Everyone knows the all-time most popular Christmas classics because they’re so famous and get watched almost annually by people everywhere. The likes of Elf, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, A Christmas Story, and Home Alone are among those classics.
However, there’s so much fun in finding the underrated or less talked-about films set during the holiday season. These are movies that are, for the most part, well-received, yet they don’t get brought up much when people talk about their favorite Christmas films. If you’ve never seen them before, now’s the perfect chance to learn about them.
Last Christmas (2019)
It’s rather surprising that Last Christmas didn’t catch on after its initial release in 2019. It has all the makings of a true holiday classic, from iconic Christmas music to likable characters to a romantic story at its core. In fact, Last Christmas was actually a solid box office.
However, in the few years since it arrived, almost nobody ever brings it up among the best films to watch when Christmas comes around. Reviews weren’t sparkling from critics, but audiences were much happier (the Popcornmeter is at 81%) and it’s the kind of thing that’s so easy to watch.
Last Christmas focuses on Emilia Clarke’s Kate, an aimless woman working at a Christmas store when she runs into Tom (Henry Golding), whom she spends time with and falls for. As they grow closer, an unexpected truth comes to light but Kate ultimately grows as a person in this heartwarming tale.
8-Bit Christmas (2021)
If you’re a fan of A Christmas Story, you should find something to love in 8-Bit Christmas. The modern film takes clear inspiration from the holiday classic as it centers on a kid who really wants one particular gift for Christmas and his misadventures as he tries to get it.
In A Christmas Story, that toy was an air rifle but here, it’s a more famous item as the child desires a Nintendo Entertainment System. The main plot is relatable and since it takes place in 1988, there’s a nostalgia factor for anyone who loves the decade or was alive during that time.
8-Bit Christmas was met with some impressive reviews. It sits at 84% on Rotten Tomatoes and was praised for its sweet nostalgia factor and the likable cast, with veteran star Neil Patrick Harris leading the way in some great scenes.
The Man Who Invented Christmas (2017)
When people think about Christmas films, they often consider the ones that are lighthearted, fun, and simple. There’s a joy to that kind of movie in the genre but sometimes, you want something a little different and that’s where The Man Who Invented Christmas comes into play.
The 2017 film interestingly tells the story of Charles Dickens, the famous author of works like Oliver Twist, A Christmas Carol, and A Tale of Two Cities. Based on a 2008 novel of the same name, this movie stars Dan Stevens (as Dickens), Christopher Plummer, and Jonathan Pryce.
The Man Who Invented Christmas is a different kind of holiday movie, yet it still has the magic you want from this genre. That’s why reviews for it were so positive, with most praise going to the cast and how this classic tale was retold.
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)
When it comes to unorthodox Christmas movies, there aren’t many better than Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. Written and directed by Shane Black, who always seems to give his movies at least a little bit of a Christmas feel, this was his feature debut and he knocked it out of the park.
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is loosely based on the 1941 novel Bodies Are Where You Find Them, and tells the story of a petty thief who ends up at an audition while running from the cops and actually gets the acting gig. The entire time, he’s also in the midst of a murder investigation, making everything more complicated.
The Christmas aspects of Kiss Kiss Bang Bang don’t play a major part, but there’s still just something about this that works within the genre. It helps that this boasts a stellar cast from Robert Downey Jr. to Michelle Monaghan to Val Kilmer.
Noelle (2019)
When Disney+ first launched, all the talk was about the massive back catalog that was finally available in one place and the major new releases like the premiere of The Mandalorian. Due to that, one of the platform’s debut projects, Noelle, mostly flew under the radar.
This is a movie that should attract subscribers everywhere due to its fun premise and talented cast. The setup of the movie takes place after Santa Claus passes away and his son Nick Kringle must take over as Santa, only to struggle and run away. His sister Noelle must travel to find him in time for Christmas.
Noelle benefits from the aforementioned cast, with Anna Kendrick playing the titular Noelle and Bill Hader as Nick. There’s also Kingsley Ben-Adir and Billy Eichner as part of a strong supporting cast. The film doesn’t do a ton that’s original with the genre, yet there’s a lot of heart and it’s such fun.
This Christmas (2007)
This Christmas is another holiday movie where the fact that it’s not well-known and is underrated is kind of surprising. The layout of the film is what everyone is looking for during the Christmas season, with warm moments about a big family, a fantastic cast, and some hilarious scenes.
This Christmas follows the Whitfield family coming together to celebrate the holidays. That includes matriarch “Ma’Dere,” her six adult children, and their respective romantic partners. Each character gets their own storyline and not everything is tied up neatly, giving this a relatable feel.
Although not as popular as it deserves to be, This Christmas is a staple in Black households and is beloved by many who know about it. The cast is also incredible with Regina King, Idris Elba, Loretta Devine, Delroy Lindo, Laz Alonso, Sharon Leal, Mekhi Phifer, and more.
Just Friends (2005)
Before he starred as Deadpool and started appearing all over the place, Ryan Reynolds was making a name for himself in romantic comedies. One of the best from that bunch comes from Just Friends, which centers on the concept of the “friend zone.”
In the film, Chris (Reynolds) and Jamie (Amy Smart) are best friends in high school and Chris was in love with her but never told her. When she says she just wants to be friends, he leaves town, loses all his weight, and becomes a womanizer. He returns home for Christmas with his popstar “girlfriend,” leading to chaos.
The film works so well because Reynolds and Smart have strong chemistry, with the likes of Anna Faris, Chris Klein, Christopher Marquette, and Julie Hagerty are hilarious. It’s an easy holiday watch that’s sure to make you laugh.
Arthur Christmas (2011)
Arthur Christmas is a true hidden gem of the holiday genre. The film was made for around $100 million and failed to gross $200 million, making it a box office flop, yet it deserves to be considered one of the top holiday movies.
Like Noelle, Arthur Christmas focuses more on the Claus family and the person who is going to be Santa’s successor. Here, Santa’s son Steven is next in line, but he’s more focused on the technological side of things rather than the heart that Santa needs to have. That’s where younger brother Arthur comes into play.
Arthur is the less recognized son but his genuine love for the holiday leads him on an adventure to make sure that the one kid who was left out of Christmas gets at least one gift. It’s a wonderful, heartwarming story with solid animation that should be a Christmas classic.
Tokyo Godfathers (2003)
Not only is Tokyo Godfathers an underrated holiday gem, but it’s actually one of the best Christmas movies ever made. In fact, many would consider it one of the best films of the 2000s, regardless of genre.
Tokyo Godfathers is an animated film from Japan that takes place on Christmas Eve. Based on an American movie titled 3 Godfathers, the story focuses on three homeless people who find a newborn baby in the trash and set out to find the parents, bonding with the child along the way.
Critical reception for Tokyo Godfathers was sparkling, with the film holding a 92% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It was praised for the unique animation style, the voice acting, and the straightforward story. It’s grounded in realism and tells a beautiful story.
Anna And The Apocalypse (2017)
John McPhail’s Anna and the Apocalypse is the definition of a hidden gem. The movie isn’t all that well-known, grossed less than $1 million during its theatrical run, and is basically its own genre as it is a musical, zombie flick, and holiday film.
Anna and the Apocalypse follows the titular Anna as she wakes up to find that her small town has been overrun by zombies. She and her friends attempt to survive and reach the school where their parents and loved ones are sheltered. The zombie action here is great considering the small budget.
The aspect that truly makes Anna and the Apocalypse work comes from the songs. The musical numbers are extravagant and the tunes are incredibly catchy, with “Hollywood Ending,” “Soldier at War,” and “Break Away,” stealing the show. It’s just a good time for anyone to watch.
