The holidays are my favourite time of the year, and I LOVE watching Christmas movies. As a self-proclaimed holiday movie connoisseur, I have a list of underrated classics that deserve just as much love as the timeless greats.
1. Die Hard (1988)
For some reason, this is a debated and “controversial” movie choice for the holidays. Why? I have no idea. It takes place at a Christmas party, has festive elements throughout it (“Now I have a machine gun ho-ho-ho”) and is full of action and Alan Rickman’s iconic German accent. Enough said.
2. Trading Places (1983)
This movie is a comedic gift.
3. Olive, the Other Reindeer (1999)
Do you like joy and simple entertainment? If that answer is yes, then do yourself a favour and watch this cute little Christmas movie.
4. Arthur Christmas (2011)
This overlooked animated film is full of English charm, is actually well-done and is surprisingly endearing.
5. The Rise of the Guardians (2012)
I love this movie so, so much. The animation is absolutely beautiful, the voice cast is great (Chris Pine as Jack Frost and Jude Law as Pitch. That’s all you need to know) and the characters are creatively written and original. It’s on Netflix, so take advantage of that fact and give it a watch.
6. Christmas with the Kranks (2004)
I actually don’t really know why I like this movie as much as I do, but I haven’t gotten tired of it and I’m not about to question it. Christmas just isn’t the same without Jamie Lee Curtis freaking out over her honey glazed ham.
7. Edward Scissorhands (1990)
This movie is so wonderfully weird and enchanting. It may not scream Christmas spirit, but it’s a seasonal gem that I like to watch every year.
8. Jingle all the Way (1996)
The most quotable Christmas movie of all time. As a manically festive Arnold Schwarzenegger would yell, “IT’S TURBO TIME!”
9. Black Christmas (1974)
To me, there’s nothing better than one of my favourite movie genres being combined with some holiday cheer. Well, in this case, fear. A horror-filled Christmas movie might not be for everyone, but Black Christmas is the film that basically started slasher movies. A true classic.
10. Gremlins (1984)
Can someone please gift me a cute little gremlin like Gizmo for Christmas? Weird, wacky and chock-full of 80s goodness, Gremlins is pretty much perfect.
11. Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town (1970)
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is probably the most popular stop-motion Christmas movie that comes to mind this time of year, but Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town is even better in my humble opinion. In this one, Santa isn’t a grumpy asshole and the moral of the story isn’t centred on the idea that people will only stop being mean to you if they can exploit you. Wholesome and complete with a penguin sidekick, what’s not to love?