Sure, Christmas is the season of giving [1], but it doesn't always have to be about deeply profound and serious lessons. If you're not in the mood for another modernised and tragic retelling of A Christmas Carol [2], that's why the holiday comedies exist. Luckily, lightening up the mood is no difficult task, with Christmas comedies right at your fingertips. Yup, there are a handful of funny (and not overly schmaltzy) holiday flicks [3] that you can stream instantly on Netflix! Whether you're into raunchy or goofy humour, we've rounded up the funniest Christmas movies that you can watch right now, including everything from Bad Santa to How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
How the Grinch Stole Christmas is a heartwarming holiday classic that has a kick of comedic flair to it. Jim Carrey [4] stars in the titular green monster role, with Anthony Hopkins [5] narrating the story. If you're wondering how the slim Dr. Seuss book turned into a full-length feature film, here's your chance! Maybe your heart too will grow three sizes after watching it.
Watch it now [6].
White Christmas
Each year you hear Bing Crosby crooning on the radio, so why not watch him in his wonderfully lavish Christmas rom-com musical? In White Christmas, two war buddies turned successful producers fall for a pair of sisters. One day, they stay at their former commanding officer's lodge and learn that it's about to close, so they set out to do a special performance in order to save it.
Watch it now [7].
A Very Murray Christmas
This isn't a movie as much as Netflix's take on the holiday variety show. Still, the hour-long project is very much a must-watch Christmas special, featuring funnyman Bill Murray [8] himself. The supporting cast list is pretty decked out as well. The guest stars who appear in the musical performances and sketches include Miley Cyrus [9] and George Clooney [10].
Watch it now [11].
Bad Santa
Look no further for a raunchy and ridiculous holiday movie. In Bad Santa, Billy Bob Thornton [12] and Tony Cox play two professional thieves who dress up as a department store Santa and elf each year to rob shopping malls at night. It may be silly, but critics found Thornton's performance compelling enough to give him a Golden Globe nomination. Oh, and Gilmore Girls [13]'s Lauren Graham plays a woman with a Santa fetish. Need we say more?
Watch it now [14].
Bad Santa 2
If you enjoyed Bad Santa, why not make it a marathon with Bad Santa 2? Thornton reprises his role as the thief Willie Soke, who has fallen into a depressive state 13 years later. An unexpected visit picks up his spirits, and before you know it, he's back at it again as a bad Santa on his way to rob a Chicago charity.
Watch it now [15].
Love Actually
Of course we had to include this quintessential Christmas rom-com! Richard Curtis's ensemble cast movie features 10 different love stories that are all interconnected by the relationships between various characters. The cast is stacked, starring Liam Neeson, Colin Firth [16], Alan Rickman [17], Keira Knightley [18], Emma Thompson [19], Hugh Grant [20], and more. Billy Bob Thornton [21] even makes a brief appearance in the film, portraying the skeezy president of the United States against Grant's charming prime minister character.
Watch it now [22].