Top 20 Best Christmas Movies of All Time (Part 2): Must-Watch Holiday Films

Welcome back to our definitive holiday movie countdown! Having explored the foundational classics and heartwarming modern favorites in Part 1, we now dive into the final, essential entries that complete the ultimate viewing guide. This collection highlights the enduring gold standard of holiday nostalgia, comedy, and powerful cinematic storytelling.

Please Note: This list is a comprehensive aggregation of highly celebrated holiday films, not a ranked order.

This is the highly anticipated continuation of the best Christmas movies of all time, covering everything from literary adaptations and golden-age essentials to unconventional blockbusters. Prepare to discover the final set of movies that must be on your annual holiday watchlist.

The Gold Standard: Timeless Classics and Essential Adaptations

These movies are the foundation of any holiday watchlist, celebrated for their enduring messages and cinematic quality. This diverse collection of the best Christmas movies of all time offers something for every taste, from heartwarming drama to thrilling action.

11. It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)

Frank Capra’s masterpiece is often the final word on holiday cinema. The story of George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart), who contemplates suicide until a guardian angel shows him the profound impact of his existence, is a powerful argument for the value of life. Its emotional resonance means it is often asked: What is considered the No.1 Christmas movie ever made?

• Key Features/Benefits:

  • A deeply moving and timeless narrative about community and significance.

  • Features arguably Jimmy Stewart’s most iconic performance.

  • The emotional climax is one of the most celebrated scenes in cinematic history.

12. Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

This charming film follows Kris Kringle, an elderly man who fills in as the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Santa and insists he is the genuine article, leading to a trial that tests the meaning of belief. This film is definitely one that What Christmas movies should everyone watch at least once? for its unique blend of sentiment and legal drama.

• Key Features/Benefits:

  • Features a delightful contrast between childlike belief and adult cynicism.

  • A strong, early showcase for a young Natalie Wood.

  • A beautiful film that affirms the importance of faith and imagination.

13. A Christmas Carol (1951)

Starring Alastair Sim as Ebenezer Scrooge, this version is widely regarded as the most emotionally accurate cinematic adaptation of the Charles Dickens novel. It cuts right to the dark, chilling tones of the original text, solidifying its place among the essential Christmas movies based on books.

• Key Features/Benefits:

  • Alastair Sim’s performance is definitive, capturing both the dread and the ultimate joy of Scrooge.

  • A faithful, visually moody adaptation of the Victorian-era morality tale.

  • Perfect for understanding the literary origins of the holiday spirit.

14. The Apartment (1960)

Billy Wilder’s romantic dramedy is a sophisticated look at loneliness and love during the Christmas season. Jack Lemmon plays an office worker who lends his apartment to cheating bosses, complicating his life when he falls for an elevator operator (Shirley MacLaine). It is widely regarded as one of the best classic Christmas movies for its masterful blend of sharp humor and genuine pathos.

• Key Features/Benefits:

  • An Oscar-winning script that defines mid-century romantic comedy.

  • Features brilliant, nuanced performances from Lemmon and MacLaine.

  • A poignant exploration of finding dignity and love in a cynical world.

Modern Favorites: Comedy, Chaos, and Heart

15. Elf (2003)

Will Ferrell’s career-defining role as Buddy, the human raised as an elf who travels from the North Pole to New York City to find his biological father, is pure holiday joy. With its innocent humor and simple message, it answers the common question: What are the best Christmas movies for kids?

• Key Features/Benefits:

  • Hilarious physical comedy and iconic, quotable dialogue.

  • A simple, heartwarming plot about family and believing in Santa.

  • A modern holiday classic that appeals across all age groups.

16. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)

Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) is determined to host a perfect, old-fashioned family Christmas, leading to inevitable, high-stakes disaster involving lights, relatives, and exploding sewage. The chaos makes it a perennial contender for What are the funniest Christmas movies of all time?

• Key Features/Benefits:

  • The quintessential holiday stress comedy.

  • Features unforgettable set pieces and the iconic Cousin Eddie.

  • A relatable, satirical look at the pressure of Christmas perfection.

17. Scrooged (1988)

Bill Murray delivers a darkly comedic, ’80s-era update of A Christmas Carol, playing Frank Cross, a ruthless TV executive visited by three highly eccentric ghosts. The film is a hilarious and surprisingly heartfelt piece of funny Christmas movies.

• Key Features/Benefits:

  • Bill Murray’s unique brand of cynical humor meets holiday redemption.

  • Features a stunning transformation scene that is genuinely moving.

  • A sharp satire of corporate greed and holiday commercialism.

18. Love Actually (2003)

This beloved British rom-com weaves together the stories of various characters navigating the complexities of love during the festive run-up to Christmas. Its ability to create genuine emotional connection and humor makes it an excellent example of feel-good Christmas movies.

• Key Features/Benefits:

  • Features a huge, recognizable ensemble cast in intertwining narratives.

  • Explores many facets of love, from first crushes to marital strain.

  • An emotionally manipulative, yet highly effective, modern holiday staple.

19. The Holdovers (2023)

This acclaimed film, set in 1970, focuses on three unlikely companions—a curmudgeonly prep school teacher, a grieving cook, and a rebellious student—who form an unconventional family while stuck on campus during the holidays. It quickly became a must-watch Christmas movie for its honest emotional depth.

• Key Features/Benefits:

  • Features Oscar-winning performances and sharp, intelligent dialogue.

  • A nostalgic aesthetic that perfectly captures the early 1970s.

  • A poignant, character-driven story about finding connection in isolation.

20. Die Hard (1988)

Set entirely on Christmas Eve during an office party in Los Angeles, this action masterpiece sees NYPD officer John McClane (Bruce Willis) fighting terrorists to save his estranged wife and her colleagues. While not a conventional choice, the film is often cited, sometimes ironically, alongside discussions about the best Christmas movies for kids due to its annual holiday airings, though it is definitively an adult action film.

• Key Features/Benefits:

  • Considered one of the greatest action films ever made.

  • Features an iconic hero and one of cinema’s most memorable villains (Hans Gruber).

  • Provides an adrenaline-fueled break from traditional holiday sweetness.

Conclusion: Celebrating the Best Christmas Movies of All Time

These ten films, with their diverse genres and enduring stories, represent the very best of holiday cinema. They remind us that the season is defined by themes of family, love, generosity, and the occasional chaotic pursuit of perfection. As you enjoy your holiday, turn to these titles to experience the full spectrum of emotions that make the best Christmas movies of all time truly special.