The holiday season is often dominated by the twinkling lights, jolly carols, and heartwarming tales of Christmas. But what about Hanukkah? For those seeking a cinematic celebration of the Festival of Lights, the options were once as scarce as a well-done latke. Thankfully, the tides are turning, and Hanukkah is stepping into the spotlight with a growing collection of festive films. Let’s thank Hallmark for that. Unwrap the best Hanukkah movies to add in your watchlist.
Hanukkah on Rye: A Modern Romcom with a Twist
 | Hanukkah on Rye | |
| Genre Drama, Comedy | Runtime 1h 25m | |
| Directed by Peter DeLuise | 7.3/10 | |
| Cast Yael Grobglas, Jeremy Jordan, Linda Darlow | ||
Kicking off our Hanukkah movie marathon is the delightful Hanukkah on Rye. This holiday rom-com, reminiscent of the classic “Crossing Delancey,” doesn’t just transpose the Christmas film template onto Hanukkah. Instead, it embraces Jewish culture, making it a refreshing addition to the holiday genre. Yael Grobglas and Jeremy Jordan take the lead as Molly and Jacob, two souls set up by a matchmaker who, despite hitting it off, discover their families own rival New York City delis. Will love conquer the pastrami-shaped obstacles in their path? Find out in this heartwarming and charming tale.
The Night Before: A Buddy Comedy with a Hanukkah Twist
 | The Night Before | |
| Genre Drama, Comedy | Runtime 1h 41m | |
| Directed by Jonathan Levine | 6.4/10 | |
| Cast Seth Rogen, Anthony Mackie, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, James Franco, Lizzy Caplan | ||
The Night Before may revolve around Christmas, but it’s a holiday-themed buddy comedy that gives Hanukkah its due representation. Starring Seth Rogen, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Anthony Mackie, this film follows a trio of childhood friends who make it a tradition to spend every Christmas Eve together. As adult responsibilities threaten their ritual, they embark on a wild adventure to attend the elusive Nutcracker Ball. Director Jonathan Levine, inspired by his group of Jewish friends, beautifully weaves Hanukkah into the narrative, making it a must-watch for those seeking a blend of festive fun.
Eight Crazy Nights: Adam Sandler’s Animated Hanukkah Comedy
 | Eight Crazy Nights | |
| Genre Comedy, Musical | Runtime 1h 16m | |
| Directed by Seth Kearsley | 5.3/10 | |
| Cast Adam Sandler, Jackie Sandler, Seth Kearsley, | ||
Enter the animated world of Eight Crazy Nights, where Adam Sandler serves as Hanukkah’s animated ambassador. Released in 2002, this raunchy animated comedy sees Sandler voicing multiple characters, including the rough-around-the-edges protagonist, Davey, and the lovable Whitey. While the film’s crude humor may not be everyone’s cup of tea, there’s an undeniable charm in Sandler’s portrayal and a heartfelt story beneath the laughs. As the first major Hanukkah movie with a theatrical release, Eight Crazy Nights holds a special place in the hearts of many, earning it a cult following over the years.
Eight Gifts of Hanukkah: Hallmark’s First Hanukkah-Centric Film
 | Eight Gifts of Hanukkah | |
| Genre Drama, Romance | Runtime 1h 24m | |
| Directed by Mark Jean | 6.9/10 | |
| Cast Inbar Javi, Jake Epstein, Sheila Tyson, David Kaye | ||
One of the best Hanukkah movies on Hallmark is Eight Gifts of Hanukkah. Representing the channel’s first film entirely focused on the Jewish holiday, this heartwarming tale stars Inbar Lavi as Sara Levin, a Jewish eye doctor surprised by presents arriving each night of Hanukkah from a secret admirer. The movie unfolds as Sara turns detective to unravel the mystery of her anonymous gift-giver, leading to a charming exploration of love and tradition.
Full-Court Miracle: A Disney Channel Original Hanukkah Tale
 | Full-Court Miracle | |
| Genre Drama, Sports | Runtime 1h 30m | |
| Directed by Stuart Gillard | 5.7/10 | |
| Cast Alex D. Linz, Richard T. Jones, David Sazant, Erik Kundsen | ||
For a unique twist on the Hanukkah story, Full-Court Miracle takes center stage. This Disney Channel Original Movie from 2003 recreates the miracle of Hanukkah on the basketball court. Alex “Schlots” Schlotsky, played by Alex D. Linz, recruits former college basketball star Lamont Carr to coach his struggling high school basketball team. The team faces challenges on and off the court, ultimately needing a Hanukkah miracle to secure victory in the finals. Full-Court Miracle is a heartwarming blend of sports and holiday spirit suitable for the whole family. You can watch it on Disney+.
Mistletoes & Menorahs: Rom-Com Clash of Christmas and Hanukkah
 | Mistletoes & Menorahs | |
| Genre Drama, Sports | Runtime 1h 30m | |
| Directed by Stuart Gillard | 5.7/10 | |
| Cast Alex D. Linz, Richard T. Jones, David Sazant, Erik Kundsen | ||
While Seth Cohen may have popularized Chrismukkah on The OC, Mistletoes & Menorahs dives into the cultural clash between Christmas and Hanukkah in the world of made-for-TV rom-coms. Kelley Jackle stars as Christy, an employee of a major toy company tasked with learning about Hanukkah traditions to impress a potential client. What unfolds is a delightful exchange of holiday knowledge and an inevitable spark of romance. This film brings a lighthearted touch to the holiday season, exploring the beauty of shared traditions.
All I Want Is Christmas (Switchmas or Ira Finkelstein’s Christmas): A Journey to Christmastown
 | Switchmas | |
| Genre Comedy | Runtime 1h 40m | |
| Directed by Sue Corcoran | 6.5/10 | |
| Cast Elliott Gould, Elijah Nelson, David DeLuise | ||
Closing our list is the heartwarming tale of All I Want Is Christmas, also known as Switchmas or Ira Finkelstein’s Christmas. The story revolves around Ira Finkelstein, a Jewish boy attempting to escape a Hanukkah trip to Florida. In a twist reminiscent of Home Alone, Ira secretly trades plane tickets with another boy, Mikey, and finds himself in Christmastown. The film explores the contrast of holiday traditions and the age-old question of whether the grass is truly greener on the other side of the Hanukkah/Christmas fence.
Hitched for the Holidays: A Charming Comedy
 | Hitched for the Holidays | |
| Genre Drama, Romance | Runtime 1h 27m | |
| Directed by Michael M. Scott | 6.5/10 | |
| Cast Joey Lawrence, Emily Hampshire, Marilu Henner, Linda Darlow | ||
Who does not like a cute holiday romance? In the holiday comedy, commitment-phobic Rob Marino, faces criticism from his large Italian family for his inability to maintain a relationship through the holidays. To prove them wrong and fulfill his grandmother’s dying wish, Rob connects with Julie online. Julie, pressured by her meddling Jewish mother, agrees to pose as a couple with Rob during the festive season to appease their families. As Christmas and Hanukkah approach, the fake relationship becomes more complicated when Rob’s Catholic family and Julie’s Jewish relatives become involved. Amidst the holiday chaos, Rob and Julie discover that their pretend feelings may be developing into something more genuine.
Ending Notes
This holiday season, let the glow of the menorah be accompanied by the flickering lights of your screen. Dive into these best Hanukkah movies, each offering a unique perspective on the Festival of Lights. Whether you’re in the mood for romance, comedy, or animated antics, these films are sure to add warmth and laughter to your festive celebrations. So, grab some latkes, light the candles, and let the magic of Hanukkah unfold on your movie night. Wishing you a joyous and cinematic Festival of Lights!
