Christmas movies always bring happiness and festive spirit, no matter when they were made. But the 2000s were a particularly great decade for holiday films, giving us many beloved classics that we still enjoy today. The era featured a lot of funny romantic comedies and traditional Christmas comedies, offering something for everyone to love.
Though some of these films weren’t big hits with critics or at the box office, many people still cherish them and watch them every year. Despite the constant release of new Christmas movies, there’s something special about revisiting favorites from the 2000s and enjoying that warm, nostalgic feeling.
Here are 20 of the best Christmas movies the 2000s had to offer.
20
‘Fred Claus’ (2007)
Warner Bros.
Fred Claus (Vince Vaughn) doesn’t like Christmas, feeling overshadowed by his famous brother, Santa (Paul Giamatti). When he falls on hard times, Fred reluctantly returns home to help Santa and earn some money. However, his bitterness causes problems with the elves and makes him more trouble than he’s worth. Everything changes when Christmas itself is in danger, and Fred must put aside his feelings to save the holiday.
At its heart, Fred Claus is a movie about the relationship between brothers, portrayed by Vince Vaughn and Paul Giamatti – a side of Christmas stories we don’t often see. It also uses the classic ‘underdog saves the day’ formula, which is always enjoyable, especially when it emphasizes the unifying spirit of the holidays. With a blend of silly humor and genuine moments about family, Fred Claus is a surprisingly good Christmas film that doesn’t get enough credit.
19
‘Friday After Next’ (2002)
New Line Cinema
In the third “Friday” movie, cousins Craig and Day-Day are back for more misadventures. This time, they’ve got new jobs as security guards at a strip mall and a new apartment to worry about. Things get complicated when a Santa Claus-disguised robber hits the mall, and the pair have to try and catch him – all while dealing with the mall’s colorful characters.
Most people enjoy stoner comedies (and that’s perfectly okay!), but it’s rare to find one that also feels like a holiday movie. Friday After Next successfully combines the two, bringing back the hilarious chemistry between Ice Cube and Mike Epps with a festive twist. The movie features exaggerated characters – Terry Crews as Damon is a standout – and blends a relaxed atmosphere with plenty of slapstick humor, making it a fun and funny choice for the holidays.
18
‘Tokyo Godfathers’ (2003)
GKIDS
On Christmas Eve, three people experiencing homelessness – Gin, a middle-aged man struggling with alcohol, Miyuki, a teenage runaway, and Hana, a woman who seems strangely lively – find a baby abandoned in the trash. They decide to search for the child’s parents, and their journey becomes a mix of funny mishaps and touching moments about the meaning of the holidays. Along the way, each of them is forced to face their personal history and understand why they became disconnected from the world.
With a fresh take on the Christmas spirit – focusing on those with little offering kindness and doing what’s right – the animated film Tokyo Godfathers is truly special. Even if you’re not an anime fan, you’ll appreciate its beautiful visuals and touching story, which go beyond typical anime clichés. It’s a wonderfully emotional and magical journey, and one of the best Christmas films to blend realism with fantasy. This movie deserves to be considered a classic and seen by a wider audience – it’s among the best animated Christmas movies ever created.
17
‘The Family Stone’ (2005)
20th Century Fox
Meredith Morton is a very proper and reserved person. Raised in a traditional family, she feels out of place when she attends her boyfriend’s family’s lively and unconventional Christmas celebration. Her serious personality and focus on her career are quite different from the family’s relaxed and free-spirited lifestyle.
Featuring wonderful performances from Diane Keaton and Sarah Jessica Parker, this Christmas movie is truly enjoyable. “The Family Stone” centers on the heartwarming feeling of being surrounded by loved ones. It skillfully blends humor and drama to create a realistic and entertaining experience, and the ending offers a surprising twist.
16
‘Unaccompanied Minors’ (2006)
Warner Brothers
The movie Unaccompanied Minors is about what you’d expect: a group of teens gets stuck at an airport during a huge snowstorm right before Christmas. With their flights canceled, they cause plenty of trouble, play pranks, and argue with each other. The story follows whether they can overcome the chaos and make it home for the holidays.
Paul Feig, the director known for comedies like Bridesmaids and The Heat, brings his signature style to this film. Like his previous work, it focuses on the bonds between friends and overcoming challenges with both warmth and wit. Dyllan Christopher stars as the upbeat and playful Spencer, while Lewis Black and Wilmer Valderrama play the no-nonsense airport security and his partner, determined to stop a group of young travelers.
15
‘Just Friends’ (2005)
New Line Cinema
Is there anything better at Christmas than watching a feel-good rom-com? One of my absolute favorites is Just Friends. The story is so relatable – Chris was a bit of a heavier kid in high school and got totally friend-zoned by the girl of his dreams, Jamie. Fast forward a few years, and he’s back home for the holidays, totally transformed and super successful as a music producer, even bringing his famous singer, Samantha, along! When he sees Jamie again, he initially acts like they’re just friends, but then realizes he still has feelings for her. It’s such a classic!
Even though the plot of Just Friends is a bit old-fashioned and you can guess how it ends, it’s still a charming and heartfelt romantic comedy. The movie centers around an awkward guy who overcomes his past to find love. Ryan Reynolds is perfect in the lead role, and Anna Faris and Amy Smart add a lot of energy to the film. Ultimately, Just Friends is a feel-good movie with a positive message about accepting yourself and getting another chance at happiness.
14
‘The Ultimate Christmas Present’ (2000)
Disney Channel
Directed by Greg Beeman, The Ultimate Christmas Present is a Disney Channel movie about two teenage girls who playfully steal Santa’s weather machine just before Christmas. When they accidentally break it, their town gets stuck in a never-ending snowstorm, causing a lot of comical chaos for everyone who lives there.
Like many Disney Channel Christmas movies, this one is full of heartwarming moments. Whether it’s the girls’ dad being snowed in at the airport or Santa’s funny struggles to find them and his sleigh, the movie has a genuine charm that viewers of all ages will enjoy. While it’s not flashy, it tells a sweet and honest story that captures the warmth and hope of the holidays.
13
‘Deck The Halls’ (2006)
20th Century Fox
Directed by John Whitesell, Deck the Halls takes place in the made-up town of Cloverdale, Massachusetts. Steve Finch, an optometrist who loves Christmas, just wants his family to enjoy the holidays. But things change when new neighbors, Buddy Hall—a car salesman—and his partner, Tia, move in next door. Soon, Steve and Buddy find themselves in a competitive and escalating rivalry to have the best Christmas decorations.
Matthew Broderick and Danny DeVito are a riot in this enjoyable family comedy! They deliver quick, silly humor that pulls you right into the film’s lively and competitive atmosphere. Director Whitesell keeps the jokes coming, but importantly, the funny rivalry between their characters never distracts from the sweet friendship between their kids, giving the movie a warm, nostalgic feel.
12
‘Last Holiday’ (2006)
Paramount Pictures
The 2006 film Last Holiday stars Queen Latifah as Georgia Byrd, a kind but stressed-out department store worker who loves to cook. After receiving some difficult medical news, Georgia decides to live life to the fullest and enjoys a luxurious European vacation. The movie, which also features LL Cool J, Alicia Witt, and Giancarlo Esposito, is a remake of a 1950 film with the same title.
“Last Holiday” is a charming and funny Christmas movie that also packs an emotional wallop – it’s a real hidden treasure. Queen Latifah gives a fantastic performance as Georgia, capturing her determination to live life to the fullest, and delivering a strong message about self-belief. Despite a few moments where the tone feels a little off, it’s a heartwarming and uplifting film with all the cozy feeling you want in a holiday movie.
11
‘Surviving Christmas’ (2004)
20th Century Fox
In the movie Surviving Christmas, Ben Affleck plays Drew Latham, a wealthy advertising executive who feels lonely during the holidays after a breakup. On his therapist’s advice, he travels back to his childhood home in Chicago and offers a local man, Tom Valco (played by James Gandolfini), $250,000 to spend Christmas with his family. Tom is hesitant at first, but eventually accepts the offer.
With stars like Christina Applegate and Catherine O’Hara, Surviving Christmas is a funny and surprisingly good holiday movie. It’s not a deep film, but its combination of silly humor, dry wit, and genuine heart makes it perfect for relaxing after a big Thanksgiving dinner.
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2025-11-30 01:21