Forgotten Christmas Movies You’ve Never Heard Of

Every December, a lot of people automatically reach for their favorite Christmas movies and watch them again and again.

As a total movie buff, I have to say some films just define the holidays, you know? Like, you can’t really have December without revisiting classics like How the Grinch Stole Christmas, A Christmas Story, The Family Stone, It’s a Wonderful Life, and Home Alone. They’re just so comforting and bring back all these great memories. I mean, we watch them every year, quote lines constantly, and they’re basically on repeat until spring! They’ve truly earned their spot as holiday movie essentials.

While everyone knows and loves the classic Christmas movies, there’s a whole world of lesser-known, overlooked, and truly special films just waiting to be enjoyed – like hidden treasures to find during the holidays.

Consider the film Tokyo Godfathers. Though directed by the same creator as Perfect Blue, it’s often overlooked when people talk about classic Christmas movies. However, it tells a genuinely touching and relatable holiday story. The film, set in snowy Tokyo, centers around three people experiencing homelessness who find an abandoned baby on Christmas Eve. What follows is an unexpectedly moving and humorous story about finding hope, building a family, and the spirit of kindness.

You’ve probably seen all the popular Christmas movies, but there are plenty of hidden gems worth discovering. These lesser-known films offer fresh stories and a cozy feeling as the weather gets colder. As Bill Nighy’s character famously sings in Love Actually, Christmas is everywhere—and that includes in the movies we often miss. This list is here to help you find them, so you might want to take a look!

The Best Christmas Movies You’ve Never Heard Of

Joyeux Noël (2005)

Inspired by actual events, the film Joyeux Noël recounts the remarkable and touching 1914 Christmas truce during World War I. French, Scottish, and German soldiers briefly stopped fighting, creating a moment of peace and brotherhood in the midst of war. They famously sang carols, shared prayers, and exchanged gifts in No Man’s Land before fighting resumed. This poignant event, a rare display of humanity during a brutal time, is depicted in the 2005 film, which was nominated for an Academy Award. Joyeux Noël beautifully captures the shared human experience through the eyes of soldiers longing for home during the holidays and is a must-watch for Christmas.

Klaus (2019)

Released in 2019, Klaus is a beautifully animated Christmas film that rivals the classic holiday specials of Rankin/Bass. Many consider it one of the best animated Christmas movies of recent years. The film boasts a warm, nostalgic art style and tells the story of a selfish postman who unexpectedly befriends a lonely toymaker. With the help of a young girl, the postman discovers the joy of giving, while also helping the toymaker rediscover his passion for creating toys. Essentially a fresh take on the origin of Santa Claus, Klaus explores themes of loss, compassion, and the power of friendship. Featuring a fantastic voice cast including Jason Schwartzman, J.K. Simmons, Rashida Jones, Norm MacDonald, and Joan Cusack, it’s a truly wonderful film that deserves to be a part of your annual holiday traditions.

White Reindeer (2013)

Okay, so I stumbled across this really offbeat indie film from 2013 called White Reindeer, and let me tell you, it’s dark. Like, seriously dark comedy – the kind that’s funny but also makes you a little uncomfortable. It’s about a woman whose life gets completely flipped upside down right before Christmas when her husband is murdered. It’s directed by Zach Clark, and it’s not your typical holiday movie, obviously. What’s fascinating is how it tackles grief and finding some kind of hope, even when things are totally bleak, all set against this ironically festive Christmas backdrop. It’s quirky, human, and surprisingly resilient – definitely one to check out if you’re looking for something a little different.

Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey (2020)

Don’t miss this charming Netflix film! Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey is a delightful story about a toymaker who has lost his spark. Years after a betrayal, his optimistic granddaughter brings joy back into his life. It’s a vibrant musical set in a wonderfully imaginative world that blends Victorian charm with a steampunk aesthetic, and stars Forest Whitaker, Keegan-Michael Key, and Anika Noni Rose.

Tokyo Godfathers (2003)

If you haven’t seen the films of Satoshi Kon, a brilliant Japanese director who passed away too soon, you might not know his 2003 movie, Tokyo Godfathers. It’s a funny and heartwarming story about three people experiencing homelessness in Tokyo—a teenage girl running away from home, a vibrant trans woman, and a grumpy alcoholic—who find an abandoned baby on Christmas Eve. They embark on a wild and touching quest to reunite the baby with her parents before the New Year. As they search, they confront their own difficult histories and create an unexpected family. The film beautifully explores themes of forgiveness, hope, and strength, all set against the lively, snow-covered backdrop of Tokyo during the holidays.

Crackers (1998)

What’s Christmas without a little family craziness? The 1998 Australian film Crackers is a funny and heartwarming story about a young boy named Joey who’s dealing with the loss of his father and his mom’s new partner. After getting into trouble at school, Joey spends the holidays with his grandparents, where he’s forced to share a small shed with his great-grandfather. Despite the family’s dysfunction and the hilariously messy holiday mishaps, the two form a surprising connection, and Joey learns valuable lessons about accepting others and the importance of family. It’s a relatable Christmas comedy for anyone who’s experienced the chaos of the holidays with a quirky family.

Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale (2010)

If you enjoy darker Christmas movies, check out the Finnish folk horror film, Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale. It’s best to go in knowing as little as possible, but the story centers on a boy who suspects Santa Claus isn’t the cheerful figure we all know – but a frightening monster who kidnaps and eats naughty children. It’s a darkly funny film that blends scary horror with clever social commentary and a touch of Christmas nostalgia.

The Ref (1994)

It’s unfortunate that this darkly funny Christmas movie hasn’t gotten more attention over the years, as it brilliantly portrays the chaotic side of the holidays. In The Ref, Denis Leary plays a clumsy burglar who ends up holding a constantly arguing couple hostage on Christmas Eve after a robbery gone wrong. The situation becomes even more complicated when the couple’s family arrives for their Christmas dinner. Kevin Spacey and Judy Davis are wonderfully funny as the exasperating couple who drive Leary’s character crazy, forcing him to act as an unwilling therapist amidst their troubled marriage.

Cozy and Nostalgic Movies About Family

Meet the Parents

Okay, let me tell you about Ben Stiller’s Meet the Parents. This 2000 rom-com really nails that feeling of total panic when you’re meeting your girlfriend’s family for the first time. It’s set during a wedding weekend, and the whole thing just feels like a warm, fuzzy, but incredibly chaotic, look at family life – those classic misunderstandings we can all relate to. The movie’s got a great vibe, thanks to its Long Island setting and that cozy autumn feel. But the real magic comes from watching Greg, our very eager-to-please hero, get completely tormented by his girlfriend’s wonderfully paranoid father – Robert De Niro is just brilliant in this role. It’s funny, relatable, and honestly, a little bit nerve-wracking – we’ve all been in Greg’s shoes!

Father of the Bride

“Father of the Bride” is a feel-good movie that’s ideal for watching with the whole family, especially during the holidays. The 1991 film humorously and touchingly portrays a father’s difficulty accepting his daughter is growing up as she plans her wedding – a situation many parents can relate to. Steve Martin is both funny and endearing as the father, and Diane Keaton provides a warm, supportive presence as the mother. With its charming early ’90s vibe and heartwarming story, it’s a comforting and nostalgic film to revisit.

Uncle Buck

Few things are as comforting as a John Candy movie, and when it comes to fall, Planes, Trains & Automobiles is his most famous. But Uncle Buck, from 1989, is another perfect choice for a cozy night in. The movie centers around a carefree bachelor unexpectedly tasked with looking after his nieces and nephew (with a fun early performance by Macaulay Culkin!). Watching Uncle Buck try to handle actual responsibility is pure comedic chaos, but the film’s heartwarming family story, endearing characters, and nostalgic 80s vibe always leave you feeling good inside.

The Parent Trap

This charming 1998 version of Disney’s The Parent Trap is a heartwarming story about family. Lindsay Lohan shines as identical twins Hallie and Annie, who meet at summer camp and hatch a plan to bring their divorced parents back together. Filled with ’90s charm and a cozy setting—from camp to a picturesque vineyard and stylish earth-toned fashion—this film is simply feel-good fun for the whole family.

Cheaper by the Dozen

Raising a family is always a little chaotic, but the Baker family in the 2003 film Cheaper by the Dozen takes it to a whole new level with their twelve energetic kids! The movie follows Steve Martin and Helen Hunt as a loving couple juggling a new home, career changes, and the challenges of raising such a large family. For those who grew up watching it in the late 90s and early 2000s, Cheaper by the Dozen – a remake of the 1950 film – is a fun blast from the past. (Who could forget Hilary Duff as a frustrated teenager and Ashton Kutcher as the ultimate charming slacker?)

Honey, I Shrunk the Kids

The 1989 film Honey, I Shrunk the Kids is a beloved ’80s comedy about an inventor, Wayne Szalinski (played by Rick Moranis), who accidentally shrinks his children to the size of insects. Many kids who grew up in the ’90s remember watching this classic movie over and over on VHS.

The Family Stone

The movie The Family Stone, released in 2005 and starring Sarah Jessica Parker, Rachel McAdams, and the late Diane Keaton, humorously portrays the awkwardness that happens when you introduce your partner to your family. It’s a warm and relatable drama about family dynamics, and the inevitable clashes that occur when someone very proper meets a lively, close-knit group – especially during the stressful holiday season. It’s a film many viewers can relate to, having experienced similar discomfort when visiting a partner’s family.

Look Who’s Talking

Okay, let me tell you, movies just aren’t made like Look Who’s Talking these days. This 1989 comedy, starring John Travolta and Kirstie Alley, is wonderfully cheesy in the best way. It follows a career woman’s dating life, but the real star is the baby – voiced by Bruce Willis! – who provides a hilarious, sarcastic running commentary. It’s a lighthearted, feel-good movie with a lot of late ’80s charm, a really likable cast, and a genuinely sweet message about what family means. If you’re looking for something fun and undemanding, this is it.

Click

When Click was released in 2006, reviews were mixed. The film follows a workaholic who gains a remote control that lets him fast-forward through life, and it delivers a message about cherishing the present and not taking moments for granted. While the Adam Sandler comedy features some crude and silly humor—including a running joke about the family dog—it’s recently gained renewed appreciation for its touching story and surprisingly emotional depth, ultimately emphasizing the importance of family.

Mrs. Doubtfire

Few movies evoke as much nostalgia as Mrs. Doubtfire. This heartwarming 1993 comedy tells the story of a divorced father who cleverly disguises himself as a British nanny just to spend time with his children. The film beautifully highlights the strong bonds of family and how far parents will go for those they love. Featuring a fantastic cast including Sally Field, Mara Wilson, and Pierce Brosnan, Mrs. Doubtfire is especially memorable thanks to the late Robin Williams, who delivers a uniquely warm and iconic performance.

2025-12-19 17:59