Binging a few funny Christmas movies in the weeks leading up to the big winter holidays can inject a bit of levity back into an otherwise stressful season. Find out which of your quintessential Christmas comedy picks made our coveted naughty list this year.
Classic Christmas Comedies for a Snowy Night
You can find all of these famous Christmas comedies playing on rotation throughout the holiday season. Whether it's a wild family romp or a puppet masterpiece, these films are the best balm for a cold December evening.
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)
Get ready for more Griswold family exploits in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. Written by legendary writer/director, John Hughes, this late-80s installment in the National Lampoon series holds a mirror up to what Christmas actually looks like when all of your stubborn, zany, and strong-willed family members get together under one roof.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
Legendary comedian, Jim Carrey, brings Dr. Seuss's beloved Christmas grump to life in this early Millenium live-action remake of the previous animated classic, How the Grinch Stole Christmas. As Carrey's improvisation gives the film its best comedic moments, you can immerse yourself in the Grinch's backstory and see what exactly made him hate Christmas and the Whos so much.
Christmas With the Kranks (2004)
We've all thought about throwing in the towel on a holiday or two as the imminent pressure mounts. Yet, Christmas with the Kranks, starring Jamie Lee Curtis, Tim Allen, and Dan Aykroyd, explores one family's disastrous experience trying to do just that when their daughter decides to spend her Christmas abroad. Only, she changes her mind last minute, and with the whole neighborhood pitching in, the Kranks try to bring her childhood Christmas back to life.
A Christmas Story (1983)
If you've ever wanted a snapshot into what Christmas was like in the mid-20th century, then A Christmas Story is the best movie to transport you there. Focusing on one man's retelling of a Christmas season in his childhood, you can look forward to hilarious moments involving frozen poles, sexy lamps, and a dangerous, but seriously wanted Christmas present.
Jingle All the Way (1996)
Let Arnold Schwarzenegger's unique brand of comedy light up Christmas this year in 1996's Jingle All the Way. One father's promise to get his son the incredible Turbo Man action figure as a Christmas present goes awry once he realizes that every store in town is sold out.
Elf (2003)
Christmas would be remiss without re-watching Will Ferrell's unstoppable performance in Elf as Buddy the Elf. Watch Buddy navigate learning about his adoption and the rocky road he goes out on to meet, and belong to, his human family. With acting stalwarts and seasoned 'straight men' like James Caan and Bob Newhart on the call sheet, this movie turns into Ferrell's playground as he launches into Christmas trees, downs handfuls of cotton balls, and stuffs his face full of chocolate syrup-covered spaghetti.
The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
Starring everyone's beloved puppet group and famous actor Michael Caine, The Muppet Christmas Carol is the perfect humorous way to enjoy Charles Dickens' literary masterpiece. With Caine as the non-charitable Scrooge and the Muppets filling in all the other roles, you're sure to have a roaring time watching this film.
White Christmas (1954)
White Christmas is Bing Crosby at his best. Detailing two duo song-and-dance acts as they draw closer to one another in their attempts to save a failing inn that used to belong to the former soldier's commanding general, this studio-era film brings a sense of musical joy to many people's favorite holiday.
Deck the Halls (2006)
Matthew Broderick and Danny DeVito duke it out in this hilarious, though often forgotten, Christmas movie. The two clash as one of them decorates his house with so many Christmas lights that it can be seen for miles around. Hopefully, this movie doesn't replicate your own life, and your neighbors aren't risking blinding you with their holiday spirit.
Christmas in Connecticut (1945)
This lesser-known Barbara Stanwyck film from 1945 puts the dramatic actress into a rare comedic role as she portrays a dishonest food writer who has to put on the show of being a perfect housewife when her boss invites himself over for Christmas. If you're a fan of the classics, this is a must-watch for you.
Love Actually (2003)
As timeless as Mariah Carey's All I Want for Christmas is You, Love Actually follows several different people's storylines across a few weeks leading up to Christmas. With an absolutely star-studded cast, this Christmas movie will break your heart, have you in tears, and give you more laughs than you can handle over the course of about two hours.
Gremlins (1984)
Gremlins ranks up there with Die Hard as one of the most unusual Christmas movies. A thriller Christmas comedy, this '80s film shows audiences just what will happen to your mogwai if you feed it after midnight. Despite their dastardly actions, you'll probably find yourself wishing you could get one as a Christmas gift yourself.
Scrooged (1988)
If you want a modernized interpretation of Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol, Scrooged is the film for you. Starring Bill Murray, this film follows a cynical TV executive as three ghosts remind him of his love for Christmas.
It Happened on 5th Avenue (1947)
Losing out to Miracle on 34th Street at the Academy Awards, this post-war Christmas film details two homeless men's experiences taking over a mansion, inviting other homeless GIs over, and the mansion owner's daughter's romantic affair with one of them during the holiday season.
Related: 18 Christmas Horror Movies That Will Chill You to the Bone
Kid's Christmas Comedies the Whole Family Can Enjoy
You're never too old to enjoy a kid's movie, and these children's Christmas movies are some of the best. Relive the magic of your childhood Christmases with these family-friendly films.
Home Alone (1990)
Every Millennial's favorite Christmas movie as a kid, Home Alone, launched actor Macaulay Culkin's career. Turn on this movie to see how one kid left behind by his family for a Christmas vacation turns his house into a death trap to fight off two persistent thieves.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (1983)
A deep-cut '80s movie, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is based on a 1970s children's novel of the same name. Follow one teacher's worst holiday season as they wrangle to get the most difficult kids in the school to put together the annual Christmas pageant. You can read the book and watch the movie just in time for Christmas this year.
New kids get up to familiar holiday hijinks in the recently released 2024 remake of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.
A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
Originally featured in the Peanuts comic strip, Charlie Brown wrestles with the true meaning of Christmas in this animated installment of the Charlie Brown holiday movies. Best known for bringing the world the "Charlie Brown Christmas tree," this film is a great one if you want to be reminded of the sentiments behind the famous holiday.
I'll Be Home For Christmas (1998)
Nineties teen heartthrob Jonathan Taylor Thomas stars in Disney's late-90s Christmas film, I'll Be Home For Christmas. Bearing an unexpected resemblance to the Hangover's premise, Thomas — a young college student — finds himself stranded in the desert just a few days before Christmas with no money and no way to get back the thousands of miles it takes to get home.
The Christmas Chronicles (2018)
Real-life partners, Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell, star in this Netflix original Christmas movie. They bring Mr. and Mrs. Claus to life in this funny, adventurous film that shows what happens when two siblings cross paths with the Clauses. The movie was popular enough that there's also a sequel you and your family can queue up once you've finished the first.
Noelle (2019)
Pitch Perfect alum, Anna Kendrick, takes a turn for the magically songful in Disney's Noelle. Starring as Noelle, one of Santa's children, Kendrick goes on a search to find her lost brother, who's in charge of Christmas this year, just in time to save the holidays.
Cool Runnings (1993)
Definitely not your typical run-of-the-mill Christmas movie, this incredibly fun film follows Jamaica's first bobsled team as they train for the Winter Olympics. If you want a break from the sugary holiday films but still want to enjoy something that'll keep you cool, Cool Runnings is for you.
The Year Without a Santa Claus (1974)
One of the best, underrated claymation Christmas movies is The Year Without a Santa Claus. With children's growing indifference for Christmas and holiday cheer hanging over his head, Santa falls sick one year and decides to cancel Christmas. See how Santa's decision brings the world together in ways he never could have imagined in this '70s animated movie.
Trolls Holiday (2017)
For some sing-along fun, watch Disney's short film Trolls Holiday which revisits Princess Poppy and the other trolls as they show their once enemies — the Bergens — how they celebrate the holiday season.
Santa Girl (2019)
Santa Girl follows Cassie Claus (Jennifer Stone), the daughter of Santa Claus, as she breaks away from her father's strict household and attends university. With the ultimatum that she's going to marry Jack Frost's son after one semester lingering hanging over her head, Cassie is forced to juggle love, academics, and the family business as she finds the independence to decide what she really wants out of life.
Prancer (1989)
One of the many childhood dreams surrounding the Christmas holidays is finding a real-life reindeer. The 1989 film, Prancer, lets you do just that through the eyes of an eight-year-old girl named Jessica Riggs who stumbles across one of Santa's reindeer and has to figure out how to bring him back home in time for Christmas.
Dear Santa (2024)
Jack Black takes another spin around the kids' movie block with his new Christmas classic, Dear Santa. Full of that magnetic School of Rock zest as the mistakenly summoned Satan, Jack Black wreaks havoc on a practically incorruptible kid. This one's full of big sets and bigger laughs, and bound to bring you some holiday cheer.
Adult Christmas Comedies Perfect for After Bedtime
Once you've put the kids to bed, it's time to break out these mature Christmas comedies. Made of rougher stuff than the tooth-rotting fluff of most Hallmark movies, these films will pair perfectly with a tall glass of eggnog.
Tyler Perry's A Madea Christmas (2013)
Another installment in Tyler Perry's stage-to-screen Madea series, A Madea Christmas, follows cantankerous Madea as she brings her unique brand of help to a struggling rural town during the holidays. Filled with hilarious moments and sentimental underpinnings, Perry's work continues to impress.
Bad Santa (2003)
This early 2000s film takes two conmen who use the ruse of dressing up as Santa and one of his elves and get put on a better path when they encounter a troubled kid. John Ritter, Bernie Mac, and Tony Cox bring their comedic a-game to this Christmas comedy.
Four Christmases (2008)
Reese Witherspoon and Vince Neil team up in this hilarious family-oriented comedy which heightens many people's real-life experiences of trying to visit everyone's divorced parents before the holidays are out. You might want to pass on this movie if you're already feeling the stress of scheduling Christmas with the family, though.
A Bad Moms Christmas (2017)
Mila Kunis, Kathryn Hahn, and Kristen Bell return as the dynamic comedic trio in this sequel to their hit, Bad Moms. Watch as these wildly different moms fight to make it through the holiday season while dealing with their own difficult mothers breathing down their necks.
Office Christmas Party (2016)
The stakes are high in Office Christmas Party where Jennifer Aniston's domineering CEO character gives her brother an ultimatum — close an important deal with a difficult client by Christmas or lose his half of the company. Their office Christmas party is like none that you've ever been to.
Fred Claus (2007)
Vince Vaughn stars in another Christmas movie, alongside Paul Giamatti, Kathy Bates, Rachel Weisz, and John Michael Higgins. Vaughn plays one of two Claus brothers, who is notorious for rebelling against his family's legacy and leaving his other brother, Nicholas, up to the task of keeping Christmas running. Yet, much like everyone with a sibling, Nicholas has to juggle proving his work's efficiency while keeping his criminal brother on the straight and narrow.
The Holiday (2006)
The Holiday is a beloved Christmas movie starring famed actress Kate Winslet, Jude Law, Cameron Diaz, and Jack Black as two despondent women swap places with one another for a holiday season. Switching back and forth between England and Hollywood, the two unlikely romances that unfold will have you wishing for Christmas love.
Happiest Season (2020)
This LGBTQ+ comedy grounds itself in Kristen Stewart and Mackenzie Davis' performances as a committed couple who have secrets they don't want to be revealed at their upcoming family get-together. Aubrey Plaza and Dan Levy bring their comedic flair to round out this fun, modern Christmas comedy.
A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas (2011)
A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas finds best pals and legendary stoners, Harold and Kumar, estranged from one another. After many years apart, the two friends reunite to travel around the country looking for the best replacement for Harold's father's prized Christmas tree. Harold and Kumar fans will get a kick out of this addition to the series.
El Camino Christmas (2017)
A Netflix original, El Camino Christmas details how one man, on the search for his unknown father, ends up locked inside a liquor store with five other people on Christmas Eve. A black comedy for those with a wry sense of humor, this Christmas movie is there for you when you're at your wits end with holiday cheer.
The Night Before (2015)
Seth Rogen and Joseph Gordon-Levitt team up again with this R-rated Christmas comedy. Along with Anthony Mackie, the three men traipse around New York City on Christmas Eve in search of the holy grail of Christmas parties. Visually and tonally similar to most Seth Rogen films, if you've liked his work before, you're sure to like this one too.
Mixed Nuts (1994)
Steve Martin is as consistently funny as always in this Christmas comedy, Mixed Nuts. A film that takes place over just one night, see how Martin and a whole cast of characters react to the troubles that come through on their crisis hotline one holiday evening.
Jack Frost (1998)
Michael Keaton invokes his unmatched comedic stamp on this early CGI Christmas comedy, Jack Frost. Keaton's character dies in a car accident, leaving behind a wife and young child, but just a year later, he returns as a snowman and is given a unique opportunity to right the wrongs he left unresolved with his son before his death.
Ernest Saves Christmas (1988)
Kids who grew up in the late '80s and '90s are incredibly familiar with the gummy, bumbling, well-intentioned Ernest and his whacky antics. Watch Jim Varney continue to amaze audiences as the titular Ernest as he works with Santa Claus to find an appropriate successor in the movie Ernest Saves Christmas.
Last Christmas (2019)
A heartwrenchingly sentimental black comedy, Last Christmas follows a troubled young woman as she hits rock bottom and tries to create a better life for herself while falling in love with the mysterious Tom. However, the film has an unexpected twist ending you just won't want to miss.
The Knight Before Christmas (2019)
The Knight Before Christmas took the romantic world by storm in 2019 thanks to its decidedly Hallmark-ian plotline and Netflix studio budget. Watch a Medieval knight adjust to the modern world as he falls into the future and in love. As you can expect, the movie's sweetness is balanced by its predictable comedy and is a definite must-watch for all of the holiday romance fans out there.
Get Santa (2014)
Santa can't catch a break in this unique Christmas comedy. After going on the run from the police and ending up hiding out in a father and son's home, Santa Claus has to rely on those around him to help get him back to his home in time for Christmas.
Surviving Christmas (2004)
Discover the trials of being an unlikable millionaire in this early 2000s Christmas comedy starring Ben Affleck, Christina Applegate, James Gandolfini, and Catherine O'Hara. Affleck's millionaire character finds himself paying people to act as his family one Christmas, leading to all sorts of hijinks.
Hot Frosty (2024)
Look out, Hallmark, Netflix is winning at the holiday rom-com game. The big Christmas rom-com to sweep streamers in 2024 is Hot Frosty, starring Hallmark legend Lacey Chabert. While Lacey brings all the charm of a seasoned rom-com star as a widowed woman managing Christmas alone, Dustin Milligan serves up a refreshingly silly take on the love interest as a former snowman and newly minted hot human. It's this side of cheesy, but you'll fall just as in love with Jack Snowman as the frostbitten townsfolk before you know it.
'Twas the Movie Night Before Christmas
Be sure to add a few Christmas comedies to your movie night lineup before the magical season's gone. Melt away the stress of buying gifts, cooking dinners, and visiting family with one of these funny Christmas movies.
