Top 21st Century Christmas Movies to Watch Now
Many classic Christmas films hail from the 20th century, leaving modern holiday movies less recognized. With numerous generic Christmas films available on cable and streaming, they often blend together. To bring clarity, Watch With Us presents a curated list of the top five holiday movies from the 21st century, as ranked by Rotten Tomatoes.
5. ‘Anna and the Apocalypse’ (2017)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 77%
“Anna and the Apocalypse” uniquely combines a Christmas musical with a zombie action film. Despite its innovative approach and excellent music, it remains underappreciated in the holiday genre. Ella Hunt stars as Anna, a Scottish girl seeking to escape her small-town life, while her father Tony (Mark Benton) and friend John (Malcolm Cumming) have their own concerns. The film takes a thrilling turn as a zombie apocalypse disrupts their Christmas cheer. Available on Tubi.
4. ‘The Man Who Invented Christmas’ (2017)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 79%
This film explores how Charles Dickens (Dan Stevens) shaped modern Christmas celebrations through his novel “A Christmas Carol.” Facing financial difficulties, Dickens races to complete his manuscript, while dealing with personal issues involving his father, John Dickens (Jonathan Pryce), and wife, Catherine Dickens (Morfydd Clark). His journey is intertwined with encounters with his characters, including Ebenezer Scrooge (Christopher Plummer). Streaming on HBO Max.
3. ‘A Boy Called Christmas’ (2021)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 83%
“A Boy Named Christmas” offers a fresh take on the holiday’s origins. Young Nikolas (Henry Lawfull) and his pet mouse Miika (Stephen Merchant) embark on a quest to find the elf kingdom Elfheim and bring hope to their kingdom. Along the way, they encounter magic and mythical creatures. The film highlights the power of heart and spirit. Available on Netflix.
2. ‘8-Bit Christmas’ (2021)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 84%
Set in the 1980s, “8-Bit Christmas” follows young Jake Doyle (Winslow Fegley) as he seeks a Nintendo Entertainment System for Christmas. Narrated by Neil Patrick Harris, who plays the adult Jake, the film draws parallels to “A Christmas Story” and explores the lessons learned from Jake’s quest. Streaming on HBO Max.
1. ‘Elf’ (2003)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 86%
“Elf” has become a beloved Christmas classic over the past two decades. Will Ferrell stars as Buddy, an orphan raised as an elf at the North Pole, who travels to New York City to find his biological father, Walter Hobbs (James Caan). Buddy’s innocence and enthusiasm bring chaos and joy, helping others rediscover the true meaning of Christmas. Available on HBO Max.
These films offer fresh perspectives and stories for the holiday season, ensuring there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
