Not your typical festive faves.
TV & Movies Not your typical festive faves. We all love a good Christmas film. Home Alone, Love Actually, Elf, The Grinch. They’re full of joy and make us feel all warm and fuzzy inside. But what about the ones that don’t necessarily fulfil the holly jolly quota? Yes, we all have a select few non-Christmas Christmas films that we turn to at this time of year, and I’ve listed a few of the best below. So, what makes a non-Christmas Christmas film? For some, it’s a film that just so happens to be set over the holidays, but doesn’t rely on it to push the narrative forward. For others, it’s a story that makes you feel warm and cosy without taking place over the festive period and fills the yuletide feel-good quota. What else? Well, they have to have universal appeal, of course. By that I mean there needs to be something in there for everybody, old or young, no matter what their interest or tastes are. On top of that, they need to be easy to watch, incredibly quotable, feature a Hollywood star or two, and, above all, have the kind of storyline you don’t mind watching for the gazillionth time. It’s just frickin tradition guys, get involved. So here’s your rundown of some of the greatest non-Christmas Christmas films to watch over the holidays. You never know, you may come across a new festive tradition with one of these picks. For a movie that takes place on Christmas Eve during a Christmas office party, it’s pretty hard to contend that Die Hard isn’t a Christmas film. But for some, including its star Bruce Willis, it’s a just a summer blockbuster with festive undertones. Whatever your stance, Die Hard is one of the most popular non-Christmas Christmas films out there, and is the perfect antidote to any family arguments that may arise over the big day. Watching Willis’ John McLane off bad guys, save the good guys, and still look handsome in a vest while covered in sweat and blood will put the whole family on the edge of their seats. Add to that Willis’ ability to maintain a constant flow of witty one liners and, hey presto, you have yourself a timeless classic. Special props for the much-loved Alan Rickman’s starring role as a German terrorist ringleader Hans Gruber. Watch on Disney+. Christmas time at Hogwarts looks like the most sumptuous and luxurious time. Apart from the decorations, the food on offer is the stuff of dreams. And, despite the festivities making up only a sliver of each film — they’re a merry must during your winter break.
