Christmas films are one of my favourite parts of the festive season. Before we had kids, JHogg and I spent many a lazy night on the sofa watching movies. Hot chocolate in hand….. ok maybe mulled cider…. or just normal cider.
There is never enough time to watch all the movies we want. In some years we even started watching them in November (Shock. Horror. The scandal!) in an attempt to fit in all the ones we want. We don’t alway agree on the best movies for the rest of the year, but for Christmas films we’re usually on the same page!
Here is our list of the top 10 Christmas films you don’t want to miss this festive season.
1. The Holiday
The Holiday
is a favourite of mine to watch early on, I’m not really too bothered about the time of year. Although being set at Christmas time, it is not overly festive and this makes it the perfect warm up to the Christmas season. It’s quite a long film so make sure you have popcorn at the ready.
2. The Grinch
The Grinch
is fun for all the family. It is the movie version of Dr. Seuss’s holiday classic with Jim Carrey as the star. I’ll admit that JHogg isn’t the biggest fan of this one, but he watches it because I make him he loves me. It’s a great feel good comedy that is suitable for all ages and I can’t wait to introduce it to Piglet this year.
3. Love Actually
I can’t believe that Love Actually
was released 13 years ago – it makes me feel so old! I remember going to see it at school and some of my friends not being able to get tickets as they weren’t 15 – the struggle was real.
Again, this one is good to watch earlier in the season as it’s not Christmas and Father Christmas overload. It is a bit more festive than The Holiday, and it has all the feels at certain points. There are loads of familiar faces in the cast.
4. Miracle On 34th Street
A classic. Miracle On 34th Street 
is a true family movie which everyone can sit and watch together. Little ones are focussed on Santa and the magic he has, where the grown ups can appreciate the subtle complexities to the story which may go over children’s heads. I hadn’t seen it for a few years, but we watched it last year and I was pleased to see the magic is still there.
5. Christmas With The Kranks
I saw this for the first time about 4 years ago, and we’ve watched it every year since. Christmas with the Kranks
is family friendly and is in the typical Tim Allen comedy style. The storyline is simple and is a little bit like Christmas vomited on your screen at time, but we love it.
6. Arthur Christmas
I bought Arthur Christmas
a couple of years ago and didn’t expect much. I was so wrong! It is a lovely story about the spirit and meaning of Christmas. Based around Santa’s youngest son, Arthur, and his journey to deliver a forgotten present, this Christmas film is suitable for all ages.
7. Home Alone
If you haven’t seen Home Alone
then I don’t actually know where you’ve been for the last 16 years! It is a Christmas classic. I don’t mind the sequel, but the original is by far the best. Silly family humour!
8. The Santa Clause
Another Tim Allen classic, The Santa Clause
tells the story of a divorced father becoming Father Christmas. Bits are hilarious, but at other times it is a bit of a tear jerker. It is a great one for keeping the magic of Christmas alive for little ones.
9. The Polar Express
Although this is “technically” a children’s film, The Polar Express
can be loved by the whole family. When I first saw it I was a little confused by the animation – they look almost human! But you soon get caught up in the magic of the story. Plus Tom Hanks is the voice of the conductor!
10. Elf
I had to save the best for last. Elf
is without a doubt my favourite Christmas film ever. No – my favourite film ever! I will watch it multiple times every year and it literally never gets old. I’m assuming you’ve seen it already but if you haven’t – do it. Do it now!!
Is there any other movies you would include? What Christmas films will you be watching this year?
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Not A Frumpy Mum
A great list! My must-wacth films for over Christmas are It’s A Wonderful Life and Jack Frost. I watch them religiously every year! #MarvMondays
OddHogg
I’ve never seen either – will have to watch them this year!
Kirsty - Winnettes
YES! to all of these (except Elf… I really don’t like it, I want to, I just don’t) I watch Arthur Christmas and Home Alone whilst wrapping all the presents on Christmas Eve.
#BigPinkLink
OddHogg
I’ll accept you not liking Elf, but only because you will watch the rest of them 😉
Fiona Cambouropoulos
Oh a wonderful list of classics! I watched the Polar Express while cooking our roast yesterday as it was on TV #MarvMondays
OddHogg
I’m gutted I missed it on TV!
Catherine
Already watched Santa Claus the movie!! Love actually is defintky one of my favourites too!! ??❤️❤️ Love Christmas films!! #bigpinklink
Cherry @ The Newby Tribe
I love all of these! My kiddies have only watched one or two of these so we are going to have to get some good TV time in before we move house! #marvmondays
topfivemum
Fab list! I’ve only seen less than half of these. Now we’ve got kids I’m sure we’ll get them the others now! #bigpinklink
Rhi
Watched Santa Clause last night. Love that film! Polar Express is next on the list. Magical Reindeers on Sky Movies at the moment was quite a good animation but my four year old got a bit scared! #twinklytuesdays
OddHogg
I saw that one was on Sky Movies – will have to give it a watch!
The Tale of Mummyhood
I love each and every one of these. throw in The Muppets Christmas carol and I’m in heaven!
#TwinklyTuesday
OddHogg
Oh yes I love that one too! I really should have done the top 20 😉
Sarah Howe @runjumpscrap
We just watched the Holiday….bit corny but we love it! Dying to watch Elf too. Fab list…I need some wine to sit and watch them. Thanks for sharing with #bestandworst x
OddHogg
It’s a total cheese fest but it’s a definite favourite
five little doves
Yep so many of my favourites!! I love Christmas films, I watch them all year round, but they are never as magical as they are in December, my kids have been watching them back to back! #bestandworst
OddHogg
Woooah not sure how I feel about watching them all year round!
My Petit Canard
Great list! In fact, a pretty perfect list! All my faves on there including The Holiday and Elf which are my all time favourite christmas films too. So far the little one has monopolised the tv so I think I’d better start working down your list if I’m going to fit them all in before Christmas 😉 Thanks for sharing this on #MarvMondays. Emily
OddHogg
You could probably rope her into a few of them at least!
Laura @ Life with Baby Kicks
We’ve literally just watched Home Alone, -‘d my 4 year old discovered Polar Express this week!
OddHogg
Aww bet they love it!
3 Kids No Sleep
Literally love all of these! Love Actually is my all time favourite film ever. Husband won’t watch it with me! RUDENESS! Polar Express is my favourite Kids one xxx #TheList xx
OddHogg
Trick him into it – tell him you’re putting on an action movie 😉
Tee
Ahh I love Elf and Santa Claus! I’d have to include Nightmare Before Christmas and A Christmas Carol too ? #thelistlinky
OddHogg
Oh yes – both fab!
Laura - Threesypeasy
Miracle on 34th Street..Yes! It’s been a tradition of mine to watch this whilst putting the tree up. Love it….kids prefer to watch the Grinch. #thelist
OddHogg
I haven’t watched it yet this year but I can’t wait to get it on!
Erin Vincent
Can I just say how much I LOVE every movie on your list! Awesome!
OddHogg
glad you like it!
Cal at Family Makes
A great list! We’ve just done our favourites tonight, and I see we have very similar tastes. My kids would add The Snowman, and various doggy-based movies! #TheList
Rosie @ Little Fish
Great list! Love this! Miracle on 34th Street has to be one of my favourites, though of course you can’t beat El! Love The Holiday – my friend is an extra in one of the first scenes – ha ha! Never seen Arthur Christmas, so will have to check that one out. We only discovered Christmas with the Kranks a couple of years ago too and loved it! Then afterwards I realised it was based on a book I had read called ‘Missing Christmas’ – it’s a great movie, I think better than the book actually! x
OddHogg
I didn’t realise Christmas With The Kranks was based on a book!
Lauren M
There’s some great classics there, and a few of my favourites. Although my absolute number one is a cheesy 80’s film called A Christmas Story, it’s amazing! #TheList
OddHogg
This will probably cause a riot – but I don’t like A Christmas Story. I don’t find it Christmas-y enough!
A Cornish Mum
I love all of these minus The Holiday which I just didn’t connect with and The Polar Express which I kind of like, but Tom Hanks animated is just so odd to look at ha! The rest though are all my faves too 🙂 Thanks for linking up to #PicknMix
Stevie x
Mummy and the Mexicans
I haven’t seen a lot of these! Where have I been? I do love The Holiday and Love, Actually and I would have to add The Snowman, of course. #TheListLinky
OddHogg
you’ve got some serious catching up to do!
Christmas Tag - OddHogg
[…] love all sorts of Christmas movies – I shared my top 10 a few weeks ago. I think my favourite is probably Elf though. I have watched it a ridiculous number […]