Film, TV + Theatre

8 Modern Christmas movies to watch during the holidays

Gather round!

17.12.2024

By Marissa Chin

IMAGES: NETFLIX
8 Modern Christmas movies to watch during the holidays

There are many traditions when it comes to Christmas: the bountiful feasts, lively festive markets and exchange of gifts just to name a few. One tradition you can’t leave out, though, is your annual Christmas watching! 

We’re not talking about the usual classics, either. Yes, Home Alone and Elf are great Christmas films but there have been many memorable Yuletide-centred movies that have also come out in recent years. So whether you’re feeling like watching a heartwarming tale of romance and family that will give you the usual fuzzy feels or want to ditch the PG-ness of it all and go for something more mature, we’ve got you covered. 

Ahead, find nine of our best picks for modern Christmas classics to watch this festive season. 

 

Klaus (2019)

This beloved Netflix animation film follows Jesper, a student of the Postal Academy sent to live in a small village in the Arctic Circle where inhabitants never use letters. There, he meets a local teacher, Alva, and a mysterious carpenter named Klaus. Together with his newfound friends, he hatches a plan to provide joy to the people of the icy town, creating what would be known as the Christmas holiday. With its beautiful 2D animation style and powerful narrative, Klaus is a modern Christmas classic that everyone of all ages can enjoy.

Watch Klaus on Netflix.

 

The Holdovers (2023)

While the Christmas holidays can be an exciting time for many as they gather together with their loved ones, it can also be a lonely and sad season for those who don’t have anyone to celebrate with. The Holdovers is a poignant film that explores this narrative. When a student and a history teacher at a New England prep school are forced to remain on campus during the Christmas break, the pair form an unlikely bond. Together with the school’s head cook, who recently lost her son in Vietnam, the teacher sets out to create a good Christmas experience for the young troubled teen. Even though it deals with heavy topics, The Holdovers has an uplifting message of hope and love, making this a great holiday film.

Watch The Holdovers on AppleTV+, Max and Prime Video.

 

The Man Who Invented Christmas (2017)

There have been countless interpretations and adaptations of Charles Dickens’ iconic A Christmas Carol—but have you ever wondered how this famed creation came to be? Set in 1843 London, The Man Who Invented Christmas is an autobiographical comedy-drama that centres around the author in financial trouble after writing three unsuccessful novels. Desperate for success, he uses his father and his vivid imagination to bring to life the characters of Ebenezer Scrooge, Tiny Tim, and more to create A Christmas Carol, a timeless tale that would redefine Christmas forever.

Watch The Man Who Invented Christmas on AppleTV+ and Prime Video.

 

Our Little Secret (2024)

Okay, this was only released last month so it’s hard to tell if it will turn into a Christmas classic but Our Little Secret has Lindsay Lohan, Kristin Chenoweth and all the rom-com tropes you can imagine so it definitely has the fine makings of one! After learning that their new partners are siblings, two resentful exes must spend Christmas under one roof and keep their romantic history under wraps Talk about an awkward Christmas gathering… 

Watch Our Little Secret on Netflix.

 

Violent Night (2022)

If you’re looking for some high-octane action like Die Hard, how does John Wick with Santa Claus sound? In Violent Night, a team of mercenaries who broke into a wealthy family’s compound is about to get the season’s beating of their lives from everybody’s favourite chimney climber. Watch Santa go from nice to naughty in this R-rated action-comedy that will bring joy even to grinches.  

Watch Violent Night on Prime Video.

 

Love Hard (2021)

Since it first came out in 2021, Love Hard has been a go-to Christmas rom-com for many looking for some heart-fluttering romance seen in Love Actually and The Holiday–and for good reason. Online dating can be a hit or miss sometimes but what happens when the person you’ve been texting turns out to be a total catfish? Fun and lighthearted, Love Hard is a heartwarming story of friendship and finding love in unexpected places (and people).

Watch Love Hard on Netflix.

 

Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey (2020)

For those who wish to be fully immersed in a visual and audio spectacle, we give you Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey! Set in the vibrant town of Cobbleton, the film follows a legendary toymaker whose inventions burst to life with magic and wonder. But when his most prized creation is stolen from his trusted apprentice, his bright and equally inventive granddaughter steps up to heal old wounds and reawaken the magic from within. Expect jaw-dropping musical numbers and elaborate steampunk-inspired set designs with original songs by John Legend, Usher, and more.

Watch Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey on Netflix.

 

8-Bit Christmas (2021)

Remember what it felt like to write your dream presents on a wish list for Santa…only to not get it for Christmas? 8-Bit Christmas follows father Jake Doyle as he recalls the story of the most adventurous Christmas of his life when he was a kid in the 1980s. During that time, every boy wanted the revolutionary Nintendo Entertainment System. When he realises that he’s not getting one from his parents, the young boy embarks on an adventure across the city to get one of his own. While the film was released in 2021, 8-Bit Christmas is mostly told in flashbacks and captures the nostalgic feel of classic 80s Christmas movies such as A Christmas Story and Christmas Vacation.

Watch 8-Bit Christmas on Max.

 

For more ideas on how to celebrate Christmas, head here.

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