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- The 2010s are getting farther and farther away, which only makes nostalgia for the decade stronger, especially around the holiday time. While the 2020s are doing okay in the holiday department, they seem to be lacking the big, movie theater-worthy Christmas movies the 2010s were so good at. Thankfully, there are tons of 2010s Christmas movies to watch to fill that void. From reboots of animated classics to movies about dysfunctional families, there's enough Christmas spirit to go around.
The 2010s were a phenomenal decade for movies. From the conclusion of the Harry Potter franchise and the revival of the Star Wars franchise to a push for inclusivity with films like Love, Simon, and Crazy Rich Asians. The 2010s really were a "golden age" for movies. In addition to several box office hits and Academy Award-winning films, the 2010s also revitalized the Christmas movie genre creating instant Christmas movie classics.
While there is certainly no shortage of Christmas movies out there, the 2010s managed to reinvent the genre by borrowing from other genres. Sure, there are traditional family-friendly Christmas movies and comedy Christmas movies, but the 2010s also ventured into horror Christmas movies and even created some R-rated Christmas movies that are definitely meant for adults.
Updated on November 26th, 2022 by Danielle Bruncati:
The 2010s are getting farther and farther away, which only makes nostalgia for the decade stronger, especially around the holiday time. While the 2020s are doing okay in the holiday department, they seem to be lacking the big, movie theater-worthy Christmas movies the 2010s were so good at. Thankfully, there are tons of 2010s Christmas movies to watch to fill that void. From reboots of animated classics to movies about dysfunctional families, there's enough Christmas spirit to go around.
14 Almost Christmas (2016) - 6.1
Stream On Hulu
Still coping with his new reality as a widow, Walter invites his four adult children home for the holidays to have a traditional holiday celebration. All he wants is for his family to get along, but his children seem to have other plans.
Almost Christmas perfectly encapsulates the highs and lows of a big family Christmas. While tensions run high, so does the love. In the end, Walter gets the Christmas he hoped for, but it's a struggle along the way.
13 Holiday In The Wild (2019) - 6.1
Stream On Netflix
An empty nester, Kate's plan to surprise her husband with a second honeymoon is thwarted when he confesses to wanting a divorce. With the vacation already paid for, Kate jets off to Africa for the holiday season and ends up hitting it off with someone.
A little untraditional, Holiday in the Wild gives an optimistic outlook on what the holidays can look like later on in life. There's also a sweet romance at the center of it all which makes the movie all the more perfect for Christmastime.
12 Krampus (2015) - 6.2
Stream On Peacock
Horror movies typically opt to release around Halloween, but that didn't stop these filmmakers from creating a horror story centered around Christmastime. Krampus follows Max, a young boy whose lack of Christmas cheer awakens Krampus, a horned beast who is the complete opposite of Santa.
Designed to punish naughty kids, Krampus wreaks havoc on Max and the rest of his family who must put aside their differences and work together to defeat the evil monster. While there are a lot of scary elements in Krampus, the film also has comedic moments throughout.
11 Noelle (2019) - 6.3
Stream On Disney+
Walt Disney Studios is no stranger to Christmas movies, having released several Christmas classics over the years. However, in 2019, Disney released its first-ever Christmas movie, available exclusively on Disney+.
Noelle stars Anna Kendrick, who just so happens to be Santa's Christmas-loving daughter. Despite wanting to follow in her father's footsteps, Noelle is pushed to the side because her brother is the rightful heir to Santa's sleigh. However, when her brother cracks under pressure, it's up to Noelle to save the day.
10 The Night Before (2015) - 6.3
Stream On Prime Video
While there aren't too many R-rated Christmas movies out there, there are a few, one of which is none other than the Seth Rogen-led The Night Before.
The Night Before follows 3 best friends (Rogen, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Anthony Mackie) who have spent the last ten years celebrating Christmas together instead of spending the holiday with family or alone. However, their tradition is being threatened now that one of them is about to become a father. Fearing this will be their last Christmas Eve together, the best friends set out to have the best Christmas Eve ever.
9 Good Luck, Charlie: It's Christmas! (2011) - 6.3
Stream On Disney+
Good Luck Charlie, It's Christmas! The movie follows the Duncan family as they make their way to their grandparents for Christmas. However, disaster strikes when Teddy and Amy get separated, leaving them scrambling to make it in time.
The holiday special has something for everyone, but the thing that makes it one of the best holiday movies of the 2010s is that it really is kid friendly from start to end. It also has a great moral message about families and the holidays -- reminding everyone that it's not about the gifts, but the company of loved ones.
8 The Grinch (2018) - 6.3
Stream On Hulu
The Grinch marked the third screen adaptation of the beloved Dr. Seuss Christmas novel. Like the classic story and live-action adaptation, the movie follows the Christmas-hating Grinch and his dog best friend as they plan to ruin Christmas for the Whos of Whoville.
Though the story is not original, the animation adds something new and special to the beloved classic. Though audiences who grew up with the live-action Grinch claim it's the true classic, the animated special is still worth watching to spread Christmas cheer and compare Jim Carrey's rendition with Benedict Cumberbatch's.
7 Better Watch Out (2016) - 6.5
Stream On Peacock
The 2010s certainly had a thing for Christmas horror movies, releasing not only Krampus but also the 2016 psychological horror film Better Watch Out.
Better Watch Out centers on Ashley, a young woman who is tasked with babysitting Luke, a 12-year-old who just so happens to have a crush on her. The evening quickly takes a turn when strange things start occurring, leaving Ashley and Luke no choice but to defend themselves and Luke's house together.
6 Last Christmas (2019) - 6.5
Stream On Hulu
It can never truly feel like Christmastime without watching at least one cheesy Christmas romantic movie. Thankfully, Last Christmas checks all the boxes.
Inspired by the popular Christmas song of the same name, Last Christmas stars Emilia Clarke as Kate, a frustrated young woman whose life has taken a turn for the worse. However, Kate's life begins to change for the better when she meets Tom (Henry Golding) who helps her find happiness again. While it may seem like a cliché story, Last Christmas also has an amazing twist to it.
5 Daddy's Home 2 (2017) - 6.6
Stream On Paramount+
Will Ferrell is no stranger to the Christmas movie genre, but in 2017 he teamed up with Mark Wahlberg for Daddy's Home 2, which served as a holiday sequel to the film Daddy's Home.
This time Ferrell and Wahlberg team up to celebrate the holidays so that their blended family doesn't have to be shuttled back and forth between each parent's house. Like many of Ferrell's movies, Daddy's Home 2 is full of physical comedy and emphasizes the importance of family, especially during the holidays.
