Living in the U.K. means winter can be a downright miserable time, at least as far as the weather is concerned. The days are short, the rain feels endless, and the occasional snowfall only adds to the chilly gloom. The holidays can even take on a slightly sombre mood. The natural response? Retreat indoors and hibernate. We swap the carefree summer day trips for warm blankets, cozy corners and the simple pleasure of staying dry. And what better way to ride out the season than by diving into some holiday movies?
Prime Video is packed with them — so many, in fact, that choosing what to watch can feel like a chore. To help you sort the wheat from the chaff, we’ve plucked the three best holiday movies available to stream on Prime Video right now. While other, arguably better, films may be available to rent or buy, everything here is completely free with an active Prime subscription.
‘It’s a Wonderful Life’
When talking about Christmas movies, there’s one pick that everybody knows is going to feature somewhere. I’m of course talking about Frank Capra’s enduring holiday favorite “It’s a Wonderful Life.” But there’s a reason this movie has remained an essential watch every winter for millions of people (myself included): It’s pretty much the perfect Christmas movie. It’s funny, it’s charming, it’s tear-jerking but ultimately uplifting. What more could you want?
I consider this 1946 comedy-drama my favorite Christmas movie of all time, and it follows George Bailey (James Stewart), a man who is considering taking his own life on Christmas Eve. Through flashbacks, we see George’s life from his youth to adulthood, and then George’s guardian angel shows him what the world would have been like if he’d never existed. The subject matter may appear a little bleak for a Christmas movie, but trust me, you’ll shed happy tears by the end. And then you’ll probably want to rewatch it. — RM
Watch on Prime Video
‘Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas’
The 2000 adaptation of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” brings Dr. Seuss’ iconic character roaring to life. Jim Carrey’s performance is the film’s beating heart—unrestrained, eccentric and completely committed. It’s one of those roles only Carrey could pull off, and he goes big in all the best ways.
You likely know the story already, but for the uninitiated: It follows a grumpy green creature who despises Christmas and the endlessly cheerful Whos of Whoville who celebrate it with gusto. As with any holiday classic, expect a redemption arc. Think Scrooge, but wrapped in neon colours and fantastical Seussian whimsy rather than Victorian gloom.
Watch on Prime Video
‘Red One’
The newest film on this list — and perhaps the most divisive — “Red One” debuted in cinemas during the 2024 holiday season. It failed to impress most moviegoers on the big screen, but at home (and for free) it’s worth at least a curious look. With a cast that includes Dwayne Johnson, Chris Evans, Lucy Liu and J.K. Simmons, it certainly isn’t lacking star power.
Whether you enjoy it depends entirely on what you want from a holiday movie. If you’re in the mood for outrageous action set pieces mixed with goofy, kid-friendly humour, this could hit the spot. It’s likely to appeal most to teenagers, but there’s enough broad entertainment value to make it a decent family watch. Grab some popcorn and enjoy it for what it is: a slightly clumsy but undeniably energetic holiday romp.
Watch on Prime Video
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