Christmas is just around the corner, which means it's time to dust off the old classics. Alone, or with a family, these movies bring a smile to everyone's face from 8 to 80. And now that DVDs have gotten out of style - and most devices can't even process them - it's up to the biggest streaming platforms to bring joy to each and every household.
Thankfully, there are hundreds of classic Christmas movies, and even newer Hallmark movies everyone can enjoy on Amazon Prime Video. So without further ado, it's time to put on our favorite pajamas and grab all the leftovers, because here are the top Christmas movies to bings this holiday season.
Updated December 11, 2022, by Layann Basileh: Amazon may be used far more often for last-minute Christmas shopping than Christmas movie streaming, but there are still plenty of great titles that are sure to get viewers in the holiday spirit, ranging from cartoon classics to adult comedies, to choose from its digital library. A few of these titles aren’t available for streaming on any other platform.
Be sure to fire up these films this season, since there is a chance they won’t be around when the holidays return next year and Amazon Prime Video tends to have a fairly high turnover rate in its holiday film collection.
10 Miracle On 34th Street
Kris Kringle has us believe that Santa Claus does exist. But that's for a jury to decide. In this quirky Christmas movie, Kringle becomes the main event of Macy's in midtown Manhattan when he replaces an intoxicated Santa and wows everyone who meets him.
But things go south when he starts claiming that he in fact is the real Santa Claus straight from the North Pole. Quickly this becomes a court case, where everyone tries to determine whether he's telling the truth or not.
9 It's A Wonderful Life
It doesn't get more classic than this. The slightly depressing, but equally heartwarming It's a Wonderful Life is a great way to end the night. George Bailey is thinking about ending it all (on Christmas), and as the angles discuss his fate, the audience sees his life flash before his eyes.
In the movie George's guardian angel, Clarence shows him what his life and the town would be like without him, proving that he and his good deeds are needed. Not the most cheerful movie for the holidays, but surely a forever classic, and a must-watch.
8 Elf
Elf will have the entire family rolling on the floor having the best time. While for some people it might be too juvenile, for them we can only say one thing: You are a cotton-headed ninny muggins. Danny, raised by elves, finds out (way too late) that he is in fact a human person with human parents.
And so, he embarks on a journey to the Big Apple looking for his father, a cynical businessman. The two begin to bond and try to start a relationship, but Buddy makes this very difficult due to his over-the-top and childish attitude. The movie's very well-written, very funny, and the cherry on top of an already perfect day. After all, how many times do we get to hear: “I'm sorry I ruined your lives and crammed 11 cookies into the VCR.”
7 Scrooged
There are countless adaptions of A Christmas Carol, but there’s only one with the beloved Bill Murray at the helm. Although he plays the film’s reimagination of Ebenezer Scrooge, television executive Frank Cross, Murray’s notorious dry wit makes it hard for audiences to despise him even before he begins to see the error of his greedy ways.
Ironically, Frank is struggling to put together his own live televised production of A Christmas Carol when the classic tale decides to teach him about its true meaning with a very hands-on approach.
6 Christmas Cartoons Collection
For those desiring to take a trip down memory lane, this animated anthology features nearly two hours showcasing early renditions of some of the most iconic Christmas stories in the history of the holiday. Along with classics like “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “Jack Frost”, the collection includes Christmas cartoons that are not quite as well-known but regardless, are sure to get viewers into the festive spirit.
Even for those who didn’t grow up watching the fourteen cartoons in the collection, there’s joy to be had in witnessing past animation styles.
5 Christmas Cupid
Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol finds an unlikely new form as a romantic comedy produced by Freeform (now known as ABC Family). Marking her second time as a leading lady in a Freeform original Christmas film, Christina Milan headlines the movie as Sloane, a publicist obsessed with her career and dating up.
As Christmas approaches, Sloane’s celebrity client, Caitlin, has a lethal accident with a martini olive. But before Caitlin can move on to the afterlife, she (and spirits of “ex-mas” past) must convince Sloane to change her self-centered lifestyle.
4 Edward Scissorhands
Amazon Prime Video subscribers who don’t have access to Disney Plus, which tends to be protective of its streaming titles, should jump at the chance to watch this eerie yet Christmas-y gem from Tim Burton on the platform. Suburbia meets the strange when Peg, a door-to-door saleswoman, encounters Edward, a man crafted by an inventor who passed away before he could replace Edward’s scissors with hands.
Peg brings Edward to her home where he meets her daughter, Kim, who he quickly falls in love with despite their vastly different personas that threaten his chances with her.
3 Snowglobe
Christina Milan stars in her first Freeform holiday film as Angela, a young woman who fantasizes about the perfect, picturesque Christmas. In reality, she is fed up with her family which has no interest in traditional Christmas celebrations, and constantly meddles in Angela’s love life, going so far as to constantly rent out the apartment next to her with single men.
Angela gets her chance at the Christmas of her dreams when she receives a snow globe from an anonymous sender, one that whisks her into the town underneath its dome.
2 The Mistle-Tones
Subscribers who love classical Christmas songs and musicals should queue up Freefrom’s holiday musical, whether to sit down and enjoy it with a warm drink or simply let it play in the background and rejoice when the Christmas covers ring out.
Christmas music-loving Holly becomes determined to form her own holiday singing troupe after being rejected by the Snow Belles, a group that her late mother founded. With the recruitment of her harsh but vocally gifted boss, Holly and the “Mistle-Tones” enter a local competition alongside the Snow Belles.
1 Arthur Christmas
The Claus family discovers that even the most advanced technology is no match for the magic of the Christmas spirit in this enchanting film that won the hearts of critics and earned a spot in many’s holiday streaming lineup.
Arthur Claus, the youngest son of the current Santa, decides to personally deliver a young girl’s Christmas present after it gets misplaced by his father and the elves. Despite assurances that one missing present is of no consequence, Arthur sets out with his retired grandfather and a remorseful elf to ensure that every nice child wakes up to a present on Christmas day.