It’s the most wonderful time of the year: the time to stay indoors, curl up with a blanket, and watch cheesy Christmas movies on Netflix. There is something about the month of December that allows us permission to partake in things that bring joy. This includes all of the romantic and fun holiday movies the season has to offer.
No longer is holiday watching limited to Hallmark, either. The channel that once dominated the winter months now has some competition from streaming sites. And as always, Netflix has taken the lead, creating their own Christmas films, some of which have become instant classics (although not always for the right reasons). Netflix doesn’t just have original films. The site also has a wide selection of classic Christmas movies both old and new that are available to watch all year round.
We’ve rounded up a selection of the best Christmas movies on Netflix for your viewing pleasure. So grab your hot cocoa and fuzziest socks and get ready to get in the holiday spirit.
- This Page: Christmas Movie Classics On Netflix Page 2: Netflix Original Christmas Movies Page 3: Christmas Movies You May Have Missed On Netflix
How The Grinch Stole Christmas
In all its forms, How The Grinch Stole Christmas is a must watch Christmas movie. Everyone knows the heartwarming story about the green curmudgeon who comes to learn the true meaning of Christmas. How the Grinch Stole Christmas, now on Netflix, stars Jim Carrey and Gossip Girl’s Taylor Momsen as the adorable and improbably tall-haired Cindy Lou Who. Carrey chews scenery and generally menaces as the titular Grinch. The movie is worth watching for his performance and the over the top holiday set decorations and Who costumes alone. It’s also one of those movies that’s perfect to put on at a party to entertain guests of all ages.
White Christmas
White Christmas is a classic. The film stars Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye as talented performers who fall in love with two sisters played by Rosemary Clooney and Vera Ellen. The foursome find themselves at a Vermont inn for Christmas run by the guy’s old army general. However, the inn is in danger of closing because there’s no snow in the forecast and therefore no guests. The singers arrange a televised performance to hopefully bring in guests and help their friend. There are misunderstandings and matchmaking and seriously impressive song and dance numbers. They don’t make Hollywood musicals like this anymore.
It’s important to note that while White Christmas is available unedited on Netflix in 2018, it came out in 1954 when society’s views of what was acceptable were very different. The film features a song called, “I’d Rather See a Minstrel Show” looking back with fondness on shows where white actors would mock African Americans (sometimes in blackface). It’s the one low spot in an otherwise entertaining movie and a look at how (some) things have changed over time.
Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmas
There is nothing that gets you in the holiday spirit quite like Disney - and fortunately some of it’s on Netflix this Christmas. Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas is a set of three holiday related shorts featuring Disney characters and narrated by Kelsey Grammer. The first, ‘Donald Duck Stuck On Christmas’ features Huey, Dewey, and Louie learning the true meaning of Christmas after getting stuck in a Groundhog’s Day like scenario where it’s Christmas every day. ‘A Very Goofy Christmas’ shows Goofy trying to prove to his son Max that Santa is real. The final short is ‘Mickey and Minnie’s Gift of the Magi’. It’s based on the story of the same name by O. Henry and features the main mouse himself alongside Minnie. The shorts are cute and nostalgic and perfect for all ages.
Love Actually
When you look at some of the different storylines, Love Actually is actually not a great movie. There’s adultery, fat shaming, a woman who gets blamed for her own harassment, and a guy who confesses his love to his best friend’s new wife (we’re looking at you, Rick Grimes). Like life, Love Actually is a combination of good and bad. The movie shows how messy and complicated and heartbreaking and ultimately rewarding love can be. And there are plenty of charming moments from Liam Neeson bonding with his stepson played by Thomas Brodie-Sangster to Colin Firth learning Portuguese for Lúcia Moniz. Love Actually is one of those movies that can just be enjoyed for what it is, shortcomings and all.
Page 2 of 3: Netflix Original Christmas Movies
The Christmas Chronicles (Netflix Original)
The Christmas Chronicles is a new Netflix original movie for 2018. It’s about two siblings who want to catch Santa delivering presents on Christmas Eve. Except they can hardly stop fighting long enough to make a plan. What ensues is a surprisingly heartwarming and fun story as the kids are swept up in an adventure with Santa, played by Kurt Russell. His Santa likes driving fast and singing the blues and has quite the swagger. Of course, he also teaches the siblings to get along and helps them learn to love the holiday again after the death of their firefighter father. The end of the movie also features a delightful cameo. While The Christmas Chronicles might seem like a movie parents will put on for their kids, Netflix’s new holiday movie really does have something for everyone.
Read More: The Christmas Chronicles’ Ending & Awesome Surprise Cameo Explained
A Very Murray Christmas (Netflix Original)
A Very Murray Christmas is a 2015 Netflix Christmas musical directed by Sofia Coppola. Bill Murray stars as himself and is scheduled to host a Christmas special, but snowstorms in NYC have prevented the show’s guest stars from arriving. Stuck in his hotel, Murray mingles with the other guests complete with impromptu singalongs. The cast is a who’s who of actors, comedians, and singers including Amy Poehler, Paul Shaffer, Chris Rock, Michael Cera, Rashida Jones, Jason Schwartzman, Maya Rudolph, Jenny Lewis, the band Phoenix, Miley Cyrus, and George Clooney. It’s funny and charming, with great musical performances and Murray infusing his trademark dry humor with a hint of Christmas cheer.
The Holiday Calendar (Netflix Original)
The Holiday Calendar is a new Netflix Original Christmas movie for 2018 and is notable for being one of the few holiday films featuring people of color. Vampire Diaries actress Kat Graham plays the lead, Abby, a small town photographer with big dreams. She’s gifted a magical Advent Calendar by her grandfather, This Is Us actor Ron Cephas Jones, which gives her hints of a Christmas themed item that will play a part in her day. The calendar seems to lead her to the charming Ty (Ethan Peck), but could it really pointing to her goofy childhood friend Josh (Quincy Brown) afterall?
A Christmas Prince (Netflix Original)
A Christmas Prince is the Netflix Original that feels the most like a Hallmark Christmas movie - and that’s a compliment. It’s completely silly, has a questionable view of what journalism actually is, and checks off almost every trope imaginable (dead parent, mistaken identity, a big reveal at a ball) and yet still manages to be a good (or so bad it’s good) movie. It was so popular Netflix even released a sequel, A Christmas Prince 2: The Royal Wedding. Just admit it, you’ve already seen this movie, maybe even more than once.
The Princess Switch (Netflix Original)
The Princess Switch is another Netflix Original Christmas outing full of cheesy goodness. Vanessa Hudgens plays Stacy, a Chicago baker who enters a baking contest in the fictional Belgravia. While there, she runs into Lady Margaret Delacourt, also played by Vanessa Hudgens, who is engaged to the prince and happens to look just like her. The two women switch places to see how the other lives and of course fall in love: Lady Margaret with Stacy’s best friend Kevin (Nick Sagar) and Stacy with Prince Edward (Sam Palladio). The movie also features a sassy but not annoying young girl and a wise old man who just happens to be everywhere. It’s enjoyable watching Hudgens playing both roles and then both roles pretending to be each other- complete with a British-ish accent.
Read More: Netflix’s Original Christmas Movies, Ranked Worst To Best
Page 3 of 3: Christmas Movies You May Have Missed On Netflix
A Holiday Engagement
Technically A Holiday Engagement is a Thanksgiving movie because it takes place over Thanksgiving weekend, but the characters engage in Christmas related activities such as decorating and singing carols so it counts. Hillary (Bonnie Somerville) is a journalist who just lost her job and her fiancé right before she was going to bring him home for the holidays. Rather than disappointing her family, she hires a struggling actor (Jordan Bridges) to play her beau. Has this concept been done countless times before? Yes. Will their fake love turn real? Also yes. But these actors have such genuine chemistry that you will find yourself surprised by how much you actually want to see them together.
The Spirit of Christmas
Nothing says Christmas quiet like a ghost. No The Spirit of Christmas is not an updated version of A Christmas Carol, but something all its own that must be seen to be believed. In this movie Daniel (Thomas Beaudoin) is a ghost who gains a human form every year for 12 days before Christmas. (Yes it has something to do with the song.) Like any logical ghost he uses this time to mope around the inn he used to own scaring away any guests. Enter Kate (Jen Lilley). She’s a big city lawyer who is trying to sell the inn, but no one wants to buy it because it’s haunted. Naturally, the two form a connection and embark on a mission to figure out why Daniel hasn’t crossed over. They also manage to throw a rockin’ Christmas party. And of course, because this is a Christmas movie Kate and the ghost fall in love despite the fact that Daniel won’t have a body by New Year’s. Admittedly the plot makes little sense, but The Spirit of Christmas is exactly the kind of ridiculous movie that’s a perfect Netflix watch for this time of year.
Fireplace For Your Home
There is nothing better than a roaring fireplace during the cold winter months. And when you can’t have the real thing Netflix has the next best option. Fireplace For Your Home comes with three episode options, the first, “Crackling Yule Log Fireplace”, is the most festive. It’s 60 minutes of a crackling fire along with instrumental holiday songs such as “Joy to the World” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”. There is also a version without any music if you would prefer to choose your own. While not a movie per say, Fireplace For Your Home is the perfect way to set the atmosphere for any holiday activities.
