Wondering what to watch this Christmas Day? Dive into the holiday spirit with a collection of charming and uplifting Christmas movies. We’ve crafted a list just for you!
Today, we unveil our handpicked selection of the best Christmas films from the past decade, each crafted to fill your holiday with joy, laughter, and a sprinkle of playful mischief. So, grab a steaming mug of cocoa, snuggle under a cozy blanket, and get ready for a festive viewing experience!
9. A Boy Called Christmas (2021)
We begin with a captivating story that reveals the origins of Santa Claus. Follow young Nikolas on a whimsical journey to the North Pole as he searches for his missing father. This adventure is full of enchantment, mythical beings, and a lovable reindeer named Blitzen.
A delightful mix of excitement and humor, this film is ideal for audiences of all ages. Its endearing characters and festive charm are sure to warm your heart and enhance your holiday cheer.
2. The Christmas Chronicles (2018)
The Christmas Chronicles will fill your festive void with the adventures of siblings Kate and Teddy teaming up with Santa to save the holidays after accidentally destroying his sleigh. With Kurt Russell as the cool Santa, the film’s a mix of comedy, exciting adventure, and heartwarming moments.
It’s like a Christmas rollercoaster with awesome effects and a fresh take on the Santa story. Watch it for the laughs or festive feels; we won’t judge! Plus, if you end up liking it, there’s a 2020 sequel for you.
3. The Night Before (2015)
Despite being riddled with cliches, The Night Before is a hilarious Christmas comedy. It follows the lives of three buddies, played by Seth Rogen, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Anthony Mackie, on their epic quest to find the ultimate holiday bash, the Nutcracker Ball.
Just from the cast and that short sentence, you should be able to figure out what a mess this movie is. In a good way, of course. It’s a non-stop Christmas joyride that captures the spirit of friendship and the absurdity of the holiday season!
4. Klaus (2019)
Easily one of the most heartwarming animated gems of recent years that reinvents the origin story of Santa Claus. It all starts when a lazy postman is sent to a frozen town, where he befriends a mysterious toymaker named Klaus. Together, they start a tradition of delivering toys to little children. With beautiful, stylish animation, quirky humor, and a touching narrative, Klaus has become a Christmas staple for millions of people.
5. Better Watch Out (2016)
How about we change the scenery a bit and look at this twisted holiday thriller that turns the babysitter-in-peril trope on its head? When Ashley, the aforementioned babysitter, becomes the target of a home invasion, things take an unexpected and darkly comedic turn. The movie keeps you guessing with its clever twists and suspenseful moments. This unique mix of horror, comedy, and plot twists is wicked fun. It’s not your typical Xmas movie, but you’ll still love it.
6. Anna and the Apocalypse (2017)
Anna and the Apocalypse is a genre-blending musical set in a small town where a zombie apocalypse erupts during the holiday season. High schooler Anna and her friends must sing and slash their way through the hordes of undead to survive. It’s got killer tunes, hilarious dialogues, and, most importantly, it has a heart. It’s a unique, entertaining mash-up that’ll have you laughing, singing, and questioning why more zombie apocalypses don’t have dance numbers.
7. The Holdovers (2023)
The newest movie on this list is set in a New England boarding school during the 70s. This comedy-drama follows Paul, a reluctant teacher who looks after some students during the holidays. There are some funny moments, but it mostly focuses on the sad stories of two students who struggle with mental health issues and grief. It’s not a cheery-fun-woohoo Christmas movie, but it does explore some festive themes of friendship and new beginnings. It’s definitely worth watching, even if you’re not in a Christmas mood.
8. Violent Night (2022)
Unlike the previous entry, Violent Night is a wild ride! Imagine if Santa Claus turned into a ruthless butt-kicking hero and started breaking limbs and gouging eyes. This time, David Harbour’s playing Santa, and his mission changes from delivering presents to giving away free knuckle sandwiches to save the day. It’s an action-packed thriller with bits of blood and gore and a solid handful of Home Alone added for good measure – an absolute must-see!
9. Rise of the Guardians (2012)
To end this list, here’s one of the most underrated holiday flicks of the past decade – Rise of the Guardians. It’s an animated adventure featuring characters from legends and fairy tales, like the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy, who need to team up to save the world from the Big Evil. Our main protagonist, Jack Frost, is just a mischievous winter spirit when he joins the Guardians, but by the end of the story, the boy turns into something else. Awesome animation, great action, cool characters, and a heartwarming message about the spirit of Christmas – do you really need more than that?
