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Sometimes, getting into the holiday spirit is as easy as firing up the TV. If Amazon Prime is your streamer of choice, there are several festive favorites at your fingertips, from timeless classics to laugh-out-loud comedies and even some holiday-themed horror.
You can keep it traditional with time-tested heart-swellers like It’s a Wonderful Life and Miracle on 34th Street, or take a shot on something like Oh. What. Fun., a new comedy starring Michelle Pfeiffer and Felicity Jones.
So unwrap a candy cane, cue up some Bing Crosby, and read on for Entertainment Weekly’s roundup of the 11 best Christmas movies streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
The Bishop’s Wife (1947)
Everett Collection
While it doesn’t have the iconic soundtrack of its 1996 remake, this classic film makes perfect use of its charming star Cary Grant, who plays a literal angel sent down from heaven to help a bishop (David Niven) fix his life and his marriage. The only problem is that the titular wife (Loretta Young) may be more interested in moving on with the angel than with her mortal spouse.
Where to watch The Bishop’s Wife: Amazon Prime Video
Director: Henry Koster
Cast: Cary Grant, Loretta Young, David Niven
The Family Stone (2005)
20thCentFox/ Everett
When most think of Sarah Jessica Parker, they likely picture her as the fashion-forward, (arguably) progressive Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City. However, in The Family Stone, she trades her Manolo Blahniks for sensible shoes as the high-achieving businesswoman Meredith Morton. When Meredith’s fiancé (Dermot Mulroney) invites her to his eccentric family’s Christmas gathering in New England, her traditionalist nature struggles to mesh with their laid-back, freethinking lifestyle. Despite the many loud arguments and emotional outbursts, it still emits some of the coziest vibes you could wish for.
Where to watch The Family Stone: Amazon Prime Video
Director: Thomas Bezucha
Cast: Claire Danes, Diane Keaton, Rachel McAdams, Dermot Mulroney, Craig T. Nelson, Sarah Jessica Parker, Luke Wilson
It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
Everett
Anytime is a good time to watch what many consider one of the quintessential classic films, Christmas or otherwise. The Frank Capra-directed tearjerker tells the story of a man (Jimmy Stewart) ready to end his life — before a higher power intervenes to show him the devastating impact his loss would have on those who love him. The movie will also have you thinking differently about any time you hear jingle bells.
Where to watch It’s a Wonderful Life: Amazon Prime Video
Director: Frank Capra
Cast: Jimmy Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, Thomas Mitchell, Henry Travers, Beulah Bondi
Love Actually (2003)
Universal/Everett
If you’re in need of a good cry this holiday season, Love Actually is waiting for you at your doorstep, cue cards in hand. This classic ensemble rom-com masterfully strings together a gamut of love stories — from the fairy-tale-esque to the utterly tear-jerking — all during the cheery buildup to Christmas. With a stacked A-list cast and charm to spare, it’s a start-to-finish delight sure to melt even the iciest of hearts.
Where to watch Love Actually: Amazon Prime Video
Director: Richard Curtis
Cast: Hugh Grant, Liam Neeson, Colin Firth, Laura Linney, Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, Keira Knightley, Martine McCutcheon, Bill Nighy, Rowan Atkinson
One Special Night (1999)
Everett Collection
A lesser-known project in Dame Julie Andrews’ oeuvre, this TV movie still packs on the charm with her opposite James Garner as two strangers who take refuge in a cabin during bad winter weather and fall in love.
Where to watch One Special Night: Amazon Prime Video
Director: Roger Young
Cast: Julie Andrews, James Garner, Patricia Charbonneau
White Christmas (1954)
Paramount/Getty
The first film shot in Paramount’s then-cutting-edge VistaVision, White Christmas has rightfully earned its candy-cane stripes as one of the best Christmas movies ever, thanks to its glitzy visuals and a cast full of triple threats. The story follows a male song-and-dance duo (Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye) as they link up with two singing sisters (Rosemary Clooney, Vera-Ellen) to stage a snowy Christmas spectacular to keep a struggling Vermont inn from collapsing.
Where to watch White Christmas: Amazon Prime Video
Director: Michael Curtiz
Cast: Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, Vera-Ellen, Dean Jagger
Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
Ron Batzdorff/Universal
Step into a holly-strewn Whoville with Ron Howard’s live-action take on Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas, in which Jim Carrey goes all out as the grumpy, green misfit. The actor’s over-the-top performance, aided by elaborate prosthetics and some well-staged stunts, earned him a Golden Globe nomination.
Where to watch Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas: Amazon Prime Video
Director: Ron Howard
Cast: Jim Carrey, Taylor Momsen, Christine Baranski, Jeffrey Tambor, Molly Shannon, Bill Irwin, Clint Howard
Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection
As EW put it once upon a time, “there’s no better movie for putting you in a holiday mindset” than 1947’s Miracle on 34th Street. As directed by George Seaton, the story centers on a Macy’s Santa Claus who claims to be the real Kris Kringle. His insistence lands him in all sorts of trouble, but he nevertheless manages to inspire young, Santa-skeptical Susan (Natalie Wood).
Where to watch Miracle on 34th Street: Amazon Prime Video
Director: George Seaton
Cast: Maureen O’Hara, Edmund Gwenn, John Payne, Gene Lockhart, Natalie Wood, William Frawley
Black Christmas (1974)
Courtesy Everett
Bob Clark’s Black Christmas helped pave the way for John Carpenter’s Halloween and spawned multiple remakes, none of which hold a fir-scented candle to the OG slasher. Olivia Hussey and Margot Kidder lead an ensemble cast as sorority sisters whose holiday bliss is disrupted by creepy, threatening phone calls. The question of where the calls are coming from proves to be an integral one — and the source of this cult classic’s lingering horrors. The ending is one for the ages.
Where to watch Black Christmas: Amazon Prime Video
Director: Bob Clark
Cast: Olivia Hussey, Margot Kidder, John Saxon, Keir Dullea, Douglas McGrath, Andrea Martin
Oh. What. Fun. (2025)
Alisha Wetherill/Prime
Directed by Michael Showalter (Wet Hot American Summer), Oh. What. Fun. stars Golden Globe winner Michelle Pfeiffer as Claire, a Texas housewife who busts her butt each year to ensure Christmas is perfect for her husband and three kids — only to be completely taken for granted. This time, Claire’s had it. After she takes off, her family comes to realize just how much work they’ve been offloading on her.
Where to watch Oh. What. Fun.: Amazon Prime Video
Director: Michael Showalter
Cast: Michelle Pfeiffer, Denis Leary, Felicity Jones, Dominic Sessa, Chloë Grace Moretz, Jason Schwartzman, Eva Longoria, Danielle Brooks
Something from Tiffany’s (2022)
Erin Simkin/Prime Video
Zoey Deutch and Kendrick Sampson are the perfect pairing in Something from Tiffany‘s, a Christmas rom-com that’s equal parts sweet and totally predictable (in the very best way). She’s a baker, he’s a writer, and sparks fly when their gifts from Tiffany’s get swapped. It’s not exactly groundbreaking, but who cares? Cozy is cozy.
Where to watch Something from Tiffany’s: Amazon Prime Video
Director: Daryl Wein
Cast: Zoey Deutch, Kendrick Sampson, Shay Mitchell, Ray Nicholson, Leah Sava Jeffries
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