Best Christmas movies on Amazon Prime Video UK in 2022

Christmas with the in-laws can be awkward, but Four Christmases takes that premise and then doubles it. Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon star as Brad and Kate who both have divorced parents, meaning that come Christmas time, they’re faced with double the family obligations.

When their December holiday plans go awry, they’re forced to do the festive rounds and make four Christmas stop-offs in one stressful day, visiting each side of their respective families. There are plenty of laughs as they do so, from Kate getting stuck in an inflatable Christmas castle to the pair being drafted into a Christmas pageant at the last minute. But can their relationship survive this major dose of family drama?

Yes, it’s a little on the formulaic side, but Witherspoon has enough star quality to boost this yuletide romcom, and there are appearances from the likes of Jon Favreau and Mary Steenburgen, too.

When Last Christmas was released back in 2019, there was some chatter that Love Actually might finally be usurped as the number one London-set Christmas romcom – but it seems unlikely that day will come any time soon.

Richard Curtis’s festive tale, which follows numerous interconnected couples, remains an enduring staple of many a Christmas watchlist, in no small part due to its exceptional cast – which reads as a who’s who of some of the nation’s finest acting talent.

When it comes to the best Christmas movies, few can compete with 2006’s romcom The Holiday – Nancy Meyers’s iconic house-swap romance.

Featuring a star-studded cast including Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law and Jack Black, the movie is equal parts funny, charming, tear-jerking and heart-warming – and has become a Christmas TV staple for a reason.

It might teeter on the cheesy side – and lack any good lines or convincing characterisation – but if you’re in need of a dose of something entertaining and packed with warmth, then this could be the movie for you.

It’s been over a decade since this family comedy was first released and its success is best proven by the three sequels which have hit cinemas in the intervening 10 years – the first two of which are also available on Prime Video.

With cheery Christmas music galore and a Grinch-esque primary school teacher, this improvised comedy starring Martin Freeman, Ashley Jensen, Jason Watkins and Marc Wootton is a Christmas must-watch (with or without the exclamation mark).

The Seth Rogen gang bring their stoner humour to the festive period in this Christmas comedy – which concerns a group of friends (Rogen, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Anthony Mackie) and their search for the Christmas party to end all Christmas parties.

The movie’s humour might sometimes fall a bit flat, but if you have a sweet spot for rap-karaoke scenes, this well-intentioned comedy might be one for you.

With lots of office Christmas parties having been cancelled for the past two years, this raucous comedy might make you think that isn’t such a bad thing – as the festivities quickly spiral out of control. The impressive cast list of popular comic actors includes Jason Bateman, Olivia Munn, TJ Miller, Kate McKinnon and Jennifer Aniston.

Jennifer Aniston, Jason Bateman, TJ Miller and Kate McKinnon deliver a number of hilarious lines. The movie’s plot might be at times a bit predictable, but there are enough good gags and laugh-out-loud moments to make this film a Christmas must-watch – just don’t take it too seriously!

Danny DeVito and Matthew Broderick face off in this raucous comedy, as the former aims to usurp the latter as the go-to Christmas expert in the fictional Massachusetts town of Cloverdale. In the melee that follows, each tries to outdo the other with increasingly ostentatious Christmas light displays – leading to some messy consequences.

DeVito and Broderick make a great comedic duo and provide us with many heart-warming moments. The movie might suffer from a slightly clichéd story, but this light-hearted family comedy is bound to bring you some festive joy.

A fairly recent addition to the Christmas film canon, this 2015 comedy features four generations of an extended family who come together on Christmas Eve. A fairly enviable cast was assembled for the film, including Alan Arkin, John Goodman, Diane Keaton, Amanda Seyfried, Marisa Tomei, Ed Helms and Anthony Mackie.

With Christmas tunes aplenty and plot lines galore, there’s something for everyone in this stuffed Christmas turkey of a movie.

Will Ferrell’s timeless comedy is a classic for a reason – it’s just a really, really fun film. Buddy the Elf (played by Ferrell) believes with all his heart that he’s one of the gang that belongs in Santa’s Workshop. While he’s accepted by the Elf community, he’s undeniably… different.

His real family live in New York. Although sadly his mum died, he soon discovers all about his father, who’s firmly on the naughty list. Santa tasks Buddy with attempting to turn that around, make Walter a better man, and hopefully reunite the family.

The family-friendly caper (suitable for older children), is funny, charming, and packed to the brim with iconic one-liners. And really, if you haven’t seen Elf by now, where have you been?

• How to watch Elf online and on TV this Christmas

Dr Seuss classic The Grinch Who Stole Christmas is available to rent now on Amazon Prime Video – and it’s essential that you do. Jim Carrey plays the iconic green character who simply hates the season. He happens to live near Whoville, surrounded by Whos who can’t get enough festivity – much to his dismay.

Cindy Lou Who, who thinks Christmas should be about family, not present-buying, has a run-in with the Grinch, and after becoming interested in him, discovers a tragic past filled with heartbreak. The little girl makes it her personal mission to make him fall in love with the season once more, but can she change his mind?

Character actor Carrey is at his very best in this iconic and colourful Christmas film, which leaves a lasting impression on anyone who watches it.

This sweet animated offering tells the story of Arthur Claus, the clumsy youngest son of Santa Claus. When he learns that his father’s hi-tech Christmas ship has forgotten to deliver a present to a young girl, he sets off on a mission to unite her with her gift, joined by his grandfather, an elf and his reindeer.

Produced by Aardman, the animation studio behind classics like Wallace and Gromit and Chicken Run, Arthur Christmas is a charming addition to the festive canon, featuring a best of British voice cast that includes the likes of James McAvoy, Hugh Laurie, Bill Nighy, Jim Broadbent and Imelda Staunton.