Best Christmas films on Prime Video in 2025 – from It’s a Wonderful Life to Merry Little Batman

It’s already mid-December, and you’ve probably started watching your favorite Christmas movies to get into the holiday mood.

As a total movie buff, I’ve been browsing around and wanted to share that Prime Video has a really great collection of holiday films right now. You can find all the classics, like It’s a Wonderful Life, but they also have some hidden gems – I was really surprised by how much I enjoyed Merry Little Batman! If you’re looking for something to get you in the festive spirit, it’s definitely worth checking out what they have.

Keeping that in mind, we’ve put together a list of 12 movies we think you’ll enjoy. It includes everything from family-friendly classics to scary holiday films, and even one surprising choice you might not expect to see on a Christmas list.

Prime Video is getting into the holiday spirit with its own original Christmas movies. Recent releases include “Oh. What. Fun.” featuring Michelle Pfeiffer, and last year’s big hit “Red One” with Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans is also available – though it’s not a film we’d strongly recommend.

Read on for our picks.

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It’s a Wonderful Life

Widely considered one of the best Christmas movies ever – and a true cinematic classic – Frank Capra’s heartwarming story is guaranteed to make you cry.

The movie features Jimmy Stewart as George Bailey, a man who feels defeated and considers ending his life. He’s saved by his guardian angel, who helps him see the positive impact he’s had on the lives of others and how much he truly matters, even though he hasn’t achieved his personal dreams.

The movie wasn’t successful when it first came out, but it slowly gained a loyal fanbase after being shown on television. Now, it’s considered a classic – a genuinely touching Christmas story that celebrates family, friends, and community without being overly sentimental.

Scrooge

Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol has been made into a movie many times – from the classic 1951 film with Alasdair Sim to the fun Muppet adaptation and even a recent version called Christmas Karma. Now, you can also watch the 1970 film adaptation, which is currently available on Prime Video.

This musical adaptation of ‘A Christmas Carol’ features Albert Finney as Ebenezer Scrooge, alongside stars like Alec Guinness and Roy Kinnear. While reviews aren’t the most glowing compared to top-rated versions, it’s still a worthwhile watch if you’re looking for a different interpretation of the classic story.

Love Actually

Even after more than 20 years since it came out in 2003, Love Actually is still a popular choice for many during the holiday season. The movie features a fantastic cast – including Emma Thompson, Keira Knightley, Alan Rickman, Hugh Grant, and Colin Firth – and tells the stories of eight different couples as Christmas approaches.

Expect heartwarming moments, new love, and a cheerful holiday atmosphere – all hallmarks of Richard Curtis’s work. He’s the creator behind beloved films like Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill, and the recent movie, That Christmas.

The Bishop’s Wife

This charming 1947 romantic comedy features Cary Grant and David Niven. It’s based on a novel and tells the story of an angel named Dudley (Grant) who comes to help a bishop (Niven) facing difficulties with his family and fundraising for a new cathedral just before Christmas.

You know, it’s cool to learn that there was a remake of that classic film back in ’96! It’s called The Preacher’s Wife, and it stars Denzel Washington as Dudley. Courtney B. Vance and Whitney Houston play the preacher and his wife – a fantastic cast, really!

The Holiday

While ‘Love Actually’ remains a hugely popular Christmas romantic comedy from the mid-2000s, Nancy Meyers’ 2006 film is quickly becoming just as beloved and is now considered a holiday classic.

The movie follows Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz, two women facing relationship problems who decide to swap homes for the holidays in England and the US. While living in each other’s houses, they both unexpectedly fall for local men, played by Jack Black and Jude Law.

The Amazing Mr Blunden

Directed by Lionel Jeffries (two years after his beloved film The Railway Children), this movie is based on Antonia Barber’s 1969 novel, The Ghosts. It tells the story of two children who experience strange events after moving with their mother into a new, large house.

I have to say, this film really delivers a cozy, classic Christmas ghost story. The plot kicks off when the family discovers their generous landlord, Mr. Blunden, has actually been gone for decades! Things get even more interesting when they meet two charming ghost children who need their help – and that help involves a trip back in time. It’s a wonderful, family-friendly adventure that’s perfect for getting you in the holiday spirit.

The Man Who Invented Christmas

While many films have retold A Christmas Carol, the 2017 movie is unique because it focuses on the story behind the story – how Charles Dickens came to write it. Starring Dan Stevens as Dickens, the film shows the struggling author finding inspiration in Victorian London and drawing on his own difficult experiences as he creates the beloved tale.

The film isn’t a straightforward biography; it blends fantasy with reality by showing Dickens interacting with characters he’s creating, like Scrooge – played by Christopher Plummer – and even the ghosts from his stories.

Silent Night, Deadly Night

A remake of this classic 1980s horror film is coming out this year, making now a perfect time to watch the original. The movie caused a lot of debate when it was first released, and tells the story of a child deeply traumatized after witnessing a man in a Santa suit violently kill his parents.

After a deeply disturbing event, he’s placed in an orphanage run by nuns, including a very harsh headmistress. He faces further trauma during Christmastime, which eventually drives him to dress as Santa and commit violent acts. If you’re seeking a Christmas movie that’s far from cheerful and heartwarming, this film might be what you’re looking for.

Small Things Like These

While this excellent 2024 film doesn’t immediately feel like a Christmas movie, it certainly fits the bill – and it’s more than just the holiday decorations that make it so.

This film is based on Claire Keegan’s story and features a fantastic performance by Cillian Murphy. He plays Bill Furlong, a quiet and compassionate coal merchant in County Wexford, who is faced with a difficult decision before Christmas when he discovers a troubled young girl hidden in a convent’s coal shed.

The movie feels reminiscent of a Dickens novel, and with its heartwarming themes of forgiveness, kindness, and family, all set against a snowy landscape, it’s a perfect fit for the holiday season.

A Christmas Story

This beloved American Christmas movie from 1983 hasn’t become as popular in other countries, but it tells the story of Ralphie, a nine-year-old boy determined to get a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas. He spends the whole season trying to convince his parents it’s the perfect gift.

Unlike Bob Clark’s horror film Black Christmas, this movie has a gentler, more rambling story. It’s filled with memorable scenes that have become classics for American audiences, like Ralphie’s famous mishap with the frozen flagpole.

Merry Little Batman

This animated movie came out in 2023 without much hype, but it’s a good choice if you want something different from typical holiday movies.

This story centers on Damian, Bruce Wayne’s son, who decides to become ‘Little Batman’ when he’s left home alone on Christmas Eve. He takes it upon himself to save Gotham City from villains like the Joker, who are trying to spoil the holiday season.

2025-12-08 21:06