There are many ways you can officially mark the beginning of the festive season. For some it’s putting up the Christmas tree while for others it’s the first glass of mulled wine.
For me, it’s when I’ve watched my first Christmas film.
However, with countless streaming services to sift through, it’s never been harder to track down your favourite Christmas film. Yes, you can search for a certain movie, but then you’re more often than not directed to a new streaming platform that requires you to sign up to yet another costly service.
To help you prepare and spread a bit of festive cheer, I’ve rounded up my favourite Christmas films and where you can find them. Plus, wherever applicable, I’ve detailed how you can watch certain films for free this Christmas too.
The Santa Clause (1994)
The first installment of The Santa Clause trilogy is easily my favourite Christmas film to date. It has everything: a genuinely funny storyline, a good amount of drama and, most notably in my opinion, Bernard the Head Elf.
Not only is it entertaining, but The Santa Clause is clever and full of hidden details too – like how the elves subtly keep an eye on Charlie while he’s at school. It’s cute, it’s charming and it’s available to stream on Disney Plus too.
In addition, The Santa Clause 2 and The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause can all be streamed on Disney Plus too. There’s even the aptly titled The Santa Clauses which is a spin-off series that was created back in 2022. Settle in for an evening full of Tim Allen.
The Holiday (2006)
It’s just not Christmas without a rom-com and The Holiday is a perfect example of this – and it lacks some of the icky bits found in Love Actually. The star-studded cast made up of Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law and Jack Black might initially sound like a mismatch, but together it makes for a brilliant inter-continental Christmas love story.
Or if you aren’t interested in the romance, then watch The Holiday to simply get decor inspiration from Rosehill Cottage instead.
There are a few ways you can stream The Holiday this festive season. Not only is it available on Netflix, Prime Video and Disney Plus, but if you’re based in the UK then you can stream it for free on BBC iPlayer too. Just remember that you do need to have a TV License to use iPlayer.
Spirited (2022)
When it comes to Christmas films, I know I have a tendency to rewatch the classics, rather than embrace new releases. Spirited is a nice compromise as although it’s one of the newer films, it still replicates the familiar plot of A Christmas Carol.
Spirited can currently be found on Apple TV and, what’s more, those eligible can nab a seven-day free trial too. That means you’re free to stream content from Apple TV to your heart’s content for seven-days before needing to pay any subscription fee.
We’ve also rounded up the other ways you can get Apple TV for free, or at least with a hefty discount too.
Literally any Wallace and Gromit movie
Okay I admit that I’m cheating a bit here, but anything starring Wallace and Gromit is basically guaranteed to make you feel warm inside. I don’t even think it matters which Wallace and Gromit film you watch. Whether it’s A Grand Day Out or last year’s Vengeance Most Fowl, there’s something about Aardman that feels comforting and Christmassy.
Fortunately all the Wallace and Gromit films are available to stream for free on BBC iPlayer (remember you will need a TV License to watch). Otherwise, you can find A Grand Day Out on Prime Video while Vengeance Most Fowl is currently streaming on Netflix.
Deck The Halls (2006)
This may or may not be a rogue suggestion, but Deck The Halls is a great choice this Christmas. Yes it may only have a 6% Rotten Tomatoes rating (which seems harsh to me) but it’s a silly film that undoubtedly helps you get into the festive spirit.
While just the idea of a Christmas film with Danny DeVito might be more than enough to tempt you, it’s also good to know that Deck The Halls is streaming across countless places too. Not only can you watch through your existing Netflix, Prime Video or Disney Plus subscription, but it’s also available for free on ITVX too.
Unlike BBC iPlayer, you don’t need a TV License to stream on-demand content from ITVX – it’s only if you stream live.
Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987)
While technically a Thanksgiving film, the essence of Planes, Trains and Automobiles is pretty Christmassy: it’s a holiday season, there’s a parent trying to get home to his family and plenty of snow. It’s as close to being Christmas without actually being Christmas.
Planes, Trains and Automobiles has become a festive staple in my household over the years, and even though I’ve watched it countless times it still makes me laugh and well up.
It’s currently available to stream for free on BBC iPlayer, or through either a Now Cinema or Paramount Plus subscription. While, at the time of writing, there isn’t a free trial readily available for Now Cinema, you can get seven-days free of Paramount Plus. This is good to know if you don’t have that all-important TV License.
