There's a reason there are so many Christmas comedy movies to choose from: it's a holiday that begs to be skewered. Christmas is rife with situations with the potential to go pear-shaped in a hurry. Friends and family members of all stripes are forced to come together and get along. There's usually a fair amount of alcohol involved, which always makes things interesting. There are ugly sweaters and awkward office parties and cooking fails and Santa scaring the crap out of the kids. But what makes it all truly hilarious is the bone-crushing amount of pressure we put on ourselves to make the holidays perfect — despite all the things that can go wrong. If you didn't want so badly to impress your in-laws with that difficult souffle recipe, then it wouldn't have been so painful when it deflated just before dinner — or so funny to recall years later.
Christmas comedies are numerous because we can all relate to the struggle. Anyone on the planet who has celebrated the holiday has at least one chuckle-worthy anecdote permanently lodged in their hippocampus. And as the Christmas failures, embarrassments, and disappointments pile up, the library of humanity's Christmas comedies grows larger.
So make some time for a Christmas comedy this year. At the very least, it will remind you that every one of us is a fallible, imperfect being. As such, Christmas will never be perfect — no matter how many precautions you take. There will always be that one action figure your kid really wanted that's sold out everywhere. Or a neighbor whose Christmas light display makes yours look like a fart on a candle. Or an embarrassing bunny outfit your mother makes you wear because Aunt Clara worked really hard on it. Sometimes, all you can do is laugh.
A Christmas Story (1983)
MGM/UA Entertainment
Who's in it: Peter Billingsley, Melinda Dillon, Darren McGavin
Plot Synopsis: Young Ralphie Parker embarks on a quest for a Red Ryder BB gun, facing quirky family moments along the way in this nostalgic holiday tale. A Christmas Story is widely regarded as one of the top 10 Christmas movies of all time.
Elf (2003)
Warner Brothers
Who's in it: Will Ferrell, James Caan, Zooey Deschanel
Plot Synopsis: Buddy, a human raised by elves at the North Pole, travels to New York City to find his real father and spread Christmas cheer.
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)
Archive Photos/Getty Images
Who's in it: Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo, Randy Quaid
Plot Synopsis: The Griswold family's Christmas plans go hilariously awry as they try to create the perfect holiday, facing one disaster after another.
Home Alone (1990)
20th Century Fox
Who's in it: Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, Catherine O'Hara
Plot Synopsis: Kevin McCallister is accidentally left behind during Christmas vacation and defends his home against bumbling burglars using clever traps.
The Santa Clause (1994)
Walt Disney Pictures
Who's in it: Tim Allen, Judge Reinhold, Wendy Crewson
Plot Synopsis: After inadvertently causing Santa's demise, Scott Calvin becomes the new Santa Claus and must adapt to his new role in this heartwarming comedy.
Jingle All the Way (1996)
1492 Pictures
Who's in it: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sinbad, Phil Hartman, Rita Wilson
Plot Synopsis: A father, desperate to buy the year's hottest toy for his son, embarks on a wild Christmas Eve adventure filled with chaos and humor.
Scrooged (1988)
Paramount Pictures
Who's in it: Bill Murray, Karen Allen, John Forsythe
Plot Synopsis: A modern-day adaptation of Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" featuring Frank Cross (Murray), a cynical TV executive, who learns the true meaning of Christmas.
The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
Walt Disney Studios
Who's in it: Michael Caine, Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy
Plot Synopsis: The Muppets take on Dickens' classic tale, with Kermit as Bob Cratchit and Michael Caine as Ebenezer Scrooge, in a heartwarming and comical holiday story.
Christmas with the Kranks (2004)
Revolution Studios
Who's in it: Tim Allen, Jamie Lee Curtis, Dan Aykroyd
Plot Synopsis: A couple decides to skip Christmas festivities and go on a cruise, but their plans go awry when their neighbors try to bring back the holiday spirit.
Love Actually (2003)
Peter Mountain/Universal Studios
Who's in it: Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, Keira Knightley, Colin Firth
Plot Synopsis: Set in London during the Christmas season, this ensemble romantic comedy explores the intertwined lives and loves of various characters.
A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas (2011)
Darren Michaels/New Line Productions
Who's in it: Kal Penn, John Cho, Neil Patrick Harris
Plot Synopsis: Harold and Kumar reunite for a wild holiday adventure involving a Christmas tree quest, shenanigans, and encounters with a drugged-out Neil Patrick Harris.
Ernest Saves Christmas (1988)
Buena Vista Pictures
Who's in it: Jim Varney, Douglas Seale, Oliver Clark
Plot Synopsis: Ernest P. Worrell helps Santa Claus find his successor, navigating comedic obstacles and saving Christmas from disaster.
Bad Santa (2003)
Dimension Films
Who's in it: Billy Bob Thornton, Tony Cox, Lauren Graham
Plot Synopsis: A cynical, alcoholic mall Santa and his elf partner plan to rob stores during the Christmas season but end up discovering the true spirit of the holiday.
Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
Getty Images
Who's in it: Jim Carrey, Taylor Momsen, Jeffrey Tambor
Plot Synopsis: The Grinch, a green, grouchy creature, tries to steal Christmas from the Whos of Whoville but learns the true meaning of the holiday.
Once Upon a Deadpool Christmas (2018)
20th Century Fox
Who's in it: Ryan Reynolds, Fred Savage, Josh Brolin
Plot Synopsis: A kid-friendly reimagining of "Deadpool 2," featuring Deadpool telling the story to a kidnapped Fred Savage with a festive twist.
Office Christmas Party (2016)
Glen Wilson/Paramount Pictures
Who's in it: Jason Bateman, Olivia Munn, T.J. Miller
Plot Synopsis: Employees throw an epic office Christmas party to land a potential client, leading to outrageous chaos and hijinks.
Krampus (2015)
Steve Unwin/Universal Pictures
Who's in it: Adam Scott, Toni Collette, David Koechner
Plot Synopsis: A dysfunctional family must battle a malevolent Christmas demon, Krampus, who punishes those lacking holiday spirit, in this darkly comedic horror film.
Just Friends (2005)
Alan Markfield/New Line Cinema
Who's in it: Ryan Reynolds, Amy Smart, Anna Faris
Plot Synopsis: A former overweight teenager turned successful music executive must navigate a hilarious reunion with his high school crush during the holidays.
The Night Before (2015)
Sarah Shatz/Columbia Pictures
Who's in it: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen, Anthony Mackie
Plot Synopsis: Three friends embark on a wild night of Christmas Eve revelry, encountering bizarre holiday adventures and reflecting on their lives.
Fred Claus (2007)
Warner Bros.
Who's in it: Vince Vaughn, Paul Giamatti, Elizabeth Banks
Plot Synopsis: Santa's bitter older brother Fred is forced to move to the North Pole to help save Christmas, leading to comedic sibling rivalry.
Illumination Presents: Dr. Seuss' The Grinch (2018)
Universal Pictures
Who's in it: Benedict Cumberbatch, Rashida Jones, Pharrell Williams
Plot Synopsis: The Grinch plots to steal Christmas from Whoville but discovers the power of kindness and the true spirit of the holiday.
Get Santa (2014)
Warner Bros. Pictures
Who's in it: Jim Broadbent, Rafe Spall, Kit Connor
Plot Synopsis: A father and son help Santa Claus, who has crash-landed in their garage, save Christmas and avoid capture by the authorities.
Trading Places (1983)
Paramount Pictures
Who's in it: Eddie Murphy, Dan Aykroyd, Jamie Lee Curtis
Plot Synopsis: A social experiment switches a wealthy stockbroker and a homeless hustler's lives during the holiday season, leading to hilarious and unexpected consequences.
A Bad Moms Christmas (2017)
Hilary Bronwyn Gayle/Courtesy of STX Entertainment
Who's in it: Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell, Kathryn Hahn
Plot Synopsis: The "Bad Moms" trio navigate the challenges of the holiday season when their own mothers visit, bringing their own unique quirks and chaos.
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)
John Bramley/Warner Bros.
Who's in it: Robert Downey Jr., Val Kilmer, Michelle Monaghan
Plot Synopsis: A thief mistakenly becomes an actor while preparing for a movie role, leading to a noir-inspired Christmas caper filled with comedy, mystery, and crime.
The Holiday (2006)
Columbia Pictures
Who's in it: Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law
Plot Synopsis: Two women, disenchanted with their love lives, swap homes for the holidays, leading to unexpected romantic entanglements in this heartwarming comedy.
Four Christmases (2008)
John P Johnson/New Line Productions
Who's in it: Vince Vaughn, Reese Witherspoon, Robert Duvall
Plot Synopsis: A couple, used to avoiding their families on Christmas, is forced to visit all four sets of parents, resulting in a comedy of family dysfunction.
A Madea Christmas (2013)
Charles Bergman/Lionsgate
Who's in it: Tyler Perry, Chad Michael Murray, Tika Sumpter
Plot Synopsis: Madea accompanies a friend to a rural town for Christmas, where she shakes things up, bringing laughter, love, and holiday spirit.
Friday After Next (2002)
New Line Cinema
Who's in it: Ice Cube, Mike Epps, John Witherspoon
Plot Synopsis: In this "Friday" series installment, Craig and Day-Day must recover stolen rent money from a thief dressed as Santa Claus, leading to comedic chaos.
Anna and the Apocalypse (2017)
Duncan McCallum
Who's in it: Ella Hunt, Malcolm Cumming, Sarah Swire
Plot Synopsis: A zombie apocalypse hits a small town during Christmas, and Anna and her friends must fight off the undead in this musical comedy-horror.
Daddy's Home 2 (2017)
Claire Folger/Paramount Pictures
Who's in it: Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Mel Gibson
Plot Synopsis: Co-dads Dusty and Brad team up to provide the perfect Christmas for their kids, only to be joined by their own dads, leading to hilarious family dynamics.
Deck the Halls (2006)
Twentieth Century Fox
Who's in it: Danny DeVito, Matthew Broderick, Kristin Chenoweth
Plot Synopsis: Two neighbors engage in a rivalry to create the most festive Christmas light display, escalating into a series of comedic pranks and mishaps.
Mixed Nuts (1994)
TriStar Pictures
Who's in it: Steve Martin, Madeline Kahn, Rita Wilson
Plot Synopsis: A crisis hotline staffed by eccentric individuals encounters a chaotic Christmas Eve filled with oddball callers and zany situations.
Santa Claus Conquers the Martians (1964)
Embassy Pictures
Who's in it: John Call, Leonard Hicks, Vincent Beck
Plot Synopsis: In this cult classic, Santa Claus is kidnapped by Martians who need a Santa of their own, leading to a campy and outlandish holiday adventure.
A Christmas Story Christmas (2022)
Warner Bros
Who's in it: Peter Billingsley, Julie Hagerty, Zack Ward
Plot Synopsis: Ralphie's all grown up in this long-awaited sequel to A Christmas Story, and he's made it his mission to create a memorable Christmas experience for his children.
Love Hard (2021)
Netflix
Who's in it: Nina Dobrev, Jimmy O. Yang, Darren Barnet
Plot Synopsis: A Los Angeles writer goes on a romantic holiday adventure to a small town to meet her online crush, only to discover he's not who he claimed to be. With the help of his friend, she navigates the complexities of love during the holiday season.
Arthur Christmas (2011)
Sony Pictures Animation
Who's in it: James McAvoy, Hugh Laurie, Bill Nighy
Plot Synopsis: Arthur, Santa's clumsy but endearing son, embarks on a mission to deliver a forgotten present on Christmas Eve, sparking an epic adventure at the North Pole.
The Ice Harvest (2005)
Focus Feature
Who's in it: John Cusack, Billy Bob Thornton, Connie Nielsen
Plot Synopsis: A mob lawyer and a strip club owner plan to steal money from their boss on Christmas Eve, leading to a darkly humorous and dangerous night.
Happiest Season (2020)
Hulu
Who's in it: Kristen Stewart, Mackenzie Davis, Alison Brie
Plot Synopsis: A woman plans to propose to her girlfriend at her family's annual Christmas party, but the unexpected revelation that her girlfriend isn't out to her conservative family creates chaos.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1992)
Disney
Who's in it: Danny Elfman, Chris Sarandon, Catherine O'Hara
Plot Synopsis: Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, discovers Christmas Town and tries to bring the spirit of Christmas to his dark and spooky world.
