12 Christmas Movies—that go beyond ELF

Here are some classic (and a few lesser known) Christmas movies, each echoing the faith and virtue of My Advent Angel. Perfect for getting into the spirit of the season this Advent!

Pictured: Carey Grant (who plays an angel) and Loretta Young in The Bishop's Wife

The Bells of St. Mary’s (1945)

• Starring Bing Crosby, this movie focuses on the efforts to save a Catholic school, highlighting community, charity, and kindness.

It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)

• This classic speaks to themes of sacrifice, redemption, and seeing the value of one’s life through God’s eyes.

The Bishop’s Wife (1947)

• An angel helps a bishop find his faith again, resurrect his marriage, and rediscover the true meaning of Christmas.

Come to the Stable (1949)

• Two nuns are on a mission to build a children’s hospital. This heartwarming story highlights faith, perseverance, and conversion. Beautiful music too!

The Trouble with Angels (1966)

• Two mischievous girls in a Catholic boarding school learn valuable lessons under the guidance of a caring Mother Superior. A great vocational twist happens at the end!

The Little Drummer Boy (1968)

• This animated classic tells the story of a boy who offers his music as a gift to the newborn Christ, and is perfect for smaller children.

Jesus of Nazareth (1977)

• Hailed by Ven. Fulton J. Sheen as the greatest evangelization tool of its time, this classic story reflecting the life of Christ begins with the Annunciation, making it a good reflection for Advent. This miniseries can be broken up for multiple viewings and covers the life of Christ in a deeply reverent and cinematic way. 

The Blue Carbuncle (1984)

• A Christmas episode from the Sherlock Holmes series starring Jeremy Brett. Holmes takes on a case involving a valuable gemstone hidden in a Christmas goose. The story explores themes of mercy, justice, and compassion, fitting well with the Christmas spirit.

A Christmas Carol (1984)

• Dickens’s timeless story of redemption reminds us of the transformative power of Christmas. This version stars George C. Scott and is by far the best adaptation.

The Fourth Wise Man (1985)

• A retelling of Henry Van Dyke’s story about a fourth Magi who misses the journey to Bethlehem but spends his life helping others in Christ’s name.

The Tailor of Gloucester (1993)

• Part of the World of Peter Rabbit and Friends animated series, this charming Christmas story follows a poor tailor who receives unexpected help from a group of mice to complete a coat for a Christmas wedding. Perfect for smaller children!

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (2005) 

• The ever-classic C.S. Lewis fantasy with Christian allegory including Christmas as a theme.

The Nativity Story (2006)

• A beautiful portrayal of the journey of Mary and Joseph leading up to the birth of Jesus. It captures the hardships they face with faith.

Written by: Catherine Fowler Sample

Hi, I'm Catherine—mom of three, wife to one very amazing husband, and the heart (and night owl) behind My Advent Angel.

Years ago I worked with the producer of Braveheart and The Passion of the Christ to write and produce the film The Dating Project. I’m also the author of Gather Together: Recipes and Reflections to Build Friendships Around the Table (Ave Maria Press). Both of those projects grew out of the same desire that still motivates me now: to build up relationship culture around Jesus—whether that be in dating, at a dinner party, or in the domestic church. If My Advent Angel helps even one child fall more in love with Jesus, my heart is full.

Come say hello on Instagram @myadventangel—I answer every message myself (usually between homeschooling and drinking too much coffee).