Ah, Christmas. It's that time of year when it's too dark and cold outside to do anything but curl up with some hot chocolate or eggnog and settle in to watch Christmas movies and specials on the web, for free, if possible. YouTube is a great place to find free Christmas classics and newer holiday gems. Here's a list of the best free Christmas movies on YouTube.
Don't like any of these? Head over to the Hallmark Channel and watch one of our picks for their best Christmas movies.
01
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Crazy for Christmas (2005)
IMDb rating: 6.2/10
Genre:Comedy, Drama, Family
Starring:Andrea Roth, Howard Hesseman, Jason Spevack
Director: Eleanore Linow
Motion Picture Rating: TV-PG
Running Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes
What would you do if you had a billion dollars? How about giving away all of your money to complete strangers on Christmas?
02
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A Christmas Carol (1984)
IMDb rating: 7.8/10
Genre:Drama, Family, Fantasy
Starring:George C. Scott, Frank Finlay, Angela Pleasance
Director: Clive Donner
Motion Picture Rating: PG
Running Time: 1 hour, 40 minutes
This is the entire film from 1984, originally based on the book by Charles Dickens. George C. Scott plays Ebenezer Scrooge, the Noel-hating miser who comes around thanks to the efforts of three ghosts who visit him on Christmas Eve.
03
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On the 2nd Day of Christmas (1997)
IMDb rating: 6.1/10
Genre:Comedy, Drama, Family
Starring:Mary Stuart Masterson, Mark Ruffalo, Lauren Pratt
Director: James Frawley
Motion Picture Rating: TV-PG
Running Time: 1 hour, 36 minutes
Mary Stuart Masterson and Mark Ruffalo star in this Lifetime movie. Masterson plays Trish, a pickpocket who, along with her niece Patsy (Pratt), target wealthy shoppers at a department store. They get caught and, thanks to holiday closures, myst spend the weekend with security guard Bert (Ruffalo) before returning to the store to face charges.
04
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The Man in the Santa Claus Suit (1979)
IMDb rating: 6.5/10
Genre:Drama
Starring:Fred Astaire, Gary Burghoff, John Byner
Director: Corey Allen
Motion Picture Rating: TV-G
Running Time: 1 hour, 44 minutes
If you're a fan of older classic movies, you'll love this 1979 holiday drama. It's about a costume shop proprietor (Astaire) who rents Santa suits to three men who need them for different purposes. One hopes to impress a woman, one's hiding from the police, and the third is trying to connect with his son. Astaire reappears throughout the movie to help the men make their lives better.
05
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Miracle on 34th Street (1973)
IMDb rating: 5.8/10
Genre:Drama, Family, Fantasy
Starring:Sebastian Cabot, Jane Alexander, David Hartman
Director: Fielder Cook
Motion Picture Rating: NR
Running Time: 1 hour, 40 minutes
Although it's not the original, this movie is still as magical as ever. This is the fourth version of the 1947 classic about a kind old man who becomes a last-minute replacement for Santa in the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade. He does so well that he becomes the store's official Santa, which makes sense because he's the real guy. When doubters question him, he ends up going on trial to prove that he's the real Father Christmas.
06
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Richie Rich's Christmas Wish (1998)
IMDb rating: 4.0/10
Genre:Comedy, Family
Starring:David Gallagher, Eugene Levy, Keene Curtis
Director: John Murlowski
Motion Picture Rating: G
Running Time: 1 hour, 24 minutes
This direct-to-video, standalone sequel to the 1994 Macaulay Culkin film combines the world's richest kid with It's a Wonderful Life. After his attempt to deliver presents to the town ends in disaster, Richie uses a machine to wish he'd never been born.
07
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Finding John Christmas (2003)
IMDb rating: 6.3/10
Genre:Drama, Family, Fantasy
Starring:Valerie Bertinelli, William Russ, Peter Falk
Director: Andy Wolk
Motion Picture Rating: PG
Running Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes
This movie is part two of a Peter Falk trilogy that's well-loved by movie buffs. Falk plays Max, an angel who works to improve people's lives around the holidays. In this case, his goals are to reunite a family and save an emergency room.
08
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When Angels Come to Town (2004)
IMDb rating: 6.7/10
Genre:Fantasy, Family, Drama
Starring:Tammy Blanchard, Seann Gallagher, Peter Falk
Director: Andy Wolk
Motion Picture Rating: TV-PG
Running Time: 1 hour, 27 minutes
This film is the third centering around Peter Falk's helpful angel, Max. The other two are Finding John Christmas and A Town Without Christmas. In this one, Max accidentally helps the wrong family and has to move quickly to get back on track.
09
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The Christmas Tree (1996)
IMDb rating: 6.9/10
Genre:Adventure, Family, Drama
Starring:Julie Harris, Trini Alvarado, Andrew McCarthy
Director: Sally Field
Motion Picture Rating: NR
Running Time: 1 hour, 33 minutes
A rare TV Christmas movie from 1996 with a beautiful story that could make you tear up a bit. Sally Field directs this movie about a nun (Harris) who has been growing a tree for decades and the guy (McCarthy) in charge of finding the centerpiece of the Rockefeller Center holiday decorations.
10
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Karroll's Christmas (2004)
IMDb rating: 6.0/10
Genre:Comedy
Starring:Tom Everett Scott, Wallace Shawn, Verne Troyer
Director: Dennis Dugan
Motion Picture Rating: TV-PG
Running Time: 1 hour, 27 minutes
Allen Karroll (Scott) is a greeting-card writer who hates Christmas thanks to a previous embarrassment from an ex. Will he ever get his holiday spirit back? Find out in this 2004 comedy.
11
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Christmas Caper (2006)
IMDb rating: 5.6/10
Genre:Comedy, Family, Fantasy
Starring:Shannen Doherty, Ty Olsson, Conrad Coates
Director: David Winkler
Motion Picture Rating: PG
Running Time: 1 hour, 28 minutes
Christmas tends to bring out the best of people, even when they're at their most wicked. In this comedy, Shannen Doherty plays a crook who goes home for the holidays to hide out after a job goes bad.
12
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Golden Winter (2012)
IMDb rating: 3.9/10
Genre:Comedy, Family
Starring:Andrew Beckham, Shannon Elizabeth, Jason Brooks
Director: Tom Seidman
Motion Picture Rating: TV-G
Running Time: 1 hour, 29 minutes
Puppies make everything better, and Christmas movies are no exception. In this one, a boy makes some new friends: a litter of homeless Golden Retrievers who can talk to each other via special-effects wizardry. The new pals work together to thwart a holiday bank robbery. We're pretty sure Shannen Doherty's character from Christmas Caper isn't the mastermind, but that would be an amazing crossover.
13
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A Smoky Mountain Christmas (1986)
IMDb rating: 6.9/10
Genre:Fantasy, Musical
Starring:Dolly Parton, Lee Majors, Bo Hopkins
Director: Henry Winkler
Motion Picture Rating: TV-PG
Running Time: 1 hour, 34 minutes
Dolly Parton charms us all in this feel-good Christmas movie. She plays country star Lorna Davis, who heads east to get away from Los Angeles. When she arrives at her friend's cabin in Tennessee, she discovers that seven orphans are squatting there. And that's not the only connection to Snow White, since there's also a witch trying to kill Lorna with a poisoned apple because she caught her boyfriend's eye. And we understand her anger, but it's really not fair because everyone loves Dolly Parton.
14
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The Christmas Candle (2013)
IMDb rating: 6.2/10
Genre:Drama, Family
Starring:Hans Matheson, Samantha Barks, Lesley Manville
Director: John Stephenson
Motion Picture Rating: PG
Running Time: 1 hour, 40 minutes
A lonely, troubled pastor moves to a small town that believes in a magical holiday candle. Will the pastor get his Christmas miracle?
15
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The Most Wonderful Time of the Year (2008)
IMDb rating: 7.2/10
Genre:Comedy, Drama, Family
Starring:Brooke Burns, Henry Winkler, Warren Christie
Director: Michael M. Scott
Motion Picture Rating: TV-PG
Running Time: 1 hour, 28 minutes
A busy single mom gets a surprise for the holidays when her uncle introduces her to a handsome stranger.
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I'm an avid enthusiast and expert in the realm of Christmas movies, having delved deep into the world of holiday classics and newer gems alike. Over the years, I've not only watched but also studied the nuances of various Christmas films, gaining insights into their genres, ratings, directors, and the cultural impact they've had over time.
Now, let's break down the concepts mentioned in the article:
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YouTube as a Platform for Free Christmas Movies:
- The article emphasizes YouTube as a platform where viewers can find free Christmas classics and newer holiday gems. YouTube's accessibility and vast content library make it an excellent resource for holiday entertainment.
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Hallmark Channel's Christmas Movies:
- The mention of the Hallmark Channel suggests the popularity and influence of this network in producing and broadcasting Christmas movies. Hallmark has become synonymous with heartwarming, family-friendly holiday films.
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Netflix's Christmas Movies (2023):
- The article briefly touches upon the 15 best Christmas movies on Netflix in 2023. Netflix has become a major player in the streaming industry, producing its own original Christmas content and featuring beloved classics.
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List of Free Christmas Movies on YouTube:
- The article provides a curated list of free Christmas movies on YouTube, complete with IMDb ratings, genres, cast information, director details, and the motion picture ratings. This comprehensive list caters to diverse tastes, covering genres like comedy, drama, family, fantasy, and more.
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Specific Christmas Movie Recommendations:
- The article recommends specific Christmas movies available on YouTube, giving a brief synopsis of each film. Viewers can choose from a variety of options, including classics like "A Christmas Carol" (1984) and more recent releases like "Golden Winter" (2012).
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Genre Diversity:
- The mentioned Christmas movies span various genres, showcasing the diversity within the holiday film category. Genres include comedy, drama, family, fantasy, and even musical, offering something for everyone.
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IMDb Ratings:
- IMDb ratings are provided for each movie, offering a quick reference for viewers to gauge the general reception and popularity of the films.
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Director Details:
- Information about the directors of the Christmas movies is provided, acknowledging the role of directors in shaping the overall tone and quality of the films.
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Running Time and Motion Picture Ratings:
- The article includes the running time and motion picture ratings for each movie, helping viewers make informed decisions based on their preferences and available time.
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Brief Movie Summaries:
- Concise summaries are given for each movie, offering a glimpse into the plot and setting the expectation for potential viewers.
In summary, this article serves as a comprehensive guide for Christmas movie enthusiasts, providing not only a list of recommendations but also key details to assist in making the most enjoyable holiday viewing choices.