Your Christmas movie watchlist doesn’t have to be all about the holiday.
After all, Mean Girls has nothing to do with the festive season, but we dare you to name a scene as iconic as the Plastics performing “Jingle Bell Rock” in the 2004 cult classic. Okay, okay, Frozen isn’t technically all about Yuletide — but c’mon, its name alone makes it a perfect cozy movie to enjoy around the fireplace with family and friends this winter holiday.
Few movies are as heartwarming and nostalgic as the Harry Potter films, which — while more about magic, wizards and fantastic beasts — celebrate the season several times throughout the franchise. Who could forget the look on Harry’s (Daniel Radcliffe) face when he receives his first Christmas present in 2001’s Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone?
To ensure you’re not missing out on the best nontraditional Christmas movies, here are 21 you can watch long after you’ve put the holiday decorations away and the snow has melted.
Die Hard
20th Century Studios
Perhaps the most popular and hotly debated question of all time: Is Die Hard — the film where Bruce Willis‘ character utters, “Yippee-ki-yay, motherf—–!” — a Christmas movie? For that reason, and that reason alone, the 1988 action flick (which does, in fact, take place during a Christmas party) makes the list.
Edward Scissorhands
20th Century-Fox/Getty
With Tim Burton‘s name attached, Edward Scissorhands naturally pops up on many Halloween watchlists — but we’ll die on the hill that it’s also the perfect yuletide flick. Seriously, what’s more Christmas than watching the iconic scene where Edward (Johnny Depp) sculpts an icy masterpiece as Winona Ryder‘s Kim twirls gracefully beneath the falling flakes? Perhaps only Danny Elfman‘s dreamlike score accompanying it.
The Harry Potter film series
Peter Mountain/Warner Bros.
The magic of Christmas meets the magical wizarding world with the Harry Potter film franchise, making it an essential Christmas movie marathon. Oh, what we would give for a hand-knit sweater from Mrs. Weasley (Julie Walters) right about now!
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 2
Summit Entertainment
Most of the films in the Twilight franchise are autumnal classics, but the fifth and final installment breaks tradition. With many scenes set in snow-covered environments, including one of the most jaw-dropping battle sequences in cinema, Breaking Dawn — Part 2 morphs into a Christmas movie at heart. It’s a story about family, love and fierce protection, punctuated with a rare upbeat holiday scene that shifts from the movie series’ otherwise moody tone.
You’ve Got Mail
Brian Hamill/Warner Bros/Kobal/Shutterstock
You’ve Got Mail is a 1998 adaptation of the 1940 film The Shop Around the Corner, which is a Christmas story, but that’s not why it makes the list. Not only does it occur during the winter months in New York City — and no other city does Christmastime quite like N.Y.C. — but watching Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks go from enemies to lovers is like downing a warm cup of cocoa.
Little Women
Columbia Pictures
Any film adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel will do (and there are plenty to choose from). We suggest starting with Greta Gerwig‘s 2019 iteration, starring Emma Watson, Saoirse Ronan, Eliza Scanlen and Florence Pugh as the four March sisters — Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy, respectively.
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Moviestore/Shutterstock
Whip yourself up a Turkish delight and disappear into the magic of Narnia for the holidays with the 2005 high-fantasy film based on the 1950 book of the same name. You might even see Father Christmas along the way.
Watch The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe on Disney+
While You Were Sleeping
Buena Vista/Getty
Feel-good rom-coms are a staple of the season, and this 1995 flick — starring Sandra Bullock and Bill Pullman — takes place over the holidays in Chicago, making it perfect for Christmastime.
Mean Girls
Michael Gibson/Paramount/Kobal/Shutterstock
The “Jingle Bell Rock” scene is enough to justify Mean Girls as a non-Christmas Christmas movie. Plus, it’s perfect if you can’t watch the 2003 classic Elf one more time and need some holiday cheer with a dash of teenage drama.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Moviestore/Shutterstock
While 2012’s The Perks of Being a Wallflower takes us through Charlie’s (Logan Lerman) entire journey during his freshman year of high school, the story’s most tender moments are set around Christmastime. There’s nothing more heartwarming than watching the doe-eyed boy pour his heart into thoughtful, personalized gifts for his friends during Secret Santa. Even more moving is seeing Charlie’s kindness reciprocated in ways that leave him feeling truly seen.
Just Friends
MMV New Line Productions
A silly rom-com that takes place while Ryan Reynolds‘ character is home for the holidays and also stars the hilarious Anna Faris? Sign us up! This 2005 cult classic has a Christmas-y vibe and features quintessential festive activities like parties, caroling and decorating without hitting us over the head with holiday cheer.
The Parent Trap
Lorey Sebastian/Walt Disney/Kobal/Shutterstock
Listen, I already know what you’re going to say: “The Parent Trap doesn’t have any Christmas scenes! This is where I draw the line!”
However, the 1998 flick is just the kind of spirited, family-oriented movie that’s great for watching by the fire when you’ve grown tired of the Princess Switch trilogy.
Batman Returns
Warner Bros. Pictures/Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images
The Tim Burton superhero film is set during Christmas in Gotham City and contains many Christmas allegories, so why not add this 1992 sequel to your binge-watch lineup to break up some of the less action-packed films?
Iron Man 3
Marvel/Paramount/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock
It’s a bird … it’s a plane … it’s another superhero who has a Christmas-adjacent movie: Iron Man! Although the Marvel film has little to do with Christmas, it does take place during the holiday — making it a great option to add to your list.
Babe
Carolyn Jones/Universal/Kobal/Shutterstock
Say it with us, “Christmas means carnage!” Honor your furry friends by watching the 1995 touching family comedy.
Frozen
Disney
We know you’ve heard “Let It Go” millions of times since the original film’s 2013 release, but it’s better than having the same line from “Wonderful Christmastime” stuck in your head, right?
Trading Places
Starz
“Security? Merry Christmas!”
The 1983 film Trading Places takes place in Philadelphia over the holidays, which means that, even though it’s not technically a Christmas movie, it still has the festive moments that make it feel like it qualifies. Who could forget the holiday party scene?
Carol
Wilson Webb/Killer/The Weinstein Company/Kobal/Shutterstock
This 2015 sapphic romance is a December essential for anyone feeling the holiday blues. Set during Christmastime in 1950s N.Y.C., Carol follows the titular soon-to-be divorcée (Cate Blanchett), who meets seasonal toy store clerk Therese (Rooney Mara) and begins a passionate affair.
Though their heart-wrenching romance is at the crux of this story, the holiday spirit rings loud and true — with plenty of snowy scenes, Christmas tree shopping, gift exchanges and multiple red and green outfits.
This post was originally published on here
