If you’re looking for something Christmassy but different, then look no further…
No Die Hard, no Love Actually, no The Holiday.
No Home Alone, no Jingle All The Way, no Bad Santa.
What we’ve gone with are Christmas movies that are, essentially, movies set at Christmas, but you either A) forgot they were set at Christmas, because that is how good they are, or B) didn’t fully realise they were set at Christmas in the first place.
So, if you’re in the mood for something festive but don’t want to pick from the same list of Christmas movies over and over again, you’ve come to the right place.
Watch our countdown of hidden gem Christmas movies in full right here:
Or you can read our list right here:
Batman Returns
Bizarrely released in cinemas in the height of summer in 1992, this frozen-over superhero movie featured some not-very-subtle BDSM enthusiasts beating each other up and down the lengths of Gotham.
Available to rent on Apple TV, Google Play and Rakuten TV.
In Bruges
Yes, this darkly comedic hitman story with Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson is actually set at Christmas.
But like all of the best Christmas movies, you don’t have to wait until Christmas to watch it.
We chatted to Farrell a few years back about the movie’s big 10th anniversary.
Available to rent on Apple TV, Google Play and Rakuten TV.
Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang
The first entry by Christmas aficionado Shane Black was also the first movie he ever directed, and essentially the reason why Robert Downey Jr. was picked to play Iron Man.
Here, he’s hilariously paired with Val Kilmer to solve a particularly messy murder mystery.
Available to watch on Amazon Prime Video.
Carol
An absolutely gorgeous love story, featuring two stellar performances by Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara, playing two women who are falling for each other at a time when such a love was not allowed.
We chatted to the movie’s director Todd Haynes about the landmark film below.
Available to rent on Apple TV, Google Play and Rakuten TV.
Krampus
In the spirit of Gremlins, this Christmas horror-comedy truly puts the chill into the words “He sees you when you’re sleeping…”.
A dysfunctional family – played by Toni Collette, Adam Scott, David Koechner and Allison Tolman – find themselves under siege by a vengeful festive spirit.
Available to watch on Netflix.
The Apartment
One of the greatest rom-coms of all time and the winner of five Academy Awards including Best Picture, Billy Wilder’s 1960 classic sees Jack Lemmon, Shirley MacLaine and Fred MacMurray fall into the middle of a very complicated tangle of love and romance.
Available to rent on Apple TV, Google Play and Rakuten TV.
Black Christmas
Not to be confused with the 2006 remake (which was actually pretty decent) or the 2019 remake (which was pretty bad), this 1974 horror predates Halloween for one of Hollywood’s first teen slashers.
Available to rent on Apple TV.
(As is the decent 2006 remake.) (The bad 2019 remake is available to watch on Netflix.)
The Night Before
Seth Rogen, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Anthony Mackie are three life-long friends on the hunt for a mythical, mystical Christmas party before grown-up life puts an end to their partying days forever.
Available to watch on NOW and Prime Video.
The Long Kiss Goodnight
We told you Shane Black would be back again!
The writer of Lethal Weapon (set at Christmas), Iron Man 3 (same) and The Nice Guys (same again) loves this time of year, but we’ve gone with the movie of his that maybe the least people have seen.
Geena Davis and Samuel L. Jackson go on an explosive cross-country trip when they find themselves in the middle of an assassination plot.
Available to watch on NOW.
Just Friends
Back before he was seemingly playing Deadpool no matter what movie he was staring in, Ryan Reynolds fronted this very funny rom-com about that unique phenomenon that sees you essentially revert to your childhood self every time you return home for Christmas.
Anna Faris, Chris Klein and Amy Smart bring the very funny support.
Available to watch on Netflix.
Clip via MovieClips and Sony Pictures
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