List of Christmas films explained

Many Christmas stories have been adapted to feature films and TV specials, and have been broadcast and repeated many times on television. Since the popularization of home video in the 1980s, these films are sold and re-sold every year during the holiday shopping season. Many networks, studios, and production companies, such as Hallmark and Lifetime, produce and release new Christmas-themed films every year during or around December, all with different variations of similar plots and themes.[1] [2] [3] [4]

One film that has become the flashpoint for "Is this a Christmas movie or not?" debates is the original Die Hard (1988), alongside argument lines that either view the Bruce Willis-starring action film as a genuine "Christmas movie" intertwined with its action genre setting, or as a film that is simply set around that time of year.[5] [6] [7]

Theatrical

Christmas-themed films that received a theatrical release.

TitleYearDescription
3 Godfathers 1948 At Christmastime in the Old West, three outlaws find a woman dying in childbirth, and deliver the baby to civilization in a retelling of The Three Wise Men.[8]
The 3 Wise Men 2003 Spanish animated film, telling the story of the journey of the Three Wise Men. Released in Spain as Los Reyes Magos
All I Want for Christmas 1991 A brother and sister attempt to bring their divorced parents back together for Christmas.
All Is Bright 2013 While out of prison on parole, a man reluctantly takes a job selling Christmas trees with his old buddy to make enough money to buy his estranged daughter the piano she has always wanted.
Almost Christmas 2016 A dysfunctional family gathers together for their first Christmas since their mom died.
The Apartment 1960 Set during the Christmas period. A man lends his apartment to his company bosses to use for extramarital affairs in exchange for promotion and other benefits. One of the women involved with his senior boss is a woman he has had a crush on for some time and he must decide between protecting this woman and the advancement of his career.
Arthur Christmas 2011 Santa's youngest son must deliver a bicycle to an overlooked girl before Christmas morning dawns.3-D/CGI animated film.
Babes in Toyland 1934 Laurel and Hardy version of Victor Herbert's popular 1903 operetta Babes in Toyland.[9]
Babes in Toyland 1961 Disney reinterpreted the Christmas tale about the residents of Toyland in Technicolor in this 1961 musical.
Bachelor Mother 1939 Set during the Christmas period, a woman accidentally stumbles upon an abandoned baby on the steps of an orphanage and accepts an offer to take responsibility for the child in return for a job.[10]
A Bad Moms Christmas 2017 Three moms (Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell, and Kathryn Hahn) deal with their own mothers (Christine Baranski, Cheryl Hines, and Susan Sarandon) visiting during the Christmas holiday.
Bad Santa 2003 The crotchety Willie T. Soke (Billy Bob Thornton) and his partner (Tony Cox) reunite once a year for a holiday con. Posing as a mall Santa and his elf, they rip off shopping outlets on Christmas Eve. This year, however, Willie is falling apart. Depressed and alcoholic, his erratic behavior draws the suspicion of mall security (Bernie Mac). But after befriending a small boy, a different side comes out and Willie begins to wonder if there's still hope for him.
Bad Santa 2 2016 Fueled by cheap whiskey, greed, and hatred, Willie Soke (Billy Bob Thornton) teams up with his angry little sidekick, Marcus, to knock off a Chicago charity on Christmas Eve. Along for the ride is chubby and cheery Thurman Merman, a 250-pound ray of sunshine who brings out Willie's sliver of humanity. Mommy issues arise when the pair are joined by Willie's horror story of a mother, Sunny Soke, who raises the bar for the gang's ambitions, while somehow lowering the standards of criminal behavior.
Bada Din1998An Indian romantic-drama film about troubles faced by a couple during Christmas Day.
Believe 2016 A business owner struggles between his desire for financial success and the responsibility of funding the annual Christmas pageant.
Bell, Book and Candle 1958 A modern-day witch likes her neighbor but despises his fiancée, so she enchants him to love her and spend Christmas with her.
The Best Man Holiday 2013 Nearly 15 years after they were last together, a group of college friends reunite over the Christmas holidays. Though much has changed in their lives, the friends discover just how easy it is for long-forgotten rivalries and passionate romances to be reignited.[11]
Beyond Tomorrow 1940 The ghosts of three elderly industrialists killed in an airplane crash return to Earth to help reunite a young couple they initially brought together.[12]
The Bells of St. Mary's 1945 A priest and a nun who have a friendly rivalry must try to save their school from being shut down.[13]
The Bishop's Wife 1947 An angel helps a bishop to change his life and save his marriage before Christmas.[14]
Blackjack 1990 A Swedish drama-comedy film set during Christmas. After returning from Stockholm to her hometown, a young unmarried mother's only escape is the local Saturday night dance. She is invited to join a group, who are part of the band, named Blackjack, playing at the nightclub.
Black Christmas 1974 The story follows a group of sorority sisters who receive threatening phone calls and are eventually stalked and murdered by a deranged killer during the Christmas season.
Black Nativity 2013 A street-wise teen from Baltimore who has been raised by a single mother travels to New York City to spend the Christmas holiday with his estranged relatives.
Blizzard 2003 When a ten-year-old girl's best friend moves out of town, a young reindeer called Blizzard comforts her.
Boxing Day 2021 A British author living in America, returns home to London for Christmas to introduce his American fiancée to his eccentric British-Caribbean family.[15]
Bright Eyes 1934 An orphaned girl is taken in by a snobbish family at the insistence of their rich, crotchety uncle, even as her devoted aviator godfather fights for custody. The film is set over Christmas.[16]
Bundle of Joy 1956Remake of the 1939 film, Bachelor Mother. Set during the Christmas period, a woman stumbles upon an abandoned baby on the steps of an orphanage and accepts an offer to take responsibility for the child in return for a job.
Carol 2015 An aspiring photographer develops an intimate relationship with an older woman over the Christmas holidays in 1950s New York.
Cash on Demand 1961 Set during the Christmas, a bank manager assists a con man in robbing his own bank, after the con man has led the bank manager to believe that he has kidnapped his wife and son.[17]
The Cheaters 1945Screwball comedy set around Christmas. A New York City businessman is on the verge of bankruptcy and is relying upon his dying uncle's fortune, only for him to find out that it has been left to an actress. Meanwhile his wife and daughter convince him to invite a poor and destitute man to spend Christmas with the family as a way to appear generous. The destitute man turns out to know of the actress.[18]
Christmas Holiday 1944 On Christmas Eve, a New Orleans nightclub singer tells a soldier the tragic tale of her marriage to a Creole scoundrel.[19]
Christmas Present 1986 An Italian film about a group of former friends that meet again after a very long time, on Christmas Eve, with the intent of ripping off a rich industrialist in a game of Poker.
Christmas Rematch 2004 Sequel to 1984 film, Christmas Present. An Italian film about a group of former friends that meet again on Christmas Eve for a rematch of a poker game that took part many years ago, with some planning to settle scores.
A Christmas Story 1983 Ralphie has to convince his parents, teacher, and Santa that a Red Ryder B.B. gun really is the perfect gift.[20]
A Christmas Tale (Un Conte de Noël) 2008 The troubled Vuillard family is no stranger to illness, grief, and banishment, but when their matriarch requires a bone-marrow transplant, the estranged clan reunites just in time for Christmas.
The Christmas That Almost Wasn't 1966 Santa must get a job as a department store Santa so that he can pay his rent and avoid eviction.
Christmas Eve 1947 To save her fortune from a designing nephew, Matilda Reid must locate her three long-lost adopted sons in time for a Christmas Eve reunion.
Christmas in Connecticut 1945 A food writer must entertain her boss and a returning war hero for the holidays.
Christmas Rathri1961An Indian drama film with the climax and pivotal plot resolution taking place on Christmas Eve.
Christmas with the Kranks 2004 Finally alone for the holidays, Luther (Tim Allen) and Nora Krank (Jamie Lee Curtis) plan to eschew the Christmas traditions and take a cruise in the Caribbean instead. This doesn't sit well with their Christmas-obsessed neighbors Vic Frohmeyer (Dan Aykroyd) and Walt Scheel (M. Emmet Walsh), who are determined to win the annual "best-decorated street" competition, and the Kranks soon find themselves social outcasts because of their lack of Christmas spirit.
The Christmas Candle 2013 In 1890, an English village copes with the disappearance of a supposedly miraculous candle. Based on the novel by Max Lucado.
The Christmas Chronicles 2018 The story of sister and brother, Kate and Teddy Pierce, whose Christmas Eve plan to catch Santa Claus on camera turns into an unexpected journey that most kids could only dream about.
The Christmas Chronicles 2 2020 A couple of years later, Kate Pierce and Jack Booker help Santa Claus save the North Pole.
The Christmas Kid 1967 A corrupt sheriff, who was born on Christmas Day, decides to change his ways and go against the most powerful man in town.
The Christmas Tree 1969 A French American millionaire (William Holden), his girlfriend (Virna Lisi) and his war buddy (Andre Bourvil) try to grant his dying son's every wish.
Comfort and Joy 1984 During Christmas, A Scottish DJ grappling with personal problems is landed with a whole lot more when he becomes involved in a bitter, territorial feud between two rival families of ice cream sellers.[21]
Cover Up 1949 A film noir set during the Christmas period. An insurance investigator arrives to look into an apparent suicide, but all clues lead him to suspect murder.[22]
Crackers 1978 Family reunion with grandpa at beach house. An Australian comedy.
The Crowded Day 1954 Within the last five days of Christmas shopping, the lives of five female department store employees intertwine as they confront various personal problems during the busy Christmas season. The film was also titled Shop Spoiled in the US.[23]
Cup of Cheer 2020 A comedy film parodying Hallmark Channel Christmas television films, in which a journalist returns to her hometown for Christmas and falls in love with the owner of a hot chocolate shop.
Daddy's Home 2 2017 Dad and step-dad Dusty and Brad plan a together Christmas for the kids with a little help from their real Dads.
2006 Rival neighbors duke it out when one of them decides to light his house up so it can be seen from outer space.
Desk Set 1957 A romantic comedy based on the relationship between a research librarian in a corporate office and a computer scientist brought in to automate her department, and which she perceives as a threat to her job. All things come to a head at Christmastime.
2023 Based on , a novel by Jeff Kinney
Diner1982Six 20-somethings convene during Christmas break in 1959 Baltimore. Directed by Barry Levinson.
Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas 2000 A live-action film of the Dr. Seuss story.
Edward Scissorhands 1990 Edward, a boy found living alone in a dark mansion on the top of a mountain. Edward is the creation of an elderly inventor who dies before he can replace Edward's scissorhands with conventional hands.
Elf 2003 A man raised as an elf in the North Pole searches for his father in New York City.
Elliot the Littlest Reindeer 2018 Animated. Elliot, a miniature pony, wishes to compete in the North Pole Tryouts to become one of Santa's reindeer.[24]
Ernest Saves Christmas1988 Ernest helps Santa Claus as he searches for his successor.
Eyes Wide Shut1999A New York City doctor embarks on a night-long erotic adventure in this Christmas thriller.
Feast of the Seven Fishes 2018 Set during Christmas Eve, an Italian American family is preparing for the annual Italian tradition known as Feast of the Seven Fishes.[25]
Female Trouble1974 When a spoiled schoolgirl runs away from home, she gets pregnant while hitch-hiking and goes into a life of crime.
The Fitzgerald Family Christmas 2012Twenty years after walking out on his family, an estranged father wants to spend his last Christmas with them. The seven adult siblings of the Fitzgerald family must prepare for his return home.[26]
Fitzwilly 1967 A butler helps finance his employer's charitable activities through a variety of illicit schemes, including a plan to rob Gimbels department store on Christmas Eve.
Four Christmases 2008 A couple struggles to visit all four of their divorced parents on Christmas Day.
Fred Claus 2007 Of the two Claus brothers, Fred (Vince Vaughn) is the troublemaker and polar opposite of his saintly sibling, Nicholas (Paul Giamatti). When Fred's criminal ways finally land him in big trouble, Nicholas bails him out and brings him to the North Pole to work off the debt by making toys. The headaches mount for St. Nick, who not only must deal with his troublemaking brother, but also an efficiency expert who has come to evaluate Santa's operation.
Friday After Next 2002 Craig and Day-Day go after a fake Santa who robs their house on Christmas Eve.
Funny Farm 1988 Andy and Elizabeth Farmer move from New York City to the country. Hijinx ensue that stresses their marriage, and they think about divorce and try and sell the house. They ask the towns people to act out a perfect small town Christmas to help sway the potential buyers to a quick sale.
The Family Man 2000 A wealthy bachelor wakes up on Christmas to find that he has been transported to an alternate reality where he is a mere tire salesman, with a wife and kids. He is living in a middle-class suburban neighborhood.
The Family Stone 2005 An uptight woman meets her fiancé's free-spirited family for the first time over the Christmas holidays and chaos ensues.
Get Santa 2014 After Santa Claus is arrested and jailed, a recently paroled prisoner and his young son attempt to save Christmas before it's too late.
A Gift from Bob 2020 Sequel to the 2016 film A Street Cat Named Bob. A homeless busker living rough on the streets of London finds himself the target of an animal welfare investigation that threatens to take away his beloved cat and best friend Bob at Christmas time. Also promoted as A Christmas Gift from Bob.[27]
Go 1999 Set during Christmas. A Shop girl working overtime at her supermarket job to avoid being evicted, is mixed up in a drug sting, which was intended for her absent co-worker.[28]
Going My Way1944 Bing Crosby as a new young priest taking over a parish from an established old veteran. Adeline De Walt Reynolds was memorable in the last scene as Mother Fitzgibbon, who travels from Ireland to the United States to see her son.
Good Sam 1948 A man's who is helpful to others at the expense of his own family puts himself and his family on the brink of homelessness during the Christmas season.[29]
The Great Rupert 1950 A squirrel accidentally helps two dysfunctional families during Christmas.
The Grinch 2018 An animated film of the Dr. Seuss story.
Holiday Affair 1949 A fired sales clerk and a young woman fall in love.
Holiday Inn 1942 Introduced the song "White Christmas".[30]
Holidate 2020 Fed up with being single on holidays, two strangers agree to be each other's platonic plus-ones all year long, only to catch real feelings along the way.
Home Alone 1990 A young boy is forgotten when his large family rushes to catch a plane for Paris at Christmas.
1992 After youth Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) loses track of his father at the airport, he mistakenly gets on a plane headed for New York City—while the rest of the McCallisters fly to Florida. Now alone in the Big Apple, Kevin cons his way into a room at the Plaza Hotel and begins his usual antics. But when Kevin discovers that the Sticky Bandits (Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern) are on the loose, he struggles to stop them from robbing an elderly man's toy store just before Christmas.
Home for Christmas 2010 Set in the small Norwegian town of Skogli, this film looks at those who are desperately trying to (re)connect with their families.
How the Toys Saved Christmas 1996 The story follows some toys as they struggle to avoid the heartless Mr. Grimm, that plans to auction off the toys to the highest bidder, and to find their true homes.
The Holdovers2023During Christmas in 1970, a curmudgeonly history teacher at a New England prep school is forced to chaperone the handful of students with nowhere to go over Christmas break.
The Holiday 2006 Two women swap homes at Christmas after bad breakups with their boyfriends. Each woman finds romance and romantic comedy ensues, Starring Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz, Jude Law and Jack Black.
The Holly and the Ivy 1952 An English country vicar hosts his estranged adult children for Christmas.[31]
I'll Be Home for Christmas 1998 A son in college has not been home since his mother died and his father remarried. His father offers his vintage car if he is home by a certain time for Christmas.
I'll Be Seeing You 1944 A traumatized soldier and a woman on a break from serving her prison sentence meet and fall in love during Christmas in this drama set during World War II.
It Happened on 5th Avenue 1947 A hobo who occupies a vacant New York City mansion for the winter unknowingly gets involved with the owner's family.[32]
It's a Wonderful Knife 2023 Winnie Carruthers previously saved her town, the idyllic Angel Falls, from a psychotic killer on Christmas Eve, only for the killer to return the following year.[33]
It's a Wonderful Life 1946 A businessman is shown by his guardian angel on Christmas Eve what the world would be like if he were never born.[34]
The Ice Harvest 2005 A shady lawyer attempts a Christmas Eve crime, hoping to swindle the local mob out of some money.
Jack Frost 1998 A father passes away but comes back to life in the form of a snowman.
Jingle All the Way 1996 A dad competes with others to get them a sold out hot toy for his son.
Journey to the Christmas star 1976 A Norwegian fairy-tale adventure film about a young girl who disappears followed by the Christmas star, and her parents try to find her and restore the power of the star.
Joyeux Noël 2005 A film set around the informal Christmas truce on the Western Front during Christmas 1914.
Just Friends 2005 While visiting his hometown during Christmas, a man (Ryan Reynolds) comes face-to-face with his old high school crush whom he was best friends with — a woman (Amy Smart) whose rejection of him turned him into a ferocious womanizer.
Klaus 2019 A simple act of kindness always sparks another, even in a frozen, faraway place. When Smeerensburg's new postman, Jesper, befriends toymaker Klaus, their gifts melt an age-old feud and deliver a sleigh full of holiday traditions.
Lady in the Lake 1947 Private detective Philip Marlowe gets mixed up in a case involving a missing wife and murder at Christmas time.
Last Christmas 2019 A depressed young woman who works in a Christmas supplies store keeps bumping into the same young man.[35]
Last Holiday 2006 Georgia is a humble department store assistant who is told that she has a rare brain condition and only has a few weeks to live. She promptly decides to spend her remaining funds on a luxury holiday in Europe before she dies.
Less than Zero 1987 A college freshman returns home at Christmas time to find that all his high school friends are taking drugs.
The Little Match Girl 1928 French film of Hans Christian Andersen's story of the same name. The story of a frozen girl who tries to sell matches during Christmas and dreams about a toy store.
Look Who's Talking Now! 1993 In the third film of the Look Who's Talking franchise, two pets are given away and are left as strays.
Love Actually 2003 Ten separate stories with different aspects of love counting down five weeks before Christmas. Among the characters explored are David (Hugh Grant), the handsome newly elected British prime minister who falls for a young junior staffer (Martine McCutcheon), Sarah (Laura Linney), a graphic designer whose devotion to her mentally ill brother complicates her love life, and Harry (Alan Rickman), a married man tempted by his attractive new secretary.[36]
Love the Coopers 2015 When four generations of the Cooper clan come together for their annual Christmas Eve celebration, a series of unexpected visitors and unlikely events turn the night upside down, leading them all toward a surprising rediscovery of family bonds and the spirit of the holiday.
The Lemon Drop Kid 1951 A racetrack tout has a month to pay back the money a gangster lost on a touted horse just before Christmas. The film popularized the song "Silver Bells".[37]
The Lion in Winter 1968 Christmas 1183 is the setting for palace intrigues with Henry II of England and family.
A Madea Christmas 2013 Madea (Tyler Perry) dispenses her unique form of holiday spirit on a rural town when she is coaxed into helping a friend pay her daughter a surprise visit in the country for Christmas.
The Man Who Came to Dinner 1942 Based on the 1939 play of the same name by Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman. While on a speaking tour in Ohio, a famous opinionated and arrogant radio personality injures himself slipping on ice and becomes an unexpected houseguest for a prominent family over the Christmas holidays.
Meet John Doe 1941 A homeless man is hired by an ambitious newspaper columnist as part of a stunt that says he will commit suicide on Christmas Eve in protest of society's ills. Unbeknownst to the columnist, the paper's wealthy owner aims to take advantage of this plot for his own political campaigns
Meet Me in St. Louis 1944 With the activities of the Smith family during 1903, Alonzo Smith (Leon Ames), a lawyer, might need to move the family to New York. Judy Garland introduced the song "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas".[38]
Merry Christmas 2000 An Argentine-Italian anthology film set during Christmas Eve. Each of the characters within the several stories overlap with each other. Released in Non-English speaking countries as Felicidades.
Merry Christmas... Happy New Year 1989 An Italian film about an elderly couple who must leave their home, during the Christmas period, as they are unable to pay their rent. Each of their two daughters can only accommodate one parent and therefore the elderly couple are forced to separate in order to be housed. Released as Buon Natale... buon anno in Italy and Joyeux Noël, bonne année in France.
Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence 1983 During WWII, a British colonel tries to bridge the cultural divides between a British POW and the Japanese camp commander to avoid bloodshed.
The Merry World of Leopold Z 1965 With Christmas Day fast approaching, a Montreal snowplow operator's plans to complete a series of important errands are disrupted by a massive snowstorm. French Canadian film also released as La vie heureuse de Léopold Z.[39]
A Message from Mars 1913 A science fiction silent film, that is based loosely on A Christmas Carol. On Christmas eve, a miserly and self-centered man is visited by a Martian to show him the error of his ways.[40]
A Midnight Clear 1992 Set toward the end of World War II, the film tells the story of an American intelligence unit that finds a German platoon that wishes to surrender.
Miracle on 34th Street 1947 An old man claims to be Santa and a lawyer defends him in court to stop him from being institutionalized.[41]
Miracle on 34th Street 1994 Remake of the 1947 classic of the same name. An old gentleman must convince a department store's special events director and her daughter that Santa Claus exists and a lawyer must convince a court that the Gentleman should not be institutionalized[42]
The Miracle of Morgan's Creek 1944 A Screwball comedy film. After an all-night send-off party for the troops, a small-town girl with an awkward boyfriend wakes up to find herself married and pregnant, with the child's birth due at Christmas.
Mixed Nuts1994 A comedy centered around a suicide-prevention hotline called Lifesavers on Christmas Eve.
Mr. Soft Touch 1949 Set during Christmas. A World War II veteran comes home to find that his nightclub has been taken over by gangsters and his business partner has been killed. After reclaiming the money that is rightfully his, he is forced to hide out in a settlement house due to a case of mistaken identity. While being pursued by gangsters and a persistent journalist, he learns a valuable lesson about altruism.
My Night at Maud's 1969 Devout Catholic Jean-Louis falls in love with a fellow parishioner but encounters temptation at a Christmas dinner hosted by the seductive Maud.
My Santa 2019 An Indian children's film about a girl named Isa who, after losing her parents in an accident, lives with her grandfather. He tells her stories of Santa Claus to cheer her up. Soon, Santa arrives to meet her, making her wishes come true.
The Man Who Invented Christmas 2017 In 1843, author Charles Dickens sets out to write and self-publish a novel that he hopes will revive his career. He spends the next six weeks bringing Ebenezer Scrooge, Tiny Tim, and other characters to life in "A Christmas Carol."
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation 1989 The Griswold family plans turn to disaster, this time at Christmas. The third film in the Vacation series.
Nativity! 2009 Struggling teacher Mr. Maddens puts on the school nativity play, which is mistaken as a big Hollywood production.
2012 The children of St. Bernadette's entering the National 'Song for Christmas' competition.
2014 The children of St. Bernadette's have to reunite their teacher with his fiancée.
Nativity Rocks! This Ain't No Silent Night 2018 The staff and students at St. Bernadette's Primary School audition for a coveted place in a spectacular rock musical competition.
The Nativity Story 2006 A drama film based on the Birth of Jesus[43]
Never Say Goodbye1946A daughter works to bring her parents back together during the holidays, which leads to comedic results. This is Errol Flynn's first purely comedic role since Footsteps in the Dark.
Noel 2004 Five New Yorkers come together on Christmas Eve, seeking a miracle.
Noelle[44] 2019 The story revolves around Santa's daughter (Anna Kendrick) who is forced to take over the family business when her father dies and her brother (Bill Hader) is clearly not up to the job.
Nothing like the Holidays 2008 A Puerto Rican family in Chicago gather for their possibly last Christmas together.
The Night Before 2015 On Christmas Eve, three lifelong friends spend the night in New York City looking for the Holy Grail of Christmas parties.
The Night of the Hunter 1955 A religious fanatic marries a naïve widow whose children are reluctant to tell him where their father hid $10,000 he had stolen during Christmas.
The Nightmare Before Christmas 1993 The mascot of Halloween, Jack Skellington grows tired of having to be scary on Halloween and decides to try celebrating/hosting Christmas
O. Henry's Full House 1952 An anthology film, covering five of O. Henry's short stories, including the Christmas short story: The Gift of the Magi.[45]
Office Christmas Party 2016 When the CEO tries to close her hard-partying brother's branch, he and his Chief Technical Officer must rally their co-workers and host an epic office Christmas party to impress a potential client and close a sale that will save their jobs.
On Her Majesty's Secret Service 1969 James Bond travels to Switzerland to stop supervillain Ernst Stavro Blofeld from destroying the world food supply with 12 brainwashed young women. Although Christmas is not the film's main theme, it is largely set during the Christmas period, and the Christmas story forms the underlying basis for the film's plot.
One Magic Christmas1985 An angel shows a young mother the true meaning of Christmas.
2009 A mall security guard finds himself in a middle of a heist and is the only one in position to rescue hostages.
Plácido 1960 Spanish comedy where affluent women in a provincial town organize a Christmas campaign of feeding the poor.
Period of Adjustment 1962 Two couples hash out their respective marital difficulties on Christmas Eve.
Prancer 1989 Refusing to give up her belief in Santa Claus, a child, Jessica Riggs (Rebecca Harrell), discovers a hurt reindeer in the woods, which she believes to be Prancer.
The Polar Express 2004 Tom Hanks and director Robert Zemeckis ("Forrest Gump"; "Cast Away") reunite for "Polar Express," an inspiring adventure based on the beloved children's book by Chris Van Allsburg. When a doubting young boy takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery that shows him that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe.[46]
The Preacher's Wife 1996 Remake of the 1947 classic, The Bishop's Wife. An angel is sent, during the Christmas period, to help a preacher save his church and his family but he becomes distracted with the Preacher's wife.
Remember the Night1940 In New York City just before Christmas a woman thief (Barbara Stanwyck) is caught, but the trial is unexpectedly continued until after the holiday. The kind-hearted prosecutor (Fred MacMurray) gets her out on bond, and she ends up spending the holiday going on a trip home with him. They both fall in love, and return to New York City where she has to face the conclusion of the trial. (A romantic melodrama with a Christmas theme.)
Rent2005 Set around Christmas, a group of New Yorkers struggles with their careers, love lives, and the effects of the AIDS epidemic on their community.
Rise of the Guardians 2012 An animated film. Jack Frost is asked to join Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, and the Sandman as a Guardian to protect the world's children from darkness and despair from the evil boogeyman Pitch Black.[47]
Rocky IV 1985 The fourth installment in the Rocky film series. Rocky challenges Drago to an unsanctioned 15-round fight in the Soviet Union on Christmas Day
Rocky V 1990 Rocky mentors a young pugilist named Tommy Gunn, which culminates in a street fight between the two during around Christmas Day.
The Ref 1994 Bickering spouses annoy a cat burglar who takes them hostage in their Connecticut home before Christmas dinner with the family.
1998 An animated film which retells of the story of the fictional character, created by Robert L. May, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Santa Claus 1959 A Mexican fantasy film about Santa, who battles a demon from ruining Christmas.
Santa Claus Conquers the Martians 1964 The Martians decide to abduct Santa Claus, and they kidnap two children. The film is often considered one of the worst films ever made.
1985 The story of where Santa Claus came from and his attempts to save Christmas after his elf gets mixed up with an evil toy tycoon.
Santa with Muscles 1996 Due to an unusual series of events, a bodybuilder with amnesia thinks that he is Santa Claus.
Saving Christmas 2014 A man convinces his brother-in-law that Christmas is still a Christian holiday, and endeavors to "put Christ back into Christmas".
Screwed 2000 A chauffeur kidnaps his rich boss's dog to hold it for ransom, but when she accidentally gets the dog back, she thinks that it's the chauffeur who's been kidnapped.
Season's Beatings 1999 A French comedy-drama film. Following the recent death of her second husband, a woman invites her estranged daughters from her first marriage to come and spend Christmas with her. Released as La Bûche in France.[48]
Serendipity 2001 A man (John Cusack) and a woman (Kate Beckinsale) meet on Christmas Eve circa 1991 and reunite a decade later on the same day.
Six Weeks 1982A 12-year-old girl dying from leukemia flies to New York City and assumes the lead role of Marie in The Nutcracker with the New York City Ballet at Lincoln Center during Christmas.[49] [50] [51]
Star in the Night 1945 A Modern-day retelling of the Nativity story set on Christmas Eve at a diner and auto court in the desert Southwest United States. It won the Academy Award for Best Short Subject (Two-Reel).
Surviving Christmas 2004 A lonely millionaire pays a family $250,000 to spend Christmas with him by living in the home that he grew up in.
Susan Slept Here 1954 A bachelor screenwriter finds himself playing host to a teenage delinquent over the holidays.
The Santa Clause 1994 When Santa supposedly dies after falling off his roof, a dad is required to take Santa's place.
The Santa Clause 2 2002 A sequel to The Santa Clause; Santa desperately tries to get married before the next Christmas eve or he will lose the title of being Santa.
2006 Santa tries to reverse a spell by Jack Frost to keep his title.
The Shop Around The Corner 1940 Two shop employees dislike each other but fall in love as anonymous pen pals.
The Silent Partner 1978 A bank teller finds out his bank is going to be robbed, and stashes money in his lunchbox, while only giving the thief the small amount left in his register. The robber, disguised as a mall Santa Claus, discovers the deception and begins threatening the teller.
The Star 2017 An animated film based about the Nativity of Jesus and the Christmas star.
The Thin Man 1934A retired detective is asked to follow the trail of a missing inventor. Although reluctant to interrupt his Christmas holiday, he is persuaded to investigate by his wife's craving for adventure, and together they embark upon a case that leads to the disclosure of deception and murder.
This Christmas 2007 At holiday time, family matriarch Ma'Dere Whitfield (Loretta Devine) assembles her large brood for their first reunion in four years. However, family ties show signs of strain when various secrets come to light, especially concerning Marine Claude's (Columbus Short) true military status, Quentin's (Idris Elba) debts, and teenage Baby's (Chris Brown) secret plans to become a singer.
Tokyo Godfathers 2003 Three homeless people, (an alcoholic, a former drag queen, and a young runaway) find a newborn baby girl abandoned in a garbage dump on Christmas Eve and attempt to return her to her parents in this bittersweet dramedy.
Trading Places 1983 The lives of an upper-class commodities broker and a homeless street hustler cross paths when they are unknowingly made part of an elaborate bet.
Trail of Robin Hood 1950 Roy Rogers and his friends come to the aid of a Christmas tree farmer.
Trapped in Paradise 1994 Three brothers rob a bank on Christmas, but they are forced to return it back to prevent a murder.
Unaccompanied Minors2006A group of unaccompanied minors bond while snowed in at the midwestern Hoover International Airport during the holiday season and ultimately create a makeshift holiday themselves.
Unnikrishnante Adyathe Christmas1988An Indian drama film about a man on the lookout for a child who has gone missing on Christmas.
A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas 2011 The third installment in the Harold & Kumar franchise. Three estranged friends reunite to hunt for a Christmas tree.
We're No Angels 1955 Three escaped prisoners hide out in the home of a kindly shopkeeper and repay his kindness by helping him and his family out of several crises.
While You Were Sleeping 1995 Lonely transit worker Lucy pulls her longtime crush, Peter, from the path of an oncoming train. At the hospital, doctors report that Peter is in a coma, and a misplaced comment from Lucy causes Peter's family to assume that she is his fiancée. When Lucy doesn't correct them, they take her into their home and confidence.
White Christmas 1954 As in Holiday Inn, musicians bring Irving Berlin's lyrics to a New England lodge, this time in Vermont. But it is not a remake of the film.[52]
Why Him? 2016 A holiday gathering threatens to go off the rails when Ned Fleming (Bryan Cranston) realizes that his daughter's millionaire boyfriend (James Franco) is about to pop a question.

A Christmas Carol adaptations

TitleYearDescription
Barbie in A Christmas Carol 2008 Barbie stars in an adaptation of Charles Dickens' story about a spoiled opera singer who meets three spirits that change her life forever.
A Christmas Carol 1938 MGM's adaptation of Charles Dickens' story starring Reginald Owen as Scrooge.
A Christmas Carol 1971 Oscar-winning animated adaptation, with Alastair Sim and Michael Hordern recreating their roles as Scrooge and Marley's Ghost, narrated by Michael Redgrave; Directed by Richard Williams; Produced by Chuck Jones.
A Christmas Carol 1984 An adaptation of Dickens' tale, starring George C Scott as Ebenezer Scrooge.
A Christmas Carol 2009 Disney's animated adaptation of Charles Dickens' story starring Jim Carrey as Scrooge.
2001 An animated retelling of Charles Dickens' classic tale, starring Simon Callow as Ebeneezer Scrooge, Nicolas Cage as Jacob Marley and Kate Winslet as Belle, Scrooge's past love.
Mickey's Christmas Carol 1983 An animated adaptation of Charles Dickens' story starring Disney characters.
The Muppet Christmas Carol 1992 Jim Henson's creations tackle Charles Dickens' festive favorite.
Scrooge 1935 Early film adaptation of A Christmas Carol, starring Seymour Hicks as Scrooge.
Scrooge 1951 Charles Dickens' ghostly tale on Christmas, starring Alastair Sim as Ebenezer Scrooge.
Scrooge 1970 A musical adaptation of Charles Dickens' tale, starring Albert Finney in the title role and Alec Guinness as Jacob Marley
2022 Netflix's animated musical adaptation of Charles Dickens' story starring Luke Evans as Scrooge; essentially a scaled-down version of the 1970 musical starring Albert Finney.
Scrooge, or, Marley's Ghost 1901 Short silent adaptation of Charles Dickens' 1843 novella A Christmas Carol. An elderly miserly man is giving the chance of redemption following the visit by the ghost of his former business partner Jacob Marley and the spirits of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come.[53]
Scrooged 1988 A modern, dark-humored interpretation of Charles Dickens' story, with Christmas spirits visiting a cynical, selfish television executive played by Bill Murray.
Spirited2022A musical/comedy version of Charles Dickens's story of a miserly misanthrope who is taken on a magical journey.
Ghosts of Girlfriends Past 2009 Features a wedding day and the day before, rather than the familiar Christmas and Christmas Eve from A Christmas Carol. The three ghosts share similar appearances with the original descriptions, and the film shares the traditional plot points from the book.

The Nutcracker adaptations

TitleYearDescription
Barbie in the Nutcracker 2001 Little Clara awakes one night to find her new nutcracker doll come to life and battling against the Mouse King. Clara is shrunk by the king, so she must race to find a princess who can reverse the magic.
Nutcracker Fantasy 1979 Stop motion animated film produced by Sanrio.
The Nutcracker 1967 The Nutcracker is a 1967 Polish film directed by Halina Bielińska and based on E.T.A. Hoffmann's novelette The Nutcracker and the Mouse King.
The Nutcracker 1993 Also known as 'George Balanchine's The Nutcracker' with Macaulay Culkin and narration from Kevin Kline, directed by Emile Ardolino (Dirty Dancing).
The Nutcracker and the Four Realms 2018 A young girl is transported into a magical world of gingerbread soldiers and an army of mice.
The Nutcracker in 3D 2010 Live-action 3D musical adaptation of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's 1892 ballet The Nutcracker. In 1920s Vienna a little girl's godfather gives her a special doll one Christmas Eve.
1986 A performing arts film designed by Maurice Sendak.
The Nutcracker Prince 1990 An animated film with Keifer Sutherland.
The Nuttiest Nutcracker 1999 A group of fruits and vegetables try to help the Nutcracker's army get a star upon a Christmas tree while stopping a rodent army from destroying Christmas.
2007 Dancing with a music-box ballerina, in an enchanted kingdom with candy forests and singing snowflakes, Jerry is as happy can be until Tom crashes the party.

Christmas action films

TitleYearDescription
19411979The story involves a panic in the Los Angeles area after the December 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor.
Batman Returns 1992 Batman faces off against both Penguin and Catwoman during the Christmas season in Gotham City.[54]
Brazil1985 A bureaucrat in a dystopic society becomes an enemy of the state as he pursues the woman of his dreams
Destination Tokyo1943 A WWII film. In order to provide information for the first air raid over Tokyo, a U.S. submarine sneaks into Tokyo Bay and places a spy team ashore.
Die Hard[55] 1988 New York Cop John McClane, must save the Nakatomi Christmas Party from a group of robbers on Christmas Eve in Los Angeles.
Die Hard 2[56] [57] 1990 John McClane returns this time to battle terrorists who have seized control of Dulles airport on Christmas Eve a year after the first film.
Donnie Brasco 1997 A section of the movie takes place during Christmas where Donnie eats dinner at Lefty's house and misses his own family's Christmas.
Exit Speed 2008 Passengers on a bus become entangled in a conflict with a gang of bikers on Christmas Eve.[58]
Fatman2020 A rowdy, unorthodox Santa Claus is fighting to save his declining business. Meanwhile, Billy, a neglected and precocious 12 year old, hires a hit man to kill Santa after receiving a lump of coal in his stocking.
Gremlins1984 A young man inadvertently breaks three important rules concerning his new pet and unleashes a horde of malevolently mischievous monsters on a small town on Christmas Eve.
In Bruges[59] 2008 Guilt-stricken after a job gone wrong, hitman Ray and his partner await orders from their ruthless boss in Bruges, Belgium, the last place in the world Ray wants to be.
Iron Man 32013 After a malevolent enemy known as the Mandarin reduces his personal world to rubble, Tony Stark must rely solely on instinct and ingenuity to avenge his losses and protect the people he loves.
Jurassic World 2015 Two kids are sent to Jurassic World theme park situated on Isla Nublar for Christmas vacation, while their parents are getting a divorce. There, chaos follows when a newly unveiled attraction breaks free and wreaks havoc on the island.
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang 2005 After being mistaken for an actor, a New York thief is sent to Hollywood to train under a private eye for a potential movie role, but the duo are thrown together with a struggling actress into a murder mystery.
Lethal Weapon 1987 Two cops must set aside their differences in order to catch a gang of drug smugglers.
The Last Boy Scout 1991 A private detective teams up with a former quarterback to expose a corrupt football team's owner and his plot to legalize gambling.
The Long Kiss Goodnight 1996After a Christmas party turns violent, an amnesiac schoolteacher sets out on a journey to find out who she is with the help of a private detective until they discover a dark conspiracy.
Money Train 1995 A vengeful New York City transit cop decides to steal a trainload of subway fares n Christmas. His foster brother, a fellow cop, tries to protect him.
Reindeer Games 2000 An ex-convict gets into a situation against his will and helps rob a group of thieves rob a casino in Michigan.
Rambo: First Blood 1982 When Rambo is in the police station at the beginning of the movie, it still has Christmas decorations hanging around it.
Rocky IV1985Rocky Balboa proudly holds the world heavyweight boxing championship, but a new challenger has stepped forward: Drago, a six-foot-four, 261-pound fighter who has the backing of the Soviet Union. After Drago kills Apollo Creed in the ring, Rocky avenges him and defends the honor of the United States by fighting Drago on Christmas Day in Siberia.
Shazam!2019A teenager is chosen by an ancient wizard to transform into on adult superhero by saying the word "Shazam!"
2021After being exposed by Mysterio, Peter Parker must live with his identity being widely known. After botching a spell performed by Dr. Strange, old enemies from other Marvel films arrive in this dimension to terrorize the city. The ending of this film takes place in New York during the Christmas season.
Turbulence1997A prisoner is being transferred on Christmas Eve via a 747 flight from New York to Los Angeles, but he has an escape plan.
Stalag 171953A group of American airmen at a German POW camp during WW2, plan their escape and discovering the spy in their barracks at Christmastime.
Violent Night2022When a paramilitary group attack the estate of a wealthy family, Santa Claus must step in to save the day (and Christmas).

Christmas horror films

See main article: Christmas horror.

TitleYearDescription
3615 code Père Noël[60] 1989 A child genius spends Christmas Eve defending himself and his grandfather from a psychotic home invader dressed like Santa Claus.
All Through the House 2015 A Santa-killer terrorizes a neighborhood where a little girl had disappeared from 15 years prior.
Anna and the Apocalypse 2018 Anna struggles to survive the perils of high school, the holidays, and an onslaught of ravenous zombies in this dark comedy musical.
Await Further Instructions 2018 On Christmas Day, a family wake up to discover a mysterious black substance surrounding the house and their TV screen broadcasts a single message: Stay Indoors and Await Further Instructions.
Black Christmas 1974 Sorority sisters are terrorized by a mysterious stalker/murderer. A remake of the film was released in 2006.
Black Christmas 2006 Sorority sisters are stalked and murdered on Christmas Eve in this remake of the 1974 thriller.
Black Christmas 2019 A second remake of the 1974 film, it follows a group of sorority sisters stalked by a cult of deranged killers on Christmas.
Christmas Bloody Christmas 2022 A robotic Santa Claus goes on a murder spree on Christmas Eve.
A Christmas Horror Story 2015 The film is a series of interwoven stories tied together by a framework story, featuring William Shatner as a radio DJ.
Christmas Cruelty![61] [62] 2013 A group of friends are terrorized by a serial killer dressed like Santa Claus.
Christmas Evil
(originally titled You Better Watch Out, also known as Terror in Toyland)
1980 A deranged man obsessed with Santa Claus ends up going on a murderous rampage dressed as Santa.
Don't Open till Christmas 1984 A serial killer butchers men dressed as Santa Claus.[63]
Gremlins 1984 A young man who receives a strange creature called a mogwai as a pet, which then spawns other creatures who transform into small, destructive, evil monsters.
1987 The beginning of the movie takes place during Christmas. Sean and his mom talk about decorating the Christmas tree. Then, when Sean goes out in his boat to investigate a piece of wood, Jaws eats him while a chorus onshore sings "The First Noel" in the background, which was too loud for other people onshore to hear his cries for help.
Krampus 2015 A Comedy horror film based upon the legendary Christmas demon, an alter ego of Santa Claus.
The Legend of Hell House 1973 A group of researchers spend the week of Christmas in a haunted English mansion in which previous investigators were killed 20 years earlier.
The Lodge 2019 During a family retreat to a remote winter cabin over the holidays, the father is forced to abruptly depart for work, leaving his two children in the care of his new girlfriend, Grace. Isolated and alone, a blizzard traps them inside the lodge as terrifying events summon spectres from Grace's dark past.
The Mean One 2022 In a sleepy mountain town, Cindy witnesses the murder of her parents by a blood-thirsty green figure in a red Santa suit. Twenty years later, the Christmas-hating monster begins to terrorize the town once more. Cindy finds new purpose in stopping the creature and saving the holiday.
2010 In the depths of the Korvatunturi mountains lies the closest ever guarded secret of Christmas. A Spielbergian horror romp with a Christmas twist.
Red Snow 2021 Young supernatural romance author living in Lake Tahoe encounters a band of vampires during the Christmas holiday period.
Santa's Slay 2005 Santa Claus is actually a demon who lost a bet with an angel, so he becomes the giver of toys and happiness. But when the bet is off, he returns to his evil ways.
Silent Night 2012 A psychopath dressed as Santa Claus is on a killing spree in a small town, killing those he sees as naughty.
Silent Night 2021 A couple invite their closest friends to join their family for Christmas dinner at their idyllic home in the English countryside. But the world outside is facing impending doom, and no amount of gifts, games or wine can make mankind's imminent destruction go away.
Silent Night, Deadly Night 1984 A traumatized young man becomes a Santa suit-clad spree killer on Christmas Eve.
Silent Night, Deadly Night Part 2 1987 The younger sibling of the teenager who was killed while dressed as Santa carries on in his brother's bloody footsteps.
Silent Night, Bloody Night 1972 A series of murders occur in a small New England town on Christmas Eve, after a man inherits a family estate which was once an insane asylum.
Sint 2010 The story distorts the popular traditions of Sinterklaas and portrays him as a ghost who murders large numbers of people when his annual celebration night coincides with a full moon.
To All a Goodnight1980Five female students at a rural finishing school stay behind to celebrate Christmas weekend together, but their seasonal cheer abruptly comes to an end as they and their boyfriends start becoming victims of a murdering Santa Claus.
Whoever Slew Auntie Roo? 1972 Every year, Rosie Forrest, known as "Auntie Roo", throws a lavish overnight Christmas party for ten of the best-mannered children at the local orphanage. Despite her warm demeanour, Rosie is in fact demented and mentally ill and keeps the mummified remains of her daughter Katharine in a nursery room in the attic.
Wind Chill 2007 An unnamed female student at a Pennsylvania university uses the campus rideshare board to find a ride home to Wilmington, Delaware to celebrate Christmas with her family on winter break. She joins an unnamed male student, who is driving home to Wilmington as well. Their car breaks down in the middle of the forest and is stranded. Things escalate when they realize that they are trapped in sub-zero temperature on a haunted highway.

Christmas Thriller films

TitleYearDescription
Better Watch Out 2016 A babysitter and the child she is looking after must fight off a home invasion.
Night Train2009Passengers and a conductor on a train on Christmas night become involved in a plot to keep a mysterious box that had been in the possession of a passenger who has died.
P2 2007 A woman is stalked by a deranged psychopath in a parking garage during Christmas.
While She Was Out2008Troubled housewife has an altercation with a gang of thugs in a shopping mall parking lot on Christmas Eve, leading to a night that none of them could have imagined.
Violent Night2022It follows Santa Claus (portrayed by David Harbour) as he fights mercenaries who have taken a wealthy family hostage in their home.

Short films

TitleYearDescription
Bedtime for Sniffles 1940 Merrie Melodies short.
Broken Toys 1935 Silly Symphonies short.
The Candlemaker 1956 A candlemaker entrusts his young son with the task of making candles for their church on Christmas Eve.
Christmas Comes But Once a Year 1936 Color Classics short. Featuring Professor Grampy from the Betty Boop series.
Gift Wrapped 1952 Looney Tunes short.
Good Will to Men 1955 Remake of the 1939 short Peace on Earth. Short set during Christmas Eve. Directed by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer cartoon studio. Slight differences with this version to original.[64]
The Junky's Christmas 1993 Koch Vision short written and narrated by William S. Burroughs.
The Littlest Angel 1950 Coronet Films animated adaptation of the children's book by Charles Tazewell of the same name. Heartwarming story about a little boy who has difficulty adapting to life in heaven as an angel, but on the birth of Jesus, he shows his ability as an angel.
The Madagascar Penguins in a Christmas Caper 2005 Madagascar spin-off.
Mickey's Christmas Carol 1983 Short featuring Mickey Mouse.
Mickey's Good Deed 1932 Mickey Mouse short.
Mickey's Orphans 1931 Mickey Mouse short.
The Night Before Christmas 1933 Silly Symphonies short.
The Night Before Christmas 1941 Tom and Jerry short.
Olaf's Frozen Adventure 2017 Olaf and Sven try to find a Christmas tradition for Anna and Elsa to enjoy.
Peace on Earth 1939 Short set during Christmas Eve. Directed by Hugh Harman for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer cartoon studio, it was nominated for an Academy Award in 1939.[65]
Pluto's Christmas Tree 1952 Mickey Mouse short.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer 1948 Jam Handy Organization short; produced and directed by Max Fleischer. First adaptation of the original 1939 story by Robert L. May.
Santa Claus 1898 Short silent drama film about Santa arriving at a house on Christmas Eve to deliver his presents for the children.
Santa vs. the Snowman 3D 2002 IMAX short.
Santa's Workshop 1932 Silly Symphonies short.
Seasin's Greetinks! 1933 Popeye The Sailor short.
The Shanty Where Santy Claus Lives 1933 Merrie Melodies short.
The Small One 1978 Short based on the book by Charles Tazewell.
The Snowman 1982 A young boy befriends a snowman that he created.
The Snowman and the Snowdog 2012 A young boy who has lost his dog makes a snowdog and goes on a journey with him and a snowman.
Story Time 1979 An animated compilation film comprising three stories written, directed and animated by Terry Gilliam. One story is The Christmas Card, which focuses on a lonely old man receiving a Christmas card in the post. Suddenly his other Christmas cards come to life with the cards connected only by the Three Wise Men, who follow the Star of Bethlehem from one card to another.
Toy Tinkers 1949 Donald Duck short.

Made-for-television and direct-to-video

These are films that were made for television (including streaming services), or for the direct-to-video or direct-to-DVD market.

Family

TitleYearDescription
12 Dates of Christmas 2011 A woman finds herself caught in a Christmas time loop, and tries to figure out how to break the cycle.
12 Men of Christmas 2009 A high-powered New York publicist moves to Montana after losing her job and fiancée and finds romance with a member of the local fire and rescue squad.
Angela's Christmas 2017 An animation film about a little girl, who on attending Church Christmas Eve, becomes concerned the baby Jesus in the crib will be cold.
Angela's Christmas Wish 2020 An animation film and sequel to the 2017 film Angela's Christmas. A little girl wishes for her family to be reunited for Christmas, including her father who is working in Australia.
The Angel of Pennsylvania Avenue 1996 In 1932, three children travel to Washington in the hope of convincing President Hoover to release their wrongly convicted father from jail in time for Christmas.
Babes in Toyland 1986 A young girl travels to Toyland. Starring Drew Barrymore and Keanu Reeves.
Bernard and the Genie 1991 Bernard is fired from his job and his girlfriend leaves him, both on Christmas Eve. The girlfriend takes all of his possessions with her, leaving behind only an old lamp. His Christmas suddenly becomes brighter when he rubs it.
A Boy Called Christmas 2021 A young boy must journey to a magical kingdom called Elfhelm.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever 1983 A church Christmas pageant touches the hearts of a family of juvenile delinquents.
Booky and the Secret Santa 2007 A young girl tries to make a happy Christmas for herself and her family during the 1930s Great Depression.
Borrowed Hearts 1997 A wealthy manufacturer pays an impoverished single mother who works in his factory, and her daughter, to pretend to be his "family" at Christmastime, to impress a visiting old-fashioned tycoon interested in buying his company.
A Boyfriend for Christmas 2004 Santa plays matchmaker and sets up a young couple for Christmas.
Bush Christmas 1947 Set at Christmas. Two siblings and their friend set off to recover their father's mare that was stolen from their farm.[66]
Call Me Claus 2001 Santa Claus is preparing to retire, and grooms an American businesswoman (Whoopi Goldberg) to be his replacement.
A Castle for Christmas 2021 To escape a scandal, a bestselling author journeys to Scotland, where she falls in love with a castle—and faces off with the grumpy duke who owns it.
Catch a Christmas Star 2013 A young girl attempts to reunite her father with his high school sweetheart, who has since become a successful pop singer.
A Chance of Snow 1998 A divorced couple get snowed in at Christmastime.
Chasing Christmas 2005 In a world where the holidays are run by the efficient Bureau of Yuletide Affairs, a bitter and burned-out Ghost of Christmas Past decides to go AWOL while on a "mission" and leave his "target" stranded in 1965.
A Child's Christmas in Wales 1987 Based on a prose by the Welsh poet Dylan Thomas and tells of a man's memory of one Christmas from the viewpoint as a young boy.
A Child's Christmases in Wales 2009 Comedic reminiscences of three 1980s Christmas, loosely adapted from the Dylan Thomas story.
Christmas at Water's Edge 2004 An angel team with a spoiled college coed to organize a Christmas concert at a community youth center.
The Christmas Blessing 2005 After losing a patient in surgery, medical resident Nathan Andrews takes a break from his career and returns to his small town roots. A chance encounter with an old acquaintance offers him a promise for the future, only for a tragedy to call into question everything he believes.
The Christmas Box 1995 Based on the bestselling book of the same name, a couple and their daughter move in with a widow and discover a box containing the answer to the first gift of Christmas.
Christmas Caper 2007 A Grinch-like thief retreats to her hometown for Christmas. Can the spirit of Christmas, combined with a stint babysitting her niece and nephew, rid her of her wicked ways?
The Christmas Card 2006 A soldier serving in Afghanistan receives a Christmas card from a Californian woman he has never met. He visits the town to find the inspiration behind the card.
The Christmas Chronicles 2018 A brother and sister become embroiled in an adventure after they try to catch video evidence of Santa Claus on camera.
The Christmas Chronicles 2 2020 A couple of years later, Kate Pierce and Jack Booker help Santa Claus save the North Pole.
Christmas Comes to Willow Creek 1987 Two truck-driving brothers attempt to transport a load of Christmas gifts from California to an economically strapped Alaska town.
The Christmas Consultant 2012 A stressed-out working couple hires a consultant to help them plan an elaborate Christmas party for the wife's boss and husband's relatives.
Christmas Cottage 2008 Tells the story of the inspiration behind Thomas Kinkade's painting The Christmas Cottage, and how the artist was motivated to begin his career after discovering his mother was in danger of losing their family home.
Christmas Cupid 2010 Sloan is beautiful, stylish, and on the fast track to success at her public relations firm. After her client Caitlin dies and becomes her own personal ghost of Christmas past, present, and future; she finds out firsthand that her unethical ways need to change, and reuniting with a past jilted lover may be the answer.
Christmas Do-Over 2006 In a remake of the plot from Groundhog Day, a man has to repeat Christmas Day over and over until he realizes how selfish he has become and has to change his ways.
Christmas Every Day 1996 In a juvenile reworking of Groundhog Day, a self-centered teenager is forced to relive the same Christmas over and over again after his sister wishes it were Christmas every day.
The Christmas Heart 2012 Neighbors along a quaint street in Cleveland suspend their annual Christmas tradition of lighting luminaria, out of respect for their neighbours whose son desperately needs a heart transplant. A donor is found but a blizzard threatens the heart's delivery.
The Christmas Hope 2009 A couple's marriage is strained following the death of their son. They agree to take a girl, whose mother died in a car accident, into their home over the Christmas period.
Christmas Icetastrophe 2014A small town preparing for Christmas is struck by a meteor that causes extreme, spontaneous ice.[67]
Christmas in Canaan 2009 In rural Cannan, Texas a clash of classmates, one a tough farm boy, the other a bright bookish black boy evokes an unlikely friendship. It's amidst the magic of Christmas the boys learn about family, hope, and love despite living in the shadow of racism. Followed by the sequel Christmas Comes Home to Canaan. Both starring Billy Ray Cyrus.
Christmas in Wonderland 2009 Two children find a bag full of counterfeit money and find Santa along as well.
Christmas in the Highlands 2019 A New York sales manager is sent to the remote Scottish Highlands at Christmas to acquire a limited edition perfume from a dashing Earl preparing for his annual ball and falls in love instead.
Christmas Inheritance 2017 Before ambitious heiress Ellen Langford can inherit her father's business, she must deliver a special Christmas card to her dad's former partner in Snow Falls. When a snowstorm strands her at the town inn, she discovers the true gift of Christmas.
A Christmas Kiss 2011 A woman shares an impulsive elevator kiss with a handsome stranger, who turns out to be her boss's boyfriend. They start to care for each other as Christmas approaches.
Christmas Lilies of the Field 1979 A seasonal sequel to the theatrical film Lilies of the Field (1963) has its African-American protagonist returning to the chapel he had built in the Arizona desert for a group of German nuns.
The Christmas List 1997 A woman makes a list of things she wants for Christmas and learns the lesson, "Be careful what you wish for."
The Christmas Messenger 1975 An angel, present at the birth of Jesus, returns to earth each year to listen to the Christmas carols and spread the story of the nativity.
A Christmas Memory 1966 An award-winning adaptation of Truman Capote's poignant, nostalgic reminiscence about his childhood best friend — a childlike elderly relative with whom he makes fruitcakes and other gifts, in Depression-era Alabama.
A Christmas Memory 1997 A story about a friendship between a boy, Buddy, and his older cousin, Sook, during Christmas time.
Christmas Miracle in Caufield, U.S.A. 1977 Coal miners are trapped in a mine following an explosion on Christmas Eve, 1951.
The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey 2007 A bereaved boy and his widowed mother commission a grumpy woodcarver to carve a nativity set and thus form a relationship that enables them all to put their sadness behind them and move on.
The Christmas Note 2015 A reclusive workaholic, estranged from her mother for ten years, learns after her death that she has an older sibling who was given up for adoption. Though reluctant, she searches for her sibling with the help of her neighbor (a military spouse who returned home while her husband recovers overseas from a combat injury; their son wants nothing more but for his dad to be home for Christmas).
Christmas on Division Street 1991 A boy moves to Philadelphia and meets a homeless old-timer who becomes his teacher and his guide. Starring Fred Savage and Hume Cronyn.[68]
Christmas on the Square 2020 A woman plans to sell a small town with no regard for the people living there, until she receives a miraculous visit.
A Christmas Prince 2017 Christmas comes early for an aspiring young journalist when she's sent abroad to get the scoop on a dashing prince who's poised to be king.
2018 A year after Amber helped Richard secure the crown, the two are set to tie the knot in a royal Christmas wedding – but their plans are jeopardized when Amber finds herself second-guessing whether or not she's cut out to be queen.
2019 Amber and Richard host royals from a faraway kingdom to renew a sacred truce, but when the priceless treaty disappears, peace is put in jeopardy and an ancient curse threatens their family.
The Christmas Secret
(aka Flight of the Reindeer)
2000 A scientist sets out to prove that reindeer can fly, and along the way discovers the true meaning of faith, family, and Christmas.
The Christmas Shoes 2002 Trio of interlocking stories, adopted from the hit song of the same name. Followed by sequels The Christmas Blessing and The Christmas Hope.
A Christmas Snow 2010 A woman must face the hurts of her past while trapped with two strangers in her house for Christmas.
A Christmas Star 2015 Noelle is a young girl, born on Christmas under the Christmas Star and as a result has developed special abilities to perform miracles. She applies these gifts to a miserly developer that threatens her peace and the village's peace.[69]
The Christmas Star 1986
A Christmas Story 2 2012 Now-teenaged Ralphie Parker schemes to acquire a car for Christmas in this sequel to the theatrical film.
A Christmas Story Christmas 2022 The now-adult Ralphie returns to the house on Cleveland Street to give his kids a magical Christmas like the one he had as a child, reconnecting with childhood friends, and reconciling the passing of his Old Man.
A Christmas to Remember 1978 During the Great Depression, a young boy is sent to Minnesota to live with his grandparents, who are still grieving the loss of their son in World War I.
The Christmas Tree 1996 An elderly nun, who's been growing an evergreen tree for decades, forms a bond with a gardener who wants to fell it and display it at New York's Rockefeller Center for the holidays.
A Christmas Tree Miracle 2013 An eccentric Christmas tree farmer takes in a distressed family for the holidays.
A Christmas Visitor 2002 A family hasn't celebrated Christmas since their son died on Christmas Day 1991 serving in the Gulf War but end up doing so after meeting "Matthew", a hitchhiker who claimed to know their son while deployed.
A Christmas Wedding 2006 Two people who meet on Christmas Day plan to marry on Christmas Day two years later.
The Christmas Wish 1998 A businessman tries to uncover a family secret for his grandmother after he returns to a small town to modernize his family's real-estate company.
Christmas with a Capital C 2010 Small Alaska town erupts into conflict over the public Nativity scene.
Christmas with Holly 2012 Traumatized by her mother's death, a 6-year-old girl stops talking but is cared for by her three uncles. The story unfolds as all of them find the importance of family.
A Christmas Without Snow 1980 Church choir members try to balance personal issues with practice as the holiday approaches.
Christmas with You 2022 Angelina, a pop star, escapes from her daily life to grant a young fan's wish in small-town New York, where she not only finds the inspiration to revitalize her career but also a shot at true love.
Clarence 1990 Clarence Odbody tries to help a young mother who is about to commit suicide.
Comfort and Joy 2003 Single businesswoman wakes up married and a mother after a car accident.
The Custom Mary 2013 A young Latina in East Los Angeles meets an African American Lowrider and struggles to reconcile her faith and blossoming love affair while becoming dangerously involved in a religious attempt to clone Jesus.
A Dream for Christmas 1973 A hardworking African American minister relocates his family to Los Angeles in the 1950s. But, when the family finally arrives, they discover that the church is in major disrepair and scheduled for demolition and they must work together to save the church.[70]
Eloise at Christmastime 2003 Six-year-old Eloise has various adventures at the Plaza Hotel before the holiday, in this adaptation of Kay Thompson's book.
An Evergreen Christmas 2014 Aspiring musician Evie Lee must return home to save the family's Christmas Tree farm and decide what's most important in life.
A Fairly Odd Christmas 2012 A Christmas-themed live-action adaptation of Nickelodeon animated series The Fairly OddParents.
Falling for Christmas 2022 A young, newly engaged heiress has a skiing accident in the days before Christmas. After she is diagnosed with amnesia, she finds herself in the care of the handsome cabin owner and his daughter.
Father Christmas Is Back 2021 Four sisters who have reunited for the Christmas holiday in a Yorkshire mansion. Misunderstandings uncover the long-buried secret that tore their family apart, so many years ago.
Finding John Christmas 2003 A woman and a photojournalist try to track down a mysterious Christmas hero with the help of an angel.
The Gathering 1977 A dying man attempts to reconcile with the family he had abandoned years earlier, by having them come to visit for Christmas.
A Golden Christmas 2009 A Christmas romance film, in which a golden retriever helps to reunite old friends.
Good Luck Charlie, It's Christmas! 2011 Based on the Disney Channel Original Series Good Luck Charlie, the film follows the Duncan family, who get separated at Palm Springs on their way to visit Grandma and Grandpa Blankenhooper for Christmas.
A Grandpa for Christmas 2007 During the Christmas season, an old-time film star/singer/hoofer, who is estranged from his daughter and 9-year-old granddaughter, suddenly finds himself bonding with his granddaughter when her mom is hospitalized.
The Greatest Store in the World 1999 A family loses their home at Christmas and in desperation, stays in a department store over the Christmas period.
Grumpy Cat's Worst Christmas Ever 2014 The Internet sensation Grumpy Cat comes to life in her very first movie.
The Heart of Christmas 2011 The Lockes are devastated when they learn their young son Dax has cancer. But with courage, determination, and faith, they give Dax one last Christmas, even if it's in October.
Hank Zipzer's Christmas Catastrophe 2016 It is Christmas and the Zipzer family are preparing for a new baby. Meanwhile, Mr. Rock's Rudolph the Red Nose Rock 'n' Roll Reindeer, is soon turned into a one-woman Christmas Carol by Miss Adolf. Mr. Joy hates Christmas and wants to cancel it altogether but Hank causes a Christmas catastrophe. His catastrophe causing leads to his friends being arrested, and a Christmas tree nearly gets plummeted into a crowd. But will everything go to plan before Hank's new baby brother is born?
Happiest Season 2020 A young woman with a plan to propose to her girlfriend while at her family's annual holiday party discovers her partner hasn't yet come out to her conservative parents.[71]
Happy Christmas 2014 An Irresponsible woman arrives in Chicago to live with her older brother and his wife and baby son. The quiet and relaxed environment they enjoyed before her arrival is now a thing of the past, as the younger sister invites trouble during the festive season.[72]
His and Her Christmas 2005 Rival newspaper columnists battle it out (one to save his career advancement at a major newspaper, the other to save the small community newspaper who is her employer) before finding romance.
A Hobo's Christmas 1987 A hobo decides to return home after being away for 25 years.
Hogfather 2006 It's Hogswatch on the Discworld and the Hogfather has gone missing, requiring Death to take his place while his granddaughter Susan endeavors to find out what has happened.
Holiday Affair 1996 Romance blooms between a widowed mother and a fired toy salesman. A remake of the 1949 film.
Holiday in Handcuffs 2007 A struggling artist working as a waitress kidnaps one of her customers to bring home and meet her parents at Christmas.
Holiday in the Wild 2019 After her husband ends their marriage, Kate embarks on a solo second honeymoon in Africa. There, she and Derek, a pilot, rescue a baby elephant. While nursing the elephant back to health, Kate discovers how much she loves her new surroundings.
A Holiday Romance 1999 A hard school administrator comes to town to close down the school and falls for the charming school music teacher.
Holiday Rush 2019 When a widowed radio DJ is fired, he and his four spoiled children must leave their lives of luxury behind and move in with his aunt just before Christmas.[73]
A Holiday to Remember 1995 Carolyn is leaving the big city with her daughter Jordi for her childhood village, deep in the forest.
The Homecoming: A Christmas Story 1971 A TV movie which was the pilot for the TV series The Waltons.
2002 A made-for-TV sequel to theatrical original. Marv and his wife Vera plan to kidnap a prince with help from an inside person that Kevin least suspects.
2012 Another made-for-TV sequel.
Home Sweet Home Alone 2021 A married couple try to steal back a valuable heirloom from a troublesome 10-year-old kid while his parents are away.
Home for the Holidays 1972 Four sisters return home to visit their father for Christmas, only to discover that someone is trying to kill him.
The House Without a Christmas Tree 1972 A widower, still grieving from his wife's death, refuses to allow a Christmas tree in the home, to the dismay of his young daughter.
If You Believe 1999 A Scrooge-like book editor is visited by her inner child, who tries to help rekindle her sense of joy during the holidays.
I'll Be Home for Christmas 1988 A Massachusetts family holds down the World War II home front during Christmas of 1944.
In the Nick of Time 1991 An aging Santa Claus struggles to prepare his cynical would-be successor to take over the job in time for Christmas.
I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus 2002 When a young boy catches his mom kissing Santa, he decides to be as naughty as he can until he drives Santa back to the North Pole.
It Came Upon the Midnight Clear 1984 After suffering a fatal heart attack, a man (Mickey Rooney) is granted a brief return to life so that he can show his California-bred grandson (Scott Grimes) his first white Christmas in New York.
It Happened One Christmas 1977 A young businesswoman, despondent over the circumstances of her life, contemplates suicide, but is shown the value of her life by a guardian angel, in this feminist remake of It's a Wonderful Life starring the then recently liberated Marlo Thomas.
2020 Decades after being betrayed by his apprentice, a once joyful toy maker finds new hope when his bright young granddaughter arrives on his doorstep.
A Kitten for Hitler 2007 Set during Christmas 1941 and follows a little boy, who decides that Hitler probably wouldn't be such a meanie if someone just gave him a present. He believes he can stop the World War by heading to Germany and gifting Hitler a kitten.[74]
Last Train to Christmas 2021 On a Christmas Eve train home, a nightclub manager discovers he can jump back and forward in time. He takes advantage of this phenomenon, changing things in his history, sometimes for the best and sometimes for the worst.[75]
Let It Snow 2019 A snowstorm hits a small midwestern town on Christmas Eve, bringing together a group of high school students. They soon find their friendships and love lives colliding, and Christmas morning, nothing will be the same.
The Little Match Girl 1986 Musical version of Hans Christian Andersen's story of the same name. A poor girl is in the freezing cold selling matches to make money. Starring Roger Daltrey and Twiggy.
Like Father, Like Santa 1998 A ruthless toy tycoon who is also secretly the son of Santa Claus travels to the North Pole to put an end to an attempted coup.
Lost at Christmas 2020 Two strangers stranded in the Scottish Highlands on Christmas Eve team up to try and get home in time for Christmas.[76]
Lost Christmas 2011 On Christmas Eve, a young boy whose life has been marred by a series of tragic events is offered a second chance to have a happy ending, by a mysterious man who appears, seemingly out of nowhere.[77]
Love Hard 2021 After meeting her perfect match on a dating app, an L.A. writer learns she's been catfished when she flies 3,000 miles to surprise him for Christmas.
The Man in the Santa Claus Suit 1979 The lives of three different men are transformed by a magical Santa Claus costume rented to them by a mysterious shopkeeper.
The Man Who Saved Christmas 2002 Fact-based drama of toy inventor A.C. Gilbert, a pacifist toymaker who is forced by the U.S. government to turn his factory into a munitions plant during World War I and is asked to convince consumers to buy bonds instead of toys.
Mary Christmas 2002 Widower's young daughter asks Santa for a new mother.
Meet the Santas 2005 Santa must be married or Christmas will lose its spirit.
Miracle on 34th Street 1973 Remake of the original film.
A Mom for Christmas 1990 A young girl who desires to have a mother in her life gets her to wish at the department store.
The Monster's Christmas 1981 A young girl helps the monsters from her storybook defeat an evil witch that has stolen their voices because they sang better at Christmas carols than she did.
Moonlight and Mistletoe 2007 A man runs a year-round Santa Town.
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year 2008 A Retired policeman attempts to kindle romance between his niece and a visiting chef.
Mr. Christmas 2004 Joel Carter is unable to afford a bicycle for Christmas for his daughter, Carol Lee, and works to make her happy for Christmas.
Mr. Krueger's Christmas 1980 A widowed apartment janitor daydreams to escape his lonely life.
Mrs. Santa Claus 1996 Santa's wife ends up in New York in the early 1900s near Christmastime.
Mrs. Miracle 2009
Call Me Mrs. Miracle 2010
Mr. St. Nick 2002 An aging Santa Claus is ready to retire but first, he must convince his son to take over his job.
Must Be Santa 1999 Santa must pass his powers on to his chosen successor, but mistakenly passes them on to an ex-con.
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation 2: Cousin Eddie's Island Adventure 2003 Cousin Eddie and his family get stranded on what they think is a deserted island for Christmas in this sequel to the 1989 theatrical film. Aired on NBC.
The National Tree 2009 A teenager has his Sitka Spruce tree chosen to be planted outside the White House as the new national Christmas Tree. He and his father end up driving the Tree throughout the country and the tree becomes a national icon.
The Nativity 1978 Biblical account of the birth of Jesus Christ.
Naughty or Nice 2004 A Chicago sports radio shock jock is changed by a Christmas season encounter with a 15-year-old fan who is dying of cancer who forces him to be nice for a day.
The New Adventures of Heidi 1978 Heidi joins Elizabeth and her busy widowed father for a Christmas in New York City.
The Night They Saved Christmas 1984 An oil company dynamites in the North Pole in search of an oil field, unaware that they are endangering Santa Claus.
The Noel Diary 2022 When a best-selling author returns home at Christmas to settle his mother's estate, he finds a diary that holds secrets to the past.
Northpole 2014 A young boy and his new friend Clementine try to bring back the happiness of Christmas before it's too late.
November Christmas 2010 A father tries to provide an early Christmas for his seriously ill young daughter.
On the Twelfth Day 1955 Live-action musical based on the popular Christmas carol, The Twelve Days of Christmas. Starring and directed by Wendy Toye.[78]
Once Upon a Christmas 2000 Santa's daughter tries to change a family so they are no longer on the Naughty List, or else Santa will cancel Christmas.
One Christmas 1994A young man is sent to visit his estranged father for Christmas in 1930 in New Orleans.
One Special Night 1999 Strangers get struck in a cottage during a snowstorm and realize they are drawn together. Starring Julie Andrews and James Garner.
On the 2nd Day of Christmas 1997Con-woman Trish and her niece/ward Patsy are caught trying to steal from a department store right before Christmas. With the holidays so near, Bert, a store employee, agrees to be responsible for the pair so that Patsy does not need to spend the holidays in social services.
Operation Christmas Drop 2020Congressional aide Erica forgoes family Christmas to travel at her boss's behest. At a beach side Air Force base, she clashes with Capt. Andrew Jantz, who knows her assignment is finding reasons to defund the facility. The film is loosely based on the real-life U.S. Air Force Operation Christmas Drop humanitarian mission.
Picking Up & Dropping Off 2003 A divorced father and a divorced mother start to meet at Denver International Airport when picking up and sending off their children to ex-spouses for holidays.
Patch Town 2014 An employee at a gloomy toy factory discovers that he is really a living doll, and goes on a search to find his "mother" (former owner who bought him).
Prancer Returns 2001 Sequel to 1989 film Prancer. A young boy finds a baby reindeer, and he immediately believes that it is Prancer. Determined to get Prancer back to the North Pole in time to help pull Santa's sleigh, he charm's his more cynical family with his tireless faith and creates a magical Christmas Eve.[79]
Prep & Landing2009An elf named Wayne is part of the Prep & Landing organization, the group of elves who prepare homes for Santa Claus's visit. After being passed over for a promotion, he begins to slacken in his duties, but he has a change in heart after this results in a child's house not being ready in time and the unprecedented decision to skip it.
A Princess for Christmas 2011 A young woman travels to Europe to stay in a beautiful castle for the holidays at the invitation of an estranged relative, and finds herself falling for a dashing prince.[80]
The Princess Switch 2018 One week before Christmas, a duchess switches places with an ordinary woman from Chicago, who looks exactly like her, and they each fall in love with each other's beaus.
2020 Duchess Margaret unexpectedly inherits the throne to Montenaro and hits a rough patch with boyfriend Kevin at the same time. It's up to her double Princess Stacy to get the star-crossed lovers back together.
2021 When a priceless Christmas relic is stolen, royal look-alikes Margaret and Stacy turn to audacious doppelgänger Fiona—and her dashing ex—for help.
Richie Rich's Christmas Wish 1998 After getting blamed for spoiling Christmas Richie Rich, the richest kid in the world, wishes he'd never been born.
The Road to Christmas 2006 A high-powered fashion photographer finds herself stranded in middle America on her way to her wedding in Aspen, Colorado. She gets a lift from a widower and his daughter, setting off a change of events that will change their lives forever.
1988 Kunta Kinte and Fiddler, from Roots, accompany their owner to another plantation at Christmas time and they learn that the son of the owner helps slaves escape.
2004 A wealthy girl visits an orphanage during the holiday season and tries to house them.
Santa and Pete 1999 Saint Nicholas and his friend Pete travel from Europe to the newly discovered America to celebrate Christmas with Dutch settlers. While helping the settlers make peace with the Native Americans Nicholas is gifted a sleigh, reindeer, leather boots, and a red hat and coat, creating the legend of Santa Clause.
Santa Baby 2006 Mary Class (Jenny McCarthy) is a highly successful business executive – who just happens to be the daughter of Santa Claus. But when her father falls ill, Mary returns to the North Pole and the life she left behind to take over for her dad and implement her innovative ideas for running Christmas.
2009 Santa needs his daughter, Mary Class' help again.
Santa Jr. 2002 Santa's son, mistaken for the "Christmas Bandit", is held under house arrest two days before Christmas.
Santa Who? 2000 Santa Claus suffers an attack of amnesia after falling out of his sleigh. Only the innocence of a small child can save Christmas for thousands of people around the world.
Saving Christmas 2017 A middle school student decides to prove that Santa Claus is real.
The Search for Santa Paws 2010 Prequel to Santa Buddies in which Santa loses memory in New York and it's up to his new friend Paws to save him.
A Season for Miracles 1999 A homeless woman and her niece and nephew attempt to outrun the authorities during the holiday season.
Season's Greetings 1986 Based on the play with the same name. Eight people attend a Christmas party in hope of having a pleasant celebration. However, they encounter various problems.[81]
Silent Night 2002 Fact-based World War II story set on Christmas Eve, 1944, finds a German mother and her son seeking refuge in a cabin on the war front.
Silent Mouse 1988 The story behind the writing of the famous Christmas Carol by Franz Gruber, Silent Night.
Silver Bells 2005 A widower who has traveled from Nova Scotia with his children to sell their homegrown Christmas trees in New York City meets a photographer who hasn't celebrated Christmas since the year her husband died.
Single All the Way 2021 Desperate to avoid his family's judgment about being single, Peter persuades best friend Nick to pose as his boyfriend on a trip home for the holidays.
Single Santa Seeks Mrs. Claus 2004 A high-flying career woman and single mother with no time for love or Christmas is unexpectedly wooed by Santa's son and heir, Nick who must find a wife before Christmas because his father wants to retire.
A Smoky Mountain Christmas 1986 A singer retreats to an isolated mountain cabin for a quiet holiday, but finds seven orphaned children there.
Snow 2004 With only three days before Christmas, Nick Snowden, heir to a certain Arctic toy business, must work hard to save Christmas after someone steals Buddy the reindeer and takes him to a California zoo.
2008 Sequel to 2004's Snow.
A Snow Capped Christmas 2016 Also known as Falling For Christmas. A figure skater meets a former ice hockey player.
Snowglobe 2007 A young woman discovers a Christmas-themed dreamworld inside a magical snow globe.
Snow Wonder 2005 Adapted from the short story "Just Like the Ones We Used to Know" by Connie Willis.
The Sons of Mistletoe 2001 A cold businesswoman threatens to close boys' foster home during the holidays when she returns to her hometown to settle her late father's estate.
Special Delivery 2000 A bumbling courier at a private adoption agency botches the delivery of a baby to its new parents in time for Christmas when he misplaces their baby en route.
Stealing Christmas 2003 A criminal hides in a small town and takes a job as a Santa.
Three Days 2001 An angel offers a literary agent, whose wife of ten years died just before Christmas, a chance to relive the last three days of his wife's life.
Three Wise Guys 2005 Three gangsters are hired as hitmen during the Christmas season.
To Grandmother's House We Go 1992 Twin sisters believe their mother would be better off with a break from them for Christmas so they decide to go visit their grandmother, and their adventures along the way.
A Town Without Christmas 2001 A child of divorcing parents writes a suicidal letter to Santa, prompting a community search. Followed by Finding John Christmas and When Angels Come to Town.
Trading Christmas 2013 A widowed Washington mother and a Boston novelist decide to swap houses for Christmas.
The True Meaning of Christmas Specials 2002 Broadcast on CBC and hosted by Dave Foley, this parody of Christmas specials and many Christmas stories follows David and friends as he seeks to learn the meaning of Christmas Specials, beyond selling knickknacks for $49.99.
'Twas the Night 2001 A mischievous 14-year-old boy and his irresponsible uncle almost ruin Christmas when they decide to take Santa's new high-tech sleigh for a joyride.
Twice Upon a Christmas 2001 Santa's daughter has lost her memory, and her new family is determined to help her get it back.
The Ultimate Christmas Present 2000 A girl steals a weather machine from Santa Claus to make it snow on Christmas Day, but the machine breaks and causes an out-of-control snowstorm.
Undercover Christmas 2003 An FBI agent visits his parents for the holidays, with the waitress he's protecting posing as his girlfriend.
Unlikely Angel 1996 A singer must work with St Peter to earn her wings at Christmas by reuniting a family.
A Very Brady Christmas 1988 The entire Brady family manages to overcome personal obstacles to spend a happy holiday together. Follow up-to The Brady Bunch and The Brady Brides.
A Very Merry Mix-Up 2013 Shop owner Alice Chapman is nervous about meeting her future in-laws at Christmas, especially because she is arriving ahead of her new fiancé, Will Mitchum. Alice's trip becomes more stressful when her luggage is lost and her phone is damaged, leaving her no way to find Will's family!
When Angels Come to Town 2004 Max the Angel finds himself helping two different families as Christmas approaches.
White Reindeer 2013 After the brutal murder of her husband, a young woman must find a way to put her life back together during the Christmas season.[82]
Wigilia 2014 A Polish cleaner stranded in Glasgow for Christmas prepares her Wigilia (Christmas Eve Feast) in her empty boss's house, when an unexpected visitor arrives at the house.[83]
Will You Merry Me? 2008 A Lifetime film, in which a newly engaged couple, one Christian and the other Jewish, must survive their family meeting for the first time during Christmas.
The Winter Stallion 1992 A man returns to Wales and tries to save his late father's farm from developers by entering a prize stallion in a Christmas race.
Wishin' and Hopin' 2014 Coming of age Lifetime comedy set in 1964 – Felix Funicello and his fifth-grade class at St. Aloysius Gonzaga Parochial School have a momentous fall semester after a substitute teacher and a new student from Russia arrive. Competition ensues for key roles in the school's Christmas pageant.
The Year Without a Santa Claus 2006 Live action remake of animated film by NBC. Thoroughly disgruntled, Santa (John Goodman) opts to take a year off from delivering presents, until a young man (Dylan Minnette) helps him rediscover the meaning of the holidays.
Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus 1991 Based on the true story of an editorial by Francis Pharcellus Church replying to a letter by eight-year-old Virginia O'Hanlon on "Is There a Santa Claus?" Her father is unemployed and cannot afford Christmas presents for his children. He tells his children that Santa does not exist, which prompts Virginia to write her letter to the New York newspaper The Sun. Starring Richard Thomas, Ed Asner, and Charles Bronson.[84]
Your Christmas or Mine? 2022 Hayley and James are young and in love. After a disastrous mix-up, the young couple end up having to experience each other's family Christmas without their partner.
8-Bit Christmas 2021 A father recollects his schemes to acquire a Nintendo Entertainment System for Christmas against the wishes of his parents.

A Christmas Carol adaptations

See main article: Adaptations of A Christmas Carol.

TitleYearDescription
A Christmas Carol 1954 Starring Fredric March as Scrooge and Basil Rathbone as Marley, this adaptation was produced by Shower of Stars.
A Carol for Another Christmas 1964 This modernization of A Christmas Carol was produced to promote American support for the United Nations.
An American Christmas Carol 1979 In this adaptation of Dickens' A Christmas Carol, the "Scrooge" figure is a miserly businessman in Depression-era New England.
Rich Little's Christmas Carol 1979 Comedian Rich Little plays all of the characters, using his unique skills as an impressionist to apparently fill the cast with some of Hollywood's best-known stars.
A Christmas Carol 1984 Starring George C. Scott as Ebenezer Scrooge, an old miser who makes excuses for his uncaring nature learns real compassion when three ghosts visit him on Christmas Eve.
Ebbie 1995 A TV movie that brought the first portrayal of Scrooge as a female, with Susan Lucci as Elizabeth "Ebbie" Scrooge, owner of a huge department store, and some of her own employees doubling as the three Christmas Spirits.
Ebenezer 1998 Western adaptation of A Christmas Carol has Scrooge (Jack Palance) as a corrupt land baron in the Old West.
Ms. Scrooge 1997 A TV movie starring Cicely Tyson as "Ebenita Scrooge", the managing director of a loan company, and Katherine Helmond as her deceased business partner Maude Marley.
A Christmas Carol 1999 A Hallmark Channel adaptation of the famous story. Starring Patrick Stewart as Ebenezer Scrooge and Richard E. Grant as Bob Cratchit.
A Diva's Christmas Carol 2000 A TV movie that premiered on VH1, now on Lifetime, portraying Vanessa Williams in the Scrooge role as "Ebony" Scrooge, one-third of a late-'80's pop trio called "Desire" and now an egotistical, arrogant, grouchy solo diva.
A Carol Christmas 2003 Another TV movie portraying Scrooge as an arrogant female celebrity, this time as a TV star named "Carol Cartman", played by Tori Spelling, with her own talk show. Also featured were Dinah Manoff as Marla, Carol's stage-mother type aunt, and two of the three Christmas Spirits portrayed by Gary Coleman (Christmas Past) and William Shatner (Christmas Present).
A Christmas Carol 2004 Kelsey Grammer is Scrooge in this musical adaptation of the Dickens story.
It's Christmas, Carol! 2012 A workaholic businesswoman is visited by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future in a modern update of A Christmas Carol.

Christmas animals

TitleYearDescription
Alone for Christmas (AKA Bone Alone) 2013 When a family visits Grandma's house on Christmas Eve, they leave their dog at home alone. And when three thieves try to take the presents from under the Christmas tree, the dog must use every trick it knows to stop them.
Benji's Very Own Christmas Story 1978 Popular screen pooch meets Kris Kringle while preparing for a Christmas parade in Switzerland.
A Dog Named Christmas 2009 A young man decides to spread some Christmas cheer after adopting an adorable golden Labrador for the holidays.
A Doggone Christmas 2016 A dog with telepathic powers is hunted down by the CIA near Christmas time.
The Dog Who Saved Christmas 2009 The Bannister family's new addition, Zeus, a yellow Labrador, appears to be less than the dependable guard dog the family needs. However, when two burglars set out to break into the Bannister's home while they're away for Christmas, Zeus seizes the chance to be a hero.
The Dog Who Saved Christmas Vacation 2010
Grumpy Cat's Worst Christmas Ever 2014
Santa Buddies 2009 Puppy Paws, the only son of Santa Paws, does not want to follow in his father's footsteps. He then hi-tails it to Fernfield, Washington to be a normal puppy, just like Budderball (who is on Santa's naughty list for eating the Thanksgiving Turkey). Meanwhile, the icicle that holds the magic of Christmas is melting away due to children's and puppies' belief in Santa and Santa Paws dying. It is up to Puppy Paws and the Buddies to rediscover their belief in Christmas and save the holiday.
2012 Sequel to The Search for Santa Paws
The Search for Santa Paws 2010 Prequel to Santa Buddies
Shelby2014

Children's

TitleYearDescription
Annabelle's Wish 1997 A young mute boy is given a calf who aspires to become one of Santa's flying reindeer.
An All Dogs Christmas Carol 1998 An animated adaptation of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, featuring the cast of All Dogs Go to Heaven.
Babes in Toyland 1997 An animated adaptation of the Herbert operetta.
Bah, Humduck! A Looney Tunes Christmas 2006 This animated parody of A Christmas Carol casts Daffy Duck in the Scrooge-like role, with all of the other Looney Tunes characters offering support.
The Bear Who Slept Through Christmas 1973 When all other bears sleep through Christmas, one specific bear named Ted E. Bear is curious about Christmas and discovers the true meaning of the holiday.
1997 When the Beast forbids the celebration of Christmas, Belle and friends show him the true meaning of the holiday in this holiday-themed followup to the animated Disney theatrical film.
Blinky Bill's White Christmas 2005 An animated film about a mischievous koala bear that accidentally breaks his friend's snowdome. To make amends, he decides to give his friend a treat by creating a white Christmas with real snow and a real Christmas tree.
Bugs Bunny's Christmas Carol 1979 An animated adaptation of Dickens' story featuring the Looney Tunes characters, with the role of Scrooge going to Yosemite Sam.
Buster & Chauncey's Silent Night 1998 An animated story about the creation of the song "Silent Night".
Caillou's Holiday Movie 2003 This adventure follows Caillou as he helps his family get ready for the holidays and learns what Christmas is like in other countries around the world.
Care Bears Nutcracker Suite 1988 The Care Bears and their Cousins must help a Nutcracker save Toyland from an evil Vizier and his rat minions.
Casper's Haunted Christmas 2000 Casper the Friendly Ghost must scare someone before Christmas Day or be banished from the mortal realm.
A Charlie Brown Christmas 1965 A 28-minute animated special in which Charlie Brown searches for the true meaning of Christmas, by directing a Christmas play while shunning the hyper-commercialization of the holiday.
A Child's Christmas in Wales 2008 Based on the Dylan Thomas poem. Directed by Dave Unwin and narrated by Matthew Rhys. It has Welsh and English language versions, although I assume both have the same video but different audio. Also, has a couple of live-action sections. It is said to be broadcast on S4C under the title Nadolig Plentyn yng Nghymru. It is a co-production between independent producers Brave New World and Cwmni Da. Alternate title is Nadolig I Blentyn Yng Nghymru.
A Chipmunk Christmas 1981 A sick boy makes Alvin realize the true meaning of Christmas.
A Christmas Dream 1948 Castle Films stop motion and Live-action mixed film about how a wealthy little girl who doesn't appreciate Christmas until she has a dream which changes her attitude. The films was originally released in Czechoslovakia and titled Vánoční sen in 1945.
Christmas Eve on Sesame Street 1978 Big Bird worries when Oscar tells him that if Santa Claus can't fit down the chimney on Christmas Eve, nobody would get presents.
Christmas Is Here Again 2007 A disabled orphan girl sets out to find Santa's stolen toy sack.
The Christmas Toy 1986 Jim Henson tale of toys who come to life on Christmas Eve.
Christopher's Christmas Mission 1975 Young Karl-Bertil dreams of becoming a modern-day Robin Hood. He spends the Christmas holiday working at the Post Office and makes sure that some of the Christmas gifts to the wealthy people are distributed to the less fortunate of the society.
The Cricket On the Hearth 1967 Rankin/Bass Productions television adaptation, loosely based on the Charles Dickens' 1845 novella.
A Cosmic Christmas 1977 Three aliens visit Earth to learn about the true meaning of Christmas.
2014 A stop motion retelling of the 2003 film Elf.
Elmo Saves Christmas 1996 Inspired by the 1892 short story "Christmas Every Day" by William Dean Howells, Elmo learns that Christmas does not occur every day.
Elmo's Christmas Countdown 2007 Sesame Street characters help Elmo count down the days leading up to Christmas.
Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas 1977 Jim Henson's telling of the true meaning of Christmas based around a struggling mother and son who each sacrifice an item of great importance to give the other the perfect gift for Christmas.
Father Christmas 1991 The story of what Father Christmas does the 'other' 364 days a year.
1975 Stop Motion special.
A Flintstones Christmas Carol 1994 The Flintstones version of Charles Dickens' 1843 novella A Christmas Carol.
The Forgotten Toys 1995 Animated special, based on the children's book The Night After Christmas by James Stevenson; a teddy bear and a rag doll embark on journey to find a new home and owners, overcoming complicated obstacles along the way. A sequel series to the special was broadcast from 1997 until 1999.
Frosty Returns 1992 Animated special. A Summer Wheeze aerosol spray threatens Frosty.
Frosty the Snowman 1969 Animated special, adapted from the famous song. Magic that brings a snowman to life.
Frosty's Winter Wonderland 1976 Sequel to 1969 Frosty the Snowman special.[85]
A Garfield Christmas 1987 Animated special. Garfield, Jon, and Odie go to Jon's grandmother's house for Christmas, where Garfield finds a present for Grandma.
Gift of the Night Fury 2011 The Vikings are prepared to celebrate their annual holiday when all of a sudden all the dragons disappear, now Hiccup must figure out why while also trying to make a gift for Toothless.
2006 Animated special. Holly Hobbie and her friends help a widow and her twin boys to celebrate the Christmas holidays.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas! 1966 Animated musical. A mean and stingy green creature wants to ruin Christmas.
How the Toys Saved Christmas 1996 The story follows some toys as they struggle to avoid the heartless Mr. Grimm, that plans to auction off the toys to the highest bidder, and to find their true homes.
It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie 2002 Kermit is shown what life would be like for the rest of the Muppets without him, in this spoof of It's a Wonderful Life.
Jack Frost 1979 Stop Motion A Groundhog named Pete tells the story of how Jack Frost wanted to become human so he can fall in love.
1979 The Muppets join the singer for Christmas songs and sketches.
Kung Fu Panda Holiday 2010 Po is put in charge of hosting a holiday feast for other Kung Fu Masters, but wants to try to spend the holiday with his dad.
The Leprechauns' Christmas Gold 1981 Rankin/Bass story of a Leprechaun at Christmas. Features the song Christmas in Killarney
The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus 1985 Stop Motion Rankin/Bass Special.The Great Ak calls a council of the Immortals to ask that Santa Claus be given immortality. And to justify it, he tells the history of Santa Claus.
The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus 2000 A human orphan raised by the Faire Folke becomes the benefactor of all human children.
2012 A sequel to Niko and the Way to the Stars.
The Little Drummer Boy 1968 Stop Motion special. An orphan drummer boy who hates humanity finds his life changed forever when he meets three wise men en route to Bethlehem.
The Little Drummer Boy, Book II 1976 Sequel to 1968 The Little Drummer Boy special.
The Little Lamb 1955 Castle Films live-action retelling of the Birth of Jesus. Originally released as The Lamb in the Manger (1953).
The Little Match Girl 1954 Castle Films live-action retelling of Hans Christian Andersen's story The Little Match Girl.
The Little Troll Prince 1987 A troll prince journeys from his home to learn the true meaning of Christmas.
Magic Gift of the Snowman 1995 Animated film. A magical snowman takes two children on the adventure of a lifetime.
The Magic Snowflake 2013 Animated film. A young boy named Nicholas is about to become the next Santa Claus, but he must first avoid a crisis that's threatening the magic of Christmas. Sequel to Santa's Apprentice.
A Martian Christmas 2009
Merry Christmas 1941 Castle Films live-action story Santa's journey from his workshop to the house of children.
2001 A snowstorm leaves everyone stranded and Donald has no Christmas spirit so Minnie comes up with the idea to show old Christmas cartoons.
Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas 1999 In this three-segment film, Huey, Dewey, and Louie open their gifts early, Goofy tries to prove to Max that Santa exists, and Mickey and Minnie attempt to get gifts for each other after Mickey loses his job.
Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas 2004 Stars Mickey Mouse.
A Miser Brothers' Christmas 2008 Stop Motion sequel to The Year Without a Santa Claus. After Santa is injured, Heat Miser and Snow Miser must put aside their differences and work together to save Christmas.
Mister Magoo's Christmas Carol 1962 An animated and musical adaptation of Charles Dickens' famous book, A Christmas Carol, with Mr. Magoo as Scrooge.
The Muppet Christmas Carol 1992 The Muppets version of Charles Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol'.
2008 After mistakenly intercepting three letters sent by children to Santa Claus, the Muppets must head for the North Pole to get them delivered before Christmas.
A Muppet Family Christmas 1987 Kermit and his friends spend Christmas staging a surprise visit to Fozzie Bear's mother's farm. Muppets from both The Muppet Show and Sesame Street are featured, as are Fraggles. Includes a rare cameo appearance by Jim Henson himself.
2005 My Little Pony film.
Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey 1977 Stop Motion special.
Niko & The Way to the Stars (known as The Flight Before Christmas in North America) 2008 A young reindeer must overcome his fear of flying.
The Night Before Christmas 1946 Castle Films live-action retelling of Clement Clarke Moore's story A Visit from St. Nicholas.
1991 While dreaming, a boy is taken by the Sandman to the North Pole to visit Santa Claus, but once there he discovers that children's increasing demand for more toys has forced Santa out of work, and Santa's duties are now performed by a robotic clown and his industrialized high-tech factory.
Olive, the Other Reindeer 1999 A dog called Olive wants to be a reindeer at Christmas time.
Pinocchio's Christmas 1980 Rankin/Bass adaptation of the 1883 novel The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi and which explores Pinocchio's first Christmas.
Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July 1979 Stop Motion featuring characters from previous Rankin/Bass Christmas specials including Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, Santa Claus, Mrs Claus, and Jack Frost.
Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer 1964 Stop-motion adaptation of the popular song. Rudolph, and Hermey the Misfit Elf, overcome rejection for their differences and help Santa Claus make his Christmas Eve trip.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and the Island of Misfit Toys 2001 Sequel to Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964).
Rudolph's Shiny New Year 1976 Rudolph helps Father Time find Baby New Year so that the New Year can start.
Santa and the Fairy Snow Queen 1951The Fairy Snow Queen comes to visit Santa and when she finds him sleeping, she plays a trick on him by bringing the toys to life. When Santa wakes up, he asks her to change them back, she can't do it, because the toys don't want to change back. so the Fairy Snow Queen must help Santa find a solution.
Santa Claus and the Magic Drum 1996 While reading his usual gift wish mail Santa Claus stumbles upon an unusual letter which everyone assumes to be a gift wish letter from a boy called Vekara, at the same time odd things are happening around Santa's village, and strange accidents follow Santa.
Santa Claus is Comin' to Town 1970 Stop Motion A mailman tells the story of how a young orphan Claus is adopted by elves and tries to bring toys to sad children in a town where toys are banned.
Santa's Apprentice 2010 Animated film. When the time for him to retire draws near, Santa Claus selects and trains a young orphan boy to become his successor.
Santa, Baby! 2001 A struggling songwriter in danger of losing his job and his angelic daughter's attempts to keep a wacky bunch of shelter animals safe from the cold. Through their efforts, the dysfunctional neighborhood comes together to help one another and embrace the Christmas spirit.
Saving Santa 2013 A stable elf is the only one who can stop an invasion of the North Pole by using Santa's sleigh and a time globe to go back in time to save Santa.
Scooby-Doo! Haunted Holidays 2012 Scooby-Doo film.
Shrek the Halls 2007 Animated special. An ogre prepares to celebrate Christmas with family.
2011 Based around The Smurfs.
The Snow Queen 1957 Lev Atamanov animated adaptation film based on the 1844 fable “The Snow Queen” by Hans Christian Andersen, about a girl's quest to find her kidnapped friend in an evil queen's icy abode.
The Snow Queen 1995 Animated film based on the 1844 fable “The Snow Queen” by Hans Christian Andersen, about a girl's quest to find her kidnapped brother in an evil queen's icy abode in the North Pole. Featuring the voice of Helen Mirren in the title role.
The Snow Queen's Revenge 1996 Animated film. Sequel to 1995 animation film The Snow Queen. The Snow Queen is angry with the little girl, who thwarted her plan to make the earth the cold place and she seeks revenge on the little girl.
The Snowman 1982 The tale of a boy who builds a snowman one winter's day. One night, at the stroke of twelve, the snowman comes to life and takes him on a magical adventure to the North Pole.
A Special Sesame Street Christmas 1978 Three spirits help Oscar learn the joys of Christmas.
The Stingiest Man in Town 1978 Rankin/Bass version of Charles Dickens's 1843 novella A Christmas Carol.
Super Sleuth Christmas Movie2007 Winnie the Pooh film.
2012 Princess Odette, Prince Derek, and their trusted woodland friends return for their first Christmas celebration! But with the villainous Rothbart striving to destroy Christmas itself, will they be able to stop him and save the day?
The Tailor Of Gloucester 1989 A poor tailor must complete the mayor's commissioned cherry-coloured silk coat for his wedding on Christmas Day.
The Trolls and the Christmas Express 1981 A group of trolls infiltrates Santa's workshop to attempt to sabotage Christmas.
'Twas the Night Before Christmas 1974 A mouse and a clockmaker try to appease a disgruntled Santa after he has received an insulting letter.
Tukiki and His Search for a Merry Christmas 1979 Tukiki is a small Eskimo boy who sets out to discover the meaning of Christmas along with a magical character known as North Wind.
VeggieTales

The Star of Christmas

2002 Playwrights Cavis Appythart (Bob the Tomato) and Millward Phelps (Larry the Cucumber) attempt to teach London to love through a musical spectacular but are threatened when they learn that a nearby church will be re-unveiling a priceless artifact during its Christmas pageant on Christmas Eve, Cavis and Millward's opening night.
VeggieTales

The Toy That Saved Christmas

1996 Grandpa George (In a role similar to S.D. Kluger from Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town) tells a bedtime story to his granddaughter Annie. In the story, Mr. Nezzer is the owner of a toy company that makes "Buzz-Saw Louie", who tells kids to get more toys. As Buzz-Saw Louie dolls roll off the production line, one of them inexplicably comes to life and escapes the factory to search for the true meaning of Christmas.
Veggietales

The Little Drummer Boy

2011 An animated adaptation of Rankin/Bass story featuring the VeggieTales characters.
Will Vinton's A Claymation Christmas Celebration 1987 A stop motion claymation featuring the California Raisins and many Christmas songs.
The Willows in Winter 1996 Animated film. Based on the 1993 book by William Horwood, of the same name. It is the sequel to 1995 animation film, The Wind in the Willows. Mole disappears while answering what he thinks is an urgent summons from Rat, causing Badger to enlist help from Toad and his new airplane in a frantic search party.
Winnie the Pooh: A Very Merry Pooh Year2002 Winnie the Pooh film.
Winnie the Pooh: Seasons of Giving1999 Winnie the Pooh film.
Winnie the Pooh and Christmas Too1991 Winnie the Pooh and Christmas Too is a Christmas television special based on the Disney television series The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, originally broadcast on Saturday, December 14, 1991, on ABC.
The Year Without a Santa Claus 1974 (Stop Motion) Santa decides to take a holiday one year. So, Mrs. Claus corrals Heat Miser and Snow Miser, along with children of the world, to show Santa that people still believe in him.
Yes, Virginia 2009 CGI animated version of Yes Virginia, aired on CBS and produced in association with Macy's and Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus 1974 An animated account of young Virginia.
Yogi's First Christmas 1980Animated film. Yogi, Boo Boo and Cindy are awakened from hibernation and join their friends' Christmas activities while interfering with two villains' efforts to ruin the holiday.
Ziggy's Gift 1982 Ziggy and his faithful dog Fuzz take a job as a street Santa to raise money for the poor.

Horror

See main article: Christmas horror.

TitleYearDescription
Female Trouble 1974 A Spoiled School Girl runs away from home, gets pregnant while hitch-hiking, and goes into a life of crime.
Jack Frost 1997 A serial killer is turned into a snowman.[86]
2000 Taking place one year after the events of its predecessor, the film again follows killer snowman Jack Frost (Scott MacDonald), who is resurrected and travels to a tropical cabana to kill the man (Christopher Allport) responsible for his death.
2015the film stars Monica Engesser as a child psychologist who is attempting to unravel the link between a mysterious young girl (Amelia Haberman) and the mythological creature known as Krampus (William Connor).
Krampus Unleashed 2016 A family is terrorized by Krampus while visiting relatives for Christmas.[87]

TV series

Comedy

TitleYearDescription
A Moody Christmas 2012 Dan Moody returns home from London to spend each Christmas with his dysfunctional family.
Merry Happy Whatever 2019 Don Quinn (Quaid) struggles with different stresses of Christmas.
The Moodys 2021 Remake of A Moody Christmas.
Over Christmas 2020 Basti returns home for Christmas only to find out that his ex engaged to his brother.
How to Ruin Christmas 2020 Tumi returns to Johannesburg from Cape Town to celebrate her sister Beauty's wedding which takes place at Christmas.
Santa Inc. 2021 A female elf wants to become the next Santa.

Fantasy/Superhero

TitleYearDescription
Cuento de Navidad 2000–2001 A Christmas Carol adaption and telenovela.
A Christmas Carol 2019 A BBC series about Charles Dickens Christmas Carol.
Hawkeye 2021 Taking place after the events of Avengers: Endgame, It's Christmas Time in New York, and all Clint Barton wants is to spend the holidays with his family. However, after meeting young archer Kate Bishop, they both get tangled up in a murder mystery, an underground mob and a much bigger threat.

Family

TitleYearDescription
A Christmas Carol 1954 Shower of Stars version of Charles Dickens' story. Starring Fredric March as Scrooge and Basil Rathbone as Marley.
The Blessed Midnight 1956 Cavalcade of America episode starring Maureen O'Sullivan. When a boy steals a cake for his beloved aunt on Christmas Eve, his young friend tries to set things straight. Film was also released as Spirit of Christmas.
Bushfire Moon 1987 In the Australian outback, young Ned O'Day is looking forward to Christmas, but because of the drought it won't be very festive. Ned meets a swagman and imagines he is the real Father Christmas.
Christmas by Injunction 1957 The O. Henry Playhouse episode starring Thomas Mitchell, Tommy Kirk and John Doucette. A wealthy prospector did not celebrate Christmas and would not permit women and children to be in his home because he lost his own family ten years before. He begins to open his heart when he meets a young boy who was caught stealing food from his ranch.
Christmas is Magic 1961 Your Jeweler's Showcase episode starring Robert Hutton and Frances Rafferty. On Christmas Eve, a war veteran with amnesia gets off a train and meets a young war widow and her son.
The Gift 1953 Four Star Playhouse episode starring Charles Boyer and Maureen O'Sullivan. A businessman becomes moody and antagonistic each year at Christmas because it reminds him of his estranged son. His wife secretly celebrates by volunteering taking orphaned children to see Santa and paying for the presents for them.
Navidad sin fin 2001–2002 Two children help a village to rescue family Christmas values.
LasseMajas detektivbyrå 2006 The police inspector organizes a nativity play for Christmas. Several crimes take place among the actors of the play, so the inspector asks the ten-year-old detectives Lasse und Maja for help.
Tidsrejsen 2014 The 13-year-old girl Sofie wishes that her divorced parents get back together before Christmas, so that everyone can celebrate Christmas together.
The Santa Clauses 2022–2023 Santa tries to find a replacement Santa before he retires.
A Star Shall Rise 1952 Family Theater episode starring Raymond Burr, John Crawford, and Richard Hale. Based on the journey of the Three Wise Men.

Children's

TitleYearDescription
Elves of the Forest 1984–1985 The family Santa lives with the elves and wights in a forest in Finland. Based on the Finnish book The Story of Santa Claus.
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe 1988 The little Lucy discovers a new world called Narnia behind a wardrobe, where there is always winter but never Christmas.
Peter-No-Tail 1997 The cat Peter and his friends prepare for Christmas, while the cat Frida claims to have seen Santa's sleigh in the park.
The Secret World of Santa Claus 1999 Along with his elves Santa Claus prepares presents for the children.
The Toy Castle 2000–2003 The adventures of toys who come to life when no one is watching.
Horace and Tina 2001 On Christmas Eve Santa's little helpers Horace and Tina fall from Santa's sleigh into the house of Lauren Parker. There they have to stay for one year until the next Christmas Eve until Santa can pick them up again.
SantApprentice 2006 Nicolas, a young orphan boy from Sydney, Australia, who is a pure of heart, believes in Santa Claus as he is Santa's Apprentice.

Drama

TitleYearDescription
Give Love on Christmas 2014–2015
Holiday Secrets 2019 Four women from four generations come home for Christmas.
Three Days of Christmas 2019 Three Days of Christmas shows three Christmases in the lives of four sisters from different decades.

Romance

TitleYearDescription
Will It Snow for Christmas? 2009–2010 A couple who were each other's first love, meet years later and fall passionately in love.[88]
Home for Christmas 2019 Johanne tries to find a boyfriend for Christmas.
Dash & Lily 2020 Lily is a big Christmas fan and hides a notebook in a bookstore which is found by Dash.
Christmas Flow 2021 Shortly before Christmas the singer Marcus releases a misogynistic song, for which he receives a lot of critique. His manager advises him to release a Christmas song, which Marcus does not like. Meanwhile Marcus falls in love with Lila the leader of a feministic group and spends Christmas with her and her family.

Adult/horror/thriller/crime

TitleYearDescription
White Christmas 2011 Over the Christmas holidays several people are stranded at elite Soo-sin High School, only to discover that there is a murderer in their midst.
Happy! 2017–2019 An injured hitman befriends his kidnapped daughter's imaginary friend; a perky blue flying unicorn.
NOS4A2 2020 In Christmas Village every day is Christmas Day and unhappiness is against the law.
Elves 2021 A family wants to spend Christmas together at an Island which is inhabited by elves who start killing people.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Darby . Margaret . 2022-12-08 . Best Hallmark and Lifetime Christmas movies to rewatch this year . 2023-07-24 . Deseret News . en.
  2. Web site: 2020-12-20 . Lifetime Vs Hallmark: 9 Reasons Why Lifetime Christmas Movies Are The Best (& 9 Why Hallmark's Are) . 2023-07-24 . ScreenRant . en.
  3. Web site: 2022-11-23 . We Ranked the 101 Best Lifetime Christmas Movies . 2023-07-24 . ELLE . en-US.
  4. Web site: Camara . Julia . 2021-12-16 . Why Are Christmas Movies So Popular? . 2023-07-24 . WeScreenplay . en-US.
  5. Web site: The holiday's biggest debate: Is "Die Hard" a Christmas movie? Curated . 2023-07-24 . dailyhive.com . en.
  6. Web site: 2022-11-28 . One Last Time, Here's Why 'Die Hard' Is a Christmas Movie . 2023-07-24 . Men's Health . en-US.
  7. Web site: Terrones . Terry . 2018-12-16 . 7 reasons why 'Die Hard' is a Christmas movie . 2023-07-24 . Colorado Springs Gazette . en.
  8. Book: Higham . Charles . Greenberg . Joel . 1968 . Hollywood in the Forties . 112 . A. Zwemmer Limited . London.
  9. Web site: The 35 Best Classic Christmas Movies of All Time. Janes . Deanna . 10 October 2022 . Harper's Bazaar . 24 November 2023 .
  10. Web site: Christmas Watch: Bachelor Mother (1939) . Williams . Adam . 3 December 2020 . Columbus Moving Picture Show . 24 November 2023 .
  11. Web site: The Best Man Holiday: Film Review . Farber . Stephen . 13 November 2023 . The Hollywood Reporter . 5 December 2023 .
  12. Web site: Beyond Tomorrow (1940) . Stecher . Raquel . 22 December 2020 . The Film Detective . 24 November 2023 .
  13. https://books.google.com/books?id=jDUAhnqZ-UwC&dq=The+Bells+of+St.+Mary%27s+%2B+Christmas&pg=PA29 Prigozy, Ruth and Raubicheck, Walter. Going My Way: Bing Crosby and American Culture, University Rochester Press, 2007, p. 29
  14. https://books.google.com/books?id=sMPSqFrycu0C&dq=%22Cary+and+the+Bishop%27s+wife%22&pg=PA93 Dans, Peter E., Christians in the Movies: A Century of Saints and Sinners, Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2009, p. 93
  15. Web site: Boxing Day (Film): The Perfect Christmas Rom-Com . Lola . Bethany . 1 December 2021 . UK Film Review . 5 December 2023 .
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  30. https://www.nytimes.com/1942/08/05/archives/the-screen-irving-berlins-holiday-inn-costarring-bing-crosby-and.html "Irving Berlin's 'Holiday Inn,' Co-Starring Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire, Has Navy Benefit Premiere at Paramount", The New York Times, August 5, 1942
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  32. News: Bosley. Crowther. The Screen in Review: It Happened on Fifth Avenue. The New York Times. June 11, 1947. 33.
  33. Web site: Deadline Hollywood. Holiday Horror 'It's A Wonderful Knife' Starring Jane Widdop, Joel McHale & Justin Long Acquired By RLJE Films & Shudder Ahead Of Beyond Fest Premiere. 8 October 2023. Matt. Grobar. September 26, 2023.
  34. Web site: It's a Wonderful Life (1947) . https://web.archive.org/web/20160310013259/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b72fd693f . dead . March 10, 2016 . British Film Institute.
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  38. https://www.loc.gov/static/programs/national-film-preservation-board/documents/meet_stlouis.pdf Alsberg, Andrea. "Meet Me in St. Louis", National Film Registry
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  42. Web site: Miracle on 34th Street farmhouse on sale for $3.4m: The lavish home from the 1994 remake of the Christmas classic is now on the market in Lake Forest, Illinois . 29 October 2015 . The Guardian . 24 November 2023 .
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  44. Web site: Anna Kendrick Eyeing Female Santa Claus Tale for Disney and Marc Lawrence (EXCLUSIVE). Variety. Justin. Kroll. January 11, 2017. November 30, 2017.
  45. Web site: The Screen in Review; Four O. Henry Short Stories Offered in Fox Movie at Trans-Lux 52d Street . Crowther . Bosley . 17 October 1952 . New York Times . 5 December 2023 .
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  51. Web site: My Painful Quest to Find the Worst Christmas Movie Ever Made. Vice. February 10, 2022. December 14, 2018.
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  53. Web site: Scrooge, or, Marley's Ghost (1901) . Davidson . Ewan . 2014 . British Film Institute screenonline . 5 December 2023 .
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  55. Web site: The 30 Best Christmas Movies Ever. Empire. 8 August 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161006232422/http://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/empire-30-greatest-christmas-movies/. 2016-10-06. live.
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  57. Web site: Why die Hard 2 is a Better Christmas Movie Than die Hard. 24 December 2017.
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  59. Web site: In Bruges captures the existential weight of the Christmas season. The A.V. Club. Vikram. Murthi. December 16, 2015. February 10, 2022.
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  67. Web site: Icetastrophe (2014) – Jonathan Winfrey, Jonathan A. Winfrey | Synopsis, Characteristics, Moods, Themes and Related | AllMovie.
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