The best Christmas Day movies don’t have to jingle with holiday cheer — in fact, most of them don’t. What they do offer is the rare luxury of time: the chance to settle in with something long, layered, and emotionally loaded without glancing at the clock every five minutes.
Christmas Day is one of the few moments all year when big runtimes feel like a gift, not a chore. It’s when sprawling plots, slow-burn tension, and heavy feelings actually feel welcome. These films have earned their place on the Christmas Day pedestal because they reward you for leaning in — for giving them your focus, your patience, and your full attention, uninterrupted.
1. The Wolf of Wall Street, 2013
This Leonardo DiCaprio movie follows Jordan Belfort, a stockbroker who builds a wildly profitable but deeply corrupt brokerage firm using fear, fraud, and manipulation. Set across the late 1980s and 1990s, the story charts his rise, unchecked excess, drug abuse, and eventual FBI investigation. The three-hour long runtime and relentless pace making it a strong choice among the best Christmas Day movies, especially when viewers can sit through the entire arc in one go.
2. Gangs of New York, 2002
Set in mid-19th century Manhattan, Gangs of New York centers on gang warfare, political corruption, and immigration tensions in the Five Points neighborhood. Amsterdam Vallon returns to confront Bill the Bitcher, the man who killed his father. The story blends personal revenge with the violence of New York City when it was still being shaped, unfolding across long, intense scenes that suit a complete holiday viewing.
3. Django Unchained, 2012
Django Unchained follows an enslaved man named Django, who gains his freedom and teams up with a bounty hunter to capture criminals across the South. Django’s true goal is rescuing his wife from a brutal plantation owner. The film balances dialogue-heavy scenes with sudden violence, building toward an intense final confrontation. This movie is often cited among the best Christmas Day movies for adults.
4. Ali, 2001
This biographical drama focuses on Muhammad Ali during a turbulent decade of his life, covering his rise as a boxing champions, conversion to Islam, refusal to be drafted into the Vietnam War, and public backlash. The movie emphasizes personal conviction and consequences over sports spectacle, making it well-suited for a reflective Christmas Day watch.
5. Dreamgirls, 2006
Inspired by the rise of Motown-era girl groups, Dreamgirls follows a trio of singers navigating fame, ambition, and betrayal. As success grows, personal relationships fracture under industry pressure. The film spans several years, combining musical performance with a character-driven plot that works well for festive TV time.
6. True Grit, 2010
Set in the late 1800s, this western follows a teenage girl who hires a United States Marshal to hunt down her father’s killer. Their journey through harsh territory is marked by moral conflict, danger, and uneasy alliances. The pacing is slower with sharp dialogue and spur-of-the-moment action, placing it firmly among the best Christmas Day movies for anyone who wants something grounded with a good storyline.
7. Cast Away, 2000
This Tom Hanks movie tells the story of a FedEx executive stranded alone on a remote island after a plane crash. The film highlights survival, isolation, and the trudging passage of time, then shifts again when he returns to a world that moved on without him. It’s quiet, introspective tone resonates on Christmas Day. Plus, you get an introduction to Wilson, a handprinted volleyball with purpose.
8. Avatar, 2009
Set on the alien moon Pandora, Avatar follows a former Marine who operates a genetically engineered body to interact with the planet’s inhabitants. As he grows closer to their culture, he’s forced to choose between military orders and protecting their world. Its immersive scale and amazing graphics make it one of the most popular Christmas Day movies of this century.
9. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, 2002
This middle chapter splits its focus across multiple storylines as the war against Sauron intensifies. Large-scale battles, questionable loyalties, and moral tests dominate each plot. Its length and layered structure benefits from the unbroken time that Christmas Day provides.
10. Star Wars: The Force Awakens, 2015
Set decades after the original trilogy, the story introduces new heroes while reigniting the conflict between the Resistance and the First Order. Legacy characters return as the galaxy faces renewed threats. Its balance of familiarity and momentum makes it a frequent pick in the category of best Christmas Day movies for families and friends.
Why These Are the Best Christmas Day Movies
The best Christmas Day movies earn their place by filling the space the holiday creates. They’re long, immersive, and built to be watched without distraction. When time slows down and attention can be focused, these stories land harder, linger longer, and become part of how Christmas Day feels, even without a single holiday scene.