My Essential Christmas Watchlist

'Tis the season for hot chocolate, strings of lights, hanging ornaments, and watching sappy Christmas movies. Just like my Halloween watchlist here, Christmas is another holiday where I have a set of movies that I usually watch every year, starting only on the day after Thanksgiving, of course. Now, while Halloween watchlists are usually flooded with Hocus Pocus + a string of random horror movies, Christmas movies very much have a greater cult following. There are MANY strong opinions about the "best" Christmas movies, "must-watch" Christmas movies, and the famed "Is this even a Christmas movie? (a topic I covered here)". As I indicated above, there is even an argument about WHEN to start Christmas season. Since Christmas movies come with a variety of caveats, this will not be a simple, singular list, but instead will include 1) Honorable Mentions, 2) A Dark Christmas, and 3) Top 10 Christmas Watchlist.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

The group that made this list are either frequent watchers, but not quite every year, or are movies that have the potential to move into the Top 10 in the future. Most of these are newer films that haven't had the time to build a strong foundation every holiday season.

20. The Grinch (Netflix)

19. Noelle (Disney+)

18. Let It Snow (Netflix)

17. The Christmas Chronicles (Netflix)

16. Jack Frost (VOD)

A Dark Christmas

Somewhat an extension of the Top 10 list, I tend to watch most of these horror holiday films each year. While some could realistically make it into my Top 10, I chose to separate them out into their own section to make a more traditional Top 10 since many people prefer to keep their Santa suits blood-free. I, on the other hand, enjoy a good bloodbath after setting up the tree and eating Christmas cookies.

15. All Through the House (Prime Video)

If you choose to give this film a shot, be warned, severed penis. Ok, now that we got that out of the way, this is a traditional slasher film that follows Rachel, who returns home from college on Christmas break. She is invited over by the town recluse, whose daughter went missing 15 years prior and has served as the center of the lore and legend in the town. All the while, the town, Rachel, and her friends are being massacred by a masked Santa. It's all connected though, and as the killer is revealed, Rachel learns of her connection to the missing girl in what is quite a strange twist.

14. Better Watch Out (Prime Video/Shudder)

A much simpler premise than All Through the House, this thriller is like Home Alone meets You're Next. I caution saying too much about the movie, so I'll lead you in with this: when Ashley rejects the romantic advances of the young boy she is babysitting, he doesn't handle the rejection very well. This is a fun Christmas thriller that can be enjoyed by those not wanting to fully invest in holiday horror.

13. Krampus (VOD)

The dark spirit of Christmas pays visit to a dysfunctional family to remind them to be merry for all they have. Young Max has maintained his beliefs and traditions surrounding Christmas, all of which is mocked and shit on by visiting members of his family. As the tensions amongst his family rise, his Christmas spirit dampens, opening the door for a visit from Krampus. The family is left to fight for their lives against evil spirits inhabiting gingerbread cookies, toys, and holiday decorations.

12. Anna and the Apocalypse (Prime Video/Hulu)

Ready for a mouthful? Christmas British horror-comedy musical. As a zombie outbreak occurs during the night of the school Christmas show, a group of students must overcome their interpersonal struggles to fight their way to safety and their families during the holidays. I don't typically enjoy British comedy and while this movie doesn't necessarily change that, I did enjoy some of the hijinks and kills in the film. It's a light-hearted zombie musical that is driven by its emotional center and not too terrible musical moments.

11. A Christmas Horror Story (Shudder)

It wouldn't be a true horror movie list if there wasn't an anthology film included. Bringing to life four barely-and-not-really interconnected dark tales during the Christmas season, each of which is better than the last. The first is a ghost story that doesn't really seem to fit the narrative, the second involves a changeling, the third is a Krampus story, and the final and best story has Santa versus infected elves that ends with a twist that brings the entire film full circle.

TOP 10 CHRISTMAS WATCHLIST

Let's get this out of the way,

10. A Muppet Christmas Carol (Disney+)

You already know the classic tale of Ebenezer Scrooge learning the meaning of Christmas and opening his cold and stingy heart to others. I just prefer that I watch the version narrated by Gonzo and his rat friend Rizzo. Growing up with the Muppets, I'll never turn down the chance to watch Fozzy, Kermit, and other of Jim Henson's creations share their stories with the world.

9. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (VOD)

It can't be Christmas without the Griswalds. Perhaps the most accurate Christmas movie ever made, the Griswalds try SO HARD to maintain an old-fashioned joyful Christmas. However, visiting family members, financial strains, and electrical issues lead to a misunderstanding and a kidnapping. Is one man enough to make sure his family has the perfect Christmas when everything is going wrong?

8. The Night Before (VOD)

Having lived far from and not being close to 99% of my relatives, my friends and chosen family have remained holiday staples, which is what this movie is all about. As the lives of three friends are about to change, they plan one last Christmas Eve of shenanigans with each other. Finally landing the possibility of attending the the most extravagant and secret Christmas party of the year, the Nutcracker Ball, the guys must overcome a number of drug-related difficulties to to make their own personal growth and come to terms with their uncertain futures.

7. The Family Stone (HBOMax)

You can't have Christmas without a little love and drama. The Family Stone always makes my list because 1. it is one of very few movies that can make me tear up and 2. Rachel McAdams. But really, it has a thoughtful message about acceptance and family, love and loss. A bit of an ensemble cast, the movie has enough laughs and strong acting to overcome the thick laying of tragedy that almost borders the line of being too depressing for the holidays.

6. Christmas with the Kranks (Fubo/VOD)

Have you ever wanted to skip the craziness of the Christmas season? Perhaps put all the money you would spend on Christmas into a vacation instead? Well, the Kranks had that exact idea after their daughter went to volunteer in the Peace Corps for the holidays. Ostracized by their Christmas-loving neighborhood, they may be the Kranks only hope when their daughter gives them an unexpected Christmas surprise. No one can escape the perils of lights and decorations.

5. Elf (Starz/VOD)

I'm not sure which I love more: watching this movie or the exorbitant amount of sweets I eat while doing so. After being raised in the North Pole, Buddy the Elf travels to New York to meet his biological father and save him from the Naughty List. While navigating this foreign world, Buddy's elf-ness is met with much resistance and when Santa ends up in trouble, Buddy must remind his new family (and the rest of NY) what the Christmas spirit is all about. Just 1 of 2 Will Ferrell movies I actually like. Can you guess the other one?

4. I'll Be Home for Christmas (Disney+)

While Jonathan Taylor Thomas was stealing the hearts of 90's teens, he was the idiot I watched make a simple Christmas trip home overly complicated. Go home for Christmas, date Jessica Biel, and drive a Porsche. Great rewards always come with the bumpiest roads and trying to get from California to New York for Christmas becomes extremely bumpy for Taylor Thomas's Jake. From the sleazy guy trying to steal Jake's girlfriend to getting pulled over with a van of stolen goods, this is an enjoyable trip of seeing the ways Jake gets out of one situation to the next.

3. Jingle All the Way (Fubo/VOD)

There was always a toy. For most of my childhood, it was always the current Power Rangers Megazord. If there was only ONE present I got, that is what I wanted it to be. Jingle All The Way is the story of what happens when Arnold Schwarzenegger doesn't get his the most popular toy of the year and the lengths he will go to not only find a Turbo Man action figure, but also repair the rift his overworked self has created with his family. I mean, it's not like anyone in their right mind wants Booster. This is my superhero Christmas movie.

2. The Santa Clause (Disney+)

My number 1 Christmas movie for many years, The Santa Clause has everything a Christmas film needs. The lore, decorations, family drama, flying elves, the North Pole, and, of course, Santa himself: Tim Allen. If you don't like this movie, I have no choice but to believe you don't like Christmas. So much of Christmas is about belief, whatever that belief may be about, and Tim Allen will have you believing in one man's ability to bring joy to the world. This movie led to many years of me hoping to knock Santa off the roof so that I could fall victim to the "Santa Clause".

1. How the nch Stole Christmas (Netflix)

"Where are you Christmas, why can't I find you....". I have come to love this movie so much, that "Where are You Christmas" has become my favorite Christmas song. The comedic genius of Jim Carrey who puts every ounce of his heart into portraying this character paired with the adorable Taylor Momsen (now bad ass rockstar from The Pretty Reckless) greatly retells Dr. Seuss's classic Christmas tale. Can Cindy Lou Who's belief in the Grinch help grow his little heart and fill him with Christmas joy? Spoiler alert, hell yeah she can.

---

WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE CHRISTMAS MOVIE?