Movies Like Joy to the World

If you liked Joy to the World (2003), a movie directed by T.C. Christensen, here are 20 movies with a similar feel, based on TMDB's recommendations. Each one links to its cast, trailer and where it's streaming.

1
The Small One (1978)
★ 6.9/10
Ordered by his father to sell an old mule called Small One, a Hebrew boy in the ancient Holy Land takes the donkey to the Jerusalem market. Finding no buyers there, the boy is about to give up when he meets a kind man…
2
The Nativity Story (2006)
★ 7/10
Mary and Joseph make the hard journey to Bethlehem for a blessed event in this retelling of the Nativity story. This meticulously researched and visually lush adaptation of the biblical tale follows the pair on their…
3
Noelle (2019)
★ 6.6/10
Kris Kringle's daughter, Noelle, sets off on a mission to find and bring back her brother, after he gets cold feet when it's his turn to take over as Santa.
4
The Christmas Chronicles (2018)
★ 7.2/10
Siblings Kate and Teddy try to prove Santa Claus is real, but when they accidentally cause his sleigh to crash, they have to save Christmas.
5
Almost Christmas (2016)
★ 6/10
A dysfunctional family gathers together for their first Christmas since the death of their matriarch.
6
Prancer (1989)
★ 6.2/10
Jessica, the daughter of an impoverished apple farmer, still believes in Santa Claus. So when she comes across a reindeer with an injured leg, it makes perfect sense to her to assume that it is Prancer, who had fallen…
7
A Very Corgi Christmas (2019)
★ 6.6/10
All Lauren Bradley, a single mom and confirmed workaholic, wants this holiday is a much deserved break. Those hopes are dashed when she runs into fellow single dad Ben who enlists her help in taking care of a cute and…
8
Christmas in the Heartland (2017)
★ 6.1/10
Kara and Jessie are two teenage girls from very different worlds, but with a little Christmas magic, they find they have much more in common than they ever imagined.
9
The Search for Santa Paws (2010)
★ 6.3/10
When Santa and his new best friend, Paws, discover that the boys and girls of the world have lost the spirit of the season, they take a trip to New York City. But after Santa loses his memory, it's up to Paws, a…
10
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)
★ 7.2/10
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…
11
Bah, Humduck!: A Looney Tunes Christmas (2006)
★ 7.1/10
In this adaptation of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, Daffy Duck is the greedy proprietor of the Lucky Duck Mega-Mart and all he can think about is the money to be made during the holiday season.
12
Dashing Through the Snow (2023)
★ 6.1/10
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…
13
Elf (2003)
★ 6.7/10
When young Buddy falls into Santa's gift sack on Christmas Eve, he's transported back to the North Pole and raised as a toy-making elf by Santa's helpers. But as he grows into adulthood, he can't shake the nagging…
14
Mickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of Mouse (2001)
★ 7/10
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…
15
Santa Paws 2: The Santa Pups (2012)
★ 6.1/10
When Mrs. Claus travels to Pineville, the merriest place on the planet, a quartet of magical puppies stow away on her sled, granting joyful wishes to the town's boys and girls. However, something goes terribly wrong…
16
Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
★ 7.4/10
Kris Kringle, seemingly the embodiment of Santa Claus, is asked to portray the jolly old fellow at Macy's following his performance in the Thanksgiving Day parade. His portrayal is so complete that many begin to…
17
Jingle All the Way (1996)
★ 6.1/10
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…
18
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
★ 6.8/10
The Grinch decides to rob Whoville of Christmas - but a dash of kindness from little Cindy Lou Who and her family may be enough to melt his heart...
19
How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966)
★ 7.5/10
Bitter and hateful, the Grinch is irritated at the thought of a nearby village having a happy time celebrating Christmas. Disguised as Santa Claus, with his dog made to look like a reindeer, he decides to raid the…
20
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)
★ 7.4/10
Sam the snowman tells us the story of a young red-nosed reindeer who, after being ousted from the reindeer games because of his glowing nose, teams up with Hermey, an elf who wants to be a dentist, and Yukon Cornelius…