And just like that, Christmas across the country this year got a lot more low-key. So, we’ve rounded up some amazing Christmas movies that were filmed in Canada to help you make the most of the holidays. You might not be able to host your own Christmas party, but we think this is a pretty solid alternative. We’re going to be watching most of them ourselves, anyway.
Here are 8 Christmas movies filmed in Canada to check out this weekend.
A Christmas Story (1983)
That’s right, one of the most iconic Christmas movies of all time was partially filmed in Canada! While the actual house exterior is located just outside Cleveland, Toronto and the surrounding regions were used for many other scenes. The most important of them? A former school in St. Catharines that served as the setting for the ‘triple dog dare’.
How to watch: Available to rent on multiple sites
The Santa Clause (1994)
Remember when Tim Allen was a huge deal? Neither do we, but we do remember seeing The Santa Clause for the first time and loving it. Mainly filmed in the Greater Toronto Area, Tim Allen’s character Scott’s house is actually located in Oakville, just outside of Mississauga.
How to watch: Now streaming on Disney+
Elf (2003)
Time to see what movies have been filmed in the west for a change. First up is Will Ferrell’s modern classic Elf, which used soundstages and even the PNE Coliseum to create the North Pole workshops as well as New York’s Central Park. So, while you won’t actually see any of Vancouver while watching, this is a fun little bit of movie trivia.
How to watch: Now streaming on Crave
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Love Hard (2021)
One of the most recent releases on this list also heavily features Metro Vancouver. This Christmas rom-com starring Nina Dobrev includes everything from residential homes to Stanley Park to even the Boundary Bay airport. While it’s set in Lake Placid, this movie undoubtedly looks like BC.
How to watch: Now streaming on Netflix
The Christmas Chronicles (2018)
Nothing like seeing a former action hero transform into jolly ol’ St. Nick. The movie follows a lot of Christmas tropes (kids see Santa’s real, and get mixed up in an adventure) but has enough modern twists and turns to have the whole family liking it. Plus, the movie was filmed entirely in the GTA, acting as a stand-in for Chicago, Illinois and Lowell, Massachusetts.
How to watch: Now streaming on Netflix
Noelle (2019)
Netflix isn’t the only streaming giant to hop on the holiday train! This more grown-up storyline follows the adult children of Santa Claus, played by Anna Kendrick and Bill Hader, as they try to follow in their father’s footsteps. The movie heavily features both Metro Vancouver and Whistler, and includes a quick shot of Vancouver’s relatively unique art-deco church.
How to watch: Now streaming on Disney+
Home Sweet Home Alone (2021)
Another very recent release, and a reboot of one of the most classic Christmas movies of all time! This time around, the creators chose Montreal and the surrounding areas to set the stage, using everything from local cafes to entire shots of the city to get things started.
How to watch: Now streaming on Disney+
Black Christmas (1974)
Our final pick is ironically one of the most Canadian on this list, but it’s definitely not fun for the whole family. Filmed entirely in Toronto, the movie is the combination of an urban legend and a real-life string of homicides that happened in Montreal. Yeah, maybe save this for another time, but it does fit the bill.
How to watch: Now streaming on The Criterion Channel
Alright, those are our top picks for the best Christmas movies shot in Canada to check out this weekend! Hopefully, a few of these manage to make it into your yearly lineup.
