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The Best Movies to Watch on Christmas Eve

December 13, 2024 by What to Watch Guide 2 Comments

My favorite holiday tradition is how we spend Christmas Eve.

Each year, we get a live Christmas tree, decorate it along with all of our living spaces, and prepare for the great day that is December 25.

I begin the night by taking my family on a car ride to see all of the Christmas lights. It’s something my parents used to do when my brother and I were growing up. We listened to Christmas music along the way and fantasized about all of the things Santa would bring us after we went to sleep.

When we returned home, we would bake cookies for Santa and leave them out with a glass of cold milk. 

My brother and I would have a sleepover in our parents’ bedroom and fall asleep watching one of our favorite Christmas movies – A Christmas Story or Home Alone.

So, I thought I would share a list of my favorite Christmas movies to watch on Christmas Eve.

In this post:

Toggle
  • What should I watch on Christmas Eve?
  • A Christmas Story
  • What is the most viewed Christmas movie?
  • Dr. Seuss' The Grinch (2018)
  • What's the number one Christmas movie of all time?
  • Elf
  • The Best Movies to Watch on Christmas Eve
  • Home Alone
  • Die Hard
  • Die Hard 2
  • Bad Santa
  • Christmas Eve
  • It's a Wonderful Life
  • Love the Coopers
  • Noelle
  • Serendipity
  • The Christmas Chronicles
  • The Homecoming: A Christmas Story
  • The Christmas Toy
  • Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer
  • VeggieTales: Saint Nicholas: A Story of Joyful Giving
  • Disney's A Christmas Carol
  • Related Posts:

What should I watch on Christmas Eve?

Since TBS airs A Christmas Story for 24 straight hours, starting Christmas Eve, on both TBS and TNT, I would say this is my top pick. TBS begins its 24-hour extravaganza at 8 p.m., while TNT starts its marathon at 9 p.m.

A Christmas Story
A Christmas Story
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • Peter Billingsley, Melinda Dillon, Darren Mcgavin (Actors)
$15.79
Buy on Amazon

A Christmas Story

Based on the humorous writings of author Jean Shepherd, this beloved holiday movie follows the wintry exploits of a youngster, who spends most of his time dodging a bully and dreaming of his ideal Christmas gift, a “Red Ryder air rifle.”

RELATED:  Freeform Kickoff to Christmas (2021)

What is the most viewed Christmas movie?

The highest grossing Christmas movie is the 2018 version of The Grinch. The beloved children’s tale by Dr. Seuss, the reclusive green Grinch decides to ruin Christmas for the cheery citizens of Whoville. 

Reluctantly joined by his hapless dog, Max, the Grinch comes down from his mountaintop home and sneaks into town to swipe everything holiday-related from the Whos. 

The Grinch (2018)
The Grinch (2018)
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • Benedict Cumberbatch, Rashida Jones, Kenan Thompson (Actors)
$14.99
Buy on Amazon

Dr. Seuss' The Grinch (2018)

What's the number one Christmas movie of all time?

Entertainment Weekly says the top Christmas movie of the century is Elf.

RELATED: Where to Watch The Grinch

Elf
Elf
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • James Caan, Bob Newhart, Ed Asner (Actors)
$14.99
Buy on Amazon

Elf

Buddy the Elf doesn't fit in with the other North Pole elves, so he travels to New York to find his real father and spread some Christmas cheer.

RELATED: Where to Watch Elf

The Best Movies to Watch on Christmas Eve

If you don't want to be limited to just one Christmas Eve movie, you can spend the whole day with your family binge-watching all of these Christmas favorites.

Home Alone
Home Alone
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern (Actors)
$14.99
Buy on Amazon

Home Alone

When Kevin is home while his family goes on a Christmas trip, he must defend his home from burglars.

RELATED:  20 G-Rated Christmas Movies

RELATED: Where to Watch Home Alone

Die Hard (4K UHD)
Die Hard (4K UHD)
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman, Bonnie Bedelia (Actors)
$4.99
Buy on Amazon

Die Hard

New York Cop, John McClane, must save a Christmas Party from a group of robbers on Christmas Eve.

Die Hard 2 (4K UHD)
Die Hard 2 (4K UHD)
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • Bruce Willis, Bonnie Bedelia, William Atherton (Actors)
$4.99
Buy on Amazon

Die Hard 2

John McClane returns this time to battle Terrorists who have seized control of an airport on Christmas Eve a year after the first film.

Bad Santa
Bad Santa
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • Billy Bob Thornton, Tony Cox, Brett Kelly (Actors)
$9.99
Buy on Amazon

Bad Santa

Two con artists, disguised as Santa and an elf, take seasonal jobs at shopping malls, which they then rob on Christmas Eve. Their annual holiday stealing spree becomes complicated when an eight-year-old boy befriends Santa is befriended.

Christmas Eve - 1947
Christmas Eve - 1947
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • George Raft, George Brent, Randolph Scott (Actors)
$3.99
Buy on Amazon

Christmas Eve

To save her fortune from a designing nephew, Matilda Reid must locate her three long-lost adopted sons in time for a Christmas Eve reunion.

No products found.

It's a Wonderful Life

A businessman is shown by his guardian angel on Christmas Eve what the world would be like if he were never born.

Love the Coopers
Love the Coopers
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • Steve Martin (Actor)
$10.79
Buy on Amazon

Love the Coopers

When four generations of the Cooper clan come together for their annual Christmas Eve celebration, a series of unexpected visitors and unlikely events turn the night upside down, leading them all toward a surprising rediscovery of family bonds and the spirit of the holiday

Noelle
Noelle
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • David Wall, Sean Patrick Brennan, Kerry Wall (Actors)
$7.99
Buy on Amazon

Noelle

The story revolves Santa's daughter (Anna Kendrick) who is forced to take over the family business when her father decides to retire and her brother (Bill Hader) ends up getting cold feet prior to his first big Christmas Eve flight.

Serendipity
Serendipity
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • Kate Beckinsale, John Cusack, David Sparrow (Actors)
$14.99
Buy on Amazon

Serendipity

A man (John Cusack) and a woman (Kate Beckinsale) meet on Christmas Eve circa 1991 and reunite a decade later on the same day.

RELATED:  Is Home Alone On Netflix, Amazon or Hulu?

The Christmas Chronicles

The story of sister and brother, Kate and Teddy Pierce, whose Christmas Eve plan to catch Santa Claus on camera turns into an unexpected journey that most kids could only dream about.

Sale
The Homecoming: A Christmas Story
The Homecoming: A Christmas Story
  • Factory sealed DVD
  • Clarence M. Landry, Josephine Hutchinson, Andrew Duggan (Actors)
$9.11 Amazon Prime
Buy on Amazon

The Homecoming: A Christmas Story

On Christmas Eve in 1933, the Walton family of rural Virginia awaits the return of the family patriarch who went to look for work in a distant city. This television film led to The Waltons television series.

The Christmas Toy
The Christmas Toy
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • Dave Goelz, Brian Henson, Kathryn Mullen (Actors)
$6.99
Buy on Amazon

The Christmas Toy

Jim Henson tale of toys who come to life on Christmas Eve.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • Larry D. Mann, Billie Mae Richards (Actors)
$9.99
Buy on Amazon

Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Stop-motion adaptation of the popular song. Rudolph, and Hermey the Misfit Elf, overcome rejection for their differences and help Santa Claus make his Christmas Eve trip.

VeggieTales: St. Nicholas: A Story of Joyful Giving
VeggieTales: St. Nicholas: A Story of Joyful Giving
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • Phil Vischer, Mike Nawrocki, Lisa Vischer (Actors)
Buy on Amazon

VeggieTales: Saint Nicholas: A Story of Joyful Giving

Bob and Larry tell the true story of Saint Nicholas to a group of children on Christmas Eve.

Disney's a Christmas Carol
Disney's a Christmas Carol
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • Jim Carrey, Jim Carrey, Jim Carrey (Actors)
$3.79
Buy on Amazon

Disney's A Christmas Carol

The magical retelling of Charles Dickens’ beloved tale — Disney’s A Christmas Carol, the high-flying, heartwarming adventure for the whole family, starring Jim Carrey. When three ghosts take penny-pinching Scrooge on an eye-opening journey, he discovers the true meaning of Christmas — but he must act on it before it’s too late.

Complete with spirited bonus features, this exhilarating and touching Disney classic is destined to be part of your holiday tradition, adding sparkle and heart to all your Christmases yet to come.

Hope you have a magical Christmas eve spending time with your family!

Related Posts:

  • Hallmark Channel Christmas in July
  • The Best Movies to Watch on Christmas Eve
  • All the Black Christmas Movies on OWN
  • 50 Christmas Movies for Kids
  • All the Black Christmas Movies on Amazon Prime

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Raki Wright launched What to Watch Guide to help movie lovers streaming from all around the world find the best movies on Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime and more.
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