Movies like The Fright Before Christmas (1983)
The best movies like The Fright Before Christmas (1983) are Daddy's Home 2 (2017), Return to Christmas Creek (2018) and Zoey's Extraordinary Christmas (2021). If The Fright Before Christmas hooked you, these 20 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
The Fright Before Christmas
Quick picks
- Highest ratedDaddy's Home 2 (2017)6.3/10 from 2,823 votes
- NewestA Christmas Story Christmas (2022)Released 2022
Daddy's Home 2 (2017)
Father and stepfather Dusty and Brad join forces to make Christmastime perfect for the children. Their newfound partnership soon gets put to the test when Dusty's old-school, macho dad and Brad's gentle father arrive to turn the holiday upside down. After a sudden change in plans, the four men decide to take the kids to a luxury resort for a fun-filled getaway that turns into a hilarious and chaotic adventure.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisReturn to Christmas Creek (2018)
As Christmas approaches, Amelia Hughes, a career-focused Chicago app developer lacking in holiday spirit, returns to her small hometown of Christmas Creek to rediscover the meaning of Christmas. There, she reunites with her childhood best friend Mike and her estranged uncle Harry, whose mysterious rift with Amelia’s father divided her family during the holiday season when she was a child.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisZoey's Extraordinary Christmas (2021)
On her first holiday without her father, Zoey attempts to create a magical Christmas for her family just like the ones Mitch used to do.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisA Bad Moms Christmas (2017)
Amy, Kiki and Carla – three under-appreciated and over-burdened women – rebel against the challenges and expectations of the Super Bowl for mothers: Christmas. And if creating a more perfect holiday for their families wasn’t hard enough, they have to do all of that while hosting and entertaining their own mothers.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisI'll Be Home for Christmas (2016)
Jackie Foster, a dynamic Assistant District Attorney and single mom, is looking forward to wrapping up her latest case and spending Christmas with Gracie, her adorable and precocious, eight-year old daughter. But when Jackie’s estranged dad, Jack , a gruff retired police officer, unexpectedly shows up at her door, they will be forced to confront old wounds.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisOne Magic Christmas (1985)
Ginny Grainger, a young mother, rediscovers the joy and beauty of Christmas, thanks to the unshakable faith of her six-year-old daughter Abbie and Gideon, Ginny's very own guardian angel.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
SnoozefestMovies like thisFeast of the Seven Fishes (2019)
A slice of life story that follows a large Italian family on Christmas Eve as they prepare for the traditional Feast of the Seven Fishes, reminisce about the past and seek love in the future.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisChristmas at Grand Valley (2018)
Burned out from the hubbub of the Chicago gallery world, artist Kelly returns home to the picturesque Grand Valley just in time for Christmas. Leo, businessman and all-star dad to his children, struggles to balance his time this holiday season. When he is assigned to review a hotel in Grand Valley for its value, he sees this as the perfect opportunity for a Christmas family vacation. It isn’t long until Kelly and Leo’s worlds collide.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisRoad to Christmas (2018)
Los Angeles television producer Maggie Baker unwittingly falls for Danny Wise, the son and former producer of his mother’s popular annual Christmas special Julia Wise Lifestyle. When Maggie’s secret plan to reunite Danny and his two brothers with Julia during the live broadcast in Vermont goes awry, Maggie is reminded that above all, it is the love for family and friends that makes the merriest of Christmas.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisToo Close for Christmas (2020)
When Hayley accepts an invitation to spend Christmas with her sister’s new in-laws, her seemingly perfect holiday takes a turn when Paul, Hayley's brother-in-law's brother, unexpectedly shows up. Still harboring a grudge against Paul for ending her last relationship, Hayley reluctantly spends time with Paul and slowly realizes she may have been too quick a judge on Paul
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
SnoozefestMovies like thisA Christmas Story Christmas (2022)
Follows Ralphie, now adult, who returns to the house on Cleveland Street to give his kids a magical Christmas like the one he had as a child, reconnecting with childhood friends, and reconciling the passing of his Old Man.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMarrying Father Christmas (2018)
When Miranda Chester sets off to find information on her biological father two Christmases ago, she never imagined her investigation would lead her to both the love of her life, Ian McAndrick, and the family she had always longed for, including Margaret Whitcomb and half-brother Peter Whitcomb. After her romantic engagement last Christmas, Miranda prepares for a Christmas wedding surrounded by this new family. While Miranda finalizes the details of her big day, Margaret forges a surprising romance with a friend from the past. Miranda’s wedding plans are quickly complicated when a mysterious visitor who claims to have ties to her late parents reaches out to her just days before her wedding. As Miranda’s wedding approaches, she must decide if she wants to spend one of the most momentous days of her life with this new family connection, and must carefully navigate the first steps into the next chapter of her life with Ian.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe 12 Days of Christmas Eve (2022)
When Brian Conway, a successful businessman whose family relationships have suffered, gets in a car accident on Christmas Eve, Santa gives him twelve chances to redo the day and repair the relationships in his life, including with his daughter Michelle.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisLove the Coopers (2015)
When four generations of the Cooper clan come together for their annual Christmas Eve celebration, a series of unexpected visitors and unlikely events turn the night upside down, leading them all toward a surprising rediscovery of family bonds and the spirit of the holiday.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisEngaging Father Christmas (2017)
It's Christmas and Miranda leaves Seattle with a suitcase full of presents to join her long- lost family in Carlton Heath, where she will experience the joyful traditions she missed as a child. Last Christmas, Miranda fell in love with Ian, a local man who helped her as she searched for her father, James Whitcomb, a famous theatre actor she believed had a connection to the town. At his widow Margaret’s request, Miranda agrees to keep it a secret to protect the family from scandal.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisChristmas Made to Order (2018)
When architect and Christmas amateur Steven finds himself hosting his family for Christmas, he recruits holiday coordinator Gretchen to bring holiday joy to his home. Gretchen’s expert Christmas spirit brings Steven’s family together, but neither expected it to bring them closer to each other. After a great opportunity presents itself to Gretchen, she and Steven must decide what’s really important in life.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThis Christmas (2007)
This year Christmas with the Whitfields promises to be one they will never forget. All the siblings have come home for the first time in years and they've brought plenty of baggage with them. As the Christmas tree is trimmed and the lights are hung, secrets are revealed and family bonds are tested. As their lives converge, they join together and help each other discover the true meaning of family.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBeethoven's Christmas Adventure (2011)
A Christmas elf accidentally takes off in Santa's sleigh, crash lands in a small town, and loses the magic toy bag. Beethoven must rescue the elf, recover the bag from greedy crooks, and return the sleigh to Santa in time to save Christmas.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisGood Morning Christmas! (2020)
Two competing TV hosts are sent to a festive small town over Christmas. While pretending to get along for the sake of appearances, they discover that there’s more to each other than they thought.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisA Blue Ridge Mountain Christmas (2019)
Hotel manager Willow returns to her stunning Virginia hometown to help her sister plan a Christmas wedding at the inn her family once owned. She must work with current owner and single dad David, who wants to let go of the past.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like The Fright Before Christmas?
The closest matches to The Fright Before Christmas are Daddy's Home 2 (2017), Return to Christmas Creek (2018) and Zoey's Extraordinary Christmas (2021). Below are 17 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after The Fright Before Christmas?
Start with Daddy's Home 2 (2017), the closest match to The Fright Before Christmas.
What is the highest-rated movie like The Fright Before Christmas?
Daddy's Home 2 (2017), rated 6.3/10 by 2,823 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like The Fright Before Christmas?
A Christmas Story Christmas (2022) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there English movies like The Fright Before Christmas?
Yes: Daddy's Home 2 (2017), Return to Christmas Creek (2018) and Zoey's Extraordinary Christmas (2021).
How are movies similar to The Fright Before Christmas chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside The Fright Before Christmas, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.