When the chill of winter sets in, and you find the time to settle in with friends or family for some TV, sometimes the same Hallmark cliches just won’t cut it. There’s no agreed-upon definition of a holiday film, but certain tropes recur, such as themes about the importance of family, a snowy backdrop, and at least one scene involving seasonal festivities. This opens the door to many more great films, rather than the same five Christmas movies you see every year. If you want to expand your cinematic horizons this winter, whether you’re in the market for a foreign deep-cut, a forgotten nostalgic fantasy series, or a well-beloved romance, check out something from our list.
Thriller
Gremlins – Joe Dante’s Gremlins, released in 1984, opens on a father who wants to find the perfect Christmas gift for his son, setting up the conflict of the film. Though events take a violent turn, a holiday setting and themes of family make this movie fitting for the season.
The Shining – Director Stanley Kubrick released The Shining in 1980, and it has since been known as one of the most iconic horror films ever made. Its snowy backdrop contrasting the warm interior of the Stanley Hotel, along with its themes of the family, though murderous, contribute to its festive status.
American Psycho – American Psycho (2000), being a black comedy, flips holiday movie motifs on their head. Its festive backdrop serves to further the story as it contrasts Patrick Batement’s descent into madness.
Action
The Godfather – Coppola’s 1972 film claims a place in every “top five films of all time” list; if you haven’t seen it yet, it’s a must-watch this winter. The film even includes several scenes of holiday shopping, counting it in as a seasonal flick.
Goodfellas – With similar themes to The Godfather, this 1990 Scorcese classic is known as one of the greatest gangster films ever made, and thankfully for this list, it happens to take place on Christmas Eve.
Die Hard – Though 1988’s Die Hard is known as being an action-heavy movie, its holiday backdrop is integral to the film, and thematically emphasizes the importance of family over greed.
Fantasy
The Chronicles of Narnia series – This adapted trilogy released from 2005 to 2010 is a nostalgic favorite of many, and with its snowy setting, spirit of childlike wonder, and Christmas-esque atmosphere, it is undeniably a fantastic watch this winter.
The Harry Potter series – The Harry Potter movies need no introduction. It’s a tradition for many to rewatch the series every winter, and for good reason. Almost every one of the eight films includes scenes of holiday festivities and whimsical themes, making it known as the definitive binge-worthy, feel-good film series.
The Snow Queen (1976) – This obscure British television movie utilizes a blend of animation and live action filmmaking to create a bizarre adaptation of the Hans Christian Anderson story of the same name. It’s a fascinating exploration of visual storytelling, with themes of family and snowy sets, and can be found in very low quality on YouTube.
Drama
It’s a Wonderful Life – It’s a Wonderful Life (1946), starring Jimmy Stewart, is a timeless, beloved film about the beauty of life itself, taking place on Christmas Eve. It’s full of genuinely inspirational holiday spirit, and touching themes of familial love.
Fiddler on the Roof – This 1971 film is an adaptation of the classic musical from 1964, and has since become the quintessential Hanukkah story. It takes place in a Russian town during the snowy Hanukkah season, and follows a family as they learn the importance of tradition and love for one another.
Little Women – There have been over six feature adaptations of the Louisa May Alcott story, including ones in 1949 and1994, and most recently in 2019. Greta Gerwig, the director of the 2019 film, ensured heartwarming themes of family to contrast the snowy East Coast setting.
Romance
Edward Scissorhands – Tim Burton’s Edward Scissorhands is a visually and narratively beautiful film, in which a hyper-stylized, fantastical Christmas setting gives the perfect backdrop to the unusual romance between the two leads, Winona Ryder and Johnny Depp.
When Harry Met Sally – This 1989 romantic comedy is an authentic film spanning the decade of a back-and-forth love affair, with a finale that takes place at an opulent Christmas party in chilly New York.
You’ve Got Mail – You’ve Got Mail (1998) is a fun romantic comedy starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. It follows the lead’s hate-to-love story through an early internet courtship during the holiday season. Although it’s more of a standard Christmas movie, it does its job well, encouraging genuine holiday spirit.
Comedy
Planes, Trains and Automobiles – This 1987 comedy directed by John Huges follows Steve Martin, the Grinch-esque protagonist, as he desperately tries to travel through snowy New York to get home to his family for Thanksgiving. It’s a story about family found under unusual circumstances.
The Apartment – The 1960 film The Apartment remains a gem despite being over 60 years old. This romantic comedy set during the holiday season is about choosing love over a corporate career, and is full of timeless humor and feel-good themes.
The Thin Man – The Thin Man is a 1934 comedic murder mystery set in Manhattan aristocracy. It includes many scenes of lavish Christmas parties, and the witty dialog between William Powell and Myrna Loy make the film delightful.
Foreign
Mon Oncle Antoine – Mon Oncle Antoine is a 1971 French-Canadian film. It’s a powerful story which explores sincere themes of the importance of family, set in the harsh Canadian winter.
Tokyo Godfathers – This 2003 Japanese animated feature directed by Satoshi Kon is a trippy exploration of family found in unusual places, with thematic parallels to the nativity story. Visually, it is an undeniable masterpiece of animation.
My Night at Maud’s – Eric Rohmer’s 1969 French New Wave drama is an award-winning, sophisticated, and intellectual piece of cinema with an emphasis on exploring the complexities of romantic relationships, set in snowy France during the holidays.
