It’s that time of year again. It’s time to bust out the fuzzy socks, hot cocoa, and warm blankets to compliment a favorite list of holiday movies one can enjoy year after year. Luckily, nowadays, there are plenty of streaming services to choose from, with awide variety of holiday optionsto watch, including both classics and recently released originals. From yearly must-watch hits likeHow the Grinch Stole ChristmasandFrosty the Snowmanto holiday-themed episodes of fan-favorite shows, there’s no shortage of seasonal media to enjoy.
Each streaming platform has its own catalog of holiday movies and shows to explore. Max has the unique distinction of having both the Warner Bros. library and many MGM classics. Combine that with the curation of TCM, Own, and Discovery; there are plenty of great titles to stream on Max for the holiday season, either for a cozy night in or while setting up decorations or making Christmas cookies. These are the best holiday movies available on Max.
Update June 26, 2025: This article has been updated to reflect the recent slate of films streaming on Max to watch this holiday season.
10A Christmas Story (1983)
A Christmas Story
A Christmas Storyis by far one of the biggestclassic holiday moviesout there. It’s essentially about a standard middle-class family doing their best to make it to Christmas. The kids are obsessed with getting a specific gift under the tree — a Red Ryder air rifle, to be exact — the father is cranky, and the mother is doting on her children, and the kids at school are getting into seasonal shenanigans, like sticking their tongues to frozen poles.
What Makes It Great
Premiering in 1983,A Christmas Storyis a yearly must-watch, and at this point, most viewers have likely seen it a million times, but that certainly won’t stop them from watching it again this season. Moviegoers couldn’t get enough of the scene-stealing Peter Billingsley and his unforgettable portrayal of Ralphie Parker, a role he went on to reprise nearly forty years later in the 2022 sequelA Christmas Story Christmas.The actor continues to get recognized for the festive flick, withfans coming up to himon the streets and telling him, “you’ll shoot your eye out, kid!”, much to Billingsley’s amusement.
9The Polar Express (2004)
The Polar Express
Robert Zemeckis and Tom Hanks once again partnered up to spread some holiday cheer in the 2004 Christmas musical fantasyThe Polar Express, an adaptation of the children’s book of the same name that takes place on the night before Christmas in the 1950s during which a young boy embarks on a wondrous journey to the North Pole aboard the titular train. Hanks voices the conductor James (as well as other supporting characters) and teaches the child the importance of always believing in the spirit of Christmas and the magic that comes with it.
Audiences of all ages found themselves completely captivated by the spellbinding picture, which was lauded for its breathtaking visuals and heartfelt message and went on to receive three Academy Award nominations. Hanks' warm and comforting voice instantly hooks viewers and while some critics had mixed feelings about the fantasy film overall, moviegoers awardedThe Polar Expressan impressive A+ CinemaScore rating. It remains an underrated Christmas triumph that is enjoyable by anyone and truly captures the wonder of the feel-good holiday.
Related:10 Best Christmas Movies on Disney+ to Watch Right Now
8National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)
Arguably one of the most quintessential holiday movies of all time,National Lampoon’s Christmas VacationstarsSaturday Night Livealum Chevy Chase as Clark Griswold, who sets out to give his family one of the greatest Christmases yet but finds his noble quest challenged by crazy family members and a series of side-splitting mishaps. The farce also famously includes Beverly D’Angelo, Randy Quaid, Juliette Lewis, and Johnny Galecki, and was a box office hit upon its release.
Christmas Vacationhas gone on to become a universally adored holiday staple, with fans of the kooky Griswolds tuning in every year to watch Clark hilariously attempt to find the perfect tree and witness Cousin Eddie wreak havoc on the household.Beloved director John Hugheswrote the screenplay for the classic flick, which he based on his short story “Christmas ‘59” which had previously been published inNational Lampoonin 1980. It’s unsurprising that Hughes had a hand in the creation and legacy ofChristmas Vacation, as he constantly delivered hit after cinematic hit for moviegoers.
7Fred Claus (2007)
Fred Claus
Fred Clausis a unique holiday comedy about Santa’s (Paul Giamatti) overshadowed brother Fred (Vince Vaughn) who has to travel to the North Pole to help Santa and the elves get ready for Christmas. After one too many run-ins with the law, Fred is bailed out by his saintly big brother and forced to work off his debt by helping Jolly Saint Nick prepare for Christmas. Naturally, amusing hijinks and chaos ensue.
It’s such a fun movie with a great cast, and it really is pretty hilarious. It’s definitely goofy and a tad bit corny, but then again, almost all holiday movies are. But with all the well-placed jokes and humor comes a really heartwarming story that’s perfect for getting someone in the holiday spirit. In all reality,Fred Clausis a veryunderrated holiday flick, and now is the best time to go and check it out. It also isn’t the only Vince Vaughn movie on this list.
Related:Best LGBTQ+ Holiday Movies, Ranked
6Four Christmases (2008)
Four Christmases
Four Christmasesis a holiday rom-com that premiered in 2008, starring Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon. It follows Vaughn and Witherspoon as a couple that has to drive around to visit all four of their divorced parents’ homes on Christmas Day. Along with Vaughn and Witherspoon, this movie features an impressive cast, including Jon Favreau, Robert Duvall, Mary Steenburgen, Kristin Chenoweth, Tim McGraw and Sissy Spacek.
It’s a goofy comedy that seems a little cliché at times, but in all honesty, that’s part of what makes it so enjoyable. It’s that type of movie that — despite it revolving around Christmas — can only be watched during the holidays because it’s just a tad too corny. That said, though, it’s genuinely funny at points, and the great cast is a large part of what makes this movie so fun to watch. It’s an entertaining watch for those who like a focus on dysfunctional families navigating the holidays, likeNational Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.
5Elf (2003)
Who doesn’t loveElf? Since its sensational premiere two decades ago, it has likely become a must-watch installment on one’s annual holiday movie list. It’s about Buddy (thedelightful Will Ferrell), a guy who is accidentally transported to the North Pole and raised by Santa’s elves. His whole life, Buddy can’t shake the feeling that he doesn’t fit in among the other elves, so he travels to NYC to find his dad after making theshockingdiscovery that he is actually human.
Elfis full of hilarious, iconic moments from start to finish — from Buddy’s sugar-filled spaghetti breakfast to his mall makeover for Santa’s appearance, Ferrell shines in the eponymous role and delivers some serious holiday cheer.Elfis funny, heartwarming, and a modern classic that’s fun to watch year after year, and with an exceptional ensemble cast featuring James Caan, Zooey Deschanel, and Mary Steenburgen, the wholesome comedy remains a beloved Christmas staple.
4Shazam! (2019)
For years,Batman Returnswas the premiere DC superhero Christmas offering, but 2019’sShazam!has become a new holiday classic. The film tells the story of Billy Batson (Asher Angel), a young kid in the foster care system who is looking for his long-lost mother during the Christmas season. He is given power by a magic wizard where when he utters the word “Shazam!” becomes a full-grown superhero, played by Zachary Levi.
3What Makes It Great
Shazam!is a festive treat that brings big-budget superhero action spectacle, delightful comedy, and a big emotional heart in one package. The movie is both more lighthearted than a lot of the films in the DCEU while also having a real emotional maturity and going to some more grown-up places than both the surface-level grit of something like Joker while also being more sincere than many of the MCU offerings.Shazam!is a refreshing change of pacefrom massive superhero spectacles where the whole world hangs in the balance to more traditional holiday offerings.
2Arthur Christmas (2011)
Arthur Christmas
From Aardman Animations, the creators ofWallace and GrommitandChicken Run, comes the studio’s holiday classic, the CGI animated film withArthur Christmas. The titular character (voiced by James McAvoy) is a clumsy, well-meaning son of Santa who discovers his father’s new hi-tech sleigh has failed to deliver one child’s Christmas gift. To verify this young girl does not lose the meaning of Christmas, Arthur takes it upon himself to deliver this present in a heartwarming tale.
Released during a very busy holiday season in 2011 that saw it competing with films likeThe Muppets, Hugo, Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, War Horse,andThe Adventures of Tintin,Arthur Christmaswas overlooked by most audiences at the time of its release, but positive word of mouth helped it grow a loyal fanbase where it has become a holiday classic in the year since. Part of the appeal has been the great way thefilm expands on the Santa Claus mythology, updating it with a high-tech edge that serves as a commentary on the evolution of Christmas over the years.
1The Man Who Came To Dinner (1942)
The Man Who Came to Dinneris an adaptation of the classic play of the same name. The film follows the same basic premise of the play, as it focuses on a famous radio wit, Sheridan Whiteside, being stuck in the home of a well-to-do factory owner in Ohio after he falls and is believed to be wheelchair-bound. Whiteside’s massive personality ends up taking over the house and brings him into conflict with the family and his assistant Maggie, who has fallen in love with a local newspaperman.
The Man Who Came to Dinneris a classic comedy play that is just as funny today as it was when it was released. The film’s 1940s setting calls back to the iconic Christmas iconography audiences associate with the holiday films like It’s a Wonderful Life.The Man Who Came to Dinnermight not be the most well-known holiday movie for modern audiences, but access to a Max account makes it easier than ever to watch this film and give it a chance at finding a new audience.
