The holidays are a magical time of year filled with family, friends, festive cheer – and of course, watching your favorite Christmas movies! If you’re an Amazon Prime member, you’re in luck, because the streaming service has an excellent selection of holiday films to get you in the spirit. From classic favorites to newer releases, here are the 25 best Christmas movies you can watch right now on Amazon Prime.
1. It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
No list of the best Christmas movies is complete without this timeless classic. It’s a Wonderful Life stars Jimmy Stewart as George Bailey, a down-on-his-luck businessman who is visited by his guardian angel on Christmas Eve. The angel shows George what life would be like if he had never been born, helping him realize the positive impact he’s had on his family and community. It’s a heartwarming, life-affirming tale that captures the true meaning of the holidays.
2. Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
Another must-watch Christmas classic, Miracle on 34th Street follows Kris Kringle (Edmund Gwenn), a department store Santa Claus who claims to be the real thing. When his sanity is questioned, a young lawyer decides to defend him in court by arguing that he is in fact Santa Claus. The film is a charming story about faith, belief, and the power of the Christmas spirit.
3. White Christmas (1954)
White Christmas is a musical romantic comedy starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, and Vera-Ellen. The plot revolves around a successful song-and-dance duo who team up with a sister act to save a failing Vermont inn owned by their former commanding general. Featuring Irving Berlin’s songs and spectacular dance numbers, it’s a delightful holiday romp.
4. A Christmas Story (1983)
Set in the 1940s, A Christmas Story follows 9-year-old Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsley) and his quest for the perfect Christmas gift – an official Red Ryder carbine-action 200-shot range model air rifle. Along the way, he deals with a cranky department store Santa, a leg lamp, and the constant threat of having his mouth washed out with soap. Both hilarious and nostalgic, it’s a beloved holiday classic.
5. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)
The Griswold family’s plans for a big family Christmas predictably turn into a big disaster in this hilarious holiday comedy. Christmas Vacation features an all-star cast including Chevy Chase, Beverly D’Angelo, Juliette Lewis, and Johnny Galecki. From a Christmas tree that’s too big to an overcooked turkey to a crazy cousin Eddie, everything that can go wrong does go wrong in spectacularly funny fashion.
6. 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. At first, Kevin is thrilled to have the house to himself, but he soon has to contend with two bumbling burglars determined to rob the McCallister residence. Home Alone is a hilarious and heartwarming Christmas adventure as Kevin outsmarts the crooks and learns the importance of family.
7. The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
The Muppets deliver their own unique spin on the Charles Dickens classic in The Muppet Christmas Carol. Kermit the Frog plays Bob Cratchit, the put-upon clerk of stingy Ebenezer Scrooge (Michael Caine). Other Muppets portray the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come who help Scrooge discover the meaning of Christmas. It’s a fun, kid-friendly adaptation with catchy musical numbers.
8. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Is it a Halloween movie or a Christmas movie? While it can be both, The Nightmare Before Christmas definitely has enough festive spirit to earn a spot on this list. The stop-motion animated musical tells the story of Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town who becomes obsessed with Christmas and decides to take over the holiday. With an infectious soundtrack and stunning visuals, it’s a delightfully dark holiday treat.
9. Elf (2003)
Elf stars Will Ferrell as Buddy, a human who was raised as an elf in the North Pole. When Buddy learns the truth about his identity, he travels to New York City to find his biological father (James Caan), spreading Christmas cheer in his own enthusiastic and quirky way. Ferrell’s endearing performance makes this a modern holiday classic that will make you laugh and smile.
10. Love Actually (2003)
Love Actually weaves together multiple storylines exploring the complexities of love and relationships during the holidays. The ensemble cast includes Hugh Grant, Liam Neeson, Colin Firth, Laura Linney, Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, and Keira Knightley. From the Prime Minister falling for his assistant to a washed-up rock star making a comeback, the film is a charming and heartfelt romantic comedy.
11. The Polar Express (2004)
Based on the beloved children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg, The Polar Express 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. The groundbreaking computer animation brings the story to life, and Tom Hanks delivers a wonderful performance in multiple roles. It’s an enchanting adventure about the power of belief.
12. The Holiday (2006)
In The Holiday, two women troubled with guy problems (Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet) swap homes in each other’s countries for the holidays, where they each meet a local guy and fall in love. With a fantastic cast that also includes Jude Law and Jack Black, it’s a delightful romantic comedy getaway that will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy.
13. Arthur Christmas (2011)
Arthur Christmas reveals the incredible, never-before seen answer to every child’s question: “So how does Santa deliver all those presents in one night?” The animated film follows Santa’s clumsy son Arthur as he sets out on a mission with Grandsanta to deliver a present they misplaced to a young girl before Christmas morning dawns. It’s a clever and heartwarming story for the whole family.
14. Krampus (2015)
For those who like a little horror with their holidays, Krampus is a darkly comedic alternative to the usual Christmas fare. When a dysfunctional family’s petty squabbles cause young Max to lose his festive spirit, they are visited by the shadow of St. Nicholas – the ancient demon known as Krampus. As Krampus lays siege to the neighborhood, the family must band together to save each other from a monstrous fate.
15. Office Christmas Party (2016)
Office Christmas Party is an over-the-top raunchy comedy about a branch manager who throws an epic Christmas party in order to land a big client and save the day, but the party gets way out of hand. With an all-star comedic cast including Jason Bateman, Olivia Munn, T. J. Miller, Jillian Bell, Courtney B. Vance, and Jennifer Aniston, it delivers big laughs if you’re in the mood for some R-rated holiday hijinks.
16. The Man Who Invented Christmas (2017)
The Man Who Invented Christmas is a biographical drama that tells the story of how Charles Dickens (Dan Stevens) created the classic A Christmas Carol. As Dickens labors to finish the book in only six weeks, his characters start to come to life and change the way he sees the world. It’s a fascinating look at one of the most beloved Christmas stories of all time and the creative process behind it.
17. Last Christmas (2019)
Inspired by the music of George Michael, Last Christmas follows a young woman named Kate (Emilia Clarke) who has been making a mess of her life. When she accepts a job as a department store elf during the holidays, she meets Tom (Henry Golding), a charming guy who sees through her barriers. As London transforms into the most wonderful time of the year, their relationship becomes the catalyst Kate needs to start putting her life back together.
18. It’s a Wonderful Life (Colorized Version)
If you prefer your classic films in color, Amazon Prime also offers the colorized version of It’s a Wonderful Life. The film looks beautiful in color, making it feel like a brand new movie while keeping all the charm, wit, and warmth of the original. It’s a great way to introduce a new generation to this timeless tale.
19. The Snowy Day (2016)
Based on the classic children’s book by Ezra Jack Keats, The Snowy Day is a charming animated special that follows a young boy named Peter as he explores his neighborhood on a snowy day. With beautiful animation and a sweet story about the simple joys of childhood, it’s perfect holiday viewing for the little ones.
20. The Snowman (1982)
The Snowman is a wordless animated short based on the picture book by Raymond Briggs. It tells the story of a boy who builds a snowman that comes to life, and the magical adventures they have together. With beautiful hand-drawn animation and a lovely musical score, it’s a gentle and enchanting holiday treat for all ages.
21. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)
A true Christmas classic, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer has been delighting audiences for over 50 years. The stop-motion animated special tells the story of Rudolph, a reindeer with a glowing red nose who is teased by the other reindeer. But when Christmas is almost cancelled due to a terrible storm, Rudolph steps up to save the day with his unique nose leading the way. It’s a heartwarming tale of acceptance and embracing what makes you special.
22. Frosty the Snowman (1969)
Another beloved Christmas special, Frosty the Snowman follows a group of children who build a snowman and place a magic hat on his head, causing him to come to life. But when the temperature starts to rise, Frosty must get to the North Pole before he melts away. With the voice talents of Jackie Vernon and Billy De Wolfe, and classic songs like the title tune, it’s a jolly addition to your holiday viewing.
23. The Year Without a Santa Claus (1974)
In The Year Without a Santa Claus, a discouraged Santa Claus considers skipping his Christmas Eve run, so two elves and Mrs. Claus must find a way to convince him that people still believe in him and the spirit of the holiday. The Rankin/Bass stop-motion special features memorable characters like the Heat Miser and Snow Miser and catchy musical numbers that will have you humming along.
24. Jack Frost (1998)
Jack Frost stars Michael Keaton as a father who dies in a car accident and comes back to life as a snowman. As he has a second chance to be the father he always wanted to be, Jack must make things right with his son Charlie before he melts away. While it’s a bit of a bittersweet premise, the film delivers a heartwarming message about the enduring power of love and family.
25. The Christmas Chronicles (2018)
Produced by Chris Columbus (Home Alone), The Christmas Chronicles stars Kurt Russell as a cool, charismatic Santa Claus. The story follows two siblings, Kate and Teddy, who plan to catch Santa on camera on Christmas Eve, but accidentally crash his sleigh. As they work with Santa to save Christmas, they learn valuable lessons about the importance of family, love, and the true meaning of the holiday. Russell is perfectly cast as Santa in this fun, family-friendly adventure.
So there you have it – the 25 best Christmas movies you can stream right now on Amazon Prime! From old favorites to modern classics to hidden gems, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. So grab some hot cocoa, snuggle up on the couch, and get ready to feel the holiday spirit with these wonderful films. Happy viewing and happy holidays!
