Written by: Lauren Steeves

We’ve collected the 10 best holiday movies that you’ve got to watch (or re-watch) this season.

The holidays are in full force and give new meaning to the words “hustle and bustle”. And while it’s nice to see everyone and their dog, sometimes nothing can beat a night in coupled with some gingerbread cookies and rum and eggnog. Am I right? We’ve compiled a list of 10 of the best holiday movies for you to watch on your own, with your love, or with your squad. We guarantee that these movies pack all the laughs, all the feels and all the holiday spirit one can take. So throw on your lululemon pants, grab a blanket and get ready to chill out. Consider this our gift to you this holiday season.

1.     A Very Murray Christmas

New to Netflix is A Very Murray Christmas, a holiday variety show hosted by none other than the amazing Bill Murray. The musical movie is only 56 minutes long and is similar to Saturday Night Live in its skits and musical elements. Murray gathers a star-studded cast, including Maya Rudolph, George Clooney and Miley Cyrus. You aren’t going to want to miss out on when Murray drunkenly falls off his piano and dreams of Miley Cyrus singing Silent Night. While the movie is a bit strange, it’s equally hilarious at the same time. We recommend watching this one with your squad or bae and pouring yourselves a stiff nog.

2.     Home Alone

Macaulay Culkin may no longer be killing it, but the legacy he left behind certainly is, and that legacy is Home Alone obviously. The movie just recently celebrated its 25th anniversary, proving it’s still a Christmas classic. The story follows the young, cute Kevin (played by Macaulay Culkin) after his family leaves him behind as they head off on Christmas vacation. Being home alone is all fun and games, until Kevin realizes that there are two burglars about to rob his house. Have no fear, as Kevin wires the house and creates booby traps in an attempt to defeat the burglars. Does Kevin have what it takes to outsmart the burglars? You’ll have to tune in for yourself. We promise you won’t be disappointed. If anything, you’ll be nostalgic for your childhood, the 90s, and  wishing that Macaulay Culkin was still as cute as Kevin (Spoiler alert: He’s not).

3.     Elf

Obviously Elf makes the holiday movie list. It’s about an elf played by Will Ferrell, so what’s not to love? The 2003 movie focuses on the elf, Buddy, who is raised by elves in the North Pole. Santa finally lets Buddy go to New York to find his heartless father. On his travels, Buddy finds himself excited by all that New York City and humans have to offer. The major dilemma arises when Buddy’s dad realizes that he may have to reevaluate his priorities, leaving his future relationship with Buddy up in the air. The movie is 97 minutes long and is perfect to watch with your man because it’s not too sappy, and he’s likely to find Ferrell’s humour hilarious.

4.     A Christmas Story

“You’re going to shoot your eye out kid.”

Although this holiday movie is from the 80s, it’s a true classic that needs to be re-watched year after year. A Christmas Story tells a story of true family dysfunction, which I think we can all relate to on some level. The movie follows a 9-year-old Ralphie and his ultimate wish of getting a Red Ryder Range 200 Shot BB gun for Christmas. So will there be a BB gun under the tree for Ralphie? Will he shoot his eye out? You’re going to have to watch it for yourself. We recommend you watch this one with a group of friends or your siblings. It will easily have you all laughing and reminiscing.

5.     How The Grinch Stole Christmas

This movie is the perfect definition of a true holiday classic. Jim Carrey perfects his role as The Grinch and Cindy Lou Who’s love for Christmas steals our hearts. The movie focuses on The Grinch’s distaste for the beloved holiday and his attempt to steal it away from Whoville. Enter Cindy Lou Who, a small but mighty child who tries to befriend the Grinch, and turn him into a holiday lover. The movie is only 104 minutes and is currently on Netflix, giving you no excuses not to get your holiday cheer on.

6.     Love Actually

Love Actually is actually one of the best holiday movies ever. It is one that is going to give you all the feels and all the laughs. The movie follows the stories of eight very different couples in various stages of their love lives. One includes the British President played by Hugh Grant and his colleague and another focuses on an adorable 8-year-old boy who has fallen head over heels with his classmate. This movie is the perfect date night movie, or is great for gathering up your girlfriends. We will warn you: tears may happen. Be smart and tuck away a Kleenex or two.  We promise if Love Actually isn’t on your list of holiday movie favourites yet, it will be now. Like actually.

7.     Kung Fu Panda: Holiday

This holiday movie will bring out the inner child in you. Plus it’s currently on Netflix and is only 26 minutes long, so you don’t have to invest a ton of time into getting into the spirit.  The movie centres on the town as it prepares for the Winter Feast build. However, Po finds himself in a bind trying to balance his duties as the Dragon Warrior with his family’s holiday traditions. Jack Black, Angelina Jolie and Dustin Hoffman all voiced this movie, so you can’t go wrong. We think it’s the perfect movie to put on during pre-Christmas party cocktails, or as a late-night bedtime treat.

8.     National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

Try and find a more hilarious family than the Griswolds, we dare you. This Christmas movie is a cult-classic with Chevy Chase leading the pack as the over-the-top holiday enthusiast. Chase is adamant in giving his family the most perfect Christmas ever, however with the Griswolds things never go according to plan. Everything from the lights, to the tree, to their company is a laughable disaster. Christmas Vacation is definitely a movie that will have you pressing play again and again.

9.     The Family Stone

This movie flies under the radar when it comes to holiday classics, but trust me in that it deserves a spot on this list. The film is not only packed with a star-studded cast like Sarah Jessica Parker, Diane Keaton, Rachel McAdams, Luke Wilson and Claire Danes, but it has a story that is heartfelt and engaging. The story centres on the Stone family, with the son Everett bringing his uptight girlfriend Meredith (played by Parker) home for the holidays. The Stone family unites in their disliking for Everett’s girlfriend and completely falls apart when they learn he is going to propose. Meredith tries to bring in her own family support, as sister Julie comes to visit, but things only get more complicated from there. You’ll laugh. You’ll cry and you’ll experience all the holiday feels.

10.     The Night Before

This movie just hit theatres, and it’s already gaining momentum as a holiday favourite. The story is about three childhood friends (Seth Rogen, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Anthony Mackie) who make it a tradition every Christmas Eve to reunite in a night of drinking, debauchery and utter outrageousness. However, as they are all getting older, they come to the sad realization that their tradition needs to come to an end. To end on a bang, the group set their eyes on the Nutcracka Ball- the Holy Grail of Christmas parties. Of course with any Seth Rogan movie you can expect setbacks and hilarious outcomes. This movie is worth getting off the couch and heading to the theatre for a date night. If the movie doesn’t motivate you to go, just think about the insanely delicious buttery popcorn. I’ll see you there.

So whatever you do this holiday season, from the wise words of Clark W. Griswold, “We’re gonna press on, and we’re gonna have the hap hap happiest Christmas since Bing Crosby tap danced with Danny Fucking Kaye.”