falling for christmas movies
Image: Scott Everett White/Netflix

Christmas movies: The best festive films and where to watch them

12 Nov 2024 | | By Luxury London

From terrestrial Christmas Day classics to a whole host of new movie releases across Sky, Netflix and Amazon Prime, here are the top yuletide streamers to get you in the festive spirit this season

Listen carefully. Can you hear it? Somewhere in the distance jingle bells are ringing and uplifting piano chords are rising to a crescendo. Miserly old men are learning the meaning of life and an early Noughties star is staging a career revival (welcome back Christina Milian). That’s right: it’s Christmas movies season.

There’s no shortage of classic Christmas movies to stream this festive season, with all the major platforms channelling major festive vibes from as early as November. But aside from all the usual must-sees (Home Alone, The Grinch, Elf, we’re looking at you), there are a whole host of newbies just waiting to be enjoyed with a hearty glass of eggnog in front of a roaring fire.

Gather the family for some must-see animation courtesy of Sky Cinema with The Night Before Christmas in Wonderland, a festive mash-up that fuses Alice in Wonderland and ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas; as well as Richard Curtis’ That Christmas on Netflix and An Almost Christmas Story, inspired by true events, on Disney+. The ladies will love The Merry Gentlemen, a festive-themed Magic Mike-style movie that will get everyone a little hot under the Christmas jumper, while Jack Black fans won’t be disappointed by his hilarious portrayal of Satan in Dear Santa on Paramount+. Add these movies to your annual Christmas watch list for that extra touch of magic.

Hot Frosty, Netflix

If you picture your snowmen all carrot-nosed and pebble-eyed, then think again. Because this ice-cold hunk has had a new season makeover. Just a couple of years after becoming a widow, Kathy, played by Lacey Chabert, magically brings a very debonair ice sculpture to life. Jack, played by Dustin Milligan, helps Kathy to both laugh and love again, as the two fall in love just in time for the big day – and before he’s doomed to melt. It’s love at frost sight, for sure (ho ho ho).

Streaming: Now

An Almost Christmas Story, Disney+

Inspired by the real-life baby owl that was unwittingly saved from the Rockefeller Center’s Christmas tree back in 2020, this short animated film is about an owl named Moon who makes friends with a lost girl called Luna. Together, they search for their parents across the Big Apple and devise a plan to escape the city. Voiced by Phil Rosenthal, Natasha Lyonne, Jim Gaffigan and Mamoudou Athie, it’s 20 minutes of magic.

Streaming: Now

Meet Me Next Christmas, Netflix

A heartwarming holiday rom-com starring Christina Milian, this new Christmas movie follows leading lady Layla as she pursues a fairy-tale romance that takes her all over New York City. Desperate to get her hands on a golden ticket to see the sold-out Pentatonix Christmas Eve Concert, where she is planning to rekindle a romance with old flame James (played by Kofi Siriboe), she’ll stop at nothing to make her ultimate Christmas wish come true.

Streaming: Now

Home Alone, Disney+

Christmas doesn't feel like Christmas until you've watched eight-year-old Kevin McAllister concoct a plan to catch two hopeless burglars while his family leaves the country for the holidays. Starring Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern, this festive classic is widely considered one of the best Christmas films of all time – and who are we to argue?

Streaming: Now

The Holiday, Prime Video

Another Christmas classic, The Holiday hit our screens in 2006 and luckily hasn't left since. Starring Jude Law, Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet and Jack Black, watch how Iris and Amanda switch homes for Christmas to escape their problems before finding love in their new town. Heartwarming and hilarious, there's a good reason why many of us rewatch this year after year...

Streaming: Now

Frozen, Disney+

If you haven't already heard enough of Frozen's Let It Go, then perhaps an extra dose of this Disney classic will get you in the Christmas spirit this year. When Snow Queen Elsa accidentally uses her power to cover her kingdom, Arandelle, in eternal snow, her younger sister Anna teams up with ice-man-turned-mountaineer Kristoff to demolish the wintry spell by climbing to the top of the kingdom's mountain. There's a lot of fun and adventure along the way, as they meet special characters including Olaf the snowman, Svenn the reindeer and Kristoff's family of rock trolls.

Streaming: Now

Love Actually, Now TV

BAFTA award-winning film Love Actually boasts one of the most star-studded casts ever, featuring Colin Firth, Hugh Grant, Alan Rickman, Emma Thompson, Bill Nighy and more. As the countdown to Christmas begins in the UK, the film follows the lives of eight very different couples who are, in fact, loosely intertwined with each other. Perhaps London is a small world after all...

Streaming: Now

Falling for Christmas, Netflix

For any millennials whose pre-teen Saturday nights were spent watching Mean Girls while sipping on Sunny D, Lindsay Lohan’s 2022 Netflix Christmas movie Falling for Christmas will give you all the nostalgic festive feels. Following the self-proclaimed spoilt daughter of a hotel magnate – whose one wish in life is to be known for more than her surname – we see the precocious Lohan take a tumble off a snow-capped mountain and wake up with a severe case of amnesia. Not knowing who she is, she begins a journey of self-discovery, surrounded by festive knits, twinkling trees, and some seriously enviable ski gear. Guaranteed to kick-start your reason-to-stay-in season, we think this festive film is totally fetch.

Streaming: Now

The Santa Clauses, Disney+

A spin-off miniseries picking up where the iconic 1994 movie The Santa Clause left off, this sequel sees Scott Calvin (still played by Tim Allen) back in his famous red pantsuit. But having ‘ho ho ho’ed’ for nearly 30 years, he realises that he can't be Santa forever. Now approaching his 65th birthday, and with a lot of elves, children, and family to please, Calvin sets out to find a suitably jolly replacement, while preparing his family for a new life south of the pole. Comprising six episodes, and following directly on from The Santa Clause 3, Elizabeth Mitchell, Eric Lloyd and David Krumholtz also reprise their roles. We’re sure the reindeer still know what to do…

Streaming: Now

Christmas With You, Netflix

This holiday heart warmer follows Angelina – a pop star with career burnout who, quite frankly, has no desire to jingle bell rock – as she escapes to a small town where she encounters a girl whose one holiday wish is to meet the star. Forced to stay longer than planned after a timely festive blizzard, Angelina (Aimee Garcia) forms a close bond with the young girl and her family, including her music teacher father (Freddie Prinze Jr). The result is a new-found joy for music, a revaluation of what’s important in life, and of course, a shot at romance with the Prinze (and yes, he’s still all that).

Streaming: Now

The Noel Diary, Netflix

Starring This is Us dreamboat Justin Hartley, this Netflix Original movie follows a flourishing young author as he returns home at Christmas time to settle his estranged mother's estate. Once there, he discovers a mysterious diary and meets a beautiful young woman whose own story seems to somehow intertwine with his. Together the strangers set out on a journey to discover their pasts – and, potentially, what the future may hold for them both. A true festive rom-com to get you in the yuletide spirit, don’t forget the hot chocolate and mince pies for that all-important holiday hygge.

Streaming: Now

Your Christmas or Mine?, Prime Video

It’s two days before Christmas and Hayley and James are at Marylebone train station, saying their goodbyes before parting ways and heading back to their respective sleepy hometowns. About to take their seats, they simultaneously decide to surprise each other and unwittingly cross in the station and swap trains by mistake. The whistle blows and the trains pull away, just as a blizzard takes hold, forcing each to spend Christmas with the other’s family. Starring Daniel Mays, Angela Griffin, Cora Kirk and Sex Education’s Asa Butterfield, this Christmas crowd-pleaser hits all the right festive notes.

Streaming: Now

This Christmas, Now TV

this christmas sky
Image: Sophie Mutevelian/Sky

Sky released its own original Christmas rom-com in December 2022 with This Christmas, starring Harry Potter’s Alfred Enoch and The Maze Runner's Kaya Scodelario. Set in the capital at the most wonderful time of the year, it follows protagonists Adam and Emma on their daily commute, where they see (but don’t speak to) the same passengers every day. One day Adam breaks the unspoken taboo and invites the entire carriage to hold their own Christmas party; and the rest, as they say, is festive magic. Also starring Timothy Spall, Jack Donoghue, Jeremy Irvine, Nadia Parkes and Clinton Liberty.

Streaming: Now

The Merry Gentlemen, Netflix

A steamy story about a sexy musical revue, this festive-themed Magic Mike-style movie is one the grown-ups will enjoy. Starring Britt Robertson and Chad Michael Murray, the goal is to save the Rhythm Room, Ashley’s parents’ small-town performing arts venue, all before 25 December. To do so, she decides to stage a hunky, festive cabaret, with the gorgeous Luke taking centre stage.

Streaming: 20 November 2024

Dear Santa, Paramount+

The hilarious Jack Black plays none other than Satan in this new family Christmas film. Centered around a boy who writes to Santa Claus, but crucially misspells his name, the result is the famed Tenacious D star turning up, ready to steal his soul. Also starring Keegan-Michael Key and Robert Timothy Smith, this is Jack Black as anyone but Santa. Give the devil his due…

Streaming: 25 November 2024

That Christmas, Netflix

Another brand-new animation made just for Netflix, this star-studded gem is based on Love Actually director Richard Curtis’ trilogy of children’s books. Weaving together a narrative based on several intertwining tales about love, family, friends, and loneliness, it highlights the complexity of emotions many feel around the holiday season – and how even someone like Santa can make mistakes. Directed by Simon Otto, the cast includes Bill Nighy, Guz Khan, Brian Cox, Fiona Shaw, Jodie Whittaker and Lolly Adefope.

Streaming: 4 December 2024

The Night Before Christmas in Wonderland, Sky Cinema

Gather the family for a classic dose of Christmas magic in this new feel-good festive mash-up. The animated movie is based on Carys Bexington’s bestselling book, which brings together Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland and Clement Clarke Moore’s poem ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas. Featuring several headline characters from both traditional tales, including St Nick, voiced by Gerard Butler, the Queen of Hearts, brought to life by Emilia Clarke, and Simone Ashley as Alice, you’ll be rooting for the A-team as they join forces to save the holidays.

Streaming: 13 December 2024

Carry-On, Netflix

When a mysterious traveller tries to blackmail a young airport security agent into letting a suspicious parcel slip through security and onto a Christmas Day flight, the officer, played by Taron Egerton, is forced to make some hard choices. As the mysterious Jason Bateman threatens “one bag for one life,” it’s a race against time to save lives – and Christmas.

Streaming: 13 December 2024

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