What truly defines a Christmas movie is a topic that often sparks debate. While it may seem straightforward, the discussion around which films belong in this category reveals its complexities. Is it simply about being set during the holiday season, or should a film delve deeper into the spirit of Christmas, exploring themes of family, reflection, and hope for the future? Typically, however, you can spot a Christmas movie when you see one. Every December, families gather to enjoy their favourite festive films.
The movies we celebrate today illustrate the evolving meaning of Christmas across different cultures and generations. Holiday films have a unique ability to bring out the best in people, whether through laughter, love, or nostalgia. Our selection includes beloved family classics, charming romantic tales, iconic animated features, and even a few unconventional Christmas stories. Get ready for the season with our top 10 Christmas movies on Netflix Malaysia for 2024, designed to fill your nights with warmth and joy as you embrace the holiday spirit.
1. What Are Some Tips For Hosting A Christmas Movie Night?
To host a Christmas movie night, choose a mix of classic and modern films that cater to your guests’ tastes. Create a cosy atmosphere with blankets and pillows, prepare festive snacks like popcorn and hot cocoa, and decorate your space with holiday-themed decorations to enhance the experience.
2. When Is The Best Time To Watch A Christmas Movie?
It can vary depending on the individual. Most families choose to watch a Christmas movie on the night of the 24th of December, Christmas Eve. Some people even prefer to watch Christmas movies on Christmas day as a fun activity with loved ones.
3. How Do You Choose A Christmas Movie To Watch On Netflix?
Netflix has made it relatively easy for people to search for and choose a Christmas movie they will enjoy by categorising Christmas movies into specific genres such as kid-friendly, romantic comedy, animated movies, and many more. This categorisation will help individuals narrow their options and choose the best Christmas movie to fit their requirements.
4. What Themes Are Common In Christmas Movies?
Common themes in Christmas movies include the importance of family, the spirit of giving, redemption, and the magic of the holiday season. Many films emphasise love and togetherness, often featuring characters who undergo personal growth or reconnect with loved ones.
10 Best Christmas Movies on Netflix Malaysia 2024
1. The Holiday
Directed by: Nancy Meyers
Starring: Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz, Jude Law, Jack Black, Eli Wallach, Rufus Sewell and Shannyn Sossamon, Edward Burns
Release date: 8 December 2006
Genre: Romance comedy
Running time: 136 minutes
IMDB Score: 6.9/10
Synopsis: In 2006, Nancy Meyers wrote, produced, and directed the romantic comedy The Holiday. Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz play Iris and Amanda, two lovelorn ladies from opposite sides of the Atlantic Ocean who organise a home exchange to avoid heartbreak over the Christmas and holiday season. The film was co-produced by Bruce A. Block and shot in England and California. Graham and Miles, the movie’s primary male characters, were portrayed by Jude Law and Jack Black, with important supporting roles played by Eli Wallach, Shannyn Sossamon, Edward Burns, and Rufus Sewell.
2. Elf
Directed by: Jon Favreau
Starring: Will Ferrell, James Caan, Zooey Deschanel, Mary Steenburgen, Edward Asner, Bob Newhart
Release date: 7 November 2003
Genre: Christmas comedy
Running time: 97 minutes
IMDB Score: 7.0/10
Synopsis: Buddy, a human, is raised at the North Pole among elves. He leaves for New York to look for his biological father after learning that he is not an elf. A 2003 American holiday comedy called Elf was written by David Berenbaum and directed by Jon Favreau. Elf, which had a $33 million budget when it was released in the United States on November 7, 2003, was a huge critical and financial success. Both audiences and critics enjoyed Ferrell’s portrayal of Buddy the Elf, with many citing it as one of his greatest.
3. Christmas Prince
Directed by: Alex Zamm
Starring: Rose McIver, Ben Lamb, Tom Knight, Sarah Douglas, Daniel Fathers, Alice Krige, Tahirah Sharif
Release date: 17 November 2017
Genre: Christmas romantic comedy
Running time: 92 minutes
IMDB Score: 5.8/10
Synopsis: A Christmas Prince is a 2017 American holiday romance comedy film written by Karen Schaler and Nathan Atkins and directed by Alex Zamm. The story follows a young journalist who is sent abroad in the weeks before Christmas to go undercover and get the truth about a playboy prince who will become king. In 2018, A Christmas Prince: The Royal Wedding was released which serves as a direct sequel, followed by A Christmas Prince: The Royal Baby in 2019.
4. Falling for Christmas
Directed by: Janeen Damian
Starring: Lindsay Lohan, Chord Overstreet, George Young, Jack Wagner, Olivia Perez, Alejandra Flores, Sean J. Dillingham, Chase Ramsey, Aliana Lohan
Release date: 10 November 2022
Genre: Romance
Running time: 93 minutes
IMDB Score: 5.2/10
Synopsis: Actress Lindsay Lohan plays a pampered heiress who loses her memory in a skiing accident and ends up in the care of a lodge owner widower at Christmas in the 2022 American holiday romance comedy Falling for Christmas. Using a screenplay by Ron Oliver and Jeff Bonnett as her source material, Janeen Damian makes her directing debut with this movie. Additionally, playing supporting parts are Chord Overstreet, George Young, Jack Wagner, and Olivia Perez. Following a string of professional disappointments while overcoming her addiction and legal difficulties, it was Lohan’s first performance in a significant production in more than ten years.
5. It’s A Wonderful Life
Directed by: Frank Capra
Starring: James Stewart, Karolyn Grimes, Donna Reed, Virginia Patton, Jimmy Hawkins, Lionel Barrymore, Henry Travers, Thomas Mitchell, Beulah Bondi
Release date: 7 January 1947
Genre: Fantasy drama
Running time: 131 minutes
IMDB Score: 8.6/10
Synopsis: Frank Capra produced and directed the 1946 American Christmas fantasy drama movie, It’s a Wonderful Life. It is based on the 1943 self-published short story and booklet The Greatest Gift by Philip Van Doren Stern, which takes inspiration loosely from Charles Dickens’s novella, A Christmas Carol. Actor James Stewart plays George Bailey, a man who has sacrificed his personal goals to benefit others in his society. On Christmas Eve, George Bailey has suicidal thoughts; however, Clarence Odbody, his guardian angel, steps in to save him. Clarence shows George the people he has impacted and what the world might look like without him. It’s A Wonderful Life is a Christmas movie classic that is showing on Netflix for a limited time.
6. Love Actually
Directed by: Richard Curtis
Starring: Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, Colin Firth, Liam Neeson, Keira Knightley
Release date: 6 November 2003
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Running time: 2h 25m
IMDB Score: 7.6/10
Synopsis: The film narrates the story of eight couples, of mix-bag ages and walks of life, who encounter love in their own special ways; all this in the beautiful days leading up to Christmas in London.
7. Family Switch
Directed by: McG
Starring: Emma Myers, Brady Noon, Jennifer Garner, Ed Helms, Vanessa Carrasco
Release date: 30 November 2023
Genre: Comedy
Running time: 1h 45m
IMDB Score: 5.7/10
Synopsis: When family members switch bodies with each other during a rare planetary alignment, their hilarious journey to find their way back to normal will bring them closer together than they ever thought possible.
8. Love Hard
Directed by: Hernán Jiménez
Starring: Nina Dobrev, Darren Barnet, Mikaela Hoover, Jimmy O. Yang
Release date: 5 November 2021
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Running time: 1h 45m
IMDB Score: 6.3/10
Synopsis: After meeting her perfect match on a dating app, an L.A. writer learns she’s been catfished when she flies 3,000 miles to surprise him for Christmas.
9. The Princess Switch
Directed by: Michael Rohl
Starring: Vanessa Hudgens, Nick Sagar, Sam Palladio, Alexa Adeosun
Release date: 16 November 2018
Genre: Romance Comedy
Running time: 1h 41m
IMDB Score: 6.1/10
Synopsis: One week before Christmas, a duchess switches places with an ordinary woman from Chicago, who looks exactly like her, and they each fall in love with each other’s beaus.
10. Holidate
Directed by: John Whitesell
Starring: Emma Roberts, Luke Bracey, Nicola Peltz, Manish Dayal
Release date: 28 October 2020
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Running time: 1h 44m
IMDB Score: 6.1/10
Synopsis: Sloane, who gets mocked for being single, finds the perfect solution when she meets Jackson. Now she has the perfect date for her holidays, but her heart starts yearning for something more.
Disclosure: This list was compiled by the team at My Weekend Plan after extensive research and shared opinions to suggest helpful recommendations for the public. The sequence of brands is in no particular order so if you have any other great suggestions too, please email us support@myweekendplan.asia. For more information, kindly refer to our copyright, privacy & disclosure policy.
