Christmas movies can be very hit or miss. Many are very cheaply produced, only meant to cash in on the holiday season. But some are made with love and care, and these are the films that eventually become classics.
The primary issue with Christmas movies is the lack of variety. It’s hard to innovate when it comes to Christmas movies, especially family comedies. But there’s nothing like a refreshing burst of creativity combined with world-class talent. These movies contain both, and they are the funniest Christmas movies ever made, according to Redditors.
Four Christmases (2008)
Stream now on HBO Max
In 2008, director Seth Gordon made the Christmas comedy Four Christmases. The movie saw Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon playing a couple who decide to visit all four of their divorced parents’ homes on Christmas Day, and things go just as bad as one might expect.
Redditor eyekyu801 related to the entire premise, saying it was “hilarious. Especially if you grew up having multiple Christmases with parents.” Between needy parents and dysfunctional siblings, the movie paints a picture of a non-traditional Christmas where the last thing anyone wants to do is spend it with their family, although at times it makes it a cheesy Christmas movie.
Arthur Christmas (2011)
Stream now on Prime Video, Hulu & HBO Max
Aardman Studios, the production company behind stop-motion masterpieces involving Wallace and Gromit, turned to computer animation and brought the world Arthur Christmas. One Redditor said it was a great recommendation for a good and funny Christmas movie to watch during the holiday season. While not stop-motion like its other movies, Aardman still brought the heart to this tale.
The movie follows Arthur, one of Santa’s sons, and the one least likely to take over the old man’s business one day. However, when everything goes wrong in the high-tech world of delivering presents, it is up to Arthur to save Christmas. Don’t overlook this one, as it is one of the better animated Christmas movies.
The Ice Harvest (2005)
Rent now on Apple TV & Prime Video
No one really talks about it anymore, but a great dark Christmas comedy is The Ice Harvest. Spacecadet1979 recommended the movie starring John Cusack and Billy Bob Thornton, but then warned, “I freaking love that movie but it’s not meant for everyone.”
Based on Scott Phillips novel, this was one of the last two movies that Harold Ramis (Ghostbusters) directed before his death. The movie sees a mob lawyer and pornographer who steal $2 million from their boss and go on the run, only to get stranded on Christmas Eve. While not a huge success, it has a quirky and offbeat sense of humor that makes it just right for a non-traditional Christmas comedy.
A Bad Moms Christmas (2017)
Stream now on Netflix
For anyone who wants a raunchy, R-rated Christmas comedy about three moms who decide to throw in the towel and do it their way, A Bad Moms Christmas is the perfect choice. The sequel to the movie Bad Moms, this movie sees the three moms have their moms come over for the holidays, making them want to get away even more than before.
McIgglyTuffMuffin wrote that they “May have liked it more than the first one,” noting that Katheryn Hahn was a highlight, and adding Susan Sarandon was always appreciated. The movie is for adults only, with harsh language and R-rated humor, but it is well worth the watch.
Krampus (2015)
Stream now on Peacock
While it is first and foremost an evil Christmas movie, Krampus is also a very funny dark comedy Christmas movie from the man who previously directed the minor masterpiece, Trick R Treat. This movie deals with the myth from Europe who is the antithesis to Santa Claus – Krampus.
The creature who punishes bad children, and in this movie, their bad families too, brought just as much humor as scares when the movie hit in 2011. One Redditor called it a “completely unique Christmas movie” when reminded that it was a pretty fun one to watch during the festive season.
Christmas Vacation (1989)
Stream now on HBO Max
ExplicableMe offers up Christmas Vacation as a hilarious Christmas movie. It’s quite an easy answer, as Christmas Vacation is widely heralded as one of the funniest holiday movies out there. Chevy Chase is typically spectacular in the lead role of Clark Griswold, and the movie is filled with hilarious quotes that are repeated around the country, year after year.
The movie perfectly captures the chaotic yet warm atmosphere of the Christmas season, and it’s the ultimate Christmas comedy.
Scrooged (1988)
Stream now on Prime Video & Paramount+
The late ’80s were a golden era of Christmas comedies, just as ExplicableMe seems to insinuate. Alongside Christmas Vacation, they also posit Scrooged as one of the funniest Christmas comedies.
It’s certainly an inventive take on the “told a thousand times before” story of A Christmas Carol, and Bill Murray’s excellent lead performance is one of the near-perfect movie versions of Ebenezer Scrooge. There’s simply no going wrong with Murray at his most vicious and sarcastic, playing one of the most evil Christmas movie villains.
The Ref (1994)
Stream now on Hoopla
The Ref is a different sort of Christmas comedy. It’s very dark, and it stars famous comic Denis Leary as a criminal and burglar. It’s a favorite of Reddit user narcolepsyinc, who writes, “Dennis Leary gets a lot of hate on here, but my mom has a tradition where we watch The Ref every year. It’s a good one.”
While the movie didn’t perform well at the box office, it nevertheless received strong reviews for its funny script and the performance by Leary. It’s one of the better dark Christmas comedies.
The Night Before (2015)
Stream now on AMC+ & Fubo
The Night Before is a rather subversive Christmas comedy. It’s a favorite of one now-deleted Reddit user, who recommends it as a good and funny Christmas movie. It stars Seth Rogen, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Anthony Mackie as two lifelong friends who attempt to get into a prestigious party.
It has all the typical trappings of a Seth Rogen comedy (vulgar language, drug use, raunchy sex jokes), but it also has an undeniable heart and a good message about growing up. It’s the perfect Christmas comedy for those who can stomach Rogen’s brand of humor.
Santa’s Slay (2005)
Stream now on DirecTV
This is not a traditional Christmas movie. Instead, it’s a horror movie that is perfect for the holidays — a horror-comedy, to be exact. It comes recommended from Reddit user MicroBrewWizard, who writes, “I’d highly recommend Santa’s Slay. Goldberg as an evil Santa, lots of over-the-top horror-comedy. We screened it one year at a bad movie night and immediately became holiday tradition each year.”
For those who love horror comedies, Santa’s Slay is an absolute must-watch and every bit as goofy as it sounds.
Elf (2003)
Stream now on HBO Max
Elf is one of the best Will Ferrell comedies, but to enjoy it, you need to appreciate Will Ferrell’s personal brand of often-obnoxious humor. This deleted Reddit user sums it up nicely, writing, “[Elf is] the only acceptable answer. My aunt hates it because she doesn’t find Will Ferrell funny. But it’s my favorite Christmas movie.”
Elf displays Will Ferrell at his most Will Ferrell: loud, childish, and somewhat annoying. But in this case, it works wonderfully for the character of Buddy, and his performance helped make Elf a modern-day Christmas classic.
Home Alone (1990)
Stream now on HBO Max
DrScientist812 gives a prescient answer, stating simply, “Home Alone.” Home Alone has long been a Christmas classic, and for a wide variety of reasons. It is very comfortable and has a charming Christmas atmosphere. It has an inventive premise, with a kid preventing burglars from entering his house with outlandishly creative traps.
And finally, there’s Macaulay Culkin, whose wonderful lead performance made him an international child star. It’s a cartoon brought to life, and it makes for essential Christmas viewing.
A Christmas Story (1983)
Stream now on HBO Max
Christmas lists are never complete without a mention of A Christmas Story. This deleted Reddit user writes, “We have a rule at my house that on Christmas, if we are in a room with a TV, it must be turned on and tuned to 24 Hours of A Christmas Story.” It’s a tradition that is shared by millions around the country.
A Christmas Story is a timeless classic, its reputation buoyed by an inviting ’40s atmosphere, fantastic performances, and a smart script that accurately captures the childhood nostalgia of Christmas.
Love Actually (2003)
Stream now on Peacock
Reddit user Yerunkle recommends 2003’s packed Love Actually. Since its release, the movie has developed quite a legacy. Its cast is absolutely stacked with A-list talent, and many of them have remained household names nearly 20 years later.
Its structure was also incredibly unique for the time, offering up a dozen or so individual storylines that interconnected with each other through various creative means. It launched many clones, but none of them could ever re-capture the warmth, magic, and laughs of Love Actually.
Bad Santa (2003)
Rent now on Prime Video & Apple TV
Returning to the dark Christmas comedy is Redditor VictorBlimpmuscle, who recommends Bad Santa. This is one of the raunchier Christmas comedies, starring Billy Bob Thornton as an alcoholic mall Santa who plans to rob a department store.
The humor is wickedly grim and crude throughout, and Thornton proves a very interesting anti-hero. The movie is certainly not for everyone, as it is incredibly vulgar and inappropriate. But those looking for a raunchy, non-traditional Christmas comedy will find lots to love here.
