The 17 Best Christmas Movies To Watch This Holiday Weekend

Relax, get comfy on the couch, and embrace the Yuletide season with these holiday films featuring George Bailey, Ebenezer Scrooge, Buddy the Elf, Ralphie Parker, the Muppets, Grinch, jolly old Saint Nick and more.

These gems are sure to spread holiday cheer — and, after all, you and your loved ones deserve a break after buying all those holiday gifts. Cheers!

“White Christmas” (1954) — Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye; directed by Michael Curtiz

Looking for a Christmas musical extravaganza? Michael Curtiz’s 1954 film hits all the right notes to bring a heartfelt razzle-dazzle, featuring a pair of talented song-and-dance singers and equally brilliant sister act. You’ll be singing and dancing in no time as the foursome brings Yuletide entertainment to rural Vermont to save an inn from financial woes.

“Meet Me in St. Louis” (1944) — Judy Garland, Margaret O’Brien; directed by Vincente Minnelli

Have you ever wondered about the origins of the popular song, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”? It was written by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane for Judy Garland to sing in the Vincente Minnelli musical “Meet Me in St. Louis.” In turn, the iconic Garland song made the movie a Christmas favorite for so many romantics who believe that love conquers all, regardless of time and place.

“How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” (1966) — Boris Karloff, Thurl Ravenscroft; directed by Chuck Jones and Ben Washam

The 1966 animated movie, based on the Dr. Seuss classic children’s book, is a perennial favorite. At the center of the story is the curmudgeon Grinch, who absolutely detests Christmas — so much so that he slithers down the chimney and steals the gifts and every last morsel of Christmas dinner from the residents of Whoville. However, much to the sourpuss’s surprise, the whole town celebrates the season together anyway. Having realized the true meaning of the holiday spirit, he returns the stolen gifts and joins everyone for the celebration.

"The Bells of St. Mary's" (1945) — Bing Crosby, Ingrid Bergman; directed by Leo McCarey

Leo McCarey's dramedy highlights the essence of benevolence in our lives through the eyes of two opposing characters, Father O'Malley and Sister Benedict, as they indulge in a friendly rivalry. Their disagreement? How to save the Roman Catholic inner-city school of St. Mary's Parish from being shut down. Their approaches might be different, but their intentions are the same in the spirit of giving.

"Miracle on 34th Street" (1947) — Edmund Gwenn, Maureen O'Hara; directed by George Seaton

An annual holiday favorite, George Seaton's "Miracle on 34th Street" is about a Macy's department store Santa named Kris Kringle who claims to be the real deal. This one will remind you what it was like to believe in old Saint Nick.

“It’s A Wonderful Life” (1946) — James Stewart, Donna Reed; directed by Frank Capra

A movie about self-compassion, this holiday classic reminds us that we must be kind to ourselves, as told through the story of George Bailey (James Stewart), a bank executive who has long considered himself a failure. As he faces financial ruin and arrest, an angel, Clarence Odbody (Henry Travers), descends from heaven to save George from his agony, jogging his memory of all his selfless acts of kindness done for the common good.

“The Muppet Christmas Carol” (1992) — Michael Caine, Dave Goelz; directed by Brian Henson

The Muppets’ take on the classic Dickens tale comes alive in this charming movie. It stars Michael Caine as the penny-pinching Ebenezer Scrooge, along with Kermit and Miss Piggy as the Cratchits. Oh — and Paul Williams’ songs will delight you, too.

"A Christmas Story" (1983) — Peter Billingsley, Melinda Dillon; directed by Bob Clark

This holiday classic follows the exploits of Ralphie Parker, a young boy in 1940s Midwestern America with his eye on a Red Ryder BB Gun for Christmas. It's a comedy that is nostalgic and hilariously witty.

"Elf" (2003) — Will Ferrell, James Caan; directed by Jon Favreau

"Elf" is the story of an orphaned human boy named Buddy who was raised as an elf at the North Pole. When Buddy (Will Ferrell) leaves for New York City to find his true family, equal parts chaos and Christmas cheer ensue. This holiday comedy is full of warmhearted cheer, and Ferrell's comic genius will delight the whole family.

“Love Actually” (2003) — Keira Knightley, Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson; directed by Richard Curtis

From Richard Curtis, the writer of “Four Weddings and a Funeral,” comes his first directorial debut, a comedy with eight interwoven tales about love, romance and life in London during the holidays. Can everyone find love on Christmas Eve?

"The Man Who Invented Christmas" (2017) — Dan Stevens, Christopher Plummer; directed by Bharat Nalluri

Ever wondered how the classic character Scrooge came about? It's October 1843 in Victorian London, and Charles Dickens is suffering from writer's block. After three failed novels in a row, the world-renowned English author desperately needs a bestseller. Intent on solving his financial woes, Dickens conjures up Ebenezer Scrooge (Christopher Plummer) and begins to toil day and night to create his timeless Yuletide novel, "A Christmas Carol."

This movie is filled with so much Yuletide magic that you'll almost feel the snowflakes brushing your cheeks as you watch it.

"The Nightmare Before Christmas" (1993) — Danny Elfman, Chris Sarandon; directed by Henry Selick

The King of Halloween Town, Jack Skellington, discovers Christmas Town in this dark classic and decides to celebrate the holiday. The movie is a stop-motion animated musical with visually stunning special effects.

“Arthur Christmas” (2011) — James McAvoy, Bill Nighy; directed by Sarah Smith and Barry Cook

Have you ever wondered how Santa delivers all those presents in one night? And did you know that Santa has two sons, the elder named Steve (Hugh Laurie), the younger named Arthur (James McAvoy)? Well, this animated Santa biopic tackles those yearning questions as it highlights Saint Nick’s Christmas operation in the North Pole.

"Die Hard" (1988) — Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman; directed by John McTiernan

Balance out the heartfelt holiday classics with this legendary Christmas thriller. Bruce Willis stars as NYPD officer John McClane, who tries to save his wife and her co-workers from German terrorists as they are taken hostage at the Nakatomi Plaza in Los Angeles. While not everyone agrees that this is your average Christmas movie, many argue that it is a holiday classic, given that the plot takes place on Christmas Eve.

"While You Were Sleeping" (1995) — Sandra Bullock, Bill Pullman; directed by John Turteltaub

In this offbeat romantic comedy set during a snowy Christmas in Chicago, Sandra Bullock stars as Lucy, a lonely toll collector who falls in love in the most unusual way. This holiday charmer will give you all the feels and remind you that family is what it's all about this time of year.

"Gremlins" (1984) — Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates; directed by Joe Dante

Perfect for those who don't crave your typical warm-and-fuzzy Christmas movies, "Gremlins" takes mischief to a new level and borders between comedy and horror. It's a story about a young man who gets a special gift from his father, a cute pet creature called a "mogwai." Before long, the mogwai spawns other malevolent creatures and tears up the town on Christmas Eve.

“Home Alone” (1990) — Macaulay Culkin, Catherine O’Hara, Joe Pesci; directed by Chris Columbus

Hoping for a Christmas romp that is great to watch all year round? Look no further than this 1990 instant classic, which made then-10-year-old Macaulay Culkin and his cuteness a household name. At the center of the story is Kevin, an 8-year-old boy who accidentally gets left behind when his harried extended family heads off for France over the holidays. Suddenly, the boy is home alone, waking up to an empty house. Will he be able to stop a pair of goons (Daniel Stern and Joe Pesci) from breaking into his family's home?