On these winter days when the cold wind howls outside, sometimes you just want to stay in bed and cue up a good movie on your laptop. We feel you — which is why we’ve rounded up 10 yuletide flicks, all available to stream instantly on Netflix. These are some of our favorites that we only get to enjoy at this time of year. So get yourself a mug of hot cocoa, pull the blanket closer and relax with one of these holiday classics that will kindle a festive mood in even the grinchiest of hearts.
White Christmas (1954)
Celebrate the 60th anniversary of this charming Christmas sing-along. Two war buddies/Broadway performers team up with a pair of singing sisters to put on a Christmas spectacular in hopes of saving their former general’s ski lodge (that’s suffering from a snowless winter season). Bing Crosby croons the title song to a young Rosemary Clooney, and there’s enough tap-dancing and tinsel to last you until next Christmas.
Love Actually (2003)
With an all-star cast, including Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, Liam Neeson, Colin Firth, Laura Linney, Keira Knightley, January Jones and Denise Richards, and at least 10 different plot lines interwoven throughout this British holiday rom-com, there’s something to make everyone laugh and cry.
Happy Christmas (2014)
Maybe its July release date is the reason that we hadn’t heard of this mumblecore Christmas film, but with two of our favorite actresses (Anna Kendrick and Lena Dunham) as leading ladies, we’re eager to give this one a try and see if it earns a spot on our holiday favorite list.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Whether you consider this a Christmas or a Halloween flick, Tim Burton’s claymation musical is always worth a watch (and re-watch). Jack Skellington encourages the members of Halloween Town to kidnap Santa and steal Christmas’ glory — and in the process, they all discover the true meaning of Christmas.
The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
Of the countless versions of Charles Dickens’ famous Christmas tome (and Netflix streams a good number of them), The Muppet Christmas Carol is undoubtedly the most fun. Kermit, Miss Piggy and Fozzie Bear’s songs will surely be stuck in your head until New Year’s.
Scrooged (1988)
Just because you already know the story, doesn’t mean you won’t enjoy this 80s take on Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. The madcap movie features the hilarious Bill Murray as the modern-day Scrooge (a miserly TV executive), who gets thoroughly freaked out by the Ghosts of Christmas Past and Present on the same night that he’s in charge of producing the network’s big Christmas Eve special.
I’ll Be Home for Christmas (1998)
Nineties heartthrob Jonathan Taylor Thomas rushes home for the holidays in this cross-country caper. After getting stranded in the desert, JTT spends most of the movie in a Santa suit, which may or may not help him to win back his girlfriend, played by a 7th Heaven-era Jessica Biel.
While You Were Sleeping (1995)
Sandra Bullock plays a subway token taker who saves a man’s life and, while he is comatose, unwittingly gets involved in a love triangle with his brother. True love is the best Christmas gift anyone can wish for, and that’s just what Sandra’s character gets in this holiday hit.
Christmas with the Kranks (2004)
Bummed that the awesome The Santa Clause isn’t available for streaming instantly? You can still get your Tim Allen holiday fix with this comedy about a couple whose plan to skip Christmas is foiled by the unexpected return of their daughter from the Peace Corps.
Bad Santa (2003)
Billy Bob Thornton and Bernie Mac star in this irreverent Christmas comedy about an alcohol and sex-addicted mall Santa, who steals from shopping centers. Full of dark humor, murder and NSFW antics, this is probably the only Christmas movie that you couldn’t call “heartwarming.”
