This holiday season, take full advantage of your Prime membership, and I don’t just mean the free shipping. For your 2022 holiday movie marathon, we’ve compiled a list of the top Christmas-themed titles available without a subscription to Amazon Prime.
These films range from the traditional (It’s a Wonderful Life) to the humorous (Scrooged, 1988) to others that are reminiscent of Hallmark Christmas films in that they feature a heavy dose of romance and a beautiful setting to add to the sense of wonder and enchantment.
We also made sure to add some family-friendly Christmas films, and whether you have an Amazon Prime account (there’s a free 30-day trial if you don’t) or use Amazon FreeVee, all of these movies are absolutely free to watch (completely free with ads).
Instead of braving the cold to see a holiday film in a theatre, you should brew a pot of cocoa, settle in with some blankets, and turn on the TV.
Check out our list of the greatest holiday movies for kids on Netflix once you’ve finished bingeing on your favorite Christmas films on Amazon Prime, and don’t forget to take a break in between viewings to have a snowball battle.
Best Christmas Movies to Watch on Amazon Prime
1. Arthur Christmas
If Santa Claus truly does make a stop for each child on earth in a single night, how does he do it? It was revealed to be a highly sophisticated operation. However, when a technical error causes Santa to forget one child, his youngest son jumps in to make amends. The same studio responsible for Chicken Run and Flushed Away also created this computer-animated film, so you know it’s going to be good. Rated as PG.
2. Last Holiday
Queen Latifah’s character, Georgia Byrd, has spent her entire life putting off following her passions. until a terminal diagnosis drives her to make the most of her remaining days by embarking on a winter European vacation. The events that unfold are both humorous and romantic. A PG-13 film.
3. It’s a Wonderful Life
Arguably the best Christmas film ever made. You’ll be both laughing and crying throughout It’s a Wonderful Life, starring Donna Reed and Jimmy Stewart. Age recommendation: 13 and up
4. Scrooged
You want to watch this masterpiece from 1988 again, don’t you? Time is of the essence right now. For the 2022 holiday season, Prime members may watch Scrooged, a modern and funny take on A Christmas Carol starring Bill Murray as unscrupulous TV exec Frank Cross, for free. A PG-13 film.
5. Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
After all, sometimes that Santa at the mall really is the actual Santa! Please show this great film from the ’40s to the kids. Suitable for viewers of all ages.
6. Little Women
Although the holidays play a significant role in this story by Louisa May Alcott, it is not a “Christmas movie.” Among the 1994 cast are Susan Sarandon, Trini Alvarado, Winona Ryder, Claire Danes, and Kirsten Dunst. Rated as PG.
7. Mariah Carey’s All I Want for Christmas Is You
Kids, listen up! A little girl, whose one true Christmas wish is to receive a puppy as a gift, offers to babysit her uncle’s dog as a means of proving she is mature enough to care for her own. Of course, you have to get up and move to some Mariah Carey tracks. Classified as a G.
8. The Bishop’s Wife
Angel assigned to help a distressed bishop (Cary Grant) ends up falling for the bishop’s wife (Julie Christie) (Loretta Young). Age recommendation: 13 and up due to mature content.
In 2022, if you have an Amazon Prime membership, you can watch The Bishop’s Wife for free, but for an additional $3.99, you can view it alongside its 1996 remake, The Preacher’s Wife.
The film, which Penny Marshall directed and which starred Denzel Washington and Whitney Houston, is primarily remembered for its soundtrack, the biggest-selling gospel album in history.
9. Tyler Perry’s a Madea Christmas
You’re going to laugh so hard your stomach will hurt. When Madea travels to a small town for the holidays, she brings her own special brand of cheer. A PG-13 film.
10. Christmas Princess
A young woman named Donaly Marquez (Nicole Munoz) overcome a difficult past and made it to the royal court of the Tournament of Roses Parade in this cheerful Southern California-set Christmas tale. Audience recommendation: 7 years and up.
11. The Christmas Candle
In the year 1890, an English community awaits the miracle that comes every 25 years when the Christmas candle is lit. Will the young minister’s progressive views endanger the church’s history?
The film is based on a novella by Max Lucado, and it features Susan Boyle of Britain’s Got Talent fame in her acting debut. Rated as PG.
12. Edward Scissorhands
This holiday season, we’re going dark and spooky. Rewatch a previous film starring Winona Ryder and Johnny Depp after watching Tim Burton’s Wednesday on Netflix. The scene with the snow is instantly recognizable. A PG-13 film.
13. One Special Night
Two people are brought together in an isolated cabin during a winter storm, despite their differences. It’s interesting to note that this 1999 holiday favorite is the third film in which Julie Andrews and James Garner both played major roles. (The other two are Emily’s and Victor/Americanized Victoria’s forms.) Age recommendation: 13 and up due to mature content.
14. Nothing Like the Holidays
In this touching comedy, starring John Leguizamo (Spawn), Debra Messing (Will & Grace), Freddy Rodrguez (Bull), and Luis Guzmán, we’re invited to celebrate the holidays with the Rodriguez family, who serve up a feast accompanied by a heaping helping of familial turmoil to which we can all relate (Wednesday). A PG-13 film.
15. The Perfect Holiday
Who can you call on to help cheer up Mom when she’s feeling down? That would be Santa Claus. Gabrielle Union is a single mother of three in this romantic comedy, while Morris Chestnut is a mall Santa/singer (and a perfect match). Rated as PG.
16. Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas (1977)
This musical adaptation of a book by Russell and Lillian Hoban is a wonderful way to add some of Jim Henson’s trademark charm to the holiday season. Suitable for viewers of all ages.
17. Mistletoe Mixup
While out looking for a Christmas tree, Holly runs with two potential suitors, only to learn that they are brothers (played by real-life siblings Joey and Matthew Lawrence). Rated as PG.
18. The Most Wonderful Time of The Year
Business-focused Jen is taken aback when her uncle invites an attractive stranger to the family Christmas party. Rated as PG.
19. Christmas Cartoons: 14 Christmas Cartoon Classics
This two-hour event features many well-known Christmas figures, such as Rudolph, Jack Frost, and Santa Claus. Audience recommendation: 7 years and up.
20. 12 Days of Christmas Eve
A successful businessman has 12 days to make amends with his loved ones and do something nice for them on Christmas Eve. Rated as PG.
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