National Christmas Movie Marathon Day

Categories:: Fun
Tags:: Family Festivities Movie
Where:: United States
Date change rule:: Every December 23
Holiday emoji:: 🍿

National Christmas Movie Marathon Day arrives every December 23, inviting everyone to immerse themselves in festive cinematic magic. Gather your favorite snacks, hot cocoa, and loved ones for a cozy day of holiday films. Whether you prefer timeless classics or modern rom-coms, choose your lineup and hit play.

Deals
Platforms
Social
Brands
Hero
History
Timeline
Businesses
FAQs
Importance
Celebrate
Related
Insights

Expected National Christmas Movie Marathon Day Deals

As National Christmas Movie Marathon Day approaches, expect streaming services and retailers to offer festive promotions. In previous years, platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+ have highlighted their holiday movie collections with special bundles or themed viewing guides. Retailers such as Target and Walmart often feature discounts on Christmas DVDs, Blu-rays, and digital movie rentals. Look for deals on cozy blankets from brands like Brooklinen, gourmet popcorn from Popcornopolis, and festive loungewear from Old Navy. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as December 23 approaches.

Platform Guide for National Christmas Movie Marathon Day

TikTok

Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #ChristmasMovieMarathon. Share your top five Christmas movies or a ‘get ready with me’ for your marathon.

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #ChristmasMovieMarathon. Post aesthetic photos of your cozy movie setup, complete with blankets, snacks, and holiday lights.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #ChristmasMovieMarathon. Start a poll asking friends for their favorite Christmas movie genre or share your marathon schedule.

National Christmas Movie Marathon Day Hero

Frank Capra

Frank Capra (1897-1991) was an Italian-American film director, producer, and writer who became one of the most influential figures in Hollywood's Golden Age. He directed the beloved Christmas classic 'It's a Wonderful Life' (1946), a film that, despite initial box office struggles, has become a perennial holiday favorite, celebrated for its themes of hope and community.

History of National Christmas Movie Marathon Day

Just like we all start listening to Mariah Carey’s ‘All I want for Christmas is you’ in December every year, we all have our favorite Christmas movies that we return to over and over again. It’s such a great way to get festive! Whether it is the mischievous Grinch or the heartwarming stories in ‘Love Actually,’ Christmas movies come packed with warm nostalgia.

Christmas movies have been around for a long time and range over a number of categories from romance to comedy to horror. The world’s first Christmas movie was a silent short made in 1898, titled ‘Santa Claus.’ Directed by George Albert Smith and at just over a minute long, this was the first time that Santa Claus graced the screens. The film was about two children who are eagerly waiting for Santa Claus to make his appearance but are ordered to sleep. During the night, Santa slides down the chimney and leaves presents for the children. With jump cut scenes, double exposure, and superimposition, the short movie was ahead of its time.

A lot of the early Christmas films were short movies. Following a couple of adaptations of Charles Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol,’ and a few war centred Christmas flicks, ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ was a breakthrough Christmas movie in 1946.

Since then, Christmas has been the backdrop for many movies; kids movies like ‘Gremlins,’ the 1990’s blockbuster ‘Home Alone,’ and ‘Elf.’ The choice of what to watch has expanded and you won’t be short of options on National Christmas Movie Marathon Day. Whether your go-to is Elf, Home Alone, A Muppets Christmas Carol, or all three, this is a holiday that is all about putting your feet up and enjoying your favorite Christmas movies back to back.

National Christmas Movie Marathon Day timeline

1898

The first Christmas movie

‘Santa Claus’ was released.

1972

Spooky Christmas

Silent Night, Bloody night broadened the potential of Christmas horror filmmaking.

1989

Behold, ugly Christmas sweaters!

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation popularized the use of the term ‘ugly Christmas sweater.’

2013

Frozen Fever

Disney released its 3D animation ‘Frozen’ which broke all records and created a sensation for years to come.

2020

Something for everyone!

Hallmark Channel airs its first LGBTQ centered Christmas movie.

How Businesses Can Celebrate National Christmas Movie Marathon Day

Local businesses can embrace National Christmas Movie Marathon Day by creating themed experiences. Independent cinemas could host a ‘retro Christmas movie’ day, showing classics and offering special holiday concessions. Cafes and bakeries might offer ‘movie marathon survival kits’ with festive treats and hot drinks. Retailers selling cozy apparel or home goods could promote their products as essential for the perfect holiday viewing experience, perhaps even setting up a small, decorated ‘movie nook’ display in their stores.

The Most Popular Christmas Movie By State

National Christmas Movie Marathon Day FAQs

When is National Christmas Movie Marathon Day?

National Christmas Movie Marathon Day 2026 falls on Wednesday, December 23. It’s the perfect mid-week break to dive into holiday cheer before the main event.

What are some of the most popular Christmas movies?

Classics like ‘It’s a Wonderful Life,’ ‘A Christmas Story,’ and ‘Elf’ consistently top popularity lists. Many families also enjoy newer additions like ‘The Christmas Chronicles’ or ‘Klaus.’

How many Christmas movies are there?

While an exact count is impossible, hundreds of Christmas-themed movies have been produced across various genres and decades. Streaming services alone offer vast libraries, with new titles added annually.

What makes a movie a 'Christmas movie'?

Generally, a ‘Christmas movie’ is set during the Christmas season and incorporates themes of family, giving, hope, or redemption, often featuring holiday traditions like Santa Claus or festive decorations.

How To Celebrate National Christmas Movie Marathon Day

Binge on your favorite flicks!
Make a list of your favorite Christmas movies and watch them back to back. The holiday season can be hectic with shopping and social events, and so it’s great to have a day of chilled-out movie watching set aside for you and your family.
Host a watch-party
Virtual or in your living room, you can make this a part of your annual holiday traditions and host a Christmas movie watch party. Have it with your friends and family, or you can host a virtual party via in-browser extensions like ‘Teleparty.’
Try a new film
It’s great to revisit your old favorites, but try and throw something new into the mix. You never know, in five years time that may count as an old favorite too.

10 Christmas Movies We Recommend

It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
George Bailey is down on his luck and an angel from heaven is sent to show him what life would have been like if he was never born. A wholesome, feel-good movie.
Home Alone (1990)
During Christmas vacation, eight-year-old Kevin is accidentally left behind by his family and ends up protecting his house against a couple of burglars. This movie is voted as the most popular Christmas film on many forums and polls.
Elf (2003)
After the revelation that he is a human and not an elf, Buddy travels from the North Pole to New York City to find his real father.
The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
The beloved Muppet characters re-enact their version of Charles Dickens’s classic novel ‘A Christmas Carol.’
Gremlins (1984)
A boy unintentionally breaks three rules about keeping his new pet, resulting in the unleashing of a horde of mischievous little monsters all over town.
Love Actually (2003)
The love lives of eight different couples are followed in interrelated stories all set against the beautiful backdrop of the Christmas season in London. With its star-studded cast, this movie is one of the best romantic comedies set around the holiday season.
Better Watch Out (2016)
If you are looking for something to send chills down your spine, this one’s for you. A babysitter must safeguard a twelve-year-old from intruders, only to find out that it is more than just an ordinary home invasion.
A Christmas Carol (1999)
If the Muppets are not for you, go for one of our favorite live version adaptations of ‘A Christmas Carol,’ with a spectacular performance from Patrick Stewart as Mr. Scrooge.
Die Hard (1988)
It has long been debated whether Die Hard qualifies as a Christmas movie, but hey, we want to give as many diverse movie choices as we can. When a Christmas party turns into a hostage situation by German terrorists, an NYPD officer must save the day.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
We love the weird and wonderful world of Dr. Seuss. This movie, based on the book of the same name, is about a quirky green character, The Grinch, who hates Christmas and is set on ruining it for the citizens of Whoville, for whom Christmas is the highlight of the year.

Why We Love National Christmas Movie Marathon Day

Bah, Humbug!
There really is no greater time of the year than Christmas. However, it can understandably be stressful for many. Feel-good movies are a great way to relax and unwind and beat that ‘Scrooge’ feeling.
Ongoing Traditions.
Times have changed, and we are grateful for classic Christmas traditions that are timeless. Bingeing on Christmas movies is a great way to connect with the young ones and introducing them to your favorite feature films.
The spirit of Christmas across borders.
Christmas may not be celebrated by everyone, but Christmas movies sure are loved by all! Whether it is Asia or Australia, Christmas movies are watched and enjoyed by people all over the world.