The Santa Clause (1994)
EverettThe official unofficial king of Christmas, Tim Allen, dons the big man’s belly to play Scott Calvin, a workaholic toy salesman who’s about to take his work to the North Pole. After Santa falls off his roof one Christmas Eve, Scott is magically tasked with the man in red’s seasonal duties, and thus the adventure—and cookie binging—begins. Watch Now
Jingle All the Way (1996)
EverettIf Arnold Schwarzenegger listing all seven of Santa’s reindeer while running through snowy streets and dodging his rival Turbo Man enthusiast, played by Sinbad, isn’t funny, then give us coal for Christmas. It’s a little bit silly, but the slapstick humor, quality Phil Hartman comedy, and twist ending in this delightful holiday flick are worth every smirk and giggle. Watch Now
Get Santa (2015)
ShutterstockA holiday movie you may have missed but should definitely seek out is the 2014 British fugitive comedy Get Santa. It stars Jim Broadbent as the bearded one who’s jailed after crashing his sleigh and trying to get his reindeer back, with Rafe Spall and Kit Connor playing the father and son duo trying to reunite Santa with his myth and—obviously—save Christmas. Watch Now
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4Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)
EverettThey did it again. The McCallisters slept in and almost missed their flight to spend Christmas vacation somewhere other than snowy Chicago. This go round, however, the family is headed to Miami and Kevin isn’t left at home; he’s shuffled onto a different flight and barreling to the hijinks—and Wet Bandit cat burglars—awaiting him in New York City. Watch Now
Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
EverettThe animated Grinch special, based on Dr. Seuss’s classic story, hit television screens in 1966 and every year since then. And it’s a must-watch. But when it comes to laughing matters, turn to Ron Howard’s reimagined holiday gem starring Jim Carrey. Always the over-actor (love it or hate it), the comedian hops into the mean one’s fuzzy shoes to bring the children’s tale to life and actually gives one of his best comedic performances. WATCH now
6Ernest Saves Christmas (1988)
EverettIt may be a bit dated, but the laughs Jim Varney delivers in this 1988 gem as the titular franchise character, Ernest P. Worrell, are the gift of nostalgia. The movie follows a familiar storyline—Ernest must help Santa find his successor and in turn save Christmas for everyone—but you may just be surprised at how much joy you get out of it. Watch Now
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7Metropolitan (1990)
EverettIf you’ve ever seen a razor-sharp Whit Stillman film (Damsels in Distress, Love & Friendship), then you’re probably familiar with the filmmaker’s fancy for banter and comedies of manners. This offbeat '90s cult classic about a group of bougie Manhattanites gossiping their way through the holidays is no different. Watch Now
8Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang (2005)
EverettThough Shane Black’s crime comedy centers around a crook pretending to be an actor, there are still enough Santa hats and Christmas trees scattered throughout to qualify the film as a seasonal watch. The cheeky laughs come courtesy of everyone’s favorite comeback kid: Robert Downey Jr. Watch Now
9Christmas in Connecticut (1945)
EverettIf the premise—a woman pretending to be the perfect housewife is put to the test over the course of one Christmas—sounds a bit dated, that’s because it is. Peter Godfrey’s classic starring Barbara Stanwyck was made in 1945. But throw in a romance and babies, and you’ll forget about the word “housewife.” Watch Now
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10A Christmas Story (1983)
EverettIt should be called A Christmas Staple, as no holiday is complete be without Bob Clark’s 1940s-set family comedy. A festive story about a kid who spends the season rattling off to anyone who will listen that he wants a Red Ryder BB gun from Santa, it’s the gift that keeps on giving laughs. Watch Now
11A Christmas Story Christmas (2022)
EverettFans of the fragile leg lamp, the Red Ryder BB gun, and the ultimate triple-dog dare from 1983 will revel in this sequel that catches up with Ralphie 33 years later. All grown up with a family of his own, Ralphiekins heads back to his nostalgic childhood home on Cleveland Street to celebrate the holidays with his mother and pay tribute to the spirit of his Old Man.
12Arthur Christmas (2011)
EverettSo, you want a great story but just want to look at silly animated characters. We get it. Here's a family favorite adults will enjoy also. It's about the son of Santa, Arthur, who teams up with Grandsanta to fix a mistake made on the most recent Christmas gift drop. Turns out, the well-oiled Santa machine missed one little girl. No worries, clumsy Arthur is on the mission.
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13Best. Christmas. Ever! (2023)
EverettBrandy and Heather Graham go head to head as Jackie Jennings and Charlotte Sanders in this 2023 eggnog-com from Netflix. When Charlotte arrives with her family at Jackie's house for Christmas, she begins to resent how perfect Jackie's life is – handsome husband, buff butler, prodigy children – so she investigates. Mishaps, misunderstandings, and mistletoe romances all ensue.
14Candy Cane Lane (2023)
EverettEddie Murphy. Tracee Ellis Ross. Holiday shenanigans. Need we say more? Get excited for this Prime Video original starring the comedians as a married couple whose efforts to win their neighborhood's Christmas decorating contest get way out of hand. We're talking, the 12 Days of Christmas come to life, thanks to a magical elf with a dark side.
15Dashing Through the Snow (2023)
EverettChris "Ludacris" Bridges takes center stage in this fantasy that blends standup, slapstick, and a little Southern hospitality. He plays a social worker whose sour outlook on Christmas is flipped after a visit from the big man in red. This year's gift from Disney+, the film's directed by Tim Story and costars Lil Rel Howery and Teyonah Parris, so buckle up for a joyride through holiday chaos.
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16Family Switch (2023)
EverettIf there's anyone who is a master class at body switching, it's Miss 13 Going On 30 Jennifer Garner. She gives the narrative springboard another go with Family Switch, this time the old switcheroo happens among a family of four who are growing up and growing apart. After a blip in the astrological radar, the family spend the holidays surviving their wacky reversals.
17Genie (2023)
EverettPaapa Essiedu and Melissa McCarthy star in this Paramount+ original that playfully dresses up the genie trope in jazzy lights and tinsel. At its core, it's the story you know – guy meets Genie, gets some wishes, gains new insight – but with a twist. Written by Love Actually legend Richard Curtis, it's a little bit The Preacher's Wife, a little Enchanted, and a whole lot of promise.
18Holidate (2020)
EverettEmma Roberts and Luke Bracey get raunchy for this crass comedy about two singles who agree to be each other's platonic plus-ones for the barrage of holiday events that fill the calendar every year. Bookended with a pair of Christmases, the film trudges through St. Paddy's, Easter, Halloween, and more as the two leads, who think they've beat the system, start to catch feelings.
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19Last Christmas (2019)
EverettWham!'s chart-topping holiday tune gets the big-screen treatment with Paul Feig's festive comedy starring Emilia Clarke, Henry Golding, and Michelle Yeoh. But it's not the only George Michael favorite featured in the film. The soundtrack is brimming with classic hits and seasonal gems, injecting the Christmas spirit into its narrative about a girl, a guy, and the heart he gave away.
20Let It Snow (2019)
Everett'Tis the season to pine over your one true love. So do it with Julie, Stuart, Addie, Angie, and the rest of the characters who take this one from ordinary rom-com to extra-festive charmer. Based on the same-name novel, Let It Snow does just that: Representing the inside of a snow globe, the film sees its ensemble cast navigate the twists and turns of love while snowed in on Christmas Eve.
DeAnna Janes is a freelance writer and editor for a number of sites, including Harper’s BAZAAR, Tasting Table, Fast Company and Brit + Co, and is a passionate supporter of animal causes, copy savant, movie dork and reckless connoisseur of all holidays. A native Texan living in NYC since 2005, Janes has a degree in journalism from Texas A&M and got her start in media at US Weekly before moving on to O Magazine, and eventually becoming the entertainment editor of the once-loved, now-shuttered DailyCandy. She’s based on the Upper West Side.
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