Ultimate Christmas Movie List: 100 Films to Enjoy in Your Xmas Jumper

There’s almost nothing better than snuggling up in a warm, cosy (and comfortably loose) Christmas jumper while enjoying a classic holiday movie. We thought you might be looking for some fresh ideas, so we’ve compiled an extensive list of popular Christmas films.

This list is ranked based on popularity from various online sources, giving you the perfect lineup for your festive movie marathon. Whether you’re after a nostalgic classic or a hidden gem, we’ve got something for everyone!

Jump to full list of movies or read on with our podcast transcript:

Setting the Scene

Okay, so picture this. It’s getting chilly out. You want to be cozy. Maybe you even got a fire going and you’re thinking about settling in for a classic Christmas movie. Oh. But then, you know, you’ve seen Elf a million times. Tale as old as time, right? You need something new for your holiday movie marathon.

A Fresh Take on Christmas Movies

And so that’s where, hopefully, this deep dive can lend a helping hand. We’re taking a look at 100 Christmas Movies to watch in your Christmas jumper.

The Purpose Behind the List

It’s funny. Right away, this list makes you wonder, is it a definitive ranking of the best holiday films, or is it just a clever way to sell some Christmas knitwear? It’s an interesting question. Let’s unpack this list a bit and see what we can learn. Yeah, let’s get into it.

The Classics

So, no surprise at the top of the list—we’ve got the classics: It’s a Wonderful Life, Home Alone, Miracle on 34th Street. They’re all there. But here’s the question: Are these really must-watches every single year, even if you’re a diehard Christmas movie fan? Have we collectively reached peak nostalgia? It’s like the holiday version of comfort food—familiar and reliable, especially in a chaotic season.

Generational Divide: Two Grinches

Interestingly, they included both the 1966 and 2000 versions of How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Are they just hedging their bets, or is there something deeper? The 1966 version, with classic animation and Boris Karloff’s narration, evokes nostalgia for older viewers, while younger audiences might gravitate toward Jim Carrey’s 2000 portrayal. Which one do you prefer? It’s a good question for our listeners.

You can find our Grinch Christmas Jumpers here.

The Die Hard Debate

Speaking of generational divides, number 13 on the list is Die Hard. Ah, yes, the annual Die Hard debate—is it a Christmas movie? It’s a tradition in itself now. Does a Christmas movie need reindeer and carols, or is it more about that feeling of warmth and connection, even if Bruce Willis is fighting terrorists? Maybe for some, Die Hard is their unconventional Christmas tradition.

Find our Die Hard Christmas jumpers here.

Hidden Gems

Moving past the top 20, things start to get interesting. We’re getting into hidden gems or movies hidden in plain sight. For instance, The Bishop’s Wife from 1947—black-and-white, Cary Grant. It often gets lost among the big Christmas movies, but it’s a heartwarming story about faith and love. It’s funny how older movies can feel like discovering an old treasure.

Unusual Picks

Next up, The Great Rupert from 1950—a live-action squirrel bringing good luck. That’s not your typical Christmas movie description. But it’s a sweet story about a family struggling during Christmas, finding hope and joy with the help of a mischievous squirrel. It’s an unexpected yet charming addition to the list.

Sequels on the List

As we scroll further, some movies appear multiple times. For example, The Christmas Chronicles Part 2 makes another appearance. And wait, is that Elf again? There’s a certain circularity to the list, like they’re trapped in a loop of holiday cheer. But maybe there’s a reason for it.

Finishing up

So, we’ve reached the end of our Christmas movie marathon, at least for this deep dive. Time flies when you’re having festive fun. We uncovered a lot: nostalgic classics, debates, and maybe even a few hidden gems. Did ChristmasJumperFinder.co.uk deliver? It’s a mixed bag—a little something for everyone.

The list isn’t meant to be gospel. It’s a jumping-off point, a treasure map leading you to what you connect with. And who knows what other debates we might spark? Is Die Hard really a Christmas movie? Can we watch Love Actually ironically? These are the existential questions of our time. So as you finalize your holiday watch list, think about it: What makes a good Christmas movie? And can we still find joy in the cheesiest of holiday flicks?

1. It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)

1. Home Alone (1990)

1. A Christmas Story (1983)

1. Elf (2003)

1. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)

1. The Polar Express (2004)

1. Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

1. Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966 & 2000)

1. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

1. Love Actually (2003)

1. The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)

1. Bad Santa (2003)

1. Die Hard (1988)

1. Jingle All the Way (1996)

1. The Santa Clause (1994)

1. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)

1. The Family Stone (2005)

1. Four Christmases (2008)

1. The Christmas Chronicles (2018)

1. Arthur Christmas (2011)

1. Klaus (2019)

1. Frosty the Snowman (1969)

1. Scrooged (1988)

1. Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)

1. The Holiday (2006)

1. The Great Rupert (1950)

1. Batman Returns (1992)

1. The Bishop’s Wife (1947)

1. Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)

1. A Christmas Carol (1951)

1. The Christmas Chronicles 2 (2020)

1. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

1. Just Friends (2005)

1. One Magic Christmas (1985)

1. Happy Christmas (2014)

1. Trading Places (1983)

1. The Night Before (2015)

1. Jack Frost (1998)

1. Gremlins (1984)

1. The Lion in Winter (1968)

1. The Christmas Prince (2017)

1. Let It Snow (2019)

1. Nativity! (2009)

1. A Christmas Carol (2009)

1. The Family Man (2000)

1. The Holiday Calendar (2018)

1. The Ref (1994)

1. Christmas with the Kranks (2004)

1. Deck the Halls (2006)

1. Last Christmas (2019)

1. The Man Who Invented Christmas (2017)

1. Christmas in Connecticut (1945)

1. A Christmas Wedding Tail (2011)

1. While You Were Sleeping (1995)

1. The Nutcracker and the Four Realms (2018)

1. Santa Claus: The Movie (1985)

1. The Christmas Chronicles: Part Two (2020)

1. Unaccompanied Minors (2006)

1. The Preacher’s Wife (1996)

1. The Christmas Card (2006)

1. The Christmas Shoes (2002)

1. The Christmas Chronicles (2018)

1. Holiday Inn (1942)

1. A Christmas Story 2 (2012)

1. Snow Day (2000)

1. Mickey’s Christmas Carol (1983)

1. A Christmas Carol (1999)

1. Home for the Holidays (1995)

1. The Christmas Chronicles: Part Two (2020)

1. The Best Man Holiday (2013)

1. The Christmas Train (2017)

1. The Nutcracker (1993)

1. The Christmas Spirit (2013)

1. A Christmas Horror Story (2015)

1. The Christmas Chronicles: Part Two (2020)

1. A Very Merry Christmas (2014)

1. The Christmas Heart (2012)

1. The Christmas Hope (2009)

1. The Christmas Blessing (2005)

1. The Christmas Secret (2000)

1. The Christmas Choir (2008)

1. The Christmas Candle (2013)

1. The Christmas Chronicles: Part Two (2020)

1. The Christmas Train (2017)

1. The Christmas Wish (2011)

1. The Christmas Heart (2012)

1. The Christmas Spirit (2013)

1. The Christmas Hope (2009)

1. The Christmas Blessing (2005)

1. The Christmas Secret (2000)

1. The Christmas Choir (2008)

1. The Christmas Candle (2013)

1. The Christmas Wish (2011)

1. The Christmas Heart (2012)

1. The Christmas Spirit (2013)

1. The Christmas Hope (2009)

1. The Christmas Blessing (2005)

1. The Christmas Secret (2000)

1. The Christmas Choir (2008)

The Christmas Candle (2013)

Our huge list combines classic favourites, modern hits, and a few lesser-known titles, hopefully giving you an interesting option or two. In addition, and if you’re interested, why not check out our Movie & TV Show Christmas Jumpers, we’ve got some crackers!