Check out 20 of the best non-Christmas Christmas movies. These are great films that you may have forgotten take place during the holidays.
My husband and I spent years arguing about whether or not Die Hard is a Christmas movie. I qualify Christmas movies as movies that not only take place during Christmas but are also about the magic of Christmas. He thinks it’s just whether or not it involves Christmas. We’ve deemed these movies “non-Christmas Christmas movies.” So if you get tired of the Christmas classics, or Hallmark movies, you may want to watch one of these non-Christmas Christmas movies.
Romantic Non-Christmas Christmas Movies
The Holiday
With a title like “The Holiday” you’d think this was a very Christmas movie; however, the movie glosses over Christmas itself pretty quickly. It’s about two women that decide to switch houses for two weeks. The movie mostly focuses on the characters themselves and how they grow over the course of the film. (Watch on HBO Max)
While You Were Sleeping
This romantic comedy starring Sandra Bullock takes place over Christmas, but the holidays aren’t the focus of the movie. Instead, the film focuses on Lucy’s loneliness and need for a family. Plus, the beautiful love story about a fake fiance in a coma. (Watch on Disney Plus)
You’ve Got Mail
Another beloved rom-com starring Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks as two rival book store owners that meet online. This movie has all the heartwarming elements of a holiday film, plus a few scenes that take place over Christmas. (Rent on Amazon)
Bridget Jones’ Diary
This hilarious romantic comedy contains lots of sex, profanity, and swearing. Which doesn’t sound much like a holiday movie. But the film takes place over the course of a year with the holidays bookending the beginning and the end. Plus, there’s a big kiss in the snow. It doesn’t get more holidays than that. (Watch on Paramount Plus)
Sleepless in Seattle
Romantic comedies just can’t avoid the holidays. It’s just such an easy way to elicit emotion. This classic Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan film starts on Christmas Eve and ends on Valentine’s Day. This means it’s a perfect movie for the holiday season. (Watch on HBO Max)
Serendipity
Another romantic comedy that starts with two people, Kate Beckinsdale and John Cusack, that meet in the middle of holiday pandemonium. This movie doesn’t have any more Christmas, other than the beginning, but somehow it still feels very Christmasy. (Rent on Amazon)
Action Non-Christmas Christmas Movies
Die Hard
Perhaps the most legendary of all non-Christmas Christmas movies. Die Hard is about a man that takes down an international terrorist organization during his wife’s office Christmas party. The fact that the movie takes place during Christmas is the most Christmas thing about it. But it’s a classic! (Watch on Hulu with Starz)
Iron Man 3
As a huge Marvel nerd, this movie is my favorite non-Christmas Christmas film. There are several mentions of Christmas and a lot of decorations in the background, but this movie is really about Tony Stark taking down a terrorist. (Watch on Disney Plus)
Catch Me If You Can
This is a fun crime caper about a con man that is on the run from the FBI. The film contains several different Christmas scenes, so it’s a lot of fun for the holidays. (Watch on HBO Max)
Lethal Weapon
Lethal Weapon is produced by the same guy that did Die Hard. Apparently, Joel Silver likes thrillers that take place during the holidays. This one is about newly-paired cops that have to work together to bring down a gang of drug smugglers. (Watch on HBO Max)
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
Another movie starring Robert Downey Jr. But instead of saving the world, he’s a thief posing as an actor that finds himself caught up in a murder investigation. The movie takes place during the holidays in Los Angeles and despite its dark nature, it’s full of Christmas songs. (Rent on Amazon Prime Video)
Shazam!
Another fun superhero movie that takes place during the holidays! Aside from all of the Christmas decorations in the background, this movie really screams Christmas because it’s about finding your family. (Watch on HBO Max)
Magical Non-Christmas Christmas Movies
Harry Potter
While the Harry Potter films definitely aren’t about Christmas, most films track a whole school year for Harry. This includes how he celebrates the holidays with his friends and family. Each film has a part of the story that takes place over Christmas. It’s fun to watch the magic of the holidays mixed with the actual magic of the wizarding world. (Watch on Peacock)
The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe
This classic movie, based on the book by C.S. Lewis, isn’t outright about Christmas. However, the Pevensie children are paid a visit by Father Christmas himself. (Watch on Disney Plus)
Jack Frost
The story of a workaholic dad, Michael Keaton, that is killed in a car accident. One year later, he is brought back to life. In the form of a snowman! The movie focuses more on the winter season, but a talking snowman just screams Christmas. (Rent on Amazon Prime Video)
Heartwarming Non-Christmas Christmas Movies
Little Women
This timeless tale of four sisters, each trying to find their way in the world, is not about the holidays at all. However, it is a movie that makes you want to snuggle up by a fire with a cup of cocoa. Plus, there is a scene that takes place during Christmas. (Watch on Hulu with a Live TV subscription)
Rent
This classic musical covers the span of a year, with the beginning and end of the movie taking place at Christmas. There is a lot of hard-hitting story between the holidays, like drug addiction, homelessness, and AIDS, but it’s also a story about finding love and family. It has me wanting to add Seasons of Love to my Christmas playlists. (Watch on HBO Max)
About a Boy
The story of a man living off the royalties of a Christmas song. It doesn’t even matter that it’s a heartwarming story about a man that helps a young boy. The man wrote a Christmas jingle, it’s a Christmas movie. (Rent on Amazon)
Comedy Non-Christmas Christmas Movies
Mean Girls
Who can forget the iconic Christmas dance scene in Mean Girls?! It’s not a Christmas movie, but that scene has plenty of Yuletide fun. (Watch on Netflix)
Just Friends
This comedy is about a man that visits home during the holidays. He runs into his former high school crush that rejected him and turned him into a womanizer. Now he wants revenge. (Watch on HBO Max)
Yes! The Chronicles of Narnia is such a great movie for the wintertime! I completely forgot about it, but I’ll definitely need to add it to my watch list this season! Such a magical film!
The first two on the list are my favorites! I mean, While You Were Sleeping is probably my favorite movie all time (and definitely the one I’ve watched the most), so I’m a huge fan of anyone who recommends it! Great list! I’ve seen nearly all of these!
Yes to all of these, especially About a Boy and Bridget Jones’ Diary! My all-time favorites
I watched the holiday last night!!! One of my favs!!
No matter how many times I watch Just Friends, it always cracks me up! I was hoping Serendipity was on this list as well, such a cute feel-good movie!