The holidays are upon us once again, and that means it’s time to cozy up on the couch with some hot cocoa and enjoy some festive Christmas movies. And if you’re looking for the best Christmas movies on Hulu, you’ve come to the right place! Hulu has an impressive selection of holiday films, from timeless classics to modern favorites. So grab your favorite Christmas pajamas and a warm blanket, and let’s dive into the 25 best Christmas movies on Hulu.
1. Elf (2003)
No list of the best Christmas movies would be complete without Elf. This modern classic stars Will Ferrell as Buddy, a human who was raised by elves at the North Pole. When Buddy discovers his true identity, he travels to New York City to find his biological father (played by James Caan). Hilarity ensues as Buddy navigates the human world with childlike wonder and Christmas cheer. With a star-studded cast that also includes Zooey Deschanel, Mary Steenburgen, and Bob Newhart, Elf is a must-watch holiday comedy.
2. The Polar Express (2004)
Based on the beloved children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg, The Polar Express is a stunning animated adventure that follows a young boy who boards a magical train on Christmas Eve. The train takes him and other children to the North Pole to meet Santa Claus. Along the way, the boy learns about friendship, bravery, and the true spirit of Christmas. Tom Hanks lends his voice to multiple characters, including the train’s mysterious conductor. With its groundbreaking animation and heartwarming story, The Polar Express is a visual marvel that captures the wonder of the holiday season.
3. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)
The Griswold family is back for more misadventures in this hilarious third installment of the National Lampoon’s Vacation series. In Christmas Vacation, Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) is determined to host the perfect family Christmas. But as relatives arrive and things start to go hilariously wrong, Clark’s sanity is pushed to the brink. With quotable one-liners and slapstick comedy, Christmas Vacation is a raucous and irreverent holiday classic that will have you laughing out loud.
4. Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
This black-and-white classic tells the story of Kris Kringle (Edmund Gwenn), a department store Santa who claims to be the real deal. When Kris’s sanity is questioned, a young lawyer takes on the case to prove that he is indeed Santa Claus. Maureen O’Hara stars as a single mother whose daughter (Natalie Wood) befriends Kris. Miracle on 34th Street is a charming and heartfelt film that reminds us of the importance of faith and the magic of the holiday season.
5. The Santa Clause (1994)
Tim Allen stars as Scott Calvin, a divorced dad who accidentally causes Santa Claus to fall off his roof on Christmas Eve. When Scott puts on Santa’s suit, he is magically transported to the North Pole and informed that he must take on the role of Santa Claus. As Scott struggles to balance his new responsibilities with his family life, he learns the true meaning of Christmas. The Santa Clause is a delightful family comedy that spawned two sequels.
6. Happiest Season (2020)
One of the newest additions to Hulu’s holiday lineup, Happiest Season is a romantic comedy that follows a young woman (Kristen Stewart) who plans to propose to her girlfriend (Mackenzie Davis) at her family’s annual Christmas party. But things get complicated when she discovers her partner hasn’t come out to her conservative parents. With a stellar ensemble cast that includes Aubrey Plaza, Daniel Levy, and Mary Steenburgen, Happiest Season is a fresh and inclusive take on the holiday rom-com.
7. A Christmas Carol (1984)
There have been countless adaptations of Charles Dickens’ classic novella, but this 1984 made-for-TV version stands out for its faithful retelling and stellar cast. George C. Scott stars as Ebenezer Scrooge, the miserly old man who is visited by three ghosts on Christmas Eve. The spirits show Scrooge visions of his past, present, and future, ultimately leading to his redemption. With its timeless message of compassion and generosity, A Christmas Carol is a moving reminder of what the holiday season is truly about.
8. Home Alone (1990)
Macaulay Culkin stars as Kevin McCallister, an 8-year-old boy who is accidentally left behind when his family goes on vacation for Christmas. At first, Kevin revels in his newfound freedom, but when two bumbling burglars (Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern) target his house, he must come up with clever ways to defend his home. Home Alone is a hilarious and heartwarming comedy that has become a holiday staple for families around the world.
9. The Family Stone (2005)
The Family Stone follows the eccentric Stone family as they gather for their annual Christmas celebration. When eldest son Everett (Dermot Mulroney) brings his uptight girlfriend Meredith (Sarah Jessica Parker) to meet the family, chaos ensues. Meredith struggles to fit in with the free-spirited Stones, leading to awkward and hilarious moments. With an all-star cast that also includes Diane Keaton, Craig T. Nelson, and Rachel McAdams, The Family Stone is a witty and poignant holiday dramedy about the complexities of family dynamics.
10. Jack Frost (1998)
Not to be confused with the horror movie of the same name, this Jack Frost is a heartwarming family film about a father’s love for his son. Michael Keaton stars as Jack Frost, a musician who is always on the road and neglects his family. When Jack dies in a car accident, he gets a second chance to be there for his son Charlie (Joseph Cross) when he is reincarnated as a snowman. Jack Frost is a touching and magical story about the unbreakable bond between a father and son.
11. Deck the Halls (2006)
In this over-the-top comedy, two neighbors engage in an epic battle to see who can put up the most extravagant Christmas light display. Matthew Broderick stars as Steve Finch, the straight-laced family man who takes pride in his traditional holiday celebrations. When his new neighbor Buddy Hall (Danny DeVito) moves in and starts putting up a massive light display, Steve becomes determined to outdo him. Deck the Halls is a silly and lighthearted romp that pokes fun at the competitive nature of the holiday season.
12. Fred Claus (2007)
Vince Vaughn stars as Fred Claus, the bitter older brother of Santa Claus (Paul Giamatti). When Fred gets into trouble, he is forced to move to the North Pole and help Santa prepare for Christmas. As Fred struggles to fit in with the elves and learn the ropes of the family business, he ultimately learns the true meaning of brotherhood and the holiday spirit. Fred Claus is a goofy and heartwarming comedy that puts a unique spin on the Santa Claus mythos.
13. The March Sisters at Christmas (2012)
This modern retelling of Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women follows the March sisters as they try to save their family home from foreclosure during the holidays. As the sisters navigate their own personal struggles and romantic entanglements, they must come together to raise the money needed to keep their home. With a talented cast of up-and-coming actresses, The March Sisters at Christmas is a charming and empowering tale of sisterhood and the enduring bonds of family.
14. The Mistle-Tones (2012)
Tia Mowry stars as Holly, a talented singer who auditions for a spot in a legendary Christmas group called The Snow Belles. When she is rejected by the group’s leader Marci (Tori Spelling), Holly forms her own group called The Mistle-Tones to challenge them in a Christmas Eve sing-off. The Mistle-Tones is a fun and festive musical comedy that celebrates the power of following your dreams and the joy of the holiday season.
15. A Very Brady Christmas (1988)
America’s favorite blended family is back in this heartwarming holiday reunion. When all the Brady kids come home for Christmas, they each bring their own personal struggles and surprises. As the family works through their issues and comes together to celebrate the holidays, they are reminded of the love and support they have for one another. A Very Brady Christmas is a nostalgic and feel-good special that will delight fans of the original series.
16. Naughty & Nice (2014)
In this Hallmark Channel original movie, a cynical Los Angeles radio host is forced to cohost a Christmas show with a peppy, Christmas-loving DJ from a small town. As the two clash over their different approaches to the holiday season, they eventually learn to appreciate each other’s perspectives and fall in love. Naughty & Nice is a predictable but charming romantic comedy that delivers all the warm fuzzies you expect from a Hallmark movie.
17. The Heart of Christmas (2011)
Based on a true story, The Heart of Christmas follows a community that comes together to celebrate Christmas in October for a young boy battling leukemia. As the town rallies to give the boy one last Christmas, his family learns to cherish every moment they have together. The Heart of Christmas is an emotional and inspiring film that reminds us of the true meaning of compassion and love during the holiday season.
18. 12 Dates of Christmas (2011)
In this holiday twist on Groundhog Day, a young woman is forced to relive the same first date on Christmas Eve over and over again. As she tries to figure out how to break the cycle, she learns valuable lessons about love, family, and the true meaning of Christmas. 12 Dates of Christmas is a cute and clever romantic comedy that puts a fresh spin on a familiar premise.
19. Christmas Belle (2013)
Haylie Duff stars as Belle, a young woman who is forced to work as a Christmas elf at a department store after her father’s business goes under. When she meets the store’s wealthy owner (Nicholas Gonzalez), sparks fly as they work together to save the store from bankruptcy. Christmas Belle is a sweet and predictable romantic comedy that delivers all the holiday cheer you crave.
20. Holidaze (2013)
In this ABC Family original movie, a stressed-out corporate executive wakes up in an alternate universe where she is married to her childhood sweetheart and living in her hometown. As she navigates this new reality, she must decide which life she truly wants to live. Holidaze is a heartwarming and thought-provoking film about the choices we make and the paths not taken.
21. Dear Santa (2011)
Amy Acker stars as Crystal, a young woman who finds a letter to Santa from a little girl asking for a new wife for her widowed father. Crystal decides to track down the family and pose as a nanny to help make the girl’s Christmas wish come true. Dear Santa is a sweet and romantic comedy that reminds us of the magic of Christmas and the power of love.
22. All I Want for Christmas (2007)
In this Hallmark Channel original movie, a young boy writes to Santa asking for his parents to get back together for Christmas. When Santa grants his wish, the boy’s parents must navigate their rekindled feelings for each other while trying to keep the magic of Christmas alive for their son. All I Want for Christmas is a heartwarming family film about the importance of love, forgiveness, and the true meaning of the holiday season.
23. A Christmas Detour (2015)
Candace Cameron Bure stars as a bride-to-be who gets stranded at an airport with a handsome stranger (Paul Greene) during a snowstorm on Christmas Eve. As they try to make their way home for the holidays, they begin to fall for each other and question their respective paths in life. A Christmas Detour is a charming and cozy romantic comedy that will make you believe in the magic of Christmas love.
24. Merry Kissmas (2015)
In this ION Television original movie, a woman engaged to a famous actor shares a magical kiss with a stranger in an elevator. When the stranger turns out to be the actor’s brother, she must choose between the life she knows and the love she never expected. Merry Kissmas is a lighthearted and romantic comedy that celebrates the unexpected joys of the holiday season.
25. A Cinderella Christmas (2016)
In this modern retelling of the classic fairy tale, a young event planner named Angie (Emma Rigby) falls for a wealthy bachelor (Peter Porte) at a Christmas masquerade ball. But when the clock strikes midnight, Angie must rush off, leaving behind only a single clue to her identity. A Cinderella Christmas is a charming and romantic holiday film that proves that fairy tales can come true, especially during the most magical time of the year.
So there you have it, the 25 best Christmas movies on Hulu to get you in the holiday spirit. From classic favorites to modern rom-coms, there’s something for everyone on this list. So grab some popcorn, snuggle up under a cozy blanket, and enjoy these festive films with your loved ones. Happy holidays and happy streaming!
