The Best Christmas Movies: My All-time Favourite Festive Films

I’m obsessed with Christmas – and on Christmas eve at TLC headquarters, we do a bit of a Christmas movie marathon; with some bubbles, snacks and cats curled up with us on the couch. It’s become our little family tradition and I love every minute of it. With the lights on the tree flickering, a candle lit and all the presents nestled nearby waiting to be opened, it’s a scene I’ve come to love and adore, and Christmas movies play a big role in the festivities.

Here are my best Christmas movies and why I adore them. Not all of them are traditional, of course, but they’re all amazing in their own right and for very different reasons.

I’d love to hear your best Christmas movies in the comments below or what your traditions are on Christmas eve!

The 5 Best Christmas Movies of All Time

Love Actually

This movie is a tear-jerker if I ever saw one – and truth be told, I love movies that make me cry. The scene that always gets me is when Emma Thompson’s character finds out that her husband is cheating on her after unwrapping her Christmas present. Later in the film she tells him “you’ve also made a fool of me, and you’ve made the life I lead foolish too”. It gets me sobbing every time! I can’t even.

Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer

First made in 1964, I remember watching this stop-motion movie every year when I was a kid. I haven’t seen it in recent years but I had to include it because it made up such a huge part of what the lead-up to Christmas was for me. Did you used to watch this film too? I feel old saying this, but they don’t make movies as good as this today!

Gremlins

I used to think that Gizmo was the cutes thing ever, but when I watched Gremlins recently I ended up finding him slightly creepy. Regardless, Gremlins was a part of my childhood as an 80s kid, so it has to go in this list. It’s certainly not the first thing that comes to mind when you think ‘Christmas movie’ but it is one all the same and is a nice moment of nostalgia. 

Home Alone

I’ve watched this film so many times and it never gets old. Although it does make me sad that Macauley Culkin went on to do not much else with his career. This one is definitely better than the sequel (like with most films) and is a definite must-watch on Chrissy Eve! The part where Kevin befriends the old man next door and gets him reconnected with his daughter is just the sweetest thing ever. Once again, I cried (good Lord I cry a lot during Christmas films!). 

The Family Stone

I have this one on DVD and it always comes out to play the night before Christmas. I love Sarah Jessica Parker and adore Dianne Keaton, so it’s a bit of a no brainer. It also stars Rachel McAdams and Claire Danes, so it’s one of those all-star-cast movies that can do no wrong. It does get a bit weird at the end with the partner swapping, but I can forgive that because the Dianne Keaton storyline is so sad and beautiful. Another tear-jerker.

What are your best Christmas movies or Christmas Eve traditions? Drop me a comment below and share what makes the silly season special for you 🙂