The Best Christmas Movies for Adults (and Where to Stream them)

Considering how stressful the festive season can be these days, many people are choosing to turn to the world of movies to cope with the situation. Whether you're looking for a feel-good movie to replenish your dwindling festive spirit or a laugh-out-loud Christmas comedy to distract you from your long to-do list, Tinsel-town tends to have an answer for everything.

While not all Christmas movies are suitable for families, some are better enjoyed alone or with a more mature group. That's not to say that none of these movies are suitable for kids, but there are much better Christmas movie choices for kids elsewhere.

Updated by Tom Bowen on December 12, 2024: There is a lot to love about Christmas, from spending time with loved ones to giving and receiving gifts. But one of the best things about the festive season is having the opportunity to sit down and enjoy a good Christmas movie, with so many options available on the latest streaming platforms. The best Christmas movies for adults can take viewers right back to their childhood, or provide a few good laughs at a time that can be quite stressful for those with growing responsibilities. For adults looking to escape for a few hours this holiday season, these adult Christmas movies are worth a watch. As the streaming service lineup continues to change, we've updated this list to make it easier to find each movie.

1 spirited

Rotten Tomatoes score: 71%

When most people sit and watch spiritedThey'll wonder why Apple didn't just make a product. elf continue. In fact, that question will still linger even when the credits start rolling. spirited When all is said and done, it still doesn't make for a charming and entertaining Christmas movie.

that christmas carols– The inspired film stars Will Ferrell as the Ghost of Christmas Present, determined to help Ryan Reynolds' Clint Briggs character change his ways. But he soon discovers that the person he needs help changing is himself, and that his motivations for choosing Clint are much more personal than he was willing to admit.

2 judgment

Rotten Tomatoes score: 73% (Certified Fresh)

judgment It may not have been the best Christmas movie for adults since the '90s, but it's still an incredibly fun movie nonetheless. It is a comedy drama about a cat that breaks into a house and takes a bickering couple hostage after being kicked out by its accomplice.

Despite the potential for dark and suspicious moments, the film deals more with the lighter side of the situation, with the would-be robber helping the couple work through their lingering personal issues. Full of fun moments, judgment It's surprisingly relatable and worth a look this Christmas.

3 fat man

Rotten Tomatoes score: 44%

If you're looking for a darker atmosphere this Christmas, you might want to check it out. fat man: A 2020 indie film starring Mel Gibson and Walton Goggins. We see jolly old Saint Nick agreeing to produce military equipment for the US government to make up for the loss of income from his faltering toy manufacturing business. Bad list.

One such kid is Billy Wenan, a spoiled rich kid who expects everything to be handed to him on a plate. Billy vows revenge on Santa when he finds a lump of coal in his stocking instead of the gift he wanted. Billy even hired a hitman to take out Chris Cringle. Here's a mix of action and comedy worth checking out.

4 A Very Harold and Kumar Christmas

Rotten Tomatoes score: 68%

While it's great to see Kal Penn and John Cho's roles becoming bigger and bigger, their success in recent years has had a negative impact on the film world. Harold & Kumar Movie franchise. It's been over 10 years since the last time. H&K Although the movie has been released, fans have not received any firm confirmation that there will be a sequel. A Very Harold and Kumar Christmas During that period, we may see the light someday.

Like the other two Harold & Kumar movie, A Very Harold and Kumar Christmas It's incredibly stupid, a product of its time. Neil Patrick Harris comes into his own once again, and his famous character's drug-addled escapades offer a more viewer-friendly alternative to characters like: Cheech and Chong and friday trilogy.

5 bad santa

Rotten Tomatoes score: 78% (Certified Fresh)

• Available on Amazon Prime Video, Paramount Plus, and Pluto

bad santa It's a film that takes great pride in its vulgarity and often acts much ruder than it actually needs to be. So while it can be a bit cheesy in some parts, for the most part the writing feels very faithful to the characters. With all of this in mind, for those looking for a Christmas-themed movie that will make you laugh, it doesn't get much better than this.

Billy Bob Thornton brings a true gift for acting that stands in stark contrast to his other major roles. The supporting actors, especially Tony Cox, also play their roles well. Unfortunately, the 2016 sequel doesn't come close to matching the original in any department. But it did help show that the humor in the original was actually pretty well measured, rather than just throwing in profanity and vulgar one-liners from the author. This is to shock the audience.

6 die hard

Rotten Tomatoes score: 94% (Certified Fresh)

• Available on Amazon Prime Video, AMC+, Fubo, Hulu, tbs, TNT, and Tru TV

Although Bruce Willis himself likes to keep it that way. die hard Even though it's not really a Christmas movie, the majority still tend to view it as one. It's a little strange in that respect. deadly weapon The movie is also set around Christmas, but it rarely comes up in conversations about festive movies. Some might argue that this is simply because: die hard It's a much better movie though.

In John McClane and Hans Gruber die hard It boasts one of the most memorable, not to mention the most compelling hero/villain combinations of all time. The near-constant banter between the two perfectly highlights the film's great action scenes and is just one of the many reasons tens of thousands of people sit down and watch. die hard Every year during Christmas.

7 Close your eyes wide

Rotten Tomatoes score: 76% (Certified Fresh)

• Available on Amazon Prime Video, Fubo, and Paramount Plus

For the more cynical movie lovers, Close your eyes wide It does a fantastic job of criticizing the increasingly consumerist nature of Christmas. The ornate backdrop helps give the film a festive feel, but much of the on-screen dialogue focuses on spending rather than celebration. It may be a bit depressing, but it's also a fairly accurate representation of a modern-day Christmas.

Close your eyes wide It was Stanley Kubrick's final gift to the world, as the legendary director died just six days after delivering the final cut to the higher-ups at Warner Bros. Some have questioned whether it was actually completed before Kubrick's death. It remains a great film regardless, and one that every film buff should see at least once in their lifetime.

8 home alone

Rotten Tomatoes score: 66%

• Available on Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and Fubo

There were first two home alone If the films had been released in 2021 instead of the '90s, they would almost certainly have been rated PG-13 due to the outrageous amount of slapstick violence contained in each. But one thing that hasn't changed is the humor found throughout the film, which is still just as funny today as it was 30 years ago.

It's so fun to watch Hank and Marv continue to make fools of themselves for their 8-year-old. The same goes for Kevin's attempts to become an adult after accepting being left alone. There's also an element of nostalgia, as most adult Americans have seen the original film at some point in the '90s. Many of them multiple times.

9 It's a wonderful life

Rotten Tomatoes score: 94% (Certified Fresh)

• Available on Amazon Prime Video

Loosely based on the work of Dickens christmas carols, It's a wonderful life It is widely regarded as one of the greatest films of all time. Not to mention one of the best Christmas movies ever. This is perhaps a bit ironic, since when it was first released in 1946, the film failed to break even at the box office and received mixed reviews from critics, despite being nominated for five Academy Awards. In fact, if it weren't for a clerical error that caused the film to be released to the public in early 1974, it probably wouldn't be as revered as it is today.

The aforementioned error allowed broadcasters to show the film without having to pay royalties. This meant that it was frequently shown on several stations during the annual festival period. This has made it an iconic and ever-present seasonal fixture. It is still maintained in many homes to this day. The film has been colorized in recent years to better conform to modern standards, but the original still holds up fairly well.

10 nightmare before christmas

Rotten Tomatoes score: 95% (Certified Fresh)

nightmare before christmas It began life as a poem written by a young Disney animator in the early 80s. But just over a decade later, the film has become one of the most successful Christmas movies of all time, grossing over $90 million at the box office and wowing critics and audiences alike with its fantastic stop-motion animation and incredible artwork. solo.

Due to the rapid advancement in CGI technology and the more intuitive animation technology available in modern times, nightmare before christmas Admittedly, it is no longer as much of a spectacle as it once was. That doesn't make the story or characters any less magical, and these developments don't take away from the nostalgic happiness that revisiting the film can still evoke nearly 30 years after its original release.