Hulu may not have a large selection of movies that would be considered bona fide "holiday classics," but it's got enough holiday cheer to spare, and we've got the 25 best Christmas movies on Hulu right here.
Beloved holiday titles including "Home Alone," "Jingle All the Way" and "The Holiday" have left Hulu since last Christmas (though all three are still available with a Starz or Disney+ add-on). Remaining are plenty of feel-good romantic comedies, "so-bad-they're-good" movies, and even a few rising holiday classics. There's also one irrefutably classic film standing strong on this list: "Die Hard". Whether that's really a Christmas movie is up for debate. But enough people argue that "Die Hard" is indeed a Christmas movie, so on the list it goes.
Arguably, the best thing about the Hulu Christmas catalog is its robust selection of holiday rom-coms. A large number of Hallmark Christmas movies can be found on Hulu. So if you've cut cable but still want a hearty dose of Hallmark's signature high-key lighting and forgivable sappiness this holiday season, then a Hulu subscription may be worth your dollars. Plus, it has Great American Family holiday films if you want even more.
There are also the "so-bad-they're-good" movies, which overlap with a few of the Hallmark titles. Sometimes, when a movie fails spectacularly enough, we derive a sense of schadenfreude from the poor actors who were dragged into the project.
Scroll through for our picks of the 25 best Christmas movies on Hulu.
'Die Hard' (1988)
Archive Photos/Getty Images
Who's in it: Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman, Bonnie Bedelia
Synopsis: An off-duty New York cop battles a group of terrorists who take hostages in a Los Angeles skyscraper during a Christmas party.
'Happiest Season' (2020)
Hulu
Who's in it: Kristen Stewart, Mackenzie Davis, Alison Brie
Synopsis: A woman plans to propose to her girlfriend at a family Christmas gathering, only to discover her partner hasn't come out to her conservative parents yet.
'Arthur Christmas' (2011)
Sony Pictures/Aardman Animation
Who's in it: James McAvoy, Hugh Laurie, Bill Nighy
Synopsis: The youngest son of Santa Claus embarks on a mission to deliver a misplaced Christmas gift before the morning of Christmas.
'The March Sisters At Christmas' (2012)
Marvist
Who's in it: Julie Marie Berman, Melissa Farman, Kaitlin Doubleday
Synopsis: A modern retelling of Louisa May Alcott's classic novel "Little Women" focuses on the March sisters' challenges during the holiday season.
'A Unicorn For Christmas' (2022)
Marvista
Who's in it: Abby James Witherspoon, Charlene Tilton, Sunny Mabrey
Synopsis: When a girl's magical unicorn goes missing, she embarks on a quest to bring it back in time for Christmas, encountering unexpected adventures.
'Santa Games' (2022)
Bungalow Media
Who's in it: Faizon Love, Caryn Ward Ross, Trisha Mann
Synopsis: A group of misfit Santas compete in a fierce competition to become the next Santa Claus, testing their festive spirit and skills.
'Naughty & Nice' (2014)
UpTV
Who's in it: Haylie Duff, Tilky Jones, Maureen McCormick
Synopsis: A radio host's life takes a turn when she meets a brash man who claims to be the real Santa Claus, sparking an unexpected holiday romance.
'Holly's Holiday' (2012)
Lifetime
Who's in it: Claire Coffee, Ryan McPartlin, Gabrielle Dennis
Synopsis: A workaholic woman magically switches lives with a charming mannequin, teaching her valuable lessons about love and life during the holiday season.
'Girlfriends Of Christmas Past' (2016)
Desiree Stone
Who's in it: Tammin Sursok, Brent Bailey, Lindsey McKeon
Synopsis: A woman haunted by the ghosts of her past boyfriends on Christmas Eve gets a chance to confront her romantic history and find a path to happiness.
'A Christmas Crush' (2019)
MarVista
Who's in it: Cindy Sampson, Robin Dunne, Chris Violette
Synopsis: A travel journalist is tasked with covering a Christmas-themed assignment and reconnects with her high school crush, leading to unexpected romance.
'The Lodge' (2019)
Philipe Bosse
Who's in it: Riley Keough, Jaeden Martell, Lia McHugh
Synopsis: Here's one for the horror fans. A family retreats to an isolated lodge during Christmas, but several disturbing events unearth dark secrets and unravel their sanity.
'My Little Pony: A Very Minty Christmas' (2005)
Paramount Home Entertainment
Who's in it: Chiara Zanni, Tabitha St. Germain, Janyse Jaud
Synopsis: When Minty accidentally wrecks the town's Christmas decorations, she embarks on a journey to make amends and save Christmas for her friends.
'Mistletoe & Menorahs' (2019)
Lifetime
Who's in it: Kelley Jakle, Jake Epstein, Jon McLaren
Synopsis: Two co-workers from different backgrounds learn about each other's holiday traditions and forge a unique bond during the holiday season.
'Under the Christmas Tree' (2022)
Lifetime
Who's in it: Elise Bauman, Tattiawna Jones, Wendy Crewson
Synopsis: A holiday decorator encounters an unusual Christmas wish that leads her on a journey to make a difference in the lives of those around her.
'The Man Who Invented Christmas' (2017)
Kerry Brown/Garlands Films DAC
Who's in it: Dan Stevens, Christopher Plummer, Jonathan Pryce
Synopsis: This is the story of how Charles Dickens created his timeless classic "A Christmas Carol" while facing personal challenges and finding inspiration for the holiday spirit.
'A Nasty Piece of Work' (2019)
Hulu
Who's in it: Kyle Howard, Julian Sands, Molly Hagan
Synopsis: Another one for the horror fans. A man competing for a promotion becomes entangled in a dark and twisted office Christmas party game where nothing is as it seems.
'A Christmas Movie Christmas' (2019)
UpTV
Who's in it: Brant Daugherty, Lana McKissack, Kimberly Daugherty, Ryan Merriman
Synopsis: When a woman wakes up inside a Christmas movie, she embarks on an adventure to find her way back to the real world, discovering love along the way.
'The Enchanted Christmas Cake' (2021)
Lifetime Television
Who's in it: Erica Durance, Robin Dunne, Kathleen Laskey
Synopsis: A magical cake stirs unexpected emotions and connections in a small town during the Christmas season, leading to new beginnings and heartwarming stories.
'A Cinderella Christmas' (2016)
ION Television
Who's in it: Emma Rigby, Peter Porte, Sarah Stouffer
Synopsis: A young woman, mistreated by her stepmother and stepsisters, gets a chance to attend a royal Christmas gala and experiences a magical transformation.
'A Christmas Winter Song' (2019)
Lifetime
Who's in it: Ashanti, Stan Shaw, Sashani Nichole
Synopsis: A singer returns to her hometown for the holidays and rediscovers her love for music, helping a young girl find her own voice in the process.
'The Christmas Candle' (2013)
EchoLight Studios
Who's in it: Hans Matheson, Samantha Barks, Lesley Manville
Synopsis: In a quaint English village where a magical candle grants one miracle every Christmas, a skeptical minister's faith is tested as he arrives to replace the candlemaker.
'Dear Santa' (2011)
Paramount Pictures
Who's in it: Amy Acker, David Haydn-Jones, Emma Duke
Synopsis: A rich woman begins answering children's letters to Santa Claus and embarks on a quest to fulfill a little girl's Christmas wish, leading to unexpected love and transformation.
'Black Nativity' (2013)
Phil Bray
Who's in it: Forest Whitaker, Angela Bassett, Jennifer Hudson
Synopsis: A teenager from a troubled home embarks on a spiritual journey during the Christmas season, guided by his estranged relatives and their church's Nativity play.
'Double Holiday' (2019)
Hallmark Channel
Who's in it: Carly Pope, Kristoffer Polaha, Laura Cilevitz
Synopsis: Co-workers from different faiths plan a Christmas and Hanukkah party, discovering their cultural differences and finding romance in the process.
'Once Upon a Christmas Miracle' (2018)
Hallmark Movies & Mysteries
Who's in it: Aimee Teegarden, Brett Dalton, Lolita Davidovich
Synopsis: Based on a true story, a woman with a life-threatening illness finds hope and love with a stranger who donates his bone marrow for her transplant during the Christmas season.
