Santa-approved Christmas classics to binge watch, this holiday season

Christmas movies are less about plot and more about how they make you feel. They’re warm blankets in film form — familiar, comforting, sometimes chaotic, and always a little magical. From childhood favourites that smell like hot chocolate and nostalgia to grown-up stories about love, awkward family moments, and much-needed resets, these films capture every mood the season brings. Some are joyful and loud, others quiet and reflective, but all of them turn ordinary December evenings into something softer, cosier, and a little more festive.

PLAN YOUR NEXT CHRISTMAS MOVIE MARATHON WITH THESE HOLIDAY CLASSICS

1. Home Alone (1990)

This isn’t just a funny Christmas movie it’s a childhood Christmas on screen. The oversized house, the freedom, the chaos, the music that instantly puts you back in that December headspace. You watch it for comfort, for laughs, and because it reminds you of when Christmas felt endless.

2. The Holiday (2006)

A Christmas film for grown-ups who want romance without chaos. House swaps, slow-burning love stories, cosy interiors, and emotional resets. It's about escaping your life for a moment and returning softer.

3. Elf (2003)

Pure joy, no irony required. Elf works because it leans fully into belief in Christmas, in kindness, in being unapologetically excited about small things. It’s the film you put on when you want to feel lighter without thinking too much.

4. The Polar Express (2004)

 

This movie feels like a memory rather than a story. Snow falling outside the window, quiet mornings, the feeling of believing in something without questioning it. It’s gentle, nostalgic, and best watched when the house is quiet and the lights are low.

5. Love Actually (2003)

Messy relationships, awkward confessions, missed chances all wrapped in Christmas lights. It works because it doesn’t pretend the holidays are perfect. Some stories are romantic, some uncomfortable, some bittersweet which is exactly what real Christmas feels like.

6. Klaus (2019)

A Christmas film that surprises you. It starts light, almost playful, and slowly grows into something deeply emotional without forcing it. It’s about kindness spreading quietly, about people changing slowly and that’s what makes it hit so hard.

7. The Christmas Chronicles (2018)

This is Christmas as an adventure. Fast, fun, and energetic, with a Santa who feels modern without losing the magic. It’s perfect for when you want festive vibes without sitting through something too sentimental.

(Also Read: HELLO! India's very Merry Christmas getaway guide for the holiday season)

8. Falling for Christmas (2022)

Comfort watching at its simplest. You know exactly where it’s going — and that’s the point. Snowy small town, warm people, second chances. It’s the kind of movie you put on when you want the room to feel festive, even if you’re half-watching.

9. Our Little Secret (2024)

Awkward family dinners, unresolved feelings, forced smiles — this one feels very real. It captures the uncomfortable side of Christmas with humour and ease, making it perfect for a casual weekend watch with friends.

10. Oh. What. Fun. (2025)

A quieter Christmas film for adults who feel overlooked during the holidays. It’s about invisibility, burnout, and choosing yourself when the season expects you to perform happiness. Not loud, not glittery — just honest and comforting in its own way.

(Also Read: HELLO! India's holiday gifting guide with 35+ ideas)

11. Jingle Bell Heist (2025)

A Christmas movie with a twist. Set against the holiday season, it follows a group of teens planning a festive heist, blending tension with warmth. It’s a great pick if you want something Christmassy but not overly sentimental — light, clever, and easy to watch.

(Also Read: HELLO! India's holiday 2025 edit with 30+ essentials)

Text by Tanisha Sawhney 

Edited by Sabrina Mathews