The 14 Best Christmas Movies To Watch This Holiday Weekend

Ho-ho-ho! Planning to watch a movie or two with your loved ones during the holidays? Luckily, from rom-coms and dramas to comedies and even thrillers, we've compiled a list of the ultimate Christmas movies. And guess what? The gang’s all here: Buddy the Elf, Ralphie Parker, George Bailey, Ebenezer Scrooge, the Muppets and, of course, jolly old Saint Nick.

So kick back, relax and get comfy on the couch. After all, you deserve a break after buying all those holiday gifts. Cheers!

"A Christmas Story" (1983) — Peter Billingsley, Melinda Dillon, directed by Bob Clark

This holiday classic follows the exploits of Ralphie Parker, a young boy in 1940s Midwestern America with his eye on a Red Ryder BB Gun for Christmas. It's a comedy that is nostalgic and hilariously witty.

"A Christmas Story," PG, 94 min, Comedy, Family

“Home Alone” (1990) — Macaulay Culkin, Catherine O’Hara, Joe Pesci; directed by Chris Columbus

This 1990 Christmas romp, which made 10-year-old Macaulay Culkin and his cuteness a household name, follows Kevin, a 10-year-old boy who accidentally gets left behind when his harried extended family heads off for France over the holidays. Suddenly, the boy is home alone, trying to fend for himself.

"Home Alone," PG, 103 min, Adventure, Comedy

“Love Actually” (2003) — Keira Knightley, Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson; directed by Richard Curtis

From Richard Curtis, the writer of “Four Weddings and a Funeral,” comes his first directorial debut, a comedy with eight interwoven tales about love, romance and life in London during the holidays. Can everyone find love on Christmas Eve?

"Love Actually," R, 134 min, Drama, Romance

"The Man Who Invented Christmas" (2017) — Dan Stevens, Christopher Plummer, directed by Bharat Nalluri

Ever wondered how the classic character Scrooge came about? It's October 1843 in Victorian London, and Charles Dickens is suffering from writer's block. After three failed novels in a row, the world-renowned English author desperately needs a bestseller. Intent on solving his financial woes, Dickens conjures up Ebenezer Scrooge (Christopher Plummer) and begins to toil day and night to create his timeless Yuletide novel, "A Christmas Carol."

This movie is filled with so much Yuletide magic that you'll almost feel the snowflakes brushing your cheeks as you watch it.

"The Man Who Invented Christmas," PG, 104 min, Comedy, Drama, Family

“The Muppet Christmas Carol” (1992) — Michael Caine, Dave Goelz, directed by Brian Henson

The Muppets’ take on the classic Dickens tale comes alive in this charming movie. It stars Michael Caine as the penny-pinching Ebenezer Scrooge, along with Kermit and Miss Piggy as the Cratchits. Oh! And Paul Williams’ songs will delight you, too.

"The Muppet Christmas Carol," G, 85 min, Drama, Family

"The Bells of St. Mary's" (1945) — Bing Crosby, Ingrid Bergman by Leo McCarey

Father O'Malley and Sister Benedict indulge in a friendly disagreement as they both attempt to save the Roman Catholic inner-city school of St. Mary's Parish from being shut down.

"The Bells of St. Mary's," Unrated, 126 min, Drama

"The Nightmare Before Christmas" (1993) — Danny Elfman, Chris Sarandon, directed by Henry Selick

The King of Halloween Town, Jack Skellington, discovers Christmas town in this dark classic and decides to celebrate the holiday. The movie is a stop-motion animated musical with visually stunning special effects.

"The Nightmare Before Christmas," PG, 76 min, Animation, Family, Fantasy

“Arthur Christmas” (2011) — James McAvoy, Bill Nighy, directed by Sarah Smith and Barry Cook

Have you ever wondered how Santa delivers all those presents in one night? And did you know that Santa has two sons, the elder named Steve (Hugh Laurie), the younger named Arthur (James McAvoy)? Well, this animated Santa biopic tackles those yearning questions as it highlights Saint Nick’s Christmas operation in the North Pole.

"Arthur Christmas," PG, 97 min, Animation, Adventure, Comedy

"Die Hard" (1988) — Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman, directed by John McTiernan

Balance out the heartfelt holiday classics with this legendary Christmas thriller. Bruce Willis stars as NYPD officer John McClane, who tries to save his wife and her co-workers from German terrorists as they are taken hostage at the Nakatomi Plaza in Los Angeles. While not everyone agrees that this is your average Christmas movie, many argue that it is a holiday classic, given that the plot takes place on Christmas Eve.

"Die Hard," R, 131 min, Action, Thriller

"While You Were Sleeping" (1995) — Sandra Bullock, Bill Pullman, directed by John Turteltaub

In this offbeat romantic comedy set during a snowy Christmas in Chicago, Sandra Bullock stars as Lucy, a lonely toll collector who falls in love in the most unusual way. This holiday charmer will give you all the feels and remind you that family is what it's all about this time of year.

"While You Were Sleeping," PG, 103 min, Comedy, Drama, Romance

"Elf" (2003) — Will Ferrell, James Caan, directed by Jon Favreau

"Elf" is the story of an orphaned human boy named Buddy who was raised as an elf at the North Pole. When Buddy (Will Ferrell) leaves for New York City to find his true family, equal parts chaos and Christmas cheer ensue. This holiday comedy is full of warmhearted cheer, and Ferrell's comic genius will delight the whole family.

"Elf," PG, 97 min, Comedy, Family, Fantasy

"Miracle on 34th Street" (1947) — Edmund Gwenn, Maureen O'Hara, directed by George Seaton

An annual holiday favorite, George Seaton's "Miracle on 34th Street" is about a Macy's department store Santa named Kris Kringle who claims to be the real deal. You'll remember what it was like to believe in old Saint Nick with this one.

"Miracle on 34th Street," PG, 114 min, Comedy, Drama, Family

“It’s A Wonderful Life” (1946) — James Stewart, Donna Reed, directed by Frank Capra

A movie about self-compassion, this holiday classic reminds us that we must be kind to ourselves, as told through the story of George Bailey (James Stewart), a bank executive who has long considered himself a failure. As he faces financial ruin and arrest, an angel, Clarence Odbody (Henry Travers), descends from heaven to save George from his agony, jogging his memory of all of his selfless acts of kindness he’s done for the common good.

"It's A Wonderful Life," PG, 130 min, Drama, Family, Fantasy

"Gremlins" (1984) — Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates, directed by Joe Dante

Perfect for those who don't crave your typical warm and fuzzy Christmas movie, "Gremlins" takes mischief to a new level and borders between comedy and horror. It's a story about a young man who gets a special gift from his father, a cute pet creature called a "mogwai." Before long, the mogwai spawns other malevolent creatures and tears up the town on Christmas Eve.

"Gremlins," PG, 106 min, Comedy, Fantasy, Horror