Top 10 Favourite Christmas Films

Christmas has always been a source of inspiration to many artists, including those in the film industry. Over the years, filmmakers have created an array of Christmas movies and television specials, many of which have become beloved staples during the holiday season all over the world. 

 

One of the earliest examples of Christmas-themed films is Santa Claus (1898), a British short directed by George Albert Smith, featuring Santa visiting a house on Christmas Eve. As a trick film, it was groundbreaking at the time for showcasing the use of parallel action. In the United States, A Christmas Carol (1910), produced by Edison Studios based on Charles Dickens' 1843 novella of the same name, further highlighted the sentimental value of Christmas themes. It was not until the 1940s, however, that Christmas movies truly cemented their place in cinematic history. With the horrors of World War II, audiences needed to be reminded that there was still good in the world, and Christmas films emerged as heartfelt stories celebrating themes of family, kindness and faith. In the decades that followed, the genre evolved in tone and style. The advent of television brought in a wave of animated Christmas specials that became holiday standards, especially for children, while the end of the millennium saw the rise of the holiday blockbuster. In the past few years, the emergence of streaming devices caused a proliferation of Christmas movies, which have become more widely available.

 

If my count is correct, I have seen 59 Christmas films up to this point. They include Old Hollywood classics, well-known blockbusters, and, of course, a lot of Hallmark fluff. From those, I picked my top 10 favourites. My choices are perhaps somewhat eclectic — I would even venture to say that some would call them ridiculous — but I am happy with the movies that I have picked. It is important to note that this is my own personal opinion, which, of course, is limited to the films I have seen thus far.

 

10. Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story (2024)

As a fan of the Kansas City Chiefs and the Hallmark Channel, this film obviously piqued my interest when it was first announced. Hunter King stars as a lifelong Chiefs fan whose family is competing to win the team's «Fan of the Year» title, in a contest that is being judged by their new director of fan engagement, played by Tyler Hynes. In the canon of both Christmas and Hallmark movies, Holiday Touchdown will not go down as the finest entry in either category, but the writing is surprisingly good. By centering the plot around a sports family, it offers nice departure from the usual «big-city, career-driven woman falls in love with a small-town guy while facing a minor crisis» formula. The film wins extra points by being shot on location in Kansas City, including at Arrowhead Stadium, and having a real tie-in to the Chiefs fandom by featuring cameo appearances by Andy Reid, some of the players, and even Donna Kelce herself. The two leads are perfect for their roles, and the supporting cast truly enriches the overall product. While Holiday Touchdown is perhaps more catered to Chiefs fans, its themes of family traditions, sports culture and community will appeal to all audiences.

 

 

9. Snowed-Inn Christmas (2017)

In this bit of Lifetime fluff, Bethany Joy Lenz and Andrew Walker play two rival journalists who get stuck together at an inn in a small town called Santa Claus during the holiday season. With an «enemies to lovers» premise, Snowed-Inn Christmas adds nothing new to the genre, but still presents a thoroughly charming and engaging story, with a magical twist at the end (turns out the inn they are staying in might be owned by the actual Santa Claus). The dialogue is witty, with a level of sentimentality that is not overdone, and the natural chemistry and banter between the two leads makes their connection believable. Overall, Snowed-Inn Christmas is the perfect blend of heart and humour, with just the right amount of ridiculousness.

 

8. We Met In December (2025)

This Hallmark Channel rom-com features Autumn Reeser and Niall Matter as two people who meet in a hotel during the holiday season, fall in love, lose touch after failing to exchange phone numbers, and then embark on separate quests to find each other again. The concept of We Met in December has been explored a few times before — Serendipity (2001) pops to mind (side note: many people consider Serendipity a Christmas film, but I in particular do not, since the film is only bookended by the holiday season.) — and, being a Hallmark movie, it is entirely predictable. Even so, there is something magical about We Met in December, a kind of subtlety and gentleness that is captivating for beginning to end. There is no forced drama and no antagonists, just a simple story about two people longing for each other. Adding to it is the beautiful chemistry between the two leads, who make the romantic connection between their characters utterly believable.

 

7. The Shop Around the Corner (1940)

In this Ernst Lubitsch classic, James Stewart and Margaret Sullavan star as two employees at a leather-goods shop in Budapest who can barely stand each other, not realizing that they are falling in love as anonymous correspondents through their letters. The Shop Around the Corner is one of the sweetest films ever made. Although there is a strong sense of melancholy running through it, there is also a genuine warmth and charm that permeate through the story from beginning to end. The script is witty, funny, and devoid of overbearing sentimentality, Lubitsch's direction is outstanding, and the beautiful sets add to the quaintness of the film. Everyone in the cast delivers oustanding performances, especially James Stewart and Margaret Sullavan, who are a match made in heaven. Through their subtle yet touching portrayals of Alfred and Klara, they show us just how sad loneliness can be, and how important it is to find love and companionship.

 

 

6. Happiest Season (2020)

Directed and co-written by Clea DuVall, Happiest Season follows a young woman (Mackenzie Davis) who struggles to admit to her conservative parents that she is a lesbian, while she and her girlfriend (Kristen Stewart) visit them during Christmas. Whilst the film features most of the basic tropes of a holiday romantic comedy, it puts a spin on the genre by centering its plot on a queer couple. In doing so, Happiest Season offers an important message of inclusiveness, while also dealing with themes of self-acceptance and unconditional love that go beyond the LGBTQ+ community. Although some characters are slightly underdeveloped, the cast delivers strong performances, especially Kristen Stewart, whom I have been a fan of for years, and Dan Levy, who is always an absolute treat to watch. Whereas films of the same genre often depict highly improbable storylines, Happiest Season is believable and relatable, offering a fresh look on overused themes.

 

5. The Holiday (2006)

Directed by Nancy Meyers, The Holiday has Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz play two lovelorn women from opposite sides of the Atlantic Ocean, who arrange a home exchange to escape heartbreak during the Christmas season. Like most rom-coms, The Holiday is clichéd, predictable and perhaps overly sentimental at times, but the overall plot offers some genuinely touching and poignant moments, as well as some interesting reflections about the theme of self-discovery. Whatever flaws the film may have, they are overshadowed by an incredibly well-matched cast, and a kind of charm and whimsiness that are reminiscent of the romantic comedies made in the 1930s and 1940s. In short, The Holiday is one of the coziest films you will ever see, which makes it perfect to watch on a cold, wintry evening, preferably while sipping on a cup of your favourite hot beverage.

 

4. Home Alone (1990)

Directed by Chris Columbus, Home Alone stars Macaulay Culkin as an eight-year-old boy who must defend his home from from a pair of burglars, played by Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern, after his family accidentally leaves him behind on their Christmas vacation. Despite the highly implausible plot and the abundance of slapstick humour, which I am not usually a fan of, Home Alone is a perfect Christmas film. It keeps the pace without dragging, the sets are beautifully designed and create a magical holiday mood, and the acting is excellent — especially Macaulay Culkin, who has impeccable comedic timing. All in all, Home Alone is an absolute delight to watch, offering not only timeless entertainment, but also a heartwarming reminder of the value of family bonds. This is one of those films that will definitely trigger some feelings of nostalgia.

 

3. Three Wise Men and a Baby (2022)

Starring the «Holy Trinity» of Hallmark's leading men, Tyler Hynes, Andrew Walker and Paul Campbell, Three Wise Men and a Baby follows three somewhat estranged brothers who rebuild their relationship when they find themselves forced to care for a baby during the holidays. This is quite possibly my favourite Hallmark movie that I have seen so far. Even though the basic premise is not new — cue the classic Three Men and a Baby (1987) with Tom Selleck, Ted Danson and Steve Guttenberg — the script is really well written and it does not feel formulaic, unlike other films of the same genre. It is funny and heartfelt, and it also offers a great deal of nostalgia and introspection. The three males leads have amazing chemistry and they fit their characters perfectly. As far as I am concern, Three Wise Men and a Baby is an outstanding film.

 

2. It's a Wonderful Life (1946)

In this quintessential Christmas film directed by Frank Capra, James Stewart play George Bailey, a man who has given up his dreams to help others, and whose imminent suicide on Christmas Eve brings about the intervention of his guardian angel. This film is an absolute gem, and James Stewart's performance is unparalleled. His poignant portrayal of an everyman looking for himself teaches us that no matter how insignificant we may feel sometimes, we are all inextricably linked and play an important role in the fabric of each other's lives. It's a Wonderful Life will not only warm your heart, but it will also make you realize that life truly is wonderful.

 

1. Joyeux Noël (2005)

Directed by Christian Carion, Joyeux Noël is a fictionalized account of the 1914 Christmas truce, during which French, German and British soldiers ceased fire on the Western front of World War I and ventured into no-man's-land to exchange seasonal greetings, food and souvenirs. In the midst of horrific trench warfare, the film demonstrates the absurdity of war, while also offering a glimpse of humanity at its best. All sides are respected as humans, and the soldiers come to understand that they are all the same, establishing a sense of brotherhood that goes beyond ideological and religious differences. In such uncertain times as we are living in right now, the message of Joyeux Noël is one of hope; the things that unite us are stronger than the things that separate us.

 

And there you go. These are, as of right now, my top 10 favourite Christmas movies. Let me know which ones are your favourites, and I wish you all a happy and safe holiday season with all your loved ones.