10 Best Christmas Classics to Help You Get in a Festive Mood This Weekend

In case you're still not feeling the holiday spirit, here are ten classic movies to help you see the beauty of the season.

It's a Wonderful Life (1946, 8.6 on IMDb)

Available on Prime Video, Hulu, Apple TV+

A loose adaptation of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, this classic Christmas film has an even more gruesome premise. The story follows George Bailey, a man contemplating suicide on Christmas Eve, until the miraculous intervention of his guardian angel, who shows him the value of his life and its purpose.

Miracle on the 34th Street (1947, 7.9 on IMDb)

Available on Disney+, Prime Video, Hulu, Apple TV+

Set in New York City between Thanksgiving and Christmas, this film centers on a department store whose Santa Claus claims to be real. He's kind, pure and joyful, which eventually leads the initially skeptical people around him to believe it's true. The film won three Academy Awards and is preserved in the Library of Congress as an item of great importance to American culture.

A Christmas Story (1983, 7.9 on IMDb)

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Centered on Ralphie Parker, the movie is a collection of his older self's stories about his family and a Christmas he considers the best of his life. Set in 1940, the film follows the young boy as he tries to convince his parents and even the local department store Santa to give him a rifle for Christmas. Naturally, everyone refuses, but Ralphie gets the gun anyway, which makes him the happiest boy in the world despite the life-threatening accident that occurs almost immediately after he receives it.

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989, 7.5 on IMDb)

Available on Max, Prime Video, Apple TV+

This festive classic is a perfect reminder of what Christmas is like with an extended family. Centered on the Griswolds, the movie follows their misadventures and delves into the family chaos that essentially creates the warm holiday the main character wanted.

The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992, 7.7 on IMDb)

Available on Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu, Apple TV+

The Muppets' take on Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol has been a holiday staple since its premiere. The movie retells the beloved story and entertains audiences with the beloved characters from Sesame Street. Starring the legendary Michael Caine as Ebenezer Scrooge, it is the ultimate holiday treat for children and adults alike.

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993, 7.9 on IMDb)

Available on Disney+, Apple TV+, Prime Video

This classic animated film is a wonderful blend of two beloved holidays - Halloween and Christmas. Following the residents of fictional Halloween Town, the story focuses on Jack Skellington, who is in charge of organizing the Halloween celebration.

In search of inspiration for the festivities, Jack accidentally travels to Christmas Town and becomes enamored with its bright colors and high spirits, wanting to bring the cheer back to his own world. Naturally, a lot of grotesque comedy ensues.

The Santa Clause (1994, 6.5 on IMDb)

Available on Disney+, Apple TV+, Prime Video

The classic Disney comedy starring Tim Allen follows his character, Scott Calvin, a divorced father who tries to keep his son's faith in Santa and the miraculous alive. As the two spend Christmas Eve together, they receive a visit from Santa, whom they inadvertently frighten, leading to a tragic incident and Santa's death and magical disappearance. Inspired by a note found in Santa's suit, Scott dons the garment to become the next Santa.

Elf (2003, 7.1 on IMDb)

Available on Max, Prime Video, Hulu, Apple TV+

This festive comedy starring Will Ferrell centers on Buddy, a grown man raised by elves after he accidentally got into Santa's sack as a baby one Christmas. When Buddy learns that he is actually a human being, he gets excited about the idea of finding his real father, who is still alive, and getting the old man to reconsider his lifestyle in order to get off Santa's naughty list. But life in our world proves difficult and hostile for Buddy, who gets into all kinds of hilarious situations.

Love Actually (2003, 7.6 on IMDb)

Available on Netflix, Apple TV+, Prime Video

This festive British rom-com is one of the most popular Christmas movies in the US. Following a group of seemingly unrelated people in the hustle and bustle of their pre-Christmas lives, the film explores all kinds of relationships and spins their stories, only to tie them all together at the very end, reminding you of the importance of love - especially during the holidays.

Joyeux Noël (2005, 7.7 on IMDb)

Available on Prime Video, Apple TV+

Based on the famous Christmas Truce of December 1914 at the beginning of World War I, this festive war drama explores the event from the perspectives of the British, French, and German forces. While not light and bright, the movie makes you believe in the power of Christmas cheer.