10 Christmas Movies to Stream This Holiday Season
Holiday movies are everywhere this time of year, which makes choosing what to watch both comforting and a little overwhelming. Some films feel like tradition, others feel fresh, yet all of them have a way of easing us into the festive weeks ahead.
If you’re looking for a simple list to guide your December nights, these ten holiday movie recommendations offer a mix of heart, humor, nostalgia, and pure seasonal fun.
Below are ten favorites, along with two new Christmas movies in 2025, in case you’d like something modern to close out the evening.
It’s a Wonderful Life
This timeless story of community, purpose, and second chances remains one of the most meaningful classic Christmas movies ever made.
Its quiet moments still land, and its emotional arc can warm a living room faster than any cup of cocoa.
It’s a Wonderful Life is streaming for free on Plex this year, making it an easy addition to any holiday movie lineup.
Miracle on 34th Street
The original black-and-white classic still carries a soft kind of magic. Its gentle belief in goodness has made it a seasonal staple for generations, and the department store scenes feel like we’re stepping into a snow globe.
Miracle on 34th Street is streaming on Amazon Prime, Disney+, Peacock, and Paramount+, giving viewers plenty of options to revisit the holiday classic.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
The 1966 animated version is short, sweet, and instantly recognizable. It moves quickly, but every moment matters, from the Grinch’s scheming to the quiet joy of Whoville.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas is streaming on Peacock, Amazon Prime, and Sling TV, so it’s pretty easy to queue up this year.
Die Hard
The debate’s still out on whether this should be considered a Christmas classic or a holiday-adjacent action film. Still, it’s become part of December movie nights for plenty of households.
Its brisk pace and sharp humor make it a fun counterbalance to the softer titles on this list.
Die Hard is streaming on Hulu, The Roku Channel, Sling TV, Peacock, fuboTV, and Amazon Prime, making it one of the easiest holiday favorites to track down this year.
Home Alone
Few movies capture childhood chaos and holiday energy quite like this one.
The traps, the soundtrack, the frantic airport scenes, and the happy final moments all add up to a film that still holds up every single year.
Home Alone is streaming on Hulu, Disney+, and Sling TV, giving you a few solid options to revisit the holiday classic.
The Holiday
This cozy, soft-lit romance blends cottage warmth with California sunshine. It’s the kind of movie that invites you to settle in with a blanket, a candle, and maybe a glass of wine.
The Holiday is streaming on Philo and Sling TV, so it’s simple to add this cozy favorite to your holiday watchlist.
Love Actually
With intersecting storylines and a cast of familiar faces, this movie has redefined modern holiday viewing for two decades.
Some moments are sweet, some are funny, and a few still sting a little, which is exactly what makes it perfectly human.
Love Actually is streaming on Peacock and Amazon Prime, making it easy to dive back into the holiday classic.
Elf
This one is pure joy from start to finish. It’s cheerful, quotable, and packed with enough holiday spirit to carry even the busiest week in December.
It also remains one of the top rewatched Christmas films of the past two decades.
Elf is streaming on HBO Max, so it’s an easy one to put on when you’re ready for some holiday cheer.
Champagne Problems
For something beyond the classics, there are two Netflix releases that offer a fresh take on holiday viewing without replacing your favorites.
Champagne Problems is a new seasonal rom-com built for couch watching. It has the cozy glow, city lights, and easy banter we expect from modern holiday releases without feeling too predictable.
Christmas Under the Northern Lights
Christmas Under the Northern Lights leans into snowy landscapes and soft romance, the kind of film you put on when you want something atmospheric and escapist.
It’s a fun new option to round out a night of classic favorites.
Both of these Netflix films are lighter, more contemporary, and perfect if you want a film that feels rooted in right now.
Why Holiday Movie Traditions Matter
Holiday movies help us slow down, bring people together, and create rituals that feel comforting, year after year.
Whether you lean toward lighthearted comedies, heartfelt classics, or snowy romances, a familiar film can help us set a merry tone for the days and weeks ahead.
The Best Christmas Movies to Watch This Year
A short, thoughtful list like this makes it easier to find something that fits your mood. Some nights call for old favorites. Others call for a new release or a low-stakes rom-com.
Whatever you choose from this lineup, we hope each film brings a little light, a little warmth, and a sleighful of joy to your Christmas season.
Did you find this information useful? Feel free to bookmark or to post to your timeline to share with your friends.