Underrated Christmas Films – Switch up Your Seasonal Watchlist

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Hanging up lights, dancing to those Christmas classics, and most importantly, watching our favourite festive films. For most people, this is when we put our feet up to the familiar comforts of the films that we grew up watching over the holidays.

There’s nothing wrong with watching How the Grinch Stole Christmas for the 1,000th time. However, some people may be looking to change things up – and that’s where these recommendations come in. We’ve taken the classics and paired them up with equally joyous but less appreciated titles that are sure to warm your heart.

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For those who love Home Alone, try its Sequel Home Alone 2: Lost in New York

Director: Chris Columbus

Starring: Macaulay Culkin, Tim Curry, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, Catherine O’Hara

Genre: Family Comedy

This may seem like an obvious choice, but the sequel to one of the most iconic Christmas films of all time is highly underappreciated. Unlike 1997’s Home Alone 3 – we won’t talk about that one – this sequel sees the return of all our most beloved cast members and the familiar faces of the McCallister family and our favourite bad burglar duo, the Wet Bandits.

In this film, Kevin (Macaulay Culkin) actually does make it on the plane! Sadly, it’s the wrong one, and he ends up in New York alone… with the exception of his dad’s credit card. He posts up in a luxury hotel, meets Donald Trump (an unusual cameo to say the least), and explores the city. In his adventures, he befriends the owner of a toy shop, as well as the incredible ‘Pigeon Lady’, and of course bumps into his nemeses Harry (Joe Pesci) and Marv (Daniel Stern), fresh out of jail and ready to rebrand as the Sticky Bandits. After racking up a huge room service bill, he sets out to stop their crimes again, while hoping that his family gets to him in time for Christmas (again)!

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Are you a fan of Gremlins? Give Krampus a watch!

Director: Michael Dougherty

Starring: Adam Scott, Toni Collette, David Koechner, Allison Tolman

Genre: Horror Comedy

Now, we’re not saying that this lives up to the high standards of the cult classic Gremlins, but as a seasonal horror comedy, this film holds up!

We all know that one of the most significant parts of Christmas is reuniting with family and this isn’t always the holly jolly time we’d like it to be. Parents becoming distant from one another, angsty teen siblings, redneck cousins and a drunk aunt – this is the reality for Max Engel (Emjay Anthony). When his cousin steals his Christmas letter to Santa and reads it out at the dinner table, Max has had enough. In a moment of frustration, he rips up his letter, something which has devastating consequences. The power goes out, a blizzard hits, and there are strange noises coming from the attic… Is it possible to save Christmas? Or has Max sealed his family’s fate?

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If you like Love, Actually, you’re sure to love The Holiday

Director: Nancy Meyers

Starring: Cameron Diaz, Jude Law, Kate Winslet, Jack Black

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Have you ever just wanted to switch lives with someone? Your ex is engaged, you’re alone for the holidays, and life doesn’t seem to be moving forward. This is the case for Londoner Iris (Kate Winslet), a journalist who can’t catch her romantic break. Desperate to get away from it all, she scours the internet for an escape, which is where she comes across a site offering just that.

On the other end of the online connection, Los Angeles-based Amanda Woods has just broken up with her two-timing boyfriend and is looking for exactly the same thing. The two women agree to swap homes for the Christmas period, and their lives, though worlds apart, become intertwined.

Enter Graham (Jude Law), Iris’s brother who drunkenly shows up on the doorstep of her cottage, much to Amanda’s surprise. Also cue Miles (Jack Black), a colleague of Amanda’s looking to discuss work at her Los Angeles home and discovering Iris in her place. These chance encounters allow for relationships to develop and wounds to heal, their storylines all wrapped up in the wholesome, cheesy goodness of a Nancy Meyers romcom!

Who doesn’t love Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas? Watch one of his non-animated classics, Batman Returns

Director: Tim Burton

Starring: Michael Keaton, Michelle Pfeiffer, Danny DeVito, Christopher Walken

Genre: Action Adventure

The cast alone should be enough to convince you to watch this film. Michelle Pfeiffer in one of her most iconic performances as Catwoman (fun fact – she was literally vacuum sealed into that costume!), Danny DeVito channelling his inner animal as the Penguin, and what would this film be without Christopher Walken added to the mix as the creepy Max Shreck?

And if you’re a fan of the cult classic Heathers, this film shares the same screenwriter, Daniel Waters.

This may be the point where you’re asking yourself, ‘what does Batman have to do with Christmas anyway?’ Never fear – this cinematic masterpiece is set in the winter wonderland of Gotham at Christmas time. The entire film is covered in Christmas lights and mistletoe, with one scene taking pride of place at a Christmas tree lighting ceremony! This definitely isn’t your go-to festive film of choice, but honestly? It should be.

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This article was originally written for and published by cool.girl magazine.