Twenty-three heartwarming Christmas films that are highly likely to cause emotional tears.
The holiday season is a time for intense emotions. The weather can become extreme, there's too much to do, and family gatherings can lead to wild swings of feelings: joy, excitement, apprehension, irritation, exhaustion. Movies (and life) teach us that any holiday meal with a sufficient number of guests must involve some form of drama: someone's pregnant, someone's getting married or divorced, someone's coming out, someone's dying. The season truly has it all.
Movies serve as an escape from all the drama by allowing us to watch others deal with their own—and we're not interested in subtlety and nuance, given the intense emotions in the air. Is it even a Christmas movie if you're not shedding tears into your eggnog? Many sad Christmas movies share common plotlines (it's a Dickens' world; we're just living in it), but it's in the execution that they soar or fail. The most successful ones take bold swings and hit us right where we live.
It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
at Prime Video
Easily dismissed as overplayed holiday schmaltz, It's a Wonderful Life was resurrected from near-obscurity due to constant public-domain airings. It's always playing in the background, but few actually pay attention to it—which is sad, given that it's a much weirder and more complex film than its angel and bell-ringing plot suggests. George Bailey compromises his dreams time and again, only to realize that what little he has built rests on a house of cards. America, huh? There's real emotion in George's breakdown, and a satisfying catharsis in the ending, which is harder-earned than in many other gentler, cozier Christmas classics. You can stream It's a Wonderful Life on Prime Video or The Roku Channel.
It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) at Prime Video at Prime Video
at Paramount+
## Carol (2015)
The chemistry between Rooney Mara's Therese and Cate Blanchett's Carol is palpable from the moment their eyes meet across a crowded department store—but it's the 1950s, and their love is a taboo that even they dare not speak. Queerphobia, as we all know, was eradicated decades ago—so it might seem odd that a gay romance would raise eyebrows. The women suffer for their love, but the tears come less when things are going badly than when it starts to feel like they might just possibly start to go a little right. You can stream Carol on Paramount+ or Netflix, or rent it from Prime Video.
at Prime Video
Carol (2015) at Paramount+ at Paramount+
## The Best Man Holiday (2013)
at Paramount+
The sequel to 2013's The Best Man, this film quickly updates us on the aftermath from that earlier film before diving into new territory (it's not strictly necessary to have seen the original if you're looking for holiday festivities). Morris Chestnut, Taye Diggs, Regina Hall, Terrence Howard, and Sanaa Lathan lead the sequel, which offers a bold blend of off-color humor, hot shirtless guys, sincere religious themes, and shamelessly heartbreaking plot twists. It somehow mostly holds together. It's a well-acted soap opera with over-the-top moments of comedy, family drama, and tragedy, hitting every emotional beat you'd want from a holiday movie. You can stream The Best Man Holiday on Prime Video.
The Best Man Holiday (2013) at Prime Video at Prime Video
at Peacock
## Joyeux Noël (2005)
Based on a true story, this Academy Award nominee deals with an extremely rare moment during the first year of World War I, when several points along the front lines called informal truces, often celebrating Christmas Eve and Christmas Day together. German Crown Prince even sent the lead singer of the Berlin opera to perform along the front lines, entertaining both sides. In dramatizing the event, the filmmakers understand that the truce was both glorious and absurd. Those complicated feelings, and the knowledge that what we're seeing represents a momentary lull in a war that would continue for years, make for powerful emotional moments. You can stream Joyeux Noël on Paramount+ or rent it from Prime Video.
at Prime Video
Joyeux Noël (2005) at Paramount+ at Paramount+
## A Midnight Clear (1992)
at Tubi
A distinct conflict and an unconventional Christmas truce (in its own way) appear in Keith Gordon's A Midnight Clear, set during the Battle of the Bulge towards the end of World War II. A small, greenhorn intelligence squad is assigned to occupy an abandoned chateau to gather data on German movements. Swiftly, the Germans have them cornered, but they retreat and instead begin signaling (Christmas melodies; a snowball battle) that they're not keen on battling anymore. They comprehend that the war is approaching its end, and they aim to strike a deal with the Americans: a feigned skirmish and a swift surrender to prevent bloodshed. Predictably, what seems reasonable to soldiers in the frontline is utterly repugnant to those issuing the orders. You can watch A Midnight Clear on *Prime Video, Peacock, and Tubi.
A Midnight Clear (1992) at Peacock at Peacock**
at Max
The Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
The components for a fairly typical seasonal comedy (or dramedy, at any rate) are all present: George Seaton directs Maureen O'Hara as Doris Miller, a skeptical department store executive who becomes responsible for hiring the new Macy's Santa Claus (Edmund Gwenn). The reason for this encounter, though, is far from the stuff of romantic comedies: their lives intertwine unexpectedly, and the true meaning of Christmas is questioned. Both the relationship between the two, and their journey of self-discovery, unfold during the holiday season.
at Disney+
You can rent The Miracle on 34th Street from Prime Video.
The Miracle on 34th Street (1947) at Prime Video at Prime Video**
at Hoopla
The Bishop's Wife (1947)
C.B. DeMille directs Cary Grant as Dudley, an angel sent to help a harried bishop (David Niven) handle his problems at home and work, but falling in love with the bishop's wife (Loretta Young). As the festive season approaches, Dudley's presence complicates the bishop's life and provides a fresh perspective on faith, miracles, and Christmas spirit.
at Disney+
You can rent The Bishop's Wife from Prime Video.
The Bishop's Wife (1947) at Prime Video at Prime Video**
at Peacock
White Christmas (1954)
Bing Crosby appears in this classic musical, where he and Danny Kaye play successful song-and-dance men drafted to entertain soldiers at a rundown Vermont inn. There, they cross paths with two sisters who play sisters, and the formula of love, sentimentality, and holiday cheer unfolds. The film's endearing melodies and enchanting visuals have ensured its enduring popularity and remain classic Christmas viewing.
at Plex
You can watch White Christmas on Max and Tubi.**
White Christmas (1954) at Max at Max**
at Max
The Christmas Carol (2001)
Patrick Stewart brings his inimitable talent to the role of Ebenezer Scrooge in this modern adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic tale. The ghostly visitors from the past, present, and future help the miser embrace Christmas spirit, transforming him into a generous benefactor. The retelling of this timeless story captures the essence of redemption, empathy, and the true meaning of Christmas.
at Disney+
You can watch The Christmas Carol (2001) on Max and Tubi.**
The Christmas Carol (2001) at Max at Max**
at AMC+
The Santa Clause (1994)
Tim Allen stars as Scott Calvin, an ordinary man who inadvertently becomes Santa Claus after his this-can't-be-happening-to-me adventure in the North Pole. Unprepared for the responsibilities, he struggles to balance his former life and the expectations of becoming the legendary figure. The film explores themes of new beginnings, self-discovery, and the true spirit of Christmas.
at The Roku Channel
You can watch The Santa Clause on Disney Plus.
The Santa Clause (1994) at Disney Plus at Disney Plus**
at Netflix
Deck the Halls (2006)
Matthew Broderick and Danny DeVito star in this humorous Christmas comedy about two neighbors' decorating competition that escalates into a rivalry. The film's humor and heartfelt messages ridicule the extreme holiday decorating that can lead to a celebration of the true spirit of Christmas—spending time with family.
at Apple TV
You can watch Deck the Halls on Netflix.
Deck the Halls (2006) at Netflix at Netflix**
at The Criterion Channel
The Polar Express (2004)
This animated musical adventure, based on the popular children's book, follows a young boy's journey to the North Pole on a magical train ride where he learns the true meaning of Christmas. With its enchanting visuals, cherished songs, and heartwarming story, this modern classic captures the essence of childhood wonder and Christmas magic.
at Hulu
You can watch The Polar Express on Netflix.
The Polar Express (2004) at Netflix at Netflix**
at AMC+
Elf (2003)
Will Ferrell stars in this loveable Christmas comedy about Buddy, an orphaned human raised in the North Pole by Elves, who journeys to New York City to find his birth father and share the holiday cheer. This delightful film's humor, heartfelt messages, and enduring quotes have ensured it a place in Christmas movie history.
at Pluto TV
You can watch Elf on Netflix**.
Elf (2003) at Netflix at Netflix**
The Grainger clan might as well wave goodbye to Christmas cheer altogether: Jack is out of work, and Ginnie's grocery store job isn't enough to prevent their home from being repossessed, which isn't much of a concern anyway since she's about to lose that gig too. A botched bank heist leaves their children without a parent. But there's a guardian angel on standby, although he's portrayed by Harry Dean Stanton, so it's safe to say he's hardly jolly. Daughter Abbie becomes the family's last hope for a semi-happy ending, but there are numerous reasons to weep before the climax. Watch One Magic Christmas on Disney+ or rent it on Prime Video.
We can't get enough of alternate timelines and peeks into paths not taken, and Family Man embodies a slightly more contemporary, fully Nicholas Cage-ized, and hence more extreme, version of this trope. A dull (yet prosperous) corporate worker falls into an alternate universe in which he's married to his missing sweetheart (Tea Leoni in his original universe) but is also woefully underemployed and financially strained due to his inability to support his family. No life is perfect, apparently. Upon his return to his original world, he seizes the opportunity to rekindle his love for his old flame—who might have become his wife—yet despite learning from his mistakes, he can't recover the time or children he lost in the alternate world. It's all very similar to that-one-episode-of-Star Trek: The Next Generation. Watch The Family Man on Netflix or Peacock.
The Family Man on Peacock
Remember the Night (1940)
With a touch of festive spirit, hard-boiled New York District Attorney John Sargent (Fred MacMurray) permits shoplifter Lee Leander (Barbara Stanwyck) to leave on bail, and even offers her a journey to her mother's house in Indiana on his way to his own family gathering. The journey naturally includes humorous encounters and hints of romance, but it's the enigmatic, not entirely blissful ending that packs the most emotional punch—suggesting that manipulative Lee may have genuinely been moved by her time with John. Watch Remember the Night on Plex.
Last Christmas (2019)
Emilia Clarke and America's heartthrob, Henry Golding, share great chemistry as a struggling vocalist and the intriguing stranger with whom she shares a touching and inspiring holiday season. The twist ending here will either captivate you or completely miss the mark (either way, it's riotously funny on paper). I was prepared for a chuckle, but it still touched my heart. Watch Last Christmas on Max or Prime Video.
The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
I have yet to find a Muppet movie that doesn't leave me in tears, so this one is an easy addition. It's more relevant now than ever—Disney+ has restored a musical segment that was swiftly removed shortly after release and that, whilst occasionally appearing in various home releases, hasn't been part of the film for quite some time. It's a heart-to-heart moment between Scrooge (both present and past) and Belle, who Scrooge neglected before embracing a life centered on wealth. The Muppet-style silliness momentarily ceases, allowing the emotional gravitas of Scrooge's predicament to shine, and providing Sir Michael Caine with an opportunity to belt out a tune. Watch The Muppet Christmas Carol on Disney+.
A Christmas Tale (2008)
A Christmas Tale delves into some similar themes as The Family Stone, even going so far as to cast a legendary leading actress—in this case, Catherine Deneuve as the matriarch battling leukemia. This French comedy-drama explores family dynamics around the holidays with a bit more depth and darkness, but also offers its central family with more compassion, recognizing that even the most secure relationships can shift as we evolve. Watch A Christmas Tale on AMC.
Christmas, Again (2014)
American indie film stalwart, Kentucker Audley, brings both familiarity and warmth as a Christmas-tree salesman returning to New York, which only intensifies the downward spiral of depression and feelings of failure he's been mired in for years. Living in a trailer and barely managing to make ends meet, a mysterious woman enters his life alongside some peculiar and eccentric customers who help him combat his self-destructive tendencies. Familiar themes emerge, but filmed with a more realistic and restrained approach (writer-director Charles Poekel financed the film from his own Christmas-tree salesman job), the darker moments resonate more sharply, while the moments of light seem genuinely earned. Watch Christmas, Again on The Roku Channel.
Christmas, Once More (2014) on The Roku Channel ## Klaus (2019)
A captivating, tailor-made Santa origin tale devoid of any specific inspiration, Klaus portrays a lazy son of a postmaster general in 19th-century Norway who is compelled to a remote island town, charged with delivering 6,000 letters within a year, or else he'll lose his family inheritance. Upon arrival, he discovers the primary feuding families are uninterested in sending letters for him to deliver. However, an elderly widower may assist him in a strategy he's concocted to persuade the town's children to write letters in anticipation of receiving toys in return—handcrafted toys by the old Klaus in hopes of finding a family that never materialized. Beautifully hand-animated, it effortlessly elicits emotional responses with the precision of Pixar. It's hard not to shed a tear during the climax. You can stream Klaus* on Netflix.*
Klaus (2019) on Netflix ## Collateral Beauty (2018)
Will Smith stars as an advertising executive who withdraws from life after his daughter's demise. His loved ones struggle to connect, and he resorts to penning letters to his personifications of Love, Time, and Death—all of whom react. Although the premise seems preposterous, Smith and his illustrious cast bring a semblance of believability to this fanciful notion, with tear-jerking scenes sprinkled throughout. You can rent Collateral Beauty* on Apple TV.*
Collateral Beauty (2018) on Apple TV ## My Uncle Antoine (1971)
This Quebec-set film is more an introspective emotional journey than a heart-wrenching tearjerker. Young Benoît assists his undertaker uncle on the eve of Christmas in their rural village. As they transport the body of a teenager who unexpectedly passed away, they bond and subsequently grow apart. Throughout the day, Antoine reveals his loathing for his profession and his life, and reveals alcohol as his only solace—an honest depiction of growing up during challenging times. You can stream Mon Oncle Antoine (a.k.a. My Uncle Antoine*) on The Criterion Channel.*
Mon Oncle Antoine (1971) on The Criterion Channel ## Jack Frost (1998)
While some scenes might evoke thoughts of a horror movie, the Michael Keaton-led Jack Frost is emotionally resonant, hitting home for a generation of kids who experienced it during their formative years. Following his father's accidental demise during the Christmas season a year prior, young Charlie discovers his father has been miraculously revived as a snowman in their backyard. Conceptually difficult to sell, this story of longing for one more day with a deceased loved one genuinely moves. You can stream Jack Frost* on Hulu.*
Jack Frost (1998) on Hulu ## Prancer (1989)
This emotionally draining Christmas movie begins on a somber note—the family's grief following the mother's demise, the father's despair, and the failing family business—and transforms into something even more heart-wrenching with its stark realism. Director John Hancock handles the material with admirable honesty, resulting in a slow and almost colorless portrayal devoid of sentimentality. The ending refuses to provide a happy resolution, instead offering a tentative reunion between the father and daughter. You can stream Prancer* on AMC* and MGM+.
Prancer (1989) on AMC+ ## The Snowman (1982)
This enchanting Oscar-nominated short film revolves around a young boy embarking on a series of thrilling adventures with a meticulously crafted snowman. Genuine emotion is the overarching message in this narrative, which elegantly illustrates the bittersweet beauty of impermanence and change. You can stream The Snowman* on Vudu and Pluto TVor watch it on YouTube, above.*
The Snowman (1982) on Pluto TV
Movies can provide a much-needed escape during the holiday season, as the intense emotions and drama of family gatherings can be overwhelming. Some of the best sad Christmas movies to stream include "It's a Wonderful Life" (1946), which tells the story of George Bailey's breakdown and cathartic ending, and "Carol" (2015), which explores the forbidden love between two women in the 1950s. These films, along with others, can help us connect with our own emotions and find solace during the holiday season.
