What Christmas films are on Netflix this year? 27 of the best Christmas movies to watch with the whole family

Whether you fancy a good giggle or a timeless classic, here are the best Christmas movies to see you and the family through the rest of the year. 

The decorations are up, you’ve nailed all the best Elf on the Shelf ideas and your matching family Christmas pyjamas are ready for the big day – now all that’s missing is a heartwarming festive flick, and don’t worry, the child-friendly films are some of the best. 

Watching movies and tuning in to the Christmas TV schedule often becomes a firm part of family Christmas traditions this time of year, and they’re perfect for bringing everyone together during the festive season. Keep scrolling for our top picks of the best Christmas movies – all you need is a cosy blanket and unlimited festive snacks!

The best Christmas movies on Netflix in 2023

1. Dr Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Rating: PG

Probably the most classic film on this list, Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas tells the story of the grumpy Grinch, who vows to stop Christmas from coming after being annoyed by Whoville's festivities.

2. Family Switch

Rating: PG

Just before Christmas, a family’s life gets turned upside down when a rare cosmic event causes the parents to swap bodies with their teenage kids. Starring Jennifer Garner, we can't wait to watch this family-friendly comedy. 

3. Falling for Christmas

Rating: PG

New for 2022, Lindsay Lohan stars in this film that follows a spoiled heiress who, after losing her memory in a skiing accident, lands in the cozy care of a down-on-his-luck widower and his daughter at Christmastime.

4. Best. Christmas. Ever!

Rating: PG 

Charlotte and Jackie reunite with their families by a stroke of luck at Christmas, but can Charlotte prove to her old friend that her life is too good to be true? This snowy festive movie also had everyone wondering where was Best. Christmas. Ever! filmed? 

5. The Noel Diary

Rating: PG

Another new release, this festive tale follows a novelist who is cleaning out his childhood home at Christmas, when he discovers a diary full of secrets about his own past, and meets a woman searching for her birth mother. 

6. Single All the Way

Rating: 12

Peter asks his best friend to pose as his boyfriend on a Christmas visit home, in order to avoid his family's judgment about his perpetual single status. But their plan - and feelings - change when Peter's family play matchmaker.

7. Love Hard

Rating: 15

Nina Dobrev of Vampire Diaries fame takes the lead role in this romcom. After meeting her perfect match on a dating app, an LA writer learns she's been catfished when she flies 3,000 miles to surprise him for Christmas.

9. A Christmas Wish For Daisy

Rating: U

Interior designer Whitney gets a surprise when she discovers that her latest client is an ex from her past, whose daughter, Daisy, is wishing for a mother this Christmas. 

10. Dash & Lily

Rating: 12

Admittedly this isn't a film, but it's a TV series short enough to binge on those days between Christmas and New Year. The tale shows that opposites attract at Christmas as cynical Dash and sunny Lily trade messages and dares in a red notebook they pass back and forth around New York City.

11. Holidate

Rating: 15

Starring Emma Roberts, this festive tale follows two strangers fed up with being single during the holidays who agree to be each other's platonic plus-ones all year long, only to catch real feelings along the way.

12. Holiday in the Wild

Rating: 12

To her surprise, Kate’s marriage is abruptly ended by her husband, so to mend her broken heart, she embarks on a solo journey to Africa, hoping to find peace and maybe even romance. 

13. The Holiday Calendar

Rating: PG

A talented photographer stuck in a dead-end job inherits an antique Advent calendar that may be predicting the future - and pointing her towards love.

14. Alien Xmas

Rating: U

A young elf mistakes a tiny alien for a Christmas gift, not knowing her new plaything has plans to destroy Earth's gravity — and steal all the presents.

15. Dolly Parton’s Christmas On The Square

Rating: PG

An embittered "Scrooge" of a woman plans to sell her small town, regardless of the consequences to the people who live there.

16. Operation Christmas Drop

Rating: U

By-the-book political aide Erica ditches her traditional family Christmas in favour of a mission across the Pacific. However, after clashing with a handsome pilot, Erica begins to fall for the man she finds herself at odds with.

17. Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey

Rating: PG

An imaginary world comes to life in a holiday tale of an eccentric toymaker, his adventurous granddaughter, and a magical invention that has the power to change their lives forever.

18. The Princess Switch

Rating: PG

When a down-to-earth Chicago baker and a soon-to-be princess discover they look like twins, they hatch a Christmastime plan to trade places. Starring Vanessa Hudgens, if you're a fan of this festive film you'll want to check out The Princess Switch: Switched Again and The Princess Switch 3: Romancing the Star too.

19. The Christmas Chronicles

Rating: PG

A brother and sister accidentally crash Santa's sleigh just hours before Christmas - so along with a rather straight-talking St Nicholas, they band together to save the festive season overnight...

20. Angela's Christmas Wish

Rating: U

Set in Ireland in the 1910s, 'Angela's Christmas' is a funny, heart-warming and poignant story about the power of family and the innocent desire of a child to ensure everyone is safe, warm and loved at Christmas time.

21. Klaus

Rating: PG

A selfish postman comes together with a shy, reclusive toymaker, in this Netflix Christmas film. Together, they work to deliver some festive spirit and joy to a village that is lacking...

22. A StoryBots Christmas

Rating: U

When Bo mistakenly thinks that her friends don't like her gifts, she heads to the North Pole to ask Santa for help making better presents. She learns along the way that Christmas is about far more than just the toys. Ed Asner guest stars as Santa Claus.

23. The Knight Before Christmas

Rating: 12

Vanessa Hudgens plays Brooke is the new Netflix film, which has been released ahead of Christmas 2019. After giving up all hope of finding her 'happily ever after', Brooke meets Cole -  man who says he's a knight who has travelled from the 14th century. Is he the one she's been hoping for her whole life?

24. Let It Snow

Rating: 12

When a snowstorm hits a small town on Christmas Eve, a group of high school seniors finds their friendships and love lives colliding.

25. A Christmas Prince

Rating: PG

Christmas comes early for an aspiring young journalist when she's sent abroad to get the scoop on a dashing prince who's poised to be king.

26. Holiday Rush

Rating: PG

Radio DJ Rashon 'Rush' Williams (Romany Malco), is dealing with the death of his wife by buying his four kids almost everything on their Christmas list. However, things don't go to plan when he loses his job just before the holidays, and he's forced to re-evaluate...

27. Christmas Inheritance

Rating: PG

Heiress Ellen must carry out an errand in Snow Falls, the hometown she never knew, before she can inherit her father's business. To experience life’s true gifts, her parents insist that she make the trip anonymously, without fame or fortune to aid her…

For a coming-of-age drama to get stuck into, find out what is My Life with the Walter Boys based on and here are 15 ways Netflix's Leo tackles the anxieties of modern parenting.

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