Everyone loves It’s a Wonderful Life, A Charlie Brown Christmas and the many versions of A Christmas Carol (Alastair Sim’s awesome 1951 performance is my favorite).
But what about less traditional, yet wonderful Christmas films?
Don’t miss out on these 7 movies set at Christmastime — and bound to make it into your annual Christmas viewing rotation. Grab a cup of cocoa and a plate of cookies, and enjoy!
The Man Who Invented Christmas (2017)
Appropriate for: Anyone
While this beautiful tale didn’t become a box office hit, it was nominated for two awards and received very positive critical acclaim. It’s a fascinating and very sweet fictional dive into the mind of Charles Dickens, who has writer’s block while developing a story about a mean old miser named Ebeneezer Scrooge. It stars Christopher Plummer, Dan Stevens, Jonathan Pryce and Anna Murphy.
LOVE ACTUALLY (2003)
Appropriate for: Grownups
This fast-moving anthology interweaves several storylines all making their way back to the Christmastime wedding of Juliet and Peter. The story opens and ends at London’s Heathrow Airport. These aren’t all Hallmark-style stories — and they definitely don’t all end up the way you’re expecting. There are mature themes here, but your heartstrings will be tugged, and you’ll be left with a lot to think about.
THE BISHOP’S WIFE (1947)
Appropriate for: Anyone
This adorable comedy has a surprising theme for its time. An angel (Carey Grant) responds to a bishop’s prayer for help building a cathedral…and falls in love with the bishop’s wife, Julia. A lot happens here: the bishop, Henry, is frustrated with angel Dudley’s insistence that he focus on the poor and not his project; Henry is distant from his family; and he’s comically jealous of Dudley. In the end, Julia and the angel must make a choice.
THE FAMILY STONE (2005)
Appropriate for: Teens and Grownups
This tale runs more along traditional lines: boyfriend brings girlfriend home for Christmas; girlfriend strikes out over and over again; the family dislikes her; a second love interest enters the picture. But it’s a fun romp through what makes a family, the things we hide, and what can change everything in an instant of clarity. This is definitely worth the watch.
THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS (1993)
Appropriate for: Anyone
This Tim Burton classic is usually watched at Halloween. But it has some surprisingly on-point Christmas themes. Besides the obvious — Jack Skellington wants to be Santa Claus for a day — he learns about reaching for his dreams (and when to call a truce), and the joys of giving, being part of a family, and recognizing who’s been there for you all along.
THE CHRISTMAS CHRONICLES (2018)
Appropriate for: Anyone
If you’re looking for a fun romp for the kids that grown-ups will get a chuckle out of as well, try this classic starring Kurt Russel. It’s the kids-helping-Santa trope, but Russel’s rockin’ Santa character makes the story all the more fun. Two grieving children think they’ve spotted Santa in an old video. They track him down only to crash his sleigh. Now it’s up to them all to find Santa’s hat and bag of presents on the streets of Chicago.
JOUEUX NOEL (2005)
Appropriate for: Grownups
Intense Themes
Warning: the movie contain distressing scenes. But the overall message is of coming together despite differences and threats to one’s livelihood. This film is based on the real event of the Christmas Truce of 2014, during World War I. British and German soldiers on the front lines begin singing Christmas songs, and finally meet and exchange gifts and Christmas greetings. The final scene is quietly stunning…and very, very meaningful.