Every December, families across the world gather to watch the same ten movies and argue about whether one of them counts. We are here to settle the argument, or at least to make it louder.
These are the Christmas movies that earn their spot on the couch. Ranked, opinionated, and fully aware that your uncle is going to disagree about number one.
Elf
Will Ferrell as a human raised by elves is the rare comedy that is both ridiculous and sincere, which is the exact balance a Christmas movie needs. The jokes land, the heart is real, and the movie never once apologizes for being cheerful.
It turns out the best way to talk to someone is to shout ‘Santa!’ with total conviction. We have all learned something.
Home Alone
A kid, a house and a series of booby traps that would absolutely be illegal. It’s a heist film, a family comedy and a holiday classic all at once, and the final act is a masterclass in escalating chaos.
The real horror is that the parents left a child behind on a vacation. We have questions. We also have popcorn.
It’s a Wonderful Life
The movie that every other Christmas movie is secretly trying to be. A man on the brink learns what the world would look like without him, and the answer is quietly devastating.
Yes, it’s black and white. Yes, it will make you cry. Both are fine.
Die Hard
Yes, it is a Christmas movie. It’s set at a Christmas party, it has Christmas music, and the hero spends the film trying to get home to his family. That’s the definition.
If you disagree, please take it up with the man in the vest.
The Muppet Christmas Carol
The best adaptation of the Dickens classic, and it features a cast of Muppets who take the material seriously. Michael Caine plays Scrooge with total commitment, which makes the movie both funnier and more moving.
The songs are lovely, and the ghosts are properly spooky.
A Charlie Brown Christmas
A tiny special with a sad little tree, a jazz soundtrack and a message that still holds up. It’s quiet, melancholy and sincere, a reminder that Christmas isn’t about the stuff.
It is also the only holiday special that manages to feel like a hug from a very tired friend.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)
The original animated special, with a perfect narration, a perfect villain and a song that nobody can sing in the right register. It’s short, sweet and the only version where the Grinch’s heart growth feels earned.
The lesson is simple: be kind, and eat the roast beast.
The Polar Express
A train, a boy and a trip to the North Pole. Divisive animation aside, the movie has a real sense of wonder and a great set piece involving a ticket that blows away.
Watch it with hot chocolate and try not to think about the faces.
Love Actually
A sprawling collection of romances that tries to cover the entire emotional range of December. Some storylines are lovely, a few are questionable, and the airport scene is undeniably effective.
It’s the movie you’ll defend and apologize for in the same breath.
Klaus
An animated origin story for Santa that is gorgeous, funny and surprisingly moving. A lazy postman and a reclusive toymaker form an unlikely partnership, and the result is a new classic.
If you haven’t seen it, you’ve been missing out on one of the best holiday films of recent years.