Best Christmas movies: 10 classic Xmas films to stream on Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon - from Elf to Home Alone

Here are some top Christmas movies you can stream right now through Prime, Disney+, Sky, and more
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With the countdown to Christmas officially on, there’s no better way to get into the festive spirit than sticking on some festive films.

Home Alone, Love Actually, Elf (and, yes, even Die Hards 1 and 2) are popular choices for the Christmas period, but with so many to choose from, it can be difficult to know where to start when it comes to picking a Christmas film.

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With the festive season officially upon us, here are 10 Christmas classics you can stream right now.

(If you’re after something a bit more contemporary, check out our list of the best Christmas films to watch from 2021)

The Nightmare Before Christmas

(Image: Buena Vista Pictures Distribution)(Image: Buena Vista Pictures Distribution)
(Image: Buena Vista Pictures Distribution)

What is it? Perfectly straddling the period between Halloween and Christmas, Tim Burton’s timeless animation remains beautifully relevant in the final portion of the year.

Starting off with one foot firmly in Halloween town (quite literally), by the end of the film’s runtime, Jack Skellington’s infectious obsession with Christmas will leave you in no doubt of this festive classic’s status.

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Where can I watch it? Stream on Disney+, or to buy or rent from Google Play, Amazon or the Sky Store

Die Hard

(Photo: 20th Century Fox)(Photo: 20th Century Fox)
(Photo: 20th Century Fox)

What is it? The perennial festive-time argument over whether Die Hard truly is a Christmas film (Christmassy setting, not-so Christmassy themes) will likely roll on forever.

But maybe this year it will be joined by another contentious topic of debate: why is the often violent, sweary action thriller classic snuggling up to Mickey Mouse on Disney+?

Where can I watch it? Stream on Disney+, or to buy or rent from Google Play, Amazon or the Sky Store

Arthur Christmas

(Photo: Sony Pictures Releasing)(Photo: Sony Pictures Releasing)
(Photo: Sony Pictures Releasing)
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What is it? When one of the 600 million kids set to receive a gift from Santa on Christmas is accidentally left out, Arthur Claus takes it upon himself to make sure no child is left behind.

Embarking on an unauthorised mission to deliver one last present before sunrise on Christmas day, accident-prone Arthur will do anything in his power to keep the magic of Christmas alive.

Where can I watch it? Stream with a Cinema Pass on NowTV, or to buy or rent from Google Play, Amazon or the Sky Store

Klaus

(Image: Netflix)(Image: Netflix)
(Image: Netflix)

What is it? When Jesper finds himself to be the Postal Academy’s worst student, he is sent to Smeerensburg, a small village situated on an icy island above the Arctic Circle.

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It’s here that he meets a reclusive toymaker called Klaus, and the two strike up a rather unlikely friendship.

Where can I watch it? Stream on Netflix

Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey

(Photo: Netflix)(Photo: Netflix)
(Photo: Netflix)

What is it? After his book of ideas, and a unique matador doll, is stolen by his assistant, toymaker Jeronicus loses the spark to create new toys.

Decades after the betrayal, the once-joyful toymaker finds new hope after his kind and curious granddaughter comes into his life.

Where can I watch it? Stream on Netflix

Elf

(Photo: New Line Cinema)(Photo: New Line Cinema)
(Photo: New Line Cinema)

What is it? Elf is a Christmas classic and a firm fan favourite in the festive film category. After discovering his true identity as a human, Buddy the Elf decides to leave Santa’s workshop in a bid to find his real father.

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Unfortunately for Buddy, it turns out that his father, Walter Hobbs, is a cynical businessman who is a permanent resident on Santa’s naughty list.

Buddy takes it upon himself to bring Christmas cheer back into his family’s life as he learns to navigate the real world away from the North Pole.

Where can I watch it? Stream with a Cinema Pass on NowTV, or to buy or rent from Google Play, Amazon or the Sky Store

The Muppet Christmas Carol

(Photo: Buena Vista Pictures Distribution)(Photo: Buena Vista Pictures Distribution)
(Photo: Buena Vista Pictures Distribution)

What is it? The Muppets take on the classic Christmas story from Charles Dickens, telling the tale of miser extraordinaire Ebenezer Scrooge.

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When Scrooge is visited by the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future, he learns the errors of his ways and has his eyes opened to the true meaning of Christmas.

Where can I watch it? Stream on Disney+, or to buy or rent from Google Play, Amazon or the Sky Store

The Santa Clause

(Photo: Buena Vista Pictures)(Photo: Buena Vista Pictures)
(Photo: Buena Vista Pictures)

What is it? When Scott Calvin and his son discover that the real Santa Claus has fallen off their roof and has been rendered unconscious, Santa’s emergency card dictates that Scott must take his place.

Upon putting on the iconic red Santa suit, Scott unwittingly becomes the new Santa Claus.

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Where can I watch it? Stream on Disney+, or to buy or rent from Google Play, Amazon or the Sky Store

Home Alone

(Photo: 20th Century Fox)(Photo: 20th Century Fox)
(Photo: 20th Century Fox)

What is it? After accidentally being left behind by his family when they head out on their Christmas holiday to Paris, it’s up to eight-year-old Kevin McCallister to protect the family home from two sneaky burglars.

However, anyone who thinks that Kevin is an easy target is sorely mistaken - a fact that the pair of thieves are set to find out the hard way.

Where can I watch it? Stream on Disney+, or to buy or rent from Google Play, Amazon or the Sky Store

Love Actually

(Photo: Universal Pictures)(Photo: Universal Pictures)
(Photo: Universal Pictures)
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What is it? Love Actually is a Christmas classic, featuring a star studded cast including Hugh Grant, Colin Firth, Laura Linney, Alan Rickman, Bill Nighy, Emma Thompson, Keira Knightly, Liam Neeson, and more.

It tells the story of eight different couples and their love lives in the run up to Christmas, in a variety of loosely interconnected tales.

Where can I watch it? Stream on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, or to buy or rent from Google Play, Amazon or the Sky Store

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