The festive season is usually a time for family and friends, but sometimes you want to avoid the endless hosting and pleasantries and stay in to watch Christmas movies.

You can watch the classics, such as the Home Alone franchise or Polar Express, or you can give these films a try:

Hot Frosty

Hot Frosty is a 2022 Netflix original Christmas comedy starring Lacey Chabert, Dustin Milligan and directed by Jerry Ciccoritti.

While not everyone’s cup of tea, it’s a fun, light-hearted film about accepting people as they are and allowing others to support you.

A Castle for Christmas

This 2021 Netflix original starring Brooke Shields, Cary Elwes and a cast of friendly villagers takes place in Scotland, where an author falls in love with a castle, and then its grumpy owner, a duke.

Catering Christmas

A sweet 2022 film about a struggling caterer agreeing to cater for a Christmas Gala and finding a connection with the host, as well as her handsome nephew.

It explores the balance between tradition and modernity, and how you can have the best of both worlds. It stars Merrit Patterson, Daniel Lissing and Michael Hanrahan.

The Christmas Chronicles

A 2018 Netflix original where a brother and sister accidentally crash Santa’s sleigh and have to pull an all-nighter to save Christmas, directed by Clay Kaytis and starring Kurt Russel, Darby Camp and Judah Lewis.

Christmas Clothes

More local is a 2024 Showmax original about a teenaged boy facing his fears to find his stolen Christmas clothes starring Omhle Tshabalala, Slindokuhle Tshabalala and Thuli Zulu.

The Heist Before Christmas

Two Santas, one possibly real lost in the woods, and one definitely not robbing a bank.

This 2023 film streams on multiple platforms, including Prime Video, Showmax, Hulu and Max.

Liewe Kersfeesvader

A 2017 Afrikaans drama about a teen beauty queen facing family troubles and new love, streaming on Showmax and starring Morné Visser, Adrienne piers and Mila Guy.

A Familiar Christmas

Another Showmax original from 2022 in which the Moran family spends Christmas together for the first time in years. Directed by Reuben Odanga, this drama promises chaos,c onfusion and meddling mothers.

A Boy Called Christmas

A 2021 film from Netflix about the fictional origins of Father Christmas, with animal companions, mythology and beautiful visuals to boot.

This film is directed by Gil Kenan and stars Henry Lawfull as the boy called Christmas.

The Noel Diary

A 2022 film based on Richard Paul Evans’ best-selling novel about a heartfelt Christmas romance starring Justin Hartley and Barrett Doss, directed by Charles Shyer.

In the film, an author meets a woman who changes everything while he faces his past and future at the same time.