December 23, 2025, 5:55 am | Read time: 8 minutes

There are timeless film classics that fit perfectly into the Christmas season thanks to their wintry settings and festive atmosphere. Some titles have even achieved cult status as Christmas classics. But newer films also bring festive cheer. TECHBOOK has compiled a list of Christmas movies that everyone should know.

Christmas Movies Give a Good Feeling

For many, Christmas is the time of year to gather with family, share meals, and watch movies. Just as “Dinner for One” is a New Year’s Eve staple, there are various films closely linked to the German Christmas celebration. It can get a bit kitschy—after all, Christmas is the festival of love.

That’s why many Christmas movies create a special feel-good atmosphere. It’s proven that Christmas movies release happiness hormones. Themes like love and hope, combined with a predictable plot and a happy ending, seem just right for the holidays (exceptions prove the rule).

The Most Beautiful Christmas Movies

You probably know many of the following films on our list, and some you might not. In any case, each one is a must-see for Christmas.

Love Actually

One of the biggest Christmas classics is undoubtedly “Love Actually.” The 2003 romantic comedy brings together numerous stars on screen, including Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, Colin Firth, Keira Knightley, Laura Linney, Alan Rickman, and Liam Neeson. The film has everything that makes a good Christmas movie. It episodically tells the stories of different people around Christmas time, all interconnected in one way or another.

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The range of stories is extensive. A jilted writer finds new love in southern France, while a newlywed discovers her husband’s friend secretly has feelings for her (leading to a truly legendary carol-singing scene). Meanwhile, the British prime minister has a soft spot for his charming housekeeper, while his sister’s marriage is on the rocks. It also features a widower learning to raise his very smitten son and a woman who has been obviously in love with her colleague for years. And, of course, there’s an eccentric department store employee with a penchant for elaborate gift wrapping.

Rise of the Guardians

This Christmas film on the list is relatively young—”Rise of the Guardians” premiered in 2012. The title features some of the most well-known characters: the Sandman, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy—and, of course, Santa Claus. Together, they ensure happy children and keep the belief in miracles and magic alive. But when the Boogeyman wants to spread nightmares, they need help. This comes in the form of the irresponsible Jack Frost.

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This Christmas film is not just about festive cheer but also about unity and overcoming personal boundaries and nightmares. An animated film for the whole family.

It’s a Wonderful Life

This Christmas classic has been around for quite a few years. Fortunately, this film is timeless in almost every aspect and is a staple in many households at Christmas. When a family man (James Stewart) loses his will to live on Christmas, a guardian angel is sent to help him. However, only the somewhat naive Clarence (Henry Travers) is on duty at that time.

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As viewers, we are taken on an exciting journey through the life of a man who seems to be plagued by bad luck but never loses his good nature. A film full of nostalgia, subtle humor, and plenty of Christmas spirit.

Three Wishes for Cinderella

The Czech-German fairy tale adaptation is a Christmas staple for many. This Cinderella story gives its heroine three magical nuts, each containing a different costume. Otherwise, this Cinderella can hunt, ride, climb, and throw snowballs with precision to win the prince’s heart.

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What makes the film almost as unforgettable is the wonderful soundtrack. Interestingly, the film was originally supposed to be shot in the summer. Due to scheduling conflicts, the start of filming was postponed—fortunately! The whole thing takes place in a beautiful winter landscape.

Home Alone

What happens when an 8-year-old is home alone at Christmas? The answer: a lot. After Kevin is literally forgotten by his family, he doesn’t join them on their Christmas vacation and enjoys the time to the fullest. Chaos ensues when two crooks try to rob the seemingly abandoned house, only to encounter Kevin, who rises to the occasion with creativity.

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The 1990 Christmas comedy delivers plenty of running gags that only make sense if you’ve seen the film. John Williams’ soundtrack is also unforgettable to this day.

Sissi Trilogy

Why these three films air on German TV every Christmas is not immediately obvious. They don’t focus on Christmas, nor does winter play a prominent role. Despite all the clichés, the story of the Austrian cult empress still represents a certain feel-good atmosphere.

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In three films, the development of young Elisabeth, played by Romy Schneider, is shown—albeit less historically accurate. Her journey takes her from the quaint Possenhofen in Bavaria, where she meets the Austrian Emperor Franz Josef and falls in love with him. There are now numerous other adaptations of the story, but none have been as successful as the trilogy from the ’50s.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Both films, the one from 1971 and the one from 2005, are very worth watching, with Johnny Depp as the eccentric candy maker Willy Wonka making the newer adaptation of the book unique. The ten-year-old Charlie wins one of only five golden tickets, allowing him to visit Willy Wonka’s mysterious chocolate factory.

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Not only are there plenty of sweets, especially chocolate, to see, but the trip also proves surprisingly dangerous for the visitors.

The Holiday

No list of the best Christmas movies would be complete without “The Holiday.” The romantic comedy with Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz as the lead pair is wonderfully kitschy and Christmassy. Two women are disappointed by love in different ways. While Iris is unhappily in love with her now-engaged colleague, Amanda has just broken up with her unfaithful boyfriend. To escape their heartache, the two swap houses: Iris travels to LA, and Amanda to snowy Surrey.

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There, they find not only new love but also self-discovery and a charming, somewhat grumpy neighbor. For many, “The Holiday” is the epitome of a romantic Christmas comedy, where everything somehow turns out well in the end.

Die Hard

An atypical but well-known Christmas classic is the first “Die Hard” with Bruce Willis. In fact, the first two films are set at Christmas, but otherwise, things are rather unfestive. Police officer John McClane faces real criminal heavyweights who have a problem with him enjoying the holiday.

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While You Were Sleeping

Romantic comedies also thrive at Christmas. And when the plot is set during the holiday season… That’s the case with “While You Were Sleeping” starring Sandra Bullock. The Oscar winner plays Lucy, a young ticket collector who secretly pines for Peter, a passenger. When she has to work on the holiday, she saves his life when he falls onto the tracks. However, Peter falls into a coma. When Lucy visits him in the hospital, a series of misunderstandings leads his family to believe she is his fiancée—including Peter’s attractive brother Jack.

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Lucy, who usually spends Christmas alone, is touched by the family’s warmth. She can’t bring herself to tell them the truth. In turn, she grows close to the family, especially the brooding Jack. When Peter finally wakes up, he can’t remember anything and also assumes Lucy is his fiancée. Can this tangled relationship be saved with Christmas spirit?

Scrooged

The film is based on the well-known Christmas story by Charles Dickens. Francis Xavier Cross (Bill Murray) seems to have everything one could wish for. He runs a successful TV station and has plenty of money. However, he has become lonely and bitter along the way. He takes his cynicism to the extreme by producing a tasteless adaptation of Dickens’ Christmas story, resulting in people getting hurt.

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Three ghosts appear to him on Christmas Eve, reminding him of the values that truly matter. He begins to make amends and work through his past.