Fed up with the same festive flicks on an endless repeat every Christmas? Well online film users have been sharing their alternative holiday movie recommendations after tiring of the usual classics like Home Alone, Elf, and The Polar Express.
Bemoaning their exhausted list of favourites, one person shared on Reddit: “I truly am scraping the bottom of the barrel in terms of options, and am looking for recommendations.” This call out prompted a flurry of responses from fellow users who didn’t disappoint, offering up unique suggestions from quirky comedies to multilingual action movies, all perfect for those seeking something different this year, reports the Mirror.
The unconventional picks were touted as ‘hilarious gems’ that deserve a spot in everyone’s annual Christmas watch-list. Want a glimpse of what offbeat cinematic treats you might be missing out on?
Noelle
Amongst these community-approved titles is Noelle, which may have received lukewarm reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, but nonetheless holds a special place in the hearts of many since its 2019 premiere.
Starring Anna Kendrick as Santa’s daughter, it’s a fun-filled adventure that sees her character attempting to train her brother, played by Bill Hader, for Santa’s job only to embark on a rescue mission when he vanishes into the real world, putting Christmas itself in jeopardy.
This title is perfect for a family gathering or as background noise while you’re busy with Christmas preparations like peeling or wrapping. One fan commented: “This movie is adorable, funny, heartfelt and a great family holiday movie. It has been on our annual list since it came out!”
Noelle is streaming on Disney+
The Family Man
One viewer confessed that they don’t consider this film obscure as they watch it every year, but they found out that their colleagues had never heard of it. The Family Man features Nicolas Cage as Jack, a businessman who chose a carefree bachelor life over family many years ago.
The story echoes the classic A Christmas Carol, with Jack waking up one day in an alternate reality where he’s married to his old girlfriend and has children. Fans suggest that those who enjoy It’s A Wonderful Life should give this film a go. One fan, posting a review on Rotten Tomatoes, said: “This has become one of my go to Christmas movies. It’s a very tight story, hums along, no slow parts, great cast, direction. I love the message of the movie even though I chose the career path over the family life, I still can appreciate it. One of my favourite Nic Cage movies and Tea Leoni is great.”
The Family Man is streaming on Amazon Prime and ITVX
The Night Before
The Night Before is a firm favourite with many film enthusiasts who love watching it at Christmas time. Once the little ones are asleep, the grown-ups can enjoy this hilarious and risqué comedy for free via Tubi, as it follows three friends’ wild adventures on Christmas Eve.
Played by Seth Rogen, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Anthony Mackie, the trio plans to spend their last Christmas together before one of them becomes a father in style with a night to remember searching for New York’s iconic and exclusive Nutcracka Ball. Fans of the film can’t sing its praises enough, with one writing: “When I found this gem a few years ago, I couldn’t believe it wasn’t more popular. Hilarious, original, and heart warming. This movie is one of my favourites of all time.”
One of the standout moments is a scene-stealing cameo from A-list star Michael Shannon, who leaves viewers in stitches as Mr Green. One fan comments: “Let’s not forget Michael Shannon as Mr Green, one of my favourite side characters which had a couple of my favourite moments that made me laugh out loud. It had a pretty wholesome ending too. It’s become a new yearly rewatch for me.”
The Night Before is streaming on Tubi
Rare Exports
One film emerged as a top recommendation in a Reddit thread discussing festive films. A user enthused, “Rare Exports, enjoy your new annual holiday movie!” The Finnish film delves into the story of a boy and his pal who suspect that a secretive drilling operation on a nearby mountain has unearthed Santa Claus’s grave. Yet, this Santa is far from jolly, embodying a more sinister and wicked persona.
Tension escalates when a child’s father traps an elderly gentleman in a wolf pit, leading to revelations linking him to the spate of reindeer deaths and the disappearance of children. Targeting a mature audience, Rare Exports boasts an 89% rating, with a fan proclaiming, “This is my favourite Christmas film, I watch it every year. I found it on TV randomly about 6 years ago and had no idea what I was about to watch, but I’m soooo glad I did! It’s a very simple premise, but it’s done very well and has some great comic moments as well as horror moments.”
Rare Exports is streaming on Amazon Prime