The United States has a well-oiled Christmas machine.
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From music to parades to larger-than-life trees to retail madness, the entire country pivots to focus on Christmas and holiday-themed joy as soon as Thanksgiving passes. For one short month, the country comes alive with festive cheer, cinnamon-scented candles and treats, and cozy fare galore.
One key component of the Christmas season is lining up those beloved holiday films. Most Americans choose an intergenerational list that includes popular Christmas movies from the 1960s all the way up to 2025. Some might even bust out 1940s hits like Miracle on 34th Street and Meet Me in St. Louis, or non-Christmas-related-but-somehow-relevant hits like Die Hard.
But the United States doesn’t have the end-all of Christmas projects. And you might be surprised how quickly you fall in love with the best Christmas movies from around the world.
Want something fresh to add to your holiday watch list? Start with these international Christmas movies.
Best Christmas movies from around the world
Fanny and Alexander (1982, Sweden)
This family Christmas drama revolves around two siblings who must adjust to changes after their father unexpectedly dies around the Christmas holiday. Set in the early 1900s, it also showcases what life was like for upper-class Swedes at the turn of the century. It’s long, slightly magical, and very introspective. You can enjoy the visuals, if you want, or delve deeper into the psychological elements of this long, three-hour film.
Tokyo Godfathers (2003, Japan)
This anime is billed as a ‘tragicomedy’, meaning you’ll laugh and cry in equal measure. The story follows three homeless people in Tokyo who find an abandoned child on Christmas Eve, then decide to find the child’s parents. As they do so, they run into some of the city’s strangest characters.
Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale (2010, Finland)
Blending elements of horror, folk tradition, and comedy, Rare Exports is a surprisingly cohesive project. You’ll chuckle, you’ll jump in your seat, and you’ll learn a thing or two about Christmas and Santa Claus traditions around the Arctic Circle. Namely, how to trap and train a wild Santa.
Christmas Holidays in Cortina (2011, Italy)
This classic Christmas comedy (titled Vacanze di Natale a Cortina) follows a group of young adults who head to the town of Cortina d’Ampezzo for the Christmas season. Each person has their own slightly insane Christmas mess to clean up, from fixing Italy’s energy crisis to cheating spouses. Think: beautiful Italian drama set in a beautiful Italian town.
Fun fact: Italy’s Christmas movie traditions are called cinepanettone after their famous Christmas cakes, called panettone.
The Claus Family (2020, Belgium)
Don’t want to get spooked or shed a tear? Not all of the best Christmas movies from around the world come with unique twists. De Familie Claus is a Flemish film that touches on the childlike wonders of the Christmas season. It follows the story of one boy, Jules, who discovers that his grandfather is Santa Claus—and that he needs some help delivering all those presents this year.
Just Another Christmas (2020, Brazil)
What happens when a doting father gets stuck in a time loop and continues to wake up on Christmas Eve with no memory of the previous year? You’ll have to watch to find out. This Brazilian project (titled Tudo Bem no Natal que Vem in Portuguese) is all about finding the true meaning of Christmas amid life’s constant hustle. If you like more traditional fare, add this (and The Claus Family) to your list.
A Christmas Tale (2008, France)
Un Conte de Noel is a French comedy-drama that revolves around a family’s strained relationships during the holiday season. With the matriarch of the family facing a devastating diagnosis, interpersonal drama ensues. The storyline, coupled with the dynamic cast, gives me Family Stone vibes, but you’ll have to watch for yourself to see if the comparison stands.
Best Christmas series from around the world
Home for Christmas (Norway, Hjem til Jul)
I’ve been watching Home for Christmas every year since it first came out on Netflix in 2019. Currently, there are three seasons that follow the main character, Johanne, as she attempts to cobble together a memorable Christmas with family and friends. The series focuses on Johanne’s romantic escapades, and includes plenty of cozy, snowy scenes that will make you want to cuddle up.
Three Days of Christmas (Spain, Dias De Navidad)
This family drama short series follows four sisters as they navigate the challenges and triumphs of Christmas Day. The vignettes focus on four different eras in the women’s lives, chronicling some of the most intense, memorable, and beautiful Christmas moments. The series has three episodes that focus on their childhood, adulthood, and their elder years.
Over Christmas (Germany, ÜberWeihnachten)
A down-on-his-luck musician returns home for Christmas only to find that things aren’t how he remembers them. Family drama, romantic drama, and classic Christmas drama ensue. What I love about this series is that it revolves around some of Germany’s coolest Christmas traditions, from its famous markets to its seasonal dishes.
