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Christmas is a season that truly feels joyous and warm, with markets adorned with decorations and lights, Christmas trees shining brightly, and the air filled with the scent of freshly baked treats. With the holiday season just a month away, the holiday season can look different for everyone.
Some may head to their family home to celebrate, catching up with old friends and loved ones, while others might choose to stay with just their pets for company or even alone. For some, the holidays may feel lonely and quiet.
Whether the season brings hope or not, even if it's a quiet, lonely night, a movie marathon can be the perfect cure. With so many movies to choose from, it's easy to fall into the habit of rewatching the same ones every year.
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Instead, here’s a list of 10 underrated Christmas movies you might have missed, offering a refreshing alternative to the usual holiday films.
Note: The opinions expressed are solely those of the author.
The Holdovers, A Charlie Brown Christmas, and 8 other underrated Christmas movies that you might have missed
1) The Holdovers (2023)
Set against the backdrop of a cold, quiet winter Christmas season, the movie opens with the boys and faculty of a boarding school as they excitedly leave for the holidays.
Only Teacher Paul is left behind to look after a group of boys who stay for the holidays for their own reasons, including strained family relationships.
Known by the entire school for being strict, Paul follows a rigid routine, leading the boys to feel doomed at the thought of having him as their supervisor. Joining them is the head cook, who lives alone and mourns the loss of her son in the war.
With two adults—one strict and regimented, the other still grieving—will the boys find a way to make their Christmas memorable?
The Holdovers is available on Apple TV+ and Prime Video.
2) Little Women (1994)
The screenplay of Little Women (1994) is based on Louisa May Alcott's novel of the same title, published in 1868, and is the fifth feature film adaptation of this beloved classic.
The story follows four sisters—Jo (Winona Ryder), Beth (Claire Danes), Amy (Kirsten Dunst), and their friend Laurie (Christian Bale)—living with their mother (Susan Sarandon) while their father serves in the war.
As the girls grow from childhood to womanhood, the film captures their evolving relationships, love interests, and the pursuit of their passions and independence.
With snow covering their home, the preparations for the holiday season, their warm dresses, and the spirit of sharing during the season, Little Women is a must-watch movie for this time of year.
Watch Little Women (1994) on Netflix, Prime Video, Apple TV+.
3) A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
Everyone remembers the cartoon character Charlie Brown and his never-give-up personality. A Charlie Brown Christmas is a 1965 animated television special and the first TV adaptation based on the Peanuts comic strip by Charles M. Schulz.
As Christmas approaches, Charlie Brown confesses to his friend Linus van Pelt that, despite liking the holiday season, he feels a sense of depression. After receiving advice at Lucy van Pelt's psychiatric booth, he decides to direct the group's annual play in an attempt to get more involved.
However, Charlie continues to feel disheartened by the commercialization of the holiday and is let down by events that unfold soon after.
Watch the movie on Apple TV+.
4) How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966)
How the Grinch Stole Christmas! is a 1966 American animated television special, directed and co-produced by Chuck Jones.
Based on the 1957 children's book of the same name by Dr. Seuss, it tells the story of the Grinch, an antisocial green creature who tries to ruin Christmas for the townsfolk of Whoville below his mountain hideaway.
This animated movie is filled with the joy, color, songs, and warmth of the holiday, capturing the festive spirit among the Whos in Whoville.
Watch this holiday classic on Peacock.
5) Stepmom (1998)
The movie Stepmom follows Jackie, played by Susan Sarandon, as she navigates the challenges of dealing with her ex-husband's new girlfriend, Isabel, played by Julia Roberts, who will soon become their children's stepmother.
As Jackie and Isabel compete for the love and attention of the two children, the plot takes a turn when Jackie discovers she has terminal cancer. These two women, once in a rivalry to be the best caregivers, unexpectedly find themselves forming a bond, and a genuine friendship begins to blossom.
It’s a great movie choice to kick off the holiday season, as Stepmom reminds viewers of the importance of the bond with loved ones and encourages gratitude toward them. The film also serves as a poignant reminder to make the most of the time on earth.
Stepmom is available on Prime Video and Apple TV+.
6) The Holiday (2006)
Two women decide to swap homes for two weeks to escape heartbreak during the Christmas and holiday season. Amanda Woods, played by Cameron Diaz, is the owner of a film trailer company in Los Angeles, while Iris Simpkins, portrayed by Kate Winslet, is a society columnist for the Daily Telegraph in London.
Both women are looking to escape their lives, but the plot takes an unexpected turn when they each find love interests after the home swap.
Will these two women spend the holiday season alone, or will their love interests stick around?
Watch The Holiday on Prime Video and Apple TV+.
7) Christmas, Again (2014)
The film features Noel, played by Kentucker Audley, a Christmas tree salesman who returns to New York City to work the night shift on a sidewalk.
As the cold sets in and the city's constant traffic makes it difficult to rest, Noel struggles to stay awake and keep up with the demands of the season.
As Noel's life begins to spiral, a young woman steps in to help. Along with a handful of customers, she rescues him from self-destruction, especially the mysterious woman whose warm presence brings light to his otherwise difficult life.
Watch this heartwarming movie on Prime Video.
8) Arthur Christmas (2011)
Arthur Christmas is a 2011 animated Christmas comedy film in which Arthur Claus, Santa Claus' youngest son, discovers that his father's high-tech sleigh has failed to deliver a little girl's Christmas present.
Arthur takes it upon himself to deliver the missing present. Accompanied by his grandfather, a Christmas elf, and a team of reindeer, he embarks on this mission, giving his all to ensure the gift reaches the little girl.
This joyful and simple movie, with its heartfelt message, makes for a perfect family movie night.
Stream Arthur Christmas on Prime Video and Apple TV+.
9) The Family Stone (2005)
Everett, played by Dermot Mulroney, decides to bring his girlfriend Meredith, played by Sarah Jessica Parker, to his family home for the holidays with the intent to propose. What could possibly go wrong? Well, an endless mix of fun, tension, and plenty of tears.
Meredith is an uptight personality who must learn to loosen up, while the Stone family is laid-back and loves to have fun.
With these two very different worlds colliding, will there ever be a proposal? Beneath the Stone family's easy-going attitude lies a deeper story—this might be the last Christmas with their mother, who has terminal cancer.
Watch The Family Stone on Hulu and Disney+.
10) Tokyo Godfathers (2003)
Tokyo Godfathers is a 2003 Japanese anime film written and directed by the late Satoshi Kon.
On Christmas Eve, three homeless individuals, scavenging through the trash in search of gifts, make a shocking discovery—an abandoned newborn baby.
The infant is accompanied by a note asking whoever finds the child to care for it. Alongside the note, there is a mysterious key, which they soon realize will unlock a bag of clues leading them to the baby's real parents.
The trio embarks on a journey to find the baby’s parents. In the meantime, they name the infant Kiyoko, inspired by the Japanese translation of "Silent Night," which means "pure child."
With an alcoholic who has a gambling addiction, an optimistic trans woman, and a teenage runaway with anger issues.
Watch Tokyo Godfathers on Apple TV+ and Prime Video.
With blockbusters being watched on repeat every holiday season, why not try these 10 underrated Christmas movies and see what has been missed?
