British Christmas movies and holiday specials are a mainstay of the season, tracing their origins back to the Victorian traditions popularized by Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, and Charles Dickens with his classic, A Christmas Carol. Today’s Christmas celebrations stem from these 19th-century cultural roots.
When we think about Christmas, images of a classic Dickensian holiday often come to mind: the jolly festivities, mistletoe, family gatherings, turkey dinners, decorations, caroling, tree decorating, gift-giving, and a spirit of charity. It’s no wonder that some of the best Christmas films come from the UK. To help you get into the holiday spirit, here’s a list of some fantastic British Christmas movies.
We’ve got a diverse selection here: family films, comedies, period dramas (Victorian Christmas movies included), romantic comedies, fantasies, and classics. Although this list doesn’t feature some of the best American Christmas movies like Home Alone or It’s a Wonderful Life, you’ll find beloved British films and hidden gems. The movies had to meet a few criteria to make the list: they must be British productions, co-productions involving the UK, set in the UK, or feature a majority British cast. While many of these films are Christmas-themed, others simply have memorable Christmas scenes or have become holiday viewing traditions.
Continue reading for a list of some of the best British holiday movies. Included are viewing sources and content notes for any films rated above PG.
BRITISH CHRISTMAS MOVIES TO WATCH
(In Alphabetical Order)
1. About a Boy (2002): This Oscar-nominated dramedy stars Hugh Grant and is about an immature man who learns life’s true values. Available on Starz or for digital/DVD purchase.
2. Arthur Christmas (2011): A family favorite about Arthur Claus on a mission to deliver a missed present. Available on Max, or for digital/DVD purchase.
3. A Boy Called Christmas (2021): A new take on Santa’s origin story, available on Netflix or DVD.
4. Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001): A romantic comedy classic with many Christmas scenes. Available on Paramount+ and Pluto TV, or available for purchase.
5. A Castle for Christmas (2021): A Netflix film about an author who falls in love with a castle and its duke.
6. A Child’s Christmas in Wales (1987): A British classic based on Dylan Thomas’s poem. Available on multiple streaming platforms including Peacock and Britbox.
7. Christmas at the Riviera (2007): A festive film set in a seaside hotel with a British cast. Availability for rental or purchase is currently limited.
8. The Christmas Candle (2013): A romantic period drama about a village that believes in the miracles of a Christmas candle. Available on multiple platforms including Prime Video and Hulu.
9. A Christmas Carol Adaptations: Numerous versions from 1935 to 2022, showcasing the timeless classic in various styles. Available for purchase and on various streaming sites.
10. The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey (2007): A heartwarming film about a woodcarver creating a nativity set, available on several streaming platforms.
11. A Christmas Star (2015): A young girl believes she can save her village using her gift, available on Freevee and Hoopla.
12. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe (2005): C.S. Lewis’s classic story, available on Disney+.
13. Emma (2009): A BBC adaptation of Jane Austen’s novel with lovely Christmas scenes, available on Britbox.
14. Far From the Madding Crowd (2015): A romantic drama with significant Christmas scenes, available on Max.
15. Father Christmas Is Back (2021): A comedic take on a family holiday reunion, available on Netflix.
16. From Time to Time (2009): A time-travel family film written by Julian Fellowes, available on DVD.
17. Get Santa (2014): A comedy about saving Christmas after Santa lands in jail, available on various streaming platforms.
18. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001): A magical film with iconic Christmas sequences, available on Max and Peacock Premium.
19. The Holiday (2006): A rom-com about two women swapping homes for Christmas and finding love, available on AMC+ and Hulu.
20. The Holly and the Ivy (1952): A classic film about a family reuniting at Christmas, available on Hoopla and Kanopy.
21. Jolly Good Christmas/Christmas in London (2022): A Hallmark movie set in London, available on Hallmark Movies Now.
22. Joyeux Noel (2005): A film inspired by the Christmas truce of 1914 during WWI, available on Tubi.
23. The Knight Before Christmas (2019): A medieval knight time-travels to the present and falls for an American teacher, available on Netflix.
24. Last Christmas (2019): A unique romantic film starring Emilia Clarke, available on Prime Video.
25. The Lion in Winter (1968): A historical drama set at Christmastime with an all-star cast, available for purchase.
26. Little Lord Fauntleroy (1980): A family film about a boy who becomes heir to a British fortune, available on DVD.
27. A Little Princess (1939, 1986): Two versions of the classic story with Christmas scenes, available on various streaming platforms.
28. Little Women (2017): A BBC adaptation with a British touch, available on PBS Passport.
29. Lost Christmas (2011): A drama about rediscovery through Christmases, set in Manchester and available on Roku and Tubi.
30. Love Actually (2003): A beloved British Christmas rom-com with an all-star cast, available on Netflix.
31. The Man Who Invented Christmas (2017): A biopic about Charles Dickens creating A Christmas Carol, available on Prime Video.
32. Millions (2004): A charming story about a boy finding and giving away money, available on Disney+.
33. The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992): A family favorite version of A Christmas Carol featuring the Muppets, available on Disney+.
34. The Nativity (2010): A BBC miniseries telling the original Christmas story, available on Prime Video.
35. Nativity Film Series (2009-2018): Fun films about a primary school’s nativity performance, with varying availability.
36. The Nutcracker and the Four Realms (2018): A magical film set in Victorian England, available on Disney+.
37. On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969): A James Bond film set at Christmas, available on Prime Video.
38. Paddington/Paddington 2 (2014; 2017): Heartwarming films about Paddington Bear. Available on Netflix and Max.
39. A Princess for Christmas (2011): A Hallmark romance about a young woman falling for a prince. Available on Freevee.
40. Santa Claus (1898): Probably the first Christmas film ever made, preserved online.
41. The Snowman/The Snowman and The Snowdog (1982; 2012): Animated TV movies based on Raymond Briggs’s books, available on various platforms.
42. Spencer (2021): A drama about Princess Diana during the holidays, available on Hulu.
43. Under the Greenwood Tree (2005): A romantic period drama with winter scenes and a Christmas party, available on Prime Video.
44. A Very British Christmas (2019): A romance movie about an opera singer stranded in Yorkshire, available on Hoopla.
45. Your Christmas or Mine? (2022): A Christmas romance about a couple stuck with each other’s families, available on Prime Video.
Extra Recommendations:
Silent Night, Carol, Shaun the Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas, Stick Man, The Royal Nanny, Anna and the Apocalypse, Boxing Day, Last Train to Christmas, Christmas in the Highlands, Home for Christmas, Surviving Christmas with the Relatives, Lost at Christmas, and more.
BONUS: BRITISH CHRISTMAS SPECIALS
– All Creatures Great and Small: “The Night Before Christmas”
– Call the Midwife Christmas Specials
– Cranford: “November 1842” and the Cranford Christmas Special
– Doctor Who Christmas Specials
– Downton Abbey Christmas Specials
– Foyle’s War: “Bleak Midwinter”
– Lark Rise to Candleford: Christmas Special
– Miranda Christmas Specials
– Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries: “Murder Under the Mistletoe”
– Poirot: “Hercule Poirot’s Christmas”
– Sherlock: “The Abominable Bride”
– The Vicar of Dibley Christmas Episodes
– Victoria: A Victoria Christmas Special
What are your favorite British Christmas movies? Have we missed any of your top picks? Let us know!
