The Best Christmas Films to Watch This Festive Season
Why Christmas Films Matter
As December unfolds and festive lights illuminate homes across the United Kingdom, Christmas films have become an essential part of the holiday tradition. These heartwarming stories offer families a chance to gather, celebrate, and embrace the magic of the season. From romantic comedies to animated adventures, Christmas films provide comfort, laughter, and a much-needed escape during the busiest time of year.
New Christmas Films Making Headlines in 2024
This year’s festive lineup features Certified Fresh films including holiday travel thriller Carry-On, starring Taron Egerton as a TSA agent facing a blackmailer on Christmas Eve. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is decking the halls with unflappable charm and sincere spiritual conviction, earning praise as winningly wholesome family entertainment.
Netflix’s Hot Frosty, starring Lacey Chabert as a widow who finds romance with a gorgeous snowman come to life, has already captured hearts as the #1 movie on the streamer. Meanwhile, Dwayne Johnson stars alongside Chris Evans for action-packed blockbuster Red One, with a budget of $250 million, though critical reception has been mixed.
Love Actually maestro Richard Curtis is back to making holiday magic with That Christmas, an animated adaptation of his own children’s Christmas book trilogy that weaves together various stories about people in a small English town when a snowstorm threatens to derail the holiday.
Classic Christmas Films That Never Fade
While new releases generate excitement, timeless classics remain the cornerstone of Christmas viewing. Elf is lauded by many as one of the greatest Christmas movies of all time and a certified modern classic, with Will Ferrell’s performance as Buddy continuing to spread holiday cheer two decades later.
It’s a Wonderful Life, starring James Stewart, still resonates with audiences of all ages and tugs on their heartstrings nearly 80 years since it first landed in theatres. Home Alone touts a career-making performance by Macaulay Culkin as the sly and devious eight-year-old Kevin McCallister, remaining one of the most iconic Christmas films ever made.
Where to Stream Your Festive Favourites
Disney+ leads with eight films being available, followed by Prime Video with six and then Netflix with four of the most popular Christmas titles. Hallmark has 48 Christmas movies in total — 32 holiday movies on its flagship Hallmark Channel, nine new movies on its Hallmark Mystery channel, and seven exclusively on its Hallmark+ streaming service.
The Significance for Modern Viewers
Christmas films serve a vital purpose beyond entertainment. They unite generations, create shared memories, and remind us of values like kindness, family, and hope during the festive season. While traditional choices might dominate in popularity, newer 2024 releases show how diverse these Christmas films have become, covering feel-good action to full-blown slasher horror. Whether you prefer heartwarming rom-coms or action-packed adventures, this year’s selection offers something for everyone to enjoy by the fire with a cup of hot chocolate.