It’s the most wonderful time of the year—which means it’s finally time to watch all of our favourite Christmas movies.
To commemorate the festive season, we’ve rounded up 25 of the best, and most celebrated, holiday films of all time, collating a Christmas movie advent calendar to get you through the festive season.
From old classics to new favourites, see below for a new Christmas film to watch every single day of December.
December 1: A Christmas Carol (2009)
What better way to start off the festivities than with the modern retelling of Charles Dickensens’ classic 1843 story of the same name, starring Jim Carrey in a multitude of roles—including Ebenezer Scrooge and the three ghosts who haunt him. It’s a timeless tale of a spiteful old man who is encouraged, with a little help from the Christmas Spirit, to become a better person.
Watch it on Disney+ here
December 2: Last Holiday (2006)
When the usually shy Georgia—played by none other than Queen Latifah—learns she only has a week to live, she gathers her money, quits her job and flies to a fancy resort she’s always dreamed of visiting. The result? A Christmas movie that leaves you with the biggest smile on your face and a new attitude of living life to the fullest.
Watch it on Prime Video here
December 3: Four Christmases/Four Holidays (2008)
We can never turn down a Reese Witherspoon rom-com, and Four Christmases alongside Vince Vaughn is no different. In this easy-to-watch classic, Kate (Witherspoon) and Brad (Vaughn) struggle to visit all four of their divorced parents on Christmas, and of course, hilarity ensues.
Watch it on Prime Video here
December 4: The Princess Switch (2018)
The festive season wouldn’t be complete without filling it with cheesy rom-coms, and this lighthearted Netflix film is the perfect one to celebrate the Christmas season. It stars Vanessa Hudgens as both a baker (Stacy De Novo) and a soon-to-be princess (Lady Margaret Delacourt) who, after bumping into each other and realising they’re identical, switch places and pretend to be each other.
Watch it on Netflix here
December 5: The Family Stone (2005)
What better way to relate to your own family Christmas chaos than with that of Sarah Jessica Parker’s? This classic film follows the holiday misadventures of the Stone family, when their eldest son, played by Dermot Mulroney, brings his traditional girlfriend, played by Parker, home with the intention of proposing to her with a cherished family heirloom.
Watch it on Disney+ here
December 6: A Sunburnt Christmas (2020)
While most Christmas films transport us to winter wonderlands, an Australian Christmas looks a little different—often categorised by scorching temperatures and time by the pool. Stan’s Original film, A Sunburnt Christmas, offers up a heartfelt story about a single mum and her kids doing it tough on their outback farm. That’s until a runaway criminal dressed as Santa Claus crashes into their property and their lives.
Watch it on Stan here
December 7: A Cinderella Story: Christmas Wish (2019)
If you loved the versions of Cinderella Story starring Hilary Duff and Selena Gomez, you can add the newest instalment to your Christmas watch list. It follows an aspiring singer who is stalled on her path to success by her stepmother and two wicked stepsisters. When she starts working at a job to help her dreams come true, she starts to fall for the handsome new Santa—and you can imagine what might happen next.
Watch it on Prime Video here
December 8: Home Alone (1990)
Home Alone is an absolute must when it comes to festive films. While Kevin McCallister’s crazy adventure after being left home alone spawned multiple sequels, the original will always hold a special place in our hearts. There’s no surprises it’s often ranked among the best Christmas films of all time.
Watch it on Disney+ here
December 9: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)
It wouldn’t quite be Christmas without the Griswold family. Chevy Chase stars as Clark Griswold, who is planning for the perfect family Christmas until just about everything goes awry. The family’s hilarious adventure captures the highs and lows of the holiday season, ending with the Christmas cheer we all need.
Watch it on BINGE here
December 10: Happiest Season (2020)
Kristen Stewart and Mackenzie Davis join forces for a festive rom-com following a lesbian couple that returns home for the holidays. Stewart plays Abby, a woman who is set to propose to her girlfriend at Christmas, and Davis plays Stewart’s love interest, Harper, a woman with conservative parents who is yet to come out to her family. Directed by actress, director, and writer, Clea DuVall, the movie also stars Aubrey Plaza, Dan Levy, Burl Moseley, Mary Steenburgen, Victor Garber, Alison Brie, and co-writer Mary Holland.
Watch it on Prime Video here
December 11: The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Bored with the same old scare-and-scream routine, Pumpkin King Jack Skellington longs to spread the joy of Christmas. But his mission puts Santa in jeopardy and creates a nightmare for all. Don’t let the animation fool you, this movie is packed with incredible songs and a gripping tale, all bundled together with the magical world of Tim Burton.
Watch it on Disney+ here
December 12: Elf (2003)
Can you really celebrate Christmas if you haven’t seen Elf? Will Ferrell stars as Buddy the Elf, a human raised by elves in the North Pole who eventually moves to New York to find his real father. It’s hilarious, joyful and will have you feeling in the festive spirit in no time.
Watch it on BINGE here
December 13: The Holiday (2006)
While we know you’ve probably already watched The Holiday countless times, what’s one more ahead of the Christmas season? Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz star as two women who swap homes for two weeks before the holidays, with Winslet’s character ending up in Los Angeles while Diaz arrives at a cottage in Surrey, England. Both ladies find a romance, resulting in an unexpected holiday season.
Watch it on Prime Video here
December 14: A Christmas Prince (2017)
Christmas comes early for an aspiring young journalist when she’s sent abroad to get the scoop on a dashing prince who’s poised to be king. The result? An adorable, cheesy rom-com that’s sure to tug at your heartstrings.
Watch it on Netflix here
December 15: The Santa Clause (1994)
In the 1994 movie, Allen’s character Scott Calvin transforms into Santa after accidentally causing the real Saint Nick to fall off his roof. The classic comedy is a good, old-fashion Christmas film that’s going to make your holiday season feel just a little more magical.
Watch it on Disney+ here
December 16: The Knight Before Christmas (2019)
Somehow, Vanessa Hudgens has become our new favourite Christmas lead. In this Netflix film, a medieval knight is transported to the present day, where he falls for a high school science teacher who’s disillusioned by love. Cue the cheese!
Watch it on Netflix here
December 17: The Night Before (2015)
Expect the comedic genius we’ve come to expect from Seth Rogan in this Christmas comedy. For the last 10 years, lifelong buddies Ethan (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), Isaac (Rogen) and Chris (Anthony Mackie) have gathered on Christmas Eve to celebrate the holidays with a bang, but, as one prepares to become a first-time father, the friends quickly realise it might be time to end their annual tradition.
Watch it on BINGE here
December 18: Miracle On 34th Street (1994)
If you’re in the mood for something classically Christmas-themed then the 1990s version of Miracle On 34th Street might be the film for you. The film, which follows a little girl and her mother who must prove a shopping mall Santa Claus is the real deal, is based on the 1947 film of the same name. With young Mara Wilson in the role of Susan Walker and Richard Attenborough as Kris Kringle, it’s a classic for a reason.
Watch it on Disney here
December 19: Bad Santa (2003)
A dark comedy that will have you in stitches, Bad Santa chronicles the life of Willie—played by Billy Bob Thornton—who, instead of spreading Christmas cheer dressed up as Santa, tries to rob a mall alongside his elf partner Marcus. Their motive fails when the thief befriends an eight-year-old boy.
Watch it on BINGE here
December 20: Office Christmas Party (2009)
In a story that’s maybe a little too relatable for some, this hilarious Christmas comedy follows an office holiday party that gets out of hand. It features a star-studded cast, including Jason Bateman, Olivia Munn, Jennifer Aniston and Kate McKinnon.
Watch it on Netflix here
December 21: While You Were Sleeping (1995)
In the ’90s, rom-coms had the perfect formula and While You Were Sleeping is among the best ever made (in our opinion). Sandra Bullock plays transit worker Lucy, who rescues her lifelong crush who collapses on the train line. After he falls into a coma, she pretends to be his fiancé while falling for his brother.
Watch it on Disney+ here
December 22: A Bad Moms Christmas (2017)
With a trio like Kristen Bell, Mila Kunis and Kathryn Hahn, it’s hard not to be sucked into the hilarity of A Bad Moms Christmas. It’s a laugh-out-loud, often crude story of three under-appreciated and overburdened mums who rebel against the expectations their families hold on them for Christmas. As if that’s not bad enough, all three are surprised by a visit from their own mothers.
Watch it on Prime Video here
December 23: The Polar Express (2004)
Based on the 1985 children’s book of the same name by Chris Van Allsburg, The Polar Express follows a young boy who boards a train on Christmas Eve, embarking on an extraordinary journey to the North Pole to meet Santa. His life takes a turn after he encounters special people that make his journey memorable.
Watch it on Prime Video here
December 24: How The Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
The Grinch is a holiday staple that should be considered mandatory Christmas watching. Based on Dr Seuss’s 1957 book of the same name, it follows the story of Grinch, who lives on the outskirts of Whoville, with a revenge-seeking plan to ruin Christmas for all citizens.
Watch it on Prime Video here
December 25: Love Actually (2003)
Intertwining stories of love coupled with an epic performance of All I Want For Christmas Is You lands Love Actually as one of the top Christmas films of all time.
Watch it on Prime Video here
