Hulu has a lot of great Christmas movies, but it can be time-consuming to sift through them all. Originally, there were only ABC specials and the Hallmark Channel movies; now there are plenty of ways to watch all of the movies the holiday season has to offer. The best part is, with so many different options, there’s something for everyone.
Netflix started making their own Christmas movies, while Hulu has focused on providing users with a variety of different genres, including holiday TV specials and holiday-themed thrillers. They also have many of the ABC Family (now Freeform) movies from the early 2000s.
Christmas movies are enjoyable because of their predictability; there’s always a happy ending. The main characters realize that love was right in front of them all along and the kids learn the true meaning of the season. They are the kind of movies that allow audiences to escape for a little while and believe in the possibility of magic that always comes with this time of year. And here are the best Christmas movies available to stream on Hulu.
Miracle on 34th Street (1994)
Miracle on 34th Street has been adapted a number of times for both stage and screen, and it’s easy to see why. The film tells a touching story about a young girl and her mother learning to believe again. While the original 1947 film is a classic, this remake succeeds due to the cast, lead by the late Richard Attenborough. He plays Kris Kringle with such a joyful spirit and a twinkle in his eye that it’s hard to believe he’s not the real thing. Mara Wilson is the perfect skeptical, but precocious child - traits which would go on to make her a wonderful Matilda. Miracle on 34th Street is just one of those movies families tend to watch every year, without it ever getting old.
Serendipity
When two people reach for the same pair of gloves while Christmas shopping, it seems to be fate. But Jonathan (John Cusack) and Sara (Kate Beckinsale) are both already in relationships. This doesn’t stop their mutual attraction or desire to tempt fate. Sara writes her phone number on the inside of a book she plans to sell and Jonathan on a $5 bill with the idea that, if they find the items again, then they are meant to be together. Serendipity isn’t just a Christmas movie either, it’s the perfect movie to watch all winter (or year) long, with its ice skating and snow-drenched scenes.
Happy Christmas
Happy Christmas is not a typical “Christmas movie.” It’s not a romantic comedy, and it’s certainly not trying to sell viewers on the magic of the season. Instead, it’s a real look at a directionless 20-something named Jenny (Anna Kendrick) and what happens when she moves in with her brother, Jeff (director Joe Swanberg), his wife (Melanie Lynskey), and their 2-year-old son (played by Swanberg’s actual son, Jude). Swanberg’s films are loosely scripted, making audiences feel like they’re watching home movies rather than a Hollywood film. The characters are messy, and they deal with relatable problems, such as growing up and balancing motherhood, as well as the pursuit of creative endeavors. If people are looking for something a little different this holiday season, then Happy Christmas is it.
It’s Christmas Time Again, Charlie Brown
Charlie Brown is a character for all seasons. So while this isn’t quite the classic A Charlie Brown Christmas, the special It’s Christmas Time Again, Charlie Brown still a good way to get in the holiday spirit. It features a number of storylines taken directly from the Peanuts comics including, Charlie Brown selling wreaths and Snoopy dressing as Santa. Holiday specials like this are a great way to get younger kids into slightly older cartoons, and to make adults feel like children again.
Page 2 of 2: More of the Best Hulu Christmas Movies
Snow
Snow is a family friendly film starring The Flash’s Tom Cavanagh and How I Met Your Mother’s Ashley Williams. Cavanagh plays Nick Snowden, Santa’s son who is training to take over the family business. However, things aren’t going so well. A big game hunter has kidnapped one of the flying reindeer and it is up to Nick to travel to California and get him back. While on his journey, he meets - and naturally falls in love with - Sandy (Williams), who doesn’t know his true identity. Will things work out for the two of them in time to save Christmas? Safe to say the answer is yes, since the film also has a sequel, Snow 2: Brain Freeze.
12 Dates of Christmas
Kate (Amy Smart) hits her head in a department store and ends up repeating the same day over and over again. At first, she uses the chance to try to get back together with her ex-boyfriend, but slowly learns that maybe there’s another reason she can’t break free, which might have something to do with her rejected blind date, Miles (Mark-Paul Gosselaar). Along the way, Kate manages to not only fix her own love life, but help those around her find happiness as well. The charming leads and goofy repeating plotline makes The 12 Dates of Christmas instantly watchable.
Holly’s Holiday
Holly’s Holiday has the kind of ridiculous plot that Christmas movies are made for. Advertisement executive Holly (Claire Coffee) likes the look of a mannequin in a Christmas display, because he looks like the kind of person she’s always wanted to date. When she falls and hits her head, she’s shocked to find that the mannequin has come to life. He’s the man of her dreams - or is he? What keeps this movie from going totally off the rails is Agents of SHIELD’s Jeff Ward as Holly’s laid back and sweet co-worker Milo, who just might be the very real guy she needs.
Season’s Streamings: Puppies Crashing Christmas
Forget the yule log, for the holidays Hulu has created “holiday scenics.” These videos have holiday visuals and sounds perfect for getting that holiday feeling. There’s one of a snowman melting and one of a gingerbread house, but the best one by far features puppies. Several puppies are unleashed in a beautifully decorated room; they go crazy ripping boxes, fighting over ribbons, and licking Santa statues. It’s adorable, and the best part? Streaming the scenics benefits the American Library Association, so Hulu users can watch the puppies for a good cause.
Bonus: Rugrats Chanukah
Regrettably, there aren’t very many movies about Hanukkah (or any non-Christmas winter holidays). Therefore, the Rugrats’ “Chanukah” episode is notable not only because it exists, but also because it’s a terrific episode in and of itself. It manages to give the history of the holiday, incorporate Hannukah traditions (like making latkes), and still tell the story through the children’s eyes - all in 24 minutes. The writing is funny and includes great references for Jewish and non-Jewish viewers alike. In season 8, Rugrats also had a Kwanzaa special. It’s always nice to see different holidays represented during this time of year.
