Nothing compares to the pleasant atmosphere of cuddling up with holiday delicacies and your entire family to watch a good Christmas movie. There’s something about watching holiday movies that gets you all tingly and toasty on the inside. The best movies about Christmas are those the whole family enjoys together, from young children to their elderly parents and grandparents.
Of course, there are several holiday films that we all agree to make us feel good every time we see them. Possible examples include Elf, A Christmas Carol, Home Alone and the timeless classic It’s a Wonderful Life and Miracle on 34th Street. Some movies, however, may have escaped the notice of even the most devoted fans of the Christmas Film genre.
Some of these films may have been poorly received by critics, but they all managed to find an audience and spread holiday pleasure. Continue scrolling for a list of the top ten overlooked titles you should add to your family-friendly Christmas movies collection. These films are all now streaming on services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, and other similar services.
1. Christmas Story (2007) – IMDb 7.0
Instead of focusing on Santa’s later exploits as the man we all know and love, “Christmas Story” is interested in exploring his origins and how he got to be the way he is today. According to this origin story, Santa Claus was once a poor, orphaned youngster living in the Finnish region of Lapland. As far as the plot is concerned, this happened long ago. This is a remarkable work of art by director Juha Wuolijoki, who shot it on location in the middle of -40 degree winter with actual reindeer.
The movie follows a young boy who, after losing his parents in the mid-19th century, adopts the tradition of leaving Christmas gifts for the kind residents of his small town. When the Great Famine Years hit, the locals had no alternative but to give him to the hermit carpenter Iisakki. Under the watchful eye of his new, harsh master, Nikolas learns the art of woodworking and continues to make Christmas gifts year after year in honour of the kind people who aided him in the past.
It’s a worthy addition to the canon of holiday movies. This is a fantastic film that explains the true origins of Christmas and should be watched by all children in your home. And this, undoubtedly, is the genuine Santa Claus that lives up to all our childhood fantasies about him. It goes without saying that the film is touching and occasionally tragic due to the incredible backdrop and superbly written tale. Don’t miss a chance to watch this fantastic film with your loved ones. You won’t find many movies with as much light and atmosphere as this.
2. The Heart of Christmas (2011) – IMDb 6.8
Megan Walsh, a mother of two, learns that her neighbours are preparing for Christmas by decorating the home of a sick child. Dax Locke has a rare kind of leukaemia, and his family is doing their best to give him a happy holiday before he passes. Megan(Candace Cameron Bure), who previously did not prioritise spending time with her husband and children, now finds herself doing so.
You care about them and want them to succeed in the face of adversity since you’ve been moved by their feelings. The movie demonstrates that material wealth isn’t everything, and God blesses families with children, and their value cannot be measured in monetary terms.
The Heart of Christmas is an excellent choice if you want to shed a few tears. Each of you will be changed by this film, and you will feel compelled to take action to alleviate the suffering of even more children and other people throughout the world.
3. Dolly Parton’s Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love (2016) – IMDb 7.7
I think this is one of the best Christmas movies ever made because it exemplifies the true spirit of the holiday—a loving family and selfless giving. Dolly Parton’s actual family life served as inspiration for the film. Her unwavering belief in God is evident in the Circle of Love, and she continues to walk with God to this day.
Parton’s parents, Robert (Ricky Schroder) and Avie (Jennifer Nettles) serve as the film’s emotional anchors. Robert wants to get Avie something special for Christmas, but he and the kids must make tough choices to afford it. On the other hand, Dolly wants to be the spotlight stealer at the Christmas pageant, and she plans to bring her best pal along for the ride.
Dolly may have exaggerated a few details to make her point. Still, if you and your loved ones sit down to see Christmas of Many Colors “as a family,” you’ll understand why these improbable events are crucial to the film’s overall message. The film captures the best of what Christmas is all about:
- The Christmas pageant.
- The efficacy of prayer.
- Giving is more meaningful than receiving.
4. An American Girl Holiday (2004) – IMDb 7.0
The experience of watching a film like this one will leave you with a sensation that is equal parts enchanted, delightful, and cosy. Samantha (AnnaSophia Robb), a privileged young girl of ten years old, is staying with her grandma (Mia Farrow) until her beloved uncle (Jordan Bridges) and his new fiancé (Rebecca Mader) take Samantha to New York with them.
The Samantha novels in the American Girls Series contain a variety of exciting adventures, and the script does a great job of bringing them all together in a delightful way. It’s a fun and engaging way to brush up on your knowledge of the past.
It exuded love, care, generosity, bravery, joy, loyalty, and splendour. The gorgeous early 1900s setting added to the film’s excellent storytelling. A decent family Christmas film like this should be enjoyable for all ages. Moreover, Samantha is a perfect example for young girls in many respects.
5. Get Santa (2014) – IMDb 6.3
Get Santa is a delightfully funny and upbeat family Christmas comedy that follows the tradition of other fantasy-meets-reality holiday classics like Elf and Santa Clause. Not something genuinely exceptional, but an excellent contribution to the Christmas canon. It’s funny, has a fantastic sense of adventure, and is also an inspiring Christmas tale.
Santa’s reindeer end up lost in the streets of London, and the movie recounts their adventures trying to get home. Kit Connor, playing Tom, age 9, is astounded to find Santa Claus (Jim Broadbent) in their garden shed. Since he crashed while trying out his new sledge, he needs the help of Tom and Steve (Rafe Spall), Tom’s father. Jim Broadbent was a fantastic fit for the role of Santa Claus in this film; his portrayal was warm, funny, and joyful.
If you haven’t seen it yet, Get Santa is the movie that will shock you the most. You can enjoy a pleasant holiday with your loved ones while watching the film. The film has a valuable lesson for children: the importance of listening to one’s surroundings and learning to cope with your own and other people’s difficulties. In a tidy and steady fashion, this dry, sarcastic, and occasionally snarky Christmas tale pushes buttons ranging from the laughable to the very deep. Every scene in the film contains touching moments.
6. A Christmas Memory (1997) – IMDb 7.0
Based on Truman Capote’s short story of the same name, which was published in 1956, demonstrates that nothing stays the same and that every person who comes into our life has something to teach us. How the individuals we meet along our chosen path shape the course of our lives. There’s a message about not waiting until it’s too late to express how we really feel to the people around us.
When Buddy’s parents separate, he uproots his life and moves to the South to be with his cousins, leaving New York behind. Buddy’s cousin Jennie is stern, and there’s not much to smile about in their little village, but he finds an unexpected buddy in his mentally disabled older cousin Sook. A young boy’s relationship with his elderly cousin is depicted in this touching tale.
Everyone in the family will appreciate this flick. The chemistry between Patty Duke and Eric Lloyd makes their portrayal of Sook and Buddy charming.
7. The Most Wonderful Time of the Year (2008) – IMDb 7.2
The quality of Hallmark’s holiday movies varies from year to year, but in recent years there have been several unexpected hits among a large number of flops. Some of their earlier work, such as “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” was extremely good. This charming film about a woman who has forgotten the true meaning of Christmas and a caring uncle will keep you entertained for its entire running time and then some.
Many movies claim to be “Christmas classics” when they aren’t, but this one deserves to be in that category. The developing relationship, excellent performances, on-screen magnetic chemistry, and endearing plot all work together seamlessly, and the film only improves with time.
There is a lot of space for characters to develop, but the movie never drags. While many recent Hallmark movies have made the error of having music that is either too loud or too persistent, this picture avoids both issues while still maintaining a suitably joyful atmosphere. Despite its familiarity, the movie is enjoyable thanks to its friendly protagonist, charming setting, and humorous interludes.
8. Christmas in Canaan (2009) – IMDb 6.8
Christmas movies might be comedies, romances, dramas, or a combination, but they all have to take place around the holiday season. However, the story of “Christmas in Canaan” deviates from these norms. It’s not a lighthearted love story but all about bonding with your loved ones and friends and helping others out in times of need.
The film begins in 1964 in the rural areas of Texas and wraps up in those same areas around Christmastime in 1975. The story tackles the issue of racial prejudice, which persists in many parts of the country despite the success of the Civil Rights Movement. The film explores the struggles of families that have been torn apart. This inspiring tale is a timely reminder that adversity is temporary, but strong individuals endure.
There’s nothing wrong with a bit of sentimentality, especially during Christmastime, and this film is sure to move the hearts of the most empathetic among us to tears. The underlying message is that everyone has the potential to improve with the application of knowledge and kindness. In this film, everyone has a shadow side, but ultimately their better natures win out.
9. Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey (2020) – IMDb 6.4
It’s hard to think of a better way to get into the holiday spirit than with this entertaining escapism cocktail of cheery cyberpunk tech, colourful twists on 18th-century attire, and kinetic dance pieces. Refreshingly happy, Jingle Jangle is a welcome change of pace. It has the vibrant energy of a Broadway show, but the cinematic magic elevates it to another level. Even though it’s not your traditional holiday production, you’ll feel a sense of awe and magic after seeing it.
The narrative is inspiring, but the message that nothing is impossible if you believe it to be so is much greater. As a result of losing this sense of wonder as we mature, we frequently find ourselves disoriented. Those sentiments of love, fantasy, excitement, optimism, and wonderment you felt as a child will come flooding back to you after you watch the film. This holiday classic is perfect for uplifting the whole family on any day of the year.
Even if you’re an adult who hasn’t watched many Christmas movies, you can probably guess that themes like hope, joy, faith, and belief will play a role. The melody is so captivating that it induces mumbled lyrical attempts even from those who are unfamiliar with the songs. Each song included a variety of interesting vocal choices that made them more engaging than those in a typical Broadway show.
10. Journey Back to Christmas (2016) – IMDb 7.0
This is a movie about rekindling the Christmas spirit that we all possess, and just as many of our happiest memories become less vivid with time, so do many of our more traditional ways of doing things. Although it’s a Hallmark movie, the writing isn’t as corny or soapy as some others in the genre, and the plot is far more original than typical Hallmark fare and deserves kudos for trying something new.
Candace Cameron Bure plays a WWII nurse with intelligence, sensitivity, and kindness who is miraculously transported to the future by a comet. She learns that the small acts of kindness she performed in the 1940s were not insignificant and that they inspired the people around her to give generously from the heart.
This is a beautiful holiday present for the whole family because it is well-made, creative, and sparkly. Watch “Journey Back to Christmas” if you’re a fan of holiday films but want something more than the typical syrupy romance butter Hallmark usually provides.
