As days get shorter and a wintery chill settles in, the Christmas season starts gaining its enchanting charm. The crisp air and somber skies only add more to the festive feeling. But while you think a hot cup of cocoa or a festive cocktail is enough to make the most of the season, there’s a secret ingredient missing. A Christmas-themed marathon is what you need to take your festive spirits to new heights. From ‘Home Alone‘ to ‘The Santa Clause‘, here’s a list of the 50 best classic Christmas movies that you need to check out this season.

S. No.Movies & YearIMDb Rating
1.It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)8.6
2.A Christmas Carol (1951)8.1
3.Miracle on 34th Street (1947)7.9
4.White Christmas (1954)7.6
5.A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)8.3
6.Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)8
7.A Christmas Story (1983)7.9
8.Home Alone (1990)7,7
9.Elf (2003)7.1
10.The Polar Express (2004)6.6
11.How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)6.3
12.Scrooged (1988)7.5
13. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)7.5
14. Holiday Inn (1942)7.3
15.The Bishop’s Wife (1947)7.6
16.The Santa Clause (1994)6.5
17.The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)7.7
18.Love Actually (2003)7.6
19.The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)7.9
20.Christmas in Connecticut (1945)7.3
21.A Christmas Tale (2008)7
22.Babes in Toyland (1934)6.1
23.Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)7.5
24.The Shop Around the Corner (1940)8
25.Holiday Affair (1949)7.1
26.A Christmas Prince (2017)5.8
27.The Christmas Chronicles (2018)5.8
28.Christmas with the Kranks (2004)5.4
29.The Holiday (2006)6.9
30.Gremlins (1984)7.3
31.Joyeux Noël (2005)7.7
32.The Nutcracker Prince (1990)6.8
33.The Preacher’s Wife (1996)5.7
34.The Best Man Holiday (2013)6.6
35.Jingle All the Way (1996)5.7
36.The Snowman (1982)8.2
37.The Christmas Candle (2013)6.2
38.Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale (2010)6.6
39.The Family Stone (2005)6.3
40.The Christmas Chronicles 2 (2020)6
41.Klaus (2019)8.2
42.Mickey’s Christmas Carol (1983)8
43.A Grandpa for Christmas (2007)6.8
44.Frosty the Snowman (1969)7.3
45.Bad Santa (2003)7.1
46.Let It Snow (2019)5.8
47.Fred Claus (2007)5.6
48.While You Were Sleeping (1995)6.8
49.Four Christmases (2008)5.7
50.Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001)6.8

Also Read: Christmas Horror Movies

1. It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)

Best classic christmas movies - It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
IMDb
  • Lead actors: James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore
  • Supporting Artist: Thomas Mitchell
  • Director: Frank Capra
  • Release date: January 7, 1947
  • Run Time: 2h 10m
  • IMDb Rating: 8.6
  • Revenue: $3.3 million
  • Language: English

An angel is sent from heaven to show a frustrated businessman, who is about to suicide, what life would have been without him.

2. A Christmas Carol (1951)

Best classic christmas movies - A Christmas Carol
IMDb
  • Lead actors: Alastair Sim, Kathleen Harrison,
  • Supporting Artist: Mervyn Johns
  • Director: Brian Desmond Hurst
  • Release date: October 31, 1951
  • Run Time: 1h 26m
  • IMDb Rating: 8.1
  • Revenue: N/A
  • Language: English

A spiteful and miserable man named Ebenezer Scrooge encounters three spirits who show him the error of his ways.

3. Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

Best classic christmas movies - Miracle on 34th Street
IMDb
  • Lead actors: Maureen O’Hara, John Payne
  • Supporting Artist: Edmund Gwenn
  • Director: George Seaton
  • Release date: June 11, 1947
  • Run Time: 1h 36m
  • IMDb Rating: 7.9
  • Revenue: $2.7 million
  • Language: English

An old man named Kris Kringle is hired as Santa Claus for Macy’s annual Thanksgiving Day parade. However, people start questioning his sanity he claims that he’s the real Santa Claus.

4. White Christmas (1954)

Best classic christmas movies - White Christmas
IMDb
  • Lead actors: Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye
  • Supporting Artist: Rosemary Clooney
  • Director: Michael Curtiz
  • Release date: October 14, 1954 
  • Run Time: 2h
  • IMDb Rating: 7.6
  • Revenue: $30 million
  • Language: English

Bob Wallace and Phil Davis help the Haynes sisters to escape from their landlord. They ask them to perform a joint Christmas show to help their old commander’s failing inn back in business.

Also Read: Christmas Shows You Can Stream Online

5. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)

Best classic christmas movies - A Charlie Brown Christmas
IMDb
  • Lead actors: Peter Robbins, Christopher Shea
  • Supporting Artist: Tracy Stratford
  • Director: Bill Melendez
  • Release date: December 9, 1965
  • Run Time: 25m
  • IMDb Rating: 8.3
  • Revenue: N/A
  • Language: English

What is Christmas about? Why is everything becoming so commercial? The film asked these questions when it was released way back in 1965 and the questions still hold weight today. 

Check Out – Animated Christmas Movies

6. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)

Best classic christmas movies - Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
IMDb
  • Lead actors: Burl Ives, Billie Mae Richards
  • Supporting Artist: Paul Soles
  • Director: Larry Roemer
  • Release date: December 6, 1964
  • Run Time: 47m
  • IMDb Rating: 8
  • Revenue: N/A
  • Language: English

Rudolph a reindeer is born with a unique red nose. He struggles to find acceptance but finally, his life changes when he saves his friend and his parents from an evil monster.

7. A Christmas Story (1983)

Best classic christmas movies - A Christmas Story
IMDb
  • Lead actors: Peter Billingsley, Jean Shepherd
  • Supporting Artist: Ian Petrella
  • Director: Bob Clark
  • Release date: December 11, 1987
  • Run Time: 1h 33m
  • IMDb Rating: 7.9
  • Revenue: $19.2 million
  • Language: English

A Christmas Story is about a young boy named Ralphie who attempts to convince his parents, teachers, and Santa that a BB gun is the perfect Christmas gift for him. 

Check Out – Best Romantic Christmas Movies

8. Home Alone (1990)

Best classic christmas movies - Home Alone
IMDb
  • Lead actors: Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern
  • Supporting Artist: Catherine O’Hara
  • Director: Chris Columbus
  • Release date: November 16, 1990
  • Run Time: 1h 43m
  • IMDb Rating: 7.7
  • Revenue: $476.7 million
  • Language: English

Eight-year-old Kevin is accidentally left behind by his family while they are going on a trip. While he’s home alone, he tries to fight off thieves who break into his house.

Also Read: Movies To Watch With Your Family

9. Elf (2003)

Best classic christmas movies - Elf
IMDb
  • Lead actors: Will Ferrell, James Caan
  • Supporting Artist: Zooey Deschanel
  • Director: Jon Favreau
  • Release date: November 7, 2003
  • Run Time: 1h 37m
  • IMDb Rating: 7.1
  • Revenue: $225.1 million
  • Language: English

Buddy, a human, is raised by Elves. But his life turns upside down when he realises that he’s not an Elf. Buddy then goes to New York to find his biological father.

Also Read: Best Comedy Web Series

10. The Polar Express (2004)

Best classic christmas movies - The Polar Express
IMDb
  • Lead actors: Tom Hanks, Daryl Sabara, Nona Gaye
  • Supporting Artist: Peter Scolari
  • Director: Robert Zemeckis
  • Release date: December 24, 2004
  • Run Time: 1h 40m
  • IMDb Rating: 6.6
  • Revenue: $314.1 million
  • Language: English

On Christmas Eve, a young boy embarks on a journey on a train called Polar Express to the North Pole. On the way, he learns about friendship, bravery, and the spirit of Christmas.

Also Read: Comedy Movies on Netflix

11. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)

Best classic christmas movies - How the Grinch Stole Christmas
IMDb
  • Lead actors: Jim Carrey, Taylor Momsen
  • Supporting Artist: Jeffrey Tambor
  • Director: Ron Howard
  • Release date: November 17, 2000
  • Run Time: 1h 44m
  • IMDb Rating: 6.3
  • Revenue: $345.8 million
  • Language: English

A Green revenge-seeking Grinch lives on the outskirts of a town. After he plans to ruin Christmas for the people living in that town, a six-year-old girl Cindy Lou sets out to reform him.

Check Out – Most Funny Christmas movies

12. Scrooge (1970)

Best classic christmas movies - Scrooge
IMDb
  • Lead actors: Albert Finney, Alec Guinness
  • Supporting Artist: Edith Evans
  • Director: Ronald Neame
  • Release date: November 5, 1970
  • Run Time: 1h 53m
  • IMDb Rating: 7.5
  • Revenue: N/A
  • Language: English

Scoorge is a classic Christmas movie that revolves around a grumpy Ebenezer Scrooge. His life changes after three spirits him on Christmas to help him realise the importance of the festival.

13. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)

Best classic christmas movies - National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
IMDb
  • Lead actors: Chevy Chase, Beverly D’Angelo
  • Supporting Artist: Juliette Lewis
  • Director: Jeremiah S. Chechik
  • Release date: December 1, 1989
  • Run Time: 1h 37m
  • IMDb Rating: 7.5
  • Revenue: $73.3 million
  • Language: English

Clark Griswold is into Christmas and promises to make it a good one. However, it turns the family Christmas into a disaster.

Also Read: Best Christmas Quotes

14. Holiday Inn (1942)

Best classic christmas movies -  Holiday Inn
IMDb
  • Lead actors: Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire
  • Supporting Artist: Marjorie Reynolds
  • Director: Mark Sandrich
  • Release date: September 4, 1942
  • Run Time: 1h 40m
  • IMDb Rating: 7.3
  • Revenue: $3.75 million
  • Language: English

After being left heartbroken by Lila, Jim leaves the town and starts a holiday inn. There he falls in love with Linda but his world turns upside down when Lila’s former lover arrives at his inn and again tries to steal Linda.

15. The Bishop’s Wife (1947)

Best classic christmas movies - The Bishop's Wife
IMDb
  • Lead actors: Cary Grant, Loretta Young
  • Supporting Artist: David Niven
  • Director: Henry Koster
  • Release date: December 9, 1947
  • Run Time: 1h 49m
  • IMDb Rating: 7.6
  • Revenue: $3 million
  • Language: English

After Bishop Henry Brougham fails to raise money for his church, an angel is sent from heaven to help him. However, the Bishop is skeptical about the authenticity of the real angel.

16. The Santa Clause (1994)

Best classic christmas movies - The Santa Clause
IMDb
  • Lead actors: Tim Allen, Eric Lloyd
  • Supporting Artist: Wendy Crewson
  • Director: John Pasquin
  • Release date: November 11, 1994
  • Run Time: 1h 37m
  • IMDb Rating: 6.5
  • Revenue: $190.3 million
  • Language: English

When a man inadvertently makes Santa Claus fall from his roof, he magically gets recruited as the next Santa. Now he has to keep the secret safe from his wife.

Also Read: Christmas Party Games For Adults

17. The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)

Best classic christmas movies - The Muppet Christmas Carol
IMDb
  • Lead actors: Michael Caine, Steven Mackintosh
  • Supporting Artist: Meredith Braun
  • Director: Brian Henson
  • Release date: December 11, 1992
  • Run Time: 1h 25m
  • IMDb Rating: 7.7
  • Revenue: $27.2 million
  • Language: English

This Christmas musical film is an adaptation of Charles Dickens’s novella which is about an old miser who dislikes Christmas. He is visited by the spirit of his business partner who foretells his future and helps change his view on life.

18. Love Actually (2003)

Best classic christmas movies - Love Actually
IMDb
  • Lead actors: Alan Rickman, Emma Thompson, Hugh Grant
  • Supporting Artist: Keira Knightley, Colin Firth
  • Director: Richard Curtis
  • Release date: November 6, 2003
  • Run Time: 2h 15m
  • IMDb Rating: 7.6
  • Revenue: $246.8 million
  • Language: English

This classic Christmas movie follows the lives of eight different couples all set during a month before Christmas in London, England.

Check Out – Must Watch Christmas TV Shows

19. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

Best classic christmas movies - The Nightmare Before Christmas
IMDb
  • Lead actors: Danny Elfman, Chris Sarandon, Catherine O’Hara
  • Supporting Artists: William Hickey
  • Director: Henry Selick
  • Release date: Oct 13, 1993
  • Run Time: 1h 16m
  • IMDb Rating: 7.9
  • Revenue: $91.5 million
  • Language: English

A king of Halloween town, Jack Skellington, discovers a Christmas town and gets enchanted by it. His obsession grows to the point where he kidnaps Santa Claus and starts delivering ghoulish gifts to kids.

20. Christmas In Connecticut (1945)

Best classic christmas movies - Christmas In Connecticut
IMDb
  • Lead actors: Barbara Stanwyck, Dennis Morgan
  • Supporting Artist: Sydney Greenstreet
  • Director: Peter Godfrey
  • Release date: August 11, 1945
  • Run Time: 1h 41m
  • IMDb Rating: 7.3
  • Revenue: $3 million
  • Language: English

Christmas In Connecticut is about an unmarried columnist who pretends to be a wife living on a farm with her husband and kids. However, her world turns upside down after a war hero invites himself to her house and they eventually fall in love.

Check Out – Christmas Party Games

21. A Christmas Tale (2008)

Best classic christmas movies - A Christmas Tale
IMDb
  • Lead actors: Catherine Deneuve, Jean-Paul Roussillon
  • Supporting Artist: Anne Consigny
  • Director: Arnaud Desplechin
  • Release date: May 21, 2008
  • Run Time: 2h 30m
  • IMDb Rating: 7.3
  • Revenue: $6.3 million
  • Language: English

When the matriarch of the Vuillard family requires a a bone-marrow transplant, the estranged clan reunites just in time for Christmas.

22. Babes in Toyland (1961)

Best classic christmas movies - Babes in Toyland
IMDb
  • Lead actors: Ray Bolger, Tommy Sands
  • Supporting Artist: Annette Funicello
  • Director: Jack Donohue
  • Release date: December 14, 1961
  • Run Time: 1h 46m
  • IMDb Rating: 6.1
  • Revenue: $4.6 million
  • Language: English

Evil Barnaby has been eyeing Mary to marry her so that he can inherit her property. However, after Mary’s marriage is fixed with Tom, Barnaby sends two goons Roderigo and Gonzorgo to kidnap Tom and ruin their wedding plans.

23. Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)

Best classic christmas movies -  Meet Me in St. Louis
IMDb
  • Lead actors: Judy Garland, Margaret O’Brien
  • Supporting Artist: Annette Funicello
  • Director: Mary Astor
  • Release date: December 14, 1961
  • Run Time: 1h 53m
  • IMDb Rating: 6.1
  • Revenue: $4.6 million
  • Language: English

In the year 1904, four Smith daughters, who are attached to their ways of life, reluctantly move to New York after their father gets transferred.

24. The Shop Around the Corner (1940)

Best classic christmas movies - The Shop Around the Corner
IMDb
  • Lead actors: Margaret Sullavan, James Stewart
  • Supporting Artist: Frank Morgan
  • Director: Ernst Lubitsch
  • Release date: January 12, 1940
  • Run Time: 1h 39m
  • IMDb Rating: 8
  • Revenue: $380,000
  • Language: English

In this romantic Christmas movie, Alfred Kralik and Klara Novak are employees at a general store. However, they can barely stand each other, disagreeing almost on everything. They find solace in their respective pen pals only to realize that they are each other’s, pen pals.

25. Holiday Affair (1949)

Best classic christmas movies - Holiday Affair
IMDb
  • Lead actors: Robert Mitchum, Janet Leigh
  • Supporting Artist: Wendell Corey
  • Director: Don Hartman
  • Release date: December 24, 1949
  • Run Time: 1h 27m
  • IMDb Rating: 7.1
  • Revenue: N/A
  • Language: English

A young war widow Connie Ennis is torn between a boring businessman and a romantic but unsuccessful sales clerk.

Featured Image: IMDb

As the snow blankets the world and the fire crackles embark on a timeless journey with the Best Classic Christmas Movies To Watch. Let the nostalgia of these cinematic treasures infuse your holiday season with warmth, laughter, and the enduring magic of Christmas.