Festive films have now become a popular Christmas tradition as audiences snuggle down to enjoy everything from familiar favourites to the new festive films each year.
And now with so many different streaming platforms available viewers are spoilt for choice over which seasonal film to choose.
If you need help deciding, here is a handy guide to the familiar favourites, family hits, and new Christmas films this year – and where you can find them.
Familiar Favourites
These are the classic films, which simply have to be watched at Christmas time and can not be missed.
It’s A Wonderful Life
This Christmas classic from 1946 shows the heartwarming tale of George Bailey (James Stewart) , a businessman, who is feeling suicidal. An angel named Clarence is sent to help him. He decides to show Bailey what life would have been like if he wasn’t born.
How to watch: Amazon Prime, All Four, Now TV, and Sky.
Love Actually
Christmas is not Christmas without watching Hugh Grant as the Prime Minister and the whole host of other stars in the film, including Kiera Knightly and Gavin & Stacey’s Joanna Page.
How to watch: Netflix and Amazon Prime.
The Holiday
Another great Christmas rom-com is The Holiday as two girls (Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet) swap their lives to then go on to fall in love with local guys.
How to watch: Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Sky.
Scrooged
Based on the Charles Dickens Christmas book, A Christmas Carol, Scrooged is an ’80s take on the classic Christmas tale starring Billy Murray.
How to watch: Now TV and Amazon Prime.
Gremlins
This slightly different Christmas film and an ’80s classic features the havoc-causing mini-monsters who appear after Billy (Zach Galligan) fails to follow the strict rules about looking after his new pet Mogwai, Gizmo.
How to watch: Now TV and Sky
Die Hard
Despite often being up for debate if it is a Christmas film, Die Hard is on many people’s Christmas film lists and this action film about a hostage situation can be seen as a Christmas classic.
How to watch: Disney+
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
This Christmas comedy about a family’s disastrous attempt to create a good Christmas is sure to have you in stitches.
How to watch: Amazon Prime
Bad Santa
Maybe not one to watch with your Nan is a Christmas comedy about two thieves who do not celebrate Christmas in the normal way.
How to watch: Now TV and Sky
Family Hits
If you have little ones, or perhaps older ‘little ones’, and these films are sure to have them giggling and feeling the Christmas spirit.
Elf
Everyone loves Elf and the main character Buddy with his absolute love for Christmas and his excitement will easily spread across the family.
How to watch: Now TV and Amazon Prime
Home Alone
Another Christmas classic is Home Alone as the iconic character of Kevin enjoys having the house to himself until thieves try to break into his home.
How to watch: Disney+
The Polar Express
This Christmas train film takes a young boy on an epic Christmas Eve adventure to the North Pole in the cosy tale.
How to watch: Now TV and Sky
Arthur Christmas
The star of the show in this Christmas film is Santa’s son Arthur and he sets out to deliver a very special present.
How to watch: Netflix, Sky, and Now TV
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
Rivalling Scrooge for the biggest Christmas hater is the Grinch in his home of Whoville but can he be convinced to love Christmas by the sweet six-year-old girl Cindy Lou?
How to watch: Netflix, Sky, and Now TV
Santa Claus: The Movie
Going back to the origin of Santa Claus and his adventure to save one of his elves in the modern day this film is a cosy classic.
How to watch: Sky and Now TV
A Christmas Story
Another throwback Christmas classic is the 1983 A Christmas Story that is sure to be a hit with all the family.
How to watch: Amazon Prime
Best TV streaming sites
If you’re choosing to stay in and watch a bit of TV then there are a range of deals on offer at the moment via Sky, BT, Amazon, Netflix, Disney + and NOWTV.
- Watch TV shows and films exclusive to Amazon Prime for £7.99 a month
- Sky TV have an entertainment package for £27 a month for 18 months, or get Sky TV and Sky Sports for £41 a month.
- Disney+ have Disney shows, films and the new Star channel for £7.99 a month or £79.90 for the year
- You can get a TV package with BT which includes Sky channels and a NOW membership for as low as £12 a month (with existing broadband).
- NOW TV have entertainment, cinema, sports or hayu memberships available, starting from £25 month, cancel anytime.
- Netflix’s streaming service offers a wide variety of TV shows, films and documentaries, memberships cost from £5.99 a month.
