TOP 15 Christmas Movies That Will Make the Holidays Even More Magical

Christmas movies and Christmas fairy tales are an inseparable part of spending the most beautiful family holidays of the year. Some people prefer time-tested classics whose famous lines they know by heart, while others go straight into a marathon of Christmas-themed films, regardless of release year or genre. If you’re looking for inspiration for movies that will make you laugh, enchant you, and move you, don’t miss our 15 picks for the best Christmas films.

Family Christmas movies

Family coziness on the couch under blankets, trays full of good food, and great family movies with a festive atmosphere…

Grinch (2000 and 2018)

Children adore him for reasons unknown, and adults may sometimes recognize a bit of themselves in his behavior. The character of the Grinch has become very popular over recent decades. The green, eternally grumpy, furry Grinch does not share the positive mood of the residents of Whoville. As Christmas approaches, their joy only grows, so the Grinch decides that this year he will quite literally steal Christmas from them. As is typical in Christmas stories, a turning point comes that unexpectedly changes the Grinch’s life and shows him the true magic of Christmas.

The Polar Express (2004)

The Christmas movie The Polar Express stands out at first glance thanks to its unusual visual style. Each actor actually performed their role, yet the final result looks like an animated film with an almost magical feel. The story follows a little boy whose house is visited on Christmas Eve by a massive train that stops right in front of his door. He gets on and embarks on an adventurous journey all the way to a town at the North Pole. Actor Tom Hanks plays as many as six different characters in the film.

A Christmas Carol (2009)

Based on the famous book A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, the film of the same name features the old and embittered Ebenezer Scrooge as its main character. He loves money, but hates Christmas. Everything changes when he is visited by three spirits – the Ghost of Christmas Past, the Ghost of Christmas Present, and the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. Do you think he learns his lesson after meeting them?

Romantic Christmas movies

The Christmas holidays are closely tied to love for our nearest and dearest. No wonder romantic Christmas movies play such a big role at this time of year.

Love Actually (2003)

If you enjoy films whose quality has been tested by time and countless enthusiastic reviews, the British romantic Christmas film Love Actually will charm you not only with its extraordinary cast, but also with its perfectly thought-out storyline. The lives of several characters intertwine and gradually form a mosaic of different love stories. You can look forward to more than 120 minutes of delightful performances.

The Holiday (2006)

What can come out of one seemingly simple, temporary swap? You’ll find out in The Holiday. Two women with very different personalities, but similarly disappointed in love, decide that the Christmas period is the perfect time to break out of their routine and swap homes for a while. One heads to damp, wintry England, the other to sunny, warm California. And although both of them are determined to avoid meeting men, a dose of romance doesn’t take long to appear.

Holidate (2020)

Holidate (2020)
Christmas movies with a romantic twist tend to follow a slightly “pre-written” path – we all want even the smaller bumps along the way to end happily. It’s no different in the more recent romantic film Holidate, in which two single main characters agree to pretend to be a couple in front of their families during the holidays. The likeable and relatively fresh acting duo delivers very convincing performances.

Old Christmas movies

It’s hard to believe some Christmas films are already more than 30 years old. They’ve been with us since childhood, even if children today are quick to label them as “old”. But these legendary titles are absolutely worth revisiting.

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)

Clark, the father and head of the Griswold family, wants to experience the perfect Christmas holidays with all his loved ones. His obsession with perfection in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation constantly runs into obstacles, creating countless opportunities for comic and even tragicomic situations. From the gigantic Christmas tree, to the failed attempts to turn on the house lights, to the unexpected arrival of a cousin with her messy husband – with such a mix of personalities, there’s no shortage of hilarious moments.

Home Alone (1990)

Who doesn’t know forgotten little Kevin! The film Home Alone is adored by small children, teenagers, and seasoned adults who still laugh at it even on their twentieth viewing. Kevin is often annoyed by his big family and struggles to find his place in it, but when he suddenly ends up alone in the huge house right before Christmas, he has to face many challenges – including a legendary pair of not-very-successful burglars.

Miracle on 34th Street (1994)

Christmas is often described as a time of miracles, but sometimes our belief in them disappears far too early. Six-year-old Susan no longer believes in Santa Claus. That changes when she meets a Santa in a department store who convinces her that he is the real thing. What starts to happen after that? You’ll find out in the Christmas film Miracle on 34th Street. Incidentally, the older version from 1947 won three Oscars and two Golden Globes.

Christmas comedies

Laughter brings people together and strengthens relationships. So good Christmas comedies are a must-have during the holidays.

Cosy Dens (Pelíšky) (1999)

Brilliant acting, unforgettable lines, great direction, and an atmosphere that pulls in entire generations… The Czech film Pelíšky (Cosy Dens) is a real treat even for demanding viewers and has earned very high ratings. It captures the social atmosphere of the 1960s, portraying the lives of Czech families and their friends. It offers plenty of funny scenes and an exceptionally authentic depiction of the period.

A Bad Moms Christmas (2017)

Do you like the comedy Bad Moms? If so, its sequel A Bad Moms Christmas shouldn’t be missing from your list of Christmas comedies. The central idea is clear – although Christmas is considered the most beautiful time of the year, that doesn’t always apply to mothers. So the three main heroines decide that this year they will enjoy Christmas on their own terms. But then their own mothers show up, and all their plans are suddenly in danger.

Happy New Year (Šťastný nový rok) (2019)

The Christmas movie Happy New Year (Šťastný nový rok) has everything you could wish for in a good comedy. It was shot in the High Tatras, and you can look forward to a Slovak-Czech cast packed with some of the most popular names of today. A group of four friends on a winter vacation in the mountains has to deal with funny mishaps, as well as past and future loves. The film was so successful that it later received a loose sequel, Happy New Year 2: Dobro došli.

Czech and Slovak Christmas films

Still feel like something is missing from our list of the best Christmas movies? Time for the finale! The last three titles are the most iconic holiday classics you’ll find in the TV schedule.

Three Wishes for Cinderella (Tri oriešky pre Popolušku) (1973)

The Christmas fairy tale Three Wishes for Cinderella (Tri oriešky pre Popolušku) may be over 50 years old, but its story and atmosphere are timeless. Cinderella is an orphan who decides to defy her fate, and three magic nuts help her on her journey to freedom and love. Beautiful winter scenery and excellent performances have made this film an unrivaled fairy-tale classic.

I Enjoy the World with You (S tebou ma baví svet) (1982)

Three friends go on a “boys-only” trip to a cabin in the Beskids every year. At first everything looks perfect, but their wives revolt and “pack” the children along with them. Three grown men, six children aged 1 to 10, a cabin without electricity, an outhouse outside, and completely ruined original plans. How will the dads cope? In 1998, the film I Enjoy the World with You (S tebou ma baví svet) was voted the Comedy of the Century in a viewer poll.

Perinbaba (1985)

An old and wise woman named Perinbaba lives high in the mountains, where she shakes out her featherbed to cover the world with a white blanket of snow. She is helped by Jakub, a boy she once saved from the clutches of Death itself. But Jakub longs to return to Earth, to his love – the beautiful Alžbetka. Down below, the young couple must face many obstacles and fight for their own happiness. Perinbaba is unique in its visuals, camera work, striking images of nature, and unforgettable characters.

• Kubínska
• 3. December 2025