The Holiday Film Archive
Most Christmas movies follow the same formula and fade into the background. But some manage to be funny, heartfelt, or just plain entertaining enough to become actual traditions. The difference comes down to craft, not just Christmas spirit.
The Shop Around The Corner (1940)
Ernst Lubitsch directed this charming romantic comedy that made $380,000 in 1940. James Stewart and Margaret Sullavan played feuding coworkers who didn't realize they were secret pen pals. It's so beloved that the National Film Registry preserved it in 1999, and it even inspired You've Got Mail decades later.
Trailer screenshot, Wikimedia Commons
Meet Me In St. Louis (1944)
MGM’s biggest hit of its era, this nostalgic musical earned $7.5 million and four Oscar nominations. The song "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," sung by Garland, became a holiday standard and remains honored as a classic of movie music, while child star Margaret O’Brien received a Special Academy Award.
Time Inc.; photograph by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (no photographer credited), Wikimedia Commons
The Holdovers (2023)
Alexander Payne’s latest drew acclaim at Telluride and earned five Oscar nominations. The film grossed $45.7 million worldwide, with Da’Vine Joy Randolph winning Best Supporting Actress. At its core, Paul Giamatti portrays a curmudgeon marooned at boarding school over Christmas, echoing It’s a Wonderful Life through themes of dashed ambitions and unexpected redemption.
Screenshot from The Holdovers, Focus Features (2023)
Miracle On 34th Street (1947)
Edmund Gwenn won Best Supporting Actor for playing Kris Kringle in this courtroom drama about faith and commercialism. Released in May 1947 as a summer movie—weird choice for a Christmas film—it still grossed $2.65 million. The National Film Registry added it in 2005, cementing its status as a holiday essential.
Screenshot from Miracle on 34th Street, 20th Century Fox (1947)
Little Women (2019)
Greta Gerwig's adaptation pulled in $218 million and scored six Oscar nominations, and won for Costume Design. The nonlinear timeline jumped between past and present to show the March sisters' growth. Christmas scenes emphasized sisterhood and resilience while giving Alcott's classic a fresh feminist lens.
Screenshot from Little Women, Columbia Pictures (2019)
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Jack Skellington can't decide if he's Team Halloween or Team Christmas in this stop-motion masterpiece. It made $101 million worldwide and sits at 95% on Rotten Tomatoes. Danny Elfman's songs, especially “This Is Halloween”, became instant classics. Fun fact: Burton's original poem started the whole thing, blending spooky and festive perfectly.
Screenshot from The Nightmare Before Christmas, Buena Vista Pictures Distribution (1993)
Klaus (2019)
Netflix's first animated feature to win a BAFTA also grabbed seven Annie Awards. This hand-drawn origin story for Santa Claus holds a 95% Rotten Tomatoes rating and earned an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Feature. The traditional animation style felt refreshingly old-school while telling a completely new take on holiday lore.
Screenshot from Klaus, Netflix (2019)
Carol (2015)
Premiering at Cannes, Todd Haynes infused 1950s aesthetics into this forbidden Christmas romance. Cate Blanchett earned an Oscar nomination, while the film grossed $42 million and achieved a 94% Rotten Tomatoes rating. Critics hailed it as a modern masterpiece defined by restrained emotion.
Screenshot from Carol, The Weinstein Company (2015)
It's A Wonderful Life (1946)
Frank Capra's classic initially lost money but became a phenomenon through TV reruns. It earned five Oscar nominations and was added to the National Film Registry in 1990. The story came from a Christmas card concept, and it is now widely regarded as a landmark of film history.
National Telefilm Associates, Wikimedia Commons
Die Hard (1988)
The debate continues: is this a Christmas movie? Bruce Willis became a superstar playing John McClane during a Christmas Eve hostage crisis at Nakatomi Plaza. The film made $140 million and earned four Oscar nominations with a 94% Rotten Tomatoes rating. It redefined action cinema through festive chaos.
Screenshot from Die Hard, 20th Century Fox (1988)
The Guardians Of The Galaxy Holiday Special (2022)
James Gunn brought Kevin Bacon into the MCU—literally. The Guardians kidnap him as a Christmas gift for Peter Quill in this 94% Rotten Tomatoes-rated special. It bridges storylines between films while exploring found family themes. The meta-humor and original music made it a surprisingly heartfelt addition to Marvel's lineup.
Screenshot from The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special, Marvel Studios (2022)
Arthur Christmas (2011)
Aardman Animations imagined Santa's operation as a massive high-tech logistics company. Arthur, the clumsy younger son, has to deliver one forgotten present before Christmas morning. The film grossed $147 million and earned a 92% Rotten Tomatoes rating for its clever world-building, with James McAvoy and Hugh Laurie voicing the family.
Screenshot from Arthur Christmas, Sony Pictures Animation (2011)
The Apartment (1960)
This drama follows Jack Lemmon as a corporate climber who lets executives use his apartment for extramarital affairs. The film captured five Oscars, including Best Picture. It earned a 93% Rotten Tomatoes rating and later joined the National Film Registry for its masterful blend of cynical humor and surprising romance.
Billy Wilder / United Artists / Mirish Corporation, Wikimedia Commons
Little Women (1994)
Gillian Armstrong's adaptation earned Winona Ryder an Oscar nomination. The costumes were deliberately handed down among the sisters to show their poverty authentically. It grossed well and became a holiday staple for capturing the warmth and struggles of the March family perfectly.
Screenshot from Little Women, Columbia Pictures (1994)
Tokyo Godfathers (2003)
Satoshi Kon’s anime tells of three homeless companions who discover an abandoned infant on Christmas Eve. The film earned the Excellence Award at the Japan Media Arts Festival, praised for its unconventional holiday narrative and emotional resonance.
Screenshot from Tokyo Godfathers, Sony Pictures Releasing Japan (2003)
Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey (2020)
Netflix's first original musical earned 10 NAACP Image Award nominations—the most ever for a motion picture. David E. Talbert directed this visually stunning fantasy about a toymaker who lost his magic. The original songs and uplifting message earned it a 69% Metacritic score and instant holiday favorite status.
Screenshot from Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey, Netflix (2020)
Edward Scissorhands (1990)
Tim Burton's gothic fairy tale made $86 million and was recognized with an Oscar nod for Best Makeup. Edward's snow sculptures explain why it snows at Christmas in this suburban town—a whimsical touch that anchors the fantasy. The film holds a 90% Rotten Tomatoes rating for its themes of acceptance and outsider loneliness.
Screenshot from Edward Scissorhands, 20th Century Fox (1990)
Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale (2010)
This Finnish film reimagines Santa as an ancient monster buried in a mountain. It won Best Motion Picture at Sitges with an 89% Rotten Tomatoes rating for its dark humor and horror twist. Director Jalmari Helander expanded it from short films into one of the most subversive holiday stories ever.
Screenshot from Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale, FS Film Oy (2010)
A Christmas Story (1983)
Bob Clark’s nostalgic comedy follows Ralphie’s determined pursuit of a Red Ryder BB gun, weaving humor with childhood longing. Endless holiday broadcasts secured its status as a perennial classic, later honored by the National Film Registry in 2012.
Screenshot from A Christmas Story, MGM (1983)
Better Watch Out (2016)
Levi Miller plays a kid with twisted plans during what appears to be a home invasion in this Australian thriller. The film subverted every holiday babysitter trope and earned an 89% Rotten Tomatoes rating. Festival audiences praised its dark wit and shocking plot twists that kept everyone guessing.
Screenshot from Better Watch Out, Well Go USA Entertainment (2016)
Spoiler Alert (2022)
Based on Michael Ausiello's memoir, this explores love and terminal illness during the holidays. Jim Parsons and Ben Aldridge earned praise for their performances, though reviews were mixed overall. Michael Showalter directed this emotional story that ties grief to festive settings, showing how holidays amplify both joy and loss.
Screenshot from Spoiler Alert, Focus Features (2022)
Gremlins (1984)
Joe Dante's horror-comedy made $212 million and won a Saturn Award for Best Horror Film. Gizmo's three rules—don't get him wet, don't feed him after midnight, don't expose him to bright light—became iconic. The film earned an 86% Rotten Tomatoes rating for mixing genuine scares with holiday chaos.
Screenshot from Gremlins, Warner Bros. Pictures (1984)
Trading Places (1983)
Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd swap lives during Christmas in Philadelphia after millionaires make a bet. John Landis directed this social satire that grossed $90 million and won two BAFTAs. With an 85% Rotten Tomatoes rating, it became famous enough that its trading scheme inspired actual financial regulations.
Screenshot from Trading Places, Paramount Pictures (1983)
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)
Shane Black's neo-noir holiday satire revitalized Robert Downey Jr.'s career before Iron Man. Val Kilmer plays a gay detective helping solve a murder during Christmas in Los Angeles. The title references film critic Pauline Kael's book.
Screenshot from Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Warner Bros. Pictures (2005)
A Christmas Tale (2008)
Arnaud Desplechin's French drama won the César Award for Best Supporting Actor. Catherine Deneuve plays a matriarch dealing with cancer during a tense family Christmas. It holds an 85% Rotten Tomatoes rating for its nuanced character studies, exploring how dysfunction intensifies when everyone's forced together for the holidays.
Screenshot from A Christmas Tale, Bac Films (2008)
Elf (2003)
Jon Favreau's comedy made Will Ferrell a holiday icon and grossed $228 million worldwide. Buddy the Elf travels from the North Pole to New York to find his biological father. The film received an 85% Rotten Tomatoes rating and kick-started a whole new era of Christmas comedies.
Screenshot from Elf, New Line Cinema (2003)
Happiest Season (2020)
Kristen Stewart goes home with her girlfriend for the holidays, then discovers she's not out to her family yet. Clea DuVall directed the first major studio lesbian-led Christmas rom-com, which won a GLAAD Media Award. Critics gave it an 82% Rotten Tomatoes rating for emotional authenticity and inclusive storytelling.
Screenshot from Happiest Season, TriStar Pictures (2020)
Batman Returns (1992)
The Penguin and Catwoman terrorize Gotham during Christmas in Tim Burton's darkest superhero entry. Despite violence backlash, the film grossed $266 million and earned two Oscar nominations. Fun fact: Michelle Pfeiffer wore a vacuum-sealed Catwoman suit during action scenes.
Screenshot from Batman Returns, Warner Bros. Pictures (1992)
While You Were Sleeping (1995)
Sandra Bullock plays a lonely transit worker who saves her crush but gets mistaken for his fiancée while he's in a coma. This rom-com grossed $182 million and earned Bullock a Golden Globe nomination. The script wasn't originally set at Christmas—it evolved during rewrites.
Screenshot from While You Were Sleeping, Hollywood Pictures (1995)
Christmas Eve In Miller's Point (2024)
Tyler Taormina's slice-of-life drama premiered at Cannes. It captures one family's potentially final Christmas gathering, exploring generational conflicts and the tension that comes when everyone knows things are changing. The film received mixed reviews but praise for its authentic family dynamics.
Screenshot from Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point, IFC Films (2024)
The Man Who Invented Christmas (2017)
This whimsical biopic shows Charles Dickens struggling to write A Christmas Carol while his characters literally haunt him. Christopher Plummer plays Scrooge in one of his final roles, nominated for a Saturn Award. Bharat Nalluri directed this moderately successful film that became a holiday favorite for book lovers.
Screenshot from The Man Who Invented Christmas, Bleecker Street (2017)
A Christmas Story Christmas (2022)
Peter Billingsley returned as adult Ralphie in this sequel that reunited the original cast. It continues the story with Ralphie bringing his own kids home for Christmas, and Billingsley voices the narration as Jean Shepherd did originally. The film holds a 79% Rotten Tomatoes rating for pure nostalgic appeal.
Screenshot from A Christmas Story Christmas, Warner Bros. Pictures (2022)
Bad Santa (2003)
Terry Zwigoff's dark comedy stars Billy Bob Thornton as a drunk, miserable mall Santa planning heists. Rated 78% on Rotten Tomatoes, the film was dedicated to John Ritter, who died during production. Thornton was reportedly drunk during filming for authenticity in this profane cult classic.
Screenshot from Bad Santa, Miramax (2003)
The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
Brian Henson's directorial debut after his father's death features Michael Caine as Scrooge—and he played it completely straight among the Muppets. That commitment made it one of the best Dickens adaptations ever, and won awards for faithfully honoring the source material.
Screenshot from The Muppet Christmas Carol, Walt Disney Pictures (1992)
Anna And The Apocalypse (2017)
This Scottish film mashes up high school musicals with zombie horror during Christmas. John McPhail directed what fans call High School Musical meets the apocalypse. It won festival awards for sheer audacity with a 77% Rotten Tomatoes rating. And the genre-blending chaos turned it into an instant cult favorite.
Screenshot from Anna and the Apocalypse, Vertigo Releasing (2017)
White Christmas (1954)
Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye play entertainers trying to save their former commander's failing Vermont inn in this Technicolor musical. Michael Curtiz directed the highest-grossing film of 1954. With a 77% Rotten Tomatoes rating, it made Irving Berlin's song a permanent holiday anthem and seasonal staple.
Trailer screenshot, Wikimedia Commons
Happy Christmas (2014)
Joe Swanberg's mumblecore drama stars Anna Kendrick as a woman crashing with her brother's family after a breakup. Much of the dialogue was improvised, giving it an intimate, realistic feel. It explores how holiday family dynamics get strained when someone's life is falling apart.
Screenshot from Happy Christmas, Magnolia Pictures (2014)
Joyeux Noel (2005)
Christian Carion recreated the real 1914 Christmas truce during WWI when soldiers from opposing trenches stopped fighting to celebrate together. The film won awards for its anti-war message and historical accuracy, holding a 77% Rotten Tomatoes rating. It's a poignant reminder of humanity surviving even in warfare.
Screenshot from Joyeux Noel, Sony Pictures Classics (2005)
LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special (2020)
Ken Cunningham directed this animated special that spoofs the infamous 1978 Holiday Special while bringing back Life Day. It holds a 75% Rotten Tomatoes rating for fan service and humor, letting Rey time-travel through Star Wars history. It's packed with callbacks that dedicated fans appreciated way more than casual viewers.
Screenshot from LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special, Lucasfilm (2020)
The Santa Clause (1994)
Tim Allen accidentally kills Santa and has to take his place—that's the actual plot. This comedy grossed $190 million and spawned two sequels. Allen's gradual transformation into Santa, complete with beard and belly, became iconic. The film received a 73% Rotten Tomatoes rating as a family holiday staple.
Screenshot from The Santa Clause, Walt Disney Pictures (1994)
The Year Without A Santa Claus (1974)
The Miser Brothers—Heat Miser and Snow Miser—stole this Rankin/Bass special with their iconic songs. Jules Bass directed this story about Santa taking a vacation, and the musical numbers became instant holiday staples. It received positive reviews and remains beloved for its stop-motion animation and catchy tunes.
Screenshot from The Year Without a Santa Claus, Rankin/Bass Productions (1974)
How The Grinch Stole Christmas (1967)
Chuck Jones directed this animated special featuring Boris Karloff's iconic narration. It won a Grammy and received a 100% Rotten Tomatoes rating for capturing Dr. Seuss's spirit perfectly. The special has aired annually for decades and remains the definitive Grinch adaptation. Fun fact: Jones designed the Grinch to resemble himself.
Screenshot from How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, Universal Pictures (1967)
Holiday Inn (1942)
This musical introduced “White Christmas” to the world, winning an Oscar for the song. Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire star in this Mark Sandrich film that grossed massively. The movie inspired the actual Holiday Inn hotel chain, and the inn set was reused for White Christmas.
Screenshot from Holiday Inn, Paramount Pictures (1942)
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (2024)
The worst kids in town crash a church Christmas pageant in Dallas Jenkins's adaptation of the beloved 1972 novel. Despite mixed reviews, the film grossed successfully with a 76% Rotten Tomatoes rating. Its heartwarming message about redemption and acceptance made it perfect for family holiday viewing.
Screenshot from The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Lionsgate (2024)
