The calendars are inching in the direction of Christmas, which implies it’s the vacation season! With jingles within the air and shops crammed to the brim with vacation offers, one can’t assist however submerge themselves within the Christmas spirit.
As individuals put together eggnog and put up vacation decor, one essential ingredient they’ll’t miss is operating a Christmas particular on TV! Whereas Christmas motion pictures are often a enjoyable time, seeing Santa Claus in every single place can grow to be a bit of too tough to abdomen as time goes by. Fortunately, not all holiday-themed motion pictures function the enduring yuletide character. Listed below are some Christmas motion pictures that both do not function jolly Saint Nick, or in any other case put an unrecognizable spin on the character.
Up to date December 7, 2024: This assortment of Christmas motion pictures that are not about Santa Claus has been up to date with further data, together with the place to at the moment stream every of the films featured.
10 The Christmas Sneakers (2002)
Primarily based on the e book by Donna VanLiere, The Christmas Sneakers encompasses a heartwarming story a few younger boy named Nathan. A selfless boy, Nathan is making an attempt to purchase a particular pair of sneakers for his dying mom. Throughout his quest, he encounters a workaholic lawyer, Robert (performed by Rob Lowe), who’s going by way of a failed marriage. Collectively, they kind an uncommon bond and uncover the true which means of Christmas.
Why The Christmas Sneakers Is Value a Watch
Whereas the film is a bit of bit tragic given the premise of a dying mom, it does function loads of the weather viewers love a few Christmas film. It has the prospect conferences, miracles, the snow, and loads of colourful decor within the background. Most significantly, it has a real-life really feel to it, with a narrative that is plausible and characters that viewers will naturally begin rooting for.
The actors, together with the youngsters, give stellar performances that assist deliver the environment collectively. The scene the place Nathan tells Robert he needs to purchase the titular sneakers for his mom’s final Christmas, so she will put on them to heaven, will go away you sobbing. If a Christmas-y film with a downbeat vibe to it sounds good, this film is simply the appropriate decide. Stream The Christmas Sneakers on AMC+.
9 Residence Alone (1990)
Residence Alone is a basic household comedy the place an eight-year-old boy, Kevin (Macaulay Culkin), is by chance left behind throughout his household’s Christmas trip. Although the premise is horrifying, Kevin is delighted to lastly have his spacious house all to himself. That’s, nevertheless, till a pair of thieves — Harry (Joe Pesci) and Marv (Daniel Stern) — make their presence identified. Kevin is left alone to defend his house from burglars utilizing inventive strategies, all whereas his household desperately tries to return house as quick as doable.
Why Residence Alone Is One of many Finest Christmas Motion pictures
This film most likely wants little clarification as to why it’s a must-watch, since everybody and their households have most likely already seen it no less than as soon as. It has all the things viewers would need from a Christmas-themed household comedy: an enthralling household, a number of jingles, Christmas decor in each scene, many Christmas miracles, laugh-out-loud moments, and, after all, a contented ending. The slapstick comedy and improbable lead efficiency by Macaulay Culkin are a welcome cherry on high.
The appearing and the conversations between the actors are so nicely executed, one can’t assist however relate a few of it to their very own lives. That is evident by what number of healthful moments scattered all through the film. Scenes just like the dialog between Kevin and Marley on the church (which ends up in a contented household reunion), the chat Gus and Kate have on parental recommendation on their approach to Chicago, and at last, when Kate lastly makes it house to embrace Kevin all deliver out that delightfully heat feeling that Christmastime is related to. Beneath the laughs, there is a delightfully festive story right here that is certain to embody the vacation spirit. Stream Residence Alone on Disney+.
- Launch Date
- November 16, 1990
- Runtime
- 103 minutes
8 Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey (2020)
Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey is a musical fantasy movie that follows a toy maker named Jeronicus (Forest Whitaker). Following a betrayal by one in all his companions at his toy store, Jeronicus has a damaged spirit and a great deal of debt. Nevertheless, he rediscovers the magic of invention and creativeness when his granddaughter, Journey (Madalen Mills), makes an look. Via the duo’s shared love of inventing, they are able to deliver Jeronicus’ toy store again to its former glory.
Why You Ought to Watch Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey
For households that need to select one thing that adults and youngsters will love alike, this film is it. It’s a heartwarming reinvention of a basic Christmas story about an lovely child, a grandfather who initially disapproves of her after which grows to like her, and their journey stuffed with hardships. Via dedication and household spirit, they’re in a position to not solely mend Jeronicus’ toy store, however their very own fractured relationships as nicely.
Each Jeronicus and Journey are plausible characters, because of the beautiful performances of each Forest Whitaker and Madalen Mills. The musical parts not solely add to the cheery theme, however they’re additionally well-crafted in their very own proper, having been composed by John Debney (Zathura: A Area Journey, Barnyard). In fact, there is a first rate little bit of motion to see right here as nicely, in case you want some increased stakes within the story. Stream Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey on Netflix.
7 A Unhealthy Mothers Christmas (2017)
A Unhealthy Mothers Christmas is a sequel to the beloved 2016 comedy movie Unhealthy Mothers. It options three stressed-out mothers — Amy (Mila Kunis), Kiki (Kristen Bell), and Carla (Kathryn Hahn) — navigating the challenges of the vacation season. Nevertheless, their very own moms resolve to go to, throwing a complete new layer of chaos into their lives. Christine Baranski, Cheryl Hines, and Susan Sarandon co-star because the respective moms of the titular unhealthy mothers.
Why A Unhealthy Mothers Christmas Makes the Listing
Whereas the unique Unhealthy Mothers targeted on the connection between the lead trio and their children, the sequel steers the narrative towards the trio’s relationship with their very own moms. It’s a pleasant, grownup film that also has that Christmas really feel to it whereas navigating by way of a wide range of dysfunctional parent-child relationships.
As critical because the premise is, the film has loads of comedy and chaos to make it a enjoyable watch. There may be hilarity in how Amy and Ruth combat on Christmas Eve, knocking your complete tree over, and much more laughs are to be discovered in the course of the scene between Ty and Carla throughout his wax appointment. There are additionally healthful moments that align with the vacation spirit, such because the scene between Ruth and Amy after they make up and put up Christmas decor collectively. It is nonetheless a mature movie at its core, however one which leans into its vacation themes greater than you’d initially assume. Stream A Unhealthy Mothers Christmas on Netflix.
A Unhealthy Mothers Christmas
- Launch Date
- November 1, 2017
- Solid
- Cheryl Hines , Christine Baranski , Kathryn Hahn , Oona Laurence , Wanda Sykes , Susan Sarandon , Justin Hartley , Kristen Bell , Mila Kunis , Jay Hernandez , Peter Gallagher
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6 Barbie in The Nutcracker (2001)
With Barbie being a fixture in vacation gross sales in every single place, it’s honest to say one in all her many, many movies. Barbie in The Nutcracker is an animated Barbie movie that retells the basic Nutcracker story, albeit with a couple of pink twists. In it, Barbie performs Clara, embarking on a magical journey to a land of sweets with the Nutcracker to interrupt him free from an evil mouse’s spell.
Why Barbie and The Nutcracker Made the Listing
This film has loads of Christmas-themed iconography woven into the story, which is amusing and really entertaining to observe. The story begins with a Christmas reward opening scene and transports you into a complete village named Gingerbread, the place all of the characters are additionally named after Christmas goodies. There is a horse named Marzipan, a serious named Mint, and a captain named Sweet, as an illustration.
Whereas it’s an animated film, it delivers an essential lesson about not giving up within the face of adversity. Carla and the Nutcracker face loads of hurdles, however they preserve going to lastly attain their glad endings. The twist on the finish, the place Carla is transported again to her house and meets a person named Eric, can be fairly amusing, giving the viewers all of the Christmas miracle vibes. Barbie in The Nutcracker is at the moment unavailable on streaming.
5 Journey Again to Christmas (2016)
Journey Again to Christmas is a Hallmark Channel film about Hanna, a nurse from the World Struggle II period. Hanna goes to sleep one fateful night time and inexplicably travels ahead in time to 2016 when she wakes up. There, she grapples with the fact of the scenario and experiences the magic of Christmas whereas looking for her means again house. Candace Cameron Bure performs Hanna, having beforehand starred as D.J. Tanner in Full Home (in addition to Fuller Home).
Why Journey Again to Christmas Belongs Right here
For households that need one thing aside from the Christmas romance trope, this film does it nicely. It’s a refreshing tackle Christmas festivities whereas drawing parallels between a war-torn interval and the current day. It is a pretty over-the-top premise, but it surely works, particularly when you think about how Hannah’s relationships with these within the current are dealt with.
There’s a good feeling of festivity to the film, akin to within the scene wherein Hannah is making a gingerbread home with Gwen whereas Louise and the mother put together different items. The ending is complete as nicely, tying a pleasant bow on what might’ve been a bog-standard Christmas movie. Journey Again to Christmas is sappy and magical, precisely what Hallmark motion pictures are well-known for. Stream Journey Again to Christmas on Hallmark+.
4 Love Really (2003)
Love Actually is one other vacation favourite for the hopeless romantics. It’s a romantic comedy-drama that weaves a number of love tales within the weeks main as much as Christmas, that includes a grand whole of 10 tales advised by a large star-studded solid. It explores varied elements of affection and relationship dynamics as an alternative of simply fixating on a single relationship dynamic, with Christmas serving as a beautiful backdrop.
Love Really Is a Christmas Traditional
The star-studded solid of the film serves as sufficient motivation to observe it. From the king of romance, Hugh Grant, to the versatile Keira Knightly and Rowan Atkinson, the film packs in some very sturdy appearing and likable characters.
Every story is lovely and heart-touching in its personal means. These tales are unconventional, span throughout varied age teams and energy dynamics, but nonetheless handle to ring a bell with the viewer’s hearts. The scene wherein Juliet lastly watches her marriage ceremony video and realizes Mark’s true emotions for her, after which later, the notorious scene the place she opens the door to Mark confessing his love utilizing a boombox and cue playing cards, will go away you swooning. Stream Love Really on Prime Video.
- Launch Date
- November 14, 2003
- Runtime
- 135 minutes
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3 The Nutcracker and The 4 Realms (2018)
It is a fantasy movie impressed by the basic Nutcracker story. The Nutcracker and the 4 Realms follows a younger lady, Clara (Mackenzie Foy), who discovers a magical realm on Christmas Eve. Now transported from Victorian London to a spot past her creativeness, she then embarks on a quest to reserve it from an impending hazard in a struggle towards the Fourth Realm. Keira Knightley, Helen Mirren, Morgan Freeman, Richard E. Grant, Misty Copeland, and Eugenio Derbez co-star.
Why The Nutcracker and The 4 Realms Makes the Listing
Whereas the plot is all-too-familiar, the movie brings extra to the desk elsewhere. It fantastically brings collectively the basic folklore with a superb lesson about self-confidence and a few unimaginable visible results. This film has a bit of little bit of all the things: magic, household, and a fictional world named after Christmas meals. The ending, the place Benjamin reveals how Clara’s music field tune was the primary tune he and Marie (Clara’s mom, who handed away) danced to, is an lovely anecdote that brings all the things collectively extra seamlessly. Stream The Nutcracker and the 4 Realms on Disney+.
2 Rise of the Guardians (2012)
Rise of the Guardians is a Dreamworks animated journey movie the place iconic childhood characters, such because the Tooth Fairy and the Easter Bunny, be a part of forces with a younger boy, Jack Frost (Chris Pine). Collectively, they purpose to guard the world’s youngsters from the evil spirit Pitch Black, who goals to plague the world with horrible nightmares. Directed by Peter Ramsey, who would later go on to co-direct Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, the movie closely borrows from the works of William Joyce, particularly his Guardians of Childhood sequence. Alec Baldwin, Jude Legislation, Isla Fisher, and Hugh Jackman co-star.
Why We have Included Rise of the Guardians
Whereas the plot does make use of fictional icons from youngsters’s childhoods, such because the tooth fairy and the Easter bunny, it’s not their energy the story focuses on. As an alternative, it facilities on Jack Frost, whose tragic previous is obscured by amnesia. The narrative is steered in the direction of Jack discovering the ability he has and the way, finally, that helps defend the kids from Pitch Black.
It is price mentioning as nicely that, whereas Santa Claus does make an look, he is a far cry from his typical depictions. Now named “Nicholas St. North,” he is donned a Russian accent along with a house maintained by a mixture of yetis and elves. It is actually a inventive spin on the character, though the movie he seems in famously floundered on the field workplace. Stream Rise of the Guardians on Peacock.
Rise of the Guardians
- Launch Date
- November 21, 2012
- Runtime
- 97 minutes
1 Scrooge: A Christmas Carol (2022)
Primarily based on Charles Dickens’s basic novella, Scrooge: A Christmas Carol tells the story of Ebenezer Scrooge (Luke Evans), a miserly previous man whose cruelty lastly catches up with him. After being visited by the ghosts of Christmas Previous, Current, and But to Come, he might finally reform himself simply in time for Christmas, lest he face a depressing remainder of his life. Stephen Donnelly directed this adaptation of Dickens’s basic story, with Olivia Colman, Jessie Buckley, Jonathan Pryce, Johnny Flynn, and James Cosmo making up the remainder of the solid.
Why Scrooge: A Christmas Carol Is a Should-Watch
Whereas it’s an animated film, Scrooge: A Christmas Carol is filled with essential classes for each youngsters and adults. It has a pleasant “magic is within the air” really feel to it, even whereas coping with some heavy topics like baby labor, dying, and lack of love.
Scrooge’s encounters with Previous, Current, and But to Come are enjoyable to observe with the addition of musical numbers. They’re additionally very enlightening in how they carry Scrooge to ponder his methods and inch in the direction of redemption. The scene wherein he discovers how barely anybody reveals as much as his funeral is a bit of unsettling, but additionally very thought-provoking in how our actions matter even once we now not exist. What higher time for self-realization than the vacation season? Stream Scrooge: A Christmas Carol on Netflix.
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