Where to find these Classic Christmas Movies

There’s nothing that speaks to this season more than spending time with your loved ones watching a classic Christmas movie. These movies have stood the test of time and made it to the top as the best Christmas movies of all time. Here’s our roundup of the best classic Christmas movies streaming platforms have to offer.

*Movies are available to rent or purchase on Prime Video, Apple+, Google Play, or YouTube.

White Christmas | Rent or Purchase*

A true holiday classic, White Christmas is a 1954 musical about a quartet of do-gooders that make Christmas special for a World War II soldier. After two of the quartet members meet their former general in the War, who has come into financial difficulties, they pull together to save his Inn. Starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, Vera-Ellen, and Dean Jagger. (1954).

Watch the trailer here.

Holiday Inn | Rent or Purchase*

A Christmas romance involving a love triangle, this 1942 classic Holiday Inn tells the story of Jim, a man who is left by his love during the holidays. He ends up booking a singer for his Inn who captivates his heart, only to have Ted, the man his former lover left him for, return into the picture. Starring Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, and Majorie Reynolds (1942).

Watch the trailer here.

It’s a Wonderful Life | Rent or Purchase*

A true classic that has stood the test of time, It’s a Wonderful Life is a must-see for the holidays. This 1946 film centres around a frustrated businessman, thinking of ending his life when he is visited by an angel that shows him what life would have been like if he never existed. Starring James Stewart, Karolyn Grimes, and Donna Reed. (1946).

Watch the trailer here.

National Lampoon’s Christmas | Rent or Purchase*

Laugh along with your family, thanks to this timeless holiday comedy. National Lampoon’s Christmas revolves around the Griswald family’s patriarch, who is obsessed with making Christmas perfect. However, things slowly fall apart as his crazy family enters the scene. Starring Chevy Chase, Beverly D’Angelo, and Randy Quaid. (1989).

Watch the trailer here.

Scrooged | Rent or Purchase*

A unique take on The Christmas Carol, Scrooged is about a selfish television executive that is haunted by three spirits on Christmas Eve, each of them teaching him an important lesson to better his life. Starring Bill Murray, Karen Allen, and Carol Kane. (1988).

Watch the trailer here.

The Holiday | Rent or Purchase*

After two women are jilted by their lovers, they look for solace and respite halfway around the world, exchanging each other’s homes for the holiday season. The Holiday is a feel-good romantic movie that is perfect for watching with your girlfriends this holiday season. Starring Cameron Diaz, Jude Law, Kate Winslet, and Jack Black (2006).

Watch the trailer here.

Polar Express | Rent or Purchase*

Based on the timeless children’s book, Polar Express is a computer-animated film that tells the tale of a young boy who is transported on a magical journey to the North Pole. An excellent watch for young children. Starring Tom Hanks as the train conductor. (2004).

Watch the trailer here.

Sound of Music | Disney+

With a soundtrack that will keep you humming for days, Sound of Music is an annual must-watch. Based on the real-life story of the Von-Trapp family, Sound of Music is about a nun who spreads love and cheer as the governess of seven children of a widowed naval captain. Starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer (1965).

Watch the trailer here.

Elf | CraveTV

A hilarious holiday comedy that can be enjoyed by the entire family, Elf is the story of Buddy, who was raised as an elf at the North Pole, only to realize he doesn’t really fit in. So he travels to New York in search of his real family. The hilarity ensues as he tries to adjust to the regular world and establish a relationship with his biological father. Starring: Will Ferrel, Zoey Deschanel, James Caan, (2003).

Watch the trailer here.

Love Actually | CraveTV

Another classic holiday romantic comedy, Love Actually, weaves together the story of eight couples who find, rediscover or repair their true love. All their stories unfold just in time for Christmas to arrive. The film boasts a star-studded cast. Starring Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, Colin Firth, Liam Neeson, Kiera Knightley, Alan Rickman, Laura Linney. (2003).

Watch the trailer here.

The Family Man | CraveTV

After a highly successful investment broker disarms a robber during a Christmas night holdup at a grocery store, he wakes up the following day to an alternate universe in The Family Man. His lavish, fast-paced life has been replaced with a suburban life alongside his college sweetheart. He is then forced to choose between his two realities. Starring Nicolas Cage, Tea Leoni, Don Cheadle. (2000).

Watch the trailer here.

Four Christmases | Prime Video

After a couple’s vacation plans are derailed over the holiday season, they are forced to spend Christmas Day at four separate family gatherings in Four Christmases. The experience becomes an eye-opening occasion for both to reexamine their lives. Starring Vince Vaughn, Reese Witherspoon, Tim McGraw. (2008).

Watch the trailer here.

Yes, Virginia! There is a Santa | Prime Video

Based on a famous 1897 editorial, Yes Virginia! There is a Santa Claus tells the story of a young girl named Virginia O’Hanlan who discovers that Santa does, indeed, exist. Starring Charles Bronson, Richard Thomas. (1991).

Watch the trailer here.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas | Netflix

An ageless Christmas classic based on the beloved Dr. Seuss book, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, is about a green, vengeful Grinch who wants to ruin Christmas for all the people of Whoville. However, his plans are thwarted when he meets the lovable Cindy-Lou Who. Starring Jim Carrey, Taylor Momsen, Christine Baranski, Jeffrey Tambor. (2000).

Watch the trailer here.

Deck the Halls | Netflix

Another Christmas comedy to enjoy with the whole family, Deck the Halls sets up two neighbours in an all-out war to outdo one another in Christmas decorations. Staring Danny DeVita, Matthew Broderick, Kristin Davis, (2006).

Watch the trailer here.

Miracle on 34th Street | Disney+

A mother and daughter duo must prove that a curious man who has appeared in their lives, named Kris Kringle, is, in fact, the real Santa in this Christmas classic, Miracle on 34th Street. Starring Mara Wilson, Richard Attenborough, (1994).

Watch the trailer here.

A Christmas Carol | Disney+

Based on the classic Charles Dickens novel, the animated version of A Christmas Carol tells the story of a miserly bitter old man who is visited by three spirits. Each spirit takes Ebenezer Scrooge to a different phase of his life: past, present, and future, in order to impart lessons to better his life. Starring Jim Carrey, Gary Oldman, Colin Firth (2009).

Watch the trailer here.

And Are They Really Christmas Movies?

Die Hard | Disney+

What would a classic Christmas movie list be without Die Hard? Die Hard is about a New York City policeman who must save his estranged wife after she and many others are taken hostage in a high-rise building by terrorists during the holidays. Starring Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman, Bonnie Bedelia (1988).

Watch the trailer here.

The Shining | CraveTV

Although this may surprise some, this horror classic is also widely considered a Christmas movie. Adapted from the Stephen King novel, The Shining tells the horrifying tale of Jack Torrance, who relocates with his family to an isolated Hotel in Colorado. The hotel’s strange occurrences and dark secrets eventually take their toll on Jack. Starring Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, Danny Lloyd (1980).

Watch the trailer here.

Gremlins | CraveTV

This black comedy horror, Gremlins, revolves around a struggling inventor and father who ventures to Chinatown for a unique present for his son. Unfortunately, the small furry creature he chooses eventually wreaks havoc on the town when a group of gremlins is unleashed. Starring Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates, Hoyt Axton. (1984).

Watch the trailer here.