For many people, watching films is just as much a part of the Christmas season as baking cookies and drinking mulled wine. But with so much on offer, it’s difficult to choose – especially when numerous new Christmas films dominate the charts, while according to your film ratings on Moviepilot, they’re not worth it at all. We therefore tell you, which Christmas films are most worthwhile on Netflix in 2024 according to the Moviepilot community.
The criteria: To be eligible for the ranking, the films needed more than 50 reviews and a rating better than 6.0 out of 10 on Moviepilot. Nobody achieved the top grade of 10, but one is the absolute leader with 7.9. They don’t have to be Netflix’s own productions.
9th place among the best Christmas films on Netflix: The Grinch
Rating from the Moviepilot community: 6.3
Everyone knows him, that one biggest Christmas grouch ever: The Grinch. Nowadays, even people who can’t do anything with Christmas are given the nickname “Christmas Grinch”. The grumpy creature from the children’s book How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss from the 1950s has become a real phenomenon.
Behind the green monster is a wounded soul with bad memories of Christmas who is trying to sabotage the celebration. The entertaining animated film by Yarrow Cheney from 2018 tells us whether he will ever find joy in Christmas. The live-action film adaptation with Jim Carrey from 2000 only managed a rating of 5.5.
8th place among the best Christmas films on Netflix: Carry-On
Rating from the Moviepilot community: 6.4
The Netflix original Carry-On from action director Jaume Collet-Serra conquered the Netflix charts just this month and was at number 1 in over 80 countries. With its Christmas setting and entertaining action, it became in many places compared to Die Hard – the ultimate action Christmas film. Jaume Collet-Serra is also known for his quickly staged, high-pressure action in tight spaces such as in Non-Stop or The Shallows.
In Carry-On, security guard Ethan Kopek has a lot to do at the airport at Christmas. But the stress only really begins with a dangerous assignment: he is blackmailed by a traveler into getting a package through security. If he doesn’t cooperate, his girlfriend’s life will be at risk, but Kopek won’t be fooled that easily.
7th best Christmas movie on Netflix: Silver Skates
Rating from the Moviepilot community: 6.5
Michael Lockshin’s 2020 film Silver Skates tells a very different story than many classic Christmas films. In Russia in 1899 The ice cream courier Matvey and the aristocratic Alisa meet in Saint Petersburg. While Matvey delves into the world of crime for the money he needs to treat his sick father, Alisa dreams of a scientific career.
Despite social differences, the two fall in love and fight for their happiness and the freedom to realize their dreams amid intrigue, theft and persecution. Christmas film fans will be particularly impressed by the wonderful winter landscape as well as the fantastic, lush and imaginative sets and costumes.
Number 6 of the best Christmas films on Netflix: The Christmas Chronicles
Rating from the Moviepilot community: 6.5
In The Christmas Chronicles by Clay Kaytis, not only Santa Claus, but also the siblings Kate and Teddy play a central role. On Christmas Eve, they hide in his sleigh and surprise him, causing huge chaos. After a crash, the sleigh and the presents are destroyedthe reindeer disappeared and even Santa Claus’ hat was lost.
Now it’s a question of whether Santa Claus and the siblings can bring everything back together in time. The film promises plenty of family entertainment, not least because Hollywood star Kurt Russell stars as Santa Claus himself (and his real-life wife Goldie Hawn is there as his wife).
5th place of the best Christmas films on Netflix: A tiny Christmas miracle
Rating from the Moviepilot community: 6.7
Along with Carry-On, it is the youngest film in this ranking, as A Tiny Christmas Miracle by director Simon Otto was only released this December. Nevertheless, the animated film has already gained a large fan base. The special thing about him is that he… different stories interwoven together and a multi-faceted narrative around the topic of Christmas is created.
For example, it’s about a lonely teacher who has so far been particularly noticeable because of her strict attitude, or about a family that is trying to make Christmas perfect. In the end they all realize that only one thing really matters: love and solidarity. Despite its depth, the film also has a lot of humor and not only encourages reflection, but also laughter.
4th place of the best Christmas films on Netflix: Love doesn’t need a holiday
Rating from the Moviepilot community: 6.8
It is one of the roles with which Cameron Diaz is inextricably linked to this day: Amanda Woods for love doesn’t need a vacation. As the owner of a movie trailer agency in Hollywood, she has had enough of men after breaking up with her boyfriend. She decides to swap her house with another woman through an online platform in order to spend Christmas away from home. But she doesn’t really manage to distance herself from the male gender and everything turns out differently than planned.
Love doesn’t need a vacation from director Nancy Meyers is the perfect romantic comedy for the Christmas season. In addition to the outstanding actors, the film impresses with its lots of humor. A feel-good movie for the cold season.
Third place among the best Christmas films on Netflix: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Rating from the Moviepilot community: 6.8
Tim Burton’s 2005 fantasy film tells the story of Charlie Bucket, a poor boy who is one of five golden tickets to Willy Wonka’s mysterious chocolate factory wins. Together with other children he enters a world full of wonders and dangers – a visit that promises much more than just a one-off adventure. The story unfolds in an emotional and entertaining way, without giving everything away.
Even though Charlie and the Chocolate Factory with Johnny Depp as Willy Wonka is not a classic Christmas film, it fits perfectly into this season. Not only because of its wintry, whimsical setting, but also because it shows how wishes come true and charity pays off. It’s perfect for anyone who likes to laugh, but at the same time is looking for something Advent-like that makes them think.
Second place among the best Christmas films on Netflix: Three Hazelnuts for Cinderella
Rating from the Moviepilot community: 7.1
Three Hazelnuts for Cinderella by Václav Vorlícek is a real Christmas classic that dates back to 1973. Even though there are certainly parallels to the fairy tale Cinderella by the Brothers Grimm, Cinderella stands out clearly from Cinderella. Because behind her is an adventurous woman who takes her fate into her own hands and has many talents, such as crossbow shooting.
Nevertheless, the relationship with a prince also plays a very special role here, which is why fans of winter love stories will also be attracted. In addition to a load of love, it offers Czech classics also a good portion of humor and invites you to dream. In Germany it has been a fixture on TV Christmas programs for decades and now also in the streaming world.
Number 1 of the best Christmas films on Netflix: Klaus
Rating from the Moviepilot community: 7.9
The 2019 Spanish animated film Klaus by Sergio Pablos is relatively new compared to many of the other films listed here and stands out in other ways too. Instead of prominent actors like Johnny Depp or Cameron Diaz, the focus here is on lovingly hand-illustrated cartoon characters and an exciting plot. This is about Jesper, a postman who is transferred to the desolate town of Spenderlberg. But as cheerless as this place seems, Jesper soon regains his smile when he meets two very special people. Including on the mysterious carpenter Klaus, who increasingly behaves like the Santa Claus we know.
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The film reveals many stories about Christmas, such as what writing letters to Santa Claus is all about and why naughty children find coal in their socks. The film received a lot of praise for its imaginative design, the many funny scenes and the big surprises and is generally one of the most popular Netflix originals. Klaus is by far the number one Christmas film available on Netflix in the Moviepilot community.