There is something special about settling into your favorite chair with a warm drink and a funny Christmas movie. The tree is lit, the room smells like cinnamon, and for the next hour or two, everything is cheerful and right with the world.
If you are looking for something to watch that will genuinely make you laugh, here are ten Christmas comedies curated by Senior Resource worth adding to your holiday lineup, from a beloved 1945 classic to a few favorites from the last few decades.
The Classics
Christmas in Connecticut (1945) — Barbara Stanwyck stars as Elizabeth Lane, a columnist whose editor asks her to host a war hero at her Connecticut farmhouse for Christmas. The only catch? She does not actually have the farmhouse, the husband, or the child she has been writing about in her column. The whole delightful mess that follows is pure fun.
A Christmas Story (1983) — All Ralphie wants is a Red Ryder B.B. gun. Nothing, not even the repeated warning that he will shoot his eye out, is going to stop him from trying. Told through a series of holiday vignettes, this one has become an undeniable piece of American pop culture. Fra-gee-lay, indeed.
Holiday Favorites from the ’80s and ’90s
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989) — Two words: Cousin Eddie. If you know, you know. If you have not seen this one yet, you have a treat waiting for you.
Home Alone (1990) — Once the highest-grossing Christmas film of all time, this is the story of eight-year-old Kevin McCallister, accidentally left behind when his family flies to Paris for the holidays. Burglars pick the wrong house. Holiday hijinks follow.
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992) — Kevin’s parents manage to lose him again, this time in New York City. It is not quite as sharp as the original, but it still delivers plenty of laugh-out-loud moments.
The Santa Clause (1994) — Tim Allen accidentally causes Santa Claus to fall off his roof, which means he now has to take over the job. Multiple cookie binges, several trips to the North Pole, and some of Allen’s best comedic work follow.
Jingle All the Way (1996) — Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sinbad are an unlikely comedy duo, but the real scene-stealer is the next-door neighbor Ted, played by the late Phil Hartman. This one is genuinely hysterical from start to finish.
More Recent Favorites
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) — Jim Carrey plays the Grinch in this live-action remake, and it is a rare case of a remake that actually works. A sequel is currently in development, with both Jim Carrey and director Ron Howard returning.
Elf (2003) — Will Ferrell plays Buddy, an orphan raised by Santa’s elves at the North Pole. When he learns the identity of his birth father, he travels to New York City to find him, pointy hat and all. Also starring James Caan and Zooey Deschanel, this 97-minute comedy has earned its place as a certified Christmas classic.
Christmas with the Kranks (2004) — This one is not quite a classic, but it is a lot of fun, especially if you want to see Tim Allen try to eat Mandarin oranges with a face full of Botox. Worth the watch for that scene alone.
Ready to Pick One Tonight?
Any of these ten would be a fine choice for a cozy December evening. You can find most of them on streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Peacock, and Prime Video, or rent them on Apple TV and Google Play.
The only real question is whether you want to start with a classic from 1945 or go straight for Cousin Eddie. Either way, you cannot go wrong.
