Christmas means something different to everyone, and these films reflect that variety. If you’re nostalgic for tradition, titles like It’s a Wonderful Life and Holiday Inn are sure to delight. If your holiday memories revolve around annual TV specials, look out for A Charlie Brown Christmas and How the Grinch Stole Christmas. The list spans genres from horror (Terrifier 3) to comedy (Trading Places), a mix of both (Gremlins), and even a tinsel-wrapped superhero (Batman Returns). For those with a taste for indie films, Tangerine and Carol are essential picks. Meanwhile, Netflix has contributed standout options like The Christmas Chronicles and Klaus. And if your idea of Christmas involves being trapped somewhere you don’t want to be with people you don’t like well, Die Hard has got you covered.
In our latest update, we moved most of the scarier holiday films to a dedicated Christmas horror guide, keeping culturally significant entries like A Nightmare Before Christmas and Black Christmas on the main list. We also included films with strong “feel-good” reception, perfect for cozy seasonal rewatching with family.
To create this ultimate guide, we traveled through movie history, packed our sleigh with festive gems, and ranked the films by Tomatometer score, with Certified Fresh titles leading the way. Now, step into a cinematic winter wonderland with the best Christmas movies ever!
Top Picks:
1. The Shop Around the Corner (1940)
2. Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)
3. The Holdovers (2023)
4. Tangerine (2015)
5. Miracle on 34th Street (1947)