I love Christmas. That probably doesn’t come as a surprise to most of you. After all, I run a Christmas music radio station and a Christmas music record label.
I also enjoy watching Christmas movies, though they’re a little scarce this time of year. Not completely scarce, as I’m watching “Jingle All The Way” on one of the STARZ channels as I type this. Some would argue that that isn’t really a Christmas movie, but I think it is, since the whole movie revolves around the attempts by a father to get his son a Christmas present. Plus, it’s also filled with Christmas music.
There are lots of lists of top Christmas movies (though I doubt “Jingle All The Way” is at the top of too many of those). Some are arranged by box office grosses, while others are by popularity, either by the fans or by various critics.
Many of those movies really have little to do with Christmas.
“It’s A Wonderful Life” is frequently at the top of many of those lists. It originally flopped at the box office, but has become an annual favorite. And while it certainly gets across the theme of “Good Will Towards Men” and the belief that “It’s Better To Give Than Receive”, it actually has very little to do with the holiday.
George’s backstory has nothing to do with Christmas. And his present-day problems don’t, either. He leaves his home on Christmas Eve, has his none-Christmas experiences with Clarence, and returns home with his faith restored.
Nevertheless, “It’s A Wonderful Life” is almost always at the top, or near the top, of most Best Christmas Movie lists.
So is “Home Alone” (and “Home Alone 2”). They’re set at Christmas time, and there are decorations and presents. There are even Christmas songs, which “It’s A Wonderful Life” also lacks. But both of the “Home Alone” movies are really about young Kevin’s battles with the Wet Bandits. Christmas is just window dressing. His family could just have easily left him behind at Easter, or for a summer vacation.
Still, “Home Alone” is considered by many as one of their favorite Christmas movies.
Don’t get me wrong. I love “It’s A Wonderful Life” and “Home Alone” (even “Home Alone 2”). But I’m pretty sure almost everyone considers them Christmas movies.
There are many more, also set around the holidays, that don’t get that distinction. But if you love Christmas like I do, and you want that seasonal fix without getting ridicule from others about watching a Christmas movie in February, I’ve put together a list of my Top Ten favorite Christmas movies, that don’t aren’t really about Christmas.
Michael (1996) – Christmas has a very minor role in this one, but still, I think it’s my favorite Christmas movie that’s not really about Christmas. Three tabloid reporters are sent out to get the story about a woman who claims she is living with a real angel. Near the beginning of the film, there’s a large Christmas tree being set up (like the Rockefeller Christmas tree in New York). There are a couple of mentions of Christmas, though it isn’t connected to the plot at all (and seems to go away by the end of the movie, though their experiences with Michael take place over the course of just a few days). Plus, there’s Dion’s version of “Winter Wonderland”. Warning, there’s a good chance that at a certain point in this movie, you will want pie.
I also enjoy watching Christmas movies, though they’re a little scarce this time of year. Not completely scarce, as I’m watching “Jingle All The Way” on one of the STARZ channels as I type this. Some would argue that that isn’t really a Christmas movie, but I think it is, since the whole movie revolves around the attempts by a father to get his son a Christmas present. Plus, it’s also filled with Christmas music.
There are lots of lists of top Christmas movies (though I doubt “Jingle All The Way” is at the top of too many of those). Some are arranged by box office grosses, while others are by popularity, either by the fans or by various critics.
Many of those movies really have little to do with Christmas.
“It’s A Wonderful Life” is frequently at the top of many of those lists. It originally flopped at the box office, but has become an annual favorite. And while it certainly gets across the theme of “Good Will Towards Men” and the belief that “It’s Better To Give Than Receive”, it actually has very little to do with the holiday.
George’s backstory has nothing to do with Christmas. And his present-day problems don’t, either. He leaves his home on Christmas Eve, has his none-Christmas experiences with Clarence, and returns home with his faith restored.
Nevertheless, “It’s A Wonderful Life” is almost always at the top, or near the top, of most Best Christmas Movie lists.
So is “Home Alone” (and “Home Alone 2”). They’re set at Christmas time, and there are decorations and presents. There are even Christmas songs, which “It’s A Wonderful Life” also lacks. But both of the “Home Alone” movies are really about young Kevin’s battles with the Wet Bandits. Christmas is just window dressing. His family could just have easily left him behind at Easter, or for a summer vacation.
Still, “Home Alone” is considered by many as one of their favorite Christmas movies.
Don’t get me wrong. I love “It’s A Wonderful Life” and “Home Alone” (even “Home Alone 2”). But I’m pretty sure almost everyone considers them Christmas movies.
There are many more, also set around the holidays, that don’t get that distinction. But if you love Christmas like I do, and you want that seasonal fix without getting ridicule from others about watching a Christmas movie in February, I’ve put together a list of my Top Ten favorite Christmas movies, that don’t aren’t really about Christmas.
Michael (1996) – Christmas has a very minor role in this one, but still, I think it’s my favorite Christmas movie that’s not really about Christmas. Three tabloid reporters are sent out to get the story about a woman who claims she is living with a real angel. Near the beginning of the film, there’s a large Christmas tree being set up (like the Rockefeller Christmas tree in New York). There are a couple of mentions of Christmas, though it isn’t connected to the plot at all (and seems to go away by the end of the movie, though their experiences with Michael take place over the course of just a few days). Plus, there’s Dion’s version of “Winter Wonderland”. Warning, there’s a good chance that at a certain point in this movie, you will want pie.
Trading Places (1983) – Dan Aykroyd and Eddie Murphy in a terrific 1980’s comedy that starts just before Thanksgiving and ends just after New Year’s. There’s a Christmas party scene, and Dan Aykroyd as a somewhat-deranged Santa Claus. It doesn’t really have to take place at this particular time of year, other than the climactic scene at the Stock Market, which is supposed to be just after New Year’s Day. “Getting Even” isn’t really a Christmas theme, but there is lots of Christmas-related stuff in the background through most of the movie, for those wanting that holiday fix!
The Sure Thing (1985) – John Cusack and Daphne Zuniga go coast-to-coast during college winter break. There are several mentions about when this is taking place, though there isn’t a lot of actual Christmas in it. Except for a bar scene that finds John Cusack singing a little of “The Christmas Song” with some new friends.
Better Off Dead (1985) – Another John Cusack movie, and it’s even from the same year as the last one! This time, Cusack is back in high school, dealing with being dumped by his girlfriend, a skiing rivalry and the foreign exchange student across the street. A couple Christmas songs (Darlene Love, the Carpenters).
Serendipity (2001) – John Cusack one more time. Here, he meets Kate Beckinsale when they both reach for the same pair of gloves at Macy’s. They go out and spend the evening in New York at Christmas. This sets up the tone, and the conflict, for the entire movie, as they each try to find the other over the course of several years. The movie begins and ends at Christmas, and we also get Louis Armstrong’s “Cool Yule”.
Gremlins (1984) – Hoyt Axton gives his son an early Christmas present, and when the boy proceeds to break the three important rules about caring for his new pet, little monsters are unleashed on the town. This movie is almost anti-Christmas, including a terrible story from Phoebe Cates about what happened to her father when he dressed up like Santa Claus. More tension and violence than in most Christmas movies, but there are Christmas presents and decorations everywhere, and a couple Christmas songs (Darlene Love, Johnny Mathis).
Catch Me If You Can (2002) – Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks in a true story that has nothing to do with Christmas. However, several key scenes take place during Christmas, including many of the interactions between the two stars. Plus Christmas songs from Bing Crosby and Nat King Cole.
Batman Returns (1992) – The Penguin and Catwoman take on Michael Keaton during Christmas time in Gotham City. Lots of decorations in the background, and near the end, Alfred and Bruce Wayne wish each other a Merry Christmas.
When Harry Met Sally (1989) and Sleepless In Seattle (1993) – These two kind of go together, and I don’t think it’s just because they both include Meg Ryan. “When Harry Met Sally” didn’t have much Christmas in it, beyond a scene where Meg Ryan drags a Christmas tree home. The climax for that one is on New Year’s Eve, which doesn’t really count, either. But it’s significance here is that it introduced the world to Harry Connick Jr. (and his first Christmas recording – “Winter Wonderland”).
“Sleepless In Seattle” has a plot that begins on Christmas Eve, as Meg Ryan is driving to be with her fiancée and his family on Christmas morning and Tom Hanks’ son is setting things in motion by calling into radio talk show. And while there’s lots of great classic music, the song I most enjoyed hearing (of y Rogers and Dale Evans’ take on “Jingle Bells/Sleigh Ride” (on one of the many stations Meg Ryan is listening to in her car).
“Sleepless In Seattle” has a plot that begins on Christmas Eve, as Meg Ryan is driving to be with her fiancée and his family on Christmas morning and Tom Hanks’ son is setting things in motion by calling into radio talk show. And while there’s lots of great classic music, the song I most enjoyed hearing (of y Rogers and Dale Evans’ take on “Jingle Bells/Sleigh Ride” (on one of the many stations Meg Ryan is listening to in her car).
1941 (1979) – John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd head an all-star cast to save Hollywood days after the Pearl Harbor attack. History dictates that this has to take place a couple weeks before Christmas. And there are decorations, including a wreath that sends Ned Beatty’s house off a cliff. And let’s get out these lights!
So if you need that Christmas movie fix, any of these should be able to give you a little something to tide you over.
Got any suggestions for more Christmas movies that aren’t about Christmas? Feel free to add them in the comments! And for those who want to know where “Die Hard” (and “Die Hard 2”) are, all I can say is that I liked these movies better. Feel free to make your own list!
Got any suggestions for more Christmas movies that aren’t about Christmas? Feel free to add them in the comments! And for those who want to know where “Die Hard” (and “Die Hard 2”) are, all I can say is that I liked these movies better. Feel free to make your own list!
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