Nearly every major holiday has its share of films centered around it, but none offer the breadth and versatility that Christmas does. From sentimental classics like It's a Wonderful Life (1946), to frightening favorites like Black Christmas (1974), to modern family comedies like Elf (2003), there's something for everyone, depending on your mood.
It can also be tough to narrow down which Christmas movies to prioritize during December, with dozens and dozens of new holiday movies released every year. That's why Entertainment Weekly is here to gift you a curated list of recommendations. Ahead are 26 festive favorite Christmas (and Christmas-adjacent) movies to stream now.
Carol (2015)
Wilson Webb/TWC
Carol (Cate Blanchett) is a glamorous, soon-to-be divorcรฉe shopping for Christmas gifts; Therese (Rooney Mara) is a shopgirl and aspiring photographer. Their eyes meet, Carol compliments Therese's little Santa hat, and just like that, their hearts are off to the races. The filmโs preoccupation with desire feels uniquely fitting for a season in which we all hope, often against reason, to get what we want. Beyond that, Christmas works wonders as a backdrop, imbuing Carol with a mixture of warmth, melancholy, nostalgia, and regret that only the holidays can conjure. โJaney Tracey
Where to watch Carol: HBO Max
EW grade: Aโ
Director: Todd Haynes
Cast: Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara, Sarah Paulson, Kyle Chandler
A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
Everett Collection
Although itโs a childrenโs special, A Charlie Brown Christmas is one of the most existential movies on this list. The animated classic begins with an extremely relatable sentiment: Itโs the holiday season and Charlie Brown is supposed to be happy, yet heโs unseasonably depressed. He becomes even more despondent as he considers the…