Christmas 2024 is approaching and we have you covered, with this list of 10+ movies to watch this year, from holiday classics to new film releases, each recommended by one of our writers!
It’s that time of the year again! Christmas 2024 is coming and it’s almost time to choose some movies to watch for the holidays! Which films will you revisit this year? If you haven’t decided yet, you’ve come to the right place! We made a list of 10+ movies to watch at Christmas, from holiday staples to new releases and underseen gems! Each film is recommended by one of our writers: find them all below, in alphabetical order!
1. A Real Pain (2024)
Director: Jesse Eisenberg
Recommended by: Serena Seghedoni
If you’re looking for complex family dynamics, you shouldn’t miss Jesse Eisenberg‘s A Real Pain. The film revolves around two estranged cousins, David (Eisenberg) and Benji (Kieran Culkin), who reunite for a trip to Poland upon their deceased grandmother’s wish. David and Benji couldn’t be more different, a fact that becomes even more evident when they join a group of people who are all visiting the country for different reasons. Benji might not be very organised, but he’s everyone’s friend; from the moment he introduces himself, everyone loves him, and he has plenty of advice and concern to distribute. David is the responsible one, but he’s also a nervous wreck. Soon, we realize that these family dynamics are much more complex than what they would initially appear to be, and this only makes us more interested in Eisenberg’s tale.
A Real Pain deals with so many themes, and what it will mean to you depends on which stage of your life you’re at. It looks at that need to belong, and to feel like we matter and our lives mean something, that is so central to the human experience, and that will always remain no matter how much of a toll grief and unhappiness have on us. It’s also a film about the family we’re born into and the one we make, showing us how much easier it is to look to strangers – be it people we randomly meet, ancestors or even our collective history – for validation than our own relatives. It might not leave you fuzzy and warm, but it will give you a lot to think about the universal feelings that the holidays often bring up.
2. Arthur Christmas (2011)
Directors: Sarah Smith & Barry Cook
Recommended by: Joseph Tomastik
No, this isn’t an Arthur the Aardvark holiday special. Arthur Christmas is a 2011 Aardman Animations film about the Claus family, in which the current “Santa” (Jim Broadbent) is poised to pass his title down to his son, Steve Claus (Hugh Laurie). But when a child’s gift is abandoned, Santa’s other son Arthur (James McAvoy) heads out to deliver it himself. Just from the outset, the world of Arthur Christmas is one of the most fun and creative takes on a “modern” North Pole I’ve seen, with a lot of fast and clever gags flying through the lush holiday colors and set pieces. The cast of characters is mostly really strong as well, including Bill Nighy as the previous Santa who laments the loss of the older, more archaic ways of delivering toys.
But surprisingly, Arthur Christmas isn’t about the evils of technology; it’s about the balance of old and new to serve the heart of the holiday. Arthur himself shines in his realization that whether he uses GPS or the instincts of reindeer, what matters is that he gets the job done and doesn’t lose sight of why he’s doing it. In forcing many generations to come to a compromise, Arthur Christmas beautifully comments on the struggles of adapting to changes in the world and what’s most important to keep and let go. Not a lot of people know about this movie, possibly due to its mediocre advertising. But most who have seen it really like it, so it’s definitely worth giving a chance this holiday season.
3. Carnage for Christmas (2024)
Director: Alice Maio Mackay
Recommended by: Alise Chaffins
There is always something a little bit creepy about Christmas. A mysterious elf spies on you all year long, keeping track of how good or bad you’ve been, and then rewards or punishes you based on that surveillance. So it’s no wonder that Christmas horror movies have been a part of the zeitgeist since time immemorial. If you’re looking for a unique Christmas horror film, you need to watch Carnage for Christmas by writer and director Alice Maio Mackay.
True-crime podcaster Lola (Jeremy Moineau) gets word that the serial killer The Toymaker has come back to her hometown of Purdan. Lola is returning, this time as a trans woman, hoping to reconnect with her sister Danielle (Dominique Booth) and to figure out who is terrorizing this small town while hoping that the small town won’t terrorize her.
Carnage for Christmas is a fun, campy horror film with no budget. Between the brilliant editing work of Vera Drew (The People’s Joker), the smart direction of Mackay, and earnest performances from the cast, it manages to perfectly capture the joy of a B-movie horror. It deals boldly with the prejudices that trans people face but never loses sight of the absurdity of its story. If you’re looking for a unique Christmas horror and want to support queer, independent cinema, this is a must-watch.
4. The Green Knight (2021)
Director: David Lowery
Recommended by: Clint Leavitt
This Christmas, step back to a time when December celebrated honor, fertility, death, and renewal. David Lowery’s The Green Knight reimagines the Arthurian fable Sir Gawain and the Green Knight with Dev Patel as Gawain, embarking on a solstice-season journey steeped in myth and existential inquiry.
For those less familiar with the legend: one fateful New Years Eve in Camelot, King Arthur (played compellingly here by Sean Harris) and his court are exchanging gifts, in anticipation of a feast and a turning calendar, when suddenly a numinous, giant green figure (Ralph Ineson), riding in on a proportionately giant green horse, breaks in on the proceedings, holly bough in hand, bringing with him a threatening mythological game. He will allow one person, in all of Camelot, to strike him with one blow from his axe, but in one year and one day, he will get to return a blow of equal force and measure upon them. After a long and crude silence, Gawain steps into the game, and so begins a riddlesome, long and winding adventure – I won’t spoil any of it so that this Christmas it can feel like a newly opened gift to you!
Lowery’s meticulous production design marries postmodern creativity with tactile period detail, crafting a film that feels both fresh and timeless. Its mix of archaic language and contemporary themes invites viewers to reflect on what defines manhood and knighthood, sending us on a moral journey alongside Gawain that deconstructs classical notions of courage, chivalry, and identity. Visually stunning and intellectually rich, The Green Knight offers a philosophical, medieval twist to the holiday season — an evocative gift for those seeking something beyond the usual Christmas fare.
5. Die Hard (1988)
Director: John McTiernan
Recommended by: Clotilde Chinnici
Based on “Nothing Lasts Forever,” a 1979 novel by Roderick Thorp, Die Hard starts on Christmas Eve, when John McClane (Bruce Willis), a New York City policeman, arrives in Los Angeles to visit his two daughters and his estranged wife Holly Gennaro-McClane (Bonnie Bedelia), a high-ranking executive at the Nakatomi Corporation. When he arrives at Holly’s work party, a group of terrorists take over the building and hold everyone hostage. With the enemies unaware of his presence, it is up to McClane to make things right.
Initially, nothing about Die Hard screams Christmas in the way so many festive classics do. Judging by its July 1988 release date, it is clear that McTiernan intended his film to become a summer blockbuster, rather than a festive film. In that sense, the movie succeeded, and even exceeded expectations when it quickly became the highest-grossing action film of the year. Die Hard may be an action movie first and a Christmas film second, but that does not take away from its festive elements, such as the Christmas setting, which is integral to the plot, the festive music and tropes, and the themes of family reuniting and doing the right thing.
Whether or not Die Hard is a Christmas movie is the subject of many disputes, especially during the holidays. However, its status as a classic and as one of the greatest action films of its time is generally agreed upon. Even if you don’t necessarily believe that Die Hard is a Christmas film, it is still a great movie. The festive season just gives us one more excuse to sit down and rewatch, maybe even after a work Christmas party (hopefully a less eventful one than Holly’s!)
6. Eyes Wide Shut (1999)
Director: Stanley Kubrick
Recommended by: Roberto Tyler Ortiz
Eyes Wide Shut might not be the first movie that comes to mind when you think of Christmas, but hear me out: it’s the unconventional holiday pick. Set against the backdrop of a festive New York City, complete with twinkling lights and lavishly decorated Christmas trees, Stanley Kubrick’s psychological drama offers a dark, hypnotic take on marriage, desire, and fidelity.
Tom Cruise stars as Dr. Bill Harford, whose world spirals into a fever dream of masked parties and unspoken secrets after his wife, Alice (Nicole Kidman, of Babygirl), confesses a troubling fantasy. While the film isn’t exactly cheery, its eerie elegance and surreal atmosphere make it a fascinating watch for anyone looking to escape the sugary sweetness of typical Christmas fare. Plus, the holiday setting gives it an oddly cozy aesthetic, if you ignore the orgies and existential dread. Eyes Wide Shut is like the spiked eggnog of Christmas movies: rich, indulgent, and slightly dangerous, but completely worth it.
7. Four Christmases (2008)
Director: Seth Gordon
Recommended by: Keeley Brooks
If you’ve ever dreaded or avoided routine Christmas obligations because of your dysfunctional family, Four Christmases is the holiday flick for you. Not only will it bring forth some nostalgia, but it’ll also keep you giggling from start to finish.
Brad (Vince Vaughn) and Kate (Reese Witherspoon) are a successful, independent couple in their 30s having the time of their lives, living free from traditional constraints like marriage and kids. After three years together, they still haven’t met each other’s families, and to avoid seeing them each year at Christmas, they make up a lie and go on vacation. Except this year.
When all flights are canceled due to weather and the couple are ambushed by a news team reporting live, they’re left with no choice but to endure the dreaded day of travel and dysfunction, and that’s when the real fun begins. First up is Brad’s dad’s house, where his brothers Denver (Jon Favreau) and Dallas (Tim McGraw) are trained cage fighters, and Brad–real name Orlando for the city in which he was conceived–is always their target. Kate’s mom’s house is a fancy, prim-and proper cougar’s den full of horny women, babies, and judgment, and Brad’s mom’s isn’t much better, as she is shacking up with his former best friend.
I love this movie because, in addition to an all-star cast, we see this couple, who has spent their relationship creating boundaries against these types of obligations and responsibilities, grow and refine their needs, wants, and perspectives. Through hysterical mishaps, they truly come to know one another, and they finally see the magic tucked amongst the chaos and dysfunction and embrace it. Does it stop them from keeping secrets in the end? You’ll have to watch and see!
8. Home Alone (1990)
Director: Chris Columbus
Recommended by: Emma Vine
Home Alone may be an obvious Christmas movie to watch during the holidays, but for good reason. Although Chris Columbus’ holiday classic was released 34 years ago, it continues to stand the test of time. Watching the film has become an essential part of my festive December traditions, and every new viewing experience is just as enjoyable as the last.
Eight-year-old Kevin (Macaulay Culkin) is accidentally left behind on Christmas after his family goes on vacation to France and forgets to take him. While home alone, he must fight off two persistent robbers, Harry (Joe Pesci) and Marv (Daniel Stern), who continuously attempt to break into his house.
Home Alone captures the festive season with its enchanting Christmas setting, much of which occurs in the iconic McCallister house. It’s the perfect movie to enjoy during the holidays, featuring a bit of everything. Pesci and Stern’s comedic timing and physical comedy enhance the film’s appeal. At the same time, Kevin’s hilarious retaliation to their antics, showcased through Culkin’s entertaining, breakthrough performance, makes Home Alone a laugh riot from start to finish.
The movie also reflects a heartfelt message about the importance of family. Though Kevin is thrilled about his independence, eventually, he recognizes the value of having his relatives around, and spending Christmas with loved ones is what Christmas is all about!
Home Alone’s flawless ability to balance humor, heart, and holiday spirit makes the film the perfect Christmas watch!
9. In Bruges (2008)
Director: Martin McDonagh
Recommended by: Isabella Liistro
Martin McDonough’s violent and starkly offensive comedy is to be watched once the kids have gone to bed. In Bruges follows two hit-men, Ray (Colin Farrell) and Ken (Brendan Gleeson), who are ordered to lay low in Bruges, Belgium after a mission gone wrong leads to the shooting of a young boy. The situation becomes even more complicated when their boss asks Ken to kill Ray.
This honour-among-thieves tale takes place around Christmas as the streets of Bruges are lit with decorative lights and there’s mention of unopened presents under the tree of a victim’s home, but is that enough to consider In Bruges a Christmas movie?
In Bruges captures the melancholy and self-reflection that sometimes comes with the holiday season; Ray bathes in guilt over killing the boy and Ken feels he must reconcile himself to the fact that he kills people for a living.
Farrell and Gleeson bounce off each other perfectly, throwing offensive quips at one another like a tennis ball, appearing like a dysfunctional family forced together during the holidays, even having to share a room at the bed and breakfast because the rest were booked.
In Bruges may be an unusual pick to lump in with a list of traditional Christmas movies. Still, it so diversely demonstrates some of the genre’s most common themes through crisp humour and the comradeship anchored in Farrell and Gleeson’s performances.
10. Love Actually (2003)
Director: Richard Curtis
Recommended by: Sebastian Zavala
It’s always interesting to watch a film for the first time in a while, be it months, years or even decades. It can usually go one of two ways: it either fulfils one’s expectations and ends up being as fun as before, or it disappoints. In the case of Richard Curtis’ Love Actually, I believe we’re talking about the second category, although with a couple of caveats. This popular romantic comedy still works for the most part, both in the comedy and the romance departments; however, it also proves to be a product of its time. Meaning, it has a couple of problematic or at least uncomfortable elements that wouldn’t fly today.
Nevertheless, most of the stories are fun, and with a cast like this, even the more paper-thin characters get their time to shine. Curtis’ direction is straightforward, the cinematography is cosy (full of warm colours and comfy interiors), London is portrayed as happy and festive (and having spent two Christmases in said city, the film certainly makes me feel nostalgic), and the movie in general ends up being a charming and modern fairy tale. Love Actually is for the hopeless romantics and idealists of this world, but those just looking for a warm and comfortably predictable experience should enjoy the movie too.
11. Meet Me In St. Louis (1944)
Director: Vincente Minnelli
Recommended by: Jack Walters
Though only a small portion of Meet Me In St. Louis actually takes place during the festive season, the entire film is brimming with such tangible nostalgia and optimism that make it perfect Christmas viewing. Vincente Minnelli’s musical is a warm, joyous celebration of family and belonging, following several young sisters as they prepare to leave their home in St. Louis for New York City. At the heart of the story is Judy Garland’s Esther Smith, an optimistic soul who’s torn between her care for her family and her budding romance with their new neighbor.
The best part of Meet Me In St. Louis, without question, is the elaborate musical numbers and dance sequences. Not only do these songs help drive the story forward in a meaningful way, but they’re simply beautiful to look at with their saturated colors and intricate choreography. Judy Garland also delivers one of her fiercest and most emotional performances as Esther, taking the audience on an elaborate journey of love and sacrifice that’s just as challenging as it is moving. Perhaps not a Christmas film in its narrative, Meet Me In St. Louis certainly inhabits the soul and festivity of one through its warmth and sentimentality.
12. Whistle Down the Wind (1961)
Director: Bryan Forbes
Recommended by: Christina Brennan
Whistle Down the Wind is an unlikely Christmas movie. Bryan Forbes’ crime-drama and debut film opens in the austere countryside of Pendle Hill near Lancashire, UK. Teenager Kathy Bostock (played by child actor Hayley Mills), lives with her younger sister Nan and brother Charles with their widower father on an isolated farm. On a cold, winter-like day, Kathy stumbles upon an injured man, an escaped criminal on the run from authorities, who has taken refuge in the barn. When she asks who he is, she takes his half-delirious cry of “Jesus Christ” as proof that he is Jesus returned to earth. Kathy recruits the other children into her belief that Jesus is living in their barn, and they must do all they can to protect him from the outside world.
With memorable child performances, Forbes balances humour and poignancy in a way that captures the innocent magic of children’s imagination. Whistle Down the Wind may not feature snow, sleigh rides, or any other obvious Christmas staples. However, the famous carol “We Three Kings” still forms part of the score. Arthur Ibbetson’s black-and-white cinematography also gives the muddy fields of Lancashire moorland a winter-like beauty. Ultimately, Bryan Forbes’ symbolic film about childhood joy and innocence perfectly complements the Christmas season.
13. Write Before Christmas (2019)
Director: Pat Williams
Recommended by: Bethany Lola
If sentimental Christmas films are your cup of tea then Write Before Christmas will be the perfect watch for you this festive season. Jessica (Torrey DeVitto) is newly single after being dumped just before Christmas. Instead of spending her days wallowing in sadness, she decides to write Christmas cards to five individuals who have impacted her the most during her life.
As the days to Christmas tick by, the recipients of Jessica’s cards start to respond, but gets even more than she bargained for when her childhood crush, an ex-boyband frontman (Drew Seeley) dedicates a song to her. Secrets from family and friends are revealed, too, spicing up the air as she decides where she will spend Christmas Day.
Write Before Christmas may be extremely cheesy, and maybe even predicable at times, but it’s perfect to put on whilst wrapping your presents or whilst sat by the TV in your pyjamas with a hot chocolate. Oh, and Chad Michael Murray stars so if that isn’t enough persuasion I don’t know what is!
Christmas 2024, 10 More Movies to Watch
- The Bridget Jones Movies
- Boxing Day
- Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point
- Falling For Christmas
- Hot Frosty
- The Holdovers
- It’s a Wonderful Knife
- The Merry Gentlemen
- The Muppet Christmas Carol
- Violent Night
