I’m trying to plan a cozy Christmas movie marathon and I’m overwhelmed by all the options on Netflix, Hulu, and other streaming platforms. I’d love recommendations for feel-good classics, underrated gems, and new releases that are must-watch this year, especially family-friendly and rom-com picks. What are your top Christmas movies for 2024 and why do you recommend them?
Christmas Movies To Rewatch (Or Finally Watch) In 2024
Every year I tell myself I am going to watch “something new” for Christmas, and every year I end up back with the same chaotic pile of classics plus a few random curveballs. Here is the stuff that actually held up for me in 2024, in case you are staring at your screen wondering what to put on.
Not a ranked list, just vibes.
1. “It’s a Wonderful Life” (1946)
If you have never made it past the black-and-white filter, just try it once. It is not just an old “wholesome” movie. It is actually pretty dark in spots, and hits harder as an adult than it ever could as a kid.
I rewatched it this year in the background while cleaning, and then slowly stopped cleaning and just sat there. It is more about burnout, regret, and “did any of this matter?” than about Christmas itself, which is probably why it still works.
Best with:
- Low lighting
- No phone
- One person who has never seen it, so you can watch them lose it at the end
2. “Home Alone” (1990) & “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York” (1992)
These two are still the combo meal of Christmas movies: loud, dumb in the best way, and unfortunately relatable if you grew up in the “go play outside” era.
The slapstick is more brutal than I remember. As an adult, you spend half the time thinking, “He is definitely in the ICU after that.” But it is fun, it is quick, and the soundtrack is top tier.
3. “The Muppet Christmas Carol” (1992)
If you only saw this as a kid, rewatch it as an adult. It somehow stays goofy and heartfelt at the same time. Michael Caine acts like he is in a serious drama surrounded by felt puppets, and it weirdly works.
Why it still holds up:
- Legit good music
- Surprisingly faithful to Dickens’ story
- Short enough that people do not get bored
This is the one I put on when family is around and you need something kid-friendly that will not make adults suffer.
4. “The Holiday” (2006)
This is for when people are done with the “people falling down stairs” kind of Christmas movie and want something with more feelings and nice houses. It is peak cozy rom-com: cottage in England, fancy house in LA, people with unrealistic jobs and extremely realistic emotional problems.
Good for:
- Background while wrapping presents
- Something you do not have to follow 100 percent, but is still satisfying
- People who pretend not to like rom-coms, then immediately get invested
5. “Klaus” (2019)
If you are tired of the same 3 Christmas movies, watch this one. Animated, but not in the usual “plastic CG” style. It has this textured, painterly look that makes every frame feel like a holiday card you would actually keep.
What I liked:
- Takes Santa mythology and makes it feel fresh
- Emotional without being syrupy
- Works for kids and adults, which is rare
It is also one of the few more modern Christmas movies that people do not groan at when you suggest it.
6. “Elf” (2003)
This one is on constant rotation in my friend group because it is chaos but still sweet. Will Ferrell commits 110 percent to being a gigantic child in a green outfit, and somehow it does not get old.
Highlights:
- Store scene with “SANTA! I know him!”
- The world’s most uncomfortable family dinners
- Enough quotable lines to last through December
Good “group movie,” even if people are mostly talking over it and only looking up for the big moments.
7. “Die Hard” (1988)
Yes, it counts as a Christmas movie. Is it mostly about explosions and a barefoot guy in an office building? Absolutely. Are there Christmas decorations, holiday music, and an office Christmas party gone horribly wrong? Also yes.
Why people keep rewatching it:
- One of the best-paced action movies ever
- You can half-watch it and still follow what is going on
- Works for people who hate “typical” Christmas stuff
This is the one to put on when everyone is sick of sentimental movies but you still want something vaguely seasonal.
8. “The Nightmare Before Christmas” (1993)
I watch this twice a year: once in October and once in December. It is basically the bridge between Halloween and Christmas, so it covers both moods: spooky and cozy.
Why it stays on the list:
- Tim Burton aesthetic, but not exhausting
- Songs that get stuck in your head for days
- Short runtime, so it is easy to sneak in on a busy night
It is also nice for people who like the holidays but do not want full Hallmark-level sweetness.
9. “Love Actually” (2003)
This one is messy, and that is kind of the point. Multiple storylines, some age badly, some still land, but it remains very rewatchable. It is like opening a box of random ornaments: not all of them are great, but you still end up hanging most of them.
Good to know:
- Definitely not a “kids in the room” movie
- You will remember scenes you forgot existed
- Somehow still hits emotionally, even when you see the plot holes from space
Great to watch with friends so you can all argue about which storyline is the worst and which one secretly works.
10. “A Christmas Story” (1983)
I did not grow up with this one on TV 24/7, so when I watched it later, I finally got the hype. It is basically one long memory of childhood Christmas, with all the weirdness and random fixations that come with it.
Things that stand out:
- The leg lamp
- “You’ll shoot your eye out”
- The whole tongue-on-the-pole disaster
Good if you want something that feels nostalgic without being overly sentimental.
Little Tech Side Note
If you are like me and have half your movie library scattered across different folders and old drives, it is nice having a player that just quietly works with whatever file you throw at it. On my Mac, I have been using Elmedia Player to handle random formats, adjust subtitles, and sync audio when my Christmas rip collection is a bit… questionable. Not sponsored or anything, it just saves me from wrestling with codecs when I just want to put on “Home Alone” and deal with my wrapping paper situation. I can also easily play movies on my MacBook and stream them to a big screen to watch with my family.
If you have something newer from 2024 that is actually worth adding to the yearly lineup, I am genuinely curious. Most of the “new” Christmas movies I try last about 20 minutes before I go back to one of these.
5 Likes
You’re not alone, the 2024 Christmas catalog on the streamers is a total content blizzard.
I like what @mikeappsreviewer listed, but if you’re trying to build an actual marathon and not just rewatch the same 5 things, I’d structure it like this:
1. Start Cozy & Classic
Stuff that feels like instant hot chocolate:
-
Klaus (Netflix)
Fully agree with Mike here, but I’d actually open with it. It’s warm, clever, and short, and the animation still looks incredible in 2024. Sets the tone without emotionally wrecking anyone. -
The Muppet Christmas Carol (Disney+)
Perfect early in the lineup when people are still chatting and grabbing snacks. Songs are great, kids can watch, adults are not suffering. If you have only one “family-safe” slot, it should be this, not “A Christmas Story” (sorry, that one has never totally worked for me, it feels more like background nostalgia than a must-watch).
2. Core Comfort Classics
These are your “everyone shuts up and actually watches” picks:
-
It’s a Wonderful Life (Prime, sometimes on other services in December)
Put this mid-marathon, not last. It’s emotionally heavy and surprisingly dark, exactly like Mike said, but if you put it at the end, half the room is asleep. Mid-slot, lights low, phones away. -
Home Alone (Disney+)
I’d personally skip “Home Alone 2” unless you have a long run planned. The first one holds up better and the pacing is tighter. Great when people are eating, because you can follow by sound alone. -
Elf (Max / various)
Ideal “re-energize the room” movie when people are sliding into food coma. Loud, silly, rewatchable, and you don’t need to catch every line.
3. Slightly Offbeat & Underrated Picks
Where you sneak in things not everyone has seen:
-
Arthur Christmas (Netflix in some regions)
Criminally underrated. British humor, surprisingly clever, and it nails that “how does Santa actually deliver gifts” question in a fun way. Perfect if you want something modern but not disposable Hallmark stuff. -
Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey (Netflix)
Big musical energy, really stylish, and feels different from the usual US holiday tropes. Great if you want one movie that visually pops and has that stage-musical vibe. -
Tokyo Godfathers (rental / some niche streamers)
Animation, but absolutely not for young kids. Three homeless characters find an abandoned baby on Christmas. Sounds bleak, but it’s wild, funny, and ultimately very sweet. Nice choice if your group is into something a little more “film nerd” without being pretentious.
4. For the “I Hate Christmas Movies” People
Where I diverge a bit from Mike:
-
Die Hard
Yes, it’s a Christmas movie. No, you don’t have to watch it every single year. I’d swap it some years with:-
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
Christmas setting, murder mystery, dark comedy, RDJ & Val Kilmer. Feels seasonal without being “jolly.” -
Iron Man 3
Also set at Christmas, surprisingly cozy in spots. Works if you’ve got Marvel fans who are tired of elves and carols.
-
-
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Totally agree it’s the Halloween / Christmas bridge, but I actually prefer it early in December or in a separate night. For a pure Christmas marathon, it can make the tone feel a bit confused.
5. Newer & 2020s-era Stuff That Doesn’t Mostly Suck
-
Happiest Season (Hulu)
Queer Christmas rom-com. Some of the character choices are… maddening, but it’s still better than 90 percent of the generic holiday romances, and the family chaos is very on-brand for the season. -
Spirited (Apple TV+)
Musical riff on A Christmas Carol with Will Ferrell and Ryan Reynolds. It’s way too long, but fun if your group likes musical numbers and will enjoy quietly roasting it while still having a good time. -
The Christmas Chronicles (Netflix)
Kurt Russell as Santa works way better than it has any right to. This is a good compromise between “newer” and “genuinely rewatchable.”
6. How to Arrange Your Marathon (rough plan)
If you’re doing a full-day or long-evening thing:
-
Warm-up / people arriving
- Arthur Christmas
- The Muppet Christmas Carol
-
Prime-time core
- Klaus
- It’s a Wonderful Life
-
Food & chaos window
- Home Alone
- Elf
-
Late-night, for whoever survives
- One of: Die Hard, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, or Tokyo Godfathers
That lineup gives you: classic, animated, rom-com-ish, action, and a bit of weird, without feeling like you watched the same movie 6 times.
If you share what vibe your group leans toward (more rom-com, more kid-friendly, more chaotic), people here can probably help you fine-tune the lineup even more.
You’re not alone, the 2024 catalog feels like scrolling through the same 12 posters reskinned 300 times.
I like what @mikeappsreviewer and @nachtschatten already laid out, but if you’re overwhelmed, I’d build themes instead of one giant random list. That makes choosing stuff way easier.
Here’s a 1‑day cozy marathon that mixes feel‑good classics, underrated stuff, and newer movies without repeating their exact lineups:
1. Soft Start: Comfy & Low‑stress
Good while people are arriving / food is happening.
-
Klaus (Netflix)
They both mentioned it for a reason. I’d actually keep this, because it’s the rare recent Christmas movie that already feels like a classic. Also short, gorgeous, and hits the emotions without turning into a lecture. -
Arthur Christmas (Netflix in many regions)
Underrated as hell. It’s clever, warm, and fun for adults even if there are kids around. If you want 1 “everybody in the room” pick that is not another Santa identical movie, use this.
2. Core Classics Block
This is where you put the “ok phones down” movies.
-
It’s a Wonderful Life (rental / sometimes free in December)
I half disagree with @nachtschatten on placement. I actually like this earlier in the night, before people get too tired. Once folks hit sugar crash, the slower first half loses them. Put it second or third overall. -
The Muppet Christmas Carol (Disney+)
Perfect follow‑up. After the emotional hit from Wonderful Life, this pulls you back into warm and silly without feeling dumb. Also good if some people are just now paying attention.
If you’re not a Muppets person, swap it for Home Alone (Disney+) here.
3. “Newer but Actually Decent” Section
This is where most marathons die, because people pick random 2020s Netflix stuff and it’s all copy‑paste Hallmark. I’d go:
-
Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey (Netflix)
Big musical energy, nice representation, cool production design. Not perfect, but it feels like an actual movie, not a content-farm script. -
Happiest Season (Hulu)
Queer rom‑com, messy family dynamics. Be warned: some character decisions will make you want to yell at the screen, but at least you will feel something instead of zoning out like with half the holiday rom‑coms.
If you want something less chaotic, swap Happiest Season for The Holiday for straight-up cozy rom‑com vibes.
4. For People Who “Don’t Like Christmas Movies”
Instead of ending on syrup, pivot the vibe.
- Die Hard (various streamers)
I’m with @mikeappsreviewer, it still works in 2024. Also, the pacing is so good that even people wandering in and out can keep up. That said, I disagree a bit with treating it as mandatory; if your group is not into action, forcing Die Hard can kill the mood.
Alternatives that keep the seasonal feel:
- Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
- Iron Man 3
Both are Christmas‑set without being “Christmas movies.”
For animation nerds, you can instead close with Tokyo Godfathers if your crew can handle something a bit more serious and offbeat.
5. How to pick when you’re scrolling and melting
When you’re staring at Netflix/Hulu/whatever and can’t decide, use this quick mental filter:
- One old classic
- One animated modern classic
- One rom‑com or family-feels movie
- One “Christmas‑adjacent” movie for the haters
If a title does not clearly fall into one of those buckets, skip it for the marathon and save it for a random background watch.