The top ten Christmas films to stream this festive season – from old school classics to A-list packed modern hits

Had your fill of all those third-rate Christmas movies that seem to start broadcasting in September and fancy an absolute classic instead?

In the build up to Christmas, many people have those special films they sit down to watch every year.

Whether classics or more recent fare, they are especially intended to help viewers get into the festive spirit.

But what are the best options for 2025?

Our expert Robin Wiggs has picked his Top Ten Christmas Movies available to stream now.

Grab a hot chocolate and settle down for a real treat…

THE SOUND OF MUSIC – Disney+

The perfect Christmas family film stars Julie Andrews (above) as the governess fleeing the invading Nazis.

In the 60 years since its release, it hasn’t been bettered.

THE BISHOP’S WIFE – Amazon Prime Video

Directed by Henry Koster, The Bishop’s Wife stars Cary Grant as an angel helping a bishop with his problems

If you’ve never seen it, this wholesome festive romcom is a real hidden gem.

Released in 1947, it stars Cary Grant as an angel caught between his duty to help David Niven’s bishop and his growing feelings for the bishop’s wife.

THE HOLLY AND THE IVY – Studiocanal Presents, buy/rent on Apple, Amazon etc

Starring Ralph Richardson and Celia Johnson, The Holly and The Ivy was adapted from the 1950 play of the same name

A moving, emotionally complex British Christmas classic from 1952, about a widowed reverend (Ralph Richardson) learning to appreciate his family.

THE HOLDOVERS – Netflix

Paul Giamatti stars in an Oscar-nominated performance in The Holdovers, playing a strict 1970s teacher at a New England boarding school

Set in a snowy US school in the 1970s, this is a feelgood tale of a teacher (Paul Giamatti) rediscovering his festive spirit.

ELF – Sky/Now

Will Ferrell stars in this holiday classic – which has gone on to become a staple Christmas event in the 22 years since its release

Will Ferrell’s Buddy is pure festive spirit. The actor has refused to make a sequel in the 22 years since Elf came out but, if you want more Buddy, there is a stage musical playing in London.

THE MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL – Disney+

Although there have been many versions of Charles Dickens’ classic story, this one casts Michael Caine as Scrooge and Kermit the Frog as Bob Cratchit

To many, this joyous musical – with Kermit as Bob Cratchit and Michael Caine as Scrooge – is Dickens at its finest.

SCROOGED – Sky/Now

Another reimagining of A Christmas Carol – shifting the story to 1980s and starring Bill Murray in the lead role

Bill Murray stars as the TV exec being visited by three ghosts in a great comedy take on Dickens’ tale. Shifting the setting to the ‘greed is good’ 1980s is a perfect fit for the original story.

THE HOLIDAY – Amazon, Disney+, Netflix, Sky/Now

Released in 2006, this cosy film stars Jude Law, Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet and Jack Black in main roles

The cosy house-swap classic, with Jude Law and Cameron Diaz as one of the couples.

If you’d prefer to watch Love Actually, you can find that on ITVX, Prime Video, Netflix and Sky/Now.

LAST CHRISTMAS – BBC iPlayer, Disney+, Netflix

Released in 2019, Game of Thrones star Emilia Clarke stars in this festive romcom co-written by Dame Emma Thompson

Game Of Thrones’ Emilia Clarke shines in this lovely, bittersweet London romcom about an aspiring singer.

THE FAMILY STONE – Disney+, Netflix

Released in 2005, Christmas comedy The Family Stone features Diane Keaton, Rachel McAdams and Sarah Jessica Parker, to name a few

This cosy New England Christmas comedy has a super starry cast, with Sarah Jessica Parker as the uptight NYC gal visiting the laidback family of her fiancé. Diane Keaton co-stars as the mum.