The 50 Best Christmas Movies to Stream

'Tis the season to binge-watch your favorite Christmas films.

With the holidays approaching and the weather getting colder, it's the perfect time to snuggle up on the couch with a good movie.

While there are plenty of new Christmas movies hitting Hallmark, Lifetime and more this season, there are a lot of holiday classics streaming as well, such as A Christmas Story (1983), The Santa Clause (1994) and Elf (2003).

If you're looking for a light-hearted romance, Netflix is full of original films starring your favorite stars. However, if you want to go the comedic route, Max, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+ have a plethora of options as well.

Keep reading for the best Christmas movies to stream online right now.

Here are all the best Christmas movies to watch on Netflix

Falling for Christmas

A standout present from 2022 was the big-screen return of Y2K movie icon Lindsay Lohan, portraying the role of Sierra — an heiress with amnesia following a skiing accident. In this festive flick, Sierra finds herself gliding through the slopes of romance under the hospitality of a brooding lodge owner (Chord Overstreet) and his charming daughter (Olivia Perez).

Watch Falling for Christmas on Netflix

Love Actually

From learning a new language to declaring feelings via cue cards, love is portrayed in various forms in this 2003 film about a group of people living in London around Christmastime. Directed by Richard Curtis, Love Actually features a star-studded cast — who reunited in 2022 for the film's 20th anniversary — including Hugh Grant, Martine McCutcheon, Liam Neeson, Keira Knightley, Andrew Lincoln, Emma Thompson, Colin Firth and more.

Watch Love Actually on Netflix

Love Hard

The Netflix original film follows a young journalist named Natalie (Nina Dobrev), who travels across the country to spend the holidays with Josh Lin (Jimmy O. Yang), a guy she matched with online — only to find out he catfished her by using his friend Tag's (Darren Barnet) pictures. However, Josh agrees to set Natalie up with Tag if she poses as his fake girlfriend to impress his family during the holidays.

Watch Love Hard on Netflix

White Christmas

If you're looking for a Christmas classic to get you in the holiday spirit, look no further than 1954's White Christmas, where a singing quartet use their musical talents to help save the business of World War II commander General Waverly (Dean Jagger). Featuring songs composed by Irving Berlin — including the Oscar-winning title song and "Count Your Blessings (Instead of Sheep)" — this merry musical stars Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen, among others.

Watch White Christmas on Netflix

The Holiday Calendar

Starring The Vampire Diaries actress Kat Graham, the Netflix romance movie centers on a young photographer named Abby, who receives a magical Advent calendar filled with gifts that manifest in her real life ... leading to a yuletide romance that will leave you with all the warm, fuzzy feelings. The Holiday Calendar also includes appearances from Quincy Brown, Ethan Peck and Ron Cephas Jones.

Watch The Holiday Calendar on Netflix

Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey

Three decades after his apprentice (Keegan-Michael Key) stole all of his inventions from his book, the titular toymaker (Forest Whitaker) has lost his passion and fears for his now-failing shop's future until his estranged granddaughter, Journey (Madalen Mills), visits and helps him complete his newest creation. With music written by Grammy-winning artists John Legend and Philip Lawrence, the 2020 musical film will take you on a magical journey, just as the title suggests.

Watch Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey on Netflix

The Princess Switch

Netflix has produced a handful of Christmas franchises over the years, but The Princess Switch series of movies starring Vanessa Hudgens is certainly a fan favorite. Start with the first 2018 installment, where an American competitive baker (Hudgens) switches places with the Princess of Belgravia (also Hudgens), and immediately follow up with its two sequels — which see the High School Musical star in three separate roles.

Watch The Princess Switch on Netflix

The Christmas Chronicles

Real-life couple Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn star as Santa and Mrs. Claus in this delightful 2018 Netflix comedy, which follows a brother (Judah Lewis) and sister (Darby Camp) who are determined to capture the mythical man on camera and secretly hitch a ride on his sleigh, ultimately leading to a wild night of delivering presents on Christmas Eve. (If you end up wanting more, there's also a 2020 sequel that's equally as fun.)

Watch The Christmas Chronicles on Netflix

The Knight Before Christmas

Vanessa Hudgens really is the queen of Netflix Christmas movies. In this 2019 fantasy rom-com, a high school science teacher named Brooke (Hudgens) tries to help Sir Cole (Josh Whitehouse) — a handsome medieval knight who magically gets transported to the present day — how to survive the modern world and achieve his obscure knightly quest to return back home. But as they grow closer, Sir Cole questions whether he's outgrown his life in the 1300s.

Watch The Knight Before Christmas on Netflix

Let It Snow

Based on the young adult novel of the same name, the 2019 film follows a group of Midwestern teens who come together during a snowstorm on Christmas Eve, intertwining their friendships and love lives. Let It Snow features a large ensemble, including Isabela Merced, Shameik Moore, Odeya Rush, Kiernan Shipka and more.

Watch Let It Snow on Netflix

A Christmas Prince

If you're looking for a fairy-tale Christmas movie, look no further than Netflix's A Christmas Prince franchise, starting with the eponymous 2017 film. In this enchanting tale, American journalist Amber (Rose McIver) masquerades as young Princess Emily's (Honor Kneafsey) new tutor to gather more intel on Prince Richard of Aldovia (Ben Lamb). The success of the original spawned two sequels chronicling Amber and Richard's regal yet charmingly cheesy love story.

Watch A Christmas Prince on Netflix

Single All the Way

As social media strategist Peter (Michael Urie) goes home for the holidays, he convinces his best friend (Philemon Chambers) to pose as his boyfriend to avoid any judgment from his family for his recently ended relationship. However, Peter's mother (Kathy Najimy) still manages to work her cupid magic by setting him on a blind date with a charming fitness instructor (Luke Macfarlane). This LGBTQ rom-com also features appearances from Jennifer Coolidge, Barry Bostwick and Jennifer Robertson, among others.

Watch Single All the Way on Netflix

Here are all the best Christmas movies to watch on Disney+

Home Alone

After accidentally getting left home alone during the holiday season while his family is in France, Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) has to go to extreme measures — from staging a fake holiday party to setting up elaborate booby traps — to save his house from relentless burglars (Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern) in the neighborhood. This 1990 classic also stars Catherine O'Hara, John Heard, Kieran Culkin and more.

Watch Home Alone on Disney+

Home Alone 2: Lost in New York

When Kevin McCallister gets on the wrong flight, he finds himself alone again for the holidays — only this time he's in the Big Apple while his family is in Florida. There, he has another encounter with the Sticky Bandits (formerly known as the Wet Bandits), who have escaped prison and are ready for round two with the mischievous kid.

Watch Home Alone 2: Lost in New York on Disney+

The Santa Clause

Busy salesman Scott Calvin (Tim Allen) gets his whole world turned upside down when he accidentally causes Santa Claus to tumble off his roof and disappear on one fateful Christmas Eve. Scott then puts on the Big Man's red suit and turns into Father Christmas himself, taking his young son (Eric Lloyd) with him to deliver the rest of the presents.

Watch The Santa Clause on Disney+

The Santa Clause 2

In the 2002 sequel to The Santa Clause, Scott Calvin learns that there is another clause in "The Santa Clause" that he originally missed: He must find a Mrs. Claus before the next Christmas Eve or forfeit being Santa forever. To charm his future partner — who he finds in his son's principal (Elizabeth Mitchell) — he goes through a "de-Santafication" process that transforms him to resemble his former self.

Watch The Santa Clause 2 on Disney+

The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause

As Scott Calvin struggles to find a balance between his duties as Santa and making his family happy, he learns the hard way what life would have been like if he had never become Santa at all, all thanks to the scheming Jack Frost (Martin Short) — who has plans to take over the North Pole. (And if you're still wanting more of Scott after the final film installment, turn to the Disney+ sequel series, The Santa Clauses.)

Watch The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause on Disney+

The Nutcracker and the Four Realms

A reimagining of the iconic Nutcracker tale, a young girl (Mackenzie Foy) finds herself transported to a magical world of fantasy realms when she receives a mysterious gift once owned by her late mother. Directed by Lasse Hallström and Joe Johnston, the 2018 fantasy adventure also stars Keira Knightley, Eugenio Derbez, Matthew Macfadyen, Richard E. Grant, Misty Copeland, Helen Mirren and Morgan Freeman.

Watch The Nutcracker and the Four Realms on Disney+

Noelle

Anna Kendrick stars as the titular cheerful daughter of Kris Kringle (Jay Brazeau) who is tasked with getting her brother (Bill Hader) up to speed on the job of Santa Claus. However, it quickly becomes apparent that he is not up for the challenge when he vanishes without a trace, which leads Noelle to flee the North Pole to find her brother and save Christmas.

Watch Noelle on Disney+

I'll Be Home for Christmas

Jonathan Taylor Thomas stars in this late-'90s film about a college student who drives across the country from Los Angeles to Larchmont, N.Y., ensuring he makes it home for Christmas in order to receive his father's prized Porsche. But when he's dumped in the desert by a mean-spirited football team, he has to find a way to get home without money or identification.

Watch I'll Be Home for Christmas on Disney+

The Nightmare Before Christmas

Doubling as both a Halloween and Christmas film, the Tim Burton-produced spooky tale follows Jack Skellington (Chris Sarandon for his speaking voice and Danny Elfman for his singing voice) — the King of Halloween Town — as he stumbles upon Christmas Town and becomes obsessed with the idea of the cheery holiday. The movie also features voice performances from Catherine O'Hara, William Hickey, Glenn Shadix, Paul Reubens and Ken Page.

Watch The Nightmare Before Christmas on Disney+

Here are all the best Christmas movies to watch on Max

Elf

If smiling is your favorite, this 2003 comedy is the perfect film to stream. Buddy (Will Ferrell), a human raised by elves in the North Pole, ventures off to N.Y.C. to find his birth father after learning of his family origins from Santa Claus himself (Ed Asner). James Caan, Bob Newhart, Zooey Deschanel and more also star.

Watch Elf on Max

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

Marking the third installment in the National Lampoon's Vacation franchise, the 1989 classic follows the Griswold family as they attempt to have a nice Christmas with their eccentric relatives. Directed by Jeremiah S. Chechik, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation features a star-studded cast — most of whom reunited in December 2023 for Christmas Con — including Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo, Juliette Lewis, Johnny Galecki, John Randolph, Diane Ladd and more.

Watch National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation on Max

Four Christmases

When their vacation plans crumble, unmarried couple Brad (Vince Vaughn) and Kate (Reese Witherspoon) find themselves visiting all four of their divorced parents' homes on Christmas Day. However, spending time with their chaotic families gives them an opportunity to reflect on the state of their own relationship. The 2008 comedy is a Christmas movie staple, which also features appearances from Robert Duvall, Mary Steenburgen, Tim McGraw, Kristin Chenoweth and Sissy Spacek, among others.

Watch Four Christmases on Max

A Christmas Story

Based on Jean Shepherd's 1966 book In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash, this 1983 holiday classic set in 1940s Cleveland follows a young boy named Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsley) whose only Christmas wish is to receive a Red Ryder BB Gun, despite the constant disapproval of every adult around him. A Christmas Story unfolds through adult Ralphie's narrated memories, recounting everything from triple-dog dares to mouth soap punishments.

Watch A Christmas Story on Max

A Christmas Story Christmas

In the 2022 sequel to the 1983 original, Peter Billingsley reprises his iconic role as Ralphie Parker as he tries to recreate the Christmas magic he once experienced as a child for his own family. Joining the festive reunion, Ian Petrella, Scott Schwartz, R. D. Robb and Zack Ward also make a return to their beloved characters.

Watch A Christmas Story Christmas on Max

Fred Claus

After a run-in with the law gets him in trouble, the titular brother (Vince Vaughn) of Santa Claus (Paul Giamatti) must move to the North Pole and help out with Christmas preparations to pay off his debts. As Santa strives to maintain order in the workshop, he must keep a watchful eye on his rebellious brother to prevent any mishaps during the crucial inspection of his operation.

Watch Fred Claus on Max

The Polar Express

Grab your hot chocolate and hop aboard the Polar Express! In this 2004 animated adventure-fantasy, a group of young kids takes a ride on the eponymous magical train that transports them to the North Pole on Christmas Eve, despite some hurdles along the way. Though Tom Hanks voices seven characters in the film, plenty of other actors lend their voices, including Daryl Sabara, Nona Gaye, Peter Scolari, Eddie Deezen and more.

Watch The Polar Express on Max

Jack Frost

A year after dying in a tragic car accident, a touring musical artist (Michael Keaton) gets a second chance at being a more present father and husband when he is resurrected as a snowman during the holiday season. With limited time before melting away, the titular snowman must compensate for lost moments with his son (Joseph Cross) and wife (Kelly Preston) that occurred while he was on the road.

Watch Jack Frost on Max

Christmas in Connecticut

As one of the nation's most beloved food columnists, Elizabeth Lane (Barbara Stanwyck) has built her career by portraying herself as a diligent housewife and farm worker, despite being a single woman with limited cooking skills — relying on recipes from her friend Felix. But when her boss (Sydney Greenstreet) and a returning war soldier (Dennis Morgan) invite themselves over to her farm, Miss Lane has to miraculously live up to the standards she has created for herself. 

Watch Christmas in Connecticut on Max

Here are all the best Christmas movies to watch on Hulu

Happiest Season

Hulu's first LGBTQ holiday rom-com, the 2020 film revolves around a young woman (Mackenzie Davis) who hides her relationship with her girlfriend (Kristen Stewart) during a festive family gathering, where unresolved tensions linger. Happiest Season presents a stellar ensemble, including Aubrey Plaza, Alison Brie, Mary Holland, Dan Levy, Mary Steenburgen and Victor Garber.

Watch Happiest Season on Hulu

Miracle on 34th Street

A 1994 remake of the original 1947 film, Mara Wilson stars as a 6-year-old girl who comes in contact with a man named Kris Kringle (Richard Attenborough) — who claims to be the real Santa Claus — at the fictitious Cole's department store, hired by her mother (Elizabeth Perkins), and ends up getting a magical Christmas as a result.

Watch Miracle on 34th Street on Hulu

Holiday in Santa Fe

Upon her arrival to acquire Casa de Milagro, a family business that specializes in holiday ornaments and decor inspired by Mexican Christmas traditions, a greeting card executive (Emeraude Toubia) ends up forming a strong connection with one of the family members (Mario Lopez).

Watch Holiday in Santa Fe on Hulu

A Merry Friggin' Christmas

Boyd Mitchler (Joel McHale) brings his wife (Lauren Graham) and kids (Pierce Gagnon, Bebe Wood) to spend the holidays with his oddball family in Wisconsin. But when he realizes he left his son's gifts back at home, he sets out on an 8-hour road trip with his eccentric father (Robin Williams) to get them back before sunrise.

Watch A Merry Friggin' Christmas on Hulu

Naughty & Nice

In this 2014 made-for-TV holiday rom-com, a cynical DJ (Tilky Jones) is forced to co-host a radio show with an idealistic "love doctor" (Haylie Duff). Their opposite ideals on love spark an on-air argument, but admist the conflict, the two end up falling for each other, transcending their initial differences.

Watch Naughty & Nice on Hulu

The Family Stone

In this 2005 household dramedy, uptight businesswoman Meredith Morton (Sarah Jessica Parker) experiences the discomfort of being the odd one out when she joins her boyfriend's (Dermot Mulroney) free-spirited, ultra-liberal family — the Stones — for the holidays. The Family Stone offers an ensemble of A-listers, including Diane Keaton, Craig T. Nelson, Luke Wilson, Claire Danes, Rachel McAdams and Elizabeth Reaser.

Watch The Family Stone on Hulu

Deck the Halls

'Tis the season for neighborly rivalry! Steve Finch (Matthew Broderick) and his family, renowned as Cloverdale's Christmas experts, face stiff competition from Buddy Hall (Danny DeVito), whose house shines so brightly it's visible from space — threatening the Finch's well-established holiday reputation. Packed with silly hijinks, this 2004 comedy also stars Kristin Chenoweth and Kristin Davis.

Watch Deck the Halls on Hulu

Here are all the best Christmas movies to watch on Amazon Prime Video

Surviving Christmas

Not wanting to spend the holidays alone, a wealthy millionaire (Ben Affleck) pays for the current occupants of his childhood home to spend Christmas with him. However, grappling with their own issues, the rented family soon finds out that they got more than they bargained for. This 2004 comedy also stars Christina Applegate, James Gandolfini, Catherine O'Hara, Josh Zuckerman and more.

Watch Surviving Christmas on Amazon Prime Video

Scrooged

In this 1988 retelling of A Christmas Carol, Bill Murray stars as a cynical TV executive named Frank, who dismisses staff for mere disagreement and rejects his estranged brother's holiday invitations. However, Frank's perspective on Christmas transforms after being visited by several ghosts, played by David Johansen, Carol Kane and John Forsythe.

Watch Scrooged on Amazon Prime Video

Mariah Carey's All I Want for Christmas Is You

Based on Mariah Carey's hit holiday tune, the 2017 animated film tells the heartwarming story of a younger Mariah (voiced by Breanna Yde) longing for a puppy for Christmas. To prove her dog-handling abilities, she takes on the challenge of dog-sitting her uncle's wild canine, Jack, who unleashes chaos during the family's Christmas celebrations.

Watch Mariah Carey's All I Want for Christmas Is You on Amazon Prime Video

It's a Wonderful Life

Down on his luck and contemplating ending his life on Christmas Eve, young family man George Bailey (George Stewart) changes his fate by saving his guardian angel, Clarence (Henry Travers), who shows him an alternate reality where George never existed — demonstrating the impact of his good deeds while also unveiling the true meaning of the holiday season.

Watch It's a Wonderful Life on Amazon Prime Video

Miracle on 34th Street

In this timeless 1947 classic, N.Y.C. gets some special Christmas magic when the Macy's department store Santa (Edmund Gwenn) insists he's the real deal. As Kris Kringle garners more attention from locals, a legal battle unfolds, questioning both his sanity and authenticity. Fortunately, he finds an ally in a young girl (Natalie Wood), her mother (Maureen O'Hara) and a lawyer (John Payne).

Watch Miracle on 34th Street on Amazon Prime Video

The Mistle-Tones

A young woman (Tia Mowry) sets out to audition for a Christmas group founded by her late mother, but when the open spot goes to the best friend of the group's leader, Marci (Tori Spelling), she decides to take matters into her own hands and create her own rivalry group named the Mistle-Tones.

Watch The Mistle-Tones on Amazon Prime Video

Holiday in Handcuffs

Following the loss of her waitress gig and a breakup with her fiancé Nick (Benjamin Ayres) just before introducing him to her family for the holidays, aspiring painter Gertrude (Melissa Joan Hart) kidnaps a handsome stranger (Mario Lopez) at gunpoint and forces him to pretend to be her former boyfriend. However, the new Nick (a.k.a. David) harbors his own lies that compel him to go along with the charade.

Watch Holiday in Handcuffs on Amazon Prime Video

Christmas with the Kranks

The Krank family always goes all out for Christmas. However, when Luther (Tim Allen) and Nora's (Jamie Lee Curtis) daughter, Julie (Julie Gonzalo), reveals she won't return home for the holidays, they decide to forgo all of their holiday traditions and skip town for a cruise — much to the dismay of their neighbors. However, when Julie suddenly changes her mind, the parents have to plan a last-minute blowout to save the day.

Watch Christmas with the Kranks on Amazon Prime Video

Here are all the best Christmas movies to watch on Peacock

How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

He's a mean one! Looney Tunes animation director Chuck Jones worked his magic to bring Dr. Seuss's children's book to the screen in this timeless 1966 classic. Voiced by horror icon Boris Karloff, the Grinch, a grouchy green creature who lives atop a mountain, sets out to spoil Christmas for all Whoville residents by stealing their gifts — and yet, despite his Scrooge-like ways, he is sure to make your heart grow three sizes.

Watch How the Grinch Stole Christmas! on Peacock

Better Watch Out

For those seeking a (chimney) escape from the usual warm and fuzzy Christmas films, this 2016 holiday horror is for you! In Better Watch Out, Ashley (Olivia DeJonge) takes a babysitting job watching a 12-year-old boy (Levi Miller), only to face dangerous intruders breaking into his suburban home. Yet, as she uses all her wits to fight them off, Ashley soon realizes this is no run-of-the-mill home invasion.

Watch Better Watch Out on Peacock

My Santa

In this 2013 romance, a single mother (Samaire Armstrong) — who has lost her Christmas spirit after her former husband left her six years prior — falls for a man (Matthew Lawrence) playing Santa at a mall, only to find out that he's actually the son of Kris Kringle himself. After she discovers that he's looking for the future Mrs. Claus, she has to see if she can restore her faith in the holiday and be up to the task.

Watch My Santa on Peacock

The Best Man Holiday

Fifteen years after the events in Malcolm D. Lee's The Best Man (1999), a clique of college friends comes together over the holidays, unveiling unresolved tensions and rekindling old romances. Many actors reprise their roles in this 2013 dramedy, including Morris Chestnut, Taye Diggs, Regina Hall, Terrence Howard, Sanaa Lathan, Nia Long, Harold Perrineau, Monica Calhoun and Melissa De Sousa.

Watch The Best Man Holiday on Peacock

The Christmas Train

This Hallmark classic follows a writer (Dermot Mulroney) who takes a trip on a train over the holidays to get inspiration for his book. Along the way, he ends up meeting some interesting people and bumping into his true love (Kimberly Williams-Paisley), who's writing a script. Danny Glover and Joan Cusack also make an appearance.

Watch The Christmas Train on Peacock