7 Best Holiday Movies to Watch the Week Leading Up to Christmas (And Where to Stream Them)

Christmas is now officially less than a week away, which means it is time to snuggle up in our coziest pajamas, place the holiday cookies within reach of the couch, light the tree, and turn on the classic films that give us the warm and fuzzies this time of year.

Here are seven movies to watch in the week leading up to Christmas, and where they're available to stream.

1. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

We like to pretend that the holidays are all magic and snowflakes, but in reality, they can be also be a real pain in the ass. And let’s face it, no one knows that more than the Griswolds. I watch this movie every year to remind myself that my crazy family is not so bad at all. I mean, at least I don’t have a Cousin Eddie.

It's available to rent on Amazon.

2. Home Alone and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York

This is a two-for-one vote because I honestly can’t pick a favorite between the two. The original is amazing, yes, but we get Tim Curry as a sassy Maître d'hôtel in the sequel, and at The Plaza no less. I suggest snuggling in for a long winter’s nap and pulling a double feature of these Macaulay Culkin classics.

Both films are available to stream on Disney+.

3. Love Actually

Who doesn’t love a heartwarming holiday love story? Well, in this 2003 film by Richard Curtis, you’ll get a handful of them, as well as the twinkling charm of London at Christmas.

It's available to stream on Netflix.

4. Hook

I have to defend this film every year, but trust me, it’s a Christmas movie. Peter Panning (Robin Williams) and his family travel to London at Christmas time to honor Wendy Darling (Maggie Smith) when Captain Hook kidnaps Peter’s children, forcing him to return to Neverland. The movie checks all the boxes for a Christmas film, and gives us a chance to remember how much we love Robin Williams (R.I.P.)

It's available to rent on Amazon.

5. Scrooged

Bill Murray embodies a modern day Ebenezer Scrooge in his role of Frank Cross, a greedy TV executive in New York City who is haunted by three spirits bearing lessons on Christmas Eve. This film mixes the hilarity of Ghostbusters with the nostalgia of A Christmas Carol.

It's available to rent on Amazon.

6. It's a Wonderful Life

I watch this one every Christmas Eve. The black and white film has been breaking hearts since 1948 with the plot that follows George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart) who, after a run of bad luck, gets to see what the world would be like had he never been born. Grab your tissues for this one.

It's available to stream on Amazon.

7. Elf

Christmas can lose its magic as you get older, but if there is one thing Will Ferrell running around Manhattan in green tights can teach us, it is that we are all still kids at heart. Watch this one when you want to revive your inner child… and bust a gut, of course.

It's available to rent on Amazon.