Looking for modern Christmas movies? We've got you covered! Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the best films from every year this century to get you into the Christmas spirit!
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00:00 - Your father, well, he's on the naughty list.
00:05 - No!
00:07 - Welcome to WatchMojo,
00:11 and today we're counting down our picks
00:12 for the best films from every year this century
00:15 to get you into the Christmas spirit.
00:17 Be warned of possible spoilers.
00:19 - Fire!
00:22 - 2000, "How the Grinch Stole Christmas."
00:27 Jim Carrey's maniacal energy carries this adaptation
00:30 of Dr. Seuss' classic tale.
00:32 - You're the, the, the, the--
00:34 - The, the, the--
00:36 - The Grinch!
00:37 - Directed by Ron Howard,
00:39 the fantasy comedy is a unique spectacle.
00:41 It picked up a well-deserved Oscar for best makeup,
00:44 along with nominations for best art direction
00:46 and best costume design.
00:47 However, it's Carrey's performance as the Grinch
00:50 that makes the movie worth the watch.
00:52 - That feels good.
00:53 - We are there.
00:55 - His outrageous antics bring the character to life,
01:00 and the Grinch's turn from Christmas cynic
01:02 to true believer still warms our hearts
01:04 even two decades later.
01:06 - Merry Christmas one and all!
01:09 - 2001, "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone."
01:14 - Happy Christmas, Harry.
01:15 - Happy Christmas, Ron.
01:16 - All right, so this might not really be a Christmas movie.
01:20 The year 2001 wasn't great for festive films,
01:23 but "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone"
01:24 did make Christmas more magical
01:26 when Hogwarts was engulfed by the snowy holiday.
01:29 You only have to witness the decorations in the Great Hall
01:31 to feel that holiday spirit well up within.
01:34 - Happy Christmas.
01:35 - Even more touchingly,
01:36 we got to see Harry receive
01:38 his first ever real Christmas gifts.
01:40 That included the iconic invisibility cloak
01:42 that we've all wanted for ourselves at some point.
01:45 - Whoa!
01:49 - 2002, "Eight Women."
01:51 Music is a big part of Christmas,
01:53 and 2002 graced us with this dark comedy Christmas musical.
01:57 (singing in French)
02:00 Based on a play, "Eight Women" or "Rite Femme" in French
02:08 is set in a country manor at Christmastime in the 1950s.
02:11 It kicks off with the master of the house being found dead.
02:14 The eight women within,
02:15 including relatives and servants, are all suspects.
02:19 Dun, dun, dun!
02:21 (glass shattering)
02:23 Despite that dark premise,
02:26 the movie never takes itself too seriously.
02:28 Inspired by screwball comedies
02:30 and featuring an impressive ensemble cast,
02:32 "Eight Women" is a fun and silly Christmas movie
02:35 with a murder mystery twist.
02:36 (singing in French)
02:39 2003, "Elf."
02:43 For many of us, rewatching John Favreau's
02:45 comedy Christmas film is a December tradition.
02:48 "Elf" tells the story of Buddy,
02:50 a human raised by Santa's elves,
02:52 as he discovers his real heritage
02:54 and brings Christmas spirit everywhere he goes.
02:56 - Well, tomorrow morning, 10 a.m., Santa's coming to town.
03:00 - Santa!
03:01 - As Buddy, Will Ferrell charmed audiences,
03:04 so much so that on a budget of $33 million,
03:07 the movie brought in $225 million at the box office.
03:12 (growling)
03:15 (burping)
03:17 While it's "Elf" that stole our hearts in 2003,
03:27 we also have to give a shout out
03:29 to another Christmas movie from that year,
03:31 "Bad Santa," which was more for the adults,
03:34 but also hilarious in its own way.
03:36 - Well, come on, what do you want?
03:38 A snot rag?
03:39 - 2004, "The Polar Express."
03:41 Many a child has dreamed of visiting Santa Claus,
03:44 based on a book by Chris Van Allsburg.
03:46 "The Polar Express" takes audiences on just such a ride,
03:49 following a boy as he journeys by train to the North Pole.
03:52 - Are we really going to the North Pole?
03:54 - I'm speeding.
03:55 - Hey, look everybody! - Isn't that wonderful?
03:57 - Director Robert Zemeckis was no stranger
03:59 to groundbreaking animation.
04:00 After all, this is the man who directed 1988's
04:03 "Who Framed Roger Rabbit."
04:05 "The Polar Express" was yet another trailblazing film,
04:08 using motion capture to animate the cast,
04:10 which included Tom Hanks in multiple roles.
04:13 - Do it in Christmas, the ice is frozen over the tracks!
04:17 - The result was visually stunning,
04:19 pushing technology to its limits.
04:22 - All aboard!
04:23 - 2005, "Just Friends."
04:27 Christmas is the perfect time to curl up on the couch
04:30 for a romantic comedy.
04:32 - I'll just enjoy this glass of water.
04:34 I'm stuffed.
04:38 - After being humiliated as a teen,
04:40 Ryan Reynolds' Chris returns to his hometown 10 years later.
04:44 As he bats away the advances of pop star Samantha,
04:47 played by Anna Faris, he reconnects
04:49 with his childhood best friend and love interest,
04:51 Amy Smart's Jamie.
04:52 - Look at you!
04:55 - We can't say it's Ryan Reynolds' best,
04:57 but it is good fun.
04:58 It even has some original songs
05:00 to get your spirits into gear,
05:01 and a great decoration destruction scene for the Grinches.
05:04 (dramatic music)
05:07 - 2006, "The Holiday."
05:13 Based on this film alone,
05:16 Brooklyn Nine-Nine's Rosa Diaz has a strong case
05:19 for why she's so passionate about the movies of Nancy Meyers.
05:22 - Nancy Meyers never fails.
05:24 - Meyers' hit rom-com follows two women,
05:26 Kate Winslet's Iris and Cameron Diaz's Amanda,
05:28 who trade their homes for the holidays,
05:30 with Iris traveling to the US and Amanda to the UK.
05:34 - I'm here!
05:35 - Both grow and find love,
05:36 in the form of Jack Black's Miles and Jude Law's Graham.
05:39 Sure, it's somewhat predictable,
05:41 but if you want a sweet movie
05:42 that warms your heart on a frosty evening,
05:44 "The Holiday" is one to go for.
05:46 - If I come over there,
05:47 will you go out with me on New Year's Eve?
05:49 - Oh, I'd love to.
05:53 - 2007, "This Christmas."
05:58 What is Christmas without a big helping of family drama?
06:01 With a star-studded cast,
06:03 including Idris Elba, Loretta Devine,
06:05 Delroy Lindo, and Regina King,
06:07 this 2007 comedy follows the Whitfield family
06:10 as they prepare for the holidays.
06:12 (screaming)
06:14 Each family member brings their own tensions and drama.
06:17 Elba's character, Quentin Jr., a musician,
06:20 hasn't been back for years,
06:21 and trouble is hot on his heels.
06:23 - Have you lost your mind?
06:24 - We are Whitfields!
06:25 We do not behave that way!
06:27 - Will the family come apart at the seams
06:29 or come together for Christmas?
06:31 It's a question many of us have probably asked ourselves.
06:34 ♪ We'll be together to make this Christmas bright ♪
06:38 ♪ Yes, we will ♪
06:42 - 2008, "A Christmas Tale."
06:44 Every few years, France seems to bring out a barn burner
06:47 of a Christmas film.
06:48 In 2008, it was "Un Comte de Noël,"
06:51 or in English, "A Christmas Tale."
06:53 The comedy drama was recognized by critics
06:55 as one of the year's best,
06:56 which is pretty rare for a Christmas film.
06:59 (speaking in foreign language)
07:03 As in our last entry,
07:06 the story is about a bickering family during the festivities.
07:08 When the family matriarch reveals that she has leukemia
07:11 and needs a bone marrow donor,
07:13 family loyalties are put to the test.
07:15 (speaking in foreign language)
07:19 "A Christmas Tale" was nominated for a bevy of awards,
07:22 including the Palme d'Or at Cannes
07:24 and won the César Award for Best Supporting Actor.
07:27 Witty, mischievous, and eccentric,
07:28 it is a holiday film that doesn't hold back.
07:32 2009, "A Christmas Carol."
07:34 Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol"
07:36 has been adapted countless times,
07:38 so it's hard to stand out in the crowd.
07:40 But then, in walks Robert Zemeckis
07:42 with another animated classic.
07:44 - God save you.
07:45 - Bah, humbug.
07:47 - As in "The Polar Express,"
07:49 Zemeckis used motion capture to animate the cast.
07:52 Playing Ebenezer Scrooge,
07:53 as well as the three ghosts who visit him,
07:56 Jim Carrey gives yet another dedicated performance.
07:59 - Leave me.
07:59 Take me back.
08:02 Hunt me no longer!
08:04 - The cast also features beloved names
08:06 like Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, Robin Wright Penn,
08:10 Cary Elwes, and Bob Hoskins.
08:11 While it met with mixed reviews,
08:13 the stunning visuals and energetic performances
08:16 still hold up.
08:17 - No!
08:18 No!
08:20 Am I that man who lay upon the bed?
08:23 - 2010, "Santa's Apprentice."
08:26 France is back as the unsung heroes
08:28 of the Christmas film realm,
08:30 this time in a collaboration with Australia.
08:32 - Do you think you could be my apprentice?
08:35 - That would be great,
08:37 but I don't think I'm, I don't have.
08:40 - Based on the TV series "Santa Prentice,"
08:42 "Santa's Apprentice" or "La Princesse Père Noël"
08:45 feels like a true throwback with its charming animation.
08:48 The story sees the council of retired Santas
08:50 telling the current face of the brand
08:52 to get an apprentice with a pure heart.
08:54 So he takes young Nicholas under his wing.
08:56 - That's a great idea, Nicholas.
08:59 I'm gonna try it right now.
09:00 - The film is filled with whimsical magic
09:02 and heartwarming moments
09:03 that will probably bring a tear or two to your eye.
09:06 If you're keen for more,
09:07 check out the 2013 sequel, "The Magic Snowflake."
09:11 - It's going to take me a while
09:12 to get used to no longer being Santa.
09:14 - 2011, "Arthur Christmas."
09:17 Usually, Santa Claus is depicted as a traditional fella
09:20 who uses magic to traverse the world.
09:22 "Arthur Christmas" turns this upside down
09:24 by giving him modern technology.
09:26 - Santa on a broom.
09:27 - Sorry, forgot the pin code.
09:30 - Co-produced by Sony and Aardman Animations,
09:32 the animated comedy sees strife break out
09:34 within the Claus family
09:36 as members jostle for the role of Santa.
09:38 Their conflict dramatizes a struggle
09:40 between the spirit of Christmas
09:42 and modern ideals of efficiency and productivity.
09:45 - I didn't need a trillion elves in bleepy hats.
09:48 They don't just fly about throwing lead-painted toys
09:50 down chimneys anymore.
09:51 - Voicing the characters are beloved British actors,
09:54 James McAvoy, Hugh Laurie, Bill Nye, and Imelda Staunton,
09:57 who knock it out of the park with their performances.
10:00 Exploring themes of ambition, aging, and family dynamics,
10:03 the movie is as funny as it is touching.
10:06 - Doesn't even matter if it's Mr. Postman and his spaceship.
10:10 As long as it gets there.
10:12 - You made it happen, Ed.
10:13 - 2012, "Rise of the Guardians."
10:17 The same year "The Avengers" first assembled,
10:19 another powerhouse team united to save the day.
10:22 - He's chosen a new guardian.
10:24 - What?
10:24 Why?
10:25 - Must be big deal.
10:27 - Directed by Peter Ramsey,
10:28 who went on to co-direct "Spider-Man Into the Spider-Verse,"
10:31 this animated feature sees a team of mythical characters
10:34 join forces to stop the Boogeyman.
10:36 Leading the team is Nicholas St. North, aka Santa Claus.
10:40 Also on the team are the Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy,
10:42 Sandman, and eventually the spirit of winter, Jack Frost.
10:46 - If man and moon chose you to be a guardian,
10:49 you must have something very special inside.
10:52 - Despite an all-star voice cast,
10:54 the movie bombed at the box office.
10:56 But the story is fun and the animation is gorgeous.
11:00 Definitely check it out if you've never watched it.
11:02 - It's over, Pitch.
11:04 There's no place to hide.
11:05 - 2013, "The Best Man Holiday."
11:08 For some, Christmas is a relaxing and heartwarming time.
11:11 For others, it's a period of friction, drama,
11:14 and hopefully some unintentional comedy.
11:16 If you're of the latter persuasion,
11:18 we recommend 2013's "The Best Man Holiday."
11:22 - Come on, get in here.
11:24 - A sequel to 1999's "The Best Man,"
11:26 the plot involves old friends meeting up together
11:28 for the first time in 14 years to celebrate Christmas.
11:31 But secrets, old wounds, and tragedy all rear their heads.
11:35 - Okay, I'll just leave.
11:36 - Well, why don't you hop on that broom
11:38 and fly back out the window?
11:39 - It's like a big-budget festive soap opera,
11:42 with a fantastic cast all reprising their roles
11:44 from the first film, the movie is a great choice
11:47 for those who like both drama and comedy.
11:49 ♪ Tell me, baby, can you stand the rain ♪
11:54 2014, "Elf," "Buddy's Musical Christmas."
11:59 Want more "Elf"?
12:00 We don't blame you.
12:01 This stop-motion musical is based on both the film
12:04 and Broadway version.
12:05 ♪ I'm singing ♪
12:07 ♪ It's almost Christmas and I'm singing ♪
12:11 While only Ed Asner reprises his role from the film,
12:14 the new cast succeeds in bringing the characters to life.
12:16 Jim Parsons voices Buddy,
12:18 and is joined by the likes of Mark Hamill, Kate Micucci,
12:21 Rachel McFarlane, and Fred Armisen.
12:23 - I don't know how you know my name,
12:25 but you're not really Santa.
12:26 (grunts)
12:27 Look, everybody!
12:28 - The animation brings a new comedic element,
12:30 with Buddy's goofy design juxtaposed
12:33 with the dour human world.
12:34 And the songs are actually pretty great, too.
12:36 ♪ Ho, ho, ho ♪
12:38 ♪ No, no, no ♪
12:41 2015, "The Night Before."
12:43 Christmas comedies often venture into cliche territory,
12:47 resting on time-tested but tired jokes.
12:49 If you want something a little different
12:51 with more adult themes,
12:52 this stoner comedy might be for you.
12:54 - Seriously, this is what the spirit of Christmas
12:56 is all about, a rich athlete finally getting
12:58 the corporate limo that he always wanted.
13:00 - Exactly!
13:01 - Starring Seth Rogen, Joseph Gordon-Levitt,
13:03 and Anthony Mackie, "The Night Before"
13:05 follows three friends in search of an elusive party
13:07 in New York City on Christmas Eve.
13:09 - Yes, you look weird!
13:10 Still weird!
13:12 - There are plenty of side-splitting shenanigans,
13:15 but also an undercurrent of more serious themes,
13:17 such as adulthood, commitment, and parenthood.
13:20 Just to make sure you're in that Christmas spirit,
13:22 there's even a Santa fight.
13:24 - That's for disrespecting the spirit of Christmas!
13:27 (man grunts)
13:28 (splat)
13:30 - 2016, "Better Watch Out."
13:34 In recent years, it seems like there's been
13:36 an explosion of Christmas horror and thriller movies.
13:39 One of the very best is 2016's "Better Watch Out."
13:42 Starring Olivia De Jong as babysitter Ashley
13:45 and Levi Miller as 12-year-old Luke,
13:47 the film starts out as a home invasion movie.
13:50 - The network, it's gone.
13:52 How are they doing this?
13:53 - However, not everything is as it seems,
13:55 and it will mess with your mind
13:57 with one twist after another.
13:59 (door slams)
14:00 - Luke, get my phone!
14:01 - It's kind of like a horror version of "Home Alone."
14:04 Without giving too much away, it's a disturbing tale
14:06 that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
14:09 - We're gonna get through this, okay?
14:11 - Okay.
14:12 - Do your parents have a gun?
14:14 - 2017, "Anna and the Apocalypse."
14:17 If you've ever watched a Christmas film and thought,
14:19 "Gee, this would be better with zombies,"
14:21 then we present you 2017's "Anna and the Apocalypse."
14:25 ♪ Oh, I feel it in my skin ♪
14:28 ♪ The walls are closing in ♪
14:29 - This British zombie musical is about preparing
14:32 for life after school and getting through
14:34 the festive period, but that changes
14:36 when the living dead shamble onto the scene and wreak havoc.
14:39 ♪ Don't have to break away ♪
14:43 - Ella Hunt's work in the title role and Paul K
14:45 as the unhinged Arthur Savage are magical.
14:48 With catchy songs, comedy, and graphic action,
14:51 "Anna and the Apocalypse" is a fun watch
14:53 from start to finish.
14:54 ♪ I need a human voice ♪
14:59 ♪ Something that I can hold onto ♪
15:04 - 2018, "The Christmas Chronicles."
15:07 While it's fun to mix up the festive genre
15:09 from time to time, sometimes it's great
15:11 to just go back to basics too.
15:12 And this Christmas comedy with Kurt Russell
15:14 in the red coat and bushy white beard is a perfect example.
15:18 - Santa Claus?
15:19 - Live and in person, one night only.
15:23 - As he's making the rounds, Santa has his work disturbed
15:26 by two children, causing him to lose not only his reindeer,
15:30 but also everyone's presents.
15:32 - Together, the trio must save Christmas
15:34 before it's too late.
15:36 - Teddy, you think maybe we could pick it up a little bit?
15:39 - Put your seatbelt on.
15:40 - The movie might not reinvent the wheel,
15:41 but there's plenty of amusing moments
15:43 and some serious themes about grief and healing.
15:46 Due to its popularity, Netflix released a sequel in 2020,
15:49 "The Christmas Chronicles 2."
15:51 (speaking in foreign language)
15:59 2019, "Claus."
16:02 Some of these movies are just the best
16:04 of their respective years.
16:05 Others are among the best Christmas movies of all time.
16:08 "Claus," dare we say, is one of them.
16:10 - Watch your step getting out of the, what's this?
16:13 - You're a postman, aren't you?
16:15 - Issuing computer animation, director Sergio Pablos
16:19 breathed new life into traditional animation techniques,
16:21 creating a unique style for his directorial debut.
16:24 Set in 19th century Norway, the adventure comedy
16:27 is an alternative origin story for Santa.
16:30 (laughing)
16:32 When entitled, spoiled Jesper Johansson
16:36 is forced to become a postman on a remote island,
16:39 he befriends local toy maker, Klaus.
16:41 Both characters grow as a result
16:43 in a story that manages to be hilarious,
16:45 poignant, and beautiful all at the same time.
16:48 - Shall we then?
16:49 - 2020, "Jingle Jangle, A Christmas Journey."
16:53 Set in a steampunk-inspired world,
16:55 this whimsical musical fantasy film is a joy to behold.
16:58 The story centers on struggling toy maker,
17:00 Jeronicus Jangle, the apprentice who betrayed him
17:03 and Jeronicus' invention, Don Juan Diego.
17:07 ♪ It's easy ♪
17:09 After reconnecting with his family
17:13 and getting to know his granddaughter, Journey,
17:15 Jeronicus begins to find himself again.
17:17 It's not easy to choose
17:18 which of the original songs is our favorite,
17:20 but if we had to, we're partial to "Magic Man G."
17:24 ♪ Magic man G ♪
17:26 ♪ I'm the magic man G ♪
17:28 Forrest Whitaker, Keegan-Michael Key, and Madeline Mills
17:31 put in wonderful performances,
17:32 as does Ricky Martin with his voice work.
17:35 - I like your hair.
17:36 - Did you do it yourself?
17:37 - 2021, "A Boy Called Christmas."
17:41 Based on Matt Haig's book of the same name,
17:43 this fantasy film captures everything we love
17:45 about the holiday spirit.
17:46 On Christmas Eve, the elderly Aunt Ruth
17:48 tells three children who lost their mother
17:50 the origin story of Santa.
17:52 - So, are you all comfortable?
17:54 You'd better be because I'm starting.
17:58 - It's a magical tale that draws on Nordic mythology
18:00 to explain how a boy named Nicholas
18:02 became Father Christmas.
18:04 - Now I need you to be warm and safe.
18:07 - The story will break your heart,
18:09 mend it, and then fill it with Christmas hope.
18:11 It's a roller coaster of emotions,
18:13 but well worth the journey.
18:15 If that doesn't persuade you to see it,
18:16 then the top-notch cast of Maggie Smith,
18:19 Stephen Merchant, and Jim Broadbent should.
18:22 - Besides, it's just one day a year.
18:24 What shall we call it?
18:26 - 2022, "Violet Night."
18:29 What if diehards John McClane were Father Christmas?
18:33 It's a question we never thought to ask.
18:35 When mercenaries take a wealthy family hostage,
18:38 it's up to Santa to kick butt and save the day.
18:40 Director Tommy Vercula is no stranger
18:45 to snow-filled action comedies.
18:47 He previously directed the 2009 horror comedy,
18:49 "Dead Snow," about zombie Nazis
18:51 and its 2014 sequel.
18:53 "Violet Night" has a similarly zany premise,
18:56 with David Harbour's Santa going on a savage rampage.
18:59 It's not one for the kids, but it is a hell of a good time.
19:06 - Are you okay?
19:07 - I'm good.
19:09 I was just wrapping something up.
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19:26 Set in a New England boarding school in 1970,
19:33 this comedy-drama follows dislikable classics teacher
19:36 Paul Hunnam as he's forced to babysit students
19:38 over Christmas break.
19:40 - Sir, I don't understand.
19:42 - That's glaringly apparent.
19:43 - Director Alexander Payne reunited
19:45 with his lead from "Sideways," Paul Giamatti, for the film.
19:47 While there are funny moments,
19:49 the drama plays a heavy role,
19:51 especially when it comes to the heart-wrenching stories
19:53 of Angus Tully, played by Dominic Sessa,
19:55 and Mary Lamb, played by Divine Joy Randolph.
19:58 - This is the last place that my baby and I were together,
20:01 not including the bus station.
20:04 - The movie deals with themes of mental illness,
20:06 grief, and new beginnings.
20:08 It's one of the best films of the year,
20:10 and not just the Christmas-related ones.
20:12 - Presto, cherished jubilee.
20:14 - What Christmas classic do you watch every December?
20:16 Tell us in the comments.
20:18 - And then, you got all your wrinkles are gone.
20:20 - Did you enjoy this video?
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20:31 (clock ticking)
20:34 (gentle music)
20:38 (gentle music)
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