The holiday season is upon us. Thanksgiving is around the corner, the weather is getting colder (in some places), andMariah Carey is backwith her infamous Christmas song. More than that, you’ll likely have noticed the holiday playlists pervading many radio stations, the decorations in storefront windows, and the staple red-and-green palette all around. It’s truly beginning to feel a lot like Christmas.
As the holiday draws nearer, you’ll notice, too, that your favorite streaming services will become inundated with festive holiday viewing options. Indeed, what better way to spend those cold winter nights than to make some hot chocolate, curl up on the couch, ditch your favorite book and watch some great movies, right?Prime Videohas you covered, when it comes to its stand-out catalog of binge-worthy TV series and exciting movies. Here are the best Christmas movies to watch on Prime Video this winter.
7Arthur Christmas
Pinning contemporary and classic interpretations of the season’s celebrations against each other,Arthur Christmassees Santa Claus' clumsy but well-meaning son embark on a mission to personally deliver Santa’s final present to a young girl who was missed out due to a malfunction with the newly upgraded, high-tech sleigh. This beautifully animated feature film, originally released in 2011, was met with overwhelmingly positive reviews, making it the highest-rated animated movie of the year. It’s full of memorable characters, heaps of humor, and a stellar voice cast from the likes of James McAvoy, Hugh Laurie, Bill Nighy, Jim Broadbent, Imelda Staunton, and Ashley Jensen.
Related:9 Christmas Movies to Watch on Netflix This Winter
6Love Actually
This2003 Christmas rom-comfrom director Richard Curtis(Four Weddings and a Funeral,Notting Hill,Bridget Jones’s Diary) boasts one of the greatest ensemble casts ever assembled, including Alan Rickman, Emma Thompson, Hugh Grant, Keira Knightley, Colin Firth, and Liam Neeson. Featuring several interlinking storylines,Love Actuallyhas become a Christmas staple for many, thanks to its sharp wit and emotional plotlines. Not only is the film a must-see for those wanting a festive treat, it also has a killer soundtrack that hit number one in the UK Album chart and, to this date, has spent over 145 weeks in said chart (viaHITC).
5The Night Before
The Night Beforeis a wild and whack drug-fueled Christmas comedy, starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen, and Anthony Mackie as three childhood friends who annually reunite on Christmas Eve in search of the best party in New York City. The movie features as much off-color humor as you’d expect from a movie that credits Evan Goldberg and Rogen, who are responsible for such films asSuperbad,Pineapple Express, andSausage Party. Also to be found is a surprising amount of heart and emotion.
Unfortunately, the originalBad Santamovie is not currently available to view on Prime Video for free, so viewers will have to settle for the 2016 sequelBad Santa 2. Still just as drunk and foul-mouthed as ever, Billy Bob Thornton once again dons Santa’s red suit as Willie Soke as he teams up with his criminal companion Marcus (Tony Cox), posing as an elf, so the pair can rob a charity shop on Christmas Eve. Whilst it’s almost unanimously agreed that it fails to reach the heights of its classic predecessor, there are still plenty of laughs to be had if you’re a fan of the franchise’s brand of brash and crass, misanthropic humor. Kathy Bates is particularly entertaining as Willie’s obnoxious, conniving, estranged mother.
Related:New Christmas Movies You Can Stream This Season (2022)
3Office Christmas Party
Featuring a talented cast of comic actors including Jason Bateman and Jennifer Aniston,Office Christmas Partyis a little raunchier than your typical festive affair. It’s about a group of office workers who set out to throw the office Christmas party to end all Christmas parties in an attempt to impress a potential client and save their place of work. Somewhat unsurprisingly, the party spirals wildly out of control and hilarity ensues. Fans of the previous works of directors Will Speck and Josh Gordon, which includesBlades Of GloryandThe Switch, are sure to enjoy what’s on offer in this raucous holiday movie.
2A Madea Christmas
Okay hear us out, yes, the film was ravaged by critics, and, yes, it was nominated for an impressive six infamous Golden Raspberry Awards, an award ceremony honoring the worst of cinematic under-achievements of the year, but with a whopping 13 feature films in theMadeacinematic universe, there must be some kind of market for it. In this entry,A Madea Christmas, Tyler Perry’s Madea spends the holidays with the great-niece’s daughter. The movie explores the sentimental bond the two develop, utilizing Perry’s unique brand of crass yet family-friendly humor. Not for everyone, but definitely for someone.
1Four Christmases
Four Christmasesis a chaotic yet moving tale of a couple who, after their vacation plans unexpectedly fall through, find themselves having to spend time with their dysfunctional families on Christmas day. Adding insult to injury, each of their parents are divorced, meaning they are now obliged to visit a grand total of four separate households, with each presenting its own emotional challenges. Whilst perhaps not the most original of premises, the movie is boosted by strong lead performances from Reese Witherspoon and Vince Vaughn. Amongst all the madness and disarray, there’s plenty of hope, goodwill, and heart in a movie that turns out to be just as moving as it is funny.
