Best movies like Christmas Story
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
Hundreds of years ago in Lapland, a little boy named Nikolas loses his family in an accident. The villagers decide to look after the orphaned boy together. Once a year - at Christmas - Nikolas moves to a new home. To show his gratitude, Nikolas decides to make toys for the children of the families as good-bye presents. Over the years, Nikolas's former adoptive families become many, and soon almost every house has presents on its doorstep on Christmas morning. At thirteen, Nikolas is sent to live and work with Iisakki, a grumpy old carpenter, who forbids Nikolas to continue making presents for Christmas. Gradually, however, Nikolas wins Iisakki's trust. Together they begin to look after the Christmas traditional that Nikolas has begun. When the aged Iisakki has to leave Nikolas and move away, the tradition of Christmas presents is once again at risk. Thankfully, Nikolas comes up with a solution that brings children joy every Christmas, even continuing to today.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 5000
Genere: Drama, Family, Fantasy
Country: Finland
Duration: 83 min
Plot tags: touching, feel good, captivating, serious
Best tv shows and movies like Christmas Story (2007):
Similar in 82%
When Angels Come to Town (2004)
Plot Summary:
Max, an angel in exile, walks around the United States to help humans. In a small town in Maine, he meets a young woman without a family named Sally. As she struggles to get custody of her younger brother, Max immediately believes that his new mission is to help Sally. But Jo, a strict angel, is sent to explain to his colleague that this is not exactly what is expected of him. Indeed, Max's mission is not to help Sally, but Karl, the manager of a small factory of Christmas decorations. His business is barely surviving because its traditional products do not meet the success of yesteryear. First bored, Max notices that Karl knows Sally.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 675
Genere: Drama, Family, Fantasy
Country: USA, Canada
Duration: 87 min
Plot tags: light, sincere, touching, feel good, captivating, entertaining
Similar in 87%
Christmas Oranges (2012)
Plot Summary:
In a town not so far away and a time not so long ago, baby Rose was left on the porch of Greenwoods Orphanage, where Mrs. Hartley (Nancy Stafford) and the children under her tender care become her family. But when tragedy strikes, Rose (Bailee Johnson) loses the only home she has ever known and she is abruptly shipped to Irongates—a place that seems as cold and cruel as her previous home was kind. The strict headmaster, Mr. Crampton (Edward Herrmann), immediately seems to dislike Rose—and makes sure she and the other children are punished for any minor infraction of his rules. Rose soon makes friends with Emily, but in spite of her gentle and forgiving nature, some of the children will take any chance they can to get her into trouble. When she learns that every Christmas Mr. Crampton’s generous brother gives an orange to each child, Rose waits in eager anticipation.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 700
Genere: Drama, Family
Country: USA
Duration: 101 min
Plot tags: fairy tale, uplifting, sincere, touching, social, compassionate, christian film
Similar in 76%
A Dog Named Christmas (2009)
Plot Summary:
A developmentally challenged young man with a penchant for caring for animals in need sets out to convince his family - and their whole rural community - to participate in a local shelter's inaugural "Adopt a Dog for Christmas Program.".
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama, Family
Country: USA
Duration: 95 min
Plot tags: touching, feel good, sentimental, sincere, captivating, christmas special, humorous, semi serious, realistic, entertaining
Similar in 88%
Northpole: Open for Christmas (2015)
Plot Summary:
A successful businesswoman, Mackenzie, inherits her beloved aunt's inn, and chooses to restore the hotel to its original grandeur only to sell it right before Christmas. Unbeknownst to Mackenzie, she receives some unexpected help from a team of elves headed by the cheerful Clementine, who helps Mackenzie rediscover the true meaning of Christmas.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, Family, Fantasy
Country: USA
Duration: 83 min
Plot tags: light, feel good, sincere, humorous
Similar in 80%
The Night They Saved Christmas (1984)
Plot Summary:
An oil company is exploring two Arctic sites for oil. The needed blasting at the first site rocks Santa Claus' North Pole village. He realizes that any blasting at the second site will destroy his home. He enlists the aid of a woman and her children to convince her husband (who works for the company) that the first site is where the oil they want is. Along the way, Santa explains all his secrets in delivering presents all around the world.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, Family, Fantasy
Country: USA
Duration: 92 min
Plot tags: feel good, humorous, semi serious, independent film
Similar in 79%
The Case for Christmas (2011)
Plot Summary:
A lawyer finds himself defending Santa Claus in the biggest trial in history.
IMDB Rating: 5.9
IMDB Votes: 754
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Family, Fantasy
Country: Canada, USA
Duration: 88 min
Plot tags: humorous, sincere, captivating, feel good, emotional, semi serious
Similar in 82%
Eskil & Trinidad (2013)
Plot Summary:
Eskil moves from town to town with his father in Northern Sweden. He misses his mother and sucks at playing hockey, the main activity among the boys his age. Things changes when he meets Trinidad, a mysterious woman who lives outside society spending her time building a great ship that perhaps could take Eskil to his mother.
IMDB Rating: 5.8
IMDB Votes: 185
Genere: Drama, Family
Country: Sweden
Duration: 104 min
Plot tags: touching, serious, realistic, feel good, sentimental, light, sincere, captivating, exciting, tense
Similar in 78%
Christmas Spirit (2011)
Plot Summary:
A cynical youth whose mother is about to lose her job right before the holidays is visited by a magical Christmas spirit.
IMDB Rating: 3.8
IMDB Votes: 154
Genere: Drama, Family, Fantasy
Country: USA
Duration: 88 min
Plot tags: humorous, light, captivating, feel good, touching
Similar in 77%
Booky & the Secret Santa (2007)
Plot Summary:
Booky does everything she can to make an enjoyable Christmas, for her family, during the depression as her father is out of work.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 311
Genere: Drama, Family
Country: Canada
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: sentimental, touching, realistic, sincere, captivating, feel good, serious
Similar in 83%
The Christmas Bunny (2010)
Plot Summary:
The Christmas Bunny tells the story of a lonely foster child (Sophie Bolen) who finds a lost, injured rabbit in the woods on Christmas Eve. The rabbit is nursed back to health by The Bunny Lady (Florence Henderson), who runs a rabbit rescue in an old barn behind her Michigan farmhouse.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 854
Genere: Drama, Family
Country: USA
Duration: 98 min
Plot tags: sentimental, uplifting, touching, sincere, captivating, light, serious, realistic, gloomy
Similar in 82%
Call Me Mrs. Miracle (2010)
Plot Summary:
Mrs Merkle (or Mrs. Miracle as she is know by some) finds herself in a toy department of a department store that is having all kinds of financial problems, but leave it to this kind lady as she will get the Christmas spirit flowing very freely at this store.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Family, Fantasy, Romance
Country: USA, Canada
Duration: 87 min
Plot tags: feel good, humorous, semi serious, light, captivating, christmas comedy, touching
Similar in 75%
Northpole (2014)
Plot Summary:
Northpole, the magical city where Santa and his elves live and work is in trouble. Families around the globe have gotten too busy to enjoy the season together, and Northpole depends on their holiday happiness to keep running. In the hopes of turning things around, a determined young elf befriends a little boy with a lot of spirit. His skeptical journalist mom doesn’t have room in her heart for anything but the facts, so it’s going to take a little nudge from his charming teacher to create an unbeatable Christmas team to turn around this town and share the importance of the season with the whole world.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, Family, Fantasy
Country: Canada, USA
Duration: 81 min
Plot tags: feel good, sentimental, captivating, humorous, serious
Similar in 90%
The Search for Santa Paws (2010)
Plot Summary:
In the tradition of disney's classic holiday tales comes a heartwarming movie about the power of giving and the true meaning of christmas. Discover how the legendary friendship of Santa Claus and Santa Paws began in the inspiring original film, The Search For Santa Paws. When Santa and his new best friend, Paws, discover that the boys and girls of the world have lost the spirit of the season, they take a trip to New York City. But after Santa loses his memory, it's up to Paws, a faithful orphan named Quinn, her new friend Will and a wonderful group of magical talking dogs to save St. Nick and show the world what Christmas is really all about.
IMDB Rating: 5.3
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Adventure, Drama, Family, Fantasy, Musical
Country: Canada
Duration: 96 min
Plot tags: touching, feel good, humorous, semi serious
Similar in 78%
When Santa Fell to Earth (2011)
Plot Summary:
Christmas is just two weeks away, it is pouring with rain, and Ben is struggling to get into the Christmas spirit. Suddenly, Bens life takes a turn for the better when Santa Niklas Goodfellow and his Christmas caravan come crashing down to Earth in the middle of thunderstorm and land in Foggy Lane. Santa is on the run from the ruthless Gerold Geronimus Goblynch and his army of nutcrackers who have outlawed all of the old magical ways and have transformed the bright and peaceful Christmas world into a dark and hostile place, governed by greed and money. Goblynch has banned work for all Santas and confined the Christmas angels to tiny prison cells, where they can no longer hear the dearest wishes of children. Goblynch also wants to force Santa Niklas Goodfellow, the last real Santa, to work for his commercialized Christmas company and forces him to do hard labour in the ordering department of the Christmas Palace.
IMDB Rating: 5.5
IMDB Votes: 270
Genere: Comedy, Family, Fantasy
Country: Germany
Duration: 107 min
Plot tags: feel good, humorous, semi serious, melancholic, sentimental, touching, captivating, educational
Similar in 80%
The Claus Family (2020)
Plot Summary:
When his grandfather suddenly falls ill, holiday-hating Jules learns of his family's magical legacy and realizes he's the only hope to save Christmas.
IMDB Rating: 5.6
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Comedy, Family, Fantasy
Country: Belgium
Duration: 96 min
Plot tags: sincere, feel good, captivating, entertaining, semi serious
Similar in 77%
My Santa (2013)
Plot Summary:
A young, single mother, Jen, begins to lose her faith in the magic of Christmas. However, when she takes her son Eric to see the local mall Santa, Jen immediately feels an attraction and connection with Chris, the young, attractive man filling the suit. As they begin spending time together, she begins to rediscover her belief in Christmas.
IMDB Rating: 5.5
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama, Family, Fantasy
Country: USA
Duration: 84 min
Plot tags: feel good, humorous, semi serious, touching
Similar in 83%
The Night Before the Night Before Christmas (2010)
Plot Summary:
When Santa sets off on his Christmas duties a day early, crashes into the Fox family's house, ends up with amnesia and loses his magic sack of presents, he needs help! But the Fox family are a modern and broken family. Can they help him? The parents are preoccupied with work and the kids aren't very festive. But it's up to them to help Santa find his magical bag of toys and the clock is ticking or Christmas will be ruined. Forced to set their own problems aside and work together the Fox family rediscover how much they enjoy being together and realise that maybe they need to reprioritise their lives. The Night Before The Night Before Christmas is a crazy Christmas fantasy for all the family, brimming with festive spirit.
IMDB Rating: 5.6
IMDB Votes: 725
Genere: Family, Fantasy
Country: USA, Canada
Duration: 88 min
Plot tags: feel good, semi serious, sincere, funny, light, touching
Similar in 86%
Santa Who? (2000)
Plot Summary:
Santa Claus develops amnesia after accidentally falling out of his sleigh and only the innocence of a small child can save him. Meanwhile, Santa has to battle the disbelief of a newsman.
IMDB Rating: 5.3
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Family, Fantasy
Country: USA
Duration: 92 min
Plot tags: feel good, humorous, semi serious, fairy tale
Similar in 81%
Pete's Christmas (2013)
Plot Summary:
An overlooked middle child finds himself in the unexpected spotlight when he realizes his family's terrible Christmas day keeps repeating. As the only one experiencing the day over and over, he decides to use his unique gift to give the holidays a makeover and his family a Christmas they will never forget.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Family, Fantasy
Country: USA, Canada
Duration: 86 min
Plot tags: feel good, humorous, touching, semi serious, christmas special, offbeat
Similar in 82%
Prancer (1989)
Plot Summary:
Jessica, the daughter of an impoverished apple farmer, still believes in Santa Claus. So when she comes across a reindeer with an injured leg, it makes perfect sense to her to assume that it is Prancer, who had fallen from a Christmas display in town. She hides the reindeer in her barn and feeds it cookies, until she can return it to Santa. Her father finds the reindeer an decides to sell it to the butcher, not for venison chops, but as an advertising display.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 6000
Genere: Drama, Family, Fantasy
Country: USA, Canada
Duration: 103 min
Plot tags: touching, entertaining, mysterious, sad, crying, feel good, humorous, semi serious, independent film, weeping
Similar in 83%
Prancer Returns (2001)
Plot Summary:
This holiday-themed children's film offers a unique take on the legend of Santa Claus and his tiny reindeer. In this movie, a young boy finds a deer in the forest he is sure is Santa's beloved Prancer. Determined to return the creature to the North Pole and his rightful destiny, the child overcomes the cynicism of his family to teach them and us a lesson about the true spirit of Christmas.
IMDB Rating: 5.8
IMDB Votes: 651
Genere: Family, Drama, Fantasy
Country: Canada, USA
Duration: 91 min
Plot tags: touching, feel good, humorous, semi serious
Similar in 77%
Santa Buddies (2009)
Plot Summary:
When Puppy Paws (the fun-loving son of Santa Paws) gets bored, he finds Budderball on Santa's naughty list and figures he's just the dog to show him how to be an ordinary pup. When the magical Christmas Icicle starts to melt however, and the world begins to forget the true meaning of the season, it's up to Puppy Paws and his newfound Buddies to journey back to the North Pole and save Christmas.
IMDB Rating: 4.5
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Adventure, Drama, Family, Fantasy
Country: Canada, USA, UK
Duration: 88 min
Plot tags: feel good, fairy tale, sweet, light, exciting, touching, offbeat, humorous, semi serious
Similar in 86%
A Boy Called Christmas (2021)
Plot Summary:
An ordinary young boy called Nikolas sets out on an extraordinary adventure into the snowy north in search of his father who is on a quest to discover the fabled village of the elves, Elfhelm. Taking with him a headstrong reindeer called Blitzen and a loyal pet mouse, Nikolas soon meets his destiny in this magical and endearing story that proves nothing is impossible….
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 26000
Genere: Adventure, Drama, Family, Fantasy
Country: UK, France
Duration: 106 min
Plot tags: thought provoking, captivating, happy, inspirational
Similar in 79%
Angels Sing (2013)
Plot Summary:
As a child, Michael Walker wished every day could be Christmas. That is, until a tragic accident crushed his holiday spirit. Thirty years later, Michael still can't muster any joy for the holidays, despite encouragement from his playful wife and well-intentioned parents. But when his young son faces a tragedy, Michael needs to make amends with his past. A mysterious man named Nick gives Michael a gift and instills in him the courage to find the joy that he lost.
IMDB Rating: 5.9
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Family
Country: USA
Duration: 87 min
Plot tags: touching, feel good, semi serious, realistic
Similar in 86%
Blizzard (2003)
Plot Summary:
A young girl's aunt tells her the tale of a young ice skater and an enchanted reindeer.
IMDB Rating: 5.8
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Comedy, Family
Country: USA, Canada
Duration: 95 min
Plot tags: touching, feel good, humorous, semi serious
Similar in 77%
The Christmas Chronicles (2018)
Plot Summary:
Siblings Kate and Teddy try to prove Santa Claus is real, but when they accidentally cause his sleigh to crash, they have to save Christmas.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 81000
Genere: Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy
Country: USA
Duration: 104 min
Plot tags: light, sincere, atmospheric, sentimental, feel good, captivating, fairy tale, funny, mysterious, stylized
Similar in 86%
Miracle on 34th Street (1994)
Plot Summary:
A little girl discovers dreams can come true if you really believe. Six-year-old Susan Walker has doubts about childhood's most enduring miracle - Santa Claus. Her mother told her the 'secret' about Santa a long time ago. But after meeting a special department store Santa who's convinced he's the real thing, Susan is given the most precious gift of all something to believe in.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 42000
Genere: Drama, Family, Fantasy
Country: USA
Duration: 114 min
Plot tags: fairy tale, sentimental, touching, feel good, inspirational, uplifting, humorous, semi serious, independent film, light
Similar in 90%
The Santa Clause (1994)
Plot Summary:
Scott Calvin is an ordinary man, who accidentally causes Santa Claus to fall from his roof on Christmas Eve and is knocked unconscious. When he and his young son finish Santa's trip and deliveries, they go to the North Pole, where Scott learns he must become the new Santa and convince those he loves that he is indeed, Father Christmas.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 130000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Family, Fantasy
Country: USA, Canada
Duration: 97 min
Plot tags: feel good, touching, sentimental, light, sweet, entertaining, fairy tale, semi serious, funny, hilarious
Similar in 76%
Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey (2020)
Plot Summary:
An imaginary world comes to life in a holiday tale of an eccentric toymaker, his adventurous granddaughter, and a magical invention that has the power to change their lives forever.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 20000
Genere: Family, Fantasy, Musical
Country: USA
Duration: 122 min
Plot tags: fairy tale, visually appealing, sweet, sincere, touching, feel good, entertaining, costume drama, inspirational
Similar in 81%
The Santa Clause 2 (2002)
Plot Summary:
Better watch out! The big guy in red is coming to town once again. This time, Scott Calvin -- also known as Santa Claus -- finds out there's an obscure clause in his contract requiring him to take on a wife. He has to leave the North Pole to fulfill his obligations, or else he'll be forced to give up his Yuletide gig.
IMDB Rating: 5.7
IMDB Votes: 63000
Genere: Comedy, Family, Fantasy
Country: USA, Canada
Duration: 104 min
Plot tags: fairy tale, humorous, feel good, light, entertaining, touching, christmas special, semi serious, funny, exciting