The Best Christmas Movies of All Time (Ranked)

Published on: December 9, 2025

When we think of Christmas, we instantly picture cosy nights, festive snacks, and a Christmas movie marathon. Whether you’re into family Christmas movies, animated classics, or adult Christmas comedies, there’s something magical about settling in with the best Christmas movies of all time.

Even though we often return to the same favourites, almost a third of Brits say “buying a TV guide to see what’s coming on over the festive period” is how we start getting ready for Christmas. From nostalgic favourites like The Snowman to modern hits on streaming platforms, we’ve rounded up the top 10 Christmas movies and the best family favourites to help you find the perfect film for a cosy festive night in.

Top 10 Christmas Movies of All Time: The Ultimate Ranking


Christmas is all about coming together, and, to help avoid arguments, we asked Brits across the whole of the UK to pick the best Christmas film of all time. These are the results:

  1. Home Alone (1990)
  2. Elf (2003)
  3. Love Actually (2003)
  4. Miracle on 34th Street (1994)
  5. The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
  6. Die Hard (1988)
  7. The Polar Express (2004)
  8. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
  9. Gremlins (1984)
  10. Arthur Christmas (2011)

Voted the ultimate Christmas film by both men and women aged 18-45 years old, and on TV every year without fail, Home Alone 1 is the best Christmas film of all time. With Elf following in close 2nd place – loved more by women – and Love Actually in 3rd. Die Hard, a keen favourite for men of all ages, ranks 6th among the two films in the top 10 that are not exactly “Christmassy”.

Top Christmas Movies Ranked by UK Region


It turns out Christmas movie favourites vary across the UK! While Home Alone still reigns supreme, each region has its own clear runner-up when it comes to festive favourites.

UK Region 2nd favourite 3rd favourite
East Anglia Love Actually (2003) Elf (2003)
East Midlands Miracle on 34th Street (1994) The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
London Love Actually (2003) The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
North East Elf (2003) Die Hard (1988)
North West Elf (2003) Miracle on 34th Street (1994)
Northern Ireland Miracle on 34th Street (1994) Die Hard (1988)
Scotland Love Actually (2003) Elf (2003)
South East Love Actually (2003) Elf (2003)
South West Elf (2003) The Polar Express (2004)
Wales Miracle on 34th Street (1994) Elf (2003)
West Midlands Love Actually (2003) Elf (2003)
Yorkshire and the Humber Elf (2003) Love Actually (2003)

 

The Top (non) Christmas Movies for Parents to Get into the Festive Spirit


Christmas isn’t just about gifts for the kids or festive touches that come with decorating. Sometimes you want something a little more ‘adult’ to wind down to in the evening.

Die Hard or The Nightmare Before Christmas (which also doubles as a Halloween film) are usually the go-tos for non-Christmas films to watch in the festive season, but there are actually many more than you think! We scanned the past four decades and looked at multiple data points, rankings and metrics to compile the “Top 10 (+1) Non-Christmassy Adult Christmas Movies to Watch” this holiday season:

  1. Die Hard (1988)
  2. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
  3. Edward Scissorhands (1990)
  4. Iron Man 3 (2013)
  5. Trading Places (1983)
  6. Lethal Weapon (1987)
  7. Gremlins (1984)
  8. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)
  9. Eyes Wide Shut (1999)
  10. Batman Returns (1992)
  11. Jumanji (1995)

You’d be forgiven if you thought, “How does Jumaji make this list?”, but with a short scene at the end where there is a gift exchange at Christmas, it manages to squeeze in as a little bonus.

The Best Family Christmas Movies to Watch Together


With Christmas fast approaching, the list of films you could watch is endless, but if we focus on the best Christmas titles, we’ve pulled together the perfect family Christmas movie list: 15 festive favourites that bring generations together.

Once again, we have been very granular in reviewing box office figures, critic reviews, and, of course, viewer age ratings (U or PG) to ensure every film is suitable for adults and children of all ages. Put on one of these in the background while everyone opens their Christmas presents to be extra festive:

  1. It’s A Wonderful Life (1946)
  2. Home Alone (1990)
  3. A Christmas Story (1983)
  4. Arthur Christmas (2011)
  5. Elf (2003)
  6. The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
  7. The Polar Express (2004)
  8. The Santa Clause (1994)
  9. Dr Seuess’ The Grinch (2018)
  10. A Christmas Carol (2009)
  11. How The Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
  12. White Christmas (1954)
  13. Home alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)
  14. Miracle on 34th Street (1994)
  15. Jingle All The Way (1996)

Best Animated Christmas Movies


Oddly enough, the top film in this category is one that you might not necessarily agree with: Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas. Nevertheless, it’s rated higher by critics and, with its cult following, is discussed more on social media in December than the other four movies in the category. Either way, these animated Christmas movies are perfect for a cosy December evening.

  1. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
  2. Arthur Christmas (2011)
  3. The Polar Express (2004)
  4. Dr Seuess’ The Grinch (2018)
  5. A Christmas Carol (2009)

So, whether you’re in the mood for a heartwarming classic, a hilarious family favourite, or a festive animation, our Christmas movies list has something for everyone. So grab the hot chocolate, get the festive snacks ready, press play, and enjoy the best Christmas movies of all time this holiday season.