Christmas is knocking at the door, so it’s time to not only prepare your decorations and presents, but to also plan a festive movie night with family and friends. We’ve cherry-picked the best Christmas films in the UK on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and Now – many of which are brand new releases. So get the mulled wine and mince pies ready to tune into these brilliant Christmas flicks.

If you’re not sure which is the best TV streaming service for you, then we’ve compared all the ones listed here (and more) so you can decide which service is best for you. We’ve also rounded up the best Christmas TV on BBC, ITV and Channel 4.

Best Christmas movies on Netflix

This year, Netflix has several Christmas movies perfect for a cosy night in. There’s classics available like The Holiday and The Christmas Chronicles, and you’ll also find lots of non-festive favourites if none of these take your fancy. You can sign up for an account on the Netflix website, with plans starting from £4.99 per month for the new ad-supported option. 

Christmas As Usual

This romantic comedy is about embracing cultural differences, and takes place in a dreamy Scandinavian winter setting. Thea (Ida Ursin-Holm) is visiting her family with her new Hindu boyfriend Jashan (Kanan Gill), who wants to spend the holidays in a traditional Norwegian way. However, the stay in the snowy village turns out to be full of surprises, misunderstandings and clashes.

Family Switch

This Freaky Friday-like comedy is inspired by Bedtime For Mommy by Amy Krouse Rosenthal. Jess (Jennifer Garner), Bill (Ed Helms), CC (Emma Myers), Wyatt (Brady Noon) and baby Miles are a typical family that face various problems and conflicts, especially during the holidays. Due to an incredible planetary alignment, the whole family swaps bodies – parents have to live in the bodies of their teenage children, children take on the role of parents, and even the dog Pickles swaps bodies with the baby.

Best. Christmas. Ever!

Charlotte (Heather Graham) and Rob Sanders (Jason Biggs), lead a modest life with their children. Charlotte feels disappointed with her mundane lifestyle, especially compared to her college friend Jackie Jennings (Brandy Norwood), who lives with her handsome husband in a luxurious house. When the Sanders accidentally end up at Jackie’s home on a winter evening, Charlotte decides to prove that her friend isn’t as perfect as she seems.

Best Christmas movies on Amazon Prime Video

This year, the standout offering from Amazon Prime Video is an unusual Christmas animation from the DC universe. To watch these movies, you’ll have to be a Prime member, but there’s a one-month free trial to take you through to January. Plus, remember that you’ll also get free next-day delivery – ideal for any last-minute gift purchasing. There’s also other classics to stream such as It’s a Wonderful Life, Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas and Scrooged.

Merry Little Batman

Bruce Wayne and his son Damian are preparing to spend Christmas together. However, Batman receives an urgent call that he can’t ignore. In his absence, Gotham is attacked by the Joker and his henchmen. Damian decides to put on the superhero costume and, as Little Batman, defend the city against the villains.

Candy Cane Lane

In this crazy comedy, Eddie Murphy plays Chris, a man who dreams of winning the neighbourhood’s best-decorated Christmas house contest. To achieve this, he forms an alliance with a shady elf named Pepper (Jillian Bell). The magical creature casts a spell to summon a true Christmas spirit. However, things get out of control, and the neighbourhood is invaded by strange creatures.

Your Christmas or Mine 2

In the second part of this British romantic comedy, the families of Hayley (Cora Kirk) and James (Asa Butterfield) meet again. The Taylors are invited by Lord Humphrey for a skiing trip to an elegant resort in the Alps. At the same time, James’s family arrives at the other end of the valley, where they plan to spend their winter vacation in less luxurious conditions.

This film releases on 8 December 2023, but the original is available to stream on Amazon as well.

Best Christmas movies on Disney+

This year, Disney+ doesn’t have any particularly new and notable Christmas feature films, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to watch during the holidays – there’s always classics such as The Muppets Christmas Carol and Home Alone, as well as these hidden gems below. You can sign up on the website, with prices starting from £4.99 per month for ad-supported viewing, and £7.99 per month for an ad-free subscription.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever

This Disney+ animation is an adaptation of one of Jeff Kinney’s books. Greg Heffley tries to survive the holidays with his family, but it’s not easy. The boy is afraid he won’t get the game he dreams of for Christmas, his grumpy brother Roderick returns home for the holidays, and to make matters worse, the family gets snowed in together.

This film releases on 8 December 2023.

The Naughty Nine

This flick follows a group of burglars who are planning the heist of a lifetime, but the twist is that these criminals are kids, and their target is… Santa Claus. Andy is a fifth-grader who hasn’t been particularly good throughout the year. As a result, he doesn’t receive any Christmas presents – but Andy is unwilling to accept that. He gathers a team of kids who, like him, can’t boast about their good behaviour. The gang sets out to rob Santa and get the Christmas gifts they’ve always dreamed of.

Theater Camp

While not a typical Christmas movie, this mockumentary comedy has a cheerful Christmas message. Amos (Ben Platt) and Rebecca-Diane (Molly Gordon) are best friends and drama instructors at a rundown camp in New York. When the camp owner falls into a coma, the business is taken over by her tech-bro Troy (Jimmy Tatro), who must deal with financial problems. Amos, Rebecca-Diane, and production manager Glenn (Noah Galvin) join forces to produce a unique show and keep the camp going.

Best Christmas movies on Now

In Now‘s Christmas offerings, you’ll find both old classics and new productions. However, it does cost £9.99 per month, making it a bit more expensive than its rivals. We’ve picked out some of the best, but there are lots more – including Elf and The Polar Express.

Violent Night

This crazy comedy with David Harbour has been described by some as a mix of Die Hard and Home Alone. Jason (Alex Hassell) and Linda (Alexis Louder) take their daughter Trudy (Leah Brady) to grandma’s house for the holidays. When a group of criminals attacks the mansion, Trudy calls Santa Claus (Harbour) for help. However, things take a surprising turn when he decides to brutally deal with the bandits.

Genie

This retelling of the Aladdin’s story may not be a perfect film, but it will attract Melissa McCarthy and Richard Curtis fans. Bernard (Paapa Essiedu) is struggling with life after being fired from his job and having his wife move out with their daughter. Bernard accidentally unleashes the carefree genie Flora (McCarthy), who agrees to grant his wishes. With her help, he sets out to regain his family.

Love Actually

This British comedy is still capturing people’s hearts twenty years after its premiere. The stellar cast, witty plot and uplifting messages make Love Actually a perfect holiday movie. Five weeks before Christmas in London, the paths of different people intertwine. They seek love and friendship, and the festive atmosphere naturally contributes to their search.

Related articles:

The best Christmas TV 2023

The best movies on Netflix in December 2023

The best movies on Now in December 2023

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