There's something magical about curling up on the couch and watching a Christmas movie. Being snuggled up under some blankets with loved ones and family is such a perfect representation of everything that's right about Christmas, and getting everyone together to watch a movie is one of the best holiday traditions there is.
Then again, a lot of people travel for the holidays, and few would ever bother to try and bring a DVD collection with them. Thankfully, there's Netflix: it's easy to watch just about anything as long as you have an Internet connection. There are plenty of great Christmas movies to stream this year, too - so make sure to take a moment this year, curl up with some cocoa and watch the best Christmas movies Netflix has to offer.
It's not what most people would consider a 'traditional' Christmas movie, but despite its crass exterior, Bad Santa is actually pretty heartwarming. The story of a mall Santa who takes an interest in a young kid whilst simultaneously trying to rob the shopping center he works for certainly isn't for anyone (especially children), but if you don't mind the film's foul language or crass humor, it's definitely one of the funnier Christmas movies out there.
Looks like 2003 was a good year for Christmas movies! Love, Actually is a rarity simply because it's a romantic comedy centered around Christmas. Most holiday movies tend to focus on family, not falling in love. Of course, if you're not in to Hugh Grant rom-coms (he's basically his own genre at this point), it's not going to blow your mind. However, for everyone else, it's a great change of pace from the traditional holiday formula.
You just don't get more wholesome than Ernest. It's the epitome of family-friendly slapstick comedy, and Ernest Saves Christmas is everything great about the franchise...just with a Christmas twist. It's not the most unique or original film by far, but if you're looking for something that'll make you feel like a kid again, nothing does the job like Ernest Saves Christmas.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Quite possibly the only Halloween/Christmas hybrid film ever, The Nightmare Before Christmas somehow manages to straddle the line and stay appropriate for both holidays. It's a story about finding one's self - though its imagery may be a bit darker than the rest of the films on this list. By the time the credits roll, however, it's clear that Nightmare is a near-perfect Christmas movie.
A modern-day retelling of the classic Christmas Carol story, Scrooged is the best parts of the original story mixed with Bill Murray. While it wasn't that well-received when it first debuted, the comedy has since become a Christmas staple, and Murray's signature brand of deadpan, sarcastic humor is one-of-a-kind when it comes to Christmas movies.
How does one make Christmas even better? Add Batman, of course! Tim Burton's return to the franchise was even more twisted than the 1989 version, but there's plenty to love: for the most part, Gotham City is always dark and gloomy, but Returns showed viewers a snowier side of Batman's home turf. Plus, who doesn't love watching clowns get punched into a Christmas tree?
The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
Sure, Scrooged is a great take on the Christmas Carol story, but is there anything in the world that isn't made better by the Muppets? It's a relatively faithful rendition of Charles Dickens' original story, just with a lot more Muppets as opposed to people - aside from Michael Caine, whose turn as Scrooge is easily one of the best ever put to film. It's also a bit more family-friendly than Scrooged, so there's no problem watching it with the little ones.
There you go: the best Christmas movies that Netflix has to offer (and something a bit different from the standard TV Christmas offerings)! Grab some hot chocolate, an ugly sweater, and get ready to truly enjoy the holidays.
