The 12 Best Christmas Movies on Hulu in 2021

Description: If you aren’t someone who has seen The Brady Bunch before, ’tis the season to finally get acquainted. The beloved sitcom family is back, as Mike and Carol Brady look forward to spending Christmas with their now fully grown six kids, in addition to their former housekeeper, Alice in this made-for-TV festive comedy-drama film. Unfortunately, each of the adult Brady children is now grappling with their individual personal issues ranging from leaving a spouse to dropping out of college (and trying to hide it) which threaten to prevent a full family happy holiday celebration. There’s truly no better way to escape your own family drama this holiday season than by immersing yourself in someone else’s.

Cast: Robert Reed, Florence Henderson, Ann B. Davis, Barry Williams, Maureen McCormick, Christopher Knight, Jennifer Runyon, Mike Lookinland, Eve Plumb

Rated: NR

Watch A Very Brady Christmas on Hulu

Description: Georgia Byrd is a shy saleswoman at a department store in New Orleans who, upon discovering that she has a terminal illness and therefore likely mere weeks to live, realizes she has been playing it safe her entire life instead of pursuing her dreams to become a professional chef. Resigned to her fate, she quits her job, gathers all the money and savings she has, and embarks on her dream vacation to spa city Karlovy Vary in the Czech Republic, determined to live what’s left of her life to the fullest. Okay, so maybe this isn’t technically a Christmas movie, but it is about the life-changing and restorative aspect of a good holiday spent with people you care about and doing the things you really love (and realizing some life-changing lessons along the way), which is what any good Christmas movie is all about, anyway. And also the star is frickin’ Queen Latifah! What more could you need from a Christmas film than that?!

Cast: Queen Latifah, LL Cool J, Timothy Hutton, Giancarlo Esposito, Alicia Witt, Gérard Depardieu, Smokey Robinson

Rated: PG-13

Watch Last Holiday on Hulu

Description: We’ve graduated from “last” holiday to “THE” holiday, now that’s some exciting and mind-blowing stuff! This is a movie actually about Christmas, and one that revolves around a holiday house swap that sends  newly-single LA movie trailer producer Amanda Woods to the cozy British cottage of London society columnist Iris Simpkins, who is heartbroken after finding out that the d-bag who has been leading her on for three years is recently engaged. Irish jumps head-first into the vacation of her life in Amanda’s fancy West Coast mansion, even befriending a once-prolific and Oscar-winning screenwriter neighbor who now lives alone in the area. Amanda struggles way more on her trip (which we could see coming, because who wears heels in icy, snowy weather?!) and is quick to want to return home. But for both women, surprising chances at new love will catch them off-guard and make this THE holiday to remember.

Cast: Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz, Jack Black, Jude Law, Eli Wallach

Rated: PG-13

Watch The Holiday on Hulu

Description: Despite its title, there’s nothing overtly untoward or illegal about this film, well, unless you consider adult-kidnapping a crime, because then yes, there IS some illegal action going on, but it’s a quirky holiday rom-com so we’re cool with it. Trudie is an aspiring painter, who for now is working as a waitress and getting stressed in the lead-up to the holidays, which is exacerbated by her boyfriend dumping her. So, naturally, her next move is to handcuff herself to random restaurant customer David Martin and force him to pretend to be her boyfriend for the holidays. I’m laughing just typing this, the premise is insane which is what makes it an awesome Christmas movie, and a must-watch for anyone looking for a fun time and good laugh this holiday season (just don’t get any ideas, people. The real-life end to this story will always be prison).

Cast: Melissa Joan Hart, Mario Lopez, Markie Post, Timothy Bottoms, June Lockhart, Vanessa Lee Evigan, Kyle Howard

Rated: NR

Watch Holiday In Handcuffs on Hulu

Description: Clocking in at just under an hour, this Christmas special featuring everyone’s favorite adorable animated monkey (sorry, Mojo Jojo), as George and his best bud, human-dressed-as-banana The Man In The Yellow Hat giddily look forward to the approaching holiday season. While they’re having fun enjoying the wintery festivities, they soon run into trouble trying to decide what to get each other for Christmas. With time quickly running out, will they be able to settle on something meaningful and spectacular before the special day?

Cast: Frank Welker, Jeff Bennett, Rino Romano, Jim Cummings, Elizabeth Daily, Grey Griffin

Rated: TV-G

Watch Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas on Hulu

Description: There is truly no better time for small town musical drama than the holidays. It all starts with Holly (already getting points for a festive name) auditioning for Christmas-themed pop group the Snow Belles, which also happened to be founded by her late mother. But when Holly is rejected in favor of the group leader Marci’s less talented best friend, she decides to follow through on advice from her sister to create her own holiday singing group. What ensues is a fun journey wherein a crooning crew is assembled, romantic sparks fly, and a Christmas Eve singing competition raises tension and stakes to make for an exciting cinematic climax. If you love Christmas music, then this is definitely the movie for you this holiday season.

Cast: Tia Mowry, Tori Spelling, Reginald VelJohnson, Tammy Townsend, Jonathan Patrick Moore, Jason Rogel

Rated: PG

Watch The Mistle-Tones on Hulu

Description: This biographical comedy-drama based on Les Standiford’s 2008 book of the same name revolves around the prolific 19th century writer Charles Dickens, tracking the author through his process creating the renowned 1843 novella A Christmas Carol, a story that continues to stay vibrant and celebrated today in our contemporary annual holiday festivities. The film depicts Dickens’ struggles to come up with a successful story after the hit that was Oliver Twist, and how the eventual combination of real-life inspiration and an incredible imagination could lead to the breakthrough tale that would leaving a lasting impact.

Cast: Dan Stevens, Christopher Plummer, Jonathan Pryce, Simon Callow, Miriam Margolyes, Anna Murphy, Donald Sumpter, Morfydd Clark

Rated: PG

Watch The Man Who Invented Christmas on Hulu

Description: If you loved Freaky Friday, then you’ll have a ball watching this Christmas movie about two strangers working in the music industry who are forced to live each other’s lives after accidentally colliding at their local mall. Audrey and Julia will need to help each other successfully get through their daily lives, all while trying to change back into their own bodies before Christmas hits. The drama! The intrigue! The whimsy! What more could you want from a Christmas movie, folks?!

Cast: Jackie Seiden, Ashley Wood, Houston Rhines, John Patrick Jordan, Oana Gregory

Rated: NR

Watch A Christmas Switch on Hulu

Description: Looking for a more modern Christmas romance sprinkled in with a little bit of mysticism and magic? Well, this movie’s got you covered, and taking the term “ghosting” to new, literal heights when Jess dies whilst distractedly texting following the best first date of her life. Unable to pass over to the afterlife until her unfinished Earthly business is settled, Jess enlists the help of her very much alive best friend Kara to do what she’s got to do before the end of the holiday season, making for a heartfelt and bittersweet journey full of friendship, love, and live each day like it’s our last (and to be more careful when/where we’re texting).

Cast: Aisha Dee, Kimiko Glenn, Kendrick Sampson, Jazz Raycole, Missi Pyle, LisaGay Hamilton

Rated: TV-14

Watch Ghosting: The Spirit of Christmas on Hulu

Description: If all this ghost talk has got you in the mood for something even scarier this Christmas season, then look to this psychological horror-thriller that revolves around a Christmastime family vacation. Things are already off to a rocky start, as this retreat is more of a forced-bonding experience for Richard Hall’s two kids Aidan and Mia to get to know his new fiancé Grace Marshall, the lone survivor of an extremist Christian cult’s mass suicide. Then Richard suddenly has to go back to the city for work, leaving Grace and the kids, who already don’t like this apparent replacement for the deceased mom they love and miss dearly, to get snowed in at the family’s isolated Massachusetts lodge. Somehow, this bad situation gets worse as Grace’s culty past comes back to haunt her, putting her and the kids through a hellish holiday that will give your heart a good jolt this Christmas.

Cast: Riley Keough, Jaeden Martell, Lia McHugh, Richard Armitage, Alicia Silverstone

Rated: R

Watch The Lodge on Hulu

Description: RuPaul’s Drag Race former contestants and current stars Jinkx Monsoon and BenDeLaCreme are joining forces for this campy, delightful, and hilarious holiday hit of a special (which also exists as an in-person traveling stage show). You’ll be full of Christmas spirit and merry feelings watching this 67 minute romp full of singing, dancing, sentient eggnog, and plenty of amazing Drag Queens. Gather your fellow Drag Race fans and watch this special for a glorious, uproarious time.

Cast: Jinkx Monsoon, BenDeLaCreme, Varla Jean Merman

Rated: TV-14

Watch The Jinkx & Dela Holiday Special on Hulu

Description: Do you like yelling at your TV? Then this movie is our Christmas gift to you (also, it isn’t really a holiday movie if the characters aren’t making you yell or groan a few times throughout, right?). Abby Holland isn’t  a fan of Christmas due to the childhood trauma she associates with it, so her girlfriend Harper Caldwell thinks she could help Abby have a fun and festive holiday for once if they spend the holidays together back home with Harper’s family. Abby is thrilled—she finally gets to meet Harper’s family and hopes to be able to propose to her on Christmas day, around all Harper’s loved ones. All those plans go to Hell when it turns out Harper’s conservative family doesn’t know their daughter is gay, and Harper has Abby pretend to be her straight roommate to keep up the charade which, you know, is NOT COOL! So Harper and her family kind of suck and both Abby and Riley (Harper’s very cool ex) deserve better, but hey, it’s still a compelling watch with plenty of Christmasy content. Get your gang together to celebrate what the holidays are really about: yelling with people you care about. Now that’s what I called the happiest season!

Cast: Kristen Stewart, Mackenzie Davis, Alison Brie, Aubrey Plaza, Dan Levy, Mary Holland, Victor Garber, Mary Steenburgen, Ana Gasteyer

Rated: PG-13

Watch Happiest Season on Hulu