As Christmas Day 2025 arrives, families across the UK are settling into traditions of food, family, and festive cheer. Yet, after the turkey feast and Christmas pudding, the appeal of a board game or a brisk walk often fades. For those moments, having a solid lineup of classic holiday films ready to stream is the perfect sofa-bound solution.
Netflix's Festive Feast: Originals and Timeless Classics
Netflix has firmly established itself as a hub for easy-watching Christmas entertainment. The platform boasts a significant collection of its own festive originals, perfect for post-dinner viewing. Standout titles include the entire The Princess Switch trilogy, Hot Frosty, and A Castle For Christmas. Fans have also embraced Lindsay Lohan's seasonal offerings, Our Little Secret and Falling For Christmas, alongside My Secret Santa, starring Alexandra Breckenridge.
For viewers seeking nostalgic comfort, Netflix also hosts beloved classics. You can stream iconic romantic comedies like The Holiday and Love Actually. Animation enthusiasts are covered with both the live-action Jim Carrey version and the 2018 animated Benedict Cumberbatch-led adaptation of How the Grinch Stole Christmas, plus the acclaimed original Klaus. For something different, the service offers the Christmas thriller Carry-On and the recent critical darling, The Holdovers from 2023.
Disney+: A Treasure Trove of Family Favourites
While Netflix leads on originals, Disney+ competes strongly with a deep library of perennial family favourites. Subscribers can find The Holiday and the live-action Grinch here too, alongside both versions of Miracle on 34th Street and Tim Allen's Santa Clause trilogy.
The service is also the home for essential holiday viewing that spans genres. This includes the Halloween-Christmas hybrid The Nightmare Before Christmas, the action classic Die Hard starring Bruce Willis, and the beloved The Muppet Christmas Carol featuring Michael Caine. Of course, the Home Alone and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York are available to guarantee family laughs.
Sky, NOW, and Prime Video: More Ways to Watch
For those with a Sky Cinema or NOW subscription, a broad selection of festive hits is accessible. This includes The Holiday, Love Actually, and the animated Grinch. Crucially, this is where you can find Will Ferrell's modern classic Elf, the animated The Polar Express, and the UK favourite Arthur Christmas. The services also provide older gems like White Christmas, Gremlins, and It's A Wonderful Life.
Amazon's Prime Video service rounds out the options with several key titles. Alongside Love Actually and The Holiday, it streams It's A Wonderful Life and the 1980s favourite A Christmas Story. Also worth a look are the ensemble film Love the Coopers, featuring a young Timothée Chalamet, and the recent original Oh. What. Fun. starring Michelle Pfeiffer.
With this comprehensive guide, UK viewers can easily navigate the top streaming platforms this Christmas. Whether you're in the mood for a heartwarming romance, a family comedy, or a high-octane action film with a festive backdrop, your next holiday classic is just a few clicks away.
