For the U.S. Prime Video movie chart captured on December 22, 2025, my three picks are How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000), Merv (2025), and It’s a Wonderful Life (1946). The chart measures viewing popularity, not film quality, so these recommendations apply an editorial filter: audience fit, Christmas-week atmosphere, accessibility, and rewatch value. This is a historical snapshot, not the current Prime Video top 10.
Source: Tom’s Guide’s U.S. chart report, published December 22, 2025.
The three quickest choices
| If you want… | Watch | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A loud, visual family comedy | How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) | Jim Carrey’s instantly recognizable, highly rewatchable holiday spectacle |
| A newer, gentle romantic comedy | Merv (2025) | A contemporary dog-and-second-chance story led by Zooey Deschanel and Charlie Cox |
| A traditional, emotionally weighty Christmas film | It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) | A reflective classic about George Bailey and the value of one life |
What this Prime Video top 10 represents
- Geography: United States.
- Date: The list was captured on December 22, 2025, for the December 22–28 viewing week.
- Scope: Movies only, rather than shows or every title available on Prime Video.
- Meaning: A popularity or viewing-trend chart, not a definitive “best movies” ranking.
Seasonal demand, a new release, cast interest, annual traditions, promotion, and a title’s existing audience can all affect a position. Rankings and licensing can change quickly.
1. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
Best for: Families, mixed-age groups, and anyone who wants immediate Christmas energy.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →#1 Best Overall
- Advanced 4K streaming - Elevate your entertainment with the next generation of our best-selling 4K stick, with improved streaming performance optimized for 4K TVs.
- The newest Fire TV experience (2026) – Our biggest update to Fire TV has a new, modern design that gets you to your entertainment fast. Browse dedicated content categories, pin more of your favorite apps, and get personalized recommendations from Alexa+. Spend less time scrolling, and more time watching.
- Cloud gaming, no console required – Stream Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, Hogwarts Legacy, Outer Worlds 2, Ninja Gaiden 4, and hundreds of games on your Fire TV Stick 4K Select with Xbox Game Pass and Luna via cloud gaming. Xbox Game Pass subscription and compatible controller required. Each sold separately.
- Smarter picks with Alexa+ – Getting to what you love has never been easier. Press the voice remote button and talk naturally to find what to watch across your apps, manage your smart home, or dive into virtually any topic.
- Wi-Fi 6 support - Enjoy smooth 4K streaming, even when other devices are connected to your router.
This is the live-action 2000 film starring Jim Carrey as the Grinch, with Taylor Momsen as Cindy Lou Who—not the 1966 animated special. Its Christmas-revenge premise, elaborate production design, and broad physical comedy make it the safest crowd-pleaser of the three. The familiar story supports annual rewatches while remaining easy for newcomers to follow.
The trade-off is tone: the comedy is noisy, exaggerated, and sometimes overstimulating. Prime Video’s official listing labels it PG and flags coarse humor and flashing or strobing effects. Check the listing before a sensitive viewer watches: official 2000 film page. The page has shown rental and purchase options, so “stream” does not guarantee inclusion with a Prime subscription.
Rank #2
- Upgrade your TV, instantly – Fire TV Stick HD is our fastest HD streaming stick ever, with a streamlined navigation that jumps straight to your movies, shows, and live TV. Take your entertainment on the go with the new ultra-portable profile. And watch it all come to life with crisp Full HD and Wi-Fi 6 support.
- The newest Fire TV experience (2026) – Our biggest update to Fire TV has a new, modern design that gets you to your entertainment fast. Browse dedicated content categories, pin more of your favorite apps, and get personalized recommendations from Alexa+. Spend less time scrolling, and more time watching.
- All your apps in one place – Prime Video, Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, Apple TV, HBO Max, Hulu, Peacock, Paramount+, and thousands more. It’s easy to find what to watch from hundreds of thousands of movies and TV episodes, including free, ad-supported content. Subscription fees may apply.
- Our most portable stick – Thin and light, without extra clutter. Connects directly to your TV's HDMI port without blocking other ports.
- Easier than ever to set up – Now with Direct Power, it's powered by your TV with the included USB-C cable and eliminates the need for a wall adapter.
2. Merv (2025)
Best for: Couples and viewers who want a modern, low-key romantic holiday movie.
Zooey Deschanel and Charlie Cox play separated couple Anna and Russ, who share custody of a dog named Merv. When Russ takes Merv on a beach trip, Anna unexpectedly joins them, creating the film’s reunion-and-holiday setup. It offers a newer alternative to the classics that dominate December viewing and combines romance, seasonal sentiment, and a dog-centered hook.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Rank #3
- The newest Fire TV experience (2026) – Our biggest update to Fire TV has a new, modern design that gets you to your entertainment fast. Browse dedicated content categories, pin more of your favorite apps, and get personalized recommendations from Alexa+. Spend less time scrolling, and more time watching.
- Elevate your entertainment experience with a powerful processor for lightning-fast app starts and fluid navigation.
- Cloud gaming, no console required – Stream Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, Hogwarts Legacy, Outer Worlds 2, Ninja Gaiden 4, and hundreds of games on your Fire TV Stick 4K Select with Xbox Game Pass and Luna via cloud gaming. Xbox Game Pass subscription and compatible controller required. Each sold separately.
- Smarter picks with Alexa+ – Getting to what you love has never been easier. Press the voice remote button and talk naturally to find what to watch across your apps, manage your smart home, or dive into virtually any topic.
- Enjoy the show in 4K Ultra HD, with support for Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and immersive Dolby Atmos audio.
This is an earnest, gentle recommendation rather than a claim of prestige or critical superiority. Viewers who dislike overt sentimentality may find the premise too sweet, while dog lovers may find it exactly the point. The chart report identifies it as a 2025 Prime Video Christmas original but does not establish a runtime, rating, review score, or universal subscription inclusion; verify the current title page and access terms in your account.
3. It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
Best for: Traditional holiday viewing, classic-film fans, and audiences wanting a more meaningful emotional experience.
Rank #4
- Essential 4K streaming – Get everything you need to stream in brilliant 4K Ultra HD with High Dynamic Range 10+ (HDR10+).
- The newest Fire TV experience (2026) – Our biggest update to Fire TV has a new, modern design that gets you to your entertainment fast. Browse dedicated content categories, pin more of your favorite apps, and get personalized recommendations from Alexa+. Spend less time scrolling, and more time watching.
- Make your TV even smarter – Fire TV gives you instant access to a world of content, tailor-made recommendations, and Alexa, all backed by fast performance.
- All your favorite apps in one place – Experience endless entertainment with access to Prime Video, Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, Apple TV+, HBO Max, Hulu, Peacock, Paramount+, and thousands more. Easily discover what to watch from hundreds of thousands of movies and TV episodes (subscription fees may apply), including free, ad-supported content.
- Getting set up is easy – Plug in and connect to Wi-Fi for smooth streaming.
Frank Capra’s black-and-white drama follows businessman George Bailey after despair leads him to wish he had never been born. The angel Clarence then shows him how profoundly his life has affected others. At No. 7 in the snapshot, it demonstrates why the recommendations are not simply the three highest-ranked titles: this pick is about emotional depth and tradition rather than chart position.
Its slower pace and older presentation are less suitable for viewers seeking a fast modern comedy. The story also includes financial crisis, despair, and suicide-related material, so parents and group hosts should consider that context. The December 2025 report does not establish whether it was included with Prime, offered through a channel, or available only to rent or buy; check your local listing before pressing play.
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallCrashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteBest Value
- HD streaming made simple: With America’s number 1 TV streaming platform,* exploring popular apps—plus tons of free movies, shows, and live TV—is as easy as it is fun. *Based on hours streamed—Hypothesis Group
- Compact without compromises: The sleek design of Roku Streaming Stick won’t block neighboring HDMI ports, and it even powers from your TV alone, plugging into the back and staying out of sight. No wall outlet, no extra cords, no clutter.
- No more juggling remotes: Power up your TV, adjust the volume, and control your Roku device with one remote. Use your voice to quickly search, play entertainment, and more.
- Shows on the go: Take your TV to-go when traveling—without needing to log into someone else’s device.
- TV, simplified: With setup that only takes minutes, a simple-to-navigate Home Screen, and an uncluttered remote control that does all you need—Roku makes it easier to watch the TV you love.
The complete U.S. movie top 10 on December 22, 2025
| Rank | Movie | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | How the Grinch Stole Christmas | 2000 |
| 2 | Oh. What. Fun | 2025 |
| 3 | Red One | 2024 |
| 4 | Merv | 2025 |
| 5 | Candy Cane Lane | 2023 |
| 6 | White Christmas | 1954 |
| 7 | It’s a Wonderful Life | 1946 |
| 8 | Playdate | 2025 |
| 9 | Love, Actually | 2003 |
| 10 | Arthur Christmas | 2011 |
The other seven titles can still fit particular tastes, but the three selections deliberately span distinct moods: spectacle, contemporary romance, and reflective classic drama.
Check access before you start
Prime Video uses “watch” broadly. A title may be included with Prime, require an add-on channel, or be offered as a rental or purchase. Availability, pricing, and even the chart itself vary by country and account and can change after publication. The ranking above is specifically U.S. and historical; viewers elsewhere should search their local Prime Video catalog.
Also distinguish the 2000 Jim Carrey film from the 1966 animated production, which has a separate Prime Video listing: 1966 animated listing.
The Bottom Line
Pick How the Grinch Stole Christmas for the broadest family appeal, Merv for a newer and gentler romantic mood, or It’s a Wonderful Life for the most substantial traditional Christmas experience. Confirm your local Prime Video access method first.
Recommended Free Tools
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
