Ranking the Movies Releasing on Christmas Day 2024

There is quite a few movies set to hit theaters on Christmas Day. If you can only see one on the holiday, we share which movie it should be.

Lily-Rose Depp stars as Ellen Hutter in director Robert Eggers’ NOSFERATU, a Focus Features release. Credit: Aidan Monaghan / © 2024 FOCUS FEATURES LLC
Lily-Rose Depp stars as Ellen Hutter in director Robert Eggers’ NOSFERATU, a Focus Features release. Credit: Aidan Monaghan / © 2024 FOCUS FEATURES LLC

One of the busiest days at the theaters is Christmas Day. Studios always put out counter-programming in an attempt to get audiences to see their movies. A yearly tradition of mine has always been to check out a movie on Christmas, and this year will be no different. That said, there is a vast amount of film to check out on the big screen, and I share my ranking of the movies in which you should see them.

This list doesn't even factor in the three movies set to release on December 20 in Homestead: Mufasa: The Lion King and Sonic the Hedgehog 3. All three bring something different to the table when it comes to the audiences they are seeking. So, in reality, there are seven total films that you could see on Christmas Day, but I am ranking the movies set to release on the holiday itself.

4. Babygirl

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Nicole Kidman and Harris Dickinson in Babygirl

I rank this low for two different reasons. First, I don't believe you want to head out on Christmas Day with your family to see a movie that features plenty of sex. I once took my mom to see Bruno and have regretted it. I liked Babygirl and thought there were solid performances by Harris Dickinson and Nicole Kidman, but the whole script felt a little undercooked.

3. The Fire Inside

This is the perfect Christmas Day movie. It follows the true story of Claressa Shields, a boxer from Flint, Michigan, who was the first American woman to win an Olympic gold medal in boxing. Oscar-winner Barry Jenkins wrote the powerful script, which features two outstanding performances in Ryan Destiny and Brian Tyree Henry. Of the four movies, this is easily the one that would be a crowd-pleaser while also teaching a lot.

2. A Complete Unknown

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Timothée Chalamet as Bob Dylan and Elle Fanning as Sylvie Russo in A Complete Unknown

I didn't think I would be writing so much about this movie, but it is one of the biggest surprises of 2024. I am not a Bob Dylan fan. I appreciate his music, but he isn't exactly filled up in my Spotify playlist. That said, James Mangold made me a fan of the legend, and Timothee Chalamet's performance is mesmerizing. Whether you are a Dylan or Chalamet fan, you must check this out on the big screen.

1. Nosferatu

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Willem Dafoe stars as Professor Albin Eberhart von Franz in director Robert Eggers’ NOSFERATU, a Focus Features release. Credit: Aidan Monaghan / © 2023 FOCUS FEATURES LLC

My goodness, by far, the best movie you can watch this Christmas is Robert Eggers's Nosferatu. The world-building, the script, and the sheer fact that this is a technical masterpiece are why you should see it. Toss in that Lily-Rose Depp gives the performance of the year, and you are in for a real treat. I loved this movie and want it to succeed because Eggers' passion project deserves it. That said, be prepared to be haunted by Bill Skarsgard's Count Orlok in your dreams for days to come.