Best Christmas movies to watch on Netflix, Amazon, and Disney Plus right now

The Christmas season is here and it’s time for the annual celebration of all things Yuletide-themed, appropriately festive and streaming. Christmas is a holiday that’s inspired a wealth of enduring comedies about the value of family, community, love, and selflessness during the darkest and coldest time of the year. It’s also spawned no shortage of films that push at the boundaries of those well-worn tropes, twisting their holly-jolly exterior into cerebral and occasionally macabre stories that probe at the very darkness the holiday is meant to fend off.

In the spirit of the season and all its incarnations, we’ve pulled together a list of treasured classics and eclectic oddities for audiences to watch in the lead-up to Christmas. Like Santa’s big ’ol toy sack, there’s something here for everyone!

Are you looking for Christmas rom-coms to watch? We’ve got Christmas rom-coms. Are you looking for Christmas-themed superhero movies? You bet. Are you ready for Christmas terror? Yeah, we’ve got some of those too. These are some of the top Christmas movies you can watch at home, from underrated hits to timeless classics.

The Christmas Prince

Image by Netflix

If you’re looking for 100% confectionary fluff (and aren’t pumping Hallmark’s Christmas schedule directly into your veins), give this so-much-better-than-you-think-it’ll-be Netflix Original a whirl. AmberiZombie’s Rose McIver) is a journalist sent to the made-up land of Aldovia for the royal passing-of-the-torch to bad-boy bachelor Prince Richard (Ben Lamb). Amber is forced to go undercover inside the castle for the full scoop, and she does! Everything becomes romantic when the magic of Christmas is in full effect. —Matt Patches

The Christmas PrinceYou can stream it on Netflix.

Batman Returns

Warner Home Video

This is Batman ReturnsA superhero film set around Christmas or a dark Christmas movie with villains and heroes? In any case, Tim Burton’s 1992 follow-up to his original BatmanThis film is a great movie filled with amazing visuals and exciting action sequences. There was even an attempted murder. The final scene centered on kidnapped children, a boat shaped like a bat, and an army rocket-strapped kamikaze penguins. It’s also a story about two strange people who find comfort in each other’s strangeness, an orphan who grows up to seek revenge against the parents and society that shunned him, and a nefarious industrialist looking to make a quick buck at any cost. Though it may test the limits of what you might consider a “Christmas movie,” Batman ReturnsThis is an excellent film to watch during the holidays and for all ages. —Toussaint Égan

Batman ReturnsYou can stream the video on HBO Max. This item is also available digitally for rental and purchase Amazon, Apple TVGoogle Play and.

Be on the lookout

Image: Well Go USA

Be on the lookoutFeels like a 26-year-old reaction to the original You Are the Only One at Home. The latter is a family comedy film whose premise could’ve easily been played out like a home invasion horror movie, if not for the plucky Ferris Bueller-esque charisma of Macaulay Culkin and the dopey oafishness of Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern. Be on the lookoutInverting that dynamic is done by introducing innovative twists and turnings that transform the unsaid horror story in the aforementioned movie into something darker and more frightening. It is not a Christmas movie, but a psychological horror film that explores the possibility of Kevin McCallister’s behavior as a sign or manifestation of latent socialpathy. I won’t spoil it, but you can rest assured. Be on the lookoutThis holiday horror thriller is entertaining if you are up for the occasional gory moments. —TELECOMM ENGINEERING

Be on the lookoutIt is also available for streaming on Shudder and Peacock. You can also stream it for free on Tubi with the ads. VuduCrackle and, or free with a Kanopy or Hoopla library card.

Black Christmas

Image: Shout! Factory

If you’re looking for a straightforward, tinsel-lined horror movie, you can’t do better than Bob Clark’s Canadian slasher flick. (Sorry). Jack Frost, the serial-killer snowman movie — Black ChristmasIt’s just as good! Original release in the U.S.A. Silent Night, Evil NightThis low-budget horror movie is warm like a fireplace blown by cold winds. Clark uses shadows and lurking horrors to turn a sorority house into a something ripped from a Shirley Jackson paperback cover, and while the transgressions within don’t find too much inspiration in Christmas iconography, there is a “wrapping job” that will leave you gasping. —MP

Black ChristmasYou can stream it on PeacockFor free with a Kanopy librarycard or free with Tubi advertisements VuduCrackle.

Christmas in Connecticut

Warner Bros.

Barbara Stanwyck is one of the most influential movie stars in history. Christmas in Connecticut A charming Christmas romcom that showcases her charme and movie star charisma.

Stanwyck portrays Elizabeth Lane, who is a food journalist and claims to be writing about her Connecticut life. She lives on a farm in Connecticut with her husband. There’s just one problem: She’s made the whole thing up. Her publisher — completely unaware that Lane is actually single, lives in New York, and can’t cook — decides Lane should host a lavish Christmas dinner for a soldier returning from war (Dennis Morgan), who is also a big fan. This hilarious comedy is still a hit decades later.

If you’re looking for more Stanwyck excellence, you can’t go wrong with the all-time classic Double IndemnityHowever, her pre-code drama for crime is also my favorite. Night NurseCo-starring Clark Gable, the villain. These two movies are also available on Amazon and Apple. —Pete Volk

Christmas in Connecticut This stream is now available HBO Max. This item is also available digitally for rental and purchase Amazon, Apple TVGoogle Play and.

You Are the Only One at Home

Image: 20th Century Fox

Hopefully, I don’t have to tell you that You Are the Only One at HomeThis movie is very well made. I don’t have to talk about how well it captures a child’s-eye view of suburban life (being terrified of your house’s boiler for no reason), the number of immortal one-liners in it (“Keep the change, ya filthy animal”), the music (John Williams!Or the acting of Joe Pesci as the characters! Catherine O’Hara! JOHN CANDY

Somewhere inside this fusion of the writing talents of John Hughes and the directing prowess of Chris Columbus is a message about how sometimes parents act in boneheaded ways toward their children, but the best of them can find a way to reconnect and apologize — inside a beautiful box wrapped in crisp writing, comedic timing, and a reverse-heist plot line. —Susana Polo

You Are the Only One at Home You can stream it on Disney Plus. This item is also available digitally for rental and purchase Amazon, Apple TVGoogle Play and.

It’s a Wonderful Life

Universal Pictures

If you haven’t seen It’s a Wonderful Life or if it’s just been a while, then you might not know how the film, from intro to credits, is unapologetically weird and transgressive. That’s all. Christmas Carol-esque stuff in which an “angel” shows George Bailey (James Stewart) what his town would have looked like had he never existed is just a fraction of the film. It’s preceded by 30-years of Bailey’s life, punctuated by the Great Depression and World War II. What about that angel who helped Bailey? He and his “boss” are introduced as sentient cosmic dust. It’s a Christmas cobbler with bits from Rod Serling and Charles Dickens. Don’t let its reputation as sappy holiday detritus get in the way you enjoying of an exceptional film — Christmas or otherwise. —Chris Plante

It’s a Wonderful LifeYou can stream the video on Prime Video, For free when you post ads on Flex or with your Hoopla library card.

You can jingle all the way

Image by 20th Century Fox

What’s more Christmas-y than a story of a loving parent going to whatever lengths necessary to preserve their child’s happiness? ’80s action icon Arnold Schwarzenegger, in a patently bizarre turn of reverse typecasting, stars in You can jingle all the wayHoward Langston plays a father and mattress salesman. His workaholic lifestyle leads to him losing his family duties. Desperate to fulfill his son’s Christmas wish, Howard embarks on a search for a Turbo-Man action figure. Problem is: It’s Christmas Eve and they’re all but entirely sold out. His mission is complicated by Myron Sinbad, a fellow negligent father and postal worker who also shares his goal. You can jingle all the wayThis Christmas comedy focuses on Howard and Myron’s frustration and increasing stakes amid a string of holiday shoppers who are ruthless and an ending that is jetpack enabled. If that doesn’t scream “Christmas” to you, I don’t know what does. —TE

You can jingle all the wayThe stream is now available Starz. This item is also available digitally for rental and purchase Amazon, Apple TVGoogle Play and.

Mickey’s Christmas Carol

Image: Disney

You can watch only one version Christmas CarolWatch this season The Muppet Christmas Carol You can read more about that later. Two adaptations are available. Christmas Carol… you should probably watch the Patrick Stewart one, actually.

However, if THREE CHRISTMAS CAROLLS are being shown this season, please take some time and think. Mickey’s Christmas CarolThe film was directed and written by Burny Mattinson, a long-time Disney animator/writer. The tight 26-minute special gets a jump start by mining Disney’s history of anthropomorphic animal animation for character designs, making it a Kingdom Hearts-worthy mashup of works as disparate as Robin Hood, The Wind in Willows, PinocchioPlease see the following: The Aristocats. And though it may answer an obvious question — “What if Scrooge McDuck was literally his namesake?” — in an obvious way, the whole thing is surprisingly well done, thanks to rousing vocal performances, the vivacity of hand-drawn animation, and a willingness to actually get really scary in a way that the modern House of Mouse tends to eschew. —SP

Mickey’s Christmas Carol It is now available for streaming Disney Plus. This item is also available digitally for rental and purchase Amazon Apple TV.

The Muppet Christmas Carol

Image: Walt Disney Home Entertainment

I didn’t grow up with Christmas movies, but my partner did. Each Christmas Eve their families watches. The Muppet Christmas Carol, and it’s a delightful tradition that I feel blessed to be a part of now.

You know the deal — it’s a classic story, but with Muppets. This time, it’s Charles Dickens’ Christmas CarolWith generational talent Michael Caine playing Ebenezer Scrooge, and Kermit The Frog as Bob Crotchit.

It’s a delightful time filled with memorable songs, one-liner jokes, and the usual Muppet nonsense. But what really pulls the whole thing together is Caine’s moving performance as Scrooge. He treats this Muppet project like he’s performing Shakespeare at The Globe, and it brings an emotional center to what would otherwise be a very enjoyable Muppet romp. —PV

The Muppet Christmas Carol This stream is now available Disney Plus. This item is also available digitally for rental and purchase Amazon Apple TV.

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

Warner Home Video

It was the first time I’d ever seen. National Lampoon’s Christmas VacationIt was only a few years back that a close friend, who had been stunned at the news, forced me to watch it with her. I understand now why my friend was so shocked: It’s a hilarious comedy, so hilarious in fact that I’m surprised I hadn’t seen it sooner. Chevy Chase is pitch-perfect in the role of Clark Griswold, a salaryman and put-upon father at his wit’s end trying to pull off the perfect family Christmas celebration. As each of his carefully laid plans either hits a snag or utterly falls apart, so too does Clark’s disposition, transforming from a mild-mannered family man into a living powder keg of seething rage barely holding it together under a facade of holiday cheer. At least he’s got a Christmas bonus coming up, right? —TELECOMM ENGINEERING

National Lampoon’s Christmas VacationYou can stream the video on HBO Max. This item is also available digitally for rental and purchase Amazon, Apple TVGoogle Play and.

Christmas Nightmare

Image: Walt Disney Pictures

What Christmas film? Halloween movie? Split the difference: Tim Burton and stop-motion animator Henry Selick’s macabre holiday musical is the perfect Thanksgiving movie. It’s still fascinating to watch Jack Skellington trying to figure out how to keep his holiday spirit alive. There are many strange details in every frame. If you’ve seen this one too many times, fall down the YouTube rabbit hole of Danny Elfman performing the soundtrack live. —MP

Christmas NightmareYou can stream the video on Disney Plus. This item is also available digitally for rental and purchase Amazon, Apple TVGoogle Play and.

Santa Clause

Image: Walt Disney Pictures

Santa Clause is a classic Christmas comedy, one that offers a whimsical (albeit slightly macabre) answer for how ’ol Kris Kringle is such a perennial symbol of the holiday despite ostensibly being a bajillion years old. Tim Allen plays Scott Calvin, a father-daughter toy seller who is divorced. HighlanderInadvertently, Santa Claus is killed and Scott becomes the next in line for his position and responsibilities. Scott learns the meaning of Christmas from the person he is firsthand. He struggles to accept his identity and convince others. It’s heartwarming and hilarious in a way that’s stood the test of time and a feel-good Christmas movie for the whole family. And there’s a new show out, which we are dutifully watching to track the appearances of Bernard the Hot Elf. —MP

Santa ClauseAvailable to stream online Disney Plus. This item is also available digitally for rental and purchase Amazon, Apple TVGoogle Play and.

Christmas in White

Image by Paramount Pictures

Christmas in WhiteThe best and largest screen for your home is the one you have. The 1954 musical was shot in VistaVision by Michael Curtiz, the highest-resolution film of its time. This decision had a profound impact on the restoration of the movie, which is as vibrant with color as any action flick. An enormous TV enhances the traditional sets and intricate dance moves. Even though it is mono audio, nice headphones or speakers can elevate the songs belted out by Rosemary Clooney (and Bing Crosby) in the film. One huge point: This film eliminates the explicit racism in blackface of its predecessor. Holiday InnThis routine still features a whole show dedicated to the delights of a minstrel performance. You should be prepared to discuss the context with your children and to fend off any complaints from ghoulish family members. —CP

Christmas in WhiteAvailable to stream online Netflix. This item is also available digitally for rental and purchase Amazon, Apple TVGoogle Play and.