20 Hanukkah Movies to Get You in the Holiday Spirit

Published:

These 20 Hanukkah movies are chosen to appeal to all ages and tastes. From heartwarming tales of family, to hilarious comedies, to even a horror movie, there’s something here for everyone.

Hey there, fellow revelers of the Festival of Lights!

There’s something incredibly enchanting about the cozy atmosphere that this special holiday brings.

And what better way to enhance the joy and warmth of Hanukkah than with a delightful dose of movie magic?

Hanukkah movies have a unique way of weaving the spirit of this beautiful holiday into the very fabric of your celebrations. They capture the essence of family, tradition, and the miraculous events of the past.

These 20 Hanukkah movies are chosen to appeal to all ages and tastes.

From heartwarming tales of family, to hilarious comedies, to even a horror movie, there’s something here for everyone.

We provide a free hanukkah movie checklist that you can download for future reference.

What information is provided about each Hanukkah movie in this selection?

  • The movie title and release year of the movie
  • The YouTube Trailer
  • Director
  • Cast
  • Genre
  • The MPAA rating
  • Link to the movie in IMDb – For movie reviews, where to stream, ratings, trailers and lots more.
  • A movie summary

Don’t forget to download the FREE MOVIE CHECKLIST to keep track of what movies you want to watch!

20 Hanukkah Movies to Light Up Your Holiday

1. Eight Crazy Nights (2002)

  • Director: Seth Kearsley
  • Cast: Adam Sandler, Jackie Sandler, Austin Stout
  • Genre: Animation, Comedy, Musical
  • Rating: PG-13
  • IMDb: ‘Eight Crazy Nights’ on IMDb

This animated comedy weaves the Festival of Lights into a hilarious tale of redemption. Davey, a troublemaker with a heart of gold, goes on a journey of self discovery during Hanukkah, learning about the importance of family and the holiday’s spirit of miracles. The film features catchy songs and plenty of laughs, making it a fun choice for Hanukkah entertainment.

2. The Hebrew Hammer (2003)

This over the top comedy offers a unique twist on the holiday. The film follows Mordechai Jefferson Carver, who’s on a mission to save Hanukkah from the evil plans of Santa’s evil son. With references to Jewish culture, this hilarious parody combines action and humor to deliver a Hanukkah adventure like no other.

3. The Rugrats Hanukkah Special (1996)

If you grew up with the Rugrats, you’ll appreciate this special episode. The toddlers celebrate Hanukkah under the watchful eye of Grandpa Boris, who shares the story of the Maccabees and the miracle of the oil with the kids. It’s a heartwarming and educational take on the holiday, perfect for family viewing.

4. Full Court Miracle (2003)

This Disney Channel movie combines the spirit of Hanukkah with basketball. It’s based on a true story of a Jewish basketball team during the holiday season. The film showcases the importance of teamwork, faith, and the celebration of Hanukkah, demonstrating that miracles can happen both on and off the court.

5. For Your Consideration (2006)

This comedy film is not specifically about Hanukkah, but it features a humorous subplot involving a fictional film called “Home for Purim,” which is in the midst of production during the Hanukkah season. The characters’ interactions and eccentricities make for a hilarious backdrop against which the chaos of show business during the holiday unfolds.

6. Lights (1984, Animated Short)

  • Director: Yehuda Wurtzel
  • Cast: Judd Hirsch, Paul Michael Glaser, Leonard Nimoy
  • Genre: Animation, Short
  • Rating: NR
  • IMDb: ‘Lights’ on IMDb

An animated reimagining of the Chanukah tale, this film cleverly uses the Hebrew alphabet as a metaphor for the enduring light of Chanukah, symbolizing the resilience and hope that have sustained the Jewish heritage through the ages.

7. Eight Gifts of Hanukkah (2021)

This heartwarming family film centers around a young girl named Noelle who discovers her family’s Hanukkah traditions while also embracing the holiday spirit of giving. Each night of Hanukkah, she receives a thoughtful gift that helps her learn about her Jewish heritage and the importance of generosity. Eight Gifts of Hanukkah” is a wonderful celebration of both the holiday’s traditions and the values it represents.

8. Mistletoe and Menorahs (2019)

In this romantic holiday movie, a Jewish event planner, Rachel, and a Christian decorator, Jack, must work together to organize a Christmas and Hanukkah party for a client. As they learn about each other’s traditions and customs, they find love and friendship amidst the chaos of the holiday season. “Mistletoe and Menorahs” beautifully explores the idea of unity and harmony during the festive season.

9. Shalom Sesame: Hanukkah Special (2010)

This special episode from the “Shalom Sesame” series brings Hanukkah to life for young viewers. Using beloved Sesame Street characters, the show teaches children about the history and traditions of Hanukkah. With entertaining songs and engaging storytelling, it’s a fun and educational way to introduce kids to the holiday’s significance.

10. Double Holiday (2019)

This Hallmark Channel movie tells the story of a young woman named Rebecca who must work with her colleague, Chris, to plan a holiday party that combines both Hanukkah and Christmas traditions. As they navigate the challenges of merging their different cultures and customs, they discover the joy of celebrating both holidays and, of course, find love along the way.

“Double Holiday” is a delightful tale of cultural understanding and the magic of the holiday season.

11. Hanukkah (2019)

  • Director: Eben McGarr
  • Cast: Charles Fleischer, Sid Haig, Caroline Williams
  • Genre: Horror
  • Rating: Not Rated
  • IMDb: ‘Hanukkah’ on IMDb

A horror movie about a group of Jewish young adults who are targeted by Obediah Lazarus, a psychotic serial killer who believes he is fulfilling God’s commandments by punishing them for violating Judaic law. They must embrace their faith and fight for their lives with the help of a Rabbi. Hanukkah is the backdrop for the killings as Obediah uses a menorah as his weapon of choice.

12. Loving Leah (2009)

  • Director: Jeff Bleckner
  • Cast: Lauren Ambrose, Adam Kaufman, Susie Essman
  • Genre: Drama, Romance
  • Rating: TV-PG
  • IMDb: ‘Loving Leah’ on IMDb

In “Loving Leah,” Leah, a young Orthodox Jewish widow, unexpectedly marries her late husband’s brother, Jake. Their budding romance and the clash of their worlds form the core of the story. While Hanukkah isn’t the central theme, it provides a backdrop for their evolving relationship, offering a unique perspective on the holiday’s role in Jewish life.

13. Hitched for the Holidays (2012)

This romantic comedy follows two strangers, a Jewish woman and an Italian-American man, who pretend to be each other’s holiday dates to appease their families. As they navigate Hanukkah and Christmas together, the film explores cultural differences, traditions, and the development of genuine feelings between the two. “Hitched for the Holidays” is a heartwarming tale of love and family.

14. Jack and Jill (2011)

In this comedy film starring Adam Sandler, the character Jack has an identical twin sister, Jill, who visits him during the Thanksgiving and Hanukkah season. The film incorporates humorous Hanukkah celebrations and family dynamics into the story, adding a lighthearted touch to the holiday season. With Sandler playing both lead roles, it’s a quirky take on sibling relationships during the holidays.

15. Love, Lights, Hanukkah! (2020)

In this Hallmark Channel movie, Christina, who was adopted, discovers her Jewish heritage when she meets her biological family during Hanukkah. The film explores themes of identity, love, and the importance of traditions as Christina learns about the holiday and connects with her newfound family. “Love, Lights, Hanukkah!” is a heartwarming story of self discovery and the bonds that tie us together during the holiday season.

16. All I Want is Christmas (2012)

While not exclusively a Hanukkah movie, this family comedy follows the story of a young boy who wishes for a Christmas tree, much to the dismay of his Jewish parents. The film humorously explores the challenges of blending different holiday traditions and the importance of family during the holiday season.

17. Little Fockers (2010)

In this third installment of the “Meet the Parents” series, the Fockers are a Jewish family, and their holiday celebrations include Hanukkah. While the film primarily focuses on the comedic situations that arise when the Fockers interact with their in-laws, it does incorporate Hanukkah celebrations and the humorous dynamics of a multi faith family during the holiday season.

18. Hanukkah Bear (2016, Short)

Based on the children’s book by Eric A. Kimmel, “Hanukkah Bear” is a heartwarming animated short that tells the story of an old woman who mistakes a bear for her rabbi while preparing for Hanukkah. The bear, in a yarmulke and tallit, participates in the holiday traditions, and the tale is both humorous and touching as it emphasizes the warmth of the Hanukkah season.

19. Hanukkah on Rye (2022)

A romantic comedy about two Jewish deli owners, Molly and Jacob, who fall in love through a matchmaking service, but don’t realize they are rivals until it’s too late. With the help of their grandmothers and a Hanukkah miracle, they try to save their businesses and their relationship. Hanukkah is celebrated throughout the movie with menorah lightings, parties, and a song contest.

20. Menorah in the Middle (2022)

A holiday drama about Sarah, who returns to her hometown with her non Jewish fiancé, Chad, only to find out that her family’s bakery is in trouble and that her father had a heart attack. She reconnects with her old friend Ben, who shows her the true meaning of love, family, and Hanukkah. Hanukkah is central to the plot as the bakery needs to raise $40,000 by the end of the festival.

Thanks for reading this article for Hanukkah movie inspiration!

If you’re looking for family-friendly movies, than checkout our other articles on family movies!

We also have an article on the 100 Best Family Movies for Movie Night you should checkout next!

Here is a list of Hanukkah movie on Wikipedia.

And here are some more holiday movies!

We hope to see you again soon!

Happy Hanukkah!

hanukkah movies checklist

Free Movie Checklist

Click on the button below to get your FREE “Hanukkah Movies” checklist that you can print or check off directly on your device!

Click to Get Free Checklist

So, what are your thoughts on the movies included in this list? What additional movies would you have included? What movies would you have left off?

We encourage all comments and discussion!

Everyone is welcome!

Related: A List of 50 Kids Christmas Movies the Whole Family Can Enjoy

Posted

in

Tags:

,

Author:

Tiffany Marie

Tiffany is a female entrepreneur who has been in the movie business since 2005. She loves all things horror! Movies, Books, Magazines, Podcasts and Film Festivals. ***** Fav Author: Richard Laymon — Fav Director: Dario Argento — Fav Magazine: Cemetery Dance — Fav Podcast: Final Girls Horrorcast *****

Comments

Leave a Reply

Recent Listicles

Categories

Movie News

Latest Movie News All in One Place