Don’t roll your eyes, I’m not going to list all of the Christmas films! Mostly because I’ve not watched them all, there are quite a few on my watchlist to be honest. Not including this year’s releases.

Before the end of the year is out, here are my favourites in no particular order:

1 Planes, Trains and Automobiles

This is not technically a Christmas film but a thanksgiving film. The British don’t celebrate thanksgiving though so I’m guessing most of us watch it at Christmas. I think we discovered it on TV during the festive season decades ago. My family have been watching it every festive season since I was a teenager. Who doesn’t like a John Candy film!

2 The Christmas Chronicles

Another Christmas story tinged with sadness, do all of the best ones have a hint of sadness I wonder? I may have watched it for the first time during the same year as Klaus and again instantly fell in love with it. I love the sequel too.

3 Elf

I think Elf is hilarious comedy (I was going to say modern, but it is actually 20 years old!), so many memes! It is silly, fun and comedically over dramatic.

4 Home Alone

The timeless classic! The second film is quite a good watch too. An easy watch great for the whole family containing a lot of laughs. The past few years we have watched it during Christmas Eve to Boxing Day.

5 The Grinch

I’ve only been watching this the past couple of years, the animated version might I add. I find it quirky, funny and lighthearted.

6 Klaus

I watched this for the first time three or four years ago, I was surprised just how much I enjoyed it! It became an instant favourite. It has a lovely heartwarming story. I find myself putting this film on during the year, especially if I’m feeling a bit down and sad.

7 National Lampoons Christmas Vacation

My Dad and I watch it every year! We find it hilarious and laugh at all the same scenes every year! We quote it during the year too, always a good indication of a great film when you quote it.

8 Muppets Christmas Carol

This is possibly my all time favourite Christmas film, it’s been a tradition to watch it every year since my teenage years. The Muppets enhance the Charles Dickens classic Christmas story.

9 Deck The Halls

I first watched this between 2016 to 2018. I love a film starring Danny DeVito! This is a silly film with funny moments. They’re cringeworthy awkward moments which I struggle with in films but still an entertaining lighthearted watch.

10 It’s A Wonderful Life

A film from 1947, a few weeks ago was the first time I have watched it all the way through without falling asleep (a habit of mine, that wasn’t supposed to be a criticism of the film). Another heartwarming film, teaching us all to appreciate what we have in life. For a vintage film it has great storytelling, with the camera angles and script. They don’t make films like this anymore. This immediately became a favourite.

After the top ten, here are a few extras!

Jingle All the Way

Another 90s Christmas film I watched with my Dad! We love a comedy film. This one is a bit ridiculous but sweet. I can’t watch it without thinking of a young Anakin Skywalker though.

Christmas Tree Miracle

This is a less known film I found on Netflix or Prime around the same time as Deck the Halls. It a a lovely heartwarming film, albeit a bit of a slow start. It has a unique feel to it, and an original story.

Jack Frost

I remember watching this with my Dad when I was a child, I think maybe at the cinema. I didn’t watch it again for almost two decades then watched it last year. It is a very sweet film, tinged with sadness though not quite my favourite.

The Nightmare Before Christmas

Another classic! Is it a Halloween film or is it a Christmas film?

Non Christmas films you can watch at Christmas:

Just Visiting

This sort of film category you will need to insert your family’s favourite films, we tend to watch Just Visiting with family.

Uncle Buck

There is snow in the film! It has a heartwarming story, provides comedy moments and happy ending. That makes it Christmas like.

Maid in Manhattan

The ending shows a Christmas tree at least. This is a fun rom com, with New York magic. It is an inspiring story of the American dream, although an unlikely love story.

All images are screenshots from Netflix, Disney or Prime and are posted in the context of a review.

This year I noticed that there have been so many Christmas films released over the years, especially the past five or ten years on the streaming platforms. There are probably too many Christmas films now, especially good Christmas films. Although if they stop releasing new ones then new treasures won’t be found.

Seasons greetings,

Amy