The 10 Best 70s Christmas Movies & Why You Should Watch Them

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Christmas is a wonderful time for families to come together and enjoy the warmth and comfort of home. It’s when we especially cherish our traditions, and what better way to evoke that cozy, traditional feeling than with the look and feel of films from the 1970s?

Looking to get into the Christmas spirit? I’ve put together a list of ten great Christmas movies from the 1970s to enjoy this holiday season. It’s a mix of different genres – from scary to funny, cartoons to serious dramas – so there’s something for everyone. The movies are ordered based on their ratings from IMDb, so you know you’re getting a good pick!

10. Home For The Holidays (1972)

IMDb rating: 6.3/10

Benjamin Morgan, a wealthy man, hasn’t spoken to his four daughters in nine years. They believe he’s responsible for their mother’s death. Now, as his health declines, he asks them to help him – he suspects his new wife is slowly poisoning him for his fortune and wants them to assist in stopping her.

If you’re looking for a scare, this is the only true horror movie on the list, and I personally found it really entertaining. While the special effects haven’t aged perfectly, the story itself is quite interesting.

The new wife has a suspicious past – she was previously accused of poisoning her first husband, but was found not guilty. Now, it appears she’s not just targeting Ben, but his four sisters as well. It’s a really engaging movie that most people will enjoy, even if they don’t usually like horror. And, the entire story unfolds on Christmas Eve.

9. Rudolph’s Shiny New Year (1976)

IMDb rating: 6.6/10

The story follows Rudolph as he sets off on a quest to find Happy, the new baby new year, who has gone missing. After Father Time alerts Santa Claus, Rudolph travels to the islands of the Archipelago of Last Year, where he discovers he’s not the only one looking for Happy.

Rudolph must compete with Eon, who is determined to keep a special baby to himself. Luckily, with help from his friends, Rudolph successfully finds the baby and makes sure everyone can enjoy a Happy New Year.

While not strictly a Christmas movie, this film feels festive with its familiar elements like Rudolph, Santa, and the North Pole. It’s actually a New Year’s story, and the clever use of the character ‘Happy’ – a baby needed to bring in the new year – is charming. Plus, fans of classic stop-motion animation, especially those who enjoy other Rudolph specials from the same time, will love the visuals.

8. An American Christmas Carol (1979)

IMDb: 6.8/10

The story centers around Benedict Slade, a ruthless businessman in New England during the Great Depression. He makes a habit of taking everything from people unable to repay their debts, and he despises Christmas and generosity of any kind. However, his views begin to shift when he’s haunted by the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future – ghosts who happen to be the very people he’s taken advantage of.

A new adaptation of Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol comes out every few years, and this version, from the 1970s, is a standout. It stars Henry Winkler as a character very similar to Ebenezer Scrooge – his name is Benedict Slade.

The story has some pleasant surprises, but ultimately delivers a familiar message: a grumpy, selfish man transforms into a kind, generous person who fully embraces the spirit of Christmas.

7. A Flintstone Christmas (1977)

IMDb rating: 6.9/10

The story centers around Santa Claus unexpectedly landing in the Flintstones’ house after twisting his ankle on their roof on Christmas Eve. Fred has just agreed to play Santa at a local event, but now he’s faced with the real challenge of being Santa due to the accident, and with a little help from his friend Barney, he must save Christmas!

This movie is perfect for a family movie night, enjoyable for all ages! As a big fan of The Flintstones, I can say this Christmas story is both hilarious and heartwarming – it’s sure to make you laugh and feel good.

As a movie fan, I really appreciate that this one is short – just about an hour long. That’s perfect because it means the kids won’t get restless halfway through! Plus, it’s hilarious to think the Flintstones were celebrating Christmas way back in the Stone Age – they were ahead of the curve, that’s for sure!

6. Scrooge (1970)

IMDb rating: 7.5/10

This is a fresh take on the beloved Charles Dickens tale, taking place in the 1860s. The story follows Scrooge as he’s visited by the ghosts of his past, present, and future. These spirits reveal the mistakes he’s made and inspire him to become a kinder, happier, and more joyful man.

You won’t want to miss this! With such a high ranking, this list is shaping up to be fantastic. “Scrooge” is another take on the beloved Charles Dickens story, “A Christmas Carol” – as you might expect, there’s a new adaptation every few years – but this version is a musical!

This version of the story features four ghosts, not just three, starting with the ghost of Jacob Marley, Scrooge’s old business partner. I especially enjoyed the way Scrooge was depicted and a few surprising changes that made this adaptation stand out.

5. A Christmas Carol (1971)

IMDb rating: 7.6/10

The story centers around Ebenezer Scrooge, a grumpy, old man who despises Christmas and everyone around him. He’s given a second chance to change his ways when three ghosts show him the consequences of his behavior. Over the course of one night, Scrooge transforms from a miserable man into someone completely new.

If you’re looking for a quick but heartwarming watch, this is it – it’s only 28 minutes long! It’s my absolute favorite version of A Christmas Carol, and I watch it almost every Christmas. The animation is beautiful, the story is classic and moving, and the voice acting, including the narration, is fantastic.

4. Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town (1970)

IMDb rating: 7.7/10

This story follows the Mailman as he sets out to explain the history of Santa Claus and the very first Christmas. He begins by sharing the tale of Kris, an infant who was found on the doorstep of the Kringle family – skilled toymakers who would raise him.

Kris Kringle always dreamed of bringing joy to the children of Slumbertown by delivering presents. However, a grumpy mayor and a wicked wizard named Winter tried to stop him. Will Kris be able to overcome these obstacles and make the children’s Christmas wishes come true?

This animated movie was a childhood favorite of mine. While the animation style might seem a little strange now, the voice acting by Fred Astaire is truly exceptional. The story shares some similarities with Netflix’s ‘Klaus,’ which I consider to be one of the best Christmas movies ever made, particularly for its animation.

3. The Gathering (1977)

IMDb rating: 7.8/10

Adam Thornton is a wealthy but unhappy man who estranged himself from his family years ago. When he receives a terminal diagnosis, he decides to try and reconnect with his ex-wife and children, hoping to spend one final Christmas together and make amends.

However, he’s hesitant to share his health issues with his children, preferring they visit out of affection, not sympathy. While he’s anxious about how they’ll react, the family does eventually come together, resulting in a heartwarming reunion.

This film starts out incredibly sad, possibly more so than any other on this list. But it’s ultimately a heartwarming story about love, second chances, forgiveness, and what really makes a family. Plus, there’s a continuation of the story, hinting that things might improve and not stay gloomy forever.

2. The House Without A Christmas Tree (1972)

IMDb rating: 8.0/10

This story centers around Addie, a young girl growing up in Nebraska with her dad and grandmother in 1946. Since her mother’s death, her father has become withdrawn and unhappy. Addie really wants a Christmas tree, but her father won’t let her have one because of painful memories.

If you’re looking for a feel-good Christmas movie, I highly recommend ‘The House Without a Christmas Tree,’ even though it’s not super famous. It’s one of the most genuinely touching Christmas movies I’ve seen, and it actually brought a tear to my eye – and that doesn’t happen often, unless an animal is involved!

This movie is adapted from a book by Gail Rock and has received one Primetime Emmy Award. While it’s a TV movie from the 1970s, the actors are surprisingly good, and although the story is a familiar one, it’s presented in a unique way. If you can find a copy, I definitely recommend watching it – I’ve actually still got mine on VHS!

1. The Homecoming: A Christmas Story (1971)

IMDb rating: 8.3/10

The story centers around John Walton, the patriarch of the Walton family, who is traveling for work. He’s expected home for Christmas, but it looks like he’s going to be significantly delayed.

It’s Christmas Eve, 1933, and the family is gathered, talking about the holiday. However, their father hasn’t come home yet, so his oldest son, John Boy, sets out to find him. Will he make it back in time for Christmas with his family?

If you’re looking for a truly touching Christmas film, don’t miss ‘The Homecoming: A Christmas Story’ from 1971. It’s a beautiful and heartwarming movie with a powerful message about family that’s guaranteed to move you to tears and remind you to cherish your loved ones.

This film received three Primetime Emmy nominations for good reason! While it has a PG rating due to some mild language, it’s perfectly suitable for modern audiences and makes a great choice for a family movie night. Your kids will definitely learn something valuable from it.

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2025-12-21 09:47