30 Best Black Christmas Movies To Watch This Holiday Season

There’s a unique charm to watching Christmas movies during the holidays. Black Christmas movies, in particular, offer something extra special with their blend of humor and heartwarming focus on family. Whenever you have the chance, they’re definitely worth watching.

Finding the perfect Christmas movie just got easier! We’ve put together a list of 30 great options you can enjoy with your family and friends this holiday season. Let’s dive in and get you started.

1. The Holiday Calendar (2018)

The Holiday Calendar, a 2018 Netflix film, tells the story of a photographer down on her luck. Her life changes when she receives an antique advent calendar that mysteriously predicts the future. With the calendar’s help, she begins to succeed as a photographer and unexpectedly finds love along the way.

I really enjoyed Black Christmas because it felt different from most holiday movies. It wasn’t just about romance or family; it really focused on the characters achieving their own goals and learning some important life lessons along the way. And, of course, it still had that special Christmas magic we all love!

2. Almost Christmas (2016)

Almost Christmas is a heartwarming film centered around a father trying to hold his family together after the loss of his wife. It beautifully illustrates the importance of family bonds and the sacrifices parents make for their loved ones.

Almost Christmas boasts a fantastic cast, including Danny Glover, Gabrielle Union, Kimberly Elise, Mo’Nique, Nicole Ari Parker, Keri Hilson, Jessie Usher, Omar Epps, and Romany Malco. It’s a heartwarming Black Christmas movie with a wonderful story and relatable family dynamics that audiences are sure to enjoy.

3. Miss Me This Christmas (2017)

Regina was going through a divorce, and it was especially difficult because the final paperwork was scheduled to be signed on Christmas Day. She knew the holidays would be a challenging time.

She decides to spend her time at the Chesterton Hotel, a place filled with memories as it’s where she and her former spouse were married. While there, she unexpectedly finds herself falling in love again. This new romance complicates things because she’s still adjusting to her divorce and isn’t quite ready for a relationship. What sets this movie apart is its focus on love, rather than family, though it still delivers a heartwarming Christmas atmosphere that complements the romantic storyline.

4. Black Nativity (2013)

What makes Black Nativity special is that it’s a musical drama filled with impressive acting. Plus, the popular rapper Nas has a significant role, and his presence alone is a great reason to see the film, even if he doesn’t take center stage.

Black Nativity tells the story of Langston, a teenager raised by a single mother, who travels to New York for Christmas to reconnect with relatives and meet Reverend Cornell Cobbs. However, Langston finds the Reverend’s rules too restrictive and decides to return home. His journey becomes one of self-discovery, healing, and renewed faith.

5. The Best Man Holiday (2013)

Although “The Best Man Holiday” seems lighthearted at first, it’s surprisingly emotional. Be prepared for a lot of touching and dramatic moments throughout the film.

The Best Man Holiday centers around Lance Sullivan, a professional football player preparing for retirement while coping with his wife’s illness. He reconnects with his college buddies during the holidays, bringing old rivalries and romances back to life.

6. The Preacher’s Wife (1996)

Many people believe Denzel Washington seems like an angel, and he actually plays one in the movie The Preacher’s Wife. It’s a heartwarming family comedy about an angel – played by Washington – who helps a pastor facing challenges in a New York City community. Plus, you’ll love Whitney Houston’s performance; she even won an award for it!

The Preacher’s Wife is based on the 1947 film, The Bishop’s Wife, but it’s not a direct copy. This version is set in New York City and leans more towards comedy than the original.

7. Friday After Next (2002)

Friday After Next is a comedy about Craig, played by Ice Cube, and his friend Day-Day returning to their old neighborhood. Things take a turn when a robber dressed as Santa Claus breaks into their apartment and steals their gifts and belongings.

Craig and Day-Day took jobs as mall security guards, hoping to avoid eviction. The movie is a hilarious comedy, and as a Christmas film, it also features the antics of annoying relatives, adding to the humor.

8. A Diva’s Christmas Carol (2000)

A Diva’s Christmas Carol reimagines the classic story of Scrooge with a modern twist. It follows Ebony Scrooge, a self-centered singer who has lost the joy of the holidays. She’s visited by the Ghost of Christmas Past, who hopes to remind her of the true meaning of Christmas.

I absolutely love ‘A Diva’s Christmas Carol’! It takes the classic ‘Christmas Carol’ story we all know and gives it a really fresh, modern update. It feels so relatable because it’s been reimagined for today’s world, while still keeping the heart of the original.

9. A Madea Christmas (2013)

A Madera Christmas features the beloved character Madea, created by Tyler Perry. Madea has been in so many films and TV shows over the years that it’s hard to keep track of all her appearances!

What I really loved about this movie is that it’s a heartwarming Christmas story, which is a bit different from the usual hilarious chaos we expect from Madea. It centers around Madea heading to her niece Eileen’s town to surprise her and meet Eileen’s daughter. The film beautifully explores the theme of family acceptance, because Eileen’s daughter secretly married a white classmate, and she’s worried about what Madea will think. It’s just a really sweet story about family and understanding during the holidays.

10. This Christmas (2007)

This Christmas tells the story of Ma’Dere Whitfield, a mother who wants to bring her large family – she has six children – together for the holidays. It’s been four years since they’ve all been together, and she’s hoping this Christmas will be special.

With the Whitfield family reuniting after a long time apart, old secrets began to surface, threatening to spoil their Christmas celebration. Ultimately, the movie is about the importance of family, reconnecting with loved ones, and accepting each other for who they are.

11. The Perfect Holiday (2007)

In ‘The Perfect Holiday,’ Nancy, a divorced mom of three, feels especially lonely during the holiday season. Her youngest daughter, Emily, notices her mom’s sadness and comes up with a plan: she asks a kind, but down-on-his-luck, department store Santa to try and bring some joy back into her mother’s life.

Benjamin, the actor who plays Santa in the movie, is a songwriter trying to make it big. He uses his musical gift to connect with Nancy, knowing just what to say to make her smile, and that’s how their love story begins.

12. Last Holiday (2006)

Last Holiday features Queen Latifah, a well-known and respected actress, as Georgia Byrd. Georgia is a quiet saleswoman who learns she’s seriously ill. Determined to make the most of her remaining time, she uses her life savings for a trip to Europe.

She lives a lavish life in Europe, captivating everyone she encounters. After deciding to embrace life to the fullest, she became more carefree. But her main goal was to win over Sean Matthews, the man she’d been secretly in love with for a long time.

13. Holiday Heart (2000)

Holiday Heart centers on Christian, a drag queen grieving the loss of his police officer partner. He unexpectedly connects with Niki, a 12-year-old girl, and her mother, Wanda, who struggles with addiction. Seeing Niki’s need for a stable adult, Christian steps up to become a father figure in her life.

Okay, so things get really complicated. Christian tries to be a father figure to Niki, but Wanda unexpectedly falls for her drug dealer. This new relationship throws the whole family dynamic into chaos. Honestly, I was on the edge of my seat – it felt like this guy could really put Niki in danger and completely tear apart the little family Christian’s built. It’s a seriously tense situation.

14. The Wiz (1978)

The Wiz, a beloved film from the 1970s, is a reimagining of The Wizard of Oz with a Black cast and cultural perspective. Based on the Broadway musical, it features Diana Ross and the iconic Michael Jackson. Though The Wizard of Oz isn’t associated with Christmas, The Wiz uniquely incorporates gentle Christmas-like themes into its story.

The movie tells the story of Dorothy, who magically travels to the Land of Oz during a Christmas snowstorm. It’s a delightful musical perfect for a family movie night during the holidays.

15. The Fat Albert Christmas Special (1977)

Anyone who watched cartoons in the 1970s likely remembers Fat Albert, a popular character from an animated series. Like many well-known shows, Fat Albert also had a Christmas special, which first aired in 1977.

Though it’s less than half an hour long, Fat Albert’s Christmas Special remains a fondly remembered and nostalgic experience for many who watched it as children in the 1970s. The special centers around Fat Albert and his friends putting on a Nativity play in their famous junkyard clubhouse.

16. The Kid Who Loved Christmas (1990)

I just finished watching “The Kid Who Loved Christmas,” and it’s a really touching story. It centers around Reggie, a sweet young orphan who was this close to finally finding a forever home with a jazz musician. Sadly, the musician passed away right before the adoption could go through, leaving Reggie heartbroken and searching for a family. It’s a tough start to the film, but sets up a really compelling narrative.

The social worker denied the adoption of Reggie after learning the jazz musician had died in a car accident. This immediately sets the stage for a deeply emotional film, as it centers around an orphan’s search for a family.

17. Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey (2020)

Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey tells the story of a toymaker who is heartbroken when his apprentice betrays him. This loss of trust causes him to lose his passion and joy for life.

I was so touched to see the toymaker find happiness again. After years dedicated to bringing joy to others, he’d started to feel a little lost. But then, during the holidays, he met his granddaughter, and it was like a spark ignited within him. Her simple brightness completely filled his heart with joy once more – it was a beautiful thing to witness.

18. A Dream of Christmas (2016)

A Dream of Christmas explores the consequences of prioritizing ambition over personal connections. The story follows a married woman who achieves her goals but then begins to regret her choices and longs for the freedom of being single, realizing she sacrificed happiness for success.

She finally achieved her dream of being independent and had everything she thought she desired. But she soon realized she missed her husband and that even fulfilling her own goals couldn’t bring her true happiness. She understood that nothing could replace the connection she had lost.

19. Twas the Chaos Before Christmas (2019)

“Twas the Chaos Before Christmas” is a classic holiday comedy where a simple error kicks off all the funny events. The story revolves around two families who accidentally get double-booked into the same vacation rental for Christmas.

Both families wanted to spend the holidays in their home, and neither wanted to give in. This led to a chaotic attempt to celebrate together, forcing them to confront their differences if they wanted to enjoy Christmas.

20. Christmas Hotel (2019)

The movie ‘Christmas Hotel’ tells the story of a woman who grew up in a small town but moved to the city. She returns with plans to build a large hotel, only to discover her childhood crush now opposes the project.

The central conflict stems from a disagreement between the main characters: one group wants to build a hotel in the town, while the other wants to preserve its current state.

21. Merry Liddle Christmas (2019)

Merry Liddle Christmas is a holiday comedy about a successful businesswoman who invites her chaotic family to her new home for the holidays. While trying to manage their family drama, she also has to film a video showcasing her house, which proves to be quite a challenge with her family around.

22. Holiday Rush (2019)

Holiday Rush beautifully illustrates the importance of appreciating what truly matters in life. The film shows us that happiness isn’t about possessions or a lavish lifestyle, but about finding contentment with what we already have.

Holiday Rush tells the story of a DJ who recently lost his job and has to help his kids adjust to a simpler lifestyle during Christmas. He needs to show them that happiness isn’t about expensive things and teach them the true meaning of the holiday season.

23. Operation Christmas Drop (2020)

Operation Christmas Drop isn’t a film specifically about the Black experience, but it features Kat Graham, an actress of Black heritage. The story centers around her character, Erica Miller, a political aide sent to a tropical air force base with the goal of shutting down a beloved Christmas tradition.

Miller first encountered Captain Andrew Jantz at the air force base. Jantz wanted to deliver Christmas presents to a place he felt deserved some holiday cheer.

24. A Family Reunion Christmas (2019)

A Family Reunion Christmas follows a group of sisters who are determined to perform together at their church’s Christmas pageant. At the same time, their grandpa helps the children understand the real spirit of Christmas and appreciate what truly matters during the holidays.

25. Snowbound for Christmas (2019)

“Snowbound for Christmas” is a romantic story about Rachel, an assistant who travels with her boss. When a snowstorm traps them at a luxurious hotel, they find themselves spending a lot of time together. As they get to know each other better, Rachel and her boss discover a mutual attraction and begin to fall in love.

26. A Christmas Tree Grows in Colorado (2020)

“A Christmas Tree Grows in Colorado” tells the heartwarming story of a woman organizing her town’s Christmas festivities. She’s on a mission to find the perfect Christmas tree, and it happens to be growing on the property of a local firefighter. She needs to convince him to share his beautiful spruce tree with the town for the celebration.

27. The Christmas Doctor (2020)

“The Christmas Doctor” tells the story of a doctor who takes a temporary position at a clinic in a small town. She quickly feels welcomed and forms a close connection with someone there, ultimately finding romance in her new surroundings.

28. A Christmas Duet (2019)

A Christmas Duet tells the story of Averie and Jessie, former musical partners who reconnect after years apart. It seems like destiny brought them together again just in time for the holidays. This romantic Christmas movie explores their rekindled connection and the magic of the season.

29. A Christmas Miracle (2019)

“A Christmas Miracle” is a classic romantic holiday film. It follows a magazine reporter investigating a potential Christmas miracle story, and along the way, she unexpectedly falls for a coworker. But the story is more than just a romance – she also decides to try and make a Christmas miracle happen for a lonely musician, hoping to find a truly inspiring story to write about.

30. Christmas Everlasting (2018)

I recently watched “Christmas Everlasting,” and it’s a really touching story. It centers around a lawyer who’s dealing with the sudden loss of her sister. As she’s sorting through everything, she discovers her sister left behind a pretty unusual will, and now she’s tasked with making sure her sister’s final wishes are carried out. It’s a bit sad, but also heartwarming as she unravels what her sister wanted.

2025-12-23 19:49