Movies like El refugio (2021)
The best movies like El refugio (2021) are Merry Christmas, Drake & Josh (2008), A Christmas Story Christmas (2022) and Beethoven's Christmas Adventure (2011). If El refugio hooked you with its comedy, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedThe Apartment (1960)8.2/10 from 2,838 votes
- NewestDiary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw (2025)Released 2025
- In SpanishChinese Take-Away (2011)Also in Spanish
Merry Christmas, Drake & Josh (2008)
Step brothers Drake and Josh must give a foster family the best Christmas ever or face years in jail for a Christmas party gone wrong.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies 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 · both comedy
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 · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisGet Santa (2014)
A father and son must team up to save Christmas when they discover Santa Claus sleeping in their garage, having crashed his sleigh and found himself on the run from the police.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSextuplets (2019)
Father-to-be Alan is shocked to learn that he was born a sextuplet. With his newfound brother Russell riding shotgun, the duo sets out on a hilarious journey to reunite with their remaining long-lost siblings.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisJingle All the Way (1996)
Howard Langston, a salesman for a mattress company, is constantly kept busy at his job, disappointing his son. After he misses his son's karate exposition, Howard vows to make it up to him by buying an action figure of his son's favorite television hero for Christmas. Unfortunately for Howard, it is Christmas Eve, and every store is sold out of Turbo Man. Now, Howard must travel all over town and compete with everybody else to find a Turbo Man action figure.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisNational Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)
It's Christmastime, and the Griswolds are preparing for a family seasonal celebration. But things never run smoothly for Clark, his wife Ellen, and their two kids. Clark's continual bad luck is worsened by his obnoxious family guests, but he manages to keep going, knowing that his Christmas bonus is due soon.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of Mouse (2001)
When a huge snowstorm leaves everyone stranded, Mickey and all of his guests at the House of Mouse, including Pooh, Belle, Snow White, Cinderella, Ariel and many more of his old and new friends, break out the cookies and hot chocolate to help Donald mend his tattered Christmas spirit.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisCandy Cane Lane (2023)
Determined to win the neighborhood's annual Christmas decorating contest, family man Chris makes a pact with an elf to help him out-do the competition. However, the elf casts a spell bringing the twelve days of Christmas to life, unleashing chaos on the small unsuspecting town.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMerry Little Batman (2023)
This Christmas, Damian Wayne wants to be a superhero like his dad – the one and only Batman. When Damian is left home alone while Batman takes on Gotham’s worst supervillains on Christmas Eve, he stumbles upon a villainous plot to steal Christmas and leaps at the chance to save the day.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisA Very Jonas Christmas Movie (2025)
Kevin, Nick, and Joe Jonas face a series of escalating obstacles as they struggle to make it from London to New York in time to spend Christmas with their families.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
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 · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisWoody Woodpecker (2017)
Woody Woodpecker enters a turf war with a big city lawyer wanting to tear down his home in an effort to build a house to flip.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDashing Through the Snow (2023)
Eddie Garrick is a good-hearted man who has lost his belief in the wonder of Christmas. While spending time with his nine-year-old daughter Charlotte on Christmas Eve, he befriends a mysterious man in a red suit named Nick.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDennis the Menace (1993)
Mr. Wilson's ever-present annoyance comes in the form of one mischievous kid named Dennis. But he'll need Dennis's tricks to uncover a collection of gold coins that go missing when a shady drifter named Switchblade Sam comes to town.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
SnoozefestMovies like thisChinese Take-Away (2011)
A comedy that chronicles a chance encounter between Robert and a Chinese named Jun who wanders lost through the city of Buenos Aires in search of his uncle after being assaulted by a taxi driver and his henchmen.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisTom and Jerry: A Nutcracker Tale (2007)
Christmas is never so spirited as when Tom and Jerry lock horns for the holidays in their new original movie--Tom & Jerry: A Nutcracker Tale In an empty opera house, Jerry wishes for a chance to perform -- and magically his dream comes true. The little mouse is whisked away to an enchanted kingdom where anything is possible: candy forests, singing snowflakes, even the toys spring to life! Jerry has a great time with his new friends, and when Jerry dances with the music box ballerina, he is as happy as happy can be. Unfortunately, alley cats led by Tom crash Jerry's party, kidnap the music box ballerina and wreak havoc in the holiday kingdom. It's up to Jerry to set things right -- and with help from a fellow mouse named Tuffy and more newfound friends, Jerry just may win the day!
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThunderstruck (2012)
After NBA star Kevin Durant switches talent with 16 year old Brian, the teenager becomes the star of his high school team, but Durant starts struggling and eventually learns an important lesson.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDiary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw (2025)
When laidback Greg finds himself at odds with his dad's outsized expectations, pressure builds to turn his act around. After a series of hilarious near disasters, Greg's dad presents him with an ultimatum that just might challenge his wimpy ways for good.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisPadre no hay más que uno 3 (2022)
Christmas is coming. The children accidentally break a Nativity scene figurine from their father's collection and must by all means get an equal one, the problem is that it is a unique antique piece. Sara, the eldest daughter breaks up with her boyfriend, Ocho, who will try to recover her favors with the help of her father-in-law, Javier. Precisely Javier's father-in-law, Marisa's father, will be welcomed into the family home to spend the holidays after her recent separation, which will not leave Javier's mother, Milagros, indifferent. Rocío, the folklore of the family, who has been playing the Virgin for several Christmases, is relegated this year to playing the shepherdess, something that her father, Javier, is not willing to assume.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisSome Like It Hot (1959)
In Prohibition-era Chicago, musicians Joe and Jerry witness a mob hit, and flee the state in an all-female band disguised as Josephine and Daphne, but further complications set in.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisThe Serial Cheater (2023)
Jada is tasked with reforming the "serial cheater" Jason back to monogamous ways, but things get complicated once feelings get involved.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Mistletoe Time Machine (2022)
Three friends become estranged following a disastrous holiday talent show performance and, a decade later, are sent back in time to relive their senior year of high school thanks to Santa’s magic spell.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Christmas with My Ex (2022)
Christmas chaos ensues when a woman is forced to spend the holidays with her ex and family.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Rolling Into Christmas (2022)
Two Childhood sweethearts who shared a passion for roller skating are reunited 15 years later during the holidays, forcing them to question their love and life choices.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
A Miracle Before Christmas (2022)
With a little help from an angel, Mercedes Wright, a fast-talking popular relationship therapist with all the answers when it comes to fixing everyone else's marriage, must now use the magic of Christmas to find the secret to save her own.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
The Apartment (1960)
Bud Baxter is a minor clerk in a huge New York insurance company, until he discovers a quick way to climb the corporate ladder. He lends out his apartment to the executives as a place to take their mistresses. Although he often has to deal with the aftermath of their visits, one night he's left with a major problem to solve.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisAn Excellent Christmas (2023)
Cringle extends a warm invitation to her friends Pringle and Zingle for a festive Christmas Eve Party. However, Pringle finds herself grappling with occasional discomfort due to the way Cringle treats her. As the night unfolds, Cringle's anticipated celebration takes an unexpected turn...
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
A Mouse Hunt for Christmas (2025)
A small mouse family plans a quiet Christmas outside the city, but their celebration is disrupted when humans unexpectedly appear. As the mice try to hide their preparations, the humans react to the noises behind the walls with determination.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Love Actually (2003)
Eight very different couples deal with their love lives in various loosely interrelated tales all set during a frantic month before Christmas in London.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like this
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like El refugio?
The closest matches to El refugio are Merry Christmas, Drake & Josh (2008), A Christmas Story Christmas (2022) and Beethoven's Christmas Adventure (2011). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after El refugio?
Start with Merry Christmas, Drake & Josh (2008), the closest match to El refugio.
What is the highest-rated movie like El refugio?
The Apartment (1960), rated 8.2/10 by 2,838 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like El refugio?
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw (2025) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there Spanish movies like El refugio?
Yes: Chinese Take-Away (2011) and Padre no hay más que uno 3 (2022).
How are movies similar to El refugio chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside El refugio, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.