The 15 Best Christmas Movies in 2021 And How to Watch Them

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Quick Guide: The 15 Best Christmas Movies And Where to Stream Them

Everyone loves popping some popcorn and snuggling up with those they love for a great Christmas movie. Whether you’re into romantic comedies, action, or family films, there are some heartwarming classics that you can catch this holiday season.

Our top 15 Christmas classics are:

  1. Love Actually – Netflix or Amazon Prime
  2. How the Grinch Stole Christmas – Netflix or Amazon Prime
  3. Home Alone – Disney+
  4. Harry Potter – Amazon Prime or Peacock TV
  5. Polar Express – Netflix
  6. Elf – Netflix
  7. The Nightmare Before Christmas – Disney+
  8. A Christmas Story – Amazon Prime
  9. The Holiday – Netflix or Amazon Prime
  10. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation – AMC+ from Amazon
  11. The Muppet Christmas Carol – Disney + and Amazon Prime
  12. Miracle On 34th Street – Amazon Prime, Hulu, HBO Max
  13. Die Hard – Disney+
  14. A Charlie Brown Christmas – Amazon Prime, Apple TV
  15. Scrooged – Amazon Prime

Are you abroad and unable to access your normal streaming apps? Or have you already seen everything and would you like to get access to movies from around the globe? You can do that with a VPN.

In the article below, we’ll tell you about the movies and where you can stream them tonight.

What could be better than enjoying a magical Christmas classic on TV while enjoying breakfast, or sitting down after dinner with just the Christmas tree lighting the room? Christmas films contain heartfelt undertones, some romance, a bit of cheer, and usually invoke feelings of joy and happiness. In fact, for many people, the movies they watch in the month of December tend to stick with them in specific ways.

The feeling is often so different that no other genre can match it. In many households, watching Christmas movies is a tradition of sorts. Family members and friends flock around the television screen, watching their favorite flicks. Many of these films are often passed down from one generation to another. Naturally, this makes it quite difficult to create a list of the best Christmas movies.

Because it’s such a personal choice, even the most famous critics are likely to find it difficult to separate films that bring them personal joy from those that are objectively amazing. And, at the end of 2021, we need some merriment more than ever before. So, if you want to get into the spirit of Christmas and are looking for some classic Christmas films, we have tried our best to compile a list of some of the best movies out there.

So, nestle into your favorite chair, light up the fireplace, put on your favorite Christmas sweater, and start binging on some of these all-time greatest Christmas movies in 2021.

The 15 Best Christmas Movies You Can Stream Right Now

Below are 15 can’t miss Christmas classics and where to stream them this holiday season. We think your new Christmas favorite is among them!


1. Love Actually

Screenshot of Love Actually movie

For the romantics looking for a great Christmas movie to snuggle up with, Love Actually is a great option. This movie from 2003 follows the lives of eight extremely different couples in London, England as they deal with their relationships during the month before Christmas. A wonderful film to swoon over for the tenth time, especially since the roles are filled by some of the best actors, from Liam Neeson to Emma Thompson.

SpecificationDetails
Genre:Romantic Comedy
Notable Cast:Colin Firth, Emma Thompson, Liam Neeson, Martin Freeman, Keira Knightley, and Hugh Grant
Recommended Audience:Romantics at heart
Where to Watch:Netflix or Amazon Prime

2. How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Screenshot of How the Grinch Stole Christmas movie
How the Grinch Stole Christmas is a fantasy comedy film from 2000 for the whole family. The film is based on a Dr. Seuss children’s book, but with a heartwarming, yet hysterical twist. With Jim Carrey adding his over-the-top comedic performance to the role of the Grinch, it is sure to be a family favorite. Are you ready to fall in love with the green creature who hates Christmas and his faithful dog Max?

SpecificationDetails
Genre:Comedy
Notable Cast:Jim Carrey, Jeffrey Tambor, Christine Baranski, Bill Irwin, Molly Shannon
Recommended Audience:Families and kids of all ages
Where to Watch:Netflix or Amazon Prime

3. Home Alone

Screenshot of Home Alone movie

This comedy from 1990 is pure nostalgia for most adults and still just as much fun for the new generations. In this film, Kevin, played by Macaulay Culkin, is forgotten at home by his family in the hysterics of rushing off to Paris for the holidays. While leaving an 8-year-old home alone is scary enough, the story takes a turn when Kevin has to take on two not-so-bright burglars as he protects his home. Don’t worry though, this slapstick comedy is more laughable than heart-pounding.

Want more family-friendly antics? Then Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, Home Alone 3, and Home Alone 4: Taking back the House are all available on Disney+.

SpecificationDetails
Genre:Comedy
Notable Cast:Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, John Heard, Catherine O’Hara
Recommended Audience:Comedy lovers of all ages – *some cartoon violence and profanity.
Where to Watch:Disney+

4. Harry Potter

Screenshot of Harry Potter movie
Ok, this one isn’t directly about Christmas, but there’s always a festive Christmas scene or two in this series of films. And besides, it’s Harry Potter! Who doesn’t love watching these magical films during the holidays?

This wonderful marathon of movies is an adaptation of the book series by J.K. Rowling. The films follow the story of Harry Potter and his friends as they attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Watch all the movies from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001) to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011) this winter on Amazon Prime or Peacock TV (for a limited time).

SpecificationDetails
Genre:Fantasy
Notable Cast:Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson
Recommended Audience:Anyone who loves magic
Where to Watch:Amazon Prime or Peacock TV

5. Polar Express

Screenshot of Polar Express movie
Polar Express is an enchanting animated film from 2003 that is perfect for the whole family. The tale follows a boy who hears the sound of a train from his bed on Christmas Eve. When he goes to look outside, there is the Polar Express, a magical train destined for the North Pole. This is an exciting adventure that teaches us all about friendship, bravery, and the true spirit of Christmas.

SpecificationDetails
Genre:Animation
Notable Cast:Tom Hanks, Daryl Sabara, Nona Gaye, Jimmy Bennett, Eddie Deezen
Recommended Audience:The child in all of us
Where to Watch::Netflix

6. Elf

Screenshot of Elf movie
Elf has become a real Christmas classic. This comedy from 2003 follows a man named Buddy, played by Will Ferrel, who is taken to the North Pole as a baby and raised as an elf. When Buddy finds out that he is actually a human being, a comedic adventure in New York ensues.

SpecificationDetails
Genre:Comedy
Notable Cast:Will Ferrell, Bob Newhart, Ed Asner, James Caan, Zooey Deschanel, Mary Steenburgen
Recommended Audience:Humans and elves alike
Where to Watch:Netflix

7. The Nightmare Before Christmas

Screenshot of Nightmare before Christmas movie
The Nightmare Before Christmas is a stop-motion animation by the famous director Tim Burton. The film follows the story of Jack Skellington from Halloween Town, which is populated by other magical monsters associated with this holiday. However, Jack Skellington is tired of Halloween and wants to experience the holiday cheer by moving to Christmas Town. This movie is full of songs that are fun for the whole family and is a wonderfully animated classic.

SpecificationDetails
Genre:Stop-motion fantasy animation
Notable Cast:Danny Elfman, Chris Sarandon, Catherine O’Hara, William Hickey, Glenn Shadix
Recommended Audience:Families – parental guidance is recommended due to some scarier scenes in the movie
Where to Watch:Disney+

8. A Christmas Story

Screenshot of A Christmas Story movie
This 1983 Christmas comedy follows a young boy named Ralphie in the 1940s as he attempts to convince his parents and Santa that he’s ready for a Red Ryder BB gun. It’s a heartwarming classic that perfectly encapsulates the joys of this wonderful holiday.

SpecificationDetails
Genre:Comedy
Notable Cast:Peter Billingsley, Melinda Dillon, Darren McGavin
Recommended Audience:For all ages *some profanity
Where to Watch:Amazon Prime

9. The Holiday

Screenshot of The Holiday movie
In this romantic comedy, two women swap homes and live for two weeks at Christmas time in each others’ houses. Cameron Diaz plays an American woman who wants to escape her busy life and Kate Winslet plays a British woman who is hopelessly in love with the wrong man. But when they get to their home away from home, the ladies find that love isn’t always easy to get away from. So swoon away with Christmas wreaths and champagne!

SpecificationDetails
Genre:Romantic Comedy
Notable Cast:Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, Jack Black
Recommended Audience:Romantics at heart and those that love them
Where to Watch:Netflix or Amazon Prime

10. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

Screenshot of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation movie
This 1989 film follows the Griswold family and their plans for a big family Christmas, but their ideal Christmas quickly turns into a perfect disaster. This Christmas film has something for everyone; slapstick comedy, heartwarming moments, and lots of family arguments.

SpecificationDetails
Genre:Comedy
Notable Cast:Chevy Chase, Beverly D’Angelo, Juliette Lewis
Recommended Audience:Anyone who loves a good laugh
Where to Watch:AMC+ from Amazon

11. The Muppet Christmas Carol

Screenshot of The Muppet Christmas Carol movie
This 1992 Christmas film is the Muppets’ adaptation of the classic from Charles Dickens. This musical puts a unique twist on the story of Scrooge as he is visited by three ghosts, the Ghost of Christmas Past, the Ghost of the Present, and the Ghost of the Future. The spirits, along with the kind, Bob Cratchit (played by Kermit the Frog) and his family, try to redeem this old bitter man on Christmas Eve. But is it too late for Scrooge or will they open his heart to the true meaning of Christmas?

SpecificationDetails
Genre:Musical Family Comedy
Notable Cast:Michael Caine, Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire
Recommended Audience:Families with children and adults who are still kids at heart
Where to Watch:Disney + and Amazon Prime

12. Miracle On 34th Street

Screenshot of Miracle On 34th Street movie
The Christmas classic from 1947 follows the story of a divorced New York mother and the nice old man she hires to play Santa Claus at Macy’s. But when she and her daughter find out he might be the real thing, things get messy. Many question his sanity and the old man has to prove he’s Santa, in a court of law.

SpecificationDetails
Genre:Comedy
Notable Cast:Edmund Gwenn, Maureen O’Hara, John Payne
Recommended Audience:Anyone who loves a good Christmas movie
Seasons Available:Amazon Prime, Hulu, HBO Max

13. Die Hard

Screenshot of Die Hard movie
Although not everyone will agree on whether Die Hard is a Christmas movie or not, it could not be missing from this list. Police officer John McClane (Bruce Willis) is at a Christmas party when German terrorists take the building hostage. What follows is a classic action movie full of explosions, fight scenes, and bad accents. Perfect for anyone who needs some action after all the sweet Christmas stories! The four sequels that were made to the film can also be found on Disney+.

SpecificationDetails
Genre:Action
Notable Cast:Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman, Alexander Godunov, Bonnie Bedelia
Recommended Audience:16+ – due to violence and profanity
Where to Watch:Disney+

14. A Charlie Brown Christmas

Screenshot of A Charlie Browsn Christmas movie
Who doesn’t love Charlie Brown? The classic Christmas animated film was released in 1965 and tells the story of one particularly profound Christmas where Charlie Brown becomes depressed by the commercialism he sees around him. Follow Charlie and his friends as they try to find a deeper meaning to Christmas.

SpecificationDetails
Genre:Animated Comedy
Notable Cast:Ann Altieri, Chris Doran, Sally Dryer
Recommended Audience:The entire Family
Where to Watch:Amazon Prime, Apple TV

15. Scrooged

Screenshot of Scrooged movie
Scrooged, released in 1988, is another twist on the classic Charles Dickens’ story. This edgy Christmas film follows a selfish, cynical television executive, played by Bill Murray, as he is visited by the three spirits of Christmas in an attempt to save Scrooge from a terrible life and even worse, death. Will the ghosts’ lessons on Christmas Eve stick?

SpecificationDetails
Genre:Comedy
Notable Cast:Bill Murray, Karen Allen, John Forsythe
Recommended Audience:17+ due to adult themes and profanity
Where to Watch:Amazon Prime

Stream Your Favorite Christmas Movies with a VPN

Whether you’re on vacation out of the country or want to watch more movies and series at home on the couch, a VPN can help you easily access your favorite streaming services. With the following steps, you are ready for a whole Christmas weekend full of nostalgia and Christmas magic.

  1. Subscribe to a reliable VPN provider. We recommend NordVPN because their fast, reliable servers make it easy to stream movies. Try NordVPN for free by taking advantage of their money-back guarantee.
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  3. Download the VPN and open the app.
  4. Select a server in a country of your choice. For example, connect to a server in the US to enjoy the US Netflix offer.
  5. Open the streaming service.
  6. Enjoy the best Christmas classics.

Need a little extra help? Check out the articles below for more information about how to watch the best Christmas movies on Netflix and the other streaming services mentioned above:

Do you know of a great Christmas movie that you think should be added to our list? Leave a comment below!

The 15 Best Christmas Movies of 2021 and Where to Watch Them - Frequently Asked Questions

Any more questions about our favorite Christmas movies? Here are a few of the most popular questions we get about streaming Christmas movies.

There are plenty of great Christmas movies on Netflix. Below are just a few:

  1. Love Actually
  2. How the Grinch Stole Christmas
  3. Polar Express
  4. Elf
  5. The Holiday

For more Christmas movies, check out our full article.

Disney Plus has some amazing Christmas films available right now. Below are just a few.

  1. Home Alone
  2. The Nightmare Before Christmas
  3. The Muppet Christmas Carol
  4. Die Hard

For more Christmas movies to stream this year, read our Best Christmas Movies to Stream article.

Yes! You can watch your favorite movies and shows on Netflix with a quality VPN. We recommend NordVPN since it has fast, reliable servers in the US.

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