How The Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966)

Boris Karloff lent his voice to the 1966 Dr. Seuss classic How The Grinch Stole Christmas as both narrator and the titular character whose name is synonymous with holiday villainy. The story about the surly Grinch, who is so bent on ruining Christmas that he steals all the gifts and decorations in Whoville, only to have a change of heart, is a classic. (If you ask us, all other adapted-to-the-screen versions don't exist.) And you can find it on Peacock. 

Love, Actually (2003)

Richard Curtis directed the holiday rom-com Love, Actually, which features 10 interconnected stories about Londoners finding love. The film is polarizing; some people love it, while others hate it (or at least, they dislike the scene with the cue cards), but it has become a go-to for many at this time of year. The enormous ensemble includes Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, Laura Linney, Colin Firth, Liam Neeson and dozens more. 

A Christmas Carol (1984)

It's hard to pick a definitive version of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol to watch, but if we're talking about live-action, non-Muppet versions, the 1984 George C. Scott movie ranks high on our list. The film, originally made for television, has often been cited as one of the best adaptations of the story of the miserly, miserable Ebenezer Scrooge, and Scott was nominated for an Emmy for his performance. You can find this one on Peacock, as well as Paramount Plus.

A Christmas Story (1983)

Is there a more quotable holiday movie out there than 1983's A Christmas Story? From "You'll shoot your eye out," to "I can't put my arms down!" and "Mommy's little piggy," the movie has given pop culture so much, never asking for anything in return. Peter Billingsley stars as Ralphie Parker, whose one wish in life is to own a Red Ryder BB gun, against his parents' wishes. Meanwhile, Randy can't put his arms down, Flick's tongue is stuck to a metal pole and the Bumpus's dogs are feasting on holiday turkey. I know you know what I'm talking about. The film is one of many great classics available on Disney Plus.

Home Alone (1990)

Home Alone, about a young kid left home alone at Christmas who has to fend off a duo of dim-witted robbers known as the Wet Bandits, made Macaulay Culkin a star back in 1990. The film is the perfect starter-action movie for kids, and it's hilarious thanks to great comedic performances from Joe Pesci, Catherine O'Hara and Daniel Stern. In hindsight, though, I think we can all agree that the Wet Bandits weren't the true villains of the movie: that distinction belongs to Uncle Frank. 

You can also catch Home Alone on Hulu. 

The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)

If the George C. Scott version of A Christmas Carol is the best all-human version, 1992's The Muppet Christmas Carol must be regarded as the best version with a human and textile-based cast. Michael Caine stars as Scrooge, Kermit the Frog plays Bob Cratchit, and Waldorf and Statler appear as ghosts Jacob and Robert Marley. (If you want to compare films, both this one and the  2009 version with Jim Carrey are on Disney Plus.)

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)

Chevy Chase and Beverly D'Angelo return as Clark and Ellen Griswold in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation which, if you ask me, is the best of all the Vacation movies. Rounding out the Griswold family are Juliette Lewis and Johnny Galecki as kids Audrey and Rusty, and Randy Quaid as Cousin Eddie. Like Home Alone, this Christmas classic was written by John Hughes; he was known for teen coming-of-age comedies, but honestly maybe his legacy should be holiday hijinks instead. 

Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

Natalie Wood and Maureen O'Hara star in the 1947 classic Miracle on 34th Street, about a young girl (Wood) who questions whether Santa Claus is real. This version as well as the 1994 version (written by John Hughes!) are both available on Hulu.

The Family Stone (2005)

Watching The Family Stone this year is just a little more bittersweet now that star Diane Keaton is gone. The 2005 family dramedy is anchored by Keaton's great, heartfelt performance as the matriarch of a large, extended family who reunites under one roof for Christmas. The film's sprawling cast includes Claire Danes, Sarah Jesica Parker, Rachel McAdams, Dermot Mulroney and Luke Wilson. 

White Christmas (1954)

If it's holiday musicals you want, the 1954 classic White Christmas is filled with unforgettable Irving Berlin songs like White Christmas, Blue Skies and Sisters. The film co-stars Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Vera-Ellen and Rosemary Clooney as performers who stage a sprawling holiday show at a Vermont inn. 

It's a Wonderful Life (1947)

Prime Video is a hub for classics, including the 1947 Frank Capra film It's a Wonderful Life. The film stars James Stewart as George Bailey, a man facing an existential crisis who learns what his life has meant to everyone around him with the help of an angel named Clarence. Though the movie was a bit of a flop when it was originally released, it became a Christmas classic when it entered the public domain and was re-run on TV in the 1970s.

A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)

Maybe it's the Vince Guaraldi score, maybe it's Linus's monologue about the true meaning of Christmas, or maybe it's all the incredible dancing, but for whatever reason, A Charlie Brown Christmas never gets old. These days, the animated holiday special is available exclusively on Apple TV.

Scrooged (1989)

There might be no better comedic actor to play a modern-day variation of Scrooge than Bill Murray. Murray's got a knack for playing off-kilter, grumpy types, and when you think about it, that's all Ebenezer Scrooge really is. In the 1989 movie Scrooged, Murray is Frank Cross, the president of a television studio who's only concerned with his company's bottom line and the success of their upcoming live broadcast of A Christmas Carol. He's visited by three spirits after he fires an underling and lashes out at his employees. The film co-stars Bobcat Goldthwait, Karen Allen, Alfre Woodard and Carol Kane. 

Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas (1977)

It's no surprise that Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas has become a cult classic in recent years. The film, which originally aired in the US on HBO in 1978, stars Muppet performers like Jim Henson, Frank Oz and Jerry Nelson, and features original music written by Paul Williams. You can watch the film, which is suitable for even the youngest viewers, on Tubi. (And after you've watched the movie, check out the bloopers on YouTube; they're not to be missed.)

Elf (2003)

Will Ferrell stars as Buddy the Elf in Elf, the 2003 film directed by Jon Favreau that became an instant classic when it was first released. When Buddy, a human raised by elves at the North Pole, goes to New York City to find his birth father (James Caan), he's a fish out of water and finds himself disrupting the lives of his new family members. But it's nothing a little maple syrup and snowball fights can't cure. 

The movie is on HBO Max until the end of the month, so catch it soon.