Thanksgiving is barely in the rearview mirror, but that means that Christmas movies are out in force on Hulu. So let the Huludays shine with all of the Christmas glee that you can take.
The biggest upside that Hulu has for people who love Christmas is that its holiday films aren’t limited to Lifetime and Hallmark rejects. Many of the best Christmas movies on Hulu are among the best that Hollywood itself has ever made for the holiday season. So curl up with your loved ones and ring in the holidays with these fine films.
We’ve also put together guides to the best Christmas movies on Netflix and the best Christmas movies on Amazon Prime. After all, Hulu’s holiday selection is only so big.
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Elf (2003) new
Jon Favreau’s Elf is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, and it remains a Christmas film like no other. Will Ferrell stars as Buddy, a human who was raised among elves at the North Pole after a mishap decades earlier The problem with Buddy is that he’s too much of a human to comfortably live among the elves, and too much of an elf for humans.
Buddy’s biological father, Walter Hobbs (James Caan), has no idea that he has a son. But when Santa (Ed Asner) tells Buddy that he could potentially redeem Walter from the Naughty List, Buddy travels to New York to meet the family that he never had. Buddy also leaves chaos in his wake because of his eccentric persona, which alienates Walter and may keep him from reconciling with his son.
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989) new
The Griswolds are back in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, but you may not recognize the kids, Rusty (Johnny Galecki) and Audrey (Juliette Lewis), as they were recast for this film. Nevertheless, the early Vacation movies were all about Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) and his wife, Ellen (Violent Night‘s Beverly D’Angelo).
Clark’s heart is in the right place as he tries to make Christmas a special occasion for the family. However, Clark’s finances are squeezed by his miserly boss, Frank Shirley (Brian Doyle-Murray), and he’s also stressed out by the unexpected arrival of Ellen’s cousin-in-law, Eddie Johnson (Randy Quaid) and his wife and kids. Clark tries to put a happy face on everything, but even he can only take so much before he snaps.
Miracle on 34th Street (1994) new
The original Miracle on 34th Street is also on Hulu this holiday season, but the 1994 remake is charming in its own ways. Richard Attenborough stars as Kris Kringle, a man who berates a drunken Cole Department Store Santa shortly before that man disgraces himself in public. Dorey Walker (Elizabeth Perkins) hires Kris to replace the bad Santa, and he does a phenomenal job. The problem is that Kris seems to really believe that he is Santa.
Dorey becomes further disturbed when her daughter, Susan (Mara Wilson), also comes to believe that Kris is Santa. When a rival store gets Kris arrested, Dorey’s boyfriend, Bryan Bedford (Dylan McDermott), is forced to argue in court that Kris really is Santa.
The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992) new
If you ever needed a reminder that Michael Caine is an actor’s actor, then watch The Muppet Christmas Carol. Caine gives an excellent performance in this movie as he plays Ebenezer Scrooge absolutely straight. Most of Caine’s co-stars may be famous Muppets, but Caine himself never breaks character as Scrooge or winks to the audience. Caine’s absolute commitment to the role elevates everything else about the movie.
The script is actually pretty close to the original story by Charles Dickens. On Christmas Eve, the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future visit Scrooge and warn him to change his ways before it’s too late.
Christmas on the Farm (2021)
A Merry Friggin' Christmas (2014)
Holly's Holiday (2012)
Angels in the Snow (2015)
A Nasty Piece of Work (2019)
Happiest Season (2020)
A Christmas Carol (2019)
12 Pups of Christmas (2019)
Christmas Crush (2019)
Dear Santa (2020)
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