These are the best Christmas movies to get you through the holiday season

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Christmas is just a few weeks away. There is no better time to truly fill the house with holiday spirit than to pop on classic Christmas movies – each and every one of them.

While you won't struggle to find a Hollywood holiday film to tune into, some are more worth the family's time than others. Though, there is enough time for all Christmas movies if you play them all day, even the lesser known or cheaply made films.

This list, however, is full of Christmas favorites and heartfelt classics from Macaulay Culkin's iconic pranks to Will Ferrell's elvish antics – in no particular order.

"A Christmas Story"

"A Christmas Story" follows the lovable Ralphie Parker as he dodges bully Scut Farkus while also dreaming of seeing his beloved Red Ryder air rifle under the tree. The film has been so impactful that a 24-hour marathon has aired on TBS and TNT during Christmas Eve and Christmas Day every year since 1997.

In 2022, a sequel to the original was released, titled "A Christmas Story Christmas." Peter Billingsley reprized the role of Ralphie, though in the follow-up film, he's all grown up. Rotten Tomatoes gave the film a 79% and audiences awarded it a 75%.

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"Miracle on 34th Street"

"Miracle on 34th Street" has been a Christmas classic since its premiere in 1947. The film was remade several times since its original release.

Celebrate the holidays with the story of Kris Kringle, who plays Santa Claus at Macy's department store in New York and tries to convince his skeptical supervisor (and her disbelieving daughter) that he's the real thing. This iconic film stars Edmund Gwenn, Maureen O'Hara and Natalie Wood.

"A Christmas Carol"

The tale of Ebenezer Scrooge is a transformative story filled with important lessons that any family can learn from this holiday season. With countless adaptations of the Charles Dickens classic, viewers can take their pick of the film from various decades.

"Scrooged"

A retelling of the classic "A Christmas Carol," "Scrooged" stars Bill Murray as selfish and cynical business executive Frank Cross. In the film, Murray gets visited by several Christmas ghosts that ultimately transform him from the cynical man he was into one fully in tune with the Christmas spirit.

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"A Charlie Brown Christmas"

Charlie Brown has become a cultural icon as one of entertainment's most relatable characters of all time.

His depressed demeanor combined with periodic moments of optimism serve to show off the true strength of the Christmas spirit, despite all the struggles one may face.

"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer"

Premiering in 1964, "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" is one of the longest continually running Christmas specials on TV.

No one can forget the adorably innocent Rudolph and his bright red nose – and everyone remembers the iconic Rudolph jingle that we all happily sing along to at Christmastime.

"A Bad Moms Christmas"

This hilarious sequel to "Bad Moms" stars Mila Kunis, Kathryn Hahn, Kristen Bell and Academy Award winner Susan Sarandon. The film follows underappreciated moms during the holiday season while they navigate planning Christmas for their somewhat ungrateful family members.

"The Santa Clause"

When not working with his handy tools around the home, Tim Allen was busy taking on the role of Santa Claus.

Watch as everyone's favorite "Home Improvement" star dons the iconic red garb and undertakes a journey to convince those he loves that he is, indeed, Father Christmas.

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"The Santa Clause 2"

"The Santa Clause 2" is the second installment of the film franchise, which includes two other "Santa Clause" movies and a follow-up series titled "The Santa Clauses," which also features Tim Allen as Scott Calvin, a.k.a. Santa, and Eric Lloyd as his son Charlie. 

The plot of the second film surrounds Scott Calvin as he searches for the next Mrs. Claus. He has to marry by Christmas Eve otherwise he will never be Santa again.

"Love Actually"

What better way to get in the spirit than a tale of holiday love? How about 10 tales of love? This 2003 blockbuster features an ensemble cast that includes Keira Knightley, Liam Neeson, Hugh Grant, Alan Rickman and Colin Firth.

The film, though Christmas-themed, has sparked controversial discussions in recent years as audiences are puzzled by the nature of some of the relationships throughout the movie. But Brits have expressed, via social media, that Americans simply don't get their humor.

"How the Grinch Stole Christmas"

Nothing brings more Christmas cheer than Jim Carrey donning a green, hairy suit. In this now classic, the green patron living outside of Whoville atop a hill stomps around town wreaking havoc around town stealing presents, food, decorations and more - until his heart grows three sizes and he saves the Christmas he almost ruined.

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"National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation"

See the Griswold family at their absolute best (or is it worst?) when their clashing and eccentric families arrive to celebrate the holidays.

Chaos seems too tame a word for what ensues in this PG-13 movie.

"Home Alone"

Did you not expect to see Kevin McCallister's iconic distraught face on this list?

Kevin McCallister's (played by Macaulay Culkin) pranks against Harry Lyme (played by Joe Pesci) and Marv Merchants (played by Daniel Stern) have been a Christmas staple since its release in 1990. Nearly 30 years later, Culkin's performance still stands the test of time.

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"Home Alone 2: Lost in New York"

Kevin McCallister finds himself in a world of trouble for the second year in a row, after he loses track of his father in the airport and gets on the wrong plane. As his family is headed for Florida, Kevin is on his way to New York City.

Once there, he swindles his way into the Plaza Hotel, where the trouble continues.

"Elf"

"Elf" was hailed as a holiday classic almost immediately after its release in 2003 and still stands as one of Will Ferrell's greatest performances.

The heartwarming tale of a long-lost father and son surely resonates with families as the holiday season rolls around.

"It's a Wonderful Life"

Perhaps the definitive Christmas classic, "It's a Wonderful Life" follows George Bailey as he learns just how important he is when he gets a glimpse of what his small town would look like without him.

Family-friendly and full of heart, this 1946 black-and-white flick stars James Stewart, Donna Reed and Lionel Barrymore.

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"The Nightmare Before Christmas"

Blend your holidays with this Tim Burton-written film that follows Jack Skellington as he attempts to bring Christmas to his home, Halloween Town.

"Die Hard"

Is "Die Hard" a Christmas film or not? That long-standing question has plagued the internet and festive movie fanatics since its initial release in 1988.

Whether you believe it's a Christmas film or not, Bruce Willis' performance as NYPD cop John McClane has solidified its position as a top holiday film. From its use of Run-DMC's "Christmas in Hollis" to its core theme of family, "Die Hard" remains one of Christmastime's greatest films to watch.

"The Christmas Chronicles"

Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell star in this Christmas film where two young siblings, Kate and Teddy Pierce, hope to catch Santa on film after he accidentally crashed his sleigh.

"The Christmas Chronicles 2"

In this follow-up to the first "Christmas Chronicles" film, Kate Pierce – now a teen – finds herself back with Santa and Mrs. Claus when she appears at the North Pole. There, she discovers a naughty elf is trying to cancel Christmas forever. 

Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn stun once again in this second installment.

"The Muppet Christmas Carol"

"The Muppet Christmas Carol" is a reenactment of Charles Dickens' holiday tale.

Kermit the Frog appears as Bob Cratchit, Michael Caine plays Scrooge and Frank Oz is the one and only Miss Piggy.

"The Holiday"

This star-studded film features Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, Jack Black and more.

"The Holiday" is a romantic-comedy about two women who switch homes for the holidays to get away from individual mishaps and the lives they lead in their own cities. 

After Diaz, who plays career woman Amanda Woods, meets Winslet's on-screen brother and father of two, Graham, played by Law, she quickly falls in love and decides to extend her stay in London. Hopeless romantic Iris, played by Winslet, experiences her own love story with Miles, played by Black.

"Four Christmases"

This holiday movie is jampacked with big names, including Reese Witherspoon, Vince Vaughn, Tim McGraw, Kristin Chenoweth, Robert Duvall and so many more.

The film follows couple Kate and Brad, played by Witherspoon and Vaughn, as they visit their divided families on Christmas. The pair experiences a ton of hilarious drama surrounding their parents and siblings.

"The Polar Express"

Tom Hanks and Josh Hutcherson bring the characters in this animated fantasy holiday film to life.

In this movie, a young boy who doesn't believe in Santa boards a train to the North Pole, where he meets the man he doubted. He adventures to and from the arctic and learns to believe along the way.

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"Jingle All The Way"

"Jingle All The Way" is a holiday favorite starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. In this film, Schwarzenegger plays the workaholic father of a boy who promises to find his son a Turbo-Man toy for Christmas. While every store is sold out, he adventures all over town to find one for his son to make up for often being absent.