10 Fun Christmas Movies To Stream On HBO Max

With Christmas just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to start watching festive movies! While many streaming services offer holiday options, HBO Max really stands out. They have a fantastic collection of some of the most beloved Christmas films of all time.

While many excellent holiday movies exist, some can be quite serious or emotionally intense. We’re focusing on films that are purely enjoyable and lighthearted. Movies like Carol and The Man Who Invented Christmas are wonderful choices, but they don’t necessarily fit the bill for a ‘fun’ holiday watch. That’s where these HBO Max movies come in – they’re perfect for a good time.

8-Bit Christmas (2021)

Few holiday movies are as well-known as A Christmas Story, so it’s not surprising that newer films have followed a similar idea. 8-Bit Christmas, based on a book of the same name, tells the story of a boy in 1988 desperately hoping to receive a Nintendo Entertainment System for Christmas.

Jake Doyle narrates the story to his daughter, who’s hoping to get a phone for Christmas. The movie’s 1980s backdrop appeals to adults who remember that time, and it’s also filled with enough humor and silly moments to entertain kids.

Despite not being a major hit when it came out, 8-Bit Christmas was well-received by critics. It currently has an 84% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, placing it among the stronger holiday movies released in recent years. Featuring Neil Patrick Harris, June Diane Raphael, and Steve Zahn, the film offers plenty of enjoyable moments.

Four Christmases (2008)

Many holiday movies offer broad appeal, but Four Christmases hits on a universally relatable idea: the often-challenging experience of traveling to spend the holidays with family, even when it’s difficult.

The movie Four Christmases follows a couple, Brad and Kate, who usually skip family gatherings during the holidays in favor of a vacation. However, when their travel plans fall through, they’re forced to visit all four of their parents’ homes, leading to a hilariously chaotic Christmas.

While the movie is full of funny, chaotic family moments, it also has a sweet core as Kate and Brad strengthen their relationship. Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon are fantastic and make this film incredibly enjoyable to watch again and again.

Almost Christmas (2016)

While many beloved holiday movies are well-known, some good ones don’t get the attention they deserve. Almost Christmas did reasonably well in theaters when it came out in 2016, but it’s largely been forgotten since then.

The movie Almost Christmas follows a family coming together for the holidays after a long period apart, following the death of their mother. The film boasts a fantastic, entirely Black cast, including Danny Glover, J.B. Smoove, Mo’Nique, Jesse T. Usher, Kimberly Elise, Gabrielle Union, and Romany Malco.

While opinions on the movie Almost Christmas varied, many people have made it a yearly holiday tradition. Its heartwarming story of family reuniting after a loss, combined with its funny characters, resonates with viewers.

Harry Potter And The Sorcerer’s Stone (2001)

While not strictly a Christmas film, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone definitely feels like one to many people. Fans often include it in their holiday traditions because of its lovable characters and exciting story, which create a festive atmosphere.

Although most of the Harry Potter films feel right for the holiday season, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone is especially fitting. A key scene unfolds on Christmas morning, showing Harry receiving gifts for the very first time, and much of the movie’s setting is a cozy winter landscape.

Seeing characters enjoying winter comforts like scarves and fireplaces makes you want to do the same. That’s why Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone is a perfect movie to watch as Christmas 2025 approaches.

Bad Santa (2003)

Most Christmas movies are known for being heartwarming and suitable for the whole family. Bad Santa is definitely different – it’s crude, uses strong language, and isn’t appropriate for children. Despite this, it’s become a beloved holiday film for many people.

Bad Santa centers around Willie T. Soke, a cynical and alcoholic mall Santa. He unexpectedly becomes friends with a young, naive boy who thinks he’s the real Santa Claus, and Willie uses this relationship as part of a plan to rob him. While the story isn’t heartwarming at first, it surprisingly has a lot of genuine emotion as Willie begins to change for the better.

Bad Santa is a hilariously outrageous Christmas movie, delivering some of the biggest laughs you’ll find in the genre. It’s brought to life by a fantastic cast including Billy Bob Thornton, Tony Cox, Lauren Graham, the late John Ritter, and Bernie Mac.

Christmas With The Kranks (2004)

Holiday comedies and funny family situations often make a great combination, and that’s why Christmas with the Kranks is so popular. The movie tells the story of Luther (Tim Allen) and Nora (Jamie Lee Curtis), a couple who decide to skip Christmas traditions after their daughter goes away to join the Peace Corps.

The family is known for their elaborate holiday decorations, which everyone in the neighborhood enjoys. When they decide not to decorate one year, they quickly become outcasts. But their plans change when their daughter unexpectedly returns home on Christmas Eve, forcing them into a frantic scramble to create some holiday magic and a bit of delightful chaos.

The movie received mixed reviews when it first came out, but it’s gained a lot more appreciation over time. Many now consider it a hidden gem of its kind – it’s just a fun, feel-good watch. It doesn’t try to hide its cheesy, sentimental side, and that’s part of its charm.

A Christmas Story (1983)

A shot from the Leg Lamp scene in A Christmas Story.

Few movies are as strongly linked with Christmas as A Christmas Story. It’s become a holiday tradition, often playing on two different channels for a full 24 hours on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day – many people simply have it on as background noise while they celebrate.

The movie A Christmas Story follows young Ralphie Parker and his adventures during Christmas 1940. All Ralphie wants for Christmas is a Red Ryder BB gun, but adults repeatedly warn him he’ll hurt himself with it.

While there are many great Christmas movies, this one is a yearly tradition simply because it’s so enjoyable. It’s filled with memorable lines people still quote, explores themes that still resonate today, and even has a recent sequel featuring most of the original actors if you’re looking for more.

Gremlins (1984)

When it comes to Christmas movies, sometimes the most enjoyable ones are those that break with tradition and avoid the usual clichés. That’s definitely true of Gremlins, which offers a uniquely different take on the holiday season than most films.

Gremlins is a fun movie that mixes comedy and horror, making it a great choice to watch around Christmas time. The story centers on a teenager who receives a strange creature as a pet, which then multiplies and causes chaotic trouble for the whole town, leading to some hilariously wild holiday scenes.

Critics loved Gremlins, giving it an 86% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and the film has only grown in popularity over the years. It won multiple Saturn Awards and was a huge success in theaters. While the sequel wasn’t as well-received, it’s still considered a fun and lighthearted movie.

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1988)

The Vacation movies were a nostalgic part of childhood for a lot of people who grew up in the late 80s and early 90s. Though all the films are enjoyable, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is widely considered the funniest and most beloved.

In Christmas Vacation, Chevy Chase and Beverly D’Angelo reprise their roles as the Griswolds. Like previous films, new actors play their children, Rusty and Audrey – this time Johnny Galecki and Juliette Lewis. Both are skilled comedic performers who add a lot of humor to the movie.

This movie follows Clark Griswold as he tries to create the perfect Christmas for his family, even though everything keeps going wrong – from his relatives’ chaotic visit to the uncertainty of whether he’ll receive a much-needed bonus. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and will definitely put you in a good mood!

Elf (2003)

After appearing in the outrageous comedy Old School, few expected Will Ferrell to quickly follow it up with a heartwarming Christmas film. But just months later, he starred in Elf, which has become a beloved holiday tradition for families and is still enjoyed by viewers of all ages year after year.

The movie Elf has a great premise: Will Ferrell plays Buddy, a human who accidentally ends up at the North Pole as a baby and is raised as an elf. While it’s funny to see his large size compared to the other elves, the real humor comes from watching him navigate the human world.

Will Ferrell is delightfully playful as Buddy, and he’s joined by a fantastic supporting cast including Ed Asner, Zooey Deschanel, Mary Steenburgen, and James Caan. This movie is incredibly charming and easily one of the best options available on HBO Max, regardless of what you’re in the mood to watch.

2025-12-16 18:42