14 best Hanukkah movies
1. An American Tail
This sweet animated classic opens on the first night of Hanukkah, when Fievel’s father gifts him his signature blue hat. The sweet young mouse is eventually separated from his family, who are fleeing cats (an allegory for pogroms) in Russia for a happier, safer new life in America.
2. Fiddler on the Roof
This beloved musical honors the unique Jewish struggle to preserve and celebrate their identity and escape persecution.
3. Call Me By Your Name
You probably associate Call Me By Your Name more with peaches than, say, potato latkes, but the film features not only two Jewish main characters, but also an ending scene directly from the holiday.
4. The Hebrew Hammer
This 2003 comedy focuses on the Jewish Mordechai Carver who is determined to save Hanukkah from the evil Damian Claus—the deviant son of Santa.
5. Full-Court Miracle
Full-Court Miracle parallels the story of the Maccabees with a would-be NBA hopeful’s aid to a struggling Jewish basketball team.
6. Little Fockers
Ben Stiller, Robert De Niro, Owen Wilson, Teri Polo, Blythe Danner and more congregate for the final Meet the Parents film in the series, in which Greg Focker’s in-laws meet his family, played by Barbra Streisand and Dustin Hoffman—and who they learn are Jewish. Also keep an eye out for Kevin Hart!
7. The Night Before
Seth Rogen enjoys a raucous holiday party with his best pals and proudly rocks a Hanukkah sweater.
8. Mistletoe & Menorahs
This Lifetime holiday movie sweetly celebrates two faiths coming together…even if each of the main characters is a little overly ignorant of the other’s traditions in the beginning.
9. All I Want Is Christmas
Ira J. Finkelstein is obsessed with Christmas, even though his family is Jewish. He switches places with jaded gentile Mikey, and they each learn what the spirit of each of their winter holidays is all about: Spreading joy; sharing love; and embracing your family, faith, and roots.
10. Eight Crazy Nights
Inspired by Adam Sandler’s famous “The Chanukah Song,” Eight Crazy Nights was the beloved Saturday Night Livealum’s first-ever voice acting role. The animated musical wasn’t an initial critical nor box office success, but has achieved some cult status among the community for its signature Sandler-style humor: At times gross (there’s a porta-potty scene that isn’t for the faint of heart, even if a cartoon), at times silly, but always heartfelt. Still, don’t be mistaken: Though it’s animated, this may not be the best viewing for kids.
11. Something From Nothing
This sweet animated film clocks in at only 23 minutes, but is a quality, Hanukkah-centric watch based on the children’s book by Phoebe Gilman.
12. Double Holiday
Popular star Carly Pope stars as a Jewish beauty who has to plan her office holiday party with her cute Christian coworker in the Hallmark movieDouble Holiday. The pair learn each other’s traditions, and, you know, are super cute and sweet, which is exactly what the world needs right now.
13. Hitched for the Holidays
Schitt’s Creekstar Emily Hampshireand Joey Lawrence team up for Hallmark’s Hitched for the Holidays, in which they each pretend to be one another’s fiance for the holidays to get their meddling respective Jewish and Italian-American families off their backs. Watch for Marilu Henneras Hampshire’s character’s mom!
14. AnAmerican Pickle
An American Pickleis Seth Rogen’s second venture on the list and his most Jewish-centric film yet and has been likened to Elf. He stars in the dual roles of Ben and Herschel Greenbaum. The film’s theme of honoring family across generations proves that while a lot can change over the course of a century, love is a constant. While it’s not about Hanukkah, it’s got you covered if you’re looking for celebrate Jewish rituals and traditions. Next, the best Hanukkah songs.
