If you need a break from wrapping presents, shipping gifts to loved ones, or moving the Elf on a Shelf, you may as well kick back with a nice Christmas-themed movie, and thankfully, there are plenty of holiday classics and fresh movies across streaming services.
No matter where you get your entertainment, you're sure to be able to find either something new and refreshing or an old favorite.
While it might be too late to create your own 12 Days of Christmas lineup, these are 12 holiday movies you can stream on various platforms.
Netflix
Klaus (2019)
The animated film boasts an impressive voice cast with Jason Schwartzman, Rashida Jones, Norm MacDonald and J.K. Simmons. The movie tells a charming, original take on Santa Claus' origin, where a could-be postman (Schwartzman), who needs to mail 6,000 letters by the end of the year, befriends a toy maker named Klaus (Simmons) who delivers toys to the sad children of Smeerensburg. The Netflix Original also snagged an Oscar nominee for best animated feature film earlier this year.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
While the Grinch's story has been told over and over again, Jim Carrey's portrayal of the Dr. Seuss villain is still nostalgically remembered among millennials who grew up on live-action adaptation of the movie.
White Christmas (1954)
There's nothing like an old-time classic during the holiday season. The romantic musical starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera Ellen boasts a number of classic songs by Irving Berlin, including the stand out title song and "Sisters."
Disney+
Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
Few portrayals of Santa Claus are as iconic as Edmund Gwenn as the Macy's Kris Kringle who turns out to just be the real deal. Even over 70 years after it was first released, it continues to be the movie that best encapsulates the magic that Christmas and children's belief in Santa can bring.
The Santa Clause Trilogy (1994, 2002, 2006)
While Gwenn may be the Santa Claus, Tim Allen's mystical transition into the Father Christmas is easily a strong runner-up. The divorced Scott Calvin accidentally scares old Saint Nick off his roof, putting on the classic red suit and becoming the man himself. Despite his son's (Eric Lloyd) insistence that he has taken on the role, Calvin has a tough time convincing himself and later his ex-wife that he's actually going to start living up at the North Pole.
Home Alone (1990), Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)
Disney+ actually has three Home Alone flicks, but the original two are easily the superior movies. After his family forgets him at home (in the original) and he gets on the wrong flight (in the sequel), Kevin McAllister (Macaulay Culkin) enjoys the spoils of having the house to himself and then taking on the Big Apple. Unfortunately, Kevin has to also outwit a pair of criminals known as the "Wet Bandits" (Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern), and an unwitting hotel staff (Tim Curry and Rob Schneider).
Hulu
Once Upon a Time at Christmas (2017)
Getting tired of some of the sugary-sweet feel-good holiday movies doesn't make you a Grinch, it just means you might need a change of pace. Horror fans will likely enjoy this good old-fashioned slasher dressed up as a holly jolly nightmare. The movie features a serial killer couple who dress as Santa (Simon Phillips) and Mrs. Claus (Sayla de Goede) and wreak havoc in a small town.
Abominable (2019)
While not technically a Christmas movie, the Dreamworks film that tells the story of a young girl named Yi (Chloe Bennet) who befriends a yeti is still a wintery classic sure to please during the holiday season. Yi and her friends (Albert Tsai and Tenzing Norgay Trainor) help their abominable snowman friend escape the clutches of a wealthy businessman (Eddie Izzard) who wants to keep the yeti as a pet and return him to his home on Mount Everest.
HBOMax
A Christmas Carol (1938)
Charles Dickens' famous story has been told time and time again in so many different ways, but you can stream an early film version with Reginald Owen as Ebenezer Scrooge on HBOMax.
Die Hard (1988)
While there's still plenty of debate as to whether it's a Christmas movie or not, you can decide for yourself by streaming the classic Bruce Willis action movie, which is set at Christmas time.
Amazon Prime
It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
Frank Capra's classic movie about a down on his luck banker (James Stewart) saved from suicide by an angel in waiting (Henry Travers) is easily one of the most enjoyed Christmas classics, because it captures "the joy of living, the drama of living and above all the glorious romance that makes this such a wonderful life," as the trailer puts it. While contemplating jumping off a bridge on Christmas Eve, the angel wannabe, Clarence, shows the banker George what the world would be like had he never been born. After learning how many wonderful things he's done and brought to people, George opts not to jump and celebrates Christmas Eve with his family.
The Snowman (1982)
The 1982 classic animated short shows a young boy who is flown to the North Pole by a magical snowman on Christmas Eve. Amazon has the 2014 re-release available to stream, which includes an introduction read by rock icon David Bowie. The timeless classic is sure to capture imaginations of all ages.
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