Now that it’s getting cold outside, there’s nothing better than making some hot chocolate, curling up on the couch, and relaxing with a classic holiday movie.
With streaming services such as HBO Max and Amazon Prime Video, it’s easier than ever to enjoy your favorite films. Below is a list of the best holiday movies that are currently available on popular streaming platforms.
Family-Friendly Classics
Elf
Jon Favreau’s Elf has been a cable channel Christmastime staple since its release nearly two decades ago. It seems destined to remain a holiday classic for decades to come.
It’s easy to understand why this fish-out-of-water comedy is so appealing — both children and adults can appreciate the manic humor of Will Ferrell as Buddy the Elf. The supporting cast is excellent as well, especially James Caan as the overworked New York City executive who is forced to deal with Buddy’s shenanigans.
Starz subscribers can watch Elf for free, and you can also rent it on Prime Video for $3.99.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
This holiday, live action classic from 2000 stars the always charismatic Jim Carrey. Featuring Dr. Seuss’s now famous character, the Grinch, this movie details the story of how an unlikely hero comes to save a holiday he once hated.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas is available to stream on Netflix.
A Charlie Brown Christmas
This is a true classic, which many consider to be one of the best holiday movies of all time. Though it’s a half-hour special that’s over 50 years old, its uniquely melancholy tone and offbeat jazz score help it still feel fresh today.
You can see A Charlie Brown Christmas on Apple TV.
After Bedtime
Of course, not every holiday movie is suitable for the whole family. Here are a few holiday movies more suitable for adults.
Gremlins
While the Christmas-set cult classic Gremlins isn’t too graphic, some of its scenes may be frightening for young children. In fact, it was the large number of parents upset over its PG rating that helped motivate Hollywood to introduce the PG-13 rating back in 1984.
Gremlins is available to rent on Prime Video for $3.99.
Die Hard
Die Hard is another holiday classic that is best saved for after you tuck the kids in for the night. Bruce Willis stars as John McClane, a police detective trying to win back his estranged wife at her office’s Christmas party. When a heavily armed group of thieves suddenly seizes the building and holds the party guests for ransom, McClane is the only one who can stop them.
And Die Hard is far from just a dumb blockbuster, as the U.S. Library of Congress deemed that it was artistically significant enough to add to the National Film Registry in 2017.
You can rent Die Hard on Prime Video for $3.99, and it’s also available on HBO Max.
Finding Holiday Movies to Stream is Easy
Remember back when renting a movie required driving to a store and browsing through shelves to find something to watch? Thankfully, that’s no longer necessary. From Charlie Brown to Die Hard, there’s truly something for everyone when it comes to the best holiday movies on streaming services.
