It’s no secret that I love Christmas movies. I have confessed that I start watching them in November.
Elf and Christmas Vacation are movies I quote all year long.
Plus, it just doesn’t feel like Christmas until I sit down with my family and watch Home Alone or A Christmas Story.
But there are some Christmas movies I watch every year that you probably haven’t heard of. ‘Tis the season to acquaint you with these gems!
While aimed at the adult viewer, these movies are suitable–if not boring!–for young ones. These lesser known Christmas movies to enjoy won’t make your head hurt and are sure to inspire some holiday cheer.
Holiday in Handcuffs (2007)
A down on her luck waitress (Melissa Joan Hart) gets dumped on Christmas Eve, right after she promised her uptight parents that they would meet her successful boyfriend that night. Desperate, she kidnaps a good looking customer (Mario Lopez) from the diner where she works. She drags him to the remote cottage where her family is celebrating Christmas. The story does an entertaining and fairly plausible job of foiling his efforts to escape at every turn. Because it’s a romantic comedy, it doesn’t take long before the waitress and the businessman start to fall for each other.
Originally broadcast on the former ABC Family channel, search for this one On Demand or try Freeform.
Three Wise Women (2010)
Ellie was a happy teen being watched over by a guardian angel until one fateful night when she uncovers a family secret and vows never to love again. Fast forward twenty years and we find Ellie is a career-driven doctor who has forgotten the true meaning of love. Her guardian angel comes back into her life and, with the help of her past and future selves, tries to convince Ellie to change her ways.
I caught this one when I was home sick once and got hooked. Filmed in Ireland, the actors have Irish accents, which makes it *extra* cool.
Check the Hallmark channel for this one.
Comfort and Joy (2003)
Jane Berry is a single, high-powered executive with a high-powered salary. But something is missing from her life. After a car crash on Christmas Eve, she wakes up to find herself a married mother of two. She struggles with her new life as she slowly starts to be transformed by it, too. It’s a little bit funny, and a lot sweet. Starring Nancy McKeon (Jo from Facts of Life!) and Steven Eckholdt.
Comfort and Joy can usually be found on the Lifetime Channel.
What about you? What lesser known Christmas movies might I not know about? Do share. I’m always ready to get in my jammies and relax with a seasonal flick.
I love the “made for TV” movies. The cheesy, highly predictable ones. I just realised this Christmas season, my 10 and 6 year old haven’t seen A Christmas Story!
Yes, Eric, the TV Christmas movies are the best–I find them sweet in their simplicity. They are feel-good movies that don’t make you think too hard trying to follow along. Perfect for this time of year.
Haven’t seen any of these, so thank you, Katy! My particular fave, which you’ve probably seen and will roll your eyes at its “more known profile” is While You Were Sleeping with Sandra Bullock and Bill Pullman. Watched it the other night. SO good.
Kelly L McKenzie recently posted…Getting High At Christmastime
I love While You Were Sleeping! In fact, somewhere around here I have a draft of Christmas movies that really aren’t Christmas movies, if you know what I mean. Ones like While You Were Sleeping or -don’t laugh- Trading Spaces with Eddie Murphy and Dan Akroyd. Off to find and dust that draft off.
I really liked Holiday in Handcuffs too! They have a new movie this year together on Lifetime that was enjoyable. 🙂
-Lauren
ShootingStarsMag recently posted…Show Us Your Books: Cozy Christmas Edition
Lauren, thanks for the tip! Those 2 have good chemistry and I bet their new movie is fun.
Katy recently posted…Lesser Known Christmas Movies To Enjoy
A Mario Lopez movie I haven’t seen! Thanks for giving me a few new additions to the holiday movie round-up 🙂
Jen recently posted…The Happy Now Blog Link- Up #90
Oh, I didn’t know someone was a Mario fan. 😉 Enjoy it!
Katy recently posted…Lesser Known Christmas Movies To Enjoy
A few years ago we tried to watch Home Alone with my kids and they were horrified by the slapstick violence. We expected laughter and instead got, “Mom, is that man okay?!? Why did you make us watch this? Turn it off!” Oops.
Jenny @ Unremarkable Files recently posted…Maybe Others Don’t See Your Chaos the Way You Do
I think the harder my husband laughs at the slapstick humor, the harder my kids laugh, too!
Katy recently posted…Lesser Known Christmas Movies To Enjoy
These sound absolutely delightful, specially Holiday in handcuffs. I haven’t seen any of them and I’m sure the children will love them too. Thanks a ton for sharing.
Obsessivemom recently posted…Can a parent ever let go?
Yes, Holiday in Handcuffs is fun and light. More for moms than kids, but that said, I think tweens and older would enjoy it.
Katy recently posted…Lesser Known Christmas Movies To Enjoy
I am SO happy I came over here to check these out. I have not seen ANY of these, and we are always looking for more holiday movies to watch. Thank you Katy!
You and your girl might like Holidays in Handcuffs best. Try that one first. 🙂
I’ll look these out. I’ve almost given up watching films with our teens because they won’t put their phones down at all, which really WINDS ME UP!! #TweensTeensBeyond
Midlife Dramas in pyjamas recently posted…Merry Fa La La-ing Christmas!
These I enjoy mostly by myself—Ahhh! I think my tween daughter might be growing into my movie style, though. Fingers crossed for a good movie watching buddy in the future!
I’m always looking for a new Christmas movie to watch. Thanks for the new ideas and thanks so much for sharing at the #happynowlinkup!
Leslie recently posted…Peppermint Mochatini Cocktail Recipe
I doubt we’re looking for the same thing in a Christmas movie, as I always say Die Hard for my favourite (closely followed by Die Hard2, and Long Kiss Goodnight for variety).OK for something with more festive cheer, I’d go for Love, Actually – it’s so bad, it’s good! #tweensteensbeyond
Perhaps that other lesser known Christmas movie Trading Spaces with Eddie Murphy and Dan Akroyd might be more your style? 🙂 I do enjoy Die Hard. Can’t get past the plane crash in Die Hard 2, though. I’m too soft. #tweensteensbeyond
Katy we had the conversation with both our teens over Christmas about the perfect Christmas movie and it is tough as they get older to find something they haven’t seen and that will engage them too. We watched a Wonderful Life which they moaned about endlessly at the start but they watched it and took something from it- the message the same, one of togetherness and the value of those you love however outdated in terms of cinematography etc…. Love your suggestions. Hope you had a great Christmas and look forward to seeing you in the New Year. #TweensTeensBeyond
Jo – Mother of Teenagers recently posted…Tweens, Teens & Beyond #32
Love these! Love a really cheesy Christmas movie. Although, has to be Polar Express every time!
Hope you had a good Christmas x
#TweensTeensBeyond
I struggle to find something that all the teens will watch with us so I’m always pleased to see suggestions like this. I hope you all had a fab Christmas. Thanks so much for all your support for #TweensTeensBeyond in 2017 and hope you have a great 2018. xx