Although Christmas is often ripe with nostalgia and memories, rewatching a well-known holiday movie is always a good idea. However, sometimes it’s nice to see movies that are unknown, hidden gems filled with just as much holiday cheer as the classics. With countless holiday films released annually, only a handful are known as the best Christmas movies of all time, like A Christmas Story and Elf. However, many overlooked movies deserve more recognition for capturing the Christmas spirit with originality and heart. They may lack the familiar nostalgia of tried-and-true classics audiences grow up with, but these underappreciated gems reflect the magic of the season in fresh, contemporary ways.
While the familiar favorites warrant rewatching, it’s worth making room for these underrated Christmas movies too. From feel-good romances to family comedies, these overlooked films encapsulate the holiday spirit as well as the best-known ones. Rather than rewatching the same classics every season, it’s important to consider giving some of these hidden gems a chance to shine with their unique takes on Christmas cheer. They may not have the legacy of beloved staples, but they compensate with charm and heart.
10 Remember The Night (1940)
A sweet and hopeful holiday story
Few know of the 1940 film Remember the Night, yet its tender performances and heartwarming take on a holiday redemption story make it an overlooked gem. When a lawyer takes home a shoplifter rather than leave her in jail over Christmas, they bond and fall in love before facing their harsh reality. The leads portray their roles with empathy and warmth, supported by a timelessly hopeful script. Without heavy-handedness, it navigates common tropes and themes to deliver an understatedly poignant story. Clever, earnest, and sweet, this golden-era drama deserves more appreciation for its ability to touch the heart.
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9 The Man Who Came To Dinner (1942)
A Scrooge-esqe holiday tale
The Man Who Came to Dinner follows the havoc-wreaking Sheridan Whiteside, an egotistical critic forced to stay with a Midwest family after an injury. Turning their home upside down with his demands, he must eventually put aside his self-centeredness for the sake of Christmas camaraderie. The film’s sharp, witty script and Monty Woolley’s characterization of Whiteside is reminiscent of holiday curmudgeons like Scrooge. Based on an acclaimed play, The Man Who Came to Dinner deserves more attention for bringing comedic dysfunction in a uniquely hilarious, yet heartwarming way. With clever laughs combined with wholesome cheer, the movie delivers fresh holiday spirit.
8 Fred Claus (2007)
A hilarious and touching take on Santa Claus
Fred Claus puts a fun and unique spin on Kris Kringle by exploring Santa’s cynical older brother, Fred, who has been estranged since childhood. When Fred’s breakup and legal troubles bring him to the North Pole, his disposition collides with Santa’s holiday cheer in a wacky, yet feel-good way. Vince Vaughn brings the laughs as Fred while Paul Giamatti makes for a different, but appealing St. Nick. These clashing brothers rediscover understanding and the Christmas spirit’s true meaning. With a stellar cast backing the humor and heart, Fred Claus succeeds through its unique angle on Santa lore. Blending holiday hijinks with emotional growth, Fred Claus is an overlooked Christmas movie.
7 The Last Holiday (2006)
A beautiful reminder to embrace what matters the most
When Georgia learns she’s terminally ill, she finally stops playing it safe by spending her last holiday at a lavish European resort in this remake starring Queen Latifah. Mixing seasonal coziness with a life-affirming journey, Georgia soon comes to discover what matters the most to her, a theme that epitomizes the meaning of Christmas. As she finds adventure and lives to the fullest, Georgia’s vitality outshines impending tragedy through Latifah’s uplifting performance. Modernizing the elegant 1950 original, this humorous version is an underrated gem that deserves to be added to the Christmas movie lineup.
6 While You Were Sleeping (1995)
A romantic holiday story about love and family
While saving a man’s life after a mugging leads to an unlikely mix-up, While You Were Sleeping showcases Sandra Bullock’s talent in this romantic comedy that unfolds underneath a Christmas themed setting. As lonely Lucy falls for a comatose Peter’s welcoming family, the charming characters and their longing for connection resonate with the energy of the holidays. Though the premise stretches plausibility and is considered an unusual Christmas movie, the excellent writing, acting, and cozy themes of love, family, and celebration make this an underappreciated holiday movie.
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5 Christmas in Connecticut (1945)
An overlooked cozy Christmas tale
Christmas in Connecticut radiates charm through Barbara Stanwyck’s character Elizabeth, a writer forced to host a war hero at her non-existent idyllic farm. Pretending to be a married mother, her scrambling to fake domesticity is both hilarious and romantic as she falls for her guest. The film’s humor, which stems from the harmless maintenance of Elizabeth’s Christmas lie, is what makes this an underrated Christmas movie option. Emanating warmth, its crisp, clever script makes it a must see.
4 The Fitzgerald Family Christmas (2012)
A perfect mix of complex relationships and hopeful authenticity
The Fitzgerald Family Christmas stands out for its raw emotion versus stereotypical Christmas fare. With Edward Burns writing, directing, and starring, the film digs into a troubled family reuniting after their dad’s absence. Attempting holiday cheer with lingering resentments simmering beneath the surface makes for an impactful seasonal drama. As arguments and past hurts resurface, the Fitzgeralds cope with pain in this honest storytelling. Nuanced performances meet thoughtful writing while still allowing smiles in between moments of strife. The grounded balance between holiday hope and family drama renders this a hidden gem.
3 All I Want For Christmas (1991)
A wholesome message that resonates with the entire family
All I Want for Christmas charmingly follows siblings matchmaking their divorced parents without the adults suspecting a thing. Though it couldn’t compete with the high-grossing Christmas movie Home Alone when it was initially released, time has proven this sweet family comedy deserves just as many rewatches as other family Christmas classics. From Ethan Embry and Thora Birch’s funny and intelligent schemes to a stellar cast including Lauren Bacall, All I Want for Christmas is full of holiday magic. Encompassing the holiday’s true meanings of family and hope with smile-inducing joy, this movie delivers timeless cheer deeper than other more well-known Christmas films.
2 Christmas With The Kranks (2004)
An underappreciated modern Christmas classic
With Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis as the stars, Christmas with the Kranks follows the Kranks as they decide to skip Christmas and vacation in the Caribbean, much to the outrage of their aggressively festive neighbors. What ensues is a hilarious satire on the madness of societal Christmas expectations and a relatable look at exhaustion from those stressful obligations. Though on the surface it may seem familiar, underneath is an artful blend of timely humor and a heartwarming messaging about the importance of connection over commercialism. Thanks to Allen’s charm, Curtis’s comedic timing, and amusingly over-the-top neighborhood characters, the film ultimately deserves a rewatch as an overlooked holiday darling.
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1 The Family Stone (2005)
The most underrated holiday essential
The Family Stone sets itself apart through a hilarious and touching examination of bringing an outsider home for the holidays. Uptight Meredith endures chaos when meeting her boyfriend’s family, highlighting just how different she is from the unconventional family. Sarah Jessica Parker and Dermot Mulroney shine as the central mismatched couple while a talented ensemble fuels the dysfunction. Despite some awkward and distracting scenes, the movie ultimately celebrates the acceptance of quirks and differences. Effortlessly balancing earnestness and entertainment while encapsulating bringing home an oddball for Christmas, The Family Stone deserves recognition as the perfect underrated holiday essential.
