What To Watch this Christmas: 7 Classic Films Streaming in the US this Holiday

Here’s a list of movies to watch as part of your Christmas celebrations!

Tis the season to be jolly and probably stock up on more than enough bottles of eggnog, wine, and warm milk with some cheer-favoured cookies. Merry Christmas, everyone! We hope you’re having a fantastic time wherever you are in the US this holiday. 

To add to your joy, here’s the Black Film Wire’s list of Christmas films to see with friends, families, loved ones, and even exes (if y’all haven’t sought closure). It’s a mix of new and older classics across multiple streaming platforms. Ensure you watch ‘em all or we’ll report you to Santa ahead of next year (just kidding, of course).

Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey (2020) (Netflix)

2020 was a tough year for entertainment but it also gave us one of the most inventive Black Christmas movies of all time in Jingle Jangle. It’s the tale of a retired betrayed toymaker whose spark is restored upon the arrival of his granddaughter. Starring legendary actors Forest Whitaker and Phylicia Rashad, alongside stars like Keegan-Michael Key, and newcomers Madalen Mills, Anika Noni Rose, Abraham Popoola, Justin Cornwell, and Miles Barrow, the film shines with much of that Christmas cheer, reminding us that hope is never truly lost, and family will always be our strength. 

The Best Man Holiday (2013) (Prime Video) 

The sequel to 199’s The Best Man is everything you need this Christmas. It’s got fine actors who are basically a who’s who of Hollywood heartthrobs in Taye Diggs, Morris Chestnut, Terrence Howard, and Harold Perrineau, silver screen divas like Nia Long, Regina Hall, and Sanaa Lathan, and a Malcolm D. Lee script that’s sure to have the whole family talking as the credits roll. It’s a simple premise: What happens when college friends reunite after 15 years?. The Best Man Holiday is the film to watch if you’re particularly interested in feeling the Christmas spirit of the early 2010s. 

The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992) (Disney+)

We’re taking it back to the early ‘90s with this one. This classic Muppets movie adapts Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol into a hilarious yet moving tale about the true meaning of Christmas. It’s got all your favourite muppets too: Gonzo and Rizzo (as narrators), Kermit the Frog, Bunsen Honeydew, Beaker, Statler, Waldorf and Fozzie Bear. It’s a fun watch for the holiday season that’s sure to please the kids. 

Tyler Perry’s A Madea Christmas (2013) (Tubi)

Tyler Perry gave us a fun, bodacious Christmas in 2013 with the release of this film, starring himself as the vivacious Madea. And while it’s not the most loved in the Madea film series, it’s one of the most heartwarming. It follows Madea’s trip to the town of Bucktussle, Alabama, for a surprise visit to her great niece’s daughter, Lacey. In typical fashion, the visit turns into a grand event, as we discover that Lacey has secretly gotten married to her boyfriend. The film also stars Tika Sumpter, Kathiy Najimy, Chad Michael Murray, and Alicia Witt. 

Bad Santa (2003) (HBO Max) 

Ten years before Madea, the late Bernie Mac and Tony Cox delivered incredible performances in this comedy thriller. Without spoiling too much, think of a shady Santa Claus and an elf who rob department stores, apprehended by the power of the most unlikely friendship. It’s a warm take on the magic of Christmas and finding satisfaction. Also, it’s about why you just shouldn’t mess with the Christmas spirit, not unless you want some red and green striped trouble on your tail. Other actors include Billy Bob Thornton, Brett Kelly, Lauren Graham, and the late John Ritter. 

This Christmas (2007) (Paramount +)

Idris Elba, Chris Brown, Regina King, Delroy Lindo, Loretta Devine, Laz Alonso, Columbus Short, and Mekhi Phifer all star in this sentimental picture about the fictional Whitfield family celebrating the holiday season amid the arrival of the eldest son and travelling artist Quentin Jr., who hasn’t been home in 4 years. However, it all gets to a head as secrets emerge, but through forgiveness and reconciliation, the family makes the best of the situation. If you’re looking for an icebreaker for that difficult conversation, this is the film for you. 

The Holdovers (2023) (Prime Video)

A grieving mother, an oddball teacher, and a cantankerous school boy are all stuck at a New England prep school for the Christmas holidays. Doesn’t sound like the recipe for a lot, right? This Oscar-nominated film touches on the loneliness that can sometimes come with the holidays and how finding safety in others isn’t such a bad idea, after all. It stars Paul Giamatti, Da’Vine Joy Randolph (in a tear-evoking role of a lifetime), Dominic Sessa, Carrie Preston, and Brady Hepner. Make sure to have your eggnog with you for this one. 

For more recommendations, you can check our December Hollywood and Nollywood lists, respectively. Merry Christmas, once again!