6 Black and White Christmas Movies to Watch This Year

Many Christmas traditions, from cards to carols, remind us why this time of year is so special. At some point, you’ll also end up cozying up on the couch with your loved ones to watch a heart-warming festive film together.

The magic of the season isn’t just back at the family home – it’s also in glorious monochrome. Many of the best Christmas movies date from Hollywood’s golden age, when black and white cinema reigned supreme.

Here on Sky HISTORY, we thought we’d highlight some of our favorites from this iconic era. It’s time to bring out the popcorn and the tartlets with candied fruit and spices.

1. A Christmas Carol (1938)

It seems like every generation has their own cinematic reinterpretation of Charles Dickens’ classic short story, A Christmas Carol. In the 1930s, Reginald Owen was the one who slipped into Ebenezer Scrooge’s nightgown for this feature film adaptation.

In Dickens’ famous story, Scrooge notably realizes the error of his miserly ways after being visited by a trio of ghosts. Owen’s Scrooge embraces the Christmas spirit more readily than other versions of the character, but it definitely contributes to the film’s heartwarming mood.

2. Remember the Night (1940)

Staying in the comforting register, what could be better than unexpected love at first sight? This is what Lee Leander – played by Barbara Stanwyck – can appreciate in the romantic comedy Remember the night.

Lee’s Christmas seems to be ruined when, as the season approaches, she is arrested for shoplifting. Even the assistant district attorney charged with prosecuting her, Jack Sargent, recognizes the tragic timing of it all. However, after putting off the trial and getting to know Lee personally, he begins to feel more than sympathy for her.

3. The Man Who Came to Dinner (1942)

Quite possibly one of the best Christmas movies you’ve never heard of, The Man Who Came to Dinner sees Bette Davis at her best. Surprisingly, however, this role as secretary Maggie Cutler isn’t even the most compelling reason to watch this slapstick comedy.

The most enthusiastic praise goes instead to Monty Woolley’s performance in the title role, Sheridan Whiteside. After injuring his hip in a brutal fall, the acerbic radio character spends his Christmas recuperating at the home of a prominent family, where chaos quickly ensues.

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4. Life is Beautiful (1946)

James Stewart stars as George Bailey, an anxious banker who contemplates suicide. On Christmas Eve, his guardian angel Clarence Odbody saves him from despair by showing him how many lives he has changed for the better.

Fittingly, the film experienced a heartwarming turnaround in its own fortunes. Although upon release it was a box office failure and received mixed reviews, Life is beautiful became popular through word of mouth decades later. It is now widely considered one of the best Christmas films ever made.

5. Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

Throughout history, Santa Claus has gone by various names, including Saint Nicholas and Kris Kringle. The latter name looms large in another of the best Christmas movies, Miracle on 34th Street.

The plot follows Kris Kringle, an old man who lands a job as a fictional Santa at a retail store. Soon, Kris claims that he is the real Santa Claus. As a result, he soon finds himself embroiled in legal issues, giving rise to some of cinema’s most memorable courtroom scenes.

Edmund Gwenn won an Oscar for his performance as Kris Kringle, while Natalie Wood also shines as a young girl doubting the existence of Santa Claus. Her skepticism melts as she forms an increasingly affectionate bond with Kringle.

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6. The Apartment (1960)

Jack Lemmon stars as an insurance office worker who helps his superiors cover up their extramarital affairs. During the holidays, he begins to develop romantic feelings for an elevator operator (Shirley MacLaine).

This Billy Wilder-led romantic comedy isn’t just one of the best Christmas movies of the Golden Age – it’s also one of the last. Shortly after its release, the era of black and white in Hollywood cinema came to an end. From then on, color became the norm, not the exception, on screen.

A pub quiz anecdote about The apartment is that it was the last entirely black and white film to win the Oscar Best film until 2012. That’s when The Artist won the same distinction.

After exploring these examples of the best Christmas movies, why not start planning for next year? A resolution could be tosubscribe to the Sky HISTORY newsletter. It’s the perfect way to ensure you’re among the first to know about new shows as we schedule them.