15 Overlooked Movies for the Holidays

The holidays wouldn't be the same without the endless airings of classic holiday movies such as It's A Wonderful Life and A Christmas Story. But for those who can't swallow an overdose of George Bailey, cozying up on the couch with a new source of holiday magic might be preferred. Finding a new source, however, can be challenging.

Generally, I come across the same suggestions for holiday movies over and over: Miracle on 34 Street, Bad Santa, Christmas Vacation, Scrooged, etc. There seem to be about 15 movies that most "top 10 Christmas films" lists are drawn from. All good choices. But it got me thinking about possible overlooked movies for the holidays.

Some movies are overlooked because they never were seen in the first place, while others have simply faded a bit from memory. And then, some holiday movies are overlooked because they are not directly related to Christmas.

Most of the following 15 overlooked movies for the holidays are not about Christmas; but rather, they are set during the holidays or reflect the spirit of the holidays.

Billy Elliot

A 2000 UK film about a young boy (Jamie Bell) whose family doesn't understand his desire to be a ballet dancer. The heartwarming nature of this movie is great for the holidays.

Joyeux Noel

This overlooked movie for the holidays is a foreign film about WWI soldiers who seek peace on Christmas Eve.

Saint Ralph

Set in the 1950's, a likable kid named Ralph sets out to win the Boston Marathon hoping it will save his dying mother. This overlooked 2004 film should have you wanting to believe in miracles.

Millions

Lessons of Christmas are related in this overlooked film about two young boys who find a bag of money.

Untamed Heart

A somewhat forgotten 1993 tear jerker starring Marisa Tomei and Christian Slater. The film centers around a romance between a waitress and a peculiar busboy who comes to her aid after an assault. Because its story of love is played out in such an enchanting way, the holidays seem like a perfect time to watch this movie.

About a Boy

This coming of age, romantic comedy revolves around the relationship between an adolescent man (Hugh Grant) and a misfit boy. Its concept of family makes it a great movie for the holidays.

Rushmore

Wes Anderson delivers his usual quirkiness in this overlooked movie about a student (Jason Schwartzman) and older friend (Bill Murray) who fall in love with the same woman. But the movie has the added holiday gift of being surprisingly sweet.

The Ref

A thief (Denis Leary) gets more than he bargained for after he takes an unhappily married couple hostage on Christmas Eve. This film is catching on as a popular holiday movie, but still underappreciated by many.

Remember the Night

This often forgotten 1940 holiday movie is about a prosecutor who falls in love with a shoplifter after he allows her to stay with his family during the Christmas holidays. Nice for those who enjoy the older films.

Evelyn

Another holiday tear-jerker. This time, about an Irish man (Pierce Brosnan) fighting to regain custody of his children after his wife abandons them.

Trapped in Paradise

In this overlooked holiday comedy, three brothers set out to rob the town's bank, but are affected by how nice the town folks are to them. Full of laughs and holiday spirit.

Everyone Says I Love You

A Woody Allen musical about family, romance, and love. It has a feel-good quality of an old holiday film.

Go

Reminiscent of Tarantino, this film tells three stories which are tied together by a drug deal. Good option for people who just want the setting of Christmastime, but not necessarily the holiday sappiness.

While You Were Sleeping

Since its release, it has become a sleeper hit. But frankly, I am surprised this romantic comedy does not make more lists of top holiday movies. In this overlooked holiday movie, Sandra Bullock plays a woman who pretends to be the fiancé of man in a coma. I find it to be one of the most adorable and easy films to watch during the holidays.

Wonderland

If a blue Christmas is more your style, Wonderland is one of the most depressingly beautiful films I have ever seen. This 1999 UK film by Michael Winterbottom amplifies the loneliness and longing many people feel around the holidays. (Do not confuse this with the 2003 Wonderland film starring Val Kilmer).