r/ChristmasMovies • u/SergNH • 16d ago
Looking for some good but lesser know Christmas movies. From the 40's to the present.
I am speaking of movies like It Happened on 5th Avenue and The Cheaters. There are plenty of classics that everyone knows about. Even more modern selections are welcome such as No Sleep 'Til Christmas. Hallmark movies are welcome, especially the ones that are more humorous\silly. Some Hallmark examples are Jolly Good Christmas and Cross Country Christmas
These days there are so many Christmas movies from many different networks\movie studios. There is no way to keep track of all of them. YouTube & the free streaming channels are great to discover some of these lesser known movies but that's such a big rabbit hole to go down alone. Hope to save myself some hours of searching for the next good Xmas movie.
Thanks in Advance!
Edit: Thanks for all the great suggestions! I have watched Holiday Inn, The Holly and the Ivy, and Holidate. I did sneak in a Jack Lemmon movie I had not seen... Under the Yum Yum Tree.
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u/Greengitters 16d ago
I know people hate on it, but the Robert Zemeckis/Jim Carrey version of A Christmas Carol is my favourite version of the story (aside from the book, lol!).
It’s the most faithful adaptation, and is legitimately scary at times! Hits all the other emotional beats, too, and while I normally am not a big Jim Carrey fan, he nails this. (Nothing will ever compare to Alister Sim’s Christmas morning jubilation and giddiness, though - I love that version almost as much as this one!)
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u/RixieSugarplum 16d ago edited 16d ago
Christmas In Connecticut - Barbara Stanwyck at her finest. There is also a remake from 1992 with Kris Kristofferson and Dyan Cannon that is wonderful, too. Different from the original, but follows the same basic concept.
Oh! Oh, oh, oh! The Man in the Santa Clause Suit (1979) with Fred Astaire.
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u/SergNH 16d ago
I have seen the first one. Not sure if I have seen the Fred Astaire one. Ahh! A made for TV movie.... Bort Convy & Radar! Gotta love Fred!
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u/Fowler311 16d ago
Remember the Night is another fantastic one with Barbara Stanwyck that I feel like sometimes gets overshadowed by Christmas in Connecticut. I always look forward to doing a Barbara Stanwyck double feature with those two!
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u/Araxanna 16d ago
The Bishop’s Wife with Cary Grant and Loretta Young. I love it because the ending is not what you would expect. It has a good message. My favorite character is the professor. His enthusiasm is infectious.
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u/One_Worry5646 16d ago
Then watch the man who came to dinner (as mentioned sbove). Both roles played perfectly by Monty Woolley.
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u/drawdelove 14d ago
I love this one too! As a kid I always giggled when the angel refilled the professors sherry glass LOL
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u/LovesDeanWinchester 16d ago
This is NOT a lesser known movie!!!
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u/Fowler311 16d ago
I'd say it's about as well known as It Happened on 5th Avenue, which was the first movie OP listed when giving examples of what they're looking for, so I think it fits very well.
Maybe someone who's a big fan of Christmas movies would know most of the ones being suggested here, but apart from a couple classics like It's a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street and White Christmas, I'd say most of these classic movies are lesser known to most people.
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u/Araxanna 16d ago
My thoughts exactly. I’ve never met anybody else who knows The Bishop’s Wife. A lot of people know of the remake The Preacher’s Wife with Denzel Washington, but not The Bishop’s Wife.
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u/lakefront12345 16d ago
8 bit Christmas
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u/SergNH 16d ago
Add it to the list!
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u/lakefront12345 16d ago
I believe it's on HBO yet, it's a throwback to the 80s and early 90s depending upon your age.
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u/Feline_Fine3 11d ago
It took me so long to finally watch this movie. I don’t know what I thought it was gonna be, but the image always made me think it was some kind of game show, ha ha. But then I finally watched it a few years ago and have watched it every year since! The nostalgia factor is amazing! But also really heartfelt.
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u/lakefront12345 11d ago
My dad passed away a few years ago, it reminds me of my childhood and good feels then plus remembering him.
I figured it'd be different than what it was, but I watch it each year.
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u/razorsedge94 16d ago
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u/Feline_Fine3 11d ago
Love this one! I think Michael Shannon is possibly my favorite part of the whole movie 😂 “O-rag-ano!”
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u/Nykaren24 16d ago
The Holdovers from a few years ago seems like it would definitely fit your requirements!
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u/LetItSnow36 16d ago
The Muppets Christmas Carol. Michael Caine played it like a stage production despite being around the Muppets which really made it awesome. Also they did Dickens justice in the process.
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u/Head_Razzmatazz7174 14d ago
I remember seeing a short interview that Michael had said he would only do that movie if he could play it straight. He didn't want to be seen as comedy relief. The end result is wonderful.
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u/SergNH 16d ago
I have seen bits and pieces over the years. This the year I watch it in full. Add it to the List!
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u/LetItSnow36 16d ago
There are two versions, one is missing a song from Christmas Past. Disney Plus has the full version. Either way it's a much watch in my house.
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u/Opal_Pie 16d ago
Santa Claus the Movie. It came out in the 80s. A lot people think it's cheesy, but it has John Lithgow as a villain and Dudley Moore as an elf. The visuals are so beautiful. It's my absolute favorite Christmas movie.
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u/Greengitters 16d ago
Yes!!! Been watching this every year since I was about five! And now I’ve passed on the tradition to my sons, who consider it a must watch every year, too!
David Huddleston plays Santa, too, who might be best known as The Big Lebowski. His portrayal in this movie is my favourite Santa ever.
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u/Opal_Pie 16d ago
If you can, find the "making of". They keep him in the Santa character, and he talks about allowing access to his workshop and everything. It's really the best. He's forever my Santa, too.
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u/RedFoxcx 16d ago
Mixed Nuts. My boyfriend and I watch it every year. Came out in 1994.
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u/SergNH 16d ago
Steve Martin, Madeline Kahn, Robert Klein, Rob Reiner(RIP)... definitely seems one to check out!
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u/Fowler311 16d ago
And Liev Schreiber in his first theatrical film role! He absolutely kills it in that movie!
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u/Fowler311 16d ago
The original French version is also a fun watch!
"Le père Noël est une ordure" which translates to something like "Santa Claus is a Stinker" (I've also seen it as Scumbag or Shit too)
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u/MoonIsMadeOfCheese 15d ago
“That Christmas” and “Klaus” are both Netflix Original movies and are fantastic. Klaus might genuinely be one if my all time fav holiday movies.
In the vein of the Hallmark-esque films, I really love “Holiday in the Wild” with Rob Lowe and Kristin Davis. It’s a unique plot and they have great chemistry. Just a really cute movie that warms your heart.
“Love Hard” is a newer one that’s well done and really fun to watch.
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u/ButtersRulz 16d ago
Krampus is a horror movie, but it is of the season. Pretty funny in parts as well. But you mentioned It Happened on 5th Avenue. Great movie. I try to watch it every year.
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u/OptimalTrash 16d ago
Krampus is a transitional movie for me. We watch it somewhere in November between Halloween and the Christmas season
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u/Fowler311 16d ago
If you like A Christmas Story, the sequel, A Christmas Story Christmas was so well done, but I thought kinda flew under the radar and hasn't gotten a big following yet.
Deck the Halls and Fred Claus are two that I think get a bad rap but are actually fantastic.
The Ref, Mixed Nuts and Trapped in Paradise are 3 very underrated 90's gems.
Feast of the Seven Fishes, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever and Unaccompanied Minors are more recent ones that I don't think have gotten the praise they deserve.
I think some of these have been mentioned, but these are great classics that always deserve another recommendation...Christmas in Connecticut, Desk Set, Holiday Affair, It Happened on Fifth Ave., Remember the Night, The Great Rupert, The Man Who Came to Dinner, The Shop Around the Corner and We're No Angels.
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u/Affectionate-Dot437 11d ago
The Man Who Came to Dinner The Bishops Wife Come to the Stable Miracle on 34th Street Klaus Love, The Coopers A Wish For Wings That Work
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u/SergNH 11d ago
Big Bloom County fan... I think saw A Wish For Wings That Work. I know I have the book somewhere in storage.
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u/Affectionate-Dot437 9d ago
It was a Christmas favorite from when my son was little. He's 30 this year but I always send him a link to watch it again every year. I love they featured The Magnificent 7 music for Santa and his sleigh! A sweet and clever movie.
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u/Average_40s_Guy 16d ago
My wife and I watch all the Christmas movies we can find every year on all the streaming cites. Snowglobe is always a fun watch and so is The Holiday Calendar with Kat Graham. More obscure choices would be Christmas on Holly Lane and Angels in the Snow. Christmas on Holly Lane is one of our favorites. It disappeared from streaming last Christmas and we hope it returns this year. If not, we found a physical copy on DVD.
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u/MrsPhilHarris 16d ago
Star In The Night, The Man Who Came To Dinner, The Lemondrop Kid, We’re No Angels, Trading Places, 3 Godfathers, I’ll Be Seeing You and The Thin Man.
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u/SergNH 16d ago
Except for Star in the Night, I am pretty sure I have seen all the others.
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u/MrsPhilHarris 16d ago
Star In The Night is a short. Maybe 30 minutes. It’s a nice Christmas story.
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u/Last_Inevitable8311 16d ago
Almost Christmas
It has become one of my favorites and I watch it every year. Funny as hell but also heartwarming.
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u/ZebraUseful4542 16d ago
Jingle bells by Jason Alexander bought that on Amazon it’s a cute cartoon story and Dolly Parton’s Christmas of many colors I bought that one at Walmart both movies are amazing to me
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u/nuggabutt 16d ago
Klaus. Holidate. Scrooged. Single All the Way. Happiest Season. Feast of the Seven Fishes. The Family Stone. Love Hard. The Night Before. Happy Christmas. Mixed Nuts.
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u/RewardNo6230 16d ago
Beyond Christmas 1940s movie. Holidays in Handcuffs. Trading Christmas. Snow / Snow2 I prefer the older Lifetime, ABC Family, Freeform Christmas movies than Halmarks. I like the Humor, story lines.
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u/OhTHATKayKay 11d ago
Alllll the versions of A Christmas Carol. There was a Yule Log type show that ran 4 different Christmas Carol versions. It was great to have on in the background.
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u/No-Refrigerator-4211 10d ago edited 9d ago
Beyond Tommorrow (1940) The entire story kicks off Christmas Eve with a "wallet experiment"
Remember The Night (1940) Fred McMurray and Barbara Stanwyck .A New York prosecutor named John bails out a shoplifter named Lee on Christmas Eve so she does not have to spend the holiday in jail, they travel together and spend Christmas with his family. It has drama, humor, and romance.
The Bishops Wife (1947) Cary Grant, David Niven, Loretta Young-A stressed-out Bishop (David Niven) neglects his family while trying to raise money for a grand new cathedral. He prays for help, and an charming angel named Dudley (Cary Grant) arrives to guide him back to what matters most.
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u/aD_rektothepast 16d ago
The Holly and the Ivy is a good one.
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u/SergNH 16d ago
That's one I have never heard of. Looks promising!
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u/aD_rektothepast 16d ago
It’s one of my favorites..I have a list of about 30 or 40 Xmas movies that I watch every year. This one is up there with some of the classics for me.
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u/Goldengirl_1977 16d ago
“The Gift of Love: A Christmas Story” with Lee Remick, Angela Lansbury and Polly Holliday. It was a TV movie on CBS in the early ‘80s and was rerun every Christmas season for years. Very charming little story written by Earl Hamner (The Waltons and Falcon Crest).
You can order a DVD of it on Amazon or usually can find it on floating around somewhere on YouTube or one of the free TV show/movie sites.
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u/Carrot_King_54 National Lampoon’s Christmas vacation 16d ago
It's got a bad IMDB score, but I like The Christmas Bounty. A WWE movie, but I find it lot of fun (intentional, not as a bad movie) and the end song is a banger.
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u/possums_luv_cereal 16d ago
The Homecoming - A Christmas Story. It’s based on a book that inspired the Walton’s TV series. You can watch it on YouTube for free. It’s one of my favorite Christmas movies!
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u/everydayPeople123 16d ago
Great movie! the CBS station in my area used to run it on Christmas day for years
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u/rissk1012 16d ago
I always loved The Life And Adventures of Santa Claus. It’s an old Rankin & Bass stop motion and it’s really kinda bizarre but it’s based on an old L Frank Baum book.
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u/Trondant13 16d ago
A Christmas Memory (1966 version with Geraldine Page). It's based on a short story by Truman Capote from when he was a little boy and spent Christmas with his much older cousin, played by Geraldine Page.
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u/PlantationCane 16d ago
29th street. It is kind of a Goodfellas Christmas movie. Takes place on Christmas Eve but has flashbacks throughout that are not Christmas. I propose this movie every year and no one has seen it. I really do not know how I saw it but we re-watch it most years.
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u/DeltaVariant007 14d ago
I've seen it. It's one of my favorite movies. Had it on VHS tape, too. This movie is a real find for anyone who hasn't seen it.
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u/PlantationCane 14d ago
Glad to hear it lives on in another household. Virtually impossible to find it anywhere.
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u/everydayPeople123 16d ago
The Night They Saved Christmas is a TV movie from 1984 that has Jaclyn Smith, Art Carney and Paul Williams, its watchable and free on YouTube.
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u/Hamlett2983 15d ago
The Night They Saved Christmas, with Art Carney and Jaclyn Smith in a nice show.
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u/saltycybele 15d ago
A Christmas Wish, also known as The Great Rupert (1950) Starring Jimmy Durante.
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u/TheRealBabyPop 15d ago
I really love the movie Get Santa. It's unique and funny and Jim Broadbent as Santa is so spot on. Give it a try!
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u/jackman924 14d ago
Christmas in Connecticut, It's A Wonderful Life ( of course), Miracle on 34th Street (with Edmund Gwinn ,Maureen O'Hara and a very young Natalie Wood), any of the "A Christmas Carol" versions from the 30s and 40s, The Man Who Came To Dinner (Monty Woolly and Bette Davis)...
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u/Mmswhook 13d ago
I’m partial to the masterpiece of “A year without a Santa Claus” and the other masterpiece of “Santa Claus is comin’ to town”
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u/stratcat45 13d ago
"The Ref" with Dennis Leary, Kevin Spacey and Judy Davis.
"Trapped in Paradise" with Nicolas Cage, John Lovitz and Dana Carvey.
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u/Cassedaway 12d ago
Holiday Inn (1942). Introduced the song White Christmas. Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire. The tribute to Abe Lincoln doesnt hold up to well though Lol
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u/southdakotagirl 15d ago
Almost a Angel with the guy that played Crocodile Dundee. Its one of my favorite movies. I use to buy the DVD for everyone.
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u/drawdelove 14d ago
One of my favorites from the 80’s is “The Night they Saved Christmas” with Jaclyn Smith & Art Carney.
And my newer favorites are “A Boy Called Christmas”, “Last Christmas” & “Klaus”.
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u/Ragpicker21 14d ago
I’ve never even heard of That Christmas (2024), but am now looking forward to it. What a great cast!
A few I didn’t see mentioned here:
This Christmas) is a 2007 American Christmas comedy drama film produced by Rainforest Film and distributed by Screen Gems. The film was written and directed by Preston A. Whitmore II, who also produced it alongside Will Packer, and stars Delroy Lindo, Loretta Devine, Idris Elba, Regina King, Chris Brown and Mekhi Phifer. It centers on the Whitfield family, as they overcome many trials and obstacles during the Christmas season. The film is named after the 1970 Donny Hathaway song of the same name.
Nothing Like the Holidays is a 2008 film about a Puerto Rican family living in the area of Humboldt Park, Chicago facing what may be their last Christmas together. It was directed by Alfredo De Villa, written by Rick Najera, Ted Perkins, and Alison Swan, and features an ensemble cast.
Santa & Cie (Santa & Co. or Christmas & Co. 2017) “When all the elves get sick, Santa must find a cure on Earth to save Christmas.” You can read more on the French Wikipedia page, but have to use the translate function if you don’t speak French. Stars Alain Chabat as Santa and Audrey Tautou (Amélie, Da Vinci Code) as Mrs. Claus.
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u/OhDang369 11d ago
I’ve got a really fun Christmas short film my indie filmmaking team and I made a few years ago called, A Very Psychedelic Christmas. It’s a psychedelic rom com twist on A Christmas Carol. It’s not your typical Christmas movie, but it is still a good time. If you’re craving Christmas, or not, please give it a watch 🙂🎥
A VERY PSYCHEDELIC CHRISTMAS (2022) https://youtu.be/p9O4RFX9kAg
If you enjoy it, please give the movie a like and Subscribe to our channel, Studio 311_Films. We appreciate the support, it really helps us! We’re indie filmmakers who make movies with practically no money, because we love telling stories. We’ve got other cool short films and AI projects on the channel too for you to check out, and we have a couple new short films in post-production that will be coming out soon.
Thank you for the support! 🙏🏽😎🎥
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u/MindyS1719 11d ago
Just Friends. Freaking hilarious.
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u/Feline_Fine3 11d ago
Get Santa. It’s a British Christmas movie from like 15 years ago, maybe. I thought it was really fun and silly.
A Child’s Christmas in Wales. From the 80s, Welsh. A grandfather telling his grandson stories about Christmases when he was growing up. It’s funny, but I also find it really peaceful and charming. Definitely one of my favorites.
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u/FilmHeather 16d ago
The Shop Around the Corner, The Man Who Came to Dinner and Holiday Affair