Sure, it might be Spring, but for some people, the Christmas spirit isn’t reserved for November and December! If you’re feeling in the Yuletide spirit in May and you want to take in a Christmas movie, you can! Unfortunately, HBO Max’s usually stalwart year-round Christmas movie collection takes a big hit in May, with a number of titles expiring and no new additions to the mix. But, at least you won’t have to search far for the best Christmas movies on HBO Max right now.
Looking for more holiday picks? We’ve also assembled guides to the best Christmas movies on Netflix and the best Christmas movies on Amazon Prime.
93m
Genre
Comedy, Family
Stars
Melinda Dillon, Darren McGavin, Peter Billingsley
Directed by
Bob Clark
If you grew up in the ’80s, or heck, any decade after that, Bob Clark’s classic comedy of childhood Christmas obsession is about as good as it gets as far as Christmas movies goes. All young Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsley) wants to find under the tree is an “official Red Ryder, carbine action, 200-shot, range model air rifle.” But, as he’s told over and over again by his over-protective parents: “You’ll shoot your eye out, kid.” But Ralphie’s dream won’t be crushed as he does whatever it takes to let Santa know what he wants. A Christmas Story is a hilarious glimpse into one family’s life in small-town Indiana in the 1940s, and all the foibles and magic the holidays bring.
104m
Genre
Family, Comedy, Fantasy
Stars
Jim Carrey, Taylor Momsen, Jeffrey Tambor
Directed by
Ron Howard
The live-action adaptation of Dr. Seuss’ beloved Christmas story doesn’t hit quite the same as the animated version, but it’s some good fun nonetheless. Jim Carrey stars as the reclusive green Grinch who hates how much the citizens of Whoville love Christmas. So, he resolves to steal it. With the help of his reluctant dog, the Grinch comes down from the mountain top and swipes absolutely everything holiday-related from Whoville. But when he meets the adorable Cindy Lou Who, the Grinch struggles to maintain his grouchiness.
106m
Genre
Fantasy, Horror, Comedy
Stars
Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates, Hoyt Axton
Directed by
Joe Dante
When you think about it, Gremlins is really just about the worst Christmas ever. A gadget salesman wants to make a splash for his son on Christmas so he brings home a “mogwai,” a special creature that hates bright light, can never get wet, and should never be fed after midnight. Of course, his son proceeds to do all of these things to his mogwai, Gizmo, soon unleashing a gang of gremlins on the town on Christmas Eve.
98m
Genre
Family, Comedy
Stars
Neil Patrick Harris, Winslow Fegley, Sophia Reid-Gantzert
Directed by
Michael Dowse
This HBO Max Original takes place in suburban Chicago in the late 1980s. It’s something of a refresh of A Christmas Story as 10-year-old Jake Doyle (Winslow Fegley) makes it his life’s (or at least his Christmas) mission to get the latest 8-bit gaming system for Christmas.
96m
Genre
Comedy, Drama, Family
Stars
Maureen O'Hara, John Payne, Edmund Gwenn
Directed by
George Seaton
A Christmas movie for the ages, Miracle on 34th Street introduces us to Kris Kringle, a jolly man who bears a striking resemblance to Santa Claus. Naturally, he’s asked to perform the role at Macy’s after his performance in the Thanksgiving Day parade. Kringle is committed to the role, however, making some wonder if he’s truly Santa Claus, and making others push for the man’s institutionalization.
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