We’ve all seen our fill of It’s A Wonderful Life, Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer, A Christmas Carol, and A Christmas Story. And, while those are all classic holiday films, sometimes enough is enough and we long for something a bit different in our holiday DVD, download, television, or Netflix viewing queue. Fortunately, Christmas, with its endless string of memories, traditions, and heightened emotions has long been a popular subject for filmmakers, and there are quite a few unsung classics in the category of little-known movies either about, or set during, the holidays.
The following list is a highly subjective group intended to get readers/viewers started, expand the mind, and promote alternate notions of what constitutes a popular “Christmas Movie”.
Bad Santa (2003)
Two lowlifes travel cross-country dressed as Santa and his elf. They scam locals and generally rob malls, and shopping centers blind until they meet a young kid who reminds them what Christmas is all about.
Co-Stars: Billy Bob Thornton, Bernie Mac, Cloris Leachman, and John Ritter
Christmas in July (1940)
Jimmy, a nebbishy office drone, enters a contest hoping to win a pile of cash and his heart’s desire. When his co-workers trick him into thinking he’s won the contest, he begins to live the life he believes he was meant to live.
Directed by: Preston Sturges
Starring: Dick Powell
Comfort & Joy (1984)
Glasgow disc jockey Alan “Dickey” Bird gets dumped by his kleptomaniac girlfriend during the Christmas holidays. He stands there and “takes it” as a group of nameless guys show up to move her and her stuff (mostly stolen) out, including the present she “bought” for him. But just when Dickey thinks life can’t get any worse, he witnesses an assault on an ice cream van by members of a rival ice cream company.
The hapless radio host is soon embroiled in a ludicrous turf war between rival ice cream peddlers, Mr. McCool and Mr. Bunny. His life turns upside down as his car gets “coned” and he becomes the go between for these two warring factions. Ultimately his solution is the pleasing cherry on top of this delightful little film. Make sure to get the version directed by Bill Forsyth (who also directed Local Hero and Gregory’s Girl), and NOT the 2004 film of the same name.
Stars: Bill Paterson
Joyeux Noel (2005)
On the Western Front of World War I (circa 1914). When a German soldier (a tenor in civilian life) and his beautiful wife sing for the troops, the French, Scots and Germans declare a temporary truce and come together for a brief respite of peace. Afterwards they find it difficult to carry on as soldiers. This film is inspired by a true story.
Co-Stars: Diane Kruger, Benno Furmann, Guillaume Canet, Gary Lewis, Dany Boon and Daniel Bruhl
Love Actually (2003)
Ten separate intertwined love stories weave in and out of each other and lead to a wonderfully heartwarming Christmas Eve.
Stars: Hugh Grat, Bill Nighy, Liam Neeson, Colin Firth, Keira Knightly,and Emma Thompson
Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Jack Skellington, the Mayor of Halloween Town is bored with the same old same old. And just when he’s about given up on October 31st ever being fun again, he discovers Christmas Town. He hatches a plot to steal Santa and deliver all manner of ghoulish gifts on Christmas Day. But his plan doesn’t quite come off as advertised. This animated classic comes from the mind of director Tim Burton.
Stars: Chris Sarandon (as Jack’s voice), and Catherine O’hara (as Sally/Shock’s voice)
Planes Trains & Automobiles (1987)
This is actually a Thanksgiving story, but it’s the holiday travel nightmare from hell, so it deserves a place here. An ordinary likable guy sees his travel plans go awry as he tries to get home for Thanksgiving. His unshakable travel companion is an obnoxious shower ring salesman. Will they make it home? Will they kill one another in the process?
Director: John Hughes
Stars: Steve Martin and John Candy
Scrooge (1970)
This is the classic “A Christmas Carol” tale of Ebenezer Scrooge, a man so miserly the fates send three ghosts to redirect him and show him the error of his ways, the pain he’s caused, the pain he will cause, and the life he’s missed out on. This version is worth seeing for it’s cast.
Stars: Albert Finney and Alec Guinness
Tokyo Godfathers (2003)
Set in Tokyo, this tale of woe and redemption brings together two street people (one a former professional cyclist, the other a transvestite) and a young runaway. When this unlikely trio discovers an abandoned baby in a dumpster on Christmas Eve, they sacrifice themselves for the good of the child as they search for the baby’s parents. As the rest of the city merrily celebrates the holiday, our heroes come to grips with their own lives as they try to do the right thing.
Stars: Toru Emorri (as the voice of Gin), Aya Okamoto (as the voice of Miyuki, and Yoshiaki Umegaki (as the voice of Hana)
Unaccompanied Minors (2006)
Five kids, snowed in at the airport on Christmas Eve, learn lessons about friendship as they band together to outsmart an airport official and get home for the holiday.
Other Christmas Related Movies
This is a list of movies, not so much with Christmas themes or plots, but set around and during the holidays. Again, this is in no way meant to be a complete list, but is simply fodder for everyone’s “Christmas Movie” list.
Die Hard (1988)
Lethal Weapon (1987)
While You Were Sleeping (1995)
For anyone looking to forego the litany of classic Christmas movie these lists are meant to provide hope that there are quite a few interesting and engaging Xmas film alternatives. They also make terrific Christmas gift ideas
Sources
Glenn Kaufmann - Having moved every four years up to the age of 12, I've always been something of a restless soul ready to take on the next big thing. I ...
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