The Best Marvel And DC Holiday Movies (And TV Shows) Ranked As Christmas Draws Near

There haven't been a huge number of Marvel and DC movies and TV shows set during the holidays, but with Thanksgiving in the rearview and Christmas fast approaching, we're now ranking our favourites...

By JoshWilding - Nov 24, 2023 12:11 PM EST

Filed Under: Marvel Studios

It's that time of year again when we all start to enjoy revisiting some of our favourite Christmas movies, whether it's Die Hard, Elf, The Nightmare Before Christmas, or even Love Actually.

However, for superhero fans, there aren't a huge number of options. It's rare to see any comic book adaptation set during a specific point in time as, like comic books themselves, avoiding that ensures they have a timeless feel. However, there are a handful of examples we think finally deserve to be recognised as Christmas classics in their own right!

Some might be a little more obvious to you than others, but there are a few here that we think finally deserve to be recognised among the greats mentioned above.

So, as the holiday season draws near, all you guys need to do is click on the "Next" button below to find out what we've included!

7. Spider-Man: No Way Home

Okay, we may be pushing it with this one, but you can always consider this an "honourable mention." Spider-Man: No Way Home remains one of Marvel Studios' best movies, and it ends with the wall-crawler catching up with MJ and Ned during the holidays.

From there, he heads to his new apartment in Manhattan and swings into action in a spectacular new costume. That snowy swing wraps up with him passing Rockefeller Center's iconic Christmas tree, but is that enough to make this a classic Christmas movie?

Probably not, but between this epilogue and the fact the threequel came out in December, that's a good enough excuse to revisit Spider-Man: No Way Home this holiday season.

6. Shazam!

Shazam! remains one of the best DCEU movies, hence why there was once such a lot of excitement for Shazam! Fury of the Gods. Alas, the sequel was a disappointment, and we're guessing the Big Red Cheese won't have another Christmastime adventure in the new DCU.

Still, that does nothing to diminish its predecessor, and setting the movie in Philadelphia at Christmas was a smart move. The final battle even happens at a Christmas market, while there are plenty of reminders throughout that this superhero origin story is playing out at the most wonderful time of the year.

Throw in the heart-warming themes about family and acceptance, and Shazam! remains a fun viewing experience when the holidays roll around (even if it was originally released in theaters in April).

5. Iron Man 3

While it being a full-blown Christmas movie is up for debate, Iron Man 3 does take place around the holidays. Heck, minutes into the threequel, Robert Downey Jr.'s Armoured Avenger showcases his new Mark 42 armour with Bombay Dub Orchestra's "Jingle Bells" playing in the background.

Later, Iron Man finds himself in snowy surroundings when he crosses paths with young Harley Keener, and there are plenty of Christmas trees around to remind us what time of year it is (even during the final battle, lights can be seen in the background which helps give the blockbuster a surprisingly jolly feel).

Director Shane Black is known for having his movies revolve around the holidays, so that being the case with Iron Man 3 didn't come as a shock to most fans.

4. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

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Another blockbuster with a snowy Christmastime setting, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse deserves to be dubbed a "Christmas movie" for including its own holiday song, alone!

Actually, make that a holiday album. That post-credits scene with Chris Pine singing "Spidey-Bells (A Hero's Lament)" was a hit with fans, and the A Very Spidey Christmas EP featured catchy jingles from Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) singing "Joy to the World" and Peter Parker (Jake Johnson) calling for a sing-a-long with "Deck the Halls."

Pine even lends his voice to "Up on the House Top," while Norman Osborn (Jorma Taccone) contributes a spoken word retelling of "The Night Before Christmas 1967." So, even if it's not a Christmas movie, we're resolute that its album technically makes it one.

3. Batman Returns

Arguably the first Christmas superhero movie, Batman Returns is a classic in its own right; however, Tim Burton's gothic Gotham City being given a festive makeover only serves to make it that much more of a delight to watch.

The Penguin's deranged plan to kidnap the firstborn sons of the elite hinges on it being the holidays, while Batman and Catwoman even share a kiss under the mistletoe! As dark and twisted as this Batman sequel often is, we see no reason not to make this blockbuster a priority over the festive season.

Michael Keaton returned as the Dark Knight earlier this year in The Flash, and while the DCU reboot means all those plans for him moving forward have been scrapped, at least we'll always have this and 1989's Batman.

2. Hawkeye

Hawkeye was Marvel Studios' first full-blown Christmastime adventure, and what a treat this series proved to be back in 2021. It wasn't perfect, but when all was said and done, we'd argue that it's among the Multiverse Saga's most underrated gems.

Based around the holiday season in New York City, the show followed Clint Barton as he was dragged away from his family to lend a helping hand to his biggest fan, Kate Bishop, after she donned his old Ronin costume. From there, they crossed paths with Echo, Yelena Belova, and even The Kingpin, with the show culminating in a battle at the Rockefeller Center.

Taking full advantage of its seasonal setting, Hawkeye was a joy and we're hoping Jeremy Renner's recovery continues going well so we can see more of him and Hailee Steinfeld on screen together as soon as possible.

1. The Guardians Of The Galaxy Holiday Special

Neither a movie nor a TV show, this Marvel Studios Special Presentation is a Holiday Special we'll be revisiting for years and years to come.

Written and directed by James Gunn, The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special really is one of the best stories ever told by Marvel Studios, and filled to the brim with Christmas spirit. Whether it's Mantis' big secret, that A+ soundtrack, or some downright delightful visuals, there's simply no denying that this special has earned "classic" status.

We're sure you checked this one out when it was released last year, but if you don't plan on revisiting come December 25...well, we don't know what to say! Everything about this one is downright perfect.

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37 Comments

Doomsday8888 - 11/24/2023, 12:16 PM

>Batman Returns is not #1

Into the trash it goes.

HAILHYDRA - 11/24/2023, 12:51 PM

@Doomsday8888 - this might be blasphemy but Batman Returns is kind of overrated. I think benefits a lot from nostalgia. It has a lot style but Batman is third lead in that movie.

Doomsday8888 - 11/24/2023, 1:00 PM

@HAILHYDRA
Some say the exact same thing about TDK as well, minus the part about nostalgia of course.

It's ok to not lose your mind over it.

DudeGuy - 11/24/2023, 3:32 PM

@HAILHYDRA - what constitutes something as being Overrated? Batman Returns barely ever gets brought up in discussion about Christmas movies the way Die Hard constantly is, and BR is arguably more of a Christmas movie. Not to mention BR barely gets brought up in regular CBM discussions. People usually refer to the ‘89 movie when they talk about Burton and Keaton

ModHaterSLADE - 11/24/2023, 12:21 PM

To each their own, but Iron Man 3 over No Way Home is an interesting take to say the least.

ThorArms - 11/24/2023, 3:41 PM

@ModHaterSLADE - I mean IM3 is way way more of an actual Christmas movie

ModHaterSLADE - 11/24/2023, 4:07 PM

@ThorArms - And still a hell of a lot crappier Christmas movie at that...

bobevanz - 11/24/2023, 12:22 PM

The holiday Special is your number one.. HAHA

bobevanz - 11/24/2023, 12:28 PM

No Way Home is a Christmas story..why don't you make a holiday movie list so you aren't handcuffed with half of these not even being "Christmas" movies. Even Die Hard has more "Christmas" and it isn't a Christmas movie. [frick] it lol

oreilly - 11/24/2023, 5:58 PM

@bobevanz - Die Hard is definitely a Christmas movie. It's about a man trying to reconcile with his separated wife at Christmas time at a Christmas party! There's like 4 Christmas songs in it too!

tmp3 - 11/24/2023, 12:24 PM

Hawkeye being over Batman Returns is obscene hahahaha

Origame - 11/24/2023, 12:51 PM

You know Josh is desperate to praise marvel when he made a list that's so specific it basically has to only include marvel movies. Especially when said holiday is a good month away.

KaptainKhaos - 11/24/2023, 12:54 PM

No Lobo Paramilitary Christmas Special?, that's some bs

FireandBlood - 11/24/2023, 1:00 PM

The fact Batman Returns isn’t #1 is

DudeGuy - 11/24/2023, 3:29 PM

@FireandBlood - 💯

mountainman - 11/24/2023, 1:01 PM

The exclusion of the “Have Yourself a Morlock Little Christmas” episode of X-Men TAS invalidates the entire list.

MCUKnight11 - 11/24/2023, 1:04 PM

Luckily none of these are bad and all make great Christmas watches.

RitoRevolto - 11/24/2023, 1:44 PM

Umm, no?

1. Batsy Returns
2. Hawkeye (Yelena really had me hooked)

Argue you with your ashy uncle with the missing tooth.

marvel72 - 11/24/2023, 1:59 PM

1.Spider-Man:No Way Home
2.Batman Returns
3.Guardians Of The Galaxy Holiday Special

That is about all that I would rewatch multiple times.

Spike101 - 11/24/2023, 2:31 PM

This is a real low point

Feralwookiee - 11/24/2023, 3:50 PM

There's only ONE holiday special...

🤣

marvel72 - 11/24/2023, 4:27 PM

@Feralwookiee - I would watch the animated Boba Fett bit.

mountainman - 11/24/2023, 4:33 PM

@marvel72 - Not the excessively long scene of Wookiees talking to each other with no subtitles?

Cleander - 11/24/2023, 9:25 PM

Movies (And TV Shows) and Special

JustAWaffle - 11/25/2023, 2:08 AM

I actually love Hawkeye the more I see it.

It will probably go down as a yearly viewing for me.

OrgasmicPotatoe - 11/25/2023, 6:20 AM

No need, I've already rewatched Violent Night, so it's all downhill from here

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The Best Marvel And DC Holiday Movies (And TV Shows) Ranked As Christmas Draws Near

There haven't been a huge number of Marvel and DC movies and TV shows set during the holidays, but with Thanksgiving in the rearview and Christmas fast approaching, we're now ranking our favourites...

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6. Shazam!

5. Iron Man 3

4. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

3. Batman Returns

2. Hawkeye

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