10 French Christmas Movies to Get You in the Holiday Spirit
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Un conte de Noël (A Christmas Tale)
The holidays are here, and what better way to celebrate than with a cozy night in, a chocolat chaud, and a little French cinema? From laugh-out-loud comedies to heartfelt family dramas, these French Christmas movies are perfect for getting into the holiday spirit while brushing up on your French.
Christmas in France definitely differs from the U.S., but much of the media (from music to movies) is imported. I mean, classics like Home Alone and It’s a Wonderful Life are hard to beat. But if you’re looking for something authentically French, these films are the perfect additions to your holiday watchlist.
And if you’re already dreaming of Valentine’s Day, don’t forget to check out my list of the best French romance movies.
1. Le père Noël est une ordure (1982)
Le père Noël est une ordure (Santa Claus Is a Stinker) is a French comedy with undeniable cult status. Taking place in Paris on Christmas Eve, it follows two crisis center employees who give out advice that results in one outrageous situation after another. It wonderfully captures Paris in the 80s (but wrapped in total holiday chaos).
If you’re looking for laughs, this film is brimming with dark humor and witty dialogue that’s highly quotable. A true classic that nearly every French person knows, it remains one of the funniest French Christmas movies of all time (even if you don’t understand all of the jokes).
2. Un conte de Noël (2008)
A dark Christmas comedy by Arnaud Desplechin, Un conte de Noël (A Christmas Tale), is both hilarious and heartbreaking. It follows a wealthy French family reuniting for the holidays after their matriarch, Junon (Catherine Deneuve), is diagnosed with leukemia. It’s far from a typical feel-good holiday movie, but it’s a sharp, emotional exploration of family tensions.
The film has gained recognition outside France too. There’s a brilliant video essay, Blue Christmas from Criterion, that investigates the tradition of bleaker Christmas movies including A Christmas Tale and a few others on this list.
3. Joyeux Noël (2005)
Based on the true story of the 1914 Christmas Truce during World War I, Joyeux Noël (Merry Christmas) is a moving reminder that even in the darkest times, the spirit of Christmas can shine through.
On the front lines, German, French, and British soldiers lay down their arms to share carols, food, and fleeting camaraderie. They discover the humanity of the men on the opposite side of a brutal war.
Even though it is a French film, the actors speak in their native languages, so there is a very realistic element to it. The film features an incredible international cast including Guillaume Canet, Diane Kruger, and Benno Fürmann, and it even earned a nomination for Best Foreign Language Film at the 2005 Academy Awards.
4. La Bûche (1999)
La Bûche, or Season’s Beatings in English, is a comedy-drama that follows a mother (Françoise Fabian) and her three grown daughters who come together after their stepfather’s death. It starts as a Christmas gathering but soon long-hidden truths are revealed.
The film is very French in that it’s very raw, a bit dysfunctional and far from the sugary holiday fare we often see. It leans into the complexities of family life including divorced parents and infidelity.
Charlotte Gainsbourg delivers a standout performance and even earned the César Award for Best Supporting Actress. You’ll also love the soundtrack, which features some beautiful Russian melodies.
5. L'assassinat du Père Noël (1941)
Set in a snowy village in the French Alps, Who Killed Santa Claus? (L'assassinat du Père Noël in French) follows a community unsettled by a string of crimes—among them, the theft of a sacred ring and the murder of a man dressed as Père Noël (Father Christmas).
The iconic Harry Baur (best known for his portrayal of Jean Valjean in the 1934 adaptation of Les Misérables) delivers a memorable performance as a humble globe-maker whose fate becomes entangled with the case.
Far more than just a holiday whodunit, this classic French Christmas movie holds a unique place in history: it was the very first film made by German-controlled Continental Films during the Nazi occupation of France.
6. Santa & Cie (2017)
The newest title on this list, Christmas & Co. (Santa & Cie) is a fun and festive adventure with some brilliant visual effects and plenty of laughs for both kids and adults. When a mysterious flu sweeps through the North Pole and causes several elves to fall sick, Santa Claus himself sets off on a mission to find a cure and save Christmas.
The film boasts a stellar French cast including Alain Chabat (who not only directs but also plays Santa Claus) and Audrey Tautou (yes, Amélie herself) as Wanda Claus.
The selection may be small, but this is easily one of the best French Christmas movies on Netflix.
7. Le Père Noël a les yeux bleus (1967)
Le Père Noël a les yeux bleus (Santa Claus Has Blue Eyes) is a fifty-minute gem starring French New Wave icon Jean-Pierre Léaud. His character takes on a job dressing up as Santa Claus in order to save money for a fashionable duffel coat, but he quickly learns the disguise makes it far easier to meet girls.
Directed by Jean Eustache (later known for the landmark The Mother and the Whore), this short film feels distinctly Nouvelle Vague with its sidewalk cafés, stylishly-dressed young people, and black-and-white, documentary-style cinematography.
Let me forewarn you, this isn’t a sentimental holiday story, more so a study of young men, desire, and self-deception. And unlike many French films, this one is easy to stream on Arte.
8. Les bronzés font du ski (1979)
French Fried Vacation 2 (Les Bronzés font du ski) is a cult French comedy set in the snowy resort town of Val-d'Isère. While not a traditional Christmas film, its ski holiday setting, snowy landscapes, and festive chaos make it a seasonal favorite that almost every French person has seen.
The film follows eight friends on a ski trip in the French Alps, where things quickly spiral into slapstick disaster. The group finds themselves lost in the mountains, and their misadventures are as absurd as they are hilarious.
Directed by Patrice Leconte, the movie is part of the beloved Les Bronzés trilogy and features the iconic Splendid troupe (also known for Le père Noël est une ordure).
9. L'Arbre de Noël (1969)
If you’re craving a true tearjerker this holiday season, look no further than the French-Italian drama, L'Arbre de Noël (The Christmas Tree in English).
It stars Hollywood legend William Holden as a French-American millionaire whose idyllic life is shattered when his young son is diagnosed with a terminal illness after a tragic accident. Alongside his girlfriend (Virna Lisi) and war buddy (the beloved André Bourvil), he tries to grant his dying son's every wish. Despite its tragic themes, L'Arbre de Noël is a beautifully pleasant film to queue up around Christmastime.
10. 8 Femmes (2002)
Fancy a murder mystery musical to spice up your holiday viewing? 8 Femmes (8 Women) is just the ticket. At an isolated mansion in the snowy countryside of 1950s France, a family gathers for Christmas, but the celebration is cut short when the patriarch is found murdered. The twist: the killer is one of the eight women closest to him.
Based on Robert Thomas’s 1958 play, François Ozon transforms this huis clos thriller into a campy, comedic Christmas classic.
The ensemble cast is a tour de force of French cinema: Catherine Deneuve, Isabelle Huppert, Fanny Ardant, Emmanuelle Béart, and more.
Final Thoughts on French Christmas Movies
From comedies and musicals to mysteries and dramas, this list of the best French Christmas movies has something to suit your holiday mood. Of course, no list can cover it all, so here are a few honorable mentions worth watching this December:
Ma Nuit chez Maud (My Night at Maud’s, 1969). Set around Christmas, this French New Wave drama by Éric Rohmer is the third film in his celebrated Six Moral Tales series.
Y aura-t-il de la neige à Noël? (Will It Snow for Christmas?, 1996). A heartbreaking yet beautifully told drama that earned the César Award for Best Feature Film. Not a traditional Christmas movie, but its title and themes make it a poignant seasonal watch.
Mon Oncle Antoine (My Uncle Antoine, 1971). If you’re after French language Christmas movies, this Canadian drama is often hailed as one of the greatest films ever made. It takes place in rural Quebec at Christmastime.
What are your favorite French Christmas movies? Let me know in the comments below.
