December 24, 2025 | 02:39 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - As the holiday season draws closer, there is no better way to welcome its warmth than by settling in with the best Christmas movies of all time. Beyond the twinkling lights and festive playlists, these films capture the spirit of nostalgia and joy that define the season.
While the options are endless, Bazaar and IMDb have curated a special list of the best Christmas movies to enjoy during the year-end holiday. From heartwarming classics to modern favorites, here are a few of the must-watch films.
Best Christmas Movies
1. Elf (2003)
Released to instant acclaim, Jon Favreau’s Elf is unabashedly joyful. Thanks largely to Will Ferrell’s fearless performance, Buddy’s trek from the North Pole to New York City becomes an affectionate reminder that Christmas spirit is often found where cynicism least expects it.
2. Home Alone (1990)
More than three decades on, Home Alone remains a holiday staple, its slapstick brilliance aging far better than it has any right to. Kevin McCallister’s accidental solo Christmas and ingenious war against two hapless burglars continues to prove that chaos, when perfectly timed, is timeless.
3. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
Among the best Christmas movies, Ron Howard’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas is unapologetically loud and theatrical, with Jim Carrey delivering a gloriously unrestrained performance. His sneering, scheming Grinch lurks above Whoville, plotting seasonal sabotage, only to discover that even the coldest hearts aren’t immune to Christmas spirit.
4. The Christmas Chronicles (2018)
What begins as a mischievous attempt to expose Santa quickly snowballs into a high-energy Christmas Eve adventure, led by siblings Kate and Teddy Pierce. Their accidental sleigh crash turns into a race against time to save the holiday, and their own standing on Santa’s notoriously unforgiving naughty list.
5. Jingle All the Way (1996)
Few holiday films embrace chaos quite like Jingle All the Way, where Arnold Schwarzenegger’s musclebound earnestness fuels every gag. The simple quest for a Turbo Man action figure exposes just how unhinged the holiday shopping frenzy can become.
6. A Christmas Story Christmas (2022)
There is an undeniable comfort in revisiting Ralphie’s world, even as the film shifts its focus from childhood longing to adult responsibility. In honoring his "Old Man," this sequel knows its audience and plays directly to it, balancing familiar callbacks with a sincere emotional arc.
7. Last Christmas (2019)
Carving out its place among the best Christmas movies, Last Christmas dresses romantic misdirection in tinsel and pop nostalgia, buoyed by Emilia Clarke’s disarming charm. Powered by George Michael’s music, the film leans into sentiment and surprise, proving that even flawed souls can find redemption under holiday lights.
8. The Holiday (2006)
The Holiday thrives on comfort and chemistry, pairing glossy escapism with just enough emotional honesty to keep it grounded. Its house-swap premise gently reminds us that love has a habit of showing up once we finally step out of our own routines.
9. A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas (2011)
A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas is loud, reckless, and deliberately offensive, just exactly the kind of seasonal chaos it sets out to be. The film wastes no time announcing its intentions, setting fire to Christmas sentiment along with Harold’s father-in-law’s prized tree.
10. Christmas with the Kranks (2004)
Christmas with the Kranks follows a couple who attempt to skip Christmas entirely, only to scramble back into holiday mode when their daughter unexpectedly returns home. Led by Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis, the film leans into broad comedy as their anti-Christmas plan unravels in increasingly chaotic ways.
11. Love Actually (2003)
Love Actually wears its sentiment openly, juggling multiple love stories across a wintry London with unabashed earnestness. What saves it from saccharine overload is its sharp humor, most memorably Bill Nighy’s gloriously unfiltered rock star, who steals the season outright.
12. Candy Cane Lane (2023)
Seasonal pageantry gives way to unchecked indulgence as a simple decorating contest spirals into supernatural bedlam. With Eddie Murphy at the helm, the madness feels deliberate, even when it borders on overwhelming.
Whether you are drawn to heartfelt classics or chaotic modern comedies, the best Christmas movies offer a festive escape that never goes out of season. Once the credits roll, keep the festive inspiration going by exploring the most magical Christmas towns in the US to truly bring the vibes to life.
Read: 10 Best Christmas Songs for 2025 Holiday Playlist
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