening people in the “real world.” When Jack accidentally discovers Christmastown, he is suddenly struck by the idea of doing something exciting: kidnapping Santa Claus and taking over his role. Soon, Jack realizes that even the best-laid plans can go seriously awry.

Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984)

While traditional, family-friendly movies never fail to bring fun to Christmas, there’s something absolutely exciting about watching one that also leaves a chill down the spine. Many horror aficionados find their hearty dose of thrill from the classic thriller Silent Night, Deadly Night. Directed by Charles Sellier Jr., Silent Night, Deadly Night is a slasher flick that follows a traumatized young man, Billy Chapman (Robert Brian Wilson), who, at a young age, witnessed the brutal murder of his parents by a killer in Santa costume. Years later, he is taking revenge by going on a killing spree and slaying anyone he deems “naughty” while dressed as St. Nick.

All the world’s a stage

Four Christmases (2008)

Funny adult Christmas movie Four Christmases rounded out the Top 5 most streamed holiday films of 2024, along with The Holiday. People find Four Christmases relatable, with how the film offers a comedic look at the chaos many find themselves in when navigating multiple family gatherings during the season.

It stars Reese Witherspoon and Vince Vaughn as a young couple successfully escaping Christmas gatherings with their divorced parents and their dysfunctional families by pulling off the same alibi for three years: a little bit of charity work at a far-off place.

But this year, Kate and Brad failed. The couple is then forced to spend Christmas with all four of their estranged parents, making it this year’s ultimate Yuletide disaster. Now, will they survive not one, but four Christmases?

The Lodge (2019)

Another favorite of those craving a good scare on Christmas, The Lodge is a 2019 thriller enjoyed by fans for its chilling, thought-provoking narrative that stays with you long after watching it.

The guilt-ridden Christmas story follows Richard and his children, Aiden and Mia, as they spend Christmas with their soon-to-be stepmother Grace in her Massachusetts lodge. But Richard is forced to abruptly depart for work, leaving his children under Grace’s care. Isolated and trapped inside the lodge by a blizzard, she and the children experience several terrifying events that seem to be connected to Grace’s past.

Love Actually (2003)

Christmas is the sweetest time of the year and if you’re up for a yearly round of sugar overload, then start watching Love Actually with your beau, friends, or family. The film features nine intertwined stories that examine the complexities of one emotion that connects all people: love. Among the characters to watch out for are David, a handsome newly elected British prime minister who falls for a junior staffer; graphic designer Sarah whose devotion to her mentally ill brother complicates her love life; and Harry, a married man tempted by his attractive new secretary.

The feel-good film is a must-watch for many because of its light narrative, charming actors, witty script, and overall depiction of how love can be found in the most unexpected places.

10 Christmas movies we love to watch every year—for a dose of nostalgia and Jude Law