Looking for something new to watch? Here’s an alternative to re-watching Home Alone for the hundredth time.
A 126-year-old film, which is widely believed to be the world’s oldest Christmas movie, is currently available to watch online for free.
Christmas just doesn’t feel complete without curling up on the couch, binging on festive films, and working through a food coma. It’s one of those cozy traditions many of us look forward to each year.
But let’s be honest, there’s always that little debate in every household over which Christmas movie to watch. It’s a moment most of us know all too well!
Do you take a chance on one of the newer releases, or do you stick to the tried-and-true classics like Home Alone, Love Actually, or How the Grinch Stole Christmas?
Perhaps you’re someone who enjoys the charm of vintage Christmas movies, like the timeless It’s A Wonderful Life or Miracle on 34th Street. Those films always bring a touch of nostalgia.
But have you ever considered watching the very first Christmas film ever made? It’s an experience that might surprise you.
Have you ever wondered what the oldest known Christmas film is? Getty Stock Images
What is the oldest Christmas film?
When we think of old Christmas films, most of us picture classics from the 1940s or 1950s. But the tradition of festive movies actually goes back much further, all the way to the Victorian Era.
Just ten years after the first moving pictures were captured, a British filmmaker named George Albert Smith created a short film called Santa Claus in 1898. It’s considered to be the oldest Christmas movie ever made.
You can even watch the film today—it’s available on YouTube. Take a look below to step back in time:
For modern viewers accustomed to blockbuster films filled with dazzling CGI and lengthy storylines, Santa Claus might feel very simplistic by comparison.
This short film is only one minute and 17 seconds long. It tells the story of two children being tucked into bed by their nanny on Christmas Eve, just before St. Nicholas makes his magical entrance down the chimney.
Once inside their room, Santa fills their stockings with gifts and quietly departs, leaving the children to wake up the next morning to a delightful surprise.
The film is silent, shot in black-and-white, and—well, it was made in 1898, so keep your expectations realistic. Despite this, it’s still quite remarkable for its time.
Michael Brooke of the British Film Institute describes Santa Claus as “one of the most visually and conceptually sophisticated British films made up to then.” It even features innovative techniques, such as a parallel shot showing the children asleep while Santa descends the chimney—something that had never been done before in cinema.
While Santa Claus may not compare to the glossy, colorful holiday movies we adore today, it offers a fascinating glimpse into how past generations celebrated traditions we still cherish. It’s a little piece of history worth revisiting.
An example of filming techniques which were considered pioneering at the timeBFI National Archive/YouTube
