'Tis the season to snuggle under the covers with a cup of hot cocoa and watch Christmas movies.
Make merry with a heartwarming tale of a girl learning to believe in Santa Claus, a star-studded holiday musical extravaganza and the story of a true grinch who discovers the joy of Christmas, among other wonderful films.
Here are the seven best Christmas movies to stream this year:
1. Home Alone
Watching the hijinks that ensue when Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) is accidentally left behind by his family on vacation has become a holiday tradition. At first, Kevin has a blast without his parents and siblings, but when he fends off would-be burglars and connects with a homeless man, he learns the true meaning of Christmas.
Home Alone is available to stream on Starz via Amazon.
2. White Christmas
This enchanting romantic-comedy musical stars Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen, who play touring partners and a sister act that team up to save a rural Vermont inn from closing by putting on a holiday variety show. The amazing singing and dancing will leave any viewer feeling very merry.
White Christmas is available to stream on Netflix.
3. Miracle on 34th Street
The 1994 remake is just as heartwarming as the original 1947 classic. A young girl (Mara Wilson) is skeptical that the department store’s Santa Claus is the real deal, but when Kris Kringle is forced to prove his identity in court, she starts to become a believer.
Miracle on 34th Street is available to stream on Hulu.
4. Love, Actually
The interwoven stories set around Christmastime in London will make you laugh, cry, sing and dance. There’s a love triangle, a new relationship that blossoms despite a language barrier and co-workers with risque jobs. The characters — from a little boy with his first crush to a washed-up rock star to the prime minister (Hugh Grant) — all seek a bit of holiday cheer and romance.
Love, Actually is available to stream on Netflix.
5. How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Jim Carrey dons heavy green makeup to play the famously grumpy Grinch in Ron Howard’s live-action adaptation of the beloved Dr. Seuss book. The curmudgeon hates Christmas, but even his cold, green heart begins to warm up thanks to a little girl from Whoville.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas is available to stream on Netflix.
6. Bad Santa
Billy Bob Thornton stars as a foul-mouthed, alcoholic thief who dresses up as Santa Claus, along with his assistant (Tony Cox) as an elf, to rob department stores. The raunchy black comedy is definitely for adults only, with Thornton constantly spewing expletives, but even this bad Santa has his moment of holiday redemption.
Bad Santa is available to stream on Netflix.
7. A Christmas Prince
Netflix’s surprise holiday hit stars Rose McIver as Amber, an American journalist sent to the country of Aldovia to cover Prince Richard’s coronation. Due to a misunderstanding, she’s mistaken for a tutor and grows close to the prince. But romance with a royal can be complicated, as Amber learns. Watch out for the sequel, "A Christmas Prince: The Royal Wedding," on Nov. 30.
A Christmas Prince is available to stream on Netflix.
