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TL;DR: A near-mint 2019 MacBook Pro with Retina display, Touch Bar, quad-core performance, and all-day battery life is now only $359.97 — ideal for everyday performance without overspending.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Macbook Pro 2019 (Refurbished) $359.97
$1,499 Save $1,139.03   Get Deal

Anyone in the market for a dependable everyday computer — something to handle online shopping, bill-paying, email, video calls, or work — this Grade A refurbished Apple MacBook Pro (2019) is worth a serious look.

At just $359.97 (reg. $1,499), it delivers the kind of performance and build quality Apple is known for, but at a price that makes upgrading far easier to justify.

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This model brings together speed and simplicity: a 2.4GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD keep your apps responsive and boot times fast. Whether you’re managing documents, streaming shows, or juggling a handful of browser tabs, this Apple machine is built to keep up.

The 13.3-inch Retina display is another perk. True Tone technology adjusts to your working environment for a more natural viewing, while wide color (P3) support gives everything — from spreadsheets to Disney+ — a noticeable visual boost.

The Touch Bar with Touch ID adds quick shortcuts and secure fingerprint login. You also get four Thunderbolt 3 ports for flexible charging and accessories, a Force Touch trackpad, and a backlit keyboard that’s easy to work on day or night. With up to 10 hours of battery life, it’s built to last through a full day of use.

Because it’s a Grade A refurbished device, it arrives in near-mint condition with minimal cosmetic wear. In other words, you’re getting premium hardware without the premium price tag — and a laptop that still fits today’s everyday needs beautifully.

This like-new MacBook Pro is on sale for just $359.97 (reg. $1,499) for a limited time.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Take your cybersecurity more seriously in 2026 with this 5-year subscription to AdGuard VPN, on sale now for $49.99 (reg. $359.40).

Opens in a new window Credit: AdGuard AdGuard VPN: 5-Yr Subscription $49.99
$359.40 Save $309.41   Get Deal

Looking for a good New Year’s resolution? How about making cybersecurity a priority in 2026? If you’re looking for a simple way to make a big impact, it may be time to invest in a VPN. AdGuard is user-friendly, while still ensuring your online activities stay private.

Right now, you can secure a five-year subscription to AdGuard VPN for just $49.99 (reg. $359.40) — only $10 a year — for a limited time.

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If you’re ready to take your cybersecurity up a notch, a VPN is essential. AdGuard VPN helps your data stay safe and keeps your online activities private, no matter where you go. Think of it as your own encrypted gateway to the internet.

AdGuard has more than 70 locations to choose from, so you can access geographically restricted content or just keep your real location under wraps. An advanced security protocol ensures you enjoy a faster, safer VPN connection no matter where you connect, so you can browse, stream, and download with peace of mind.

Aside from keeping your online activities private, AdGuard has a zero-logging policy, so your personal data is never collected. And this 5-year subscription allows you to connect up to 10 devices simultaneously — from smartphones to tablets to computers — so you can enjoy security on all your devices.

Secure a five-year subscription to AdGuard VPN now for just $49.99 (reg. $359.40).

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Some people get in the mood for the holidays by decorating a tree, baking cookies, or venturing out to look at houses draped in thousands of string lights. Others just pop on a Christmas movie to get into the spirit. 

Whether you're planning a mega holiday movie marathon, yearning for an old classic, or trying to mix up your family movie night with something different this year, there's plenty to choose from. We've curated the very best Christmas movies you can stream or rent, from sentimental classics with a twist and cozy romantic comedies to emotional indie dramas and high-speed action thrillers.

25. The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996) Credit: New Line / Kobal / Shutterstock

Yes, we can all agree that Die Hard is the GOAT Christmas action movie, but don't you dare sleep on The Long Kiss Goodnight. 

In Renny Harlin's action thriller, Geena Davis' Samantha is a wholesome small-town school teacher and mother who, eight years ago, woke up pregnant on a beach with no memory of who she was. In the present day, Samantha gets into a car accident that changes everything — she begins remembering things and discovers she has elite knife skills. Was she a chef, perhaps? That seems unlikely when a strange man who recognized her at a Christmas parade shows up at her house to attack her. She kills him with ease as if it's her day job. Turns out, it sure as heck was. 

Davis' PTA mom soon transforms back into her old badass self, a platinum blonde CIA assassin. This time, she has Samuel L. Jackson's private eye as her sidekick. With explosions and car chases galore, The Long Kiss Goodnight is everything you'd want from a delightfully bonkers holiday action movie. — Oliver Whitney, Freelance Contributor

How to watch: The Long Kiss Goodnight is available for rent or purchase on Apple TV, Prime Video, and Fandango at Home.

24. Home Alone (1990) Credit: 20th Century Fox / Kobal / Shutterstock

Watching Macaulay Culkin's Kevin McCallister line his house with booby traps in Home Alone never gets old. It's also a great lesson for young kids left at home by their chaotic families in how to prepare for pesky burglars. Anything can be a weapon! Those old paint cans, your brother's pet tarantula, even a blow torch to burn the top off of a strange man's head can keep you safe. Home Alone has all the perfect ingredients to make a great, rewatchable Christmas movie with its wacky and playful plot, its charismatic cast, a sentimental message about the importance of family during the holidays, and some of the most quotable lines. Go eat some junk and watch some rubbish this Christmas. — O.W.

How to watch: Home Alone is now streaming on Disney+, and is available for rent or purchase on Apple TV, Prime Video, and Fandango at Home.

23. The Preacher's Wife (1996) Credit: Touchstone / Kobal / Shutterstock

A cozy Christmas movie starring Whitney Houston and Denzel Washington — what could be better? In director Penny Marshall's The Preacher's Wife, a remake of 1947's The Bishop's Wife, Washington plays a charming angel sent down to Earth to help save a marriage in shambles. Houston's Julia is growing impatient with her pastor husband Henry (Courtney B. Vance), who's distracted by his dwindling church membership. Washington's jovial Dudley is just the spark that the family needs. His wit and doting attention remind Julia of what things used to be like with her and Henry, and the pastor grows jealous. But no worries; Dudley is just here to revitalize the pastor's faith and remind him of the important things he's let slip as Christmas approaches. The Preacher's Wife is warm and full of heart, and also features one of the silliest Denzel Washington performances that simply must be seen. — O.W.

How to watch: The Preacher's Wife is available for rent or purchase on Apple TV, Prime Video, and Fandango at Home.

22. Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)

Nothing says a Christmas classic like a Judy Garland song. In Meet Me in St. Louis, we get several memorable Garland numbers, from the classic “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” to the buoyant "Trolley Song." 

The 1944 Vincente Minnelli musical tells the story of the wealthy Smith family living in St. Louis, Missouri, one year before the 1904 World's Fair. All is well for them until the devastating news arrives that the family must relocate to New York City immediately after Christmas for their father's new job. The two eldest Smith daughters, Esther (Garland) and Rose (Lucille Bremer) are distraught, since they're both in love with local boys and have their futures planned near home. Even the youngest, Tootie (Margaret O'Brien), is so upset that she destroys a bunch of snowmen in a fit of rage. But maybe, just maybe, the spirit of Christmas will turn things around for them. — O.W.

How to watch: Meet Me in St. Louis is now streaming on Tubi, and is available for rent or purchase on Apple TV, Prime Video, and Fandango at Home.

21. Klaus (2019) Credit: Netflix

The majority of family-friendly Christmas movies often tell the same types of holiday stories about Santa. But Sergio Pablos' Klaus proposes a new origin story for Old Saint Nick. In the animated adventure, it all begins with a Norwegian postman named Jasper (voiced by Jason Schwartzman) who's sent away to an icy northern town called Smeerensburg to carry out his mail delivery duties. There he happens to stumble upon a reclusive bearded toymaker named Klaus (J.K. Simmons). When Jasper helps Klaus donate one of his creations to a local kid, soon every kid in town is desperate to send the toymaker a letter to get a gift in return. And so, Santa is born. Pablos' animated film is a welcome addition to the Christmas movie canon, not only for its originality but also for its gorgeous animation that's glowing with light and Christmasy warmth. — O.W.

How to watch: Klaus is now streaming on Netflix.

20. Carol (2015)

We all need a sad gay romance to weep over during the holidays, and there isn't one better than Carol. Todd Haynes' 1950s-set love story follows Cate Blanchett as the eye-catching Carol Aird, a glamorous mother recently separated from her irate, homophobic husband (Kyle Chandler), and Rooney Mara's budding young photographer, Therese Belivet. The two women begin to fall in love over a shared lunch of martinis and a trip to Carol's Connecticut home. But remember, this is the '50s, and Carol's queer relationship is soon used against her in her divorce.

Set over the holidays in New York City, Carol beautifully captures the Christmastime atmosphere of the East Coast in winter. There's a snowy trip to a tree lot, the frazzled energy of a department store amid the holiday shopping bustle, long winter coats and scarves, and the cozy relief of escaping the icy streets for a warm holiday party where eyes meet over cocktails. — O.W.

How to watch: Carol is now streaming on HBO Max, and is available for rent or purchase on Apple TV, Prime Video, and Fandango at Home.   

19. Tangerine (2015) Credit: Augustas Quirk / Magnolia / Duplass Brothers Prods / Kobal / Shutterstock

It's Christmas Eve in Hollywood and Sin-Dee (Kitana Kiki Rodriguez), a Black trans woman and sex worker, has just gotten out of jail. She meets up with her best friend Alexandra (Mya Taylor) and soon finds out that her pimp/boyfriend Chester (James Ransone) has been cheating on her — and not with just anyone, but with a white cis woman. Now it's time for revenge.

Tangerine follows the two friends over the course of the night as they walk across Hollywood searching for Chester. A simple story blossoms into a profound and emotional journey that sheds light on the real-life experiences many Black trans sex workers encounter on the daily. When Sean Baker's film first came out, it was praised for its low-budget indie style, and for being shot entirely on iPhones. But it's really the story, rich with intimate human moments and bursts of comedy, along with Rodriguez and Taylor's raw performances, that makes Tangerine such a moving film, and one about the power of chosen family. — O.W.

How to watch: Tangerine is now streaming on Hulu, and is available for rent or purchase on Apple TV, Prime Video, and Fandango at Home.

18. Go (1999)

Forget cozy holiday dinners and family trips to the tree lot. This Christmas, why not go to a rave? That's how the kids in the '90s cult classic Go decide to celebrate the holiday season.

It's the night of a massive Santa-themed rave in Los Angeles, and two guys are looking to score some ecstasy. Sarah Polley's supermarket clerk Ronna is faced with being evicted, so she decides to become a dealer for the night. Yet things go incredibly wrong, incredibly fast. There's undercover cops, a pissed-off Las Vegas bouncer, car chases, a guy who took way too many pills, and lots and lots of anxiety. 

Watching Go is the exact opposite experience of watching a traditional Christmas movie; instead, it feels a lot like being on a bad trip at a rave. Sounds awful, I know, but I swear it's a blast! If you're itching for some adrenaline, a great '90s cast, and a taste of L.A. rave culture, look no further. — O.W.

How to watch: Go is available for rent or purchase on Apple TV, Prime Video, and Fandango at Home.

17. The Holiday (2006) Credit: Sony Pictures / Kobal / Shutterstock

Sometimes you're so depressed and heartbroken after a breakup that the best solution is to get the heck out of town and spontaneously travel to a stranger's home in another country. Maybe you'll find your deepest self there, or maybe you'll meet a charming, kind man for once. In Nancy Meyers' pre-AirBnB romcom The Holiday, that's just what Cameron Diaz's Amanda and Kate Winslet's Iris do. Iris swaps her cozy English cottage to spend Christmas in the Hollywood Hills, while Amanda takes a break from her movie trailer-editing job in L.A. to soak in some English countryside solitude. A sweet holiday rom-com with all the signature Nancy Meyers' touches (sappy romance, picturesque homes, cozy cream sweaters, etc.), The Holiday checks all the boxes. — O.W.

How to watch: The Holiday is available for rent or purchase on Apple TV, Prime Video, and Fandango at Home.

16. It's a Wonderful Life (1946)  Credit: Rko / Kobal / Shutterstock

In this endlessly rewatchable Christmas staple, Jimmy Stewart is the most generous man in town who puts his dreams aside to help save his neighbors during a financial crisis. Stewart's George Bailey skips his honeymoon, uses his savings to help his community, and even turns down a cushy high-paying job to put others first. But when things go terribly wrong on Christmas Eve, Bailey reaches a breaking point and steps onto a bridge, preparing to jump. That's when his guardian angel, Clarence (Henry Travers), arrives to show him just how different his town and family's life would be without him.

Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life is an enduring Christmas classic because it's a reminder of just how precious life is and the impact we have on those around us, even when we can't see it ourselves. It's the type of Christmas film you put on to get into the holiday mood, then suddenly find yourself sobbing, even if you've seen it a dozen times. — O.W.

How to watch: It's A Wonderful Life is now streaming on Prime Video, and is available for rent or purchase on Apple TV and Fandango at Home.

15. Elf (2003) Credit: Alan Markfield / New Line Prods / Kobal / Shutterstock

It's simply not Christmas without Will Ferrell, or a bowl of spaghetti and candy for breakfast. In Elf, Ferrell's Buddy spent his entire life growing up in the North Pole believing he was one of Santa's helpers, despite being enormously tall compared to all the others. Once he finally learns that he's an orphan, Buddy sets out to New York City to find his real father and embark on a series of silly misadventures. James Caan plays Buddy's father, Walter Hobbs, a hardened business exec who publishes children's books. The two are a perfect if chaotic pair — a goofy child-in-a-man's-body, and a grouchy, workaholic dad. For a playful family Christmas comedy that's got romance, humor, and big Manhattan-at-Christmas energy, you can't go wrong with Elf. — O.W.

How to watch: Elf is now streaming on HBO Max, and is available for rent or purchase on Apple TV, Prime Video, and Fandango at Home.

14. Phantom Thread (2017) Credit: Moviestore / Shutterstock

If you're tapped out on sentimental Christmas movies, why not put on a seasonal period romance that's enjoyably cynical and even a bit kinky? Set in the 1950s, Paul Thomas Anderson's Phantom Thread is all about relationship power dynamics. A perfectionist London dressmaker named Reynolds Woodcock (Daniel Day-Lewis) falls for a waitress, Alma (an excellent Vicky Krieps). However, he soon discovers his new muse isn't as submissive as the usual women he casually dates and discards. After Reynolds experiences a bout of sickness, the couple's dynamic takes a fascinating turn. And while the holiday season is technically only present as a backdrop for a handful of scenes — notably some of the most emotionally charged of their romance — Phantom Thread has a wintry, even ghostly, Christmas atmosphere throughout. — O.W.

How to watch: Phantom Thread is now streaming on Netflix, and is available for rent or purchase on Apple TV, Prime Video, and Fandango at Home.

13. The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992) Credit: Jim Henson Productions / Kobal / Shutterstock

Imagine being a grumpy Scrooge when you're surrounded by a town full of silly Muppets. Michael Caine is as cantankerous as ever as Ebenezer Scrooge in The Muppet Christmas Carol. In the Jim Henson musical take on Dickens' classic, Caine humbugs around London as the townsfolk sing about his coldheartedness. Gonzo and Rizzo narrate the musical film, injecting it with humor and shenanigans throughout. Kermit plays Scrooge's benevolent employee Bob Cratchit, with Miss Piggy as Mrs. Cratchit and Robin the Frog as the adorable Tiny Tim. The whole Muppet gang appears throughout, and while the film follows the same beats of A Christmas Carol, the familiar cast of characters and added music make it an extra joyous watch. — O.W.

How to watch: The Muppet Christmas Carol is now streaming on Disney+, and is available to rent or purchase on Apple TV, Prime Video, and Fandango at Home.

12. Moonstruck (1987)

Some people watch A Christmas Story every December, while others put on Moonstruck. The romantic comedy may not be about Christmas, but in almost every scene it gives off big Christmas energy. There's Cher's Loretta walking through the snowy streets of New York City in a long black trench coat and sipping wine by a fireplace. There's the Lincoln Center tree lit up behind Loretta and Nic Cage's Ronny as they attend the opera. There's the twinkling of string lights and Christmas decor along the streets and shops in the backdrop. The energy of Christmas is all around in this movie as Loretta falls in love with the ill-tempered Ronny while his brother (her fiancé) is away in Sicily. While Moonstruck is a perfect movie to watch any day of the year, it's especially fitting to snuggle up with it during the holiday season. — O.W.

How to watch: Moonstruck is now streaming on Prime Video, The Roku Channel, Tubi, and Pluto TV, and is available for rent or purchase on Apple TV and Fandango at Home.

11. Miracle on 34th Street (1994)

When you imagine a picturesque Santa Claus, jolly, endearing, and kind, no one fits the bill better than Richard Attenborough in Miracle on 34th Street. The beloved actor just looks the part, with his rosy cheeks, warm smile, and inviting demeanor. Sadly, no one in Manhattan except a 6-year-old girl named Susan actually believes he's Santa.

In the wholesome 1994 remake of the classic film from 1947, Attenborough plays a sweet old man named Kris Kringle who gets hired to play Santa at a Manhattan department store. Kris keeps insisting that he's actually the famous guy from the North Pole, but everyone in New York seems to have lost the spirit of Christmas so much that a plot is formed to institutionalize the poor guy. It's up to Susan (Mara Wilson) and a lawyer (Dylan McDermott) to defend Kris Kringle in court and prove that he's not just wearing a red and white suit for a seasonal gig. — O.W.

How to watch: Miracle on 34th Street is now streaming on Peacock, Paramount+, Disney+ and The Roku Channel, and is available for rent or purchase on Apple TV and Fandango at Home.

10. The Polar Express (2004)

Leave it to filmmaker Robert Zemeckis to bring the wonder of a children’s book to vivid life on screen. The Polar Express expands Chris Van Allsburg’s beloved Christmas story into a film about a young boy who boards a magical train on its way to the North Pole. Tom Hanks plays and voices a handful of roles, including the train's conductor, a Scrooge puppet, and Santa Claus himself. What’s most notable about The Polar Express is the visual world it creates, converting the quiet classicism and awe of the book’s illustrations into a CG world. Back in 2004, it was the first feature-length film to be shot entirely using motion-capture, and the first big studio IMAX 3D movie to ever hit screens. While those visuals have certainly not aged well with time, The Polar Express still manages to capture the magical spirit of Christmas viewed through the eyes of a child.* — O.W.

How to watch: The Polar Express is now streaming on Hulu.

9. Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)

In this charming sequel to the smash hit Home Alone, Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) winds up in the Big Apple without his family. But fret not, this clever kid is quick to make friends with an unhoused pigeon lover and a kindly toy store owner. He makes enemies too, including Tim Curry as a dastardly hotel concierge. And of course, the Wet Bandits (Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern) are back and up to criminal shenanigans once more!

For my money, this sequel is even better than its predecessor. Kevin has more foes to outwit, more outlandish traps to set, and there's no beating New York in winter. It's a beautiful and moving movie that's terrific fun for the whole family. — Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Editor

How to watch: Home Alone 2: Lost in New York is now streaming on Hulu.

8. Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) Credit: Ron Batzdorff / Imagine Ent / Kobal / Shutterstock

Director Ron Howard dared to imagine how Dr. Seuss' iconic holiday humbug might look in live-action. And who better to take on the role of such an iconically comical character than rubber-faced movie star Jim Carrey? While down in Whoville, cheery citizens plan for gift-giving, celebrations, and feasts, high above them in his cave the green-furred and self-loathing Grinch plots a plan to ruin Christmas. Among the more bizarre elements of this adaptation was a schmaltzy backstory that explained the Grinch's hatred of Christmas and facial prosthetics that turned the likes of Christine Baranski, Molly Shannon, and Jeffrey Tambor into Whos. Yet over the decades, these quirks have been embraced by a generation that sees Carrey's capering as the ultimate Grinch. — K.P.

How to watch: Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas is now streaming on Peacock.

7. Love Actually (2003) Credit: Moviestore / Shutterstock

Perhaps the most polarizing movie of the holiday season, Love Actually is a collection of interlocking vignettes all about — well — love. There's the story of the timid prime minister (Hugh Grant) who falls for a sassy staff member (Martine McCutcheon), the story of the widower (Liam Neeson) guiding his stepson through puppy love, the shy American (Laura Linney) with a crush on her office mate (Rodrigo Santoro), and Alan Rickman playing his most villainous holiday role as the heartbreaker of Emma Thompson. (I too have seen Die Hard. I said what I said.)

Written and directed by Richard Curtis, Love Actually is both wildly popular and widely derided for some of its quirks. But the awesome star power and unapologetically joyful love stories keep us coming back year after year. — K.P.

How to watch: Love Actually is now streaming on Peacock.

6. The Santa Clause (1994) Credit: Disney / Kobal / Shutterstock

Ah yes, the classic '90s movie where Tim Allen accidentally kills Santa. In The Santa Clause, the first of what would soon become a trilogy, Allen’s Scott is a divorced marketing exec who doesn’t believe in Santa. After Scott spooks the old guy mid-present delivery, Santa tumbles off the roof to his death. Dark! When Scott puts on the magical suit to please his young son Charlie (Eric Lloyd), he becomes bound by the holy North Pole contract stipulating that he now must carry the mantle as the new Saint Nick. He isn’t exactly up for the job and ends up being a pretty grouchy Santa, not to mention a lactose-intolerant one, much to the disappointment of one little girl expecting him to drink his customary glass of milk. Despite some icky fatphobic jokes over Scott’s Santa weight gain, The Santa Clause is a delightfully strange and charming family movie with a clever story and some signature sardonic Tim Allen humor.* — O.W.

How to watch: The Santa Clause is now streaming on Hulu.

5. Die Hard (1988)

Forget fresh baked cookies and decorating the tree. The one true way to tap into the Christmas spirit each year is watching Bruce Willis climb elevator shafts and run barefoot through broken glass. 

It’s Dec. 24, 1988, and NYPD detective John McClane (Willis) has just arrived at the Nakatomi Corporation Christmas party to reconnect with his estranged wife (Bonnie Bedelia) — ya know, to come out to the coast and have a few laughs. Unfortunately (or rather, fortunately for our viewing pleasure) Alan Rickman’s Hans Gruber has decided to crash the party with his long-haired German henchmen to steal some bearer bonds. “It’s Christmas, Theo,” Hans tells his safecracker. “A time for miracles!” Too bad for him this Christmas miracle arrives in a bloody tank top and sporting a cranky disposition; McClane won’t let these thieves get away easily.* — O.W.

How to watch: Die Hard is now streaming on Hulu.

4. Batman Returns (1992) Credit: Zade Rosenthal / Warner Bros / DC Comics / Kobal / Shutterstock

Leave it up to Tim Burton to inject a brooding darkness into the holiday season. After Edward Scissorhands but before The Nightmare Before Christmas, Burton gave us Batman Returns. And yes, it is indeed a Christmas movie.

First of all, it's a Batman film where Gotham City actually looks and feels festive and colorful for the first time. Burton's extravagant sets are filled with towering Christmas trees blanketed in string lights and ornaments; there's the tree-lighting ceremony where the Red Triangle Circus Gang jump out of a massive gift box; there's the penguin army strapped with candy cane-striped rockets; and, of course, there's the fact that mistletoe plays an important role in the plot.* — O.W.

How to watch: Batman Returns is now streaming on HBO Max and is available for rent or purchase on Apple TV and Prime Video.

3. A Christmas Story (1983) Credit: Mgm / UA / Kobal / Shutterstock

Every kid remembers that one toy they desperately wanted more than anything else for Christmas. It dominates every moment of your young life as you plead for it and shake presents to guess at what's inside. For 9-year-old Ralphie (Peter Billingsley), that Christmas gift fixation is a BB gun. Unfortunately, everyone from his mom to the local department store's grumpy Santa rejects his wish by looking out for his safety. “You'll shoot your eye out!” they shout.

A Christmas Story is in many ways the perfect movie to watch on Christmas Day. It's warm and nostalgic, wacky and playful, and accurately captures a child's view of Christmas. Plus, it's one of a kind — no other holiday movie features a leg lamp, tongues stuck on a frozen pole, and elves shoving screaming children down a giant slide.* — O.W.

How to watch: A Christmas Story is streaming on Hulu.

2. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)

The third installment in the National Lampoon’s Vacation series opens with the only Griswold family vacation in the film: a trip to a forest where Clark (Chevy Chase) gleefully drags his family out into the snow to cut down their own Christmas tree. From there, many classic Griswold hijinks ensue as Clark goes out of his way to plan the most over-the-top Christmas of all time. That includes decking out his roof in hundreds of string lights to the point of knocking out the entire city’s power grid, the unexpected arrival of his wife’s cousin and her cigar-smoking husband (Randy Quaid), an indoor squirrel attack, a cat wrapped inside a gift box, a very pissed-off Julia Louis-Dreyfus as his snooty neighbor, a SWAT team storming the house, and so much more. It's total Christmas chaos, Griswold style.* — O.W.

How to watch: National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation is streaming on Hulu.

1. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) Credit: Touchstone / Kobal / Shutterstock

Tim Burton and director Henry Selick’s stop-motion masterwork isn’t a Halloween or a Christmas movie: It’s a spectacular fusion of both in the best of ways. The Nightmare Before Christmas is the perfect film for those who prefer their yuletide delights to come with a side dish of spookiness — and songs. Sick of movies where kids greedily open presents? Great, please enjoy a giant black and orange snake gobbling up gifts whole, along with the entire dang Christmas tree. Family comedies where a jolly old Santa rides his magical sleigh — yawn! How about one where Santa gets kidnapped and a kid gets a shrunken head for a gift? That’s exactly what happens when Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, loses his, well, joie de mort. Wandering sadly through the woods, Jack stumbles into a series of parallel worlds, each dedicated to a different holiday. When he lands in Christmas Town, his bony little mind is blown, and he dedicates himself to learning everything he can about this warm and magical place, and its strange leader named Sandy Claws. There's mischief and romance, a mad scientist and a singing boogeyman, not to mention a voice cast that includes Chris Sarandon, Catherine O'Hara, and the late, great Paul Reubens.

Brilliant in everything from its stunning animation and clever story to its detailed world-building and endlessly catchy music, there’s nothing quite like the haunting magic and whimsy of The Nightmare Before Christmas.* — O.W.

How to watch: The Nightmare Before Christmas is streaming on Hulu Live TV.

UPDATE: Dec. 17, 2025, 1:29 p.m. EST This list was first published on Nov. 28, 2024. It has been updated to reflect current streaming options.

YouTube will no longer share its music data with Billboard, citing objections to how the publication weights streams when calculating its U.S. music charts. Set to go into effect next month, the change means Billboard's charts won't be able to take YouTube's music streaming data into account at all.

In a post to its official blog on Tuesday, YouTube criticized Billboard's policy of giving subscription-supported and paid streams more weight than ad-supported streams when determining its charts. The video streaming platform claimed that despite "extensive discussions," Billboard was "unwilling to make meaningful changes" to its stance. Billboard has included YouTube's data in its chart calculations since 2013, and began giving paid and subscription streams more weight than ad-supported ones in 2018.

SEE ALSO: No, that AI country song isn't No. 1 on the Billboard chart. Yes, it is terrible.

"Billboard uses an outdated formula that weights subscription-supported streams higher than ad-supported," claimed Lyor Cohen, YouTube's global head of music. "This doesn't reflect how fans engage with music today and ignores the massive engagement from fans who don’t have a subscription."

This news comes just one day after Billboard announced changes to how it considers different types of streams, aligning more closely with YouTube's preferences. Still, the update didn't go far enough to appease its partner of over a decade.

Billboard currently calculates its charts using "album consumption units." One unit is the equivalent of either one album sale, the sale of 10 individual tracks from an album, or a set number of on-demand streams of its songs. However, Billboard weights streams differently depending upon whether listeners have paid for them. It currently takes 1,250 streams via paid or subscription services to equate to one album consumption unit, while 3,750 are required for ad-supported streams. 

These calculations will change from Jan. 17 next month. While paid or subscription streams will still be given more weight than ad-supported ones, Billboard is reducing the ratio from 1:3 to 1:2.5. As such, one album consumption unit will only require 1000 paid or subscription streams or 2500 ad-supported streams. That's a respective 20 percent and 33.3 percent reduction on the number of streams required.

Even so, Billboard's changes apparently weren't enough to satisfy YouTube, which would much prefer all streams to be weighted equally. YouTube will stop providing its music data to Billboard after Jan. 16, one day before Billboard's changes come into effect.

"Streaming is the primary way people experience music, making up 84% of U.S. recorded music revenue," wrote Cohen. "We’re simply asking that every stream is counted fairly and equally, whether it is subscription-based or ad-supported — because every fan matters and every play should count."

For its part, Billboard is standing by its new chart calculations.

"Billboard strives to measure [music fans'] activity appropriately; balanced by various factors including consumer access, revenue analysis, data validation, and industry guidance," a Billboard spokesperson said in a statement. "It is our hope that YouTube reconsiders and joins Billboard in recognizing the reach and popularity of artists on all music platforms and in celebrating their achievements though [sic] the power of fans and how they interact with the music that they love."

We're close to the New Moon, which means it's almost the beginning of a new lunar cycle. The lunar cycle is the roughly 29.5-day period during which the Moon orbits Earth and appears to change shape as different portions of its sunlit surface become visible from our perspective.

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Thursday, Dec. 17, the moon phase is Waning Crescent. This means only 2% of the moon is lit up tonight, according to NASA's Daily Moon Observation.

With such a small sliver of moon on display, it's unlikely you'll be able to see anything on it's surface tonight.

When is the next full moon?

The next full moon will be on Jan. 3. The last full moon was on Dec. 4.

What are moon phases?

According to NASA, the Moon takes around 29.5 days to complete one full cycle. During this time, it passes through a series of phases as it orbits Earth. Although the same side of the Moon always faces us, the amount of sunlight reflecting off its surface changes, which is why it can appear fully illuminated, partly lit, or completely invisible at different points in the cycle. This process is divided into eight main lunar phases:

New Moon - The moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).

Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

First Quarter - Half of the moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-moon.

Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.

Full Moon - The whole face of the moon is illuminated and fully visible.

Waning Gibbous - The moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)

Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) - Another half-moon, but now the left side is lit.

Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

Heaven-sent.

SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answer

ANGEL

Hurdle Word 2 hint

A bad spell.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for December 18, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

CURSE

Hurdle Word 3 hint

A binge.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for December 18 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for December 18, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

SPREE

Hurdle Word 4 hint

To contemplate.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for December 18 Hurdle Word 4 answer

WEIGH

Final Hurdle hint

To scrape.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answer

SCUFF

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Tesla has filed a very interesting patent in the U.S. and Europe for a new type of car roof.

On Dec. 4, Tesla filed U.S. patent application 2025/0368267, which describes a novel "Vehicle Roof Assembly with Integrated RF Transparency for Electronic Module Consolidation." As first spotted by X user Chansoo Byeon, the patent has fueled speculation that Tesla could be planning to integrate Starlink satellites into its electric vehicles.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

An online copy of the patent filed with the European Patent Office includes several drawings of the proposed roof assembly along with a detailed description and list of potential parts. (While the U.S. version of the patent is indexed by Google, it's not viewable via a web browser at the time of writing.) The patent description states:

An example vehicle roof assembly is disclosed, featuring an outer roof panel made from radio frequency (RF) transparent polymer materials, such as Polycarbonate (PC), Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), or Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate (ASA). In some examples, this assembly enables the integration of overhead electrical modules and components, including antennae, directly into the roof structure, facilitating clear communication with external devices and satellites. The design incorporates a membrane effect for enhanced occupant protection during impacts, and the use of integrated foams between the exterior roof and interior headliner improves thermal and acoustic insulation.

(Emphasis added.)

A partial cross-section view of the proposed vehicle roof assembly on a vehicle. Credit: European Patent Office / Tesla The patent application describes this as a "perspective view of an example antenna module and mounting." Credit: European Patent Office / Tesla

Why is this noteworthy?

Tesla vehicles already connect to cellular networks, but by integrating Starlink antennas directly into its vehicles, Tesla could offer its drivers internet connectivity virtually anywhere. Electrek reports that the metal and glass roofs used in modern vehicles can block satellite radio signals. Not only does the new roof assembly allow for RF signals to pass through the roof membrane, but the proposed roof could also integrate a satellite antenna.

Electrek reports that some Tesla owners already retrofit their cars to include Starlink Mini dishes, and there could be a market for satellite-connected electric vehicles. And with both 5G cellular and satellite internet, Tesla vehicles would have far greater connectivity than other vehicles on the road.

Of course, the patent application doesn't specifically mention Starlink, nor has Tesla described any plans to integrate its EVs with Starlink. And companies file patents all the time for products or innovations that never make it to the factory floor.

But it's an interesting look into the potential future of connected cars.

Tesla has filed a very interesting patent in the U.S. and Europe for a new type of car roof.

On Dec. 4, Tesla filed U.S. patent application 2025/0368267, which describes a novel "Vehicle Roof Assembly with Integrated RF Transparency for Electronic Module Consolidation." As first spotted by X user Chansoo Byeon, the patent has fueled speculation that Tesla could be planning to integrate Starlink satellites into its electric vehicles.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

An online copy of the patent filed with the European Patent Office includes several drawings of the proposed roof assembly along with a detailed description and list of potential parts. (While the U.S. version of the patent is indexed by Google, it's not viewable via a web browser at the time of writing.) The patent description states:

An example vehicle roof assembly is disclosed, featuring an outer roof panel made from radio frequency (RF) transparent polymer materials, such as Polycarbonate (PC), Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), or Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate (ASA). In some examples, this assembly enables the integration of overhead electrical modules and components, including antennae, directly into the roof structure, facilitating clear communication with external devices and satellites. The design incorporates a membrane effect for enhanced occupant protection during impacts, and the use of integrated foams between the exterior roof and interior headliner improves thermal and acoustic insulation.

(Emphasis added.)

A partial cross-section view of the proposed vehicle roof assembly on a vehicle. Credit: European Patent Office / Tesla The patent application describes this as a "perspective view of an example antenna module and mounting." Credit: European Patent Office / Tesla

Why is this noteworthy?

Tesla vehicles already connect to cellular networks, but by integrating Starlink antennas directly into its vehicles, Tesla could offer its drivers internet connectivity virtually anywhere. Electrek reports that the metal and glass roofs used in modern vehicles can block satellite radio signals. Not only does the new roof assembly allow for RF signals to pass through the roof membrane, but the proposed roof could also integrate a satellite antenna.

Electrek reports that some Tesla owners already retrofit their cars to include Starlink Mini dishes, and there could be a market for satellite-connected electric vehicles. And with both 5G cellular and satellite internet, Tesla vehicles would have far greater connectivity than other vehicles on the road.

Of course, the patent application doesn't specifically mention Starlink, nor has Tesla described any plans to integrate its EVs with Starlink. And companies file patents all the time for products or innovations that never make it to the factory floor.

But it's an interesting look into the potential future of connected cars.