The 12 Titles of Christmas: Stream These Holiday Flicks on Your Favorite Platforms Now

By Amelia Woolard

Admit it: you’ve been dreaming of the holidays since your Christmas in July blowout party left you wanting more of the real thing. The presents, the eggnog, the stockings hung by the chimney of care… you’re an advocate of it all. Now, at long last, the real deal is upon us! No more picky professors, no more tedious textbooks with words you cannot pronounce let alone comprehend, and no more obligations – just a whole lot of down time while you await Santa’s arrival.

Looking to jumpstart your holiday festivities and spread good cheer all month long? How about indulging in an epic, holiday-inspired movie marathon? With these titles, you’re sure to get in the seasonal spirit even more so – oh, and did we mention that they’re all available on Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime?! Better load up on the hot cocoa and toasted marshmallows now because we have a feeling you won’t be leaving your couch once you start streaming these holiday favorites. Plus, those new, cozy footie PJ’s make it nearly impossible. Wait, no one is supposed to know that you still wear those…

Netflix’s Nice List

Love Actually (2003)

Directed by: Richard Curtis

Starring: Hugh Grant, Keira Knightley, Liam Neeson, Andrew Lincoln, Colin Firth, Alan Rickman

Think your campus student body feels way too small? How about living, working, and dating amongst a ten-person network? A perennial favorite, Love Actually, follows an ensemble cast of Brits as they experience an array of romantic difficulties that ultimately connect them all to one another in some way. Think love triangles, infidelity, and newfound crushes… all the sentimental storylines that will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy this Christmas season. Find out who – if anyone – gets their happily ever after when you stream this 2003 blockbuster on Netflix!

How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)

Directed by: Ron Howard

Starring: Jim Carrey, Taylor Momsen, Jeffrey Tambor, Anthony Hopkins

It’s not really Christmas without everyone’s favorite vengeful miser, is it? While there’s nothing like the Dr. Seuss original, Ron Howard’s 2000 adaptation comes pretty darn close to the animated classic. Starring Jim Carrey as the Grinch and a teeny Taylor Momsen as Cindy Lou Who, How the Grinch Stole Christmas is jam-packed with holiday fun and, of course, a heartfelt message. Netflix and chill tonight with this festive – and insanely quotable – title.

George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker (1993)

Directed by: Emile Ardolino

Starring: Macaulay Culkin, Jessica Lynn Cohen, Darci Kistler, Damian Woetzel

There’s the Rat King, the Sugar Plum Fairy, and of course, the impeccably trained dancing snowflakes. But, we won’t waste too much time explaining the grandeur of Tchaikovsky’s ballet because based on its worldwide reception—not to mention, its numerous spin-offs— The Nutcracker remains one of the most magnificent ballet performances of all-time. So, imagine our glee when we discovered that George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker is now streaming on Netflix! Besides giving us a dose of ‘90s nostalgia, this flick features dancers from the New York City Ballet, so you can transport yourself to the Big Apple from the comfort of your couch.

Christmas Cracker (2018)

Directed by: Mark Henderson

Do you think your family is embarrassingly eager when it comes to Christmas decorating? From Netflix comes Christmas Cracker, an original documentary exploring the lives of those who are so Christmas-obsessed, they celebrate the holiday all year long. Meet these fanatically festive people, and you’ll most likely find that your fam’s only borderline crazy—but still socially acceptable— when it comes to everyone’s favorite time of year.

Holly Jolly Fun on Hulu

It’s Christmas Time Again, Charlie Brown (1992)

Created by: Charles M. Schulz

Directed by: Bill Melendez

Starring: Jamie E. Smith (Charlie Brown), Jodie Sweetin (Sally), John Christian Graas (Linus), Marnette Patterson (Lucy)

If you don’t have Charlie Brown holiday music by Vince Guaraldi Trio on your Spotify playlist, are you really celebrating Christmas at all? We think not, but we’ll suspend judgement for now given that It’s Christmas Time Again, Charlie Brown is on Hulu, and you’ll be able to get your seasonal Blockhead fix one way or the other. That’s right – this beloved animated collection of classic Peanuts plotlines is now free to stream, so you can hang out with Charlie Brown, Sally, Linus, Lucy, and friends as they openly embrace the reason for the season.

A Very Brady Christmas (1988)

Directed by: Peter Baldwin

Starring: Florence Henderson, Robert Reed, Ann B. Davis, Maureen McCormick

Here’s the story… about a famous television family who reunites for the holidays! The Brady Bunch took the nation by storm in the early 1970s, and now, everyone’s favorite, all-American family is back for some holiday hijinks—but they’re all grown up! Will the Bradys be able to look their past marital issues, career woes, and general familial tension in order to celebrate a happy holiday? Find out when you watch this made-for-TV hit on Hulu!

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

Created by: Tim Burton

Directed by: Henry Selick

Starring: Chris Sarandon (Jack), Catherine O’Hara (Sally), Glenn Shadix (Mayor)

Starting to feel physically ill from all the Hallmark Channel saccharine? Maybe you’re a Capricorn, or maybe you’re just legitimately ready for something new. Try this early-90s Tim Burton classic on for size. Usually screened during Halloween, The Nightmare Before Christmas, really is a unique Christmas flick. Whether you view it as a Halloween favorite or a Christmas must-watch, you’ll want to follow along Jack Skellington’s ill-fated – but entertaining nonetheless – journey to become Santa Claus.

Deck the Halls (2006)

Directed by: John Whitesell

Starring: Matthew Broderick, Danny DeVito, Kristin Chenoweth, Kristin Davis

Nothing says “holiday fun” like an all-out, fight-to-the-death decorating rivalry, right? That’s just what you’ll get when you stream Deck the Halls, the 2006 comedy movie starring Matthew Broderick and Danny DeVito. The movie follows the two title characters as they attempt to make their front lawns so festive and bright, it can be detected on satellite imagery. And if you think this sounds totally ridiculous, you’re right. Nonetheless, warm up those chestnuts in your footie pajamas, I mean…get ready to stream Deck the Halls tonight.

Ho-Ho-Holiday Titles on Amazon Prime

Christmas with the Kranks (2004)

Directed by: Joe Roth

Starring: Tim Allen, Jamie Lee Curtis, Dan Aykroyd

Imagine this: you’re happily married with an ambitious child who has decided to take a job with the Peace Corps and will not be home for the holidays. Instead of funneling hundreds of dollars into yet another oversized tree, lavish dinner, and the year’s hottest gifts, you decide to chuck the entire holiday in favor of a Caribbean cruise far away from all responsibility—that is before your daughter changes her mind and flies back home with a new fiancé in tow. Um, now what? Stream Christmas with the Kranks, starring Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis, to find out!

It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)

Directed by: Frank Capra

Starring: James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, Henry Travers

Regarded by many as the classic Christmas film to end all classic Christmas films, It’s a Wonderful Life is one of those movies that inspires gratitude in even the Grinch-iest or Scrooge-iest among us. Centered around a downtrodden man contemplating suicide on Christmas Eve, the film walks us through the many events— good and bad— that led George Bailey to the present day. With a bit of help from his new guardian angel, George learns to appreciate his life for what it is, even in its lowest moments. Trust us, this is one holiday flick you won’t want to pass up this year, or any year for that matter.

The Man Who Invented Christmas (2017)

Directed by: Bharat Nalluri

Starring: Dan Stevens, Christopher Plummer, Jonathan Pryce

You’ve heard the general gist of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens a million times, and like The Nutcracker, it has just as many versions—Scrooged, anyone? But have you ever wondered about the inspiration behind the famous tale? Based on the book of the same name, the historical drama, The Man Who Invented Christmas, delves into Dickens’ personal life, exploring the many factors that led him to write – you guessed it – the story that essentially fueled our modern take on Christmas. No “bah humbug!” here – this insightful biopic of sorts can be streamed anytime on Amazon Prime.

Jack Frost (1979)

Directed by: Jules Bass & Arthur Rankin Jr.

Starring: Robert Morse (Jack), Debra Clinger (Elisa), Paul Frees (Father Winter)

Did you know that the character of Jack Frost has been around since mythological times, and that in some cultures, he’s represented as a terrifying, murderous giant? Not to fear, however – Jack Frost, now streaming on Amazon Prime, offers a pretty G-rated take on the fabled personification of all things winter. In this 1979 television special, the adorably mischievous Jack pleads with Father Winter to turn him human, so that he may pursue his human love interest, Elisa. But, wouldn’t you know it, his well-laid plans turn to chaos when she is kidnapped by an evil king. This tale encompasses everything we want in a holiday movie: adventure, romance, and plenty of generous spirit.

We’ll take any excuse to indulge in a movie marathon, but during the holidays? Well, it’s practically a no-brainer! Relax your college-strained mind and lift your spirits with uCribs’ 12 Titles of Christmas. Featuring plenty of off-the-wall comedy, heartfelt moments, and valuable life lessons, this is one streaming session “yule” be sorry to skip!

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