What are you waiting for – grab your cosy blanket, the tin of Quality Street and snuggle down on the sofa with our favourite 24 Christmas movies – one for every day of advent!
We’ve picked films from across the decades and genres so fingers crossed everyone will find something they like. Watching a Christmas movie with your parents or grandparents is a lovely easy activity and some of our older films will undoubtedly bring back memories of Christmas past.
There are 100’s more Christmas films to enjoy. If you don’t see your favourite – join us on Facebook where you can share your recommendations!
24. Arthur Christmas (2011)
Santa Claus’ youngest son, Arthur, embarks on an unauthorised mission to deliver a forgotten gift. Warm, fun and heartfelt, this is animation starring James McAvoy, Hugh Laurie and Imelda Staunton is one the whole family can enjoy.
Where can I watch Arthur Christmas?
23. Santa Claus is Comin' to Town (1970)
This beautiful stop-motion short film explores Christmas traditions as we join a young Santa Claus on his mission to deliver toys to all the children in the world. This short film was originally made for TV and features the Westminster Children’s Choir. It is a must-watch every year for Americans and we think it deserves its place here too!
Where can I watch Santa Claus is Comin' to Town?
22. Gremlins (1984)
This 80’s comedy-horror classic has become a bit of a Christmas family favourite. Gremlins start life as cute, cuddly Mogwais and all you have to do is follow three simple rules: don’t expose it to the light, don’t get it wet, and never feed it after midnight. Easy …. right?!?
Where can I watch Gremlins?
- Rent or Buy on Amazon Video
- Now TV Premium
21. Trading Places (1983)
The lives of a wily street con artist (Eddie Murphy) and a snobbish Wall Street investor (Dan Aykroyd) are swapped around for the entertainment of two millionaires. This dark comedy manages to weave a critical political commentary whilst also making us feel Christmassy – genuis! (Age Rated 15)
Where can I watch Trading Places?
- Now TV Premium
- Rent or Buy on Amazon Video
20. The Santa Clause (1994)
What happens when Santa falls off your roof and can no longer deliver presents? Scott Calvin (Tim Allen) finds out when he has to replace Santa Claus after an unfortunate accident. A truly heartwarming Disney classic that sees a man not only transition into Father Christmas, but a better father.
Where can I watch The Santa Clause?
- Disney +
- Rent or Buy on Amazon
19. Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)
A true Christmas classic in every sense. Judy Garland stars as Esther, a girl coming of age in Missouri, who’s life is about to be upturned when her father announces he is moving the family to New York. A touching romance that will entertain the family and is bound to give a hit of nostalgia for the grandparents.
Where can I watch Meet Me in St. Louis?
18. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Tim Burton’s classic becomes the second stop-motion Christmas flick to make it on to our list. Jack Skellington, King of Halloween Town, stumbles into a portal and tumbles out in Christmas Town. Despite good intentions he manages to deliver his own horrible Christmas.
Where can I watch The Nightmare Before Christmas?
- Disney +
- Rent or Buy on Amazon
17. Nativity (2009)
A funny, light-hearted family film which follows the monstrous task of organising a primary school nativity. The kids are the stars of this film but are supported by great performances from Martin Freeman (Paul Maddens) and Marc Wootton as the kind-hearted meddler, Mr Poppy.
Where can I watch Nativity?
16. Edward Scissorhands (1990)
Anyway you snip it, Edward Scissorhands is definitely a Christmas movie. It has all the ingredients of a great Christmas film; family values, a message of kindness to all and of course lots of snow.
Where can I watch Edward Scissorhands?
- Disney +
- Rent or Buy on Amazon
15. Die Hard (1988)
Buying the turkey, hanging the stockings and arguing about whether Die Hard is a Christmas film – it’s tradition, ask anyone! Clearly, we side with Bruce Willis (we’d be silly not to) as he tries to rescue a particularly troubled work party from the infamous Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman).
Where can I watch Die Hard?
- Disney +
- Rent or Buy on Amazon
14. White Christmas (1954)
The film that popularised the song ‘White Christmas’ deserves to be on our list for that alone. This magical Christmas musical/romance, starring Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye has lost none of the sparkle it had when it was first released 70 years ago.
Where can I watch White Christmas?
- Now TV Premium
- Rent or Buy on Amazon
13. The Apartment (1960)
A man gets more than he bargained for when he lets people at his work use his apartment for extramarital affairs. A complicated and memorable love-triangle follows between our hero, his boss and the lift operator. A Christmas classic but maybe not one for the kids!
Where can I watch The Apartment?
12. A Christmas Carol (1984)
One of many versions of this Charles Dickens’ classic (and there are two more on this list!), sees George C. Scott play the infamous Christmas-hating Ebenezer Scrooge. We love this more classical retelling of this Christmas story.
Where can I watch A Christmas Carol?
11. The Shop Around the Corner (1940)
Allow us to roll back the years again to visit The Shop Around the Corner. A beautifully constructed romance based on an anonymous correspondence, some unlikely lovers, a red carnation and a small store in Budapest. Intrigued??
Where can I watch The Shop Around the Corner?
10. Little Women (2019)
A relatively new release based on the classic novel Little Women. Greta Gerwig’s Oscar-winning 2019 film follows the lives of the March sisters during the 19th century. A truly stunning adaptation, that boasts an even more impressive cast. Maybe a new one for your Christmas viewing list?
Where can I watch Little Women?
9. The Snowman (1982)
We’re walking in the air – you’ll be humming it all day! A must watch movie every Christmas, that follows the charming story of James and his new friend, the Snowman.
Where can I watch The Snowman?
8. Scrooged (1988)
This contemporary adaptation is the perfect option if you want a slightly less-traditional version of A Christmas Carol. Bill Murray plays Frank Cross aka Dickens’ Scrooge – a selfish and cynical TV executive, who turns his life around after being visited by the ghosts of past, present and future.
Where can I watch Scrooged?
- Now TV Premium
- Amazon Prime, Buy and Rent
7. The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
The last in the Christmas Carol trilogy – Michael Caine joins Kermit and his friends for plenty of fun and frolics. A great film for all the family.
Where can I watch The Muppet Christmas Carol?
- Disney +
- Buy or Rent on Amazon
6. Elf (2003)
Endlessly quotable, heart warming, and joyous. Will Ferrell is Buddy the Elf, who, after being adopted by Santa’s elves, heads to New York to find his real Dad. Along the way he rekindles the ‘Christmas Spirit’ for others with his loveable innocence and pure intentions.
Where can I watch Elf?
- Now TV Premium
- Buy or Rent on Amazon
5. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
The Grinch hates Christmas, and this year he’s made it his mission to abolish it from Whoville. Jim Carrey’s Grinch adds endless quips and improvisations to Dr Seuss’ Christmas story and we love it.
Where can I watch How the Grinch Stole Christmas?
Head over to Netflix Recommendations for the Elderly for help getting onto Netflix and for some TV Show recommendations!
4. Home Alone (1990)
We simply couldn’t exclude this 90’s comedy classic, we’d never forgive ourselves. Kevin (Macaulay Culkin) is ‘Home Alone’ and forced to use some impressively creative tactics to defend his house from two low-life burglars.
Where can I watch Home Alone?
- Disney +
- Buy or Rent on Amazon
3. Miracle on 34th Street (1994)
Where can I watch Miracle on 34th Street?
2. Love Actually (2003)
The romcoms to end all romcoms. Richard Curtis’s Love Actually follows the lives of 8 couples and their relationship with love in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Packed full of endlessly quotable scenes and a stellar cast, Love Actually always gets us in the mood for love this Christmas.
Where can I watch Love Actually?
1. It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
Christmas movie NUMBER 1! George Bailey (James Stewart), a well-intentioned businessman is shown by a angel sent from Heaven what life would’ve been like if he never existed. Feel-good, life-affirming and definietly a tear jerker (even on the 100th time of watching). Deservedly on top of the Age Space’s Christmas Movie list.
