Move over, It's a Wonderful Life and Love Actually. A treasure trove of lesser-known festive films is waiting to be discovered, according to avid cinema fans. Following a recent feature where Guardian writers shared their favourite underrated Christmas movies, readers have flooded in with their own passionate recommendations for hidden gems that deserve a place on your holiday watchlist.
From Dark Comedies to Heartwarming Tales
The suggestions span genres, eras, and tones, proving festive spirit comes in many forms. Leading the charge is the 2000 fantasy drama The Family Man, starring Nicolas Cage and Tea Leoni. Readers praise it as a heartfelt, modern take inspired by It's a Wonderful Life that skillfully avoids excessive sentimentality. Cage's performance is singled out as particularly underrated.
In the realm of clever dark comedy, 1994's The Ref, featuring Denis Leary, Kevin Spacey, and Judy Davis, receives high praise. Readers note its rare success as both a sharply funny film and a genuinely feelgood experience, with Ted Demme's direction and a memorable supporting turn from Richard Bright highlighted.
For traditional animation with a big heart, many pointed to 2019's Netflix release Klaus. Hailed as a beautifully crafted Santa origin story from Sergio Pablos, it's described as heartwarming and chaotically funny, yet many feel it has gone 'criminally below the radar' since its release.
Unexpected Festive Settings
The list takes some wonderfully bizarre turns. The 2013 British zombie comedy Stalled is set during a Christmas office party, with a plumber trapped in a toilet cubicle for almost the entire film as the apocalypse unfolds outside. It's championed as an ingenious and comical offbeat pick.
Another black comedy recommendation is All Is Bright (2013), starring Paul Rudd and Paul Giamatti as struggling Christmas tree sellers. Readers applaud Rudd's departure from his usual charming roles into a more sarcastic performance that perfectly complements Giamatti's 'Christmas Grinch'.
Nostalgia reigns in 8-Bit Christmas, a recent film that manages to be hugely funny for children while reducing adults to tears by its conclusion. For pure, chaotic festive fun, readers also champion A Bad Moms Christmas, celebrating the on-screen chemistry of its all-star cast including Christine Baranski, Mila Kunis, and Kathryn Hahn.
Forgotten Classics and Quirky Gems
The recommendations delve deep into cinematic history. Remember the Night (1940), starring Barbara Stanwyck and Fred MacMurray, is suggested as a cherished, very adult take on the season that few have seen. From the UK, Comfort and Joy (1984) sees Bill Forsyth apply his offbeat charm to a story about a radio DJ caught in Glasgow's ice-cream wars at Christmas.
Quirky television specials also get a look-in. Bernard and the Genie (1991), a British comedy starring Lenny Henry, Alan Cumming, and Rowan Atkinson, is a festive staple for many, with its memorable lines heralding the start of the season. Meanwhile, The Christmas Martian, a low-budget Canadian film from the early 1980s reminiscent of ET, is recalled with great affection for its snowy scenes and emotional ending.
Other notable mentions include the late-80s film Some Girls with Patrick Dempsey and Jennifer Connelly, the British pub-based Saloon Bar (1940), and the crime comedy Larceny, Inc. starring Edward G. Robinson. This collective effort from readers showcases the rich diversity of Christmas cinema beyond the mainstream, offering a curated guide for anyone seeking new festive traditions.
