15 non-Christmas movies to watch during the holidays
Ayomikun Adekaiyero
- Over the years, there have been plenty of Christmas classics for fans to enjoy during the holidays.
- However, there are plenty of other non-Christmas movies that fit the themes of the holiday.
Guillermo Del Toro's new "Pinocchio" is one of the best versions of the tale.
"Guillermo Del Toro's Pinocchio" is a beautiful and unconventional stop-motion animation film that adapts the famous tale of a wooden puppet who wants to become a real boy.
Del Toro's take may be slightly too dark and emotional for the holidays but encapsulates key themes of every Christmas classic.
At the end of the day, it is a fantastical story about rediscovering the joy of life, similar to classics like "A Christmas Carol" or "How the Grinch Stole Christmas."
"Pinocchio" is available to stream on Netflix.
The 2003 live-action "Peter Pan" captures the magic of the original story and the magic of Christmas.
Christmas films are often filled with elements of magic. Whether it's actual magic or just unexplained miracles, such as a city businessman who hates Christmas being trapped in a small town that eventually changes his mind.
If you want to watch a film about the power of magic, faith, and imagination, the 2003 version of "Peter Pan" is the holiday movie for you.
It has to be stated that the film is problematic, with its historically racist characterization of the Native American character Tiger Lily. The 2003 film opted to cast Carsen Gray, an actor of Haida descent, in the role to skirt issues with that part of the story, but her character and the rest of her tribe are still exoticized.
"Peter Pan" is available to stream on Roku.
Any version of "Little Women" should be counted as a Christmas film.
While it is arguable whether "Little Women" counts as a Christmas story, there is enough evidence to suggest that it should become a mandatory watch during the lull period in the holidays. There is the wonderful escapism that comes with most period dramas and "Little Women" is one of the best.
Much of the story actually revolves around the Christmas season even if it isn't focused on the season. Plus, it's all about the family — the March family to be exact — as they grow and come into conflict with each other and life itself.
Greta Gerwig's version of "Little Women" is available to rent and the 1994 classic version is available to stream on Prime Video.
"When Harry Met Sally" has one of the greatest slow-burn romances in cinema history.
"When Harry Met Sally" is a timeless slow-burn romance about two friends who go from bickering to falling in love.
It is no secret that some of the most watched Christmas movies are rom-coms such as "Love Actually," "The Holiday" or the hundreds of Lifetime or Hallmark movies that come out every year. So, why not watch a movie which is regarded as one of the best rom-com of all time?
"When Harry Met Sally" is available to stream on Netflix and HBO Max.
"Cheaper by the Dozen" is a great family film for the holidays.
Family is often a big part of the holidays, especially when it comes to the chaos of gathering all your relatives together to celebrate. "Cheaper by the Dozen" displays what would happen if that pressure and chaos occurred every day instead of one day a year.
While three have been three remakes and one sequel, the most memorable version of the film is the 2003 reboot starring Steve Martin, Bonnie Hunt, and Hilary Duff. When Tom Baker (Martin) gets a new job and moves his family to Chicago, the family has to adjust to the new environment while trying to keep their family together.
Personally, there's something so fascinating and comforting about watching big families stumble through life together but also still find time to care for each other.
"Cheaper by the Dozen" is available to stream on Disney+
"Matilda the Musical" is a warm family musical that premieres at Christmas.
The plot of "Matilda the Musical" has nothing to do with the actual Christmas holiday, but Netflix putting it on their platform on December 25 may be the perfect gift. The songs are catchy, the message is touching, and the story is undoubtedly fun.
If you are one of many fans on social media praising the viral short clip of "Red Beret Girl" dancing in the "Revolting Children" number, then you should treat yourself to the rest of the movie.
"Matilda the Musical" is available to stream on Netflix on December 25.
Lindsay Lohan already had a holiday classic with "The Parent Trap" before her Netflix Christmas movie this year.
Earlier this year, Lindsay Lohan made her movie comeback with the Christmas film "Falling For Christmas." However, another Lohan film also deserves a watch during the holidays.
In Lohan's debut "Parent Trap," she plays twins who were separated when they were babies due to their parents' divorce but discover each other while attending summer camp. After some sibling rivalry, the pair decide to swap with each other in order to bring their parents back together.
"Parent Trap" is nostalgic, just like many Christmas movies, and lots of fun for the whole family.
"Parent Trap" is available to stream on Disney+.
"The Mitchells vs. the Machines" is fun, funny, and all about family.
"The Mitchells vs The Machines" is another dysfunctional family film that is perfect for the whole family.
The animated film follows Katie Mitchell (Abbi Jacobson) and her bizarre family as they go on one more adventure together before their eldest daughter goes to college. Unfortunately, this family bonding time is cut short by a robot apocalypse led by a smartphone AI.
The film is pretty insightful of modern technology but at its core, it's wholesome messages of love and unity that are great for the Christmas season.
"The Mitchells vs The Machines" is available to stream on Netflix.
"Are We There Yet?" is a holiday road trip movie.
In the road trip comedy "Are We There Yet?" womanizer Nick Persons (Ice Cube) goes on a life-altering journey to reunite two mischievous children with their mother (Nia Long), who he has fallen for. Unfortunately, the two children do not make this trip easy for him since they want their mother to get back together with their father.
"Are We There Yet?" is a lighthearted funny family movie and is partially set on New Year's Eve, making it worthy of this list.
"Are We There Yet?" is available to stream on Netflix.
"Cool Runnings" is an iconic winter movie.
"Cool Runnings" is an iconic sports movie about the real-life first Jamaican bobsled team that competed in the 1988 Winter Olympic Games in Calgary.
The actual story is already a thrilling underdog tale but the Disney movie adds so many comedic moments that it's hard not to fall in love.
It is a must-watch for the winter season.
"Cool Runnings" is available to stream on Disney+
"Encanto" was a big hit last Christmas.
It may be the timing of its release on Disney+ last year, or the themes of familial love within the movie, but there's something about "Encanto" that feels like a Christmas movie.
The Disney musical follows Mirabel (Stephanie Beatriz), the only person in her family not gifted with a superpower.
When she discovers that something is wrong with her family's abilities, and their magical house, she goes on a quest to solve it in order to prove her worth to the family.
Filled with hit musical numbers by Lin-Manuel Miranda, "Encanto" is a joy to watch.
"Encanto" is available to stream on Disney+.
The "Groundhog Day" time loop almost reflects the monotony of winter days.
"Groundhog Day" is another movie that can only truly be experienced properly during winter months.
Bill Murray plays Phil, a pessimistic rude reporter stuck in a time loop in his old small town.
The film revolves around every day being the same, and that feeling mostly arrives in the winter when it's too cold and dark to be spontaneous. The movie can get very dark at times but it still has a nice warm ending.
"Groundhog Day" is available to rent.
"The Greatest Showman" is another extravagant musical to watch during the holidays.
Nothing captures the magic of Christmas quite like a musical and while there are many to choose from, one could argue that "The Greatest Showman" fits the holiday the most.
The musical is extravagant. It is about finding your family. It is about choosing your family and loved ones over monetary success. It is about celebration.
It fits the criteria so well and has great performances from Hugh Jackman, Zendaya, Zac Efron, Michelle Williams, and Keala Seattle.
"The Greatest Showman" is available to stream on Disney+.
"Chicken Run" is a classic movie that's best watched after you've eaten the Christmas turkey.
The plot of "Chicken Run" may be pretty bleak but the artistic animation and comedic performances make the film perfect for a comfortable afternoon viewing after scoffing down Christmas dinner.
Watching it before Christmas dinner may put you off your appetite for any meat.
The 2000 movie follows a group of hens who make plans to escape the chicken farm and cruel overlords. While it may not be a Christmas classic, it is a movie classic in its own right.
"Chicken Run" is available to stream on Peacock.
"See How They Run" is a fun murder mystery with great performances from Sam Rockwell and Saoirse Ronan.
"See How They Run" may not be the best comedy murder mystery to come out this year but it is by far the most appropriate for the holidays. It's lighthearted and funny, and the period setting makes the audience feel separate from current society and its problems for 90 minutes.
The film follows a detective (Sam Rockwell) and a rookie officer (Saoirse Ronan) who must work together to solve a string of murders surrounding an Agatha Christie theater show. It is a perfect movie to switch off and relax to.
"See How They Run" is available to stream on HBO Max.
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