Each and every year, Christmas movies are a cherished tradition for all who celebrate the festive season. Television stations and streaming platforms start showing cheerful classics shortly after Thanksgiving, while new releases begin rolling in around the same time. While Christmas productions such as 2003’s Elf and 2000’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas offer nostalgic and cozy storylines, some movies set during December use the snow, lights, and even Santa Claus merely as decorations.
Such flicks can focus on various themes, from romance to horror, with wintertime serving as a backdrop. One example of this is 1984’s Gremlins, which follows a young man who accidentally sets a gang of monsters in his hometown in wintertime. As you add this sci-fi comedy to your watch list, here are seven other Christmas movies that aren’t really Christmas films but are still worth your time if you enjoy cinema representative of the season.
Bad Santa (2003)
IMDb: 7/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 78%
Where to watch: Pluto TV, Paramount+, YouTube, The Roku Channel, Amazon Prime Video, Google Play Movies & TV, Apple TV, Fandango at Home
Career thieves Willie T. Soke (Billy Bob Thornton) and his dwarf assistant Marcus Skidmore (Tony Cox) are preparing to kick off their annual robbery plan. This involves Willie getting s job at a department store as Santa Claus, with Marcus landing an elf character position. However, their plan faces some challenges, especially after Willie meets a young boy, Thurman (Brett Kelly), who believes the conman is actually Old St. Nick. This works in Willie’s favor, as it allows him to rob the boy’s father safe. This will help Willie, as he finds solace in Thurman’s home.
The Preacher’s Wife (1996)
IMDB: 5.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 62%
Where to watch: fuboTV, Hulu, Sling TV, YouTube TV, YouTube, Google Play Movies & TV, Apple TV, Fandango at Home, Amazon Prime Video
Though many may consider The Preacher’s Wife a Christmas tale, much of its snow and chills play very little role in this angelic romance comedy. Reverend Henry Biggs (Courtney B. Vance) is experiencing mountains of stress as he attempts to get his New York church out of debt. With the risks of losing his congregation and developers pushing him to sell the troubled building, It becomes easy for Pastor Biggs to neglect his wife Julia (Whitney Houston) and son Jeremiah (Justin Pierre Edmund). With nowhere to turn, Henry prays to God for a solution, who answers his prayers in the form of a guardian angel, Dudley (Denzel Washington). However, Julia quickly finds herself drawn to Dudley, forcing Henry to face how lonely his wife had truly been.
The Mothman Prophecies (2002)
IMDb: 6.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 52%
Where to watch: Starz, YouTube, Hulu, Sling TV, The Roku Channel, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube TV, Philo
When writer John Klein (Richard Gere) and his wife Mary (Debra Messing) are involved in a terrifying accident, that is the first time they encounter the giant winged figure, known as the Mothman. However, with only Mary being able to see the creature, John is unsure of what to make of her account. Neither are killed in the accident, though Mary dies shortly after when it was determined she had a brain tumor. John finds her sketchbook, which includes images of a mysterious creature with red eyes, which Mary drew several times. Two years later, John’s car breaks down during another road trip and when he walks to find help, he learns that he is in Point Pleasant, West Virginia, the scene of several Mothman sightings. From there, strange occurrences continue with the creature warning of terrifying incidents in the future. However, things take a turn on Christmas Eve when a tragic incident, that was seemingly predicted by the mothman, begins to unfold.
Something From Tiffany’s (2022)
IMDb: 6.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 72%
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
On their anniversary, Rachel (Zoey Deutch) is rocked when her boyfriend, Gary (Ray Nicholson) is hit by a car outside the famed jewelry store, Tiffany’s. After he is escorted to the hospital, Rachel finds a jewelry box containing a ring in his belongings and believes Gary is planning to pop the question. However, the package actually belongs to Ethan, the man who helped Gary after the accident. Meanwhile, Ethan has mistakenly gotten Gary’s purchase containing earrings meant for Rachel. Fast-forward to Christmas, when both men present their Tiffany’s gifts to the women in their lives. It is only at this moment that the men realize the mix-up. When Ethan attempts to return the ring to Gary, things get a bit messy when he refuses to re-swap the gifts.
Friday After Next (2002)
IMDb: 5.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 26%
Where to watch: Tubi, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Google Play Movies & TV, Apple TV, Fandango at Home
The hilarious sequel to 1995’s Friday, finds Craig (Ice Cube) fending off a robber dressed as Santa Claus on Christmas Eve who breaks into his apartment. His roommate and cousin Day-Day (Mike Epps) is present in the house but is deemed useless as the conning St. Nick makes off with their tree and Christmas gifts. Making matters worse, their landlord warns the men that if they don’t have their late rent money by the end of the day, she will be evicting them and sending her son Damon (Terry Crews), who is fresh out of prison, after them. With the clock ticking, the men must spring into action to save their home and find out who robbed them.
Toy Story (1995)
IMDb: 8.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 100%
Where to watch: Disney+, Sling TV, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Fandango at
One of the most beloved children’s films of the 1990s, Toy Story follows a troop of toys belonging to a young boy, Andy. Though he has his favorite toy, Sheriff Woody, his other playthings are worried they could be replaced as his birthday approaches. Their fears come through when Andy receives a Buzz Lightyear action figure, which quickly becomes his new favorite toy. This causes friction in the collection, but eventually, Woody and Buzz are forced to work together to foil, with the overall goal of keeping Andy happy. Toward the end, the toys stand by to monitor Christmas gifts to ensure Andy doesn’t get another new gadget to distract him.
Lethal Weapon (1987)
IMDb: 7.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 80%
Lethal Weapon begins during the holiday season, with LAPD narcotics Sergeant Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson) grappling with the loss of his wife. Despite his suicidal ideologies, his boss does not take his mental state seriously and instead, partners with Homicide Sergeant Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover). The pair don’t immediately get along, though Murtaugh does begin to take Riggs’ desire to end his life seriously. This softens Murtaugh up a bit as the two work to solve the mystery of a deceased sex worker, which only takes them down an even more dangerous road.
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