Read & Download These Classic Christmas Movie Scripts (Free PDFs)

Christmas movies are a genre unto themselves, so it makes sense that their screenplays might be a little different than others. They're usually filled with festive cheer, music references, and have a lot of magical realism.

But don't take my word for it, figure that out for yourself. Below, we’ve curated an alphabetical directory of 21 essential holiday scripts. Dive in, download the PDFs, and see how the magic of Christmas was first captured in black and white.

Happy reading and happy holidays!

Christmas Movie Scripts

• 8-BIT CHRISTMAS (2021) by Kevin Jakubowski - A nostalgic love letter to the 80s, capturing the high-stakes mission of a kid trying to secure the ultimate gaming console. It’s a modern classic that balances humor with genuine heart.
• BAD SANTA (2003) by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa - The perfect antidote to holiday sweetness, this script offers a darkly hilarious and vulgar look at a mall Santa who is anything but saintly.
• BLACK CHRISTMAS (1974) by A. Roy Moore - A seminal piece of holiday horror. The script is a fascinating artifact of the genre's evolution, featuring raw, handwritten revisions that built the slasher blueprint.
• A CHRISTMAS STORY (1983) by Jean Shepherd, Bob Clark, Leigh Brown - An Americana masterpiece that finds the extraordinary in the ordinary. It captures the frantic energy of childhood desires and the quirky realities of family life.
• DIE HARD (1988) by Jeb Stuart and Steven E. de Souza - The ultimate holiday action-thriller. Between the explosive set pieces, it features a grounded hero battling personal family issues and a legendary villain.
• ELF (2003) by David Berenbaum - A fish-out-of-water tale that honors the spirit of Rankin/Bass stop-motion specials. It’s a sweet, high-energy distillation of pure holiday joy.
• GREMLINS (1984) by Chris Columbus - A chaotic blend of comedy and creature-horror. This script shouldn't work on paper, but its unique heart makes it a perennial favorite.
• THE HOLIDAY (2006) by Nancy Meyers - The peak of "lifestyle" cinema, following two women who swap homes to escape heartbreak. It is a cozy, romantic journey through the picturesque landscapes of Surrey and L.A.
• HOME ALONE (1990) by John Hughes - A brilliantly structured adventure that empowers a child protagonist against two bumbling intruders. It remains one of the most watchable family films ever written.
• HOME ALONE 2: LOST IN NEW YORK (1992) by John Hughes - A bigger, bolder sequel that takes the slapstick traps to the streets of Manhattan, keeping the holiday hijinks alive for a new generation.
• HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS (2000) by Jeffrey Price and Peter S. Seaman - A creative expansion of the Dr. Seuss classic. The script does the heavy lifting of building out the world of Whoville and the Grinch’s complex backstory.
• IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE (1946) by Frances Goodrich, Albert Hackett, and Frank Capra - The definitive life-affirming holiday drama. It explores the profound impact one individual has on their community with unmatched emotional depth.
• KISS KISS BANG BANG (2005) by Shane Black - A sharp-witted neo-noir that proves the holidays are the perfect backdrop for a fast-paced, snarky detective story.
• LOVE ACTUALLY (2003) by Richard Curtis - An ambitious, multi-narrative ensemble that explores the many facets of love. While it has its flaws, the script is a masterclass in weaving complex storylines together.
• THE MAN WHO INVENTED CHRISTMAS (2017) by Susan Coyne - A meta-look at Charles Dickens’ creative struggle to write his most famous novella. It’s an insightful exploration of how a literary classic was born.
• NATIONAL LAMPOON’S CHRISTMAS VACATION (1989) by John Hughes - The gold standard for holiday chaos. It perfectly captures the insanity of family traditions and the frantic desire for a "perfect" Christmas.
• THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS (1993) by Caroline Thompson - A gothic, stop-motion masterpiece that beautifully bridges the gap between Halloween and Christmas with a legendary creative team.
• THE POLAR EXPRESS (2004) by Robert Zemeckis and William Broyles Jr. - A lyrical and visually ambitious script that focuses on the magic of belief and the wonder of a midnight journey to the North Pole.
• THE SANTA CLAUSE (1994) by Leo Benvenuti and Steve Rudnick - A clever "contractual" take on the Santa mythos. It starts with a macabre premise and evolves into a heartwarming tale about fatherhood and responsibility.
• SCROOGED (1988) by Mitch Glazer and Michael O'Donoghue - A biting, modern-day update to A Christmas Carol. It’s cynical, hilarious, and ultimately as redemptive as the original Dickens tale.