Whether you’ve been playing Christmas music since November or kick off the season in December, nearly everyone can agree that the holidays and holiday movies go together like candy canes and hot cocoa. (In other words, a perfect match.) There’s that snowy white scenery, mistletoe-aided love in the air, and — in the case of holiday-themed comedies — the hilarious situations that ensue when families get together and halls are decked. Who doesn’t get a kick out of a classic princess switch or a mishap involving Santa’s sleigh?!

To celebrate the funniest parts of the festive season, we’ve gone down the chimney to find 12 Christmas movies packed with laughs. Read on to unwrap our gift to you.

Best. Christmas. Ever!

Does the year-end comparison trap show up to put a damper on your holiday festivities? Return it to sender and sit down with this comedy instead, from director Mary Lambert (A Castle for Christmas). Charlotte (Heather Graham) dreads Christmastime because it means receiving her college friend Jackie’s (Brandy) boastful holiday newsletter, which makes her feel grinch-y with envy. When a twist of fate leads Charlotte and her family to Jackie’s doorstep right before Christmas, she sees it as an opportunity to prove that her pal’s life can’t possibly be as perfect as it seems — which, naturally, leads to all kinds of holiday mishaps.

Bonjour l'esprit de Noël !

1h 21m   7+   2023

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The Christmas Chronicles

Now it’s time to let Saint Nick get in on the fun. Kurt Russell straps on the beard and boots for this holiday tale, which follows Santa as his Christmas Eve deliveries are interrupted by the discovery of two children in his sleigh. This causes Santa to crash and the presents to be lost, but nothing — not even a brief stint in jail — can stop him and his new young assistants from saving Christmas. Other cast members from the film and its sequel, The Christmas Chronicles 2, include Lamorne Morris, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, and Tyrese Gibson. And fittingly for the season, the Chronicles films are a true family affair: Russell’s real-life partner, Goldie Hawn, appears as Mrs. Claus, and her son, Oliver Hudson, has a role in the first film as the late father of the children who embark on a Christmas adventure.

Les chroniques de Noël

1h 45m   7+   2018

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Family Switch

The halls are decked, the gifts are wrapped, the bodies are … swapped? That’s what happens to the Walkers in Family Switch, courtesy of a cosmic event that swaps the entire family — yes, baby and dog included — right before Christmas. Directed by McG, the film’s cast includes Jennifer Garner, Ed Helms, and Rita Moreno. The Walker family’s journey to get back to their normal selves gives parents and children alike a chance to better understand one another … while also experiencing all the hilarious mayhem you’d expect from a Freaky Friday-style scenario.

Family Switch

1h 45m   7+   2023

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Holidate

This charming rom-com pairs up Emma Roberts and Luke Bracey as two strangers who are both tired of navigating their love lives (or lack thereof) during the festive season. And so, after a chance encounter, they agree to be each other’s platonic dates on holidays — and only holidays — throughout the year, in order to avoid awkward situations and probing family questions during occasions like Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Valentine’s Day. Spoiler alert: Feelings get caught! Joining Roberts and Bracey for this seasonal romance are Kristin Chenoweth, Alex Moffat, Jessica Capshaw, Frances Fisher, Nicola Peltz, and Andrew Bachelor (aka King Bach).

Holidate

1h 44m   13+   2020

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Holiday Rush

Romany Malco has long been a comedic scene-stealer, whether it be in The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Weeds, Think Like a Man, or The DUFF, but he finally takes the spotlight with Holiday Rush. The rom-com from filmmaker Leslie Small, who has directed many of Kevin Hart’s stand-up specials, stars Malco as Rashon “Rush” Williams, a well-known hip-hop radio DJ and widowed father of four. When Rush suddenly loses his cushy gig, he and his spoiled kids must return to their more economically responsible roots. And while Rush tries to get back in the DJ game by teaming up with his producer, Roxy (Sonequa Martin-Green), to buy their previous station, the two become a romantic item, causing even more problems within the Williams family. Starring alongside Malco and Martin-Green are Deon Cole, Tamala Jones, and La La Anthony.

Holiday Rush

1h 34m   7+   2019

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Love Hard

Love Hard follows Natalie (The Vampire Diaries star Nina Dobrev), a dating column writer who isn’t finding much success in the dating world. But she thinks her unlucky swiping streak on apps is over when she matches with the perfect guy, Josh (Jimmy O. Yang), whom she quickly falls for through lengthy phone calls. Natalie then makes a big leap and flies to Josh’s hometown to surprise him for Christmas, only to learn that Josh used pictures of his childhood friend, Tag (Never Have I Ever’s Darren Barnet), on his dating profile. Hijinks — and romance — ensue when Josh promises to set Natalie up with Tag if she stays with his family for Christmas and pretends to be his girlfriend. Rounding out the cast are Always Be My Maybe’s James Saito as Josh’s dad and Yang’s Crazy Rich Asians co-star Harry Shum Jr. as Josh’s successful brother.

Love Hard

1h 46m   13+   2021

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Our Little Secret

After starring in 2022’s Falling for Christmas, Lindsay Lohan is back to deck the halls for another holiday movie season. The actor leads the cast of Our Little Secret, a holiday rom-com about what happens when Avery (Lohan) and her ex (Ian Harding) are stuck under the same roof at Christmas after discovering their current significant others are siblings. “It’s so beautiful to be able to do films that are associated with holidays because it’s family time,” Lohan said. “When you can make a movie that families can remember and come together to see, it makes it all the more special.” Our Little Secret also features Tim Meadows, Dan Bucatinsky, Henry Czerny, and Kristin Chenoweth.

Our Little Secret

1h 41m   13+   2024

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The Princess Switch

Vanessa Hudgens has been delivering cinematic holiday cheer since 2018, thanks to her Christmas rom-coms. The impressive run kicked off The Princess Switch, a Yuletide play on Mark Twain’s The Prince and the Pauper. The film features Hudgens as both Stacy, a baker from Chicago, and Lady Margaret, a duchess set to marry a prince, with the duo agreeing to switch places for only a few days, which proves to be more than enough time to fall for their new lives. And if you crown The Princess Switch a worthy watch, there are two more installments to enjoy. Hudgens returns as Stacy and Lady Margaret, while also adding a third character to her duties, for the sequels The Princess Switch: Switched Again and The Princess Switch 3: Romancing the Star.

La Princesse de Chicago

1h 42m   Tous publics   2018

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Single All The Way

Being single during the holidays seems to be one of the big no-nos in Christmas comedies, and social media strategist Peter (Michael Urie) has finally learned his lesson. Tony Award winner Michael Mayer directs Single All the Way, a rom-com in which Peter persuades his longtime best friend, Nick (Philemon Chambers), to pretend to be his boyfriend in hopes that his family will stop pestering him about his love life. But before that relationship news can be relayed, Peter’s mom (Kathy Najimy) organizes a blind date for him with her charming and incredibly handsome spin instructor (Luke Macfarlane). Meanwhile, Peter’s dad (Barry Bostwick) tells Nick that he always thought the friends would become more than that, prompting Nick to evaluate his own feelings for Peter. Oh, and did we mention that Jennifer Coolidge plays Peter’s aunt and does classic Jennifer Coolidge things?

Que souffle la romance

1h 41m   7+   2021

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Christmas with the Kranks

What’s funnier than holiday mishaps? Outright holiday rejection. In this 2004 film, Luther and Nora Krank (Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis) are facing their first Christmas with an empty nest, as their only daughter is traveling abroad. They also live in a neighborhood that goes all out decorating for the holidays. Luther does the math and convinces his wife that they should skip the festivities this year and use the money for a vacation instead. The plan quickly falls apart, though, when their daughter unexpectedly calls to say she’ll be coming home for Christmas after all.

Un Noël de folie!

1h 39m   7+   2004

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Hot Frosty

There’s plenty of heart in this 2024 rom-com, but as a movie about a snowman coming to life, it’s really more of a com-rom. Young widow Kathy (Lacey Chabert) runs a café in a small town and neglects her aging house, unmotivated since the death of her husband. She’s gifted a red scarf by some friends, and while walking home one night, she passes a snowman competition. She stops at one, Jack (Dustin Milligan), who’s particularly, ahem, chiseled, and ties the scarf around his neck. Later, Jack comes to life — naked and utterly clueless about being human. Kathy finds him and, despite her disbelief in the magic, takes him in. Jack quickly becomes an asset to the community and grows deeply attached to Kathy. Watching Jack adjust to humanity — especially in the body of a male model — is truly hilarious. 

Mon bel homme de neige

1h 32m   7+   2024

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The Merry Gentlemen

A troupe of small-town men with no dancing experience putting on a male Christmas-themed burlesque to raise money for a good cause is certainly an entertaining proposition. Ashley (Britt Robertson) returns to her hometown after being fired as a Broadway dancer for being “too old.” In further bad news, she learns that her parents are soon to be kicked out of their bar and music venue for owing multiple months of back rent. Using the one skill she knows best, she recruits local men, including hunky handyman Luke (Chad Michael Murray), to learn a bit of seductive dancing to raise money. Cue the heckling old ladies and the hot dad bods.

The Merry Gentlemen

1h 27m   7+   2024

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Additional reporting by Ananda Dillon