MetFilm School’s top Christmas films to watch this festive season

The holidays are officially here. Laptops closed, email notifications off, and permission granted to disappear under a mountain of blankets with a festive film (or five).

While there’s always something new to stream, Christmas is also the perfect excuse to revisit old favourites — the ones that feel like part of the season itself. From cosy classics to festive curveballs, our staff and partners across MetFilm School have shared the films they’ll be pressing play on this Christmas.

Whether your idea of festive viewing is heartwarming, hilarious, slightly unhinged, or all three, Christmas is the perfect reminder of why stories matter – and why making them is worth chasing.

So, if you’re after comfort viewing, something a bit darker, or proof that Die Hard really is a Christmas film, here’s our festive watchlist.

A festive classic (with a twist)

Night of the Hunter (1955)

Charles Laughton’s haunting masterpiece sees Robert Mitchum as a chilling villain pursuing two children down the Mississippi. Dark and tense, but it ends with an unexpectedly uplifting Christmas finale.

Paul Gormley, Campus Director North, MetFilm School Leeds

Christmas comedy favourites

Elf (2003)

A festive essential – it had to make the list!

Spirited (2022)

A more recent Will Ferrell Christmas outing, and well worth adding to the annual rewatch list.

Lucy Francis, Head of School, MetFilm School Leeds

A cosy festive romance

Let It Snow (2019)

An American Christmas romantic comedy and Netflix favourite, based on the young adult novel. Not to be confused with the Ukrainian horror film of the same name. A firm favourite with Jonny’s kids, and a genuinely fun festive yarn.

Jonny Persey, Director, MetFilm School

Family-friendly festive chaos

Nativity! (2009)

A Christmas staple, especially if you’ve got children. Martin Freeman shines as a primary school teacher tasked with producing the year’s nativity play. Hilarity ensues when he claims a Hollywood producer will be turning it into a film.

Kate Mapes, Head of School, MetFilm School Brighton

Campus favourites and Christmas horror

MA Screen & Film Production Course Leader James Pickering produced a Christmas horror film, He Kills at Night (2025), which several MetFilm School students worked on.

Students and staff also voted for a Secret Cinema screening on campus of the festive classics The Muppets Christmas Carol (1992) and The Holdovers (2023).

Milda Steel, Head of School, MetFilm School Manchester

Heartwarming holiday essentials

It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)

A must-watch. James Stewart at his very best.

Harvey (1950)

Not explicitly a Christmas film, but a holiday classic with heartwarming themes – and another brilliant James Stewart performance, this time alongside an invisible giant rabbit.

Sam Hope, Dean, MetFilm School Birmingham

Festive picks from MetFilm Studio, our partner company.

We asked Mitch Clare, International Sales Manager, for his top list of Christmas films and here’s an edited selection of his choices:

The Snowman (1982)

A beautifully melancholy animated short, and a reminder of the fleeting nature of happiness.

Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

The original Santa courtroom drama about the power of believing.

Klaus (2019)

A fresh take on the Santa origin story. Funny, heartwarming and beautifully hand-drawn.

Die Hard (1988)

It would be perverse to leave off the action classic, which is, of course, a Christmas film.

The Polar Express (2004)

Robert Zemeckis’ motion-capture animation, with Tom Hanks, captures the spirit of Christmas wrapped up in a single film.

Your story starts now

Studying at MetFilm School is about being bold, creative, and ready to make your mark. Submitting your UCAS application is the first step in that journey.

So once the mince pies are gone and the credits have rolled, why not turn festive inspiration into your next big move?

Whether you dream of directing, producing, writing, acting, or working behind the scenes in craft and technical roles, MetFilm School is where creative careers begin.

Submit your application by 14 January 2026, and start the new year by bringing your ideas to life on screen.

Have questions? Get in touch

If you’re unsure about the application process, deadlines, or which course is right for you, our admissions team is here to help.

Email: admissions@metfilmschool.ac.uk
Phone: +44 (0)20 7505 7200