As the holiday season nears its end, students are gearing up for break and adults will be taking some much-needed vacation time—which means it’s time to cozy up with a good old fashioned Christmas movie. And while the comfort of classics like It’s a Wonderful Life and Home Alone are beloved favorites, my challenge to you this year is to think outside the box. There are countless hidden gems that often go unnoticed every year, and it’s about time we give them the love they deserve.
That’s why, this holiday season, I’m diving into the world of underrated Christmas videos that deserve a spot on your watchlist. From heartwarming stories to fun getaways, those videos are sure to bring a new touch of holiday spirit to your celebrations. Your remote control and get ready to watch ten Christmas videos that are the unsung heroes of the holiday season.
In the 2023 film The Holdovers, directed by the acclaimed Alexander Payne, audiences are treated to a beautifully crafted, bittersweet Christmas story. Set against the backdrop of a picturesque New England boarding school, the film introduces us to Paul, a gruff teacher whose complex character is brought to life by the compelling performance of Paul Giamatti. Paul’s plans for a quiet holiday are upended when he is tasked with supervising a group of students who have nowhere else to go. Among them is a troubled yet brilliant young troublemaker and an intriguing head cook, grieving the loss of her son in the Vietnam War. Much like Capra’s iconic It’s a Wonderful Life, this film weaves through the intricacies of redemption and hope amidst the festive backdrop of Christmas.
Note: This movie can currently only be rented or purchased, but I strongly encourage anyone who is a fan of this type of melancholic Christmas movie to watch it whenever they can.
Directed by the acclaimed Satoshi Kon, Tokyo Godfathers reinvents the Christmas tale with its touching mix of comedy and drama set in the icy landscape of Tokyo. It follows the story of three homeless people: a middle-aged alcoholic named Gin, a former drag queen Hana, and a young runaway Miyuki. On Christmas Eve, Gin, Hana, and Miyuki stumble upon a deserted Bavaria and embark on an unexpected adventure to reunite the boy with his family, going through heartfelt but fun trials along the way. Voiced by Toru Emori, Yoshiaki Umegaki, and Aya Okamoto, Tokyo Godfathers stands out for its brilliant animation and raw narrative that cuts through the usual Christmas noise, weaving a rich tapestry of family bonds, personal redemption, and Christmas spirit. which in fact captures the Christmas atmosphere. center the Christmas period.
In the captivating Remember the Night, the Golden Age of Hollywood shines through a heartwarming Christmas tale. Directed by Mitchell Leisen and written by comedy legend Preston Sturges, this 1940 vintage intertwines the lives of Barbara Stanwyck’s character, Lee Leander, a thief with a heart. and Fred MacMurray’s John Sargent, a prosecutor with a conscience. Their paths cross when John postpones Lee’s trial to avoid a harsh sentence over the holidays. season. During their adventure from New York to Indiana, John and Lee’s eventual meeting becomes a redemptive love story, capturing the essence of Christmas magic. Remember the Night masterfully combines romance and drama in a festive setting, reminding us that Christmas can bring unexpected events. bonds and acts of kindness.
In Christmas Again, an intimate and heartfelt independent film directed by Charles Poekel, the holiday season is portrayed in a refreshing, realistic and moving light. The story revolves around Noel, poignantly played by Kentucker Audley, a New York Christmas tree salesman who suffers pain and loneliness during the most festive time of the year. As Noel navigates the holiday chaos, his encounters with eclectic clients and an enigmatic woman spark an adventure of self-discovery. Christmas Again uniquely captures the overlooked feeling of Christmas blues, presenting a more truthful mirror image of the seasonal sentiment. Audley’s performance, obviously framed through the film’s undeniable style, vividly captures our search for meaningful connections amidst the overwhelming hustle and bustle of the holidays. If you like independent cinema and the complex, bittersweet atmospheres of Christmas cinema, this is for you.
Plácido, directed by the masterful Luis García Berlanga, is a black-and-white Spanish comedy that remains remarkably relevant and entertaining. Set on Christmas Eve, it follows the story of Plácido, played by the charismatic Cassen, a man desperately trying to make ends meet by participating in a marketing campaign. The movie throws a sharp punch at how Christmas has turned into a shopping frenzy, highlighting the rich’s shallow acts of kindness against the everyday struggles of those scraping by. Through a blend of wit and depth, José Luis López Vázquez alongside Elvira Quintillá truly shine, infusing the film with equal parts humor and emotion. You really shouldn’t miss out on Plácido during the holidays. It’s not only brilliantly directed and packed with stellar performances but also challenges you to see this festive time through a whole new lens.
I’ll Be Seeing You, a romantic drama directed by William Dieterle and George Cukor, captures a Christmas romance between a shocked soldier and a woman scarred by her past, against the grim backdrop of the harsh realities of war. Joseph Cotten and Ginger Rogers tell the story of a war-torn soldier suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and a woman convicted of involuntary manslaughter, who find an unforeseen refuge in someone else’s company or on a vacation. This film explores the unsettling effects of fighting and the strong repercussions that linger long after the war ends. The film’s combination of raw emotion, stellar acting, and holiday vibes offers an unmissable experience for those looking for a deep story in the midst of the holiday celebrations. The film’s stunning black-and-white photography is ideal for those looking for a touch of nostalgia in the holiday season.
Michael Curtiz’s We’re No Angels seamlessly marries humor with the cozy vibes of the holiday season with this atypical Chrimstas narrative. Humphrey Bogart, Aldo Ray, and Peter Ustinov light up the screen as escaped convicts from Devil’s Island who stumble into a French colonial town and end up inadvertently playing heroes. Initially intent on stealing from a family-owned store, their plans take an unexpected turn as they end up becoming guardian angels to the family. The leads’ banter lights up the screen and makes for a kind of comedy you’ll rarely see from the modern fare. We’re No Angels captures the holiday spirit through its heartwarming redemption story filled with a charming mix of effortless comedy and passion.
Arnaud Desplechin directs an outstanding cast in A Christmas Carol, featuring cinema icons such as Catherine Deneuve and Mathieu Amalric, as well as the talented Jean-Paul Roussillon. The film revolves around the Vuillard family circle, whose members, with their tangle of tense relationships, reunite for Christmas following the matriarch’s diagnosis with a rare genetic disease. The Vuillards’ Reunion expertly captures their complex relationships with humor that gets to the heart of what true family reunions are like in all their bittersweet glory. A Christmas Carol captures the intricate dance of family relationships, combining sharp wit and raw feeling in a way that reflects the family push. and toss at holiday family gatherings. Anyone who has ever juggled the delicious chaos of family Christmas festivities will find this film strangely familiar.
Christmas in Connecticut, directed by Peter Godfrey, weaves romance and humor into the Christmas movie tapestry with a gentle touch. This 1945 film stars Barbara Stanwyck as Elizabeth Lane, a popular cook who lied about being the best housewife, and Dennis Morgan as Jefferson Jones, a war hero who becomes a guest of his employer. As Elizabeth Lane, Stanwyck dazzles and her desperate farce becomes a cascade of situations that keep you in suspense. The endless charm of Christmas in Connecticut lies in its witty story and the sparkling chemistry between Stanwyck and Morgan. If you like the classics or simply need a romantic comedy that captures the Christmas spirit, Christmas in Connecticut is your favorite movie.
Directed by George Gallo, 29th Street weaves humor with heartfelt moments, offering a fresh take on the festive season’s highs and lows. Anthony LaPaglia shines as Frank Pesce Jr., whose fortune takes a wild turn when he scoops up the inaugural New York State Lottery jackpot, shaking up his Christmas season. The film poignantly depicts the ups and downs of a working-class family suddenly grappling with an unexpected windfall. Set in the gritty charm of 1970s New York, 29th Street nimbly weaves laughter with touching scenes, delivering a festive film that warms the heart. The film wraps up the festive cheer of the ’70s New York into a nice little movie package, blending heartfelt humor and a celebration of family bonds that strike a chord during the holiday season.
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