The best Christmas movies on Peacock

The Best Man Holiday (2013)

This sequel to the beloved 1999 comedy The Best Man (also on Peacock) may have been released more than a decade later, but the ensemble cast hardly missed a step. Fittingly, the film features the gang getting back together for the first time in 14 years, where old tensions are reignited, especially between writer Harper (Taye Diggs) and his former best friend, Lance (Morris Chestnut). All kinds of drama unfolds from there, as The Best Man Holiday features the joys of the holiday season — the guys dancing to "Can You Stand the Rain" is a particular highlight — as well as the heartbreak that can come when you least expect it. —Kevin Jacobsen

Where to watch The Best Man Holiday: Peacock

Director: Malcolm D. Lee

EW grade: B– (read the review)

Cast: Taye Diggs, Sanaa Lathan, Nia Long, Morris Chestnut, Harold Perrineau, Terrence Howard, Regina Hall, Melissa De Sousa

Related content: How 'Candy' became the song for The Best Man's iconic wedding reception scene — and other untold stories

Better Watch Out (2017)

Don't let the song lyrics in the film's title confuse you — Better Watch Out is no Christmas carol. This movie decks the halls with cheers and fears as a 12-year-old and the babysitter he's trying to woo are gifted the experience of a home invasion for the holidays. With more twists and turns than a pole wrapped with Christmas lights, Better Watch Out is playfully adorned with misdirection and holiday genre tropes, and what it lacks in big-name actors, it makes up for in mind games and gore aplenty. Critically acclaimed and boasting impressive performances across its cast of young actors, Better Watch Out won't give you the warm fuzzies this holiday season, but it's guaranteed to send shivers down your spine. —Ilana Gordon

Where to watch Better Watch Out: Peacock

EW grade: B+ (read the review)

Director: Chris Peckover

Cast: Olivia DeJonge, Levi Miller, Ed Oxenbould, Aleks Mikic, Dacre Montgomery, Patrick Warburton, Virginia Madsen

Related content: Watch a chilling teaser for Christmas terror tale Better Watch Out

Dr. Seuss' The Grinch (2018)

Peacock has multiple adaptations of Dr. Seuss' beloved Christmas classic, including this 2018 animated version from Illumination. Like the 2000 live-action adaptation starring Jim Carrey, the 2018 film provides further motivation for why the Grinch became the grumpy, Christmas-ruining creature he is. The Grinch features Benedict Cumberbatch in the title role, while Pharrell Williams gently narrates the film. As EW's critic wrote, "Kids could still watch the peerless 1966 original, though their blooming little cortexes will probably respond to the shiny-bright novelty here — and be newly spellbound by a tale almost as old as color television, but still evergreen." —K.J.

Where to watch Dr. Seuss' The Grinch: Peacock

Directors: Scott Mosier and Yarrow Cheney

EW grade: B+ (read the review)

Cast: Benedict Cumberbatch, Rashida Jones, Kenan Thompson, Angela Lansbury, Pharrell Williams

Related content: Benedict Cumberbatch admits what makes him Grinch-y

How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966)

Clocking in at only 26 minutes long, this old-school animated version of Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! was technically released as a CBS television special, but the story is such a classic, we're including it here anyway. Premiering a mere nine years after Seuss' book was first published, the story of the Grinch who tried to destroy Christmas for the good people of Whoville — only to be undone by the spirit of the holiday — was so beloved, it became part of CBS' annual Christmas programming, replaying every year until 1988. Featuring the voice of Boris Karloff as the ill-intentioned Grinch, How the Grinch Stole Christmas! has carved out a spot on the Christmas content Mount Rushmore, alongside such animated specials as A Charlie Brown Christmas and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. —I.G.

Where to watch How the Grinch Stole Christmas!: Peacock

Directors: Chuck Jones and Ben Washam

Cast: Boris Karloff, June Foray, Thurl Ravenscroft, Dallas McKennon

Related content: How the Grinch Stole Christmas is getting a sequel book not written by Dr. Seuss

Krampus (2015)

Home Alone gets a folkloric spin in Krampus, a horror-comedy about a dysfunctional family who, after one child tears up his letter to Santa in a fit of familial-induced rage, are hunted by an ancient spirit more intent on ruining Christmas than the family is themselves. A shadow of Saint Nicholas, the Krampus is known for capturing recalcitrant children and dragging them to the underworld — which is pretty much his plan when he shows up on Christmas Eve to terrorize the Engel family. Featuring an all-star cast including Adam Scott, Toni Collette, and David Koechner, Krampus is a great option for people who understand that spending time with family during the holidays doesn't come without trepidation, and the best thing to unite a bickering unit is a common enemy. One of the few options in the holiday horror comedy canon, Krampus is here to help you have yourself a scary little Christmas. —I.G.

Where to watch Krampus: Peacock

EW grade: B (read the review)

Director: Michael Dougherty

Cast: Adam Scott, Toni Collette, David Koechner, Allison Tolman, Conchata Ferrell, Emjay Anthony, Stefania LaVie Owen

Related content: The 15 best Christmas horror movies

November Christmas (2010)

A classic Hallmark tearjerker, November Christmas tells the story of a small town uniting to support a young girl named Vanessa, whose battle with cancer makes it unlikely that she'll live to see the holiday season. John Corbett and Sarah Paulson star as Vanessa's parents, and Sam Elliott appears as her neighbor and the chief conspirator behind the plan to celebrate Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas early so Vanessa can join in on the fun. Almost guaranteed to deliver at least a few tears, November Christmas is elevated by the collective strength of its three stars — and the purity of its message. A great seasonal offering for those looking to cultivate a reflective, gracious energy going into the holiday season, November Christmas reminds us of the transience of life and the essentiality of family and community. —I.G.

Where to watch November Christmas: Peacock

Director: Robert Harmon

Cast: Sam Elliott, Karen Allen, John Corbett, Sarah Paulson, Emily Alyn Lind

Related content: The 16 best Hallmark Christmas movies

Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale (2010)

He sees you when you're sleeping, he knows when you're awake — and he doesn't give a f---. So states the trailer for Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale, a Finnish fantasy/action/horror comedy about a group of locals in the region of Lapland who kidnap Santa Claus after he's unearthed during an archaeological dig on Christmas Eve. The locals intend to ransom Santa to the Americans, but — after children start disappearing and elves start attacking — they realize that subduing Father Christmas will take more force and creativity than expected. With the leads played by two actors who are father and son in real life, the movie offers an unexpected level of naturalism — at least for a film involving reindeer ghosts. A critical darling with a tone that can only be described as a genre salad, Rare Exports is the rare holiday movie that dares to get weird. —I.G.

Where to watch Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale: Peacock

Director: Jalmari Helander

Cast: Onni Tommila, Jorma Tommila, Per Christian Ellefsen, Tommi Korpela

Related content: Rare Exports trailer: Is this the craziest Christmas movie ever?

This Christmas (2007)

It wouldn't be Christmas without a little family mess. The Whitfields, comprised of Ma'Dere (Loretta Devine) and her six children converge for annual holiday celebrations in this hilarious ensemble comedy. Eldest son Quentin Jr. (Idris Elba) has arrived for the first time in four years, and tension is high between him and his mother's boyfriend, Joe (Delroy Lindo). Meanwhile, his brother-in-law is cheating on his sister Lisa (Regina King), and another brother has a secret wife. Despite their squabbling, though, the Whitfields come together in the grand spirit of the season to help each other through all manner of personal crises. —K.J.

Where to watch This Christmas: Peacock

Director: Preston A. Whitmore II

Cast: Loretta Devine, Delroy Lindo, Idris Elba, Regina King, Sharon Leal, Columbus Short, Lauren London, Chris Brown

Related content: The best Black Christmas movies to stream for the holidays

The Waltons' Homecoming (2021)

If you don't want to spend Christmas with your own family, cuddle up with the Waltons instead. In 1971, CBS aired The Homecoming: A Christmas Story, which introduced the world to the Walton family. A series following their antics began broadcasting in 1972, and after nine seasons of family time, The Waltons went off the air in 1981. Forty-plus years later, they're back for a TV movie that aired on the CW in 2021. Richard Thomas, who played Young John Boy on the CBS series, reprises his role, this time returning as adult John-Boy and the narrator of the story. At just 79 minutes, the viewing experience is on the speedier side, but the movie still manages to maintain the essence of the original film and characters while updating story lines to include relevant social and cultural issues. There's no place like home for the holidays, but if you don't want to go home, there's always room at the Waltons' house. —I.G.

Where to watch The Waltons' Homecoming: Peacock

Director: Lev L. Spiro

Cast: Richard Thomas, Bellamy Young, Ben Lawson, Logan Shroyer, Marcelle LeBlanc, Alpha Trivette, Christian Finlayson, Rebecca Koon, Callaway Corrick, Michael Kendall Kaplan, Samuel Goergen, Tatum Matthews

Related content: The Waltons cast reunites after more than 30 years apart

Zoey's Extraordinary Christmas (2021)

While this Christmas special offered a sense of closure for fans of NBC's underrated musical comedy series Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist, viewers who never watched the show won't be too lost. All you need to know is that the central character, Zoey (Jane Levy), has magical powers that allow her to hear other people's thoughts through song, and, as revealed in the season 2 finale, her best friend Max (Skylar Astin) seems to have gained these powers, too. Zoey's Extraordinary Christmas follows Zoey's attempts to orchestrate the perfect Christmas, which will be the first without her father, which she finds easier said than done. The Emmy-nominated special has dazzling musical numbers and a warm heart that should delight fans and casual audiences. —K.J.

Where to watch Zoey’s Extraordinary Christmas: Peacock

Director: Richard Shepard

Cast: Jane Levy, Skylar Astin, Alex Newell, John Clarence Stewart, Mary Steenburgen, Peter Gallagher, Andrew Leeds, Bernadette Peters

Related content: Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist creator has 'more ideas' for the series after the holiday movie