The best Christmas films you can start watching now
Christmas films are the perfect time for curling up on the sofa with a hot drink and plenty of chocolate to see the chilly evenings through. What better way is there to bed in the season than getting cosy in front of the telly with a heart-warming festive flick?
Of course, you don't need to wait until 25 December to enjoy a Christmas movie - there are so many to tune into, you can watch them right through autumn.
From newer titles on Netflix like A Christmas Prince, known for their outlandish storylines, to classics of the genre like It's A Wonderful Life, that pull at the heartstrings, there's something for everyone.
Best Christmas films to watch now
If you're in need of some Christmas movie inspiration, we’ve put together the best of the Christmas films to watch now, so you can dive right in...
Christmas films on Netflix
A Christmas Prince
This newcomer to Netflix was a smash hit has since inspired two sequels (The Royal Wedding and The Royal Baby). It follows an aspiring journalist, Amber as she goes undercover to suss out whether abdication rumours surrounding a dashing young prince are true.
The Christmas Chronicles
Kurt Russel is the refreshingly straight-talking Santa Claus on a mission to save Christmas, after a squabbling brother and sister duo hijack his Santa sleigh. There's since been a sequel to the films, with Christmas Chronicles 2 also available to watch on Netflix.
The Holiday Calendar
A feel-good Christmas flick about an aspiring photographer who receives a mysterious advent calendar. Each window seems to predict an event for the day ahead, as she goes on a journey of romance and self-discovery.
Nativity!
It’s impossible not to smile through this adorable film, with kid-fuelled chaos at every turn. Martin Freeman plays a grumpy primary school teacher whose boast about Hollywood producers coming to watch the school nativity gets out of hand. The film's popularity has meant two sequels have since been made.
Let It Snow
This modern Christmas movie follows the lives of American high schoolers in the run up to Christmas. It's heartwarming and perfect for families with teens.
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Dolly Parton's Christmas On The Square
Dolly Parton and Christine Baranski star in this brand-new for 2020 Netflix festive film about a cold-hearted woman who tries to sell land in her hometown during the holiday season. Can a little magic change her mind? On Netflix from 22 November.
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The Knight Before Christmas
Festive magic causes a medieval knight to appear in modern day Ohio, where he meets a high school teacher who's been burned by love previously. The two strike up an endearing relationship just in time for the holidays.
Christmas with the Coopers
This film stars big names including Amanda Seyfried and Diane Keaton. It tells the story of family Christmas Eve celebration which turns into chaos, as narrated by their St Bernard Dog, Rags, of course.
Office Christmas Party
This comedy follows a dysfunctional group of office employees who take throwing the office Christmas party into their own hands, with disastrous and out of control results. Jason Bateman stars as one such employee while Jennifer Aniston plays his less-than-impressed boss.
Christmas films on Amazon
Elf
An absolute delight for all ages with laughs-a-minute from Will Ferrell as Buddy, the 6ft2 elf on a mission to find his real dad and spread Christmas cheer in New York City. One of the best Christmas films to enjoy with the whole family.
Home Alone
This 1990 classic is a hilarious family favourite starring Macaulay Culkin as Kevin McCallister, the boy mistakenly left behind while his family fly off for Christmas. With two burglars on the loose, Kevin must get inventive to defend his home. You can also find Home Alone 2: Lost in New York on the streaming service.
Gremlins
Keep them away from bright light, don’t get them wet and whatever you do, don’t feed them after midnight. If the three rules for keeping a Gremlin aren’t followed then, as Steven Spielberg’s film reveals, chaos ensues.
Miracle on 34th Street
With Santa Claus in jail, it’s up to Susan, her mum and their friendly lawyer neighbour to prove Kris Kringle really is Father Christmas. The 1994 remake stars adorable Mara Wilson, who you’ll recognise from Matilda. Or, you can catch the 1947 classic, too.
Happy Christmas
Irresponsible Jenny moves in with her brother, his wife and their baby after a break-up. Set in Chicago in the run up to Christmas, there are rocky beginnings as the family come together and learn how they can support each other.
How The Grinch Stole Christmas
What would the holidays be without the Grinch? Jim Carey plays Dr Seuss’s moody green monster as he takes revenge on Whoville by attempting to steal Christmas. It’s up to Cindy Lou Who to stop him.
Last Christmas
Kate works as an elf in a year-round Christmas shop and lives a chaotic life. When Tom enters her world and seems to see straight through the barriers she puts up, he seems too good to be true...
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Frozen
This magical, musical tale about a reclusive Queen hiding her secret power is set in a winter wonderland and is perfect family viewing come Christmas time. Of course, it's just one of the best Christmas films to enjoy with kids, as Frozen is popular all year round.
Arthur Christmas
Arthur is the slightly awkward son of Father Christmas who sets out on a mission to deliver a forgotten present for a little girl in time for Christmas morning.
Christmas films on Sky
Nativity Rocks!
The fourth instalment of Christmas nativity chaos sees the latest class competing in a rock concert to win the Christmas town competition. Expect another exhausted teacher, child-like teaching assistant and even Craig Revel Horwood thrown in.
Love Actually
A kaleidoscope of heart-warming love stories which interlink together. Starring everyone from Keira Knightly as a bride caught between two best friends, to Hugh Grant as Prime Minister (we could get on board with that).
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The Holiday
This yuletide staple will have you booking a Cotswolds cottage (or an LA escape) before the film is over. The loveable rom-com follows two women (Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz) swapping homes for the holidays with the added bonus of a dreamy Jude Law.
It’s a Wonderful Life
The emotional 1946 classic stars James Stewart as a man who has given up on a life. Then, a guardian angel shows him what the world would have been like if he was never born.
Die Hard
It might be a controversial festive choice, but you'd be hard-pushed to find a Christmas movies round up which doesn't include Die Hard. The classic action series has cemented its place in the Christmas list following John McClane as a hero cop on a mission to rescue hostages.
Sony Movies Christmas channel
If you can't decide what to watch and want to camp out with back-to-back yuletide classics, head to Sky Channel 319. Here, you'll find a non-stop loop of all the best Christmas films and festive flicks on the 24 hour Christmas channel. You’re welcome.
Christmas films on NOW TV
The Polar Express
Tom Hanks voices this charming animation about a boy who wakes up on Christmas Eve to find a magical train waiting to take him to the North Pole.
Bad Santa
If you’ve had enough of the family-friendly Christmas cheer, put the kids to bed and settle down for Bad Santa. A comedy about a terrible shopping centre Father Christmas who befriends a bullied kid.
Jingle All The Way
Two stressed-out dads (Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sinbad) compete to purchase a Turbo-Man action figure for their respective sons on a last-minute shopping spree on Christmas Eve.
Christmas films on Disney+
Tim Burton's Nightmare Before Christmas
When Jack Skellington, the king of Halloween Town stumbles on Christmas Town, he becomes obsessed with celebrating the festive holiday. A dark and fantastical classic.
A Christmas Carol
This 2009, computer-animated version of the classic Dickens tale stars the voices of Jim Carrey, Gary Oldman and Colin Firth.
Frozen II
Set three years after the first movie, the sequel stars all the story's most beloved characters as they venture out of Arendelle on a quest to find out the origin of Elsa's power and save the kingdom. You can also catch the spin-off, Olaf's Frozen Adventure.
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The Santa Clause
Tim Allen stars as Scott Calvin, a man who finds himself becoming Father Christmas, despite his desire to continue living his normal life. Filled with heart, it's a must-watch and you can also watch the sequels, Santa Clause 2 and Santa Clause 3: Escape the Clause.
Noelle
This Christmas movie stars Anna Kendrick as Father Christmas' daughter, Noelle, who goes on an epic search for her missing brother Kris, who was reluctantly in training to be the next Santa.
The Muppet Christmas Carol
See Charles Dickens' classic tale retold by the cast of the Muppets. Michael Caine is the miserable Ebenezer Scrooge, taken on a journey by the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future. Bah humbug.
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