A few hours before Christmas, while it’s getting colder and colder, we only want one thing: to bundle up under a huge blanket in front of the TV and drink a good hot chocolate. It is therefore the perfect time to (re)see the great Christmas classics, just to immerse yourself in the magical holiday atmosphere. After careful consideration and many editorial debates, discover our selection of must-see Christmas films. And there is something for everyone.
1/ The Express Center
If I have a favorite during this period, it’s The Express Pole. It’s simple: it’s the Christmas movie that I watch every year without exception. Released in 2004, this animated film by Robert Zemeckis is one of the best Christmas tales. The Express Poleit’s the story of a little boy who doubts the existence of Santa Claus. On the night of December 24 to 25, he is invited to board a strange train, heading to the North Pole. A magical adventure awaits…
First film shot entirely in motion capture, The Express Pole definitely stands out from the crowd. Magical, enchanting, touching, it is the animated Christmas film par excellence, which will please young and old alike. A few days before Christmas, this film allows us to reconnect with our inner child. And that feels good. The Express Pole is available on MAX.
2/ Mom, I missed the plane!
It’s a huge classic. And it’s always good to see again Mom, I missed the plane! when the end of year holidays arrive. While the McCallister family decides to spend the holidays in Paris, the parents realize that they left the youngest at home. If Kevin is at first desperate, he quickly ends up enjoying these moments of freedom. Well… Until two burglars attacked his house. But they don’t know who they are dealing with! Cult and hilarious, this film released in 1990 has not aged a bit since. It can be (re)watched on Disney+ without moderation from now on.
In view of the success, Mom, I missed the plane! had several sequels. And the sixth part, Mom, I missed the plane! (it starts again) showed up on Disney’s streaming platform not too long ago. With this, it is certain: you are ready to face Christmas.
3/ Love Actually
Christmas is also the magic of love. What would this selection be without Love Actually ? With its quality casting and many now iconic scenes, Love Actually is THE Christmas romantic comedy that we never tire of watching. Linked destinies, crossed destinies, we follow several characters, a few weeks before Christmas…
Meetings, declarations, disillusionment, deception, all against the backdrop of end-of-year celebrations, we love it. Funny and touching, Love Actually is to be watched without parsimony on Prime Video.
4/ Crystal Trap (Die Hard)
In another genre, fans will tell you that Crystal Trap is indeed a Christmas film. Music, theme, photography… Everything converges. Crystal Trap takes place on Christmas Eve when John McClane, a former New York police officer played by Bruce Willis, takes advantage of the end-of-year holidays to join his estranged wife. Yes, but everything does not go as planned. The festive reunion will have to wait.
Cult action film, Crystal Trap can be found on Disney+. If you were looking for a Christmas film far from the usual gnan-gnan, you will be served. Even better? It’s a saga: there are therefore five films to devour in total if you want to have a marathon…
5/ The Grinch
A grumpy hermit who hates Christmas, the Grinch is a now legendary character. With the majestic Jim Carrey in the lead, this film released in 2000 is downright crazy with a wacky green monster determined to steal Christmas. Good news: after disappearing from streaming platforms, this monument is back on Netflix. Bingo.
6/ The Nightmare Before Christmas
Between Halloween and Christmas, it’s the perfect time to watch The Nightmare Before Christmas. In Halloween Town, Jack Skeleton is the king (of pumpkins). But he’s starting to get tired of this monstrous party… Yes, every year, it’s the same thing. So when he discovers Christmas, it’s a revelation. He wants to import this tradition into his home and take over this celebration. With a script by Tim Burton, direction by Henry Selick and a top-notch soundtrack, this animated film continues to charm us every year. To see and review on Disney+.
7/ The Toy Race
With Arnold Schwarzenegger in the role of a dad who’s a little off the mark, The Toy Race is a comedy that we delight in seeing again every year. While New Year’s Eve is a few hours away, a father realizes that he forgot to get the famous Turbo Man so desired by his son. And it’s out of stock EVERYWHERE. A race against time begins to find the famous toy before the gifts are opened…
8/ Super Christmas
Another great Christmas classic: Super Christmas. When a father witnesses Santa Claus fall from a roof, he finds himself having to put on the famous red coat. Funny, magical, touching: Super Christmas has it all with Tim Allen headlining. Available on Disney+. If you want a breath of fresh air while still sticking to the classics, Disney recently offered us a series Super Christmas. Six episodes are available on the platform.
9/ Gremlins
For Christmas, Billy is given a funny animal: a mogwai. Be careful though, you should not expose it to light, avoid any contact with water and never feed it after midnight. But inevitably… This fantastic film has rocked the childhood of many and continues to punctuate Christmas every year. To (re)see it, it’s happening on MAX.
10/ The Holiday
Another romantic comedy on this list, this film with Jude Law, Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet and Jack Black seduces us. Two young women, an American and an English, decide to exchange apartments after romantic disappointments. Determined to isolate themselves, especially from men, encounters will however change their plans. Enough to put a little balm in our hearts as the end-of-year holidays approach. The Holiday is available on MAX or Netflix!
11/ Klaus
It’s not necessarily a classic, since this film is relatively recent, but we wanted to put it on anyway. This animated film released in 2019 by Netflix is a wonderful Christmas story with stunning graphics. It’s certain: young and old will be touched by the magic of Klaus.
A really bad postman, Jesper, is sent to a snowy island as “punishment”. Except that there, people don’t get along and therefore don’t send each other mail. The mission thus turns out to be complicated for Jesper. This was without counting on unexpected encounters which will give him hope and bring about the magic of Christmas in the small village of Smeerensburg. An animated film that you absolutely must see, especially during this magical time.
12/ Santa Claus is trash
Released in 1982, it is the French Christmas comedy par excellence with Josiane Balasko, Marie-Anne Chazel, Gérard Jugnot, Thierry Lhermitte, Anémone, Christian Clavier… The SOS distress-friendship hotline is disrupted on Christmas Eve by the he arrival of offbeat characters who cause disaster after disaster. A classic that we happily revisit a few days before Christmas. But since it’s not available on any platform, we hope you have the cassette lying around somewhere…
13/ Life is Beautiful
On Christmas Eve, George loses all hope and is on the verge of suicide. But an apprentice angel, Clarence, is responsible for helping him to get him out of this bad situation. Released in 1946, this film by Franck Capra touched many people, becoming a must-see during the end-of-year holiday season. But here again, you’ll have to rely on a good old DVD…
14/ Tokyo Godfathers
For fans of Japanese animation, Tokyo Godfathers is the ideal film. Satoshi Kon, director of Perfect Blue And Paprikaoffers a more general public work with Tokyo Godfathers. During the end-of-year holidays, Gin, Hana and Miyuki, three homeless people, find an abandoned baby and a mysterious key. Determined to find the child’s mother, they embark, together, on a crazy quest.
15/ A Disney classic
Christmas is also about finding your inner child. So obviously, a Disney animated film is a must. Difficult to recommend one over another. At the editorial office, we are already having trouble agreeing on the best Disney of all time. However, the majority returns to Lion Kingunbeatable. While Mufasa has just been released in cinemas, you can take advantage of it to kill two birds with one stone.
But everyone is free to choose their classic. Mulan, Pocahontas, Snow White, Rapunzel, AladdinTHE 101 Dalmatians…The Disney catalog is full of gems. In short, you will certainly find what you are looking for and have a good time with your family.
Of course, everyone has their own classics. We hope that this list has made you want to see or rewatch these Christmas films. A little hot chocolate, a blanket, a film and off we go! Enjoy watching and don’t hesitate to tell us your Christmas must-haves in the comments.
