It’s a wonderful life, 1946
We should certainly start our list with an all-time favorite American classic. A legendary story of a credit company owner, loving father, and husband, who's been suffering suicidal thoughts. An angel appears in his life to change his mind and show how wonderful life is. A warm, touching Christmas movie about miracles, certainly a must-see. IMDb — 8.6
A Christmas tale (Un conte de Noel), 2008
A French comedy-drama, a story about a family with strained relationships which gathers at the parents' home for Christmas. The eldest daughter Elizabeth arrives with her withdrawn child. Henri brings his mistress. The holiday is overshadowed by the news of their mother as she had been diagnosed with leukemia. A perfect movie for those who are a bit tired of the love-one-another sweetness of Christmas movies. It was in competition during the 2008 Cannes Film Festival. IMDb — 7.0
Santa Claus is a stinker, 1982
A French comedy-grotesque about how all the madmen of France decided to celebrate Christmas together. On Christmas Eve, two coworkers remain in the office of a telephone helpline for depressed people: Pierre, a stuffy and self-righteous volunteer, and Teresa, a naïve girl, secretly in love with Pierre. The two receive visits from unwanted callers: Katia, a depressed transvestite, Josette, a heavily pregnant woman on the run from her violent fiancé Félix, who’s working as a Santa Claus, and others…A top choice if you are searching for an exciting, crazy, funny, touching, real French sitcom. IMDb — 7.6
The Family Stone, 2005
Another American classic, a comedy about a family Christmas reunion. The plot follows the Christmas holiday misadventures of the Stone family in a small town when the eldest son brings his uptight girlfriend home with the intention of proposing to her with a cherished heirloom ring. Sarah Jessica Parker, Rachel McAdams, Claire Danes, Craig T. Nelson, and others — the cast is certainly worth noting. IMDb — 6.3
The Irony of Fate or Enjoy your bath, 1975
If you are looking for something ‘exotic’ and 'never seen before' we highly recommend this famous Russian comedy. The main character Eugene is planning a very special event: he wants to propose to his girlfriend on Christmas eve. However, plans change when, after visiting a bathhouse with friends, Eugene accidentally flies to another city. After waking up in a random flat and meeting the owner, a woman named Nadia, Eugene’s life is turned upside down. The two-series movie will certainly make you laugh in tears and you will probably end up rewatching it every year, as all Russians do. IMDb — 8.1
Fanny and Alexander, 1982
A touching and heartwarming Swedish drama about two siblings: Fanny and Alexander. Following the death of the eponymous children's father, their mother remarries a prominent bishop who becomes abusive towards Alexander for his vivid imagination. The movie won four Oscars, including Best Foreign Language Film, a Golden Globe, and many other awards. IMDb — 8.1
Love Actually, 2003
There is no chance we can ignore the famous romantic comedy on our list. Probably the best romantic movie that certainly creates a Christmas spirit. The plot covers stories of several couples of completely different ages, statuses, gender: from a prime minister who instantly fell in love with an employee of his staff, to a writer who fled to the south of France to heal his broken heart...It's no surprise the movie is so popular worldwide. IMDb — 7.6
Love is all (Alles is Liefde), 2007
If you love «Love, actually», but have seen it over a thousand times we suggest you watch this Dutch romantic comedy. A story with multiple interweaving plotlines all involving love, set against the backdrop of the Dutch national holiday of Sinterklaas. It’s fun, romantic, and simple — everything you want a Christmas movie to be. IMDb — 7.0
Tuesday, after Christmas, 2010
The film was selected for the Un Certain Regard section of the 2010 Cannes Film Festival and is certainly worth watching if you are looking for something deeper than a simple rom-com. The plot twists around Paul, who has been married for ten years, but has recently got into an affair with his daughter's orthodontist. IMDb — 6.9
Merry Christmas (Joyeux Noël), 2005
A story of a true Christmas miracle during the First World War: on Christmas Eve 1914, a Scottish priest, a French lieutenant, a German tenor, and his beloved found themselves in the heart of a spontaneous brotherhood. The guns were left in the trenches, and the soldiers and officers themselves went out to meet each other to exchange cigarettes, share chocolate and wish each other: «Merry Christmas!» The movie was nominated for several awards, including Oscar and Golden Globes. IMDb — 7.7
