Christmas movies are a staple of the holiday season, that’s for sure. The blockbuster classics like A Christmas Story, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and Elf are must-watches during the holiday break. But you might also be curious about Christmas movies that aren’t as well-known.
These can include anything winter-themed, from underrated films that deserve more attention to those that fall into the “so bad, it’s good” category. So, here are some lesser-known holiday movies you might want to check out!
Home Alone 4
Home Alone movies are great go-to films for families to binge at Christmas. But for many, the first and second movies are the only ones worth watching, while the rest are often avoided. Home Alone 4 is one of those controversial sequels that does what every follow-up movie probably shouldn’t – replacing the beloved cast. Known for playing the smart and mischievous Kevin McAllister, Macaulay Culkin did not return to reprise his role, which is played by Mike Weinberg in this movie.
What viewers like about Home Alone 4, though, is how it differs from the first three movies. Sure, the classic “catching trespassing criminals by being a crafty rascal” formula might feel overdone to some, but this time things get tougher for Kevin as his parents are going through a divorce. Plus, half of the Wet Bandits, Marv (French Stewart), decides to switch things up by becoming a kidnapper rather than sticking to plain old robbery. It’s safe to say the fourth movie takes a bolder direction with both the casting and the storyline, which is why it’s worth watching at least once.
Home Alone 5: The Holiday Heist
Home Alone 5: The Holiday Heist is often the most overlooked entry in the franchise, and some are even surprised it exists. However, the fifth installment is seen by some as an underrated gem. Much like Home Alone 3, the movie shifts focus to a different family, starring Finn Baxter (Christian Martyn), a video game-obsessed kid left alone with his apathetic teenage sister, Alexis (Jodelle Ferland). While he’s technically not “home alone,” circumstances leave him to handle a group of clumsy baddies disrupting his gaming time.
Aside from the slapstick and physical humor we’ve come to expect from these titles, Home Alone 5 gets credit for having writing that’s funny at times. It may try to appeal to viewers who grew up with Culkin’s movies by recreating some of his scenes in a modern setting so kids today can relate, but hey, it’s still a family movie to enjoy during the holiday season. Ultimately, the fun in these movies comes from the traps set for the troublemakers, teaching kids about independence and resourcefulness while reminding adults not to leave their children alone at home without security cameras.
Jingle All the Way 2
Arnold Schwarzenegger shows his versatility as an actor in his 1996 comedy Jingle All the Way, where he plays a father determined to get his kid the toy he wants for Christmas. Although it’s fun to watch, it didn’t become a major hit when it was released, despite director Brian Levant’s high hopes. Twenty years later, Jingle All the Way 2 came out, starring Larry the Cable Guy – a sequel that no one saw coming.
Now, it’s no surprise that one of Jingle All the Way’s biggest draws is its cast, with A-listers like Sinbad, Phil Hartman, and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Jingle All the Way 2 doesn’t have that same star power, but it tried to recapture Schwarzenegger’s “action man” appeal by bringing WWE Superstar Santino Marella into the mix. Even so, it lacked the wild energy and memorable moments of the original, which is probably why this sequel has slipped under most people’s radar.
Klaus
Klaus is an animated film released in 2019, often remembered for its unique and beautiful 2D art style, but unfortunately, it hasn’t gained enough popularity to rival widely known Christmas classics. To animation fans, though, the movie is a masterpiece and even earned an Oscar nomination. However, its genre might explain why it doesn’t get more attention – people might dismiss Klaus as “just another Christmas movie about Santa Claus” when in reality, it’s much more than that.
Set in Norway’s Smeerenburg, Klaus essentially tells the origin story of Santa Claus, who in this movie is the reclusive titular character. With some prodding from postman Jesper, Klaus begins to bring joy to the dull, grey town by delivering gifts to children. Klaus captures the magic and charm of the biggest Christmas movies, but it isn’t as well-known as Elf or The Muppet Christmas Carol. That said, since Christmas movies tend to endure, and Klaus is still fairly new, who’s to say it won’t become a classic in a few decades?
Anna and the Apocalypse
A movie about singing through a zombie apocalypse with high school kids might not be what you’d expect to watch during the Christmas holidays. However, give the British film Anna and the Apocalypse a try if you’re looking to step away from the usual wholesome, family-oriented Christmas movies. While holiday horror films like Silent Night, Deadly Night and Gremlins aren’t exactly unheard of, Anna and the Apocalypse’s odd mix of comedy, zombies, and musical numbers might explain why some people skip over it.
Critics argue that, despite the unusual premise, Anna and the Apocalypse features well-executed elements and strikes a balance between good acting, storytelling, and singing that theatre kids will appreciate. Even if the musical aspect isn’t your thing, there’s still plenty to enjoy, like how the movie uses zombies for laughs — something fans of Shaun of the Dead might find entertaining.
Have you heard of all these Christmas movies? Let us know in the comments below!