Sony Pictures
We’re halfway through December, and the holidays are looming ever-closer. If you’re lacking a little holiday spirit this year (I get it!), we’re working on the solution. We’ve already covered when holiday movies are airing this year, and the best holiday songs, but what if you want to stream on-demand in your pajamas while drinking hot chocolate and eating cookies?
No? Only me? Anyway…
Here are the absolute best holiday movies to stream this week leading up to the end of the month. Just because this Christmas is going to look a little different than most years doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the season! No matter how you’re celebrating, these movies will help.
We’ve already done a deep dive into Behind the Scenes Secrets from this movie, but is it really Christmas until you hear Chevy Chase scream at his kids? I didn’t think so.
If you’ve never seen it, I think you’re too young to be friends with me, but that’s okay. The story follows the Griswold family as they prepare for another Christmas of family, children, and a lot of stress. The Griswold’s always made my family seem normal in comparison, and maybe that’s why I love them so much, even now.
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is streaming on Amazon Prime now, or you can buy and rent the movie from YouTube.
Erin talked about Die Hard in our Offbeat Holiday Movies piece, but I think it is worth a second mention. I read recently that before Die Hard, Bruce Willis was considered a “TV actor”, and the $5 million gamble to cast him as lead John McClane was considered a huge risk. It obviously worked out – the role pushed Willis to stardom, and the movie made about $150 million, not bad considering the $28 million budget.
Die Hard is a Christmas favorite around here, and it’s a staple come holiday season. Nothing says holidays more than blowing up things and ruining terrorist plots.
Die Hard is available to stream on Hulu.
Looking for something more recent? Something upbeat, funny, a little stupid? I’ve got just the man for you – Seth Rogen! Rogen teams up with Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Anthony Mackie in this 2015 film about three childhood friends in New York City searching for the best Christmas Eve party.
This has all the humor and jokes you’d expect from a Rogen film, and it’s a really fun choice if you’re a little over the traditional holiday film experience. It’s about friendship, and fun, and love… and partying, hard.
The Night Before is available to stream on Hulu. Needless to say, this is not a children’s movie!
Need some romance with your holiday movies? Honestly, who doesn’t. Happiest Season came out on Hulu exclusively, and stars Kristen Steward, Mackenzie Davis, Allison Brie, Aubrey Plaza, Dan Levy, and more. The story follows Abby and Harper, a couple madly in love, as they explore their first holiday together. Harper invites Abby to her family’s house, without admitting that she isn’t out to anyone – so Abby has to hide who she is to spend the holidays with the woman she loves.
Happiest Season is available to stream on Hulu, and is perhaps the best holiday film we’ll get this year!
Macaulay Culkin is a weird dude, but honestly, that makes this movie better for me, not worse. If you’ve never checked out his podcast, or his appearances on the Red Letter Media channel, I highly recommend it.
We’ve all seen Home Alone a hundred times, but this is the perfect year to snuggle up and imagine all of the ways we could booby-trap our own house, since we’re stuck here anywhere. This is my first Christmas in this home, but I’m pretty sure I could get some seriously dangerous traps on the basement steps…
Home Alone, and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York are both available to stream on Disney+.
I’ve never been a huge Elf fan, but my family is – this has been watched every single year in my aunt’s house on Christmas eve for as long as I can remember, and I’m sure this year will be no different. Follow Buddy the Elf (played by Will Ferrell) as he gets kicked out of Santa’s village and thrown into the real world.
Staring James Caan, Zooey Deschanel, Bob Newhart, and more, this is truly a Christmas classic. Can you believe it’s been around for almost 20 years already? “Treat every day like Christmas.”
Elf is available to stream on Hulu.
Netflix via GIPHY
Alright, this one is certainly adults only, but if you love questionable humor and you’re missing your favorite trashy Canadians, now is the time to strap in and watch the Xmas special.
The boys are as absurd as always, with Ricky getting out of jail just before Christmas – which is the worst, since Christmas is the best time to be in jail… apparently. Follow Bubbles as he struggles with the loss of his family, with Ricky’s attempt to get his family back, and a very questionable elf.
The Trailer Park Boys: Xmas Special is available to stream on Netflix. This is certainly for mature audiences only.
Did you know that the original idea for this movie, which is loosely based on a 1950s British film, had John Candy staring at the lead role? After Candy’s death the film got shelved for a while, before Queen Latifah’s agent suggested her for the role.
Having been diagnosed with a rare brain condition, Georgia Byrd (played by Latifah) decides to live her last weeks during the holidays as to the fullest – by going on a luxury European vacation. This movie might have been a box office bomb, but I think (hot take) it may be one of her best roles. And we could all use a little bit of inspiration on living our best life, after being inside for so long.
Last Holiday is available to stream on Hulu.
Holidate stars Emma Roberts and Luke Bracey in this Netflix original movie about love, romance, and the holidays. Two strangers who are over being single for the holidays agree to be each other’s plus ones (platonically, of course) to all holiday engagements.
But obviously, things aren’t that smooth. I love a good cheesy, feel-good romance, and this one hits all the boxes. If you want a solid holiday movie that you haven’t seen a hundred times, check out Holidate.
Holidate is available to stream on Netflix now.
