The 20 Best Christmas Movies and Specials on the Web

Grab your favorite device to watch some of these festive flicks, all for free

By
Elise Moreau
Elise Moreau
Elise Moreau
Freelance Contributor
  • University of Ontario
  • George Brown College
Elise Moreau is a writer that has covered social media, texting, messaging, and streaming for Lifewire. Her work has appeared on Techvibes, SlashGear, Lifehack and others.
lifewire's editorial guidelines
Updated on November 18, 2021

Premium streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video have plenty of popular Christmas movies. Still, many Christmas movies are available for free on the web from sites like YouTube.

Whether you love romantic Christmas movies, animated Christmas movies, or inspiring and dramatic movies, there's something here for everyone!

01
of 20

All I Want for Christmas Is You (2017)

All I Want for Christmas Is You with Mariah Carey

Christmas isn't Christmas without a Mariah Carey movie or two. In recent years, the star has been competing with Dolly Parton for most holiday specials, and All I Want for Christmas Is You is definitely one of her more entertaining ones.

02
of 20

Santa Claus Conquers the Martians (1964)

Santa Claus Conquers the Martians

Amazon

In this sci-fi holiday classic, Santa gets abducted by aliens who want to bring Christmas cheer to Mars. It's even sillier than it sounds, but Santa Claus Conquers the Martians certainly isn't forgettable.

03
of 20

The Nutcracker (1993)

The Nutcracker 1993

Amazon

Of all the many versions of The Nutcracker, the 1993 screen adaptation of Tchaikovsky's famous ballet is by far the most ambitious. Starring Macaulay Culkin, the movie features impressive dancing and choreography.

04
of 20

He-Man & She-Ra: A Christmas Special (1985)

He-Man & She-Ra: A Christmas Special

Amazon

He-Man and She-Ra aren't the first characters that come to mind when most people think of Christmas. Nonetheless, they heroically saved the holiday back in 1985, so you should pay your respects by watching their Christmas movie.

05
of 20

Babar and Father Christmas (1986)

Babar and Father Christmas.

Based on the original children's book, this holiday-themed TV special of Babar the Elephant will delight kids of today and adults who grew up watching the show.

06
of 20

Noel (2004)

Susan Sarandon in "Noel."

Follow the lives of five people who come together to find the true meaning of Christmas. This movie stars some big-name celebrities, including Susan Sarandon, Robin Williams, Paul Walker, and Penelope Cruz.

07
of 20

Scrooge (1935)

Scrooge character in "Scrooge"

Based on Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, this 1935 version was among the first films to feature sound. The quality may not be great, but it's still an incredible Christmas classic!

08
of 20

Miracle on 34th Street (1955)

Scene from "Miracle on 34th Street"

This Christmas special from the TV series The 20th-Century Fox Hour is based on the original 1947 film. The 45-minute adaptation features a department store Santa Claus who thinks he's a real one.

09
of 20

Hearts of Christmas (2011)

Scene from "Hearts of Christmas"

Starring Candace Cameron Bure, this inspiring story of a child's battle with acute leukemia shows how people can come together in the worst of times to find faith and spread love. Based on a true story.

10
of 20

My Santa (2013)

My Santa.

Watch as a single mother falls in love with a Santa Claus who works at a mall. What she doesn't know is that he's the son of the real Santa, and he's looking to find his very own Mrs. Claus!

11
of 20

12 Dog Days Till Christmas (2014)

Scene from "12 Dog Days Till Christmas"

This movie is perfect for dog-loving adults and kids of all ages. A troubled teenager is forced to work at an animal shelter, then finds out he only has 12 days to find homes for all the dogs before the shelter closes by Christmas.

12
of 20

Santa Claws (2014)

Scene from "Sant Claws" with kittens in a box

We weren't going to let cat lovers miss out on this movie list! In Santa Claws, a boy asks for a kitten for Christmas, even though Santa Claus is allergic to cats. Before you know it, Santa is suffering a severe allergy attack, and the kittens have to band together to finish delivering his gifts.

13
of 20

Christmas for a Dollar (2013)

Christmas for a Dollar.

Set during the Great Depression, Christmas for a Dollar tells the story of a struggling family dealing with the death of a wife and mother. Just when they expect no gifts for Christmas, the children's father gives them one dollar to spend on gifts for each other.

14
of 20

The Wizard's Christmas (2016)

The Wizard's Christmas

This exciting animated movie will wisp you away to a fantasy land where a wizard's apprentice must correct what the Dark Wizard did on Christmas Eve many years ago. Perfect for kids and the whole family.

15
of 20

Christmas in the Heartland (2017)

Three women walking down street in "Christmas in the Heartland"

Two teenage girls who are seemingly completely different become friends while seated next to each other on a plane. Both are on their way to visit family they've never met for Christmas, and they decide to switch places.

16
of 20

Paper Angels (2014)

Character from "Paper Angels" typing

In this movie, the Salvation Army's Angel Tree Program connects a man and a boy during difficult times in their lives. Through their hardships, they end up discovering the true meaning of Christmas.

17
of 20

Dear Santa (2011)

Scene from "Dear Santa"

This one is for the shopaholics. The wealthy parents of a young woman who can't control her spending finally decide to cut her off unless she changes her spending habits by Christmas. While trying to change her ways, she falls for the owner of a soup kitchen after reading his daughter's letter to Santa, in which the daughter asks for a new wife for her father.

18
of 20

Married by Christmas (2016)

Executive holding paper and talking in "Married by Christmas"

A workaholic has to find a fiancé by Christmas after learning from her parents that the first of her siblings to marry will inherit the family business. With her sister planning to get married on Christmas Eve, she has no time to waste!

19
of 20

Krampus: The Christmas Devil (2013)

Two monsters in "Krampus: The Christmas Devil"

Even though Christmas is a cheery time of year, we weren't going to leave out the horror enthusiasts! This chilling flick isn't for young kids. It features a devil who terrorizes a town by killing naughty children as the police try to hunt it down.

20
of 20

Believe (2016)

Believe 2016

Wikipedia

Facing economic uncertainty, a factory owner has to make tough decisions at Christmas time. If you're in the mood for something inspiring and faith-based, Believe will hit the spot.

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