17 Best Christmas Movies to Watch with Your Friends and Family on Christmas Eve

Celebrate Christmas Eve with the best holiday movies! Discover 17 heartwarming, funny, and festive films to enjoy with friends and family this holiday season.

Dec 23, 2024, 02:51 EDT
17 Best Christmas Movies
17 Best Christmas Movies

Christmas is a time of joy, warmth, and togetherness. It’s the season to create beautiful memories with your loved ones. One of the best ways to spend Christmas Eve is by curling up with your friends and family, sipping on hot cocoa, and enjoying a great Christmas movie. 

The twinkling lights on the tree, the cosy blankets, and the cheerful spirit of the holidays make movie nights even more special during this time of year.

Christmas movies hold a magical charm that brings people closer. They remind us of the importance of love, kindness, and the holiday spirit. 

From heartwarming tales that leave us teary-eyed to hilarious comedies that make us laugh until our sides hurt, there’s something for everyone in these movies. Whether it’s a timeless classic or a modern favourite, a good Christmas movie can capture the magic of the season like nothing else.

Here are 17 of the best Christmas movies that are perfect for watching with your friends and family. These films are packed with festive cheer, unforgettable characters, and stories that will warm your heart. 

Some of them are great for a quiet evening with kids, while others are ideal for a fun-filled night with friends.

So grab your snacks, pick a spot on the couch, and get ready to dive into the holiday spirit. Whether you’re in the mood for a nostalgic classic or a laugh-out-loud comedy, this list has something to make your Christmas Eve extra special. 

Let’s explore these amazing Christmas movies together and find the perfect one to watch this holiday season!

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Best Christmas Movies to Watch 

Here are the top 17 movies to watch with your friends and family on Christmas Eve according to IMDb: 

 

S. No.

Title

Year

Duration

Rating

Description

Director

Stars

1

It's a Wonderful Life

1946

2h 10m

PG

An angel helps a frustrated businessman by showing him how life would be if he never existed.

Frank Capra

James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore

2

Die Hard

1988

2h 12m

R

A New York cop saves hostages from terrorists during a Christmas party in Los Angeles.

John McTiernan

Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman, Bonnie Bedelia

3

Home Alone

1990

1h 43m

PG

An eight-year-old defends his home from burglars on Christmas Eve.

Chris Columbus

Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern

4

A Christmas Carol

1951

1h 26m

Approved

Miserly Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by three spirits who show him the error of his ways.

Brian Desmond Hurst

Alastair Sim, Jack Warner, Kathleen Harrison

5

A Christmas Story

1983

1h 33m

PG

In the 1940s, Ralphie tries to convince everyone a Red Ryder BB gun is the perfect gift.

Bob Clark

Peter Billingsley, Melinda Dillon, Darren McGavin

6

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

1964

47m

TV-G

Young Rudolph, ostracized for his red nose, finds his place at the North Pole.

Larry Roemer

Billie Mae Richards, Burl Ives, Larry D. Mann

7

Elf

2003

1h 37m

PG

Raised as an elf, Buddy travels to New York to meet his biological father and spread Christmas spirit.

Jon Favreau

Will Ferrell, James Caan, Bob Newhart

8

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

1989

1h 37m

PG-13

The Griswold family's big Christmas plans turn into a disaster.

Jeremiah S. Chechik

Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo, Juliette Lewis

9

Miracle on 34th Street

1947

1h 36m

Approved

A man claiming to be Santa Claus is defended in court to prove his authenticity.

George Seaton

Edmund Gwenn, Maureen O'Hara, John Payne

10

Gremlins

1984

1h 46m

PG

A young man unleashes mischievous monsters after breaking rules about his new pet.

Joe Dante

Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates, Hoyt Axton

11

Bad Santa

2003

1h 32m

R

A conman and his partner pose as Santa and elf to rob stores but befriend a troubled kid.

Terry Zwigoff

Billy Bob Thornton, Bernie Mac, Lauren Graham

12

Edward Scissorhands

1990

1h 45m

PG-13

An artificial man with scissors for hands finds his life changed when taken in by a family.

Tim Burton

Johnny Depp, Winona Ryder, Dianne Wiest

13

Scrooged

1988

1h 41m

PG-13

A cynical TV executive is haunted by three spirits on Christmas Eve.

Richard Donner

Bill Murray, Karen Allen, John Forsythe

14

Trading Places

1983

1h 56m

R

A rich investor and a street conman find their lives swapped as part of a bet.

John Landis

Eddie Murphy, Dan Aykroyd, Ralph Bellamy

15

The Santa Clause

1994

1h 37m

PG

A man becomes Santa Claus after accidentally causing the previous Santa to fall off his roof.

John Pasquin

Tim Allen, Judge Reinhold, Wendy Crewson

16

A Charlie Brown Christmas

1965

25m

TV-G

Charlie Brown seeks a deeper meaning to Christmas amidst its commercialism.

Bill Melendez

Ann Altieri, Chris Doran, Sally Dryer

17

Joyeux Noel

2005

1h 56m

PG-13

In 1914, soldiers on the Western Front experience a brief Christmas truce.

Christian Carion

Diane Kruger, Benno Fürmann, Guillaume Canet

Nikhil Batra
Nikhil Batra

Content Writer

Nikhil comes from a commerce background, but his love for writing led him on a different path. With more than two years of experience as a content writer, he aspires to breathe life into words. He completed his B.Com. from DU and finds joy in traveling and exploring new and hidden places. Do drop your feedback for him at nikhil.batra@jagrannewmedia.com and let him know if you love his work

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