A definitive list of the 13 best Christmas movies of all time.

It's the time of year we Christmas fanatics have been ready and waiting for.

While we're all undeniably obsessed with the onslaught of new and cheesy (in the best way possible) Christmas movies, there is something so delectable about the archive of classic festive films from across the decades.

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From the iconic black-and-white charm of It's a Wonderful Life to the quirky humour of Elf, these films transport us to simpler times.

The familiar stories, beloved characters, and heartwarming messages never fail to stir that special holiday spirit, making them the perfect backdrop for cosy nights spent with loved ones.

Here's our definitive guide to the very best Christmas movies.

Home Alone (1990).

Home Alone is a Christmas must-watch. Image: 20th Century Fox.

Home Alone has everything: that Christmas decorations of your dreams, Macaulay Culkin’s adorable shocked face, lots of satisfying cartoon-ish violence, and, at the end, true Christmas spirit.

The storyline is basically wish-fulfilment for every kid, as Kevin, played by Culkin, gets left at home alone when his family go to Paris and enjoy the holidays to himself.

But then he's forced to outwit two very dumb burglars,

Watch Home Alone on Disney+.

The Holiday (2006).

The Holiday is the Christmas rom-com to warm your heart. Image: Sony Pictures.

This is just the perfect rom-com set at Christmas time.

Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz star as Iris and Amanda, two heartbroken women, one in the UK and one in the US, who swap homes over Christmas and meet the world's cutest guys, played by Jude Law and Jack Black.

Slightly predictable? Maybe. But as Iris says, "I'm looking for corny in my life."

Watch The Holiday on Stan.

Love Actually (2003).

Love Actually has a star studded cast. Image via Universal Pictures.

Looking back on it 16 years later, some of the scenes are more than a little problematic (what’s with all the fat jokes?). But Love Actually does actually have the best cast, starring Emma Thompson, Hugh Grant, Rowan Atkinson, Alan Rickman, Bill Nighy, Colin Firth and many more.

Not to mention, it's got the greatest soundtrack – and at Christmas, we just want to believe that love is all around. “To me, you are perfect.” Right?

Watch Love Actually on Stan.

The Santa Clause (1994).

A Christmas movie for families. Image: Walt Disney Pictures.

For kids — and a lot of parents — Christmas is all about Santa, so this modern take on the big guy is one the whole family can get into.

Tim Allen plays Scott, a single dad who accidentally injures Santa and, due to a legal technicality, ends up turning into Santa and taking over his job. Heart-warming proof that Santa is real.

Watch Santa Clause on Disney+.

Elf (2003).

Elf is a comedy for all year round. Image: New Line Cinema.

Elf has something that a lot of Christmas movies lack: a plot good enough for any time of year. Will Ferrell is at his funniest as Buddy, a human who grows up in the North Pole thinking he’s an elf.

He’s tasked with going to New York, finding his dad Walter (James Caan), and changing him from naughty to nice. If you don’t love it, you’re clearly a cotton-headed ninny muggins.

Watch Elf on Stan or Binge.

How The Grinch Stole Christmas (2000).

Image: Universal Pictures.

It took a lot to turn the classic Dr Seuss book into a classic Christmas movie: a dark backstory, Jim Carrey underneath truckloads of makeup, and a pre-Gossip Girl Taylor Momsen as Cindy Lou Who. But it worked. A movie that grinches everywhere should be forced to watch.

Watch How The Grinch Stole Christmas on Stan, Paramount+, Binge, or Prime Video.

Die Hard (1988).

Die Hard is indeed a Christmas movie. Image: 20th Century Fox.

"Die Hard is not a Christmas movie. It’s a goddamn Bruce Willis movie!" That's what Bruce Willis says. But that’s just his opinion.

Die Hard takes place during a Christmas party, with Willis as John McClane, singlehandedly dealing with a hostage situation. So we're it’s a Christmas movie — and one of the greatest action movies of all time.

Watch Die Hard on Disney+.

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989).

Clark Gisworld is a Christmas classic. Image: Warner Bros.

Isn’t there a little bit of Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) in all of us? Haven’t we all risked giving our family members frostbite to find the perfect tree? Haven’t we all covered our house in 25,000 Christmas lights, causing a major blackout? Well, maybe not quite, but we love to watch him go.

Watch National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation on Stan, Foxtel and Binge.

Jingle All The Way (1996).

Jingle All The Way has both action and holiday spirit. Image: 20th Century Fox.

Just putting “Arnold Schwarzenegger” and “Christmas movie” in the same sentence is a guaranteed comedy hit. Schwarzenegger plays a dad who wants to redeem himself at Christmas by getting his son a Turbo Man toy, even though it’s sold out. Will he punch a reindeer? Only if the reindeer started it.

Watch Jingle All The Way on Disney+.

It’s A Wonderful Life (1946).

It's A Wonderful Life is on everyone's Christmas must-watch list. Image: Liberty Films.

This movie has made it onto virtually every list of best Christmas movies.

James Stewart plays George Bailey, a man who’s about to commit suicide, when an angel appears to make him change his mind by showing him all the good he’s done in his life.

Watch It's A Wonderful Life on Stan.

Klaus (2010).

Klaus is the best Santa Claus origin story. Image: Netflix

The absolute best Santa Claus origin story of all time… in my humble opinion.

With a unique animation style, a beautiful soundtrack, and writing that will tug at your heartstrings, Klaus tells the story of a spoilt postman who forms an unlikely friendship with a reclusive toy maker named Klaus, leading to the creation of the beloved Christmas tradition.

It's a heartwarming tale of friendship and reminds us all that "a simple act of kindness always sparks another."

Watch Klaus on Netflix.

The Polar Express (2004).

The Polar Express is dark yet heartwarming. Image: Warner Bros.

While this movie is animated, don't be fooled — it can get pretty dark at times. But it's also a beautiful tale about Christmas spirit.

The Polar Express is a magical Christmas journey where a young boy travels to the North Pole, discovering the power of belief and the true spirit of Christmas.

Watch The Polar Express on Binge and Netflix.

The Family Stone (2005).

The Family Stone is chaotic in the best way possible. Image: 20th Century.

If Christmas chaos is up your alley, then The Family Stone is an absolute must-watch this holiday season. The Family Stone follows a woman who feels out of place when she meets her boyfriend's eccentric family over the holidays.

As tensions unfold, things go from bad to worse and it's both tragic and comedic. And of course, it's star-studded: with Diane Keaton, Sarah Jessica Parker, Rachel McAdams and more.

Watch The Family Stone on Disney+.

Feature image: New Line Cinema / 20th Century.