The year 2020 has changed our lives in many ways, but most importantly it has made us realize how crucial it is to enjoy the little moments of togetherness. While we cannot attend events or large gatherings to celebrate this holiday season, it doesn't mean there’s no other way to have fun. We can still be excited about making Christmas and New Year plans while following the norms of social distancing.
If you don’t want to risk the health of your loved ones by stepping out, you can spend the holidays exploring the plethora of films on OTT. With the onset of online streaming services, there are several Christmas themed movies that you can enjoy with your family and close friends. Here is a list of 10 best rated Christmas movies that you can stream online:
1. Klaus
Year: 2019
IMDb rating: 8.2/10
Platform: Netflix
Klaus is a film that reveals the origin story of Santa Claus. A postman named Jesper is sent to a remote island named Smeerensburg by his father on a condition that he can only return after processing 6,000 mails in a year. Jesper befriends Klaus, a toymaker, and together they devise the plan of delivering toys to all the kids who write letters thus resolving the age-old feud in the town.
It conveys how a simple act of kindness can go a long way in rekindling friendship and love through its beautifully captivating visuals. The film also highlights the art of writing letters and spreads the message of how change can be brought by just one person.
2. Miracle on the 34th Street
Year: 1947
IMDb rating: 7.9/10
Platform: Disney + Hotstar
Miracle on the 34th Street is a classic holiday tale of taking a stand for what one believes in. It’s about a little girl Susan who is raised in a realistic world by her mother Doris, an Executive at Macy’s. So, when Kris - the in-house Santa at Macy’s convinces Susan that he is the real Santa Claus, it changes her beliefs and thoughts. However, this insistence takes a toll on Kris’ mental capability. Eventually, Doris and Susan along with all the kids come together to show the world the truth about Santa.
You can watch this movie with your kids and talk to them about what they believe in. It’s a great learning for young children. Not only will this film ensure that you have a great time together, but it will also open a dialogue of trust and a variety of emotions that one experiences during childhood.
3. Once Upon A Deadpool
Year: 2018
IMDb rating: 7.7/10
Platform: Disney + Hotstar
Once Upon A Deadpool is the PG-13 version of Deadpool 2 that came out in 2018. Since Deadpool movies are all about dark humor that lies in its gory violence and swear words, here’s your chance to enjoy the same in an age-appropriate version. If you are parenting your teens, this movie is the best option to watch on Christmas. Besides, it also contains 20 minutes of additional footage that wasn’t there in Deadpool 2.
In this film, Deadpool is telling a bedtime story of how he is trying to protect the 14-year-old mutant Russell that leads him to prison. Eventually, Deadpool forms a team of mutants to fight a time-travelling mercenary and saving a lot of lives in the process. It’s not just entertaining but also teaches the importance of sticking with friends and doing the right thing.
4. Home Alone
Year: 1990
IMDb rating: 7.6/10
Platform: Disney+ Hotstar
Home Alone is one of those classics that are loved by every 90’s kid alike. It’s the story of an 8-year-old boy Kevin is left alone at home during Christmas holidays. Meanwhile, two burglars want to take advantage of the situation and rob the house. This leads Kevin to devise all kinds of mischievous plans to scare away the burglars and save himself which is utterly funny and entertaining.
You can watch it with your entire family on Christmas and enjoy the laughter ride. If you like slapstick comedy and want to have a great time with everyone, this will be a good treat for the occasion. No matter how many times you have watched it, watching it on Christmas will give you whole another level of feels.
5. Rise of the Guardians
Year: 2012
IMDb rating: 7.3/10
Platform: Netflix
Rise of the Guardians is an animated feature film based on the book series 'The Guardians of Childhood’ by William Joyce. It’s an adventure tale that talks about childhood memories, beliefs, and aims to spread hope among kids. The story revolves around a group of powerful heroes with extraordinary abilities that embarks on a mission to protect the children from Black Pitch aka Boogeyman who wants to plunge their world into fear and darkness.
It’s a movie that can be watched by kids as well as adults, especially for its great visuals and a heartwarming message of companionship. The characters voiced by Hollywood stars will touch heart while the imagery will make you fall in love with them even more.
6. The Christmas Chronicles
Year: 2018
IMDb rating: 7.1/10
Platform: Netflix
The Christmas Chronicles is an adventurous and exciting tale of two siblings who decide to sneak into Santa’s sleigh, which meets with a crash, unfolding a lot of chaos and drama. In the crash, Santa loses his sack of toys and the magical hat. So, the three of them must retrieve the lost items otherwise the world will descend into the Dark Age.
This one is a great movie to watch with family as it highlights on the importance of joy, love, and hope. Afterall, Christmas is also all about these emotions you experience with your family and loved ones. You can stream this film on Netflix and ensure 1h 44 m of full-fledged family adventure.
7. Elf
Year: 2003
IMDb rating: 7/10
Platform: Netflix
Elf is the story of Buddy who is a human raised as an elf by Santa. At the age of 30, he comes to know that his real father lives in New York. So, he leaves the North Pole and reaches to his father leading to a series of amusing incidents. It’s one of those films that you can watch with your entire family and experience the spirit of the holiday season. Although the story doesn’t focus on the existence of Santa Claus, you’ll enjoy the portrayal of love, relationships, and family shown in the film.
8. Horrible Bosses
Year: 2011
IMDb rating: 6.9/10
Platform: Amazon Prime
If you are looking for some fun movies to watch with your friends or partner, this one is a great choice. Horrible Bosses is a story of three friends who are fed up with their bosses at work. So, they meet up and decide to kill all of them, but things do not go as per the leading to some hilarious drama and chaos. It’s a comedy movie that will give you the chance to gossip about your superiors at work in a fun way. You can share interesting anecdotes from your lives with each other while enjoying the festival in your cozy space.
9. Holidate
Year: 2020
IMDb rating: 6.1/10
Platform: Netflix
For those who want to watch a rom com with their partner or best friend, Holidate is the perfect choice. It is max relatable if you are the only single person among your friends. The story revolves around Sloane who is the last single person among her siblings and is constantly asked about her partner. So, to escape this torture, her aunt suggests her to bring a date with no strings attached. As it turns out, she meets Jackson and the two decide to pair up for the holiday season only to realize later that they have started to like each other.
10. Christmas Wonderland
Year: 2018
IMDb rating: 6/10
Platform: Netflix
Christmas Wonderland is a story of Heidi who has put her love for painting on hold to become an art gallery curator. However, she has to come back to her town to watch over her niece and nephew for the holidays. During this time, she meets with her high school love Chris and re-discovers the joy of painting. Now she is caught up between this joyful life at the town and her new life in the city as a curator. It’s a film of hope, passion, love, and joy that everyone can relate to. Stream the movie on Netflix and enjoy the experience with your loved ones.