Here at Filmotomy, we’ve watched and enjoyed plenty of Christmas films that have really reeled us into the festive spirit. But sadly, we could only choose 12 Christmas films to create this guide. We’re currently crying tears of snowflakes! Of course, we have so many more Christmas films that we know and love, but we really wanted to be as diverse as possible. This guide ranges from the 1940s all the way through to the 2020s.
You can find family adventures, rom-coms, animation, and hopefully ‘not too scary’ holiday horror. Whichever you choose, we’re sure you’ll find a film you love, and it may even become a Christmas tradition in the years to come. We hope you’re feeling the festive cheer, if not then read this guide for a cosy winter night-in full of Christmas films. See you at the screen! (With tinsel all around).
Film 01: It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
Director: Frank Capra
James Stewart leads this Christmas classic that spins an American twist on Charles Dickens’ beloved British novella, A Christmas Carol (1843). It’s a Wonderful Life (1943) follows George Bailey (James Stewart), a busy businessman who feels like his life has lost all hope and meaning.
But when an Angel named Clarence is sent down from the heavens above, George is reminded of what he means to the world and is shown how life would be very different if he was no longer here.
Where wishes come true… where angels are real… The greatest gift of all… is right at home. They’re making memories tonight!
Film 02: Gremlins (1984)
Director: Joe Dante
This holiday horror-comedy is set in the small fictional town of Kingston Falls, where the townsfolk receive quite an unexpected gift at Christmas. Teenager Billy Peltzer (Zach Galligan) receives an early Christmas gift from his dad who names the furry Mogwai – Gizmo.
But the seemingly sweet Gremlin has just three ‘simple’ rules to abide by: the animal must stay away from light, have no contact with water, and must not eat after midnight. However, of course, the rules are not completely abided by. And so havoc eventually breaks loose in the small town as the Gremlins begin to multiply…
The Gremlins Are Coming! Don’t get him wet, keep him out of bright light, and never feed him after midnight.
Film 03: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)
Director: Jeremiah S. Chechik
John Hughes’ classic comedy sees the slapstick character and family man, Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) create chaos and mayhem for himself and the Griswold’s during the festive holidays. But nothing ever quite goes to plan for Clark who just wants everything to go swimmingly perfect.
The third story in the Vacation franchise sees Clark attempt to prepare the dinner for his family, set up Christmas lights, and have the best Christmas tree imaginable. However, everything just goes from bad to worse and all eyes are on him.
Now That You’ve Survived The Holidays You Deserve A Vacation. Yule crack up!
Film 04: Home Alone (1990)
Director: Chris Columbus
The loveable and iconic, Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) is just an eight-year-old boy who wants to escape his large and chaotic family this Christmas holiday. However, his wish becomes too true when he’s forced to keep charge and protect his family home all by himself when his mother forgets to take him on their Paris holiday.
However, after numbers get construed, Kevin is miscounted for and goes on an adventure. But this soon becomes dangerous when duo petty criminals – Marv (Joe Pesci) and Harry (Daniel Stern) have his house in their sights. It’s up to Kevin to create mayhem and outwit the heartless burglars on Christmas Eve.
A family comedy without the family.
Film 05: Christmas with the Kranks (2004)
Director: Joe Roth
In Chicago, Illinois the Kranks – Nora (Jamie Lee Curtis) and Luther (Tim Allen) surprise their Christmas-positive town when they protest that the holiday will not be celebrated in their household this year. But their stubborn ways are soon upended when their daughter Blair (Julie Gonzalo) comes home for Christmas.
The Kranks are sent into turmoil and must brave some vital last-minute Christmas shopping to prepare for their daughter’s return. But being unprepared for the busiest time of the year costs the family upbeat frustration. Can they turn the messy situation around and repair their reputation?
Their Christmas will turn the town upside down!
Film 06: The Family Stone (2005)
Director: Thomas Bezucha
Nothing is worse than suffering through Christmas with family members who don’t get along. Well, that’s exactly the case for the Stone family. When Everett Stone (Dermot Mulroney) brings his girlfriend, the uptight Meredith (Sarah Jessica Parker) into their home for a Christmas lunch and all does not go too well.
For the day could not possibly get any worse for either side. As Meredith attempts to gain the approval of Everett’s parents – Sybil (Diane Keaton) and Kelly (Craig T. Nelson) whilst their adult children find joy in her misery. Meredith even brings her sister, Julie (Claire Danes) along for back-up. But then the situation just spins out of control. Secrets are revealed and Meredith may not be just who Everett thinks she is all along.
Feel the love.
Film 07: Deck the Halls (2006)
Director: John Whitesell
In their cosy small town, Steve Finch (Matthew Broderick) has always been known as the “Christmas guy” – the one with the most decorations and no one has ever compared to him. That is until new neighbour, Buddy Hall (Danny DeVito) moves in next door. Buddy becomes determined to have the biggest decorations and Christmas lights in all the town. But his biggest goal is to be detected via satellite from space after discovering that Steve’s house can be seen whilst his house is currently invisible.
Although, for Steve his Christmas becomes upended when Buddy goes all out on decorating his house in Christmas lights and even music to go alongside the display. They both go to great lengths to compete, and things not only get out of hand but get personal too. Both their families and careers start to suffer. However, they must discover the importance and value of Christmas throughout their journeys and learn to love rather than compete.
There glows the neighbourhood.
Film 08: Christmas with the Coopers (2015)
Director: Jessie Nelson
Of course, we can’t forget the unformidable Diane Keaton who features in another Holiday film in our list. She’s clearly the good luck charm to creating great Christmas movies! Christmas with the Coopers (2015) follows Charlotte (Diane Keaton) and Sam (John Goodman) as they prepare for their traditional Christmas Eve dinner. They welcome their rather large family covering four generations of the Cooper name.
But being under one roof causes problems with such revelations as a new romance, a separation, and a divorce for the family. However, the four intertwined stories come together to showcase how even a dysfunctional family can enjoy Christmas together.
You can’t regift Family.
Film 09: Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch (2018)
Directors: Scott Mosier & Yarrow Cheney
This frenzied animated-adventure follows Mr. Grinch and his dog, Max who live on the top of Mount Crumpet far, far away from the joyous and Christmas-loving townsfolk of Whoville. But whilst the town are determined to celebrate the holiday with the biggest celebration ever, Mr. Grinch has other plans… As the town’s ‘Scrooge’, he invents a grand plan to impersonate Santa Claus and steal everything Christmas-related.
From the lights and decorations to stealing presents directly from underneath the Christmas trees along with the help of Max. But Mr. Grinch must also learn his own lesson to allow himself some space for festive cheer.
Scheme big.
Film 10: The Princess Switch (2018)
Director: Michael Rohl
Vanessa Hudgens plays two roles – Stacy De Novo: a baker from Chicago and Margaret Delacourt: the Duchess of Montenaro. The story follows Stacy and Margaret switching lives and trading places for two days. Stacy wants to live a life of royalty whilst Margaret wants to live a normal life.
But they both end up falling in love with each other’s beaus. Whilst Stacy finds comfort in spending time with Prince Edward, Margaret discovers sparks with chef Kevin. The film has two sequels – The Princess Switch: Switched Again (2020) and The Princess Switch 3: Romancing the Star (2021).
A chance encounter is the chance of a lifetime.
Film 11: Last Christmas (2019)
Director: Paul Feig
Working as a Christmas elf in a small store in Central London, Katarina (Emilia Clarke) finds her life to be rather monotonous. But just by fate she crosses paths with the enigmatic and friendly, Tom (Henry Golding) who changes the way she sees life.
With such a renewal and new outlook, Katarina reconnects with distant family members, starts volunteering, and even reconnects with her love for singing. But the core of the story is quite heart-breaking – both metaphorically and literally…
Sometimes you’ve just gotta have faith.
Film 12: Falling for Christmas (2022)
Director: Janeen Damian
“This holiday season, fall for the unexpected.”
Lindsay Lohan’s Sierra Belmont is the rich hotel heiress who becomes engaged to social media influencer, Tad Fairchild during their ski trip at Belmont Summit Resort. But during the trip, Sierra slips down a mountain slope and loses consciousness. She eventually awakes and suffers from amnesia. But the owner of the North Star Lodge, Jake Russell (Chord Overstreet) finds her and offers her a place to stay whilst she recovers.
Soon Sierra changes and begins to become a completely new version of herself. Jake and his daughter, Avy (Olivia Monet Perez) develop a bond with Sierra and become like family. Although Jake is cautious with his love life after the passing of his wife and Avy’s mother, but the festive holiday spirit gives him another chance to spark romance.
This holiday season, fall for the unexpected.
We hope you enjoyed our festive walk-through of the 12 Christmas films to watch this winter. Let us know in the comments which Christmas films you’ll be watching from our guide. Happy holidays!