Nothing can beat the comfort and good cheer that Christmas movies bring. The entire experience of sitting together with your friends and family to watch these festive flicks is what makes it such a popular holiday tradition for both children and adults.
You might already have a list of some classic favorites (Home Alone is a given, obvs). But wouldn’t it be great to watch some new movies? Finding a good holiday movie is not an easy task. To make things simple for you, we have made a list of our top HBO Max holiday movies.
Although our list is not full of cheesy holiday rom-coms, it does have a fair amount of classics, comedies, and even a horror movie for anyone who enjoys a night of festive fright!
So, without much further ado, let us jump right in!
1. Elf (2003)
Christmas without Buddy the Elf is incomplete. Loaded with humor and warmth, this movie is about a human raised by elves in the North Pole. Buddy cannot get rid of the feeling that he’s a misfit. As a result, he travels to New York to search for his biological father – that too in a full elf uniform.
But is he successful in his mission? Well, you’ll have to watch the movie to find out. Starring actors such as Will Ferrell and James Caan, Elf is a must-watch during the holiday season, as per the Christmas law.
It highlights all the things we love about the festivities: singing Christmas carols, spending time with your family and delicious treats. The beautiful candy floss color schemes and New York in all its magnificent wintry glory further add to the Christmas charm. Thus, making it a movie that is too good to pass by.
2. A Christmas Story (1983)
This movie is classic family Christmas fodder. Set in the 1940s, A Christmas Story is based on a humorous book by author Jean Shepherd. The film focuses on the winter adventures of Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsley), who is almost always trying to avoid a bully (Zack Ward).
Ralphie tries to persuade his parents, teacher, and Santa that a Red Ryder air rifle would be the best Christmas gift for him. Often disagreeing with his grumpy dad (Darren McGavin) but comforted by his loving mother (Melinda Dillon), Ralphie strives to make it to Christmas Day with his hopes and his glasses in one piece.
A Christmas Story has all the warmth and comedy that soars with the season. It is a perfect blend of passion, amusement, and absurdity, sprinkled with just the right amount of nostalgia. Light and fantastic, this movie makes for a classic Christmas treat that you’d want to re-visit again and again.
3. The Polar Express (2004)
All aboard! This story about a young boy on Christmas Eve is set to warm your hearts.
Hero Boy steps on a powerful magical train that’s going to the North Pole and Santa Claus’ home. What comes next is a heartfelt adventure of this young lad who takes a train ride that he’ll remember for years to come.
This movie highlights Hero Boy’s journey towards self-discovery. Thus, making him (and us) realize that the magic of life never vanishes for those who have faith. Based on the highly admired children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg, The Polar Express is a must-watch during Christmas time. It stars actors such as Tom Hanks, Chris Coppola, and Michael Jeter.
Director Robert Zemeckis adds warmth to this roller-coaster ride of a train. This is because the adrenaline and adventure are balanced out with unbridled emotional punches. Even if you’ve seen it a million times before, The Polar Express is a reminder of the childhood classics of yore.
4. Black Christmas (2019)
Let’s forget about the festive cheer for a minute and look at the frights that the season brings. The movie, Black Christmas, is the complete opposite of what is considered merry and bright.
Hawthorne College is quieting down as students go back home for the holidays. Meanwhile, Riley and her sorority sisters plan to deck the halls with Christmas parties. But a scary cloaked figure starts to murder the girls on campus. Refusing to become victims, Riley and her friends team up against the psychotic Christmas killer.
Despite its political and institutional violence, the thing that makes Black Christmas so good is the strength of its sisterhood.
5. Four Christmases (2008)
Christmas movies are incomplete without a romantic comedy. And, can there be a funnier holiday movie than one about people who don’t want to spend time with their families? I guess not.
Christmas is all about family bonding. But not for Brad (Vince Vaughn) and Kate (Reese Witherspoon). When their flight to Fiji is canceled, the couple is forced to spend the holidays with all four of their divorced parents’ families. What comes next makes for an entertaining movie to watch with your family.
Four Christmases is a predictable, lighthearted film that will definitely set your mood up for Christmas.
Final Thoughts – HBO Max Has It All
Gather your family around to stream these entertaining holiday movies. It’s certainly the most wonderful time of the year, and these holiday movies on HBO Max will make it ten times better. So, what are you waiting for? Cozy up under the blankets to watch these classic Christmas movies. You’ll surely fall in love with the holiday season all over again. Our top favorite HBO Max holiday movies are set to bring you good tidings.
