From hidden gems to blockbuster sensations, you’ll find surprises in this unconventional Christmas film list. 

Background 

Writing this was supposed to be fun. Since November I’ve watched about five Christmas movies a week and I thought I had exhausted every Christmas movie list in existence. But when I actually was tasked with finding the best Christmas movies, I realized just how much work was cut out for me. 

Last night I stayed up for hours watching what I believe are the last few I hadn’t seen: “A Madea Christmas,” (which stars Chad Michael Murray just FYI) “Liberty’s Kids, Across the Delaware,” “Nicholas: The Boy Who Became Santa The Saints and Heroes Collection,” “The 3 Wise Men,” “The Fourth Wise Man,” and the “VeggieTales It’s a Meaningful Life.” For further consideration, I also rewatched blockbusters “Home Alone” and “Jingle all the Way.” 

Christmas movies are unique in a sense that it’s not just about telling the best story, but capturing an essence. Thus, this process forced me to ask, how is Christmas supposed to make us feel? The first Christmas story encapsulates many, seemingly paradoxical emotions that ultimately instruct every Christmas story to follow. I found the greatest Christmas films make us feel the magic of the star that guided the wisemen. The greatest remind us of the epic battle against darkness, evil, King Herod and the devil. They simultaneously put us in the cozy, humble and simple inn where Jesus was born. They all try their best to capture the wonderment of a prophecy, laid out before the beginning of time, coming to pass through a baby, the greatest gift ever given. It’s extremely hard to pull off. 

While in this list I do offer a few hidden gems, there’s something to be said for the classics that endure. Without further ado, let’s get into it. 

The Greatest Christmas Films 

#5 “The Santa Clause” 

It’s an unbeatable trope, a nobody leaving this world for the North Pole or, just as common, someone leaving the North Pole to go to the “real world.” “The Santa Clause” is the first to do the former trope, at least on such a massive scale. Written by Steve Rudnick and Leo Benvenuti, “The Santa Clause,” (their first feature screenplay to make it to production) tells the tale of Scott Calvin’s journey from having a midlife crisis to becoming Santa Claus. Related to that, many of the best Christmas movies tell a different version of a strained father and son relationship; this one is no exception. Calvin’s fractured relationship with his son is intertwined so neatly into this story, that it’s the perfect Christmas blend of genuine realism and fantasy. 

Made in 1994, the 90s really were a ripe time for Christmas movies. At this point, movie production companies knew what a Christmas movie needed, but at the same time nothing had been overdone yet. Adding to the distinctness of the film was the casting choice of Tim Allen to play Calvin. Fun fact though, Allen wasn’t the first choice, not by a longshot. Bill Murray, Chevy Chase, Robin Williams, Tom Hanks, Mel Gibson, and Tom Selleck were all considered before Allen. However, Allen’s unpolished, everyday man look combined with his A-list star power, made him the only one, that God knows, could have played Calvin. 

#4 “Meet me in St. Louis” 

While we can debate which soundtrack number is the best, whether that be “White Christmas,” (“Holiday Inn”) or “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” (“Meet me in St. Louis”), “Meet me in St. Louis,” while almost beat out by “A White Christmas,” is the best Christmas musical. It accomplishes a difficult task of telling an ordinary, non-fantastical story that still makes for a theatrical event. While the production process was filled with drama, even spawning real-life love affairs, it all paid off, becoming 1944’s second highest-grossing film. 

#3 “Christmas Story“ (a Finland movie) 

No, this is not to be confused with “A Christmas Story,” but rather “Christmas Story” is my family’s favorite. I don’t necessarily enjoy rereading articles from my sophomore year of high school, but seeing that I wrote about “Christmas Story” all the way back then, it has clearly held a special place in my heart for some time. It’s a Christmas story that I think even an adult can believe in. It’s less sensationalized than Hollywood films but the storytelling techniques are very American-audience friendly and has the most magical film score out of this movie list. I’m slightly exaggerating only a bit when I say from watching the making of this film, the cast and production crew practically risked their lives to make this. This movie is free on Amazon Prime, but I’d suggest getting the DVD so you can see the “making of” this picturesque classic for yourself. 

#2 “Elf”

Made in 2003, “Elf” is the last Christmas classic (coincidentally that was also the same year I was born). You’ve all seen “Elf” most likely, otherwise you wouldn’t be interested enough in Christmas to read this list. Therefore, I’ll talk a bit about the magic of “Elf’s” production. David Berenbaum wrote “Elf,” which became his first spec script to be produced. In the short documentary “Film School for Kids,” Berenbaum talked about how the best writing just allows the imagination to flow, because with the smartest directors in town, anything is possible. 

But movie making may be magic, it’s not easy. In the same documentary, the Second Assistant Director Andrew Robinson warned all the 03’ children, “Unfortunately Mondays are bad for most people, but for me they tend to be particularly bad because usually we start at about seven in the morning, the whole crew, but usually I have to get here around five in the morning.” Ah yes, Robinson, thank you for telling me the truth about working early on. 

A part of the success of “Elf” was their resourcefulness. “One guy didn’t show up and they were looking for a slightly balding guy with a little bit of hair on the back so I got pulled in. I just happened to match the character,” Second Second Assistant Director James Bitonti said about being cast an extra. Shooting gorilla style, many of the NYC shots include real people, not actors, including the angry man in the red suit. It doesn’t get more immersive and realistic than that! 

Another reason ”Elf’s” stood the test of the last twenty-one years, is the dedication that went into making this film. Even with a crew size of over 850 people, production was running behind schedule forcing some workers to work all through the night. You see, Director Jon Favreau, who also starred in films such as “Rudy,” had the genius foresight to forego current CGI trends. He knew since CGI was so young, it would rapidly develop in the following years.Therefore, by using CGI for “Elf,” “Elf” would quickly appear outdated. 

Instead, Favreau reverted to a vintage technique that hadn’t been commonly used for forty, fifty years: forced perspective. This method manipulated how scenes looked on screen. Ironically, the technique had often been used for low-budget, b-list films. For “Elf” though, the approximately 47 forced perspective shots, one of which included a child’s legs and a diving board, elevated the film’s quality. Additionally, directors meticulously studied the Rankin/Bass greats, many of which are on this list and used these films to discover details as small as what snow sounds like in the North Pole. Nervous for much of it, the “Elf,” team wasn’t sure if it would ruin all of their careers, but they knew if “Elf” succeeded then it would become an overnight classic. 

For the actual story itself, “Elf” does this unique thing where we get to see New York City as kids again, in all of its majesty. Yet, the film does this not by glamorizing the city, but by ensuring Buddy the elf is able to find joy in the mundane. With Buddy’s bubbly attitude, “Elf” could have turned cheesy and overly silly fast, but with its foundational theme of finding oneself both literally and metaphorically, it never strays from its grounded roots. 

Additionally, the best stories have a tangible and quantifiable goal, meaning it can’t be something like wanting more Christmas spirit, but it must be photographical. For Buddy, that’s getting his father on the nice list. Buddy’s consistently driving the action, doing whatever it takes to convert his father who, to complicate matters, doesn’t believe Buddy the Elf is his son. 

Lastly, can we just talk about all of the chemistry happening throughout the film? Whether it’s Buddy and the mailworkers, Buddy and his brother or most of all Buddy and Jovie, these relationships are unforgettable. Particularly, I think Buddy and Jovie were the first film couple that stood out to me as a kid. Their wholesome romance is subtle yet sweet enough to please every audience. 

#1 “It’s a Wonderful Life“

I remember a director once said he would give anything to come up with a story half as impactful as “It’s a Wonderful Life.” I couldn’t relate more. It’s the kind of film that leaves me kicking my brain and praying for a story that makes people feel as that one did. But​ to give myself some grace, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” had some help

It was actually inspired by “The Greatest Gift,” written by Phillip Van Dorren Stern in 1943 and that was inspired by “A Christmas Carol.” Stern wrote this short story for his Christmas card which he sent out to 200 people. Catching public attention, he sold the script to a film studio for $10,000. Carey Grant was supposed to star in it, but he starred in another Christmas hit, “The Bishop’s Wife.” Like most films, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” was given little chance of success and if the devil didn’t do everything in his power to destroy it, “Production hell” sure did. Several writers took a stab at writing the script. The simple story was too big for them all. “The Greatest Gift,” was resold for the same price, with the written attempts being thrown in for free. 

Just like George Bailey, the story’s purpose stayed unknown for some time. That’s until it found its way into director Frank Capra’s hands. In the past, many critics hated Capra’s wholesome, religious and optimistic storytelling. Returning from war didn’t darken Capra’s storytelling. Instead, it increased his storytelling range. Also returning from war, was Capra’s pick to play George Bailey, Jimmy Stewart. Stewart was unsure if he wanted to remain in acting, but Capra knew that Stewart’s war experience would enable him to play the bitter, despairing Bailey. Capra and Bailey were both insecure as they took on their first project in years, but little did they know they were creating a Christmas tale that would change many lives. 

It’s an interesting question, how do you create a timeless classic? Do you aim for timelessness like the creators of “Elf” or does trying that hard suck out all of the creativity. Secondly, timelessness is often an enemy to trends. Yet, trends are what sell and sales are what keep production companies afloat. “It’s a Wonderful Life,” went against the trends where war-films and escapism musicals were all the rage. It also went outside of typical film struction, which you have to be the best of the best to successfully do that. 

While “It’s a Wonderful Life” is often the inspiration for many modern day filmmakers, it received mixed reviews and only a modest showing at the box office. One of the most astounding sleeper hits, “It’s a Wonderful Life” reached new audiences when television started showing it decades later. 

It became what many consider to be the first Christmas classic. The reason for its success—its ability to push to the very edge all of Christmas’s warring emotions. It’s the one Christmas movie you can watch no matter how bleak your season seems. Because of that, it’s one of the few films, if not only Christmas films, to create a moment. 

I’ll never forget the weight of emotion I felt when I last watched “It’s a Wonderful Life.” It was last year when my entire extended family went to our small town theater. From young and old, we all sat in silence with tears in our eyes. That is the living picture of a masterpiece. 

Bonus “Beyond Tomorrow” 

“Beyond Tomorrow,” released in 1940, wins the prize for the most random movie I’ve ever discovered from my family’s DVD case. In my opinion, more gripping than 1940’s other Christmas film “Remember the Night,” this movie might have had a b-list cast, but it’s one of the most captivating stories I’ve watched. There’s so many twists and turns throughout, that it’s one of the few Christmas movies without an inevitable ending. Plus, there’s enough 1940s eye candy, that even if there isn’t as much Christmas fluff, you won’t be bored most of the time.

Best Made for TV Christmas Movies 

#5 “Borrowed Hearts” 

“Touched by an Angel’s” Roma Downey and “Will and Grace’s” Eric McCormack have one of the strongest on-screen chemistry connections. The story is nothing out of the ordinary. It’s the typical, playboy hires a mother and daughter to be his pretend family to impress somebody, type of ordeal, but the romantic tension that’s played up here is just incredibly entertaining. It’s very much reminiscent of Jerry Maguire. I enjoyed it so much I bought the film even though I can just watch it several places for free. 

#4 “Single Santa Seeks Mrs. Claus” 

I’m a sucker for a main character who’s lost all faith in love, Christmas and miracles. It can make a great recipe for a realistic, meaningful and eventually optimistic story. In the case of “Single Santa Seeks Mrs. Claus,” a single mother and widow goes from hating Christmas to, spoiler alert, marrying Santa’s offspring. I don’t blame her. Not when the adorably likeable “Three Men and a Baby” star Steve Guttenberg, is St. Nick Jr.. Gutenberg and the movie was so charming it even received a rare Hallmark sequel. 

#3 “The Christmas Card”

I’m a part of several Hallmark movie Facebook groups. I’ll tell you, even 18 years after its release, it remains Hallmark’s most frequently mentioned movie. The women love it and I’m sure the men do too, just not enough to post on any fan pages. As a member of the Hallmark Movie Christmas Club said, “This is one of my favorites. My husband asks me just how many times can you watch that movie? I replied every time it comes on lol.”

Truly, it’s a fan favorite, with some even making the drive to Nevada City, CA to walk the same paths Faith and Cody walked. Faith and Cody, the main characters of “The Christmas Card,” are a uniquely surprising onscreen match. Comparable to the “Nine Lives of Christmas,” Hallmark struck gold with this subtly awkward protagonist and the slightly guarded man who’s dedicated to a life in uniform. 

#2 “Holiday in Handcuffs”

Maybe I’m weird for normalizing criminal activity in Christmas movies, but I thought the film did an excellent job of making me relate to a woman who kidnaps and falls in love with Mario Lopez. I actually think it’s the most relatable, funniest and romantic Christmas movie of them all…and as a screenwriting/journalism major I have great authority to say this irregardless of what the youtube trolls might say. Lopez’s acting is just impeccable. In his boyish yet charming nature, he captures the complicated emotions of what it feels like to fall in love with your kidnapper, a feat that hasn’t happened since Belle fell for the Beast. 

#1 “A Season for Miracles”

“It’s about a woman who kidnaps two children and falls in love with a policeman,” that’s the logline I give every time I pitch “A Season for Miracles” to a friend. Steven Spielberg once said, “If a person can tell me the idea in twenty-five words or less, it’s going to make a pretty good movie,” and indeed “A Season for Miracles,” can easily be enticingly summarized just like that. (I guess these past two movies present a similar theme, sue me.) 

A part of Hallmark Hall of Fame’s collection, “A Season for Miracles,” has this tone no other film has. While it doesn’t have the star power of other films, I don’t think any alternative cast could’ve been better. Its handling of a high concept, dark topic is balanced almost miraculously with warm, sentimental undertones. In a league of its own, two and a half decades may have passed since its 1999 release, but no made-for-TV Christmas special has ever come close to this, dare I say, classic. (As the current second highest rated Hallmark Christmas movie on imdb, and beat only by the spectacular “A Biltmore Christmas,”I’m not the only one who calls it one of the best.) 

Bonus: “A Christmas Kiss”

I was going to include Lifestime’s “A Christmas Kiss,” in my top five, but then realized I just liked Brendan Fehr. 

Christmas Television Specials 

#5 The Little Drummer Boy

Few specials can beat the originality of “The Little Drummer Boy.” It’s incredibly difficult to come up with a brand new Christmas subject. Snowman, Santa and reindeer, they’ve all been thought of before, but a drummer boy…now that’s original. While this special may have been based upon a song (like Frosty the Snowman) it still presented this tale to a new and wider audience. 

#4 A Charlie Brown Christmas

With similar undertones of “It’s a Wonderful Life,” many thought “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” would be the worst flop on the back Brown’s ever taken. The project only had six months of production and those involved thought it would ruin Charlie Brown and only ever be shown once. You know it’s really hopeless when even those who worked on the film don’t believe in it and indeed with only a $100,000 budget, a near misspelling of Charles Schultz’s name and several animation mistakes, things weren’t looking positive. But as one of the film’s editors, Ed Levitt prophesied, “this show is going to run for a hundred years,” “A Charlie Brown Christmas” broke all expectations…it’s funny how several of these Christmas films did that. 

The network executives might’ve hated it at first, but when it aired, the film critics praised this unintentionally, risky endeavor. It was such a success, it inspired the television creation of Rudolph, Frosty and The Grinch, and for a time, helped to eliminate artificial Christmas trees. Additionally, it gave us one of the most memorable Christian scenes in a time where religious television scenes were avoided like the plague. It turns out the relatable failure, Charlie Brown, was the perfect example of what it looks like to hold onto the hope of Chrismtas. 

#3 “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!”

Animator Chuck Jones called the Grinch the best Christmas villain since Scrooge and he couldn’t be more right. As a kid I still remember the complex emotions that came with meeting a complicated anti-hero for the first time. I remember asking myself if the Grinch actually had some good in him since he had a dog. I remember feeling quite conflicted when he took all of Cindy Lou Hou’s presents and the mouse’s last crumb. The ending felt spiritual to me too, even as a child, a sorta born again tale written by the complicated genius Theodor Geisel a.k.a Dr. Suess. Production wise too, with a budget four times the size of that for “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and a 34-piece orchestra that much like Dr. Seuss’s writing aimed to break the Christmas norms, this special was practically bound for success. 

#2 Santa Claus is Comin to Town

If I could only watch one Christmas TV special it would be this one. From the start it charms with the young-Santa-look-alike mailman (perhaps the same one as in Netflix’s “Klaus”). Then, when the narration begins, it almost reminds me of the story of Moses, when little baby Claus’s life is tossed out into the river (in this case a river of snow). There’s something extraordinary about baby Claus, yet he also has this All American feel to him. I don’t know, maybe I just like this one because he’s the most handsome of all of the other Santa Clauses, sorry Tim Allen. Or maybe I just can’t stop humming “If you sit on my lap Today,” which I know sounds weird, but it’s actually quite the wholesome earworm. 

If only it wasn’t ruined by the track “My World is Beginning Today,” pumped with the psychedelic 60s feel we all love, then it would’ve been the Santa Claus origin story to stand the test of time. ABC cut that song from their reruns now which is too bad for YouTube user @kyliesmith2004 who commented ”I just had one of the most lovely and romantic nights of my life, and I found myself singing this outside on a walk today! I’m so glad I found my way back to this song!” Anyways, luckily, the movie is saved by Claus’s loveable nature and the inspirational underrated anthem “Put one Foot in Front of the Other,” which is probably my favorite Christmas movie song.

#1 “Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer” 

It was a toss up between Rudolph and Disney’s “Small One,” but at the end of the day, who hasn’t felt like a misfit toy or sung to their boss “you can’t fire me, I quit,” at least once in their life? 

Rudolph was first created in 1939 by the struggling writer Robert L. May. While he knew his assignment to write a story for Montgomery Wards’s coloring books could be his big break, he had more on his mind. His wife was dying and Montgomery Ward offered to dismiss him from the project. However, the project was too important to his family to give up on. Because of this, he was able to read the story of Rudolph to his wife before she died.

Along with his family trips to the zoo, painful childhood memories were poured into Rudolph. These emotional investments are why so many connect with Rudolph on an emotional level. Once again, showing that many of the best Christmas films deal with the innate worth of every person. 

Bonus

“The First Noel” (And a rant about Christian Christmas movies) 

Despite being all about Christ, it’s really hard to make a standout Christian Christmas movie. While I learned it can snow in Bethlehem, the original Christmas story most likely took place without it. It begs the question, in America, can you have a Christmas movie without snow? I mean Hallmark spends about $50,000 on fake snow per movie so it must be important. I guess Christmas needs snow, the physical representation of hope arising from the coldness of despair. 

Christian movies have the ability to be the greatest film of all time (in my opinion “Ben-Hur”) or to be the most ridiculed. But I will say, it’s much easier to make a Christian Easter blockbuster hit than a Christmas one. The Easter story lends itself to the classic epic, whereas for Christmas, these epic films are just a little too serious. For most Christian movies you have to take risks. You have to almost risk being seen as a blasphemer by imagining storylines that aren’t explicitly stated in scripture—that is if you want to create a story that can be smoothly and originally told on the big screen. Some movies do this perfectly like “Ben-Hur” (which does everything perfectly), others take it a little too far and are excommunicated by some Christian audiences like “The Last Temptation of Christ.” 

I get some of the required Christmas epicness from films such as “The Nativity” and the Spanish Disney-like “The 3 Wise Men” but with both I don’t feel like I’m embarking on a grand journey through the lens of one character. In these, I don’t get the feel-good warmth of Christmas either. Maybe it’s just missing a magical soundtrack, like the 1959 movie “Ben-Hur” had in the opening Christmas scene (if only Lew Wallace had written a prequel). 

With that said Sony Pictures’s, “The Star,” so far captures the Christmas spirit the best with its childlike imagination and action-packed scenes, but that’s a feature-film so it can’t count as a bonus. No, in this I want to talk about the Andy Griffith narrated film, “The First Noel.” I remember first watching this as a little girl in a Christian book store. It’s when I first felt the majesty and grandness of the Christmas story. I felt the darkness of Herod but also the hope of Christ. To be able to strike a memory in a young girl’s heart, that speaks volume to the essence of a film. 

Bonus Category: Best Christmas Television Episodes 

Seeing there are over 817,000 television shows out there and each one of those shows often has a Christmas special for each season, picking these favorites was when I lost my sanity. 

#5 “Sofia the First” (“Holiday in Enchancia” Season 1 ep. 24)

Oh. My. Gosh. Did you know that “Sofia the First” is getting a sequel! My heart broke when I was 14 and watched the series finale of the Emmy winning series. But while we wait for the reboot in 2026, there’s plenty of time to watch reruns. While the first season Christmas special isn’t as action-packed as later seasons, there’s a cozy Christmas spirit that’s stuck in my memory. The second season’s holiday episode comes in a close second, with a closer focus on Cedric who’s the ultimate “will he, won’t he” become a good guy that kept me addicted to the show. The first though, is one where every character’s emotions are exhausted, from the children to the parents, making it an impactful experience for viewers of all ages. 

#4 “Punky Brewster” (“Yes, Punky there is a Santa Claus” Season 1 ep. 12 and 13)

This two part episode broke my eight year old heart as I waited for Punky’s mom to return. I thought this would really be the episode where she’d come back. I waited for this resolution during all four seasons. Spoiler alert, it never came and now that I’m older, I’m okay with that. This Christmas episode is perfect for a time when God’s said yes to some of your prayers, but you’re still waiting on the answers to others. Plus, who can resist that “Punky Power!”

#3 “Amen” (“Your Christmas Show of Shows” Season 1 ep. 11) 

It’s interesting how the best Christmas specials tend to come from season one of shows. I think season ones tend to have this daring simplicity that compliments the humble heart of Christmas. Season ones also drip with nostalgia, as does Christmas. “Amen’s” first Christmas episode fits these qualities to a tea. Even with all of its slapstick comedy (which I’m typically not a fan of) It’s one of those you’ll watch and wonder how something so genuine could be television. I also highly recommend you stick around for the romance of Thelma and Reuben after the Chrismtas season is over. 

#2 The Middle (“Christmas” Season 1 ep. 10) 

If you grew up a middle class American, with a churchgoing family who occasionally swore, then this episode is for you. I watched all nine of “The Middle” Christmas episodes and while they’re all great, the first one best captures the fullness of the holiday season. “Christmas is hard,” that’s all mother Frankie wants her husband Mike to know. It’s comedic which enables the presentation of an almost a dark truth of how a mother’s sacrifices can lead to her burnout during and after the holiday season. 

#1 “The Waltons” (“The Homecoming: A Christmas Story”) 

This is a bit of a cheat since it’s both a made-for-TV movie and a pilot episode, but it was groundbreaking irregardless. In the 1970s, coming out of the sexual revolution and hippie era, viewers were begging for more traditional content. The networks didn’t think that’s what the viewers actually wanted, so while they agreed to give “The Waltons” to them, they made sure it would fail by putting it in the worst time slot possible. However, “The Homecoming” was a massive success and spawned nine seasons of one of my favorite shows, “The Waltons.” 

Conclusion 

Throughout this process, I wondered if I had ruined Christmas movies for myself. Alternatively, immersing myself in the timeless retelling of Christmas while listening to Josh Groban’s “Believe” on loop made me think that perhaps we all watch enough of these, temporarily at least, we may be able to touch the magic once more of childhood. If I’m being honest, Christmas hasn’t given me that otherworldly magical feeling since I said goodbye to my elementary days. But from these movies, it’s returned and I believe once again that this Christmas could be the most special of them all.