15 Best Black Christmas Movies to Watch This Season

Ok, we know there are a ton of Christmas movies out there. But how many do we really see that star black actors? Of course, race doesn’t necessarily play a part in the enjoyment of a movie, but the positive impact of representation cannot be denied.

This holiday let us get cosy, tuck into some sweet treats and binge some Christmas movies with black actors — ’tis the season, after all! Whether you are watching with family or friends, a partner or your pet, we are sure to have a movie that will put you in the Christmas spirit!

All movies (excluding Boxing Day, 2021) are available to stream or rent on Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, or, Youtube.

1. Boxing Day (2021)

A British author living in America returns home to London for Christmas to introduce his American fiancée, Lisa, to his eccentric British-Caribbean family. Their relationship is put to the test as she discovers the world her fiancée has left behind revolves around his ex-girlfriend, who is now an international pop star.

Starring: Amil Ameen, Aja Naomi King, Leigh-Anne Pinnock

Running time: 110 minutes

Available in select cinemas (I know we said they’d be available to stream but this is the UK’s first Black Christmas rom-com so we had to include it – definitely try and watch it!)

2. Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey (2020) (PG)

A toymaker is shattered after his assistant steals his book of ideas and a unique matador doll. He loses his will to create new toys until years later when his granddaughter visits him.

Starring: Forest Whitaker, Madalen Mills, Keegan-Michael Key, Hugh Bonneville, Anika Noni Rose, Phylicia Rashad, Lisa Davina Phillip, Ricky Martin

Running time: 1h 59min

Available on Netflix

3. The Holiday Calendar (2018) (PG)

A struggling photographer discovers that the antique Advent calendar she inherited seems to predict her future, including a budding romance.

Starring: Kat Graham, Quincy Brown, Ethan Peck, Ron Cephas Jones

Running time: 1h 35min

Available on Netflix

4. Holiday Rush (2019) (PG)

When a widowed radio DJ is fired, he and his four spoiled children must leave their lives of luxury behind and move in with his aunt just before Christmas.

Starring: Romany Malco, Sonequa Martin-Green, Deon Cole, Amarr M. Wooten, Alani Nicole “La La” Anthony

Running time: 1h 34min

Available on Netflix

5. A New York Christmas Wedding (2020) (12)

As her wedding nears, a bride-to-be is visited by an angel who reveals what could have happened if she’d acted on her secret feelings for her childhood best friend.

Starring: Chris Noth, Nia Fairweather, Chris Trousdale, Otoja Abit

Running time: 1h 29min

Available on Netflix

6. The Preacher’s Wife (1996) (U)

An angel comes to Earth to help a preacher save his church and his family. However, things don’t go as planned as the angel falls for the preacher’s wife.

Starring: Denzel Washington, Whitney Houston, Courtney B. Vance, Justin Pierre Edmund, Gregory Hines, Jenifer Lewis, Loretta Devine

The movie was nominated for the Oscar for Best Music, Original Musical or Comedy Score. The film was nominated for five Image Awards, including Outstanding Motion Picture, and won two—for Best Actress (Whitney Houston) and Best Supporting Actress (Loretta Devine)

Running time: 2h 4m

Available to stream on Disney +

7. Black Nativity (2013) (PG)

A street-wise teen from Baltimore who has been raised by a single mother travels to New York City to spend the Christmas holiday with his estranged relatives, where he embarks on a surprising and inspirational journey.

Starring: Forest Whitaker, Angela Bassett, Tyrese Gibson, Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige, Jacob Latimore, Vondie Curtis-Hall, Nas.

Running time: 1h 33m

Available to stream on Disney +

8. Almost Christmas (2016) (12)

A dysfunctional family gathers together for their first Christmas since their mum passed. If this bickering family can spend five days together under the same roof, it will truly be a Christmas miracle.

Starring: Kimberly Elise, Danny Glover, John Michael Higgins, Romany Malco, Mo’Nique, Nicole Ari Parker, J.B. Smoove, Gabriella Union, Elias Talbert, Donnie Simpson, Lyn Talbert, David E. Talbert

Running time: 1 hour 50 mins

Available on STARZPLAY on Prime

9. This Christmas (2007) (12)

A Christmas time drama that centres on the Whitfield family, whose eldest has come home for the first time in four years. The Whitfield family must overcome many trials and obstacles during the Christmas season.

Starring: Delroy Lindo, Idris Elba, Loretta Devine, Chris Brown, Regina King, Columbus Short, Keith Robinson, Laz Alonso, Sharon Leal, Lauren London, Mekhi Phifer

Running time: 119 minutes

Available on Prime

10. Friday After Next (2002) (15)

The third instalment in the Friday series. Working as security guards, Craig and Day-Day run into the thief who stole their Christmas presents.

Starring: Ice Cube, Mike Epps, John Witherspoon

Running time: 1h 25m

Available to rent or buy on Prime

11. Trading Places (1983) (15)

An alternative Christmas movie — The fun begins when the rich and greedy Duke Brothers wager a bet over whether born loser Valentine could become as successful as the self-righteous Winthorpe if circumstances were reversed.

Starring: Dan Aykroyd, Eddie Murphy, Ralph Bellamy, Don Ameche, Denholm Elliott, and Jamie Lee Curtis

Running time: 1h 39min

Available to rent or buy on Prime

12. London Mitchell’s Christmas (2019) (12)

London Mitchell who is known as a Scrooge has previously lived an unscrupulous lifestyle, by divorcing his wife, barely seeing his children, and dumping a woman a month before Christmas to be with somebody else. Suddenly, London becomes faced with a diagnosis of prostate cancer which forces him to rethink his total outlook on life during the Christmas holiday.

Starring: Aaron D. Spears, Lisa Wu, Taja V. Simpson

Running time: 1h 34min

Available to rent or buy on Prime

13. Marry me for Christmas (2013) (PG)

To appease her family during the holidays, a single woman pretends to be engaged to her employee.

Starring: Malinda Williams, Brad James, Victoria Rowell

Running time: 2 hours

Available to rent or buy on Prime

14. Last Holiday (2006) (12)

Georgia, who leads a life full of unfulfilled desires, is left shocked when she discovers her terminal illness. Soon, she quits her job, gathers her savings and sets out on a luxurious trip to Europe.

Starring: Queen Latifah, LL Cool J, Timothy Hutton, Gérard Depardieu, Alicia Witt, Giancarlo Esposito

Running time: 1h 52m

Available to buy or rent on YouTube

15. The Best Man Holiday (2013) (15)

A sequel to The Best Man (1999), a group of college friends reunites after 15 years over the Christmas holidays. And as they do, they find out just how easy it is for long-forgotten enmities and romances to be rekindled.