10 Underrated Christmas Movies You Need To Watch

Most people are familiar with beloved Christmas movies that are shown every year. Popular choices include films like Elf, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, A Christmas Story, and Home Alone.

It’s really enjoyable discovering hidden gem holiday movies – those that are generally good, but don’t often make the ‘best Christmas movie’ lists. If you haven’t come across them yet, now is a great time to start!

Last Christmas (2019)

It’s a bit unexpected that Last Christmas didn’t become instantly popular when it came out in 2019. It really has everything a great Christmas movie needs – memorable music, charming characters, and a sweet love story. Plus, it actually did pretty well in theaters!

Despite being released a few years ago, the movie rarely appears on lists of top Christmas films. Critics weren’t overly impressed, but audiences enjoyed it much more – it currently has an 81% audience score – and it’s a very easy, enjoyable watch.

Last Christmas centers around Kate, played by Emilia Clarke, a woman feeling lost in life who works at a Christmas shop. She meets and falls for Tom (Henry Golding), and as their relationship develops, a surprising secret is revealed. Ultimately, it’s a feel-good story about Kate’s personal growth.

8-Bit Christmas (2021)

If you enjoy A Christmas Story, you’ll probably like 8-Bit Christmas. The newer movie is clearly inspired by the holiday favorite, telling the story of a child determined to get a specific Christmas gift and all the funny trouble he gets into while trying.

Like the classic film A Christmas Story, this story centers around a child desperately wanting a specific toy – a Nintendo Entertainment System. The plot feels familiar, and because it’s set in 1988, it evokes a sense of nostalgia for those who remember the decade.

The movie 8-Bit Christmas received very positive reviews. It has an 84% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and critics especially enjoyed its heartwarming nostalgia and the charming performances, particularly from Neil Patrick Harris.

The Man Who Invented Christmas (2017)

Many classic Christmas movies are cheerful and easy to enjoy, and that’s wonderful. But sometimes you’re in the mood for something a bit different, and that’s what The Man Who Invented Christmas offers.

The 2017 film explores the life of Charles Dickens, the beloved author of classics like Oliver Twist, A Christmas Carol, and A Tale of Two Cities. Starring Dan Stevens as Dickens, along with Christopher Plummer and Jonathan Pryce, the movie is based on a 2008 novel of the same name.

“The Man Who Invented Christmas” offers a fresh take on holiday movies while still capturing the heartwarming spirit you expect. Critics particularly loved the actors and the creative way the story was reimagined.

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)

For those looking for a unique Christmas movie, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is a great choice. It’s the first feature film from director and writer Shane Black, who often includes a Christmas vibe in his work, and it’s a fantastic start to his career.

The movie Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is inspired by the 1941 novel Bodies Are Where You Find Them. It follows a small-time thief who accidentally lands an acting job while trying to escape the police. To make matters worse, he gets caught up in a murder investigation at the same time.

While Christmas isn’t central to the plot of Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, the movie still feels really good within its genre. A big part of that is the fantastic cast, including Robert Downey Jr., Michelle Monaghan, and Val Kilmer.

Noelle (2019)

When Disney+ first launched, everyone was excited about having access to a huge library of classic movies and shows, plus big new releases like The Mandalorian. Because of all the buzz around those titles, one of the platform’s first movies, Noelle, didn’t get much attention.

This movie is likely to be a hit with audiences thanks to its charming story and great actors. It begins after Santa Claus retires, and his son, Nick, finds being Santa harder than he thought, so he runs off. Now, his sister Noelle has to find him quickly to save Christmas!

I really enjoyed the cast in ‘Noelle’! Anna Kendrick is perfect as Noelle, and Bill Hader is hilarious as Nick. Plus, Kingsley Ben-Adir and Billy Eichner add a lot to the movie. It doesn’t really break any new ground with the holiday movie formula, but it’s got a ton of heart and is just a really fun watch.

This Christmas (2007)

This Christmas is a surprisingly overlooked holiday movie. It really captures the spirit of the season with its heartwarming family moments, great actors, and genuinely funny scenes – everything you want in a Christmas film.

This Christmas is a heartwarming story about the Whitfield family – the mother, known as ‘Ma’Dere,’ her six grown children, and their partners – as they navigate the joys and challenges of the holiday season. The film explores each character’s individual experiences, and life isn’t perfectly resolved for everyone, which makes it feel authentic and relatable.

Many Black families consider This Christmas a holiday tradition, though it doesn’t always get the recognition it deserves. The movie boasts a fantastic cast, including Regina King, Idris Elba, Loretta Devine, Delroy Lindo, Laz Alonso, Sharon Leal, and Mekhi Phifer.

Just Friends (2005)

Before becoming famous for playing Deadpool, Ryan Reynolds was known for starring in romantic comedies. One of his most popular films from that time is Just Friends, which humorously explores the tricky situation of being stuck in the “friend zone.”

The movie centers around Chris (Reynolds), who has always been in love with his best friend, Jamie (Amy Smart), but never confessed his feelings. After she turns him down, he leaves town and transforms himself. He returns home for the holidays with a famous singer as his new girlfriend, and things quickly get complicated.

The movie is successful thanks to the great connection between Ryan Reynolds and Dana Smart, and the supporting cast – including Anna Faris, Chris Klein, Christopher Marquette, and Julie Hagerty – are all very funny. It’s a lighthearted and enjoyable holiday film that will definitely make you smile.

Arthur Christmas (2011)

Despite not being a box office success – it cost around $100 million to make but earned less than $200 million – Arthur Christmas is a wonderful holiday film that deserves more recognition. It’s a real gem in the holiday movie category.

I recently watched Arthur Christmas, and it reminded me a lot of Noelle. Both films really center on the Claus family dynamics and the challenge of finding the next Santa. In this one, Santa’s son, Steven, is the obvious heir, but he’s all about gadgets and efficiency – missing that crucial bit of Christmas spirit. That’s where his younger brother, Arthur, steps in; he’s the one who truly understands what being Santa is all about.

Arthur, often overshadowed, has a deep love for Christmas and embarks on a heartwarming quest to deliver a single gift to a child who was accidentally left off Santa’s list. With beautiful animation, this is a feel-good story that has all the makings of a Christmas tradition.

Tokyo Godfathers (2003)

Tokyo Godfathers is a surprisingly wonderful Christmas movie – and a truly great film overall. It’s often overlooked, but many consider it one of the best movies of the 2000s, in any category.

Released in Japan, Tokyo Godfathers is an animated film set on Christmas Eve. It’s inspired by the American movie 3 Godfathers and tells the story of three people experiencing homelessness who discover a baby abandoned in the trash. They then embark on a journey to find the baby’s parents, forming a close connection with the child as they search.

Tokyo Godfathers received overwhelmingly positive reviews, earning a 92% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics particularly enjoyed its distinctive animation, strong voice performances, and simple yet touching story, which felt realistic and heartfelt.

Anna And The Apocalypse (2017)

John McPhail’s Anna and the Apocalypse is a real find for movie lovers. It didn’t gain a huge audience in theaters, earning less than $1 million, and it’s truly unique – blending the genres of musical, zombie horror, and Christmas movie all into one.

Anna and the Apocalypse is a fun movie about Anna, who wakes up to find her town filled with zombies. She and her friends team up to fight their way to school, hoping to find their families safe there. Despite being made on a limited budget, the zombie scenes are surprisingly well done.

What really makes Anna and the Apocalypse great is its music. The songs are big, fun, and super catchy – especially standouts like “Hollywood Ending,” “Soldier at War,” and “Break Away.” It’s simply an enjoyable movie for everyone.

2025-12-24 18:05