Summary

There are quite a few movies that are basic for the holiday season , but may not all conform to the outlook , tropes , or motif of a traditionalChristmasmovie . Whileclassic Christmas movieslikeIt ’s a Wonderful lifetime , Elf , National Lampoon ’s Christmas Vacation , andA Christmas Storyeasily earn the note by revolving their plots around the holiday and feature the celebratory trademark , other cinema have earned the condition by dissentious or unconventional mean value . The narration itself might not be about present tense , vacation spirit , or renewing one ’s belief in Santa Claus , but they may just encounter to be set around Christmastime or have other elements consociate with the holiday .

In lieu of the classic submission , an intense action movie with Christmas tree in the background can be a fun way to celebrate the holiday . Some of the good non - traditional examples even touch upon common themes of standard Christmas movies , such as Leslie Townes Hope , community of interests , and belief . Manynon - Christmas movieshave even been featured as holiday specials on channels such as Freeform ( formerly ABC Family ) , with such films gradually earning their places among more traditional Christmas tales .

9Catch Me If You Can (2002)

Several important events happen at Christmas.

Cast

Thetrue story - inspired movieCatch Me If You Canfeatures Leonardo DiCaprio as a vernal con man named Frank Abagnale Jr. and Tom Hanks as determined FBI agent Carl Hanratty . For several age , Frank telephone Carl on Christmas Eve because he want someone to talk to . too soon on , Frank is acting out because of his parent ' divorce , and he craves a sense of family that he unconventionally discover in the FBI agent tracking him down .

Later on , Carl confronts Frank nerve - to - grimace at Christmas in a small townsfolk in France . lastly , towards the end of the movie , Frank escapes detention one last time and returns home around Christmas , and is devastated to find that his mother is blithely remarried with a young daughter . Christmas is clearly associated with intimate themes , such as syndicate and belonging inCatch Me If you may .

8Iron Man 3 (2013)

Released in the summer.

The last soloIron Manmovie may have been relinquish in May 2013 , but its story consider place around Christmas . Ultimately , the holiday is used as a fomite for Tony to play on his family relationship with Pepper . She is not impressed when he gifts her a squeeze animal bunny girl the size of a sign of the zodiac , but is adjoin when he says,“Screw it , it ’s Christmas,“and has J.A.R.V.I.S. blow up all his Iron Man courting . In one fit , Tony also makes some improvised grenade out of Christmas ornaments . Yet , Iron Man 3distinctly does not feel like a Christmas movie , part because it take place in cheery Malibu .

7Edward Scissorhands (1990)

Artificial snowfall for Christmas.

This Tim Burton classic is about an bare artificial son who has scissors for hands , excellently played by Johnny Depp . Edward finds himself at the center of a superficial suburban residential district and is initially very popular . However , around Christmastime , the citizenry turn on him due to misunderstandings and vengeful teenagers making accusations . Christmas is a low gunpoint in the movie when Edward ’s only friends are the Boggs family , who have also been shed out by the neighbors . The movie ends with Edward returning to his secluded home , where he create many shabu sculptures , creating the gist of accrue nose candy on the town .

6Harry Potter And The Sorcerer’s Stone (2001)

The franchise includes several notable Christmas scenes.

Freeform ( formerly ABC Family ) annually broadcast a " Harry PotterWeekend " every Christmas until 2017 , with each moving picture in the series being broadcast during the channel ’s 25 Days of Christmas line - up . Since each movie comprehend a whole school year ( exceptHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallowssplitting the class into two division ) , Harry and his admirer are frequently find out keep the holiday . ThoughHarry Potter ’s wizardly and supernatural subject matter also makes it a Halloween raw material , the franchise ’s holiday celebrations and some snowy scenes have earned it a position among non - traditional Christmas pic .

The most celebrated unveiling that is often classified as aChristmas film is 2001’sHarry Potter and the Sorcerer ’s Stone . Christmas during this outing is peculiarly extra for Harry , who is surprised to receive presents from Ron ’s kinsfolk , as he was neglect by his own family his entire liveliness . Mrs. Weasley send him a sweater , as she does for all her children , and Harry spends Christmas at Hogwarts . In one of the most heartwarming former moments of Ron and Harry ’s friendly relationship , the duo wish one another a " Happy Christmas " to solidify them as their new take crime syndicate fellow member . Hogwarts is also always impressively grace during the Christmas season , though it disappears when the film returns to its chief plot .

5Batman Returns (1992)

Superheroes don’t get Christmas off.

This iconic superhero flick featuring Michael Keaton , Michelle Pfeiffer , Danny DeVito , and Christopher Walken also happens to take place at Christmastime . WhileBatman Returnsis view a Christmas movieonly because of when it is set , vacation element are cardinal to the plot , such asthe inflammation of the Gotham Christmas tree being a key event . It is undoubtedly pleasurable to check Batman , Catwoman , and the quietus engage in their common battle against the background of twinkling light and Christmas carol .

4Rent (2005)

Bookended by Christmas.

boast most of the original Broadway cast of characters , Rentbegins on Christmas Eve , record a group of struggle creative person who , despite their limited resources , are still celebrate together . Mark , Roger , and Collins are even deal to a performance by Angel endure a Santa - themed outfit . The reference also afterward go to Maureen ’s protestation operation and have a few more wild melodic numbers before the 24-hour interval is up . Rentnotably ends a year later after Angel dies of AIDS , and the group reunite once again for the holidays .

3Mean Girls (2004)

One iconic Christmas scene.

Mean Girlsonly include one Christmas - themed scene , where the Plastics perform a dance routine to " Jingle Bell Rock " wearing Santa costume . It is another good example of how everything in " Girl World " is turned into a rival to be pretty and popular , accompany up on the established costume " rules " for girls on Halloween . However , it becomes strangely heartwarming when the CD player is unintentionally break and Cady leads the audience in a sing - along , so the girls can finish their dance . This scene hints at the moving picture ’s finish and central theme , because most of the hoi polloi at their in high spirits school are struggling in the toxic societal environment , and being beggarly is n’t helping anyone .

2Gremlins (1984)

But the rules were so simple.

Amateur inventor Randall Peltzer acquires a furry puppet as a Christmas present for his son Billy , their family ’s real breadwinner . The fauna , who they name Gizmo , is aMogwai and has strict rulesof care . When these rule are inescapably broken , the Mogwai not only multiply but turn evil , taking over the town . Gremlinsis also only considered a picture to watch at Christmastime because of its background , butcuddly Gizmo is also a perfect holiday character .

1Die Hard (1988)

Christmas is a good day to die hard.

mayhap themost iconic non - Christmas movie isDie heavily , which follow police force policeman John McClane as he visits his wife ’s workplace for a Christmas party – only for the building to be taken over by a terrorist flak conduce by the charismatic Hans Gruber . With Bruce Willis , Alan Rickman , and Bonnie Bedelia in the lead theatrical role and a plot based on barefacedly fun adventure and action , this movie was destined to become a favorite . The stem of Christmas being a sentence for family unit to reconnect , which appears in many non - Christmasmovies , is also a crucial part ofDie heavily .

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Cast Placeholder Image

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