Holiday Movies To Watch Out For This Season

Holiday movie season is here, which means cozy nights in, big screen outings, and a crowded slate of premieres. To keep it simple, here are five standout picks that feel worth your time, including a Hallmark highlight, a new Christmas themed theatrical release, and one very important classic that still sparks debate.

1. Christmas Above the Clouds
(Hallmark Channel / Hallmark+)

This one belongs at the top of your list. Erin Krakow stars as Ella Neezer, a high powered executive who tries to dodge the holidays on an international flight, only to end up seated near an old flame and nudged along by a trio of unexpected “guides” at 30,000 feet. It is a playful nod to A Christmas Carol, with glossy visuals, a great cast, sharp banter, and Hallmark’s signature cozy payoff.

Save it for a night when the tree is lit, the snacks are lined up, and you want dependable, feel good romance.

2. Oh. What. Fun.
(Prime Video)

Michelle Pfeiffer leads this smart, soul warming holiday dramedy about a meticulous Christmas planner whose carefully choreographed traditions finally snap. A spur of the moment escape forces her family, and her, to rethink what “home for the holidays” really means.

It is witty, grown up, and heartfelt without being syrupy. Ideal for an adults only movie night with real food, real conversation, and a movie that actually has something to say.

3. A Merry Little Ex Mas
(Netflix)

For messy, modern, crowd pleasing chaos, this one delivers. A divorcing couple teams up for one last “perfect Christmas” under the same roof, surrounded by kids, relatives, new partners, and a house full of unresolved feelings.

Expect bright visuals, fast dialogue, romantic tension, and a reassuringly soft landing. This is a strong pick for group viewing when you want laughs, low stakes drama, and plenty of festive atmosphere.

4. A Snowy Christmas Miracle
(In Theaters, Early December)

If you want a Christmas themed trip to the cinema, keep an eye out for this theatrical release. A Snowy Christmas Miracle leans into everything people love on the big screen at this time of year: small town charm, twinkling lights, a community in trouble, and an unexpected act of generosity that pulls everyone together just as the snow starts to fall.

Make it an evening: tickets, hot chocolate afterward, maybe a walk past the neighborhood lights. Simple, sentimental, and ready to become a new tradition.

5. Die Hard
(Streaming / On Demand)

If your household holiday debate starts with “Is Die Hard a Christmas movie,” here is your answer: put it on the list. Set during a Christmas Eve office party that goes violently sideways, Die Hard delivers sharp writing, iconic action, a perfectly weary Bruce Willis, and one of cinema’s great villains in Alan Rickman. The holiday backdrop is not just decoration, it is baked into the mood, the music, and the stakes.

Call it the ultimate Christmas action movie, queue it up after the cozy pick, and let it balance out all that seasonal sweetness with broken glass, walkie talkies, and improvised heroics.

How To Use This Shortlist

Start with Christmas Above the Clouds as your guaranteed cozy win. Add one streaming pick that fits your mood, grab A Snowy Christmas Miracle for a night at the theater, and lock in Die Hard as your late night classic. Mix in your own forever favorites (Home Alone, A Christmas Story, Elf, etc) and you have a watch list that feels intentional, fun, and easy to enjoy all season.