People like me who love Christmas movies likely look forward to this time of year for the movies. But surprisingly, even the people who generally don't love holiday movies can appreciate '90s classics like Home Alone (1990) and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992). The holidays also bring up spirited arguments about which adaptation of The Christmas Carol is best, and whether Die Hard (1988) is a Christmas movie or not. All of this is part of the holiday's magic, and it makes it extra fun to look back at old favorites, then discuss them amongst friends or family.
2025 is a tough year for a lot of people, and it's making us cling to nostalgia even harder. With movies like While You Were Sleeping (1995) celebrating their thirtieth anniversary, here are the 10 best Christmas movies to watch in 2025, as well as where to find them on Disney+, Netflix, and more.
It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
As saccharine as it might sound, there are few movies that actually have the genuine ability to inspire people to keep going. Throughout the year, it's easy to get inside our heads and wonder if we've made an impact on anyone or whether we'll be missed, but the warmth of It's a Wonderful Life always manages to be a real reminder that we don't quite know how many lives a single person can impact. James Stewart's timeless portrayal of George Bailey gets better and better with every viewing, and as the years pass, the film becomes increasingly more beautiful.
If there's one Christmas movie that every type of viewer should watch at least once in their life, it's undoubtedly It's a Wonderful Life. In every way, it embodies the spirit of the season by highlighting the importance of sharing our love with those around us. It's amazing that to this day, no one's even attempted a remake of it, and it's because we all know it'd be impossible to top.
The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
Art is subjective, and no two people will ever love the same property the same way, but if there's one thing I'll always get on my high horse about, it's The Muppet Christmas Carol. There is no adaptation of Dickens' Christmas Carol that's as perfect, and I'm willing to stand by this fact. It's top-tier. Indescribable. From the music to the production design, it's the one version where the story hits the hardest and evokes every warm and inspiring feeling it's meant to.
Sir Michael Caine not only delivers the most heartfelt embodiment of Scrooge, but his transformation feels entirely organic. It's believable that these three ghosts, all in Muppet form, would get to the perpetual grump, and no Scrooge's final few moments in the film feel as earned. Plus, Gonzo as Dickens with Rizzo the Rat as himself narrating? Unbeatable. It's a must-watch for anyone who loves the Muppets, but also for those who have deep '90s nostalgia.
Home Alone (1990)
There's simply no Christmas without Kevin McCallister and the Wet Bandits. The outrageous humor etched into Home Alone makes it the type of holiday staple that's so fun for the whole family that even those who typically don't rewatch films are okay with Home Alone every year. (My family! They'll complain about having to rewatch every movie but never Home Alone.)
Perfect for the viewers who are nostalgic for cozy houses, '90s antics, and bonkers booby traps, nothing beats the gags in Home Alone. It's hard to believe that there may be a single person in the world who still hasn't seen it, because that's the level of tremendous impact it has on the holiday season. So much of the humor and hijinks have inspired countless other films that have followed, making it an absolute must-watch every year. But perhaps especially in 2025, in case you're dreaming of real estate while most of us can't afford to even look at a house.
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)
Sequels are seldom better than the original or even as good, but Home Alone 2: Lost in New York is always my personal favorite. Kevin McCallister left behind again and using his dad's credit card to stay at the Plaza hotel is basically every kid's dream. Who wouldn't want that, at least once? But more than that, the heart in Home Alone 2 is what always gets to me, and we see it most poignantly through the pigeon lady. Through her, we get an honest depiction of the reminder that kindness can go incredibly far and leave a monumental mark on someone.
Plus, there's something especially cozy about Kevin and his mom reuniting in front of the Rockefeller Christmas tree because she knows that's exactly where he'd be. For viewers wanting to experience a classic New York Christmas vicariously, no movie captures the vibes as immaculately as Home Alone 2. Plus, as absurd as the hijinks are with the Wet Bandits returning, somehow it's fully believable, and there's no questioning that everything that happens can actually happen.
The Family Stone (2005)
With the unexpected and heartbreaking passing of the legendary Diane Keaton this year, a lot of people are revisiting the Stone family to cope with their shock. Genuinely hilarious, achingly tender, and heartbreaking, The Family Stone is a holiday staple for countless reasons and in many households. While the death of Keaton's Sybil is going to hit even harder this year, it may even be comforting for some viewers to watch how much love was infused into the matriarch's role.
The Family Stone is a holiday must-watch for many reasons, but perhaps more importantly because the viewers who connect to its premise feel deeply seen. There are plenty of great holiday family films out there, like National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989), but the complex characters and lingering sadness threaded throughout The Family Stone undoubtedly makes people feel a little less alone in their own struggles. Plus, with stars like Rachel McAdams, Sarah Jessica Parker, Dermot Mulroney, Luke Wilson, Claire Danes, Craig T. Nelson, Elizabeth Reaser, Brian J. White, Paul Schneider, alongside Keaton, it's now a twenty-year-old classic that still holds up.
The Holiday (2006)
There's something about romance and the holidays that makes everything extra sweet, but with the influx of movies to choose from, there are two that should never be skipped, and The Holiday is one of them. With an exceptional cast, starring Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, Jack Black, Eli Wallach, Rufus Sewell, and more, The Holiday is indescribable magic in movie form. We not only get one perfect romance, but two, and to top things off, Jude Law as a single dad doing Mr. Napkin Head? Need I say more?.
The Holiday delivers everything for viewers wanting to see believable love stories after heartbreak—second chances in the form of finding the right person at the right time in the right place. Set in a dreamy fictional cottage in England and a grand estate in Los Angeles, it's the type of movie that not only feels like the perfect romantic escape, but it's also a film that honors storytelling and character journeys beautifully.
While You Were Sleeping (1995)
Like The Holiday, While You Were Sleeping is a Christmas must-watch—and it's especially relevant in 2025 as it's the thirtieth anniversary. Bill Pullman and Sandra Bullock make the ultimate dream team in an achingly romantic story that's all about finding love in the most unexpected way. Lucy is the kind of heroine whose loneliness feels so relatable that her journey results in a story that we don't often see as poignantly.
In addition, how the movie expertly balances ridiculous humor and sweepingly romantic moments is no small feat, making it the kind of story that gets better and better with every viewing. While You Were Sleeping is essential viewing for fans who love cozy rom-coms like Serendipity (2001). The films may be vastly different in the tropes they cover, but the essence of the romance feels comparable. Plus, the holiday vibes are extra nostalgic, with character development and male yearning that should be considered the blueprint.
Eloise at Christmastime (2003)
Netflix recently announced its plans to remake a live-action Eloise film, and to that I'd say, why touch something perfect? And because of this, it feels imperative to beg viewers to add Eloise at Christmastime to their watchlist in 2025, because few things can capture the magic of Christmas and simultaneously New York City. If you love Home Alone 2 and somehow didn't know about the adaptations of Kay Thompson and Hilary Knight's novels, then run, don't walk to watch it.
For starters, the film is brimming with incredible stars like Julie Andrews, Christine Baranski, Gavin Creel, Jeffrey Tambor, and more, along with Sofia Vassilieva as the titular character. But more importantly, the bond between Eloise and Bill results in one of the sweetest intergenerational friendships to grace our screens. It's a must-watch for Broadway fans who know the late and legendary Creel through his inimitable impact on the community, but it's also delicately wholesome in a way that feels timeless. There’s even a romance between Creel's Bill and Sara Topham's Rachel that's precious in every way.
The Spirit of Christmas (2015)
I'll take up every opportunity presented to talk about the underrated gem that is Lifetime's The Spirit of Christmas. This one's for the romance fans, the ones who love cheesy romantic comedies and outlandish plots like hot ghosts. It demands that viewers suspend disbelief, and it's also imperative that a viewer loves romance because otherwise, it's not meant for you. Still, for the people who want a unique Christmas romance with one of the most gorgeous fictional inns and all the delicious tropes, then look no further.
The Spirit of Christmas follows Kate, a jaded lawyer who's sent to an inn to get it appraised, only she ends up falling in love with Daniel, the hot ghost, who haunts it for twelve days out of the year. It's ridiculously cheesy, but thoroughly charming, surprisingly hilarious, and genuinely cozy from start to finish. It's especially perfect for the viewers who grew up traumatized by Casper (1995) and want a healing adult romance that actually delivers a happy ending.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
Not every person is in the holiday spirit this year, and thankfully, for those who aren't, How the Grinch Stole Christmas is always there to validate every grumpy feeling. Hilarious, ridiculously quotable, and featuring some of the best production design from the early 2000s, everything about the movie still holds up perfectly. It also turns twenty-five this year, making it the perfect time to rewatch it again in 2025.
It's without a doubt the best adaptation for those who love the classic Dr. Seuss story, but it's also a great live-action Christmas movie in general. Jim Carrey's version of the Grinch is too relatable and the story genuinely gets funnier with every viewing. Bonus points if you watch it when you're extra grouchy because it makes all the jokes land in a different way.
