List of Christmas films

List of Christmas films

Christmas or Christmas Day is a holiday[1][2][3] generally observed on December 25 (with alternative days of January 6, 7 and 19[4]) to commemorate the birth of Jesus, the central figure of Christianity.[5][6] Although nominally a Christian holiday, Christmas is celebrated by an increasing number of non-Christians worldwide.[7][8] Because gift-giving and many other aspects of the Christmas festival involve heightened economic activity among both Christians and non-Christians, the holiday has become a significant event and a key sales period for retailers, but also for creative industries.[citation needed]

Contents

Theatrical Christmas films

This is a list of theatrically released films that are entirely, or in large part, about the Christmas holiday. Films in this list always feature important references to the holiday's symbols, such as family gatherings, trees and decorations, the Christ child, or Santa Claus.

Title Year Description
The 12 Dogs of Christmas 2005 A girl decides to use dogs to teach people about the true meaning of Christmas.
All and All From the Bad Santa to the Bad killer 1991 Two kids plot to reunite their parents at Christmas.
All Mine to Give 1957 A Scottish family comes to Wisconsin and do well until tragedy hits as Christmas nears.
Babes in Toyland (March of the Wooden Soldiers) 1934 Stan and Ollie rescue Tom Tom and Bo Peep from Bogeyland.
Bachelor Mother 1939 A salesgirl finds and begins to care of an abandoned infant.
Bad Santa 2003 A con man poses as Santa to rob stores on Christmas Eve.
Beyond Tomorrow 1940 The first half of this fantasy film takes place on Christmas Eve as three old men befriend two strangers, a young man and woman, who return their wallets.
The Bishop's Wife 1947 An angel helps a bishop rearrange his priorities.
Black Christmas 1974 A stranger terrorizes girls during the holiday break.
Blizzard 2003 A young girl is told a tale by her aunt of a young ice skater and an enchanted reindeer.
Bush Christmas 1947 Children quest for stolen horses at Christmas time.
The Candlemaker 1957 A candlemaker entrusts his young son with the task of making church candles for Christmas Eve in this animated short.
The Cheaters 1945 An alcoholic ex-actor is invited to Christmas dinner by a rich family and enlisted to help them swindle a woman out of her inheritance.
Christmas at Maxwell's 2006 The Austin family faces a bleak Christmas when Suzie, extremely ill, gathers the family to go away and spend their last Christmas together before she dies.
A Christmas Carol 1938 MGM's adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic story, remade countless times.
A Christmas Carol 1951 American title of British film Scrooge (see below).
A Christmas Carol 1971 Oscar-winning animated adaptation, with Alastair Sim and Michael Hordern recreating their roles as Scrooge and Marley's Ghost, narrated by Michael Redgrave; produced by Chuck Jones.
Christmas Carol: The Movie 2001 an animated film starring the voices of Kate Winslet, Nicolas Cage and Michael Gambon.
A Christmas Carol 2009 Walt Disney Pictures/ImageMovers Digital performance capture film starring Jim Carrey.
Operation: C.H.R.I.S.T.M.A.S. 2014 Christmas-themed film produced by Pixar about Santa Claus the Main Protagonist (voiced by David Ogden Stiers) Saving Christmas.
Christmas Child 2003 A life-sized native person leads a man to learn about his past.
Christmas Comes But Once a Year 1936 Grampy rehabilitates old toys and brings Christmas joy to an orphanage in this animated short.
Christmas Eve 1947 A heiress attempts to bring her adopted sons back home by Christmas Eve to rescue her fortune from a scheming nephew.
Christmas Evil 1980 A psychotic killer spends the holiday punishing the naughty as Santa Claus.
Christmas Holiday 1944 A stranded soldier listens as a cabaret singer recounts a doomed marriage to a killer.
Christmas in Boston 2005 Gina and Seth have been pen pals for 13 years and now will have the chance to meet. Both used their best friends pictures to send to each other and now will let their friends meet.
Christmas in Connecticut 1945 A columnist must entertain war hero for the holidays.
Christmas in the Clouds 2001 A comedic misunderstandings abound at a Native American ski resort during the holidays.
Christmas in Wonderland 2007 A father and his three kids move from Los Angeles to Edmonton. While shopping at West Edmonton Mall, they discover counterfeit money, unintentionally catch the criminals, and later make a discovery about Santa Claus.
A Christmas Story 1983 All Ralphie wants for Christmas is a Red Ryder BB gun.
A Christmas Tale (Un conte de Noël) 2008 A family gets together in the worst of circumstances during Christmas.
The Christmas That Almost Wasn't 1966 An attorney tries to stop miser from evicting Santa Claus and confiscating his toys.
Christmas with the Kranks 2004 When a suburban couple decide to forgo Christmas festivities, preferring to take a cruise to the Caribbean instead, their neighbours refuse to allow such Scrooge-like behaviour.
Comfort and Joy 1984 A DJ recovers from a breakup and gets mixed up in a turf war between rival ice cream vendors during the holiday season.
Coopers' Christmas 2010 A family gets a video camera for Christmas and tapes how dysfunctional the family is.
Creepers Christmas 2010 A boy saves a dragon the week before Christmas.
Deck the Halls 2006 Rival neighbors duke it out when one of them decides to light his house up so it can be seen from outer space.
The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya 2010 Haruhi and her friends are gonna celebrate Christmas, but the next morning, Kyon finds out that all of his friends either don't know him or don't attend at the North High School. So it's up to Kyon to crack this mystery, before Christmas.
Don't Open Till Christmas 1984 A murderer stalks the streets of London.
Elf 2003 A human who thinks he is an elf searches for his family in New York.
Elves 1980 Neo-Nazis impregnate a teenage waitress with one of Santa's elves.
Ernest Saves Christmas 1988 Ernest Worrell helps Santa.
The Family Stone 2005 A woman wants acceptance from eccentric clan at Christmastime.
The Family Man 2000 A fast-lane investment broker wakes up to find that his sports car and girlfriend have become a mini-van and wife.
Fitzwilly 1967 A butler funds his employer's charitable activities with various illicit schemes, climaxing in an attempt to rob Gimbels department store on Christmas Eve.
Four Christmases 2008 A couple struggle to visit all four of their divorced parents on Christmas Day.
Fred Claus 2007 Santa's bitter older brother is forced to move to the North Pole.
Friday After Next 2002 Stoner buddies Craig and Day-Day start new jobs as security guards on Christmas Eve after a robber dressed as Santa robs their house and ruins their Christmas party plans.
Frozen River 2008 A single mother turns to people-smuggling to provide for her family at Christmas.
Gift Wrapped 1952 Sylvester tries to catch and devour Tweety on Christmas morning in this animated Looney Tunes short.
The Great Rupert (A Christmas Wish) 1950 Trained squirrel passes money along to needy family just before Christmas.
Holiday Affair 1949 Romance blooms between a young widow and a sales clerk at Christmastime.
Holiday Inn 1942 Musicians prepare for a white Christmas at a cozy lodge.
The Holiday 2006 Two women swap homes for the holidays and meet up with their dream men.
The Holly and the Ivy 1952 An English clergyman reunites with his grown children for Christmas.
Homeless for the Holidays 2009 A man's family is in danger of losing everything right before Christmas.
Home Alone 1990 A young boy accidentally gets left behind during Christmas break and defends his house against robbers.
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York 1992 Kevin gets onto the wrong plane and flies to New York where he stops thieves from robbing the toy store.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas 2000 A furry green creature wants to ruin Christmas for denizens of Whoville.
The Ice Harvest 2005 — A seemingly perfect crime on Christmas Eve spirals out of control.
I'll Be Home for Christmas 1998 A college student finds it hard to get home for Christmas.
I'll Be Seeing You 1944 A war veteran finds romance with furloughed prisoner during the holidays.
I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus 2002 When a young boy catches his mom kissing Santa, he decides to be as naughty as he can until he drives Santa back to the North Pole.
It Happened on Fifth Avenue 1947 A hobo occupies a millionaire's posh New York mansion each year while the family winters in Florida. The plot thickens when he gives shelter to former servicemen and their families and the family returns sooner than expected.
It's a Wonderful Life 1946 A man gets to see what his hometown would be like had he never lived.
Jack Frost 1996 — A snowman terrorizes a small town during the holidays.
Jack Frost 1998 A dad gets second chance as a snowman.
J'ai Rencontré Le Père Noël 1984 Young boy and girl take a plane to Lapland to visit Santa so he will save the boy's parents who have been kidnapped in Africa.
Jingle All the Way 1996 Dad, while searching for season's hot toy, finds season's true meaning.\
Joyeux Noël (Merry Christmas) 2005 World War I trenches go silent during the "Christmas truce" of 1914.
Just Friends 2005 Chris Brander returns to New Jersey to chase after his high school crush.
The Lemon Drop Kid 1951 When the Lemon Drop Kid (Bob Hope) accidentally steers Moose Moran's girl away from a winning bet at the racetrack, he is forced to come up with $10,000 to repay the angry gangster. Fortunately it is Christmas, a time when people can be persuaded to part with money for the right cause.
A Lively Christmas Eve 1962 On Christmas Eve, A veteran communist discovers to his horror that his daughter is about to marry a dissident. Eventually, the two reconcile in the spirit of the holiday, as the young man re-embraces socialism. While the film features Santa Claus, a family reunion and a Christmas tree (decorated with sputniks), it ignores the Christian connotations of the holiday.
Love Actually 2003 Follows the lives of eight very different couples in dealing with their love lives in various loosely and interrelated tales all set during a frantic month before Christmas in London.
Lovely, Still 2008 Elderly bachelor romances a widowed neighbor during the Christmas season, with unexpected results.
The Magic Christmas Tree 1964 Witch's ring gives young boy titular tree, which comes to life and grants him three wishes.
Make the Yuletide Gay 2009 An openly gay college student struggles with concealing his sexual orientation from his parents when he goes home for Christmas.
The Man Who Came to Dinner 1942 Hobbled, self-centered New York wit makes Christmas unbearable for the family whose Ohio home he has commandeered.
Mickey's Christmas Carol 1983 Disney's animated adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic story.
Miracle on 34th Street 1947 Macy's Santa, with help from the U.S. Postal Service, restores a little girl's faith. Remade for television in 1955, 1959, 1973.
Miracle on 34th Street 1994 Theatrical remake.
Mixed Nuts 1994 Christmas at a crisis hotline center.
The Muppet Christmas Carol 1992 Jim Henson's creations tackle Charles Dickens' festive favorite.
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation 1989 The Griswold family plans turn to disaster, this time at Christmas.
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation 2:
Cousin Eddie's Island Adventure		 2004 Cousin Eddie and his family get stranded on what they think is a deserted island for Christmas.
Nativity! 2009 An improvised comedy based around a school Nativity play.
The Nativity Story 2006 The Biblical account of the birth of Jesus Christ.
The Night Before Christmas 1941 Tom and Jerry battle it out on Christmas Eve in this animated short.
The Nightmare Before Christmas 1993 Inhabitants of Halloween Land do a number on Christmas.
Noel 2004 A series of events link five disparate strangers in New York on Christmas Eve.
Nothing Like the Holidays 2008 A Puerto Rican family, living in the area of Humboldt Park in west Chicago, face what may be their last Christmas together.
O. Henry's Full House 1952 Five of the author's famous short stories, three of which take place during Chistmastide: The Cop and the Anthem, The Last Leaf & The Gift of the Magi. Narrated onscreen by John Steinbeck; made by five famous directors, with an all-star cast.
One Magic Christmas 1985 At Christmas time an angel shows a young mother the true meaning of the holiday.
The Perfect Holiday 2007 A young girl turns to a department store Santa in the hopes that he will help find a new husband for her divorced mother.
The Planet of Junior Brown (Junior's Groove) 1997 A young piano prodigy with a controlling mother retreats into a fantasy world and reaches out to a better life around Christmas time.
Prancer 1989 Girl nurses a wounded reindeer.
The Preacher's Wife 1996 Remake of The Bishop's Wife with an all African-American cast.
The Polar Express 2004 A magical train takes a boy and other children who stop believing in Santa Claus up north to meet the man himself.
Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale 2010 Finnish fantasy film directed by Jalmari Helander about hunters in the Korvatunturi mountains who discover the secret behind Santa Claus.
Remember the Night 1940 Brilliant DA with a future in politics (Fred MacMurray) falls for streetwise Christmastide shoplifter (Barbara Stanwyck).
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Movie 1998 Rudolph's own biopic showing his journey from zero to hero.
Santa Claus 1959 Santa battles evil demon in outer space. A Spanish-language film for which an English-dubbed version also exists.
Santa Claus Conquers the Martians 1964 Martians kidnap Santa Claus (John Call) because there is nobody on Mars to give their children presents.
Santa Claus: The Movie 1985 Big-budget "biopic" for the fat man in the red suit (David Huddleston); produced by the team that made the first Christopher Reeve Superman films.
The Santa Clause 1994 When Santa falls off his roof, a harried ad exec is required to assume the mantle.
The Santa Clause 2: The Mrs Clause 2002 Sequel to The Santa Clause; Santa must find a Mrs. Claus.
The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause 2006 Santa battles Jack Frost to keep his title.
Santa's Slay 2005 In this horror/comedy film it is revealed that Santa Claus is actually a demon who lost a bet with an Angel, but when the bet is off, he returns to his evil ways.
Santa with Muscles 1996 An evil millionaire gets amnesia and then believes that he is Santa Claus.
Scrooge 1935 Early film adaptation of Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol starring Sir Seymour Hicks.
Scrooge 1951 Dickens' ghostly meditation on Christmas. This version of the story, with Alastair Sim as Ebenezer Scrooge, is universally regarded as the very best.
Scrooge 1970 A musical adaptation of Dickens' tale, starring Albert Finney in the title role.
Scrooged 1988 Modern, dark-humored interpretation of Dickens' story, with Christmas spirits visiting a cynical, selfish TV exec, played by Bill Murray.
The Shanty Where Santy Claus Lives 1933 Santa Claus brings a poor orphan boy to his workshop in this animated Merrie Melodies short.
The Shop Around the Corner 1940 Bickering store clerks pine for pen pals as Christmas approaches.
Silent Night, Bloody Night 1974 Christmas Eve killings surround the attempted sale of an abandoned house.
Silent Night, Deadly Night 1984 The controversial slasher film about a murderous Santa Claus.
Silent Night, Deadly Night Part 2 1987 Killer's younger brother embarks on his own murder spree after escaping from mental hospital. Followed by three direct-to-video sequels (see below).
Stalking Santa 2006 Dr. Lloyd Darrow, a self-proclaimed "Santalogist," sets out to prove the existence of Santa Claus.
Surviving Christmas 2004 A smug, cynical young millionaire pays a family to spend Christmas with him.
Susan Slept Here 1954 Hollywood screenwriter hosts teen vagrant for the Christmas holiday.
Tenth Avenue Angel 1948 A child of the tenements helps an ex-con find a new life as Christmas approaches and learns that cattle genuflect at midnight on Christmas Eve, in memory of the birth of Jesus.
This Christmas 2007 The Whitfield family comes together for their first Christmas in several years.
Toy Tinkers 1949 Chip 'n' Dale steal nuts from Donald Duck's home using a variety of Christmas toys in this animated short.
Trading Places 1983 A rich man and a poor man switch classes as part of a social experiment through the holiday season.
Trapped in Paradise 1994 Kindly town's hospitality melts Christmas burglars' hearts.
'Twas the Night Before Christmas 1914 A boy gets a ride in Santa's sleigh.
Unaccompanied Minors (Grounded) 2006 Bored kids make up their own holidays whilst stuck in an airport after Christmas.
A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas 2011 Stoners embark on a mission to find a replacement for a burned Christmas tree.
What Would Jesus Buy? 2007 Documentary about the commercialization of Christmas.
While You Were Sleeping 1995 After a lonely transit worker saves a man on Christmas Day, she spends the holidays with his family and pretends to be his fiancee while he lies in a coma.
White Christmas 1954 As in Holiday Inn, musicians bring Irving Berlin's lyrics to Vermont lodge. (The story is not a remake, however.)
We're No Angels 1955 A trio of escaped convicts (Humphrey Bogart, Peter Ustinov & Aldo Ray) and their pet snake, Adolph, help a shopkeeper and his wife avoid financial ruin while steering their daughter toward true love on Christmas Eve.

Made-for-TV and direct-to-video Christmas films

See also: List of Christmas television specials

This is a list of made-for-TV and direct-to-video films that are entirely, or in large part, about the Christmas holiday. Films in this list always feature important references to the holiday's symbols, such as family gatherings, trees and decorations, the Christ child, or Santa Claus.

Animated

Puppets

Live action

  • An American Christmas Carol (1979) — In this adaptation of Dickens' A Christmas Carol, the "Scrooge" figure is a miserly businessman in Depression-era New England.
  • The Angel of Pennsylvania Avenue (1996) — A Family Channel TV production: Three children travel to Washington in the hope of convincing President Hoover to release their wrongly convicted father from jail in time for Christmas.
  • Beethoven's Christmas Adventure (2011) - A Christmas elf accidentally takes off in Santa's sleigh, crash lands in a small town, and loses the magic toy bag. Beethoven must rescue the elf, recover the bag from greedy crooks, and return the sleigh to Santa in time to save Christmas.
  • Benji's Very Own Christmas Story (1978) — Popular screen pooch meets Kris Kringle while preparing for a Christmas parade in Switzerland.
  • The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (1983) — A church Christmas pageant touches the hearts of a family of juvenile delinquents.
  • The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (2010) —
  • Borrowed Hearts (1997) — A wealthy manufacturer pays an impoverished single mother who works in his factory, and her daughter, to pretend to be his "family" at Christmastime, in order to impress a visiting old-fashioned tycoon interested in buying his company.
  • A Boyfriend for Christmas (2004) — Santa plays matchmaker and sets up a young couple for Christmas.
  • Call Me Claus (2001) — Santa Claus is preparing to retire, and grooms an American businesswoman to be his replacement.
  • A Carol Christmas (2003) — In a modern comic retelling of A Christmas Carol, Carol Cartman says "Bah, humbug" to the clichés of her fellow talk-show host, Dr. Bob, and especially to a live Christmas Eve show her producer has planned.
  • Carol for Another Christmas (1964) — This modernization of A Christmas Carol was produced to promote American support for the United Nations.
  • A Chance of Snow (1998) — A divorced couple get snowed in at Christmastime.
  • Chasing Christmas (2005) — In a world where the holidays are run by the efficient Bureau of Yuletide Affairs, a bitter and burned-out Ghost of Christmas Past decides to go AWOL while on a "mission" and leave his "target" stranded in 1965.
  • Christmas at Water's Edge (2004) — Angel teams with spoiled college coed to organize Christmas concert at community youth center.
  • The Christmas Box (1995) — Based on the bestselling book of the same name, a couple and their daughter move in with a widow and discover a box containing the answer to the first gift of Christmas.
  • The Christmas Card (2006) — A soldier serving in Afghanistan receives a Christmas card from a Californian woman he has never met.
  • Christmas Caper (2007) — A Grinch-like thief retreats to her hometown for Christmas. Can the spirit of Christmas, combined with a stint babysitting her niece and nephew, rid her of her wicked ways?
  • The Christmas Cottage (2008) — Tells the story of the inspiration behind Thomas Kinkade's painting The Christmas Cottage, and how the artist was motivated to begin his career after discovering his mother was in danger of losing their family home.
  • Christmas Cupid (2007) — Sloan is beautiful, stylish, and on the fast track to success at her public relations firm. After her client Caitlin dies and becomes her own personal ghost of Christmas past, present, and future; she finds out first hand that her unethical ways needs to change and reuniting with a past jilted lover may be the answer.
  • (Rich Little's) Christmas Carol (1978) — Comedian Rich Little plays all of the characters, using his unique skills as an impressionist to apparently fill the cast with some of Hollywood's best-known stars.
  • A Christmas Carol (1984) — Starring George C. Scott as Ebenezer Scrooge, an old miser who makes excuses for his uncaring nature learns real compassion when three ghosts visit him on Christmas Eve.
  • A Christmas Carol (1999) — A Hallmark Channel adaptation of the famous novel by Charles Dickens. Starring Patrick Stewart as Mr. Ebenezer Scrooge and Richard E. Grant as Bob Cratchit.
  • Christmas Comes to Willow Creek (1987 TV) — Two truck-driving brothers attempt to transport a load of Christmas gifts from California to an economically strapped Alaska town.
  • Christmas Do-Over (2006) — In yet another rehash of the plot taken from Groundhog Day, a man has to repeat Christmas Day over and over until he realizes how selfish he has become and changes his ways.
  • Christmas Every Day (1996) — In a juvenile reworking of Groundhog Day a self-centered teenager is forced to relive the same Christmas over and over again after his sister wishes it were Christmas every day.
  • The Christmas Gift (1986) — A widowed architect and his daughter visit a town where everyone believes in Santa Claus.
  • Christmas in Boston (2005) — Two pen pals who have never met decide to meet up at one of their home towns in Boston during the Christmas holiday. Only one problem though, they have both sent pictures of their better looking friends to each other.
  • Christmas Lilies of the Field (1979) — Seasonal sequel to the theatrical film Lilies of the Field (1963) has its African-American protagonist returning to the chapel he had built in the Arizona desert for a group of German nuns.
  • The Christmas List (1997) — A woman makes a list of things she wants for Christmas and learns the lesson, "Be careful what you wish for."
  • Christmas Mail (2010) — Postal worker falls for mysterious woman who answers letters to Santa.
  • A Christmas Memory (1966) — Award-winning adaptation of Truman Capote's poignant, nostalgic reminiscence about his childhood best friend — a childlike elderly relative with whom he makes fruitcakes and other gifts, in Depression-era Alabama.
  • Christmas on Division Street (1991) —
  • A Christmas Romance (1994) — A bank vice president is forced to spend Christmas with a woman whose house he was about to repossess after a blizzard hits.
  • Christmas Rush (2002) — Suspended Chicago cop battles hostage-taking shopping mall thieves on Christmas Eve.
  • The Christmas Secret (aka Flight of the Reindeer) (2000) — A scientist sets out to prove that reindeer can fly, and along the way discovers the true meaning of faith, family, and Christmas.
  • The Christmas Shoes (2002) — Trio of interlocking stories, adopted from the hit song of the same name.
  • Christmas Snow (1986) — A widowed mother struggles to prevent her candy shop from being put out of business by a hard-hearted businessman.
  • A Christmas Snow (2010) — A woman must face the hurts of her past while trapped with two strangers in her house for Christmas.
  • The Christmas Star (1986) — Two kids befriend an escaped convict who they believe is Santa Claus.
  • A Christmas Too Many (2007) — A Hollywood legend invites her not so normal family home for the holidays.
  • Christmas Town (2008) — A single mom visits her estranged father for Christmas, and is surprised to discover his hometown oddly resembles the North Pole.
  • A Christmas Visitor (2002) — A family decides not to celebrate Christmas for 11 years after their son dies, but when a stranger visits them for Christmas, they realize he is the miracle their family has been waiting for.
  • A Christmas Wedding (2006) — Emily and Ben met on Christmas Day now plan to marry on this Christmas Day almost two years later. Then Emily must attend work, and leaves the wedding plans up to Ben. Problems arise when procrastinator Ben tries to deal with bridesmaids dresses and dyed shoes, while perfectionist Emily is out of her mind with worry that her perfect day will be anything but. However, when a snow storm threatens to strand Emily at her work, she realizes that the only thing that matters is making it home to be with Ben and their Christmas wedding.
  • The Christmas Wish (1998) — A businessman tries to uncover a family secret for his grandmother after he returns to a small town to modernize his family's real-estate company.
  • Christmas with a Capital C (2010) — Small Alaska town erupts into conflict over public Nativity scene.
  • A Christmas Without Snow (1980) — Church choir members try to balance personal issues with practice as the holiday approaches.
  • Christmas in Wonderland (2009) — Two children find a bag full of counterfeit money and Santa too.
  • Comfort and Joy (2003) — Single businesswoman wakes up married and a mother after a car accident.
  • Crazy for Christmas (2005) — A woman guides her elderly father around town on Christmas Eve.
  • Crazy for Christmas (2006) —
  • A Dad For Christmas (2006) — When a young man discovers that his girlfriend intends to give their baby up for adoption, he brings the baby to his grandmother for the holidays
  • Deck the Halls (1994) — Two orphans have decide which one of their two relatives they want to spend Christmas with, their mean aunt or kind uncle.
  • Deck the Halls (2005) — Two neighbors have it out after one of them decorates his house for the holidays so brightly that it can be seen from space.
  • A Dennis the Menace Christmas (2007) — Dennis tries to inject his grinchy neighbor Mr. Wilson with the holiday spirit, with the help of an Angel of Christmas Past Present and Future.
  • A Different Kind of Christmas (1996) — After the death of his wife, a father starts to act like Santa Claus and turns his house into a year-round wonderland. Unfortunately his daughter is a big city attorney who has been given the job of making sure her father's illegal all-year Christmas business is shut down.
  • A Dog's Christmas Miracle (2011) - A mischievous but lovable puppy, named Cinnamon, is determined to break-up her devoted “mummy’s” new relationship.
  • The Dog Who Saved Christmas (2009) —
  • The Dog Who Saved Christmas Vacation (2010) —
  • Eve's Christmas (2004) — A wealthy and successful career woman gets a second chance in life when a magical wish transports her back in time eight years to when she walked away from her fiance to lead a business life in New York.
  • The Family Holiday (2007) — A conman must show the executor of his uncle's will that he has changed his lifestyle, in order to receive his uncle's fortune.
  • The Gathering (1977) — A dying man attempts to reconcile with the family he had abandoned years earlier, by having them come to visit for Christmas.
  • The Gift of Love: A Christmas Story (1983) — A woman reeling from business and marital failure is visited in a Christmastime dream by her deceased mother, who takes her on a journey back through her childhood.
  • A Grandpa for Christmas (2007) — During the Christmas season, an old-time film-star/singer/hoofer, who is estranged from his daughter and 9-year-old granddaughter, suddenly finds himself bonding with his granddaughter when her mom is hospitalized.
  • Good Luck Charlie, It's Christmas! (2011) - Based on the Disney Channel Original Series Good Luck Charlie, the film follows the Duncan family, who get separated at Palm Springs on their way to visit Grandma and Grandpa Blankenhooper for Christmas.
  • The Greatest Store in the World (1999) — A family lose their home at Christmas and in desperation, stay in a department store over the Christmas period.
  • His and Her Christmas (2005)—
  • A Hobo's Christmas (1987) — A hobo decides to return home after being away for 25 years.
  • Hogfather (2006) — It's Hogswatch on the Discworld and the Hogfather has gone missing, requiring Death to take his place while his granddaughter Susan endeavors to find out what has happened.
  • Holiday in Handcuffs (2007) — A struggling artist working as waitress kidnaps one of her customers to bring home and meet her parents at Christmas.
  • A Holiday to Remember (1995) — Carolyn is leaving the big city with her daughter Jordi for her childhood village, deep in the forest.
  • Home Alone 4 (2002) — A made-for-TV sequel to theatrical original
  • Home for Christmas (1990) — A thief befriends a young boy at Christmas.
  • Home for the Holidays (1972) — Four sisters return home to visit their father for Christmas, only to discover that someone is trying to kill him.
  • Home for the Holidays (2008) —
  • A Home for the Holidays (2005) — A woman struggles to adopt her orphaned relatives.
  • The Homecoming: A Christmas Story (1971) — On Christmas Eve in 1933, the Walton family of rural West Virginia awaits the return of the father, who had gone to look for work in a distant city. This film served as a pilot for the series The Waltons.
  • The House Without a Christmas Tree (1972) — A widower, still grieving from his wife's death, refuses to allow a Christmas tree in the home, to the dismay of his young daughter.
  • It Came Upon the Midnight Clear (1984) — After suffering a fatal heart attack, a man (Mickey Rooney) is granted a brief return to life so that he can show is California-bred grandson his first white Christmas in New York.
  • It Happened One Christmas (1977) — A young businesswoman, despondent over the circumstances of her life, contemplates suicide, but is shown the value of her life by a guardian angel, in this feminist remake of It's a Wonderful Life starring the then recently liberated Marlo Thomas.
  • It Nearly Wasn't Christmas (1989) — A disillusioned Santa Claus (Charles Durning) quits Christmas. Through the selflessness of a little girl looking to reunite her parents for Christmas (and the help of his bumbling chief elf, Philpot (Bruce Vilanch)), Santa and the child travel across America and Santa discovers that people really do need him and care about other people.
  • John Grin's Christmas Carol (1986) — A miserly African-American businessman is shown the spirit of Christmas by three ghosts in this update of A Christmas Carol.
  • J.T. (1969) — Troubled inner-city youngster adopts a stray cat for Christmas, and must hide it from his financially strapped mother.
  • Like Father, Like Santa (1998) — A ruthless toy tycoon who is also secretly the son of Santa Claus travels to the North Pole to put an end to an attempted coup.
  • The Man from Majorca (1984) — Stockholm police uncover political corruption while investigating a bank robbery. Film takes place during Christmas season.
  • The Man in the Santa Claus Suit (1979) — The lives of three different men are transformed by a magical Santa Claus costume rented them by a mysterious shopkeeper.
  • The Man Who Saved Christmas (2002) — Fact-based drama of toy inventor A.C. Gilbert, a pacifist toymaker who is forced by the U.S. government to turn his factory into a munitions plant during WWI, and is asked to convince consumers to buy bonds instead of toys.
  • Mary Christmas (2002) — Widower's young daughter asks Santa for a new mother.
  • Meet the Santas (2005) — Sequel to Single Santa Seeks Mrs. Claus.
  • Moonlight and Mistletoe (2007) — A man runs a year-round Santa Town.
  • A Mom for Christmas (1990) — A young girl desires to have a mother in her life gets her wish at the department store.
  • The Monster's Christmas (1981) — A young girl helps the monsters from her storybook defeat an evil witch that has stolen their voices because they sang better at Christmas carols than she did.
  • The Most Wonderful Time of the Year (2008) — Retired policeman attempts to kindle romance between his daughter and a visiting chef.
  • A Mouse, A Mystery and Me (1987) — A world-class mystery-writing mouse spends Christmas Eve with his sleuthing partner tracking down a missing Santa.
  • Mr. Krueger's Christmas (1980) — A widowed apartment janitor daydreams to escape his lonely life.
  • Mr. St. Nick (2002) — An aging Santa Claus is ready to retire but first he must convince his son to take over his job.
  • Mrs. Santa Claus (1996) — Santa's wife ends up in New York in the early 1900s near Christmastime.
  • The Mrs. Clause (aka The Christmas Clause) (2008) —
  • Mrs. Miracle (2009) —
  • Naughty or Nice (2004) — A Chicago sports radio shock jock is changed by a Christmas season encounter with a 15-year-old fan who is dying of cancer who forces him to be nice for a day.
  • The Night They Saved Christmas (1984) — An oil company dynamites in the North Pole in search of an oil field, unaware that they are endangering Santa Claus.
  • Once Upon A Christmas (2000 TV) — Santa's daughter tries to change a family so they are no longer on the Naughty list, or else Santa will cancel Christmas.
  • Picking Up & Dropping Off (2003) — A divorced father and a divorced mother start to meet at Denver International Airport when picking up and sending off their children to ex-spouses for holidays.
  • Recipe for a Perfect Christmas (2005) — A struggling chef agrees to date a food critic's mother.
  • Red Boots for Christmas (2004) — A bitter shoemaker gets a visit from an angel shortly before Christmas.
  • Richie Rich's Christmas Wish (1998) —
  • Road to Christmas (2006) — A high powered fashion photographer finds herself stranded in middle America on her way to her wedding in Aspen, Colorado. She gets a lift from a widower and his daughter, setting off a change of events that will change their lives forever.
  • Roots: The Gift (1988) —
  • Samantha: An American Girl Holiday (2004) — A wealthy girl visits an orphanage during the holiday season, and tries to house them.
  • Santa Baby (2006) — Mary Class is a highly successful business executive - who just happens to be the daughter of Santa Claus. But when her father falls ill, Mary returns to the North Pole and the life she left behind to take over for her dad and implement her innovative ideas for running Christmas.
  • Santa Baby 2: Christmas Maybe (2009) — Santa needs his daughter, Mary Class' help
  • Santa Buddies (2009) — Puppy Paws, the only son of Santa Paws, does not want to follow in his father's footsteps. He then hi-tails it to Fernfield, Washington to be a normal puppy, just like Budderball (who is on Santa's naughty list for eating the Thanksgiving Turkey). Meanwhile, the icicle that holds the magic of Christmas is melting away due to children's and puppies' belief in Santa and Santa Paws dying. It is up to Puppy Paws and the Buddies to rediscover their belief in Christmas and save the holiday.
  • Santa, Jr. (2002) — Santa's son, mistaken for the "Christmas Bandit," is held under house arrest two days before Christmas.
  • Santa Who? — Santa suffers an attack of amnesia shortly before Christmas, after falling out of his sleigh. Only the innocence of a small child can save Christmas for thousands of people around the world.
  • A Season for Miracles (1999) — A homeless woman and her niece and nephew attempt to outrun the authorities during the holiday season.
  • Silent Night, Deadly Night 3: Better Watch Out! (1989)
  • Silent Night, Deadly Night 4: Initiation (1990)
  • Silent Night, Deadly Night 5: The Toy Maker (1992)
  • Single Santa Seeks Mrs. Claus (2004) — A high-flying career woman and single mother with no time for love or Christmas is unexpectedly wooed by Santa's son and heir, Nick. Nick must find a wife before Christmas because his father wants to retire.
  • A Smoky Mountain Christmas (1986) — A singer retreats to an isolated mountain cabin for a quiet holiday, but finds seven orphaned children there.
  • Snow (2004) — With only three days before Christmas, Nick Snowden, heir to a certain Arctic toy business, must work hard to save Christmas after someone steals Buddy the reindeer and takes him to a California zoo.
  • Snow 2: Brain Freeze (2008) — Sequel to 2004's Snow.
  • Snowglobe (2007) — A young woman discovers a Christmas-themed dream world inside a magical snow globe.
  • Sons of Mistletoe (2001) — A cold businesswoman threatens to close a boys foster home during the holidays, when she returns to her home town to settle her late father's estate.
  • Special Delivery (2000) — A bumbling courier at a private adoption agency botches the delivery of a baby to its new parents in time for Christmas, when he misplaces their baby en route.
  • Stealing Christmas (2003) — A criminal hides in a small town and takes a job as a Santa.
  • Stubby Pringle's Christmas (1978) — A Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation about a young cowboy (Beau Bridges) who discovers that the joy of Christmas is in the giving, rather than the receiving.
  • CBC's The True Meaning of Christmas Specials (2002) — Hosted by Dave Foley, this parody of Christmas specials and many classic Christmas stories follows David and friends as he seeks to learn the meaning of Christmas Specials, beyond selling knick-knacks for $49.99.
  • Three Days (2001) — An angel offers a literary agent, whose wife of ten years died just before Christmas, a chance to relive the last three days of his wife's life.
  • The Three Kings (1987) — Mental-hospital patients escape from a Christmas pageant and go search for baby Jesus while in costume as the Magi.
  • Three Wise Guys (2005) —
  • The Twelve Days of Christmas Eve (2004) — A dying man has 12 days (12 chances) to achieve the "perfect" Christmas.
  • Twice Upon a Christmas (2001) — Santa's daughter has lost her memory, and her new family is determined to help her get it back.
  • The Ultimate Christmas Present (2000) — A girl steals a weather machine from Santa Claus to make it snow on Christmas Day, but the machine breaks, and causes an out-of-control snowstorm.
  • Unlikely Angel (1996) — A singer must work with St Peter to earn her wings at Christmas by re-uniting a family.
  • Vendetta: A Christmas Story (1997) — '80s cop show spoof has two agents taking on Santa Claus.
  • Will You Merry Me? (2008) — A newly engaged couple, one Christian and the other Jewish, must survive their families meeting for the first time during Christmas. (Lifetime film)
  • "The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey" (2007) - A bereaved boy and his widowed mother commission a grumpy woodcarver to carve a nativity set and thus form a relationship that enables them all to put their sadness behind them and move on.

Films related to Christmas

This is a list of films in which Christmas is more incidental to the plot. The holiday may be part of the story, or figure in one or more scenes, but as in Meet Me in St. Louis (1944), it is not central to the film.

  • 3 Godfathers (1948) — At Christmastime in the Old West, three cowhands find a woman dying in childbirth, and deliver the baby to civilization in a parody of the Biblical story of the Magi.
  • 12 Monkeys (1995) — Man is sent back in time to try and prevent an apocalyptic plague outbreak. Film includes scenes set during the Christmas season.
  • 29th Street (1991) — When a man wins the first New York State Lottery on Christmas Eve, instead of celebrating, he throws a rock through a church window. Based on a true story.
  • About a Boy (2002) — A bachelor enjoys a life of ease thanks to the royalties from a Christmas song his father composed.
  • All That Heaven Allows (1955) — Lonely widow seeks love with younger gardener in the face of her adult children's disapproval. Includes a memorable Christmas scene.
  • Alvin and the Chipmunks (2007) — Songwriter Dave Seville takes in three chipmunks, who can sing, during the Christmas season. The film features the classic "Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)".
  • American Psycho (2000) — Serial killer Patrick Bateman takes a break from his reign of terror to attend a Christmas party given by his fiancée.
  • Annie Hall (1977) — Alvy Singer is forced to attend a Christmas party in Hollywood and breaks up with the title character (again) during the holidays.
  • The Apartment (1960) — A young executive climbs the corporate ladder by loaning out his apartment to bosses for their extramarital trysts. The bulk of the film takes place between Christmas and New Year's Eve.
  • Arthur (1981) — Drunken millionaire playboy, on the brink of an arranged marriage, risks his inheritance by falling in love with waitress. Film takes place during or just prior to Christmas season in New York.
  • Arthur 2: On the Rocks (1988) — Having lost his inheritance, the now-married Arthur attempts to find a job and adopt a baby. Film takes place during Christmas season in New York.
  • The Associate (1996) — A black woman makes it on Wall Street by creating (and then impersonating) a fictional white male partner. Film includes a Christmas scene.
  • Auntie Mame (1956) — One scene has free-spirited eccentric Mame Dennis attempting to support herself as a Macy's sales clerk during the holidays.
  • Autumn in New York (2000) — Middle-aged restaurateur falls in love with free-spirited but terminally ill younger woman. Includes a Christmas scene.
  • Babe (1995) — The segment "Pork is a Nice Sweet Meat" takes place on Christmas Day.
  • Batman Returns (1992) — Batman battles the Penguin, Catwoman, and a corrupt industrialist during the Christmas holiday.
  • Beat Street (1984) — takes place during the holidays with "Santas' Rap" performed by The Treacherous Three.
  • Bell, Book and Candle (1958) — Modern-day witch tries to woo unsuspecting publisher. The first part of the film takes place at Christmas.
  • The Bells of St. Mary's (1945) — An easygoing priest and a no-nonsense nun try to save their run-down school. Scenes include a Christmas pageant.
  • Ben-Hur (1959) — Jewish prince turned slave seeks revenge against former friend. Christ's Nativity is depicted in the prologue.
  • Better Off Dead (1985) — A teenager has to deal with his girlfriend dumping him among family crises, homicidal paper boys, and a rival skier during the holiday season.
  • Big Business (1929) — Door-to-door Christmas tree salesman (Laurel and Hardy) get into a mutually-destructive feud with a would-be customer in this short silent comedy.
  • Blast of Silence (1961) — Hitman plans mob murder during Christmas season in New York.
  • The Boat That Rocked (2009) — Government official tries to shut down pirate radio station in 1960s Britain. Includes a Christmas scene.
  • Das Boot (1981) — German U-boat makes a perilous mission during World War II. Includes a Christmastime scene aboard a supply ship.
  • Boys Town (1938) — Features a Christmas Sequence in the middle.
  • Brazil (1985) — Begins when, during the holidays, a man is arrested by the secret police who mistake him for a terrorist due to a misprinted file. Near the end, the main character is visited by his boss who is dressed as Santa Claus on his way to a charity event.
  • Bridget Jones's Diary (2001) — The title character is introduced to her primary love interest at her parents' Christmas party, among several holiday-themed scenes.
  • Bright Eyes (1934) — Young girl becomes center of custody battle after being orphaned on Christmas morning.
  • La Bûche (Season's Beatings) (1999) — Woman reunites with her estranged daughters during Christmas following the death of her second husband.
  • Cast Away (2000) — On Christmas Eve a FedEx plane crashes near an uninhabited island, where the only survivor lives for the next four years.
  • Catch Me If You Can (2002) — An FBI agent pursues an identity-changing con artist over a period of several years. A number of scenes take place on different Christmases.
  • The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005) — C.S. Lewis tale, in which the return of Christmas to the frozen fantasy world of Narnia is the first sign of its liberation.
  • Citizen Kane (1941) — An early scene shows the young Charles Foster Kane receiving a sled as a Christmas gift from his guardian, Mr. Thatcher.
  • Come to the Stable (1949) — Two French nuns come to the New England town of Bethlehem to stay with a struggling artist of Christmas scenes for greeting cards. They want to build a children's hospital but soon run afoul of a local gangster, a popular composer and the diocesan bishop.
  • Cronos (1993) — Mexican horror film is set during Christmastime and New Year's Eve.
  • Cosmopolitan (2003) — An unexpected romance blossoms over the holidays, and undergoes shifts on Christmas and New Years.
  • Dead End (2003) — Family takes a fatal shortcut en route to Christmas dinner at grandmother's house.
  • Dead of Night (1945) — One of the segments in this British horror anthology involves a young girl befriending a frightened little boy she encounters while playing hide-and-seek at a Christmas party, only to discover that he might be the ghost of a murder victim.
  • Decalogue III (1988) — Woman tricks a former lover, now married, into spending Christmas Eve with her.
  • Desk Set (1957) — TV network researcher and computer expert clash, then find romance. Film includes a Christmas party scene.
  • Die Hard (1988) — On Christmas Eve, terrorists seize control of a Los Angeles skyscraper.
  • Die Hard 2 (1990) — On Christmas Eve, terrorists seize control of air traffic control at a Washington DC airport.
  • Diner (1982) — Old childhood friends, now grown, get together during the holidays in 1959 Baltimore.
  • Doctor Zhivago (1965) — Includes scene of Lara shooting Komarovsky in the arm at a Christmas party after he rapes her.
  • Donnie Brasco (1997) — FBI agent infiltrates '70s crime family. A scene has characters celebrating Christmas by exchanging cards stuffed with hundred-dollar bills.
  • Donovan's Reef (1963) — Comedy about three war veterans' life on a French Polynesian island, the plot takes place in the month of December and includes an amusing Christmas pageant at the local Catholic church, with a unique set of three kings.
  • Eastern Promises (2007) — Midwife searches for family of newborn baby whose teenaged mother died in childbirth, uncovers dark secrets in Russian gang. Thriller takes place during Christmas season.
  • Edward Scissorhands (1990) — A man with scissors for hands adjusts to life in suburbia after the death of his creator, and later he sees the Christmas holiday season.
  • Eight Crazy Nights (2002) — Davey Stone, with the help of Whitey Duvall, remembers the joys of the holiday season in the eight days leading up to Hanukkah and Christmas.
  • Enemy of the State (1998) — A man is pursued by rogue agents, after he unknowingly obtains incriminating evidence on them, while shopping for Christmas gifts for his family.
  • Everyone Says I Love You (1996) — Characters attend a Paris Christmas party where everyone is dressed like Groucho Marx.
  • Eyes Wide Shut (1999) — Around Christmas, a man goes on a sexual odyssey that leads to a mysterious orgy and possibly murder.
  • The Fabulous Baker Boys (1989) — Lounge pianist brothers find their act, and relationship, transformed by new female singer. Film includes some Christmas scenes.
  • The Facts of Life (1960) — Two people, each married to someone else, enter into an affair. Film includes a Christmas scene.
  • Falling In Love (1984) — Married strangers meet while Christmas shopping and begin a friendship that gradually blossoms into love.
  • Fanny and Alexander (1982) — Swedish children try to deal with cruel stepfather. Opening scenes take place at Christmas.
  • Female Trouble (1974) — Dark comedy chronicles young woman's journey from juvenile delinquency to mass murder. Film begins at Christmas 1960.
  • First Blood (1982) — There are Christmas decorations hung up in the town that John Rambo visits, thus implying that the film takes place during the holiday season.
  • The French Connection (1971) — NYC police detective Popeye Doyle attempts to intercept massive heroin shipment from France. We first see Doyle dressed as Santa Claus during a stakeout.
  • Full Metal Jacket (1987) — One scene has a drill instructor leading his Marine boot camp recruits in a chorus of "Happy Birthday" to Jesus on Christmas Day.
  • Funny Farm (1988) — A couple buys their dream farmhouse in the country, but a series of disasters lead them to plan a divorce. They attempt to sell their farmhouse by bribing the local townspeople to create the perfect fantasy Christmas to impress prospective buyers.
  • Futurama: Bender's Big Score (2007) — Nudist aliens take over the world, and the Planet Express crew are made homeless at Christmas. Also, Santa Claus helps in the final battle.
  • Ghostbusters II (1989) — The film is set in December during Christmas and New Years season in New York City, and a Christmas tree is visible during at least one scene.
  • Go (1999) — Three intertwining plots that happen to involve one drug deal on Christmas Eve in Los Angeles.
  • The Godfather (1972) — Christmastime in 1945 forms the backdrop for several murders in Mafia crime drama.
  • Going My Way (1944) — Young priest is mentored by his aging predecessor in urban parish. Film concludes with a Christmas Eve scene.
  • Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1939) — Retired English schoolteacher and headmaster recalls his career. Film includes a Christmas scene.
  • Goodfellas (1990) — A scene has the mobster protagonists celebrating Christmas after pulling off the Lufthansa heist in December 1978.
  • The Great Ziegfeld (1936) — A scene has the Broadway impresario lavishing his family with Christmas presents.
  • Gremlins (1984) — Bad things happen when a Christmas gift gets wet.
  • Grumpy Old Men (1993) — Elderly bachelors vie for the affections of a widow. Film has some Christmas Eve scenes.
  • Harry Potter series (2001–2011) — Several of the films have scenes that take during Christmastime with the characters exchanging gifts.
  • Heatwave (1982) — Conflict over a planned housing development comes to a boil during a brutally hot Christmas season in Sydney, Australia.
  • Hebrew Hammer (2003) — Jewish superhero battles the evil son of Santa Claus, who wants to destroy Hanukkah and make everyone celebrate Christmas.
  • Holiday (1938) — Man engaged to wealthy girl finds himself attracted to her free-spirited sister. Film begins on Christmas Day.
  • Hot Rods to Hell (1967) — Man recovering from Christmas Eve car accident finds himself and family harassed by teenage punks en route to new job as motel owner.
  • The Hudsucker Proxy (1994) — Naive mail clerk is installed as president of a New York manufacturing company and invents the hula hoop. The film is set in December 1958.
  • I Am Legend (2007) — A viral outbreak occurs on Christmas Eve 2009, and quickly spreads across the entire planet.
  • I, the Jury (1953) — Hard-boiled PI Mike Hammer investigates the murder of a war buddy during Christmas season.
  • In Bruges (2008) — Two Irish hit-men hide out in Belgium during the holiday season.
  • In the Good Old Summertime (1949) — A remake of The Shop Around the Corner, this version also takes place during the holidays despite its title, but Christmas is not the star of the film. The film also introduces the Christmas song "Merry Christmas".
  • Inside (À l'intérieur) (2007) — On Christmas Eve, a widowed expectant mother is stalked by a murderous woman who wants her unborn child.
  • Jaws: The Revenge (1987) — Killer shark follows dead policeman's family to the Bahamas. Film begins at Christmas time.
  • Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005) — A crook poses as an actor and gets tangled up in a crime during a Christmas setting.
  • Kramer vs. Kramer (1979) — Trying to secure a new job in order to obtain legal custody of his son, Ted Kramer interviews for one (and gets it) during an office Christmas party.
  • L.A. Confidential (1997) — Investigating a Christmas Eve massacre leads three police detectives to untangle a web of corruption and violence in 1950s Los Angeles.
  • Lady and the Tramp (1955) — The film opens and closes around Christmas.
  • Lady for a Day (1933) — Broadway panhandler Apple Annie needs a Christmas miracle when her convent-bred daughter returns from Spain with the son of a count as her fiance. Remade in 1961 as Pocketful of Miracles.
  • Lady in the Lake (1947) — Noir mystery spans Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
  • Lassie (2005) — Collie dog embarks on long journey home after being sold by her destitute family. Remake of Lassie Come Home climaxes on Christmas Eve.
  • Legion (2010) — God loses faith in humankind and sends his angels to slaughter them all on Christmas Eve. On Christmas Day, Charlie's baby is born, and is deemed the new savior of mankind.
  • Lethal Weapon (1987) — A young suicidal cop is partnered with a veteran officer to solve a murder during the holidays.
  • The Lion in Winter (1968) — Christmas 1183 is the setting for palace intrigues with King Henry II and family. Remade in 2003.
  • Little Women (1933) — Includes scenes of the March family at Christmastime. Remade in 1949, 1978, and 1994.
  • The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996) — An amnesia victim accidentally re-discovers her previous persona during pre-Christmas holiday events and preparations.
  • Look Who's Talking Now (1993) — The Ubriacco family struggles to be together for Christmas.
  • Love Affair (1939) — Lovers are parted after a planned liaison is thwarted by a car accident. Film climaxes at Christmas. Remade in 1957 (as An Affair to Remember) and 1994.
  • Love Finds Andy Hardy (1938) — Teenager tries to find romance as Christmas approaches.
  • Love Story (1970) — Romance blossoms between wealthy law student and doomed schoolteacher. A scene has the young man raising money by selling Christmas trees.
  • Mame (1974) — Musical version of Auntie Mame. Includes the song "We Need a Little Christmas".
  • The Manchurian Candidate (1962) — Political scion is turned assassin by Communist brainwashing. Film includes a Christmas scene.
  • The Matador (2005) — Businessman and hit man strike up an odd friendship. The second half of the film takes place during the Christmas season.
  • Mean Girls (2004) — Teenage outsider infiltrates school clique. Includes a scene where schoolgirls sing and dance to "Jingle Bell Rock".
  • Meet John Doe (1941) — A newspaper reporter turns a bum into a national hero, but the man threatens to commit suicide by leaping from the town hall after he's exposed as a fraud. The climax takes place on Christmas Eve.
  • Meet Me in St. Louis (1944) — In one chapter, a Missouri family has itself a merry little Christmas.
  • Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence (1983) — Relationships among men in a Japanese POW camp during World War II. A key scene takes place on Christmas Eve.
  • Metropolitan (1990) — Young upper-class collegians attend holiday balls and bond during Christmas break in Manhattan.
  • A Midnight Clear (1992) — American and German soldiers spend an uneasy Christmas together in WW2 France.
  • A Midwinter's Tale (1995) — Acting troupe attempts to save a church by mounting a Christmastime production of Hamlet.
  • Millions (2004) — Two young British brothers, one very religious, clash over how to spend a chance acquisition of £229,520 (later revealed as stolen) before the fictional conversion to the Euro takes place on or near Christmas Day.
  • The Miracle of Morgan's Creek (1944) — Small-town girl finds herself pregnant after marrying a departing soldier while intoxicated. Film climaxes on Christmas Eve.
  • Mon oncle Antoine (1971) — Boy comes of age in Quebec mining town in late 1940s. Much of the film takes place on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
  • Money Train (1995) — Takes place during the Christmas season and New Year's Eve.
  • Monty Python's Life of Brian (1979) — Comedic account of ancient Israelite whose life parallels Christ's. Opening scene takes place during (and parodies) the Nativity.
  • Monty Python's the Meaning of Life (1983) — A collection of comedic vignettes illustrating the various stages of man's life. One scene depicts Heaven as a place where it is Christmas every day.
  • Moonstruck (1987) — Romantic comedy-drama takes place during, or just prior to, the holiday season.
  • Mr. and Mrs. Smith (1941) — Man and woman discover their marriage was not legal. Film takes place in or around the holiday season.
  • Mutiny on the Bounty (1935) — British seamen rebel against their tyrannical captain during 1789 expedition to Tahiti. Includes a Christmas scene.
  • My Night at Maud's (1969) — Catholic engineer engages in philosophical conversation with atheist professor friend and seductive divorcee during Christmas season.
  • Never Say Goodbye (1946) — Artist attempts to win back his ex-wife as Christmas approaches.
  • The Night of the Hunter (1955) — The final scenes of the film have the children enjoying Christmas since the capture of their pursuer.
  • The Odessa File (1974) — Political thriller is set around Christmas, and has "Christmas Dream" as its theme song.
  • On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969) — James Bond works to thwart biological-warfare threat. Part of the film takes place in Switzerland during the Christmas season.
  • On the Avenue (1937) — Features the Christmas scenes and has a famous Christmas song.
  • One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) — Includes a scene where McMurphy throws an illicit Christmas party for the mental ward.
  • Ordinary People (1980) — Affluent suburban family struggles with the aftermath of one son's death and the other's attempted suicide. Includes some Christmas scenes.
  • Our Vines Have Tender Grapes (1945) — Norwegian immigrant farm family in rural Wisconsin. Film includes Christmas scenes.
  • P2 (2007) — A businesswoman is pursued by a psychopath after being locked in a parking garage on Christmas Eve.
  • Pandora's Box (1929) — Seductive young woman brings ruin to herself and those who love her, culminating in her death at the hands of Jack the Ripper on Christmas Eve.
  • Penny Serenade (1941) — Tearjerker includes a child's Christmas pageant scene.
  • Period of Adjustment (1962) — Two couples hash out their marital difficulties on Christmas Eve.
  • Pocketful of Miracles (1961) — Frank Capra remake of his own Lady for a Day (q.v.).
  • Precious (2009) — Inner-city teen mother struggles to overcome poverty and parental abuse. Film includes a Christmas scene.
  • The Proposition (2005) — In 1880s Australia, a captured outlaw is given until Christmas Day to find and kill his murderous older brother.
  • Psycho (1960) — Bank secretary Marion Crane goes on the lam with embezzled money and has a fatal encounter with disturbed motel manager Norman Bates. Christmas decorations are visible in downtown Phoenix in an early scene.
  • Rabbit Test (1978) — A man gets pregnant and spoofs the Nativity.
  • The Ref (1994) — A cat burglar is forced to take a bickering, dysfunctional family hostage on Christmas Eve.
  • Rent (2005) — The first half of the film takes place on Christmas Eve and the days leading up to the new year. The second half of the film shows the events of the next year, with the film ending on Christmas Eve.
  • Rick (2003) — Adaptation of Verdi's opera Rigoletto, set in the Manhattan corporate world during the Christmas season.
  • Rocky (1976) — Small-time boxer is given a shot at the heavyweight championship in a New Year's bout. Film includes a couple of Christmas scenes.
  • Rocky IV (1985) — An epic boxing match between the USSR's Captain Ivan Drago and the USA's Rocky Balboa on Christmas Day.
  • Roger & Me (1989) — Documentary about General Motors plant closures in Flint, Michigan climaxes with filmmaker Michael Moore confronting GM chairman Roger Smith at a company Christmas Eve party.
  • Ronin (1998) — Espionage thriller features an outdoor Joyeaux Noel celebration scene in the south of France.
  • Running Scared (1986) — Lethal Weapon-style cop/buddy comedy takes place largely around Christmas.
  • Santa Claws (1996) — Horror-film actress is stalked by a fan while shooting a Christmas-themed film.
  • Serendipity (2001) — Opening scene set to Cool Yule at Bloomingdale's during the Christmas rush. John and Sara meet when they both reach for the same pair of gloves, which they are buying to be Christmas presents.
  • The Seven Little Foys (1955) — Biographical account of vaudeville entertainer Eddie Foy and family. Film includes some Christmas scenes.
  • The Silent Partner (1978) — Bank teller plays cat-and-mouse with mall Santa-turned-holdup man over money from robbery.
  • Since You Went Away (1944) — WW2 homefront drama climaxes on Christmas Eve.
  • Six Weeks (1982) — Wealthy cosmetics tycoon and her dying daughter strike up a friendship with a politician and visit New York City for the holiday season.
  • Sleepless in Seattle (1993) — Woman responds to plea from lonely widower on Christmas Eve radio program.
  • Soldier (1998) — Includes a Christmas party among the settlers before Todd's exile.
  • Some Girls (1988) — College student gets more than he bargained for when he visits his girlfriend's family in Quebec for Christmas.
  • Splendor in the Grass (1961) — Young love, repression, and mental collapse in late-1920s Kansas. Film includes a Christmas scene.
  • Stalag 17 (1953) — American POWs fight among themselves a few days before Christmas.
  • Steel Magnolias (1989) — Exploring the intersecting lives of several women in small-town Louisiana. One scene takes place at Christmas.
  • Stowaway (1936) — Chinese orphan (Shirley Temple) stows away on a ship and is cared for by an American couple. Temple sings "That's What I Want for Christmas" in the final scene.
  • A Summer Place (1959) — Adultery, divorce, and teen romance between two families who meet at a Maine island resort. Film includes a Christmas scene.
  • Sun Valley Serenade (1941) — Musician falls in love with Norwegian refugee during holiday gig at Idaho ski resort.
  • The Sure Thing (1985) — Hostility turns to romance as college students travel cross-country during Christmas break.
  • Tales from the Crypt (1972) — The first segment in this horror anthology is about a woman who kills her husband in their house on Christmas Eve, and is thus unable to call the police when a madman in a Santa costume is outside of the house.
  • The Thin Man (1934) — Comic murder mystery includes several Christmas scenes.
  • This Sporting Life (1963) — Rugby player looks back while recovering from getting his teeth knocked out in a Christmas Eve match.
  • Three Days of the Condor (1975) — Espionage thriller takes place during the holiday season.
  • To All a Good Night (1980) — Killer Santa stalks sorority girls.
  • Tokyo Godfathers (2003) — A homeless trio (an alcoholic ex-athlete, a teenaged runaway, and an aging drag queen) are redeemed when they discover an abandoned infant at Christmas.
  • Tom & Thomas (The Christmas Twins) (2002) — Long-separated identical twins reunite, fight child-trafficking ring. Film takes place during Christmas season.
  • Toy Story (1995) — The final scene takes place on Christmas Day.
  • Toy Story 3 (2010) — The final scene takes place on Christmas Day.
  • Toys (1992) — Man battles his war-loving brother for control of their dead father's toy factory. Film begins at Christmas.
  • A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (1945) — Memoir of girl's coming of age in turn-of-the-century Brooklyn includes scene of her impoverished father bringing home a vendor's discarded Christmas tree for the holiday.
  • Two Family House (2000) — Blue-collar worker dreams of singing career and serves as landlord to a young Irish mother in 1950s Staten Island. Film ends on Christmas Eve.
  • The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (1964) — Young romance is thwarted by war and arranged marriage in this musical film. Final scene takes place on Christmas Eve.
  • The Unholy Three (1925) — Circus sideshow performers enter a criminal alliance that leads to murder. Silent film remade as a sound film in 1930; both versions have Christmas Eve/Christmas scenes.
  • The Victors (1963) — The scene in which Private Slovik is executed for desertion is accompanied by Frank Sinatra singing Christmas carols on the soundtrack.
  • The War of the Roses (1989) — Includes several Christmas scenes.
  • Welcome to L.A. (1976) — Depicts relationships, sexual and otherwise, among a group of alienated young Los Angelinos. Film includes some Christmas scenes.
  • When Harry Met Sally (1989) — Includes several Christmas– and New Year's-related scenes.
  • The World of Henry Orient (1964) — Two prep-school girls follow philandering concert pianist around Manhattan. Film includes several Christmas scenes.
  • Yours, Mine and Ours (1968) - Follows the lives of two families join into one, all 22 of them. Includes a Christmas morning with the ensuing confusing of 19 children opening presents.
  • You've Got Mail (1998) — Internet-era update of The Shop Around the Corner includes Christmas– and Thanksgiving-related scenes.

See also

References

  1. ^ Canadian Heritage – Public holidays — Government of Canada. Retrieved November 27, 2009.
  2. ^ 2009 Federal Holidays — U.S. Office of Personnel Management. Retrieved November 27, 2009.
  3. ^ Bank holidays and British Summer time — HM Government. Retrieved November 27, 2009.
  4. ^ Several traditions of Eastern Christianity that use the Julian calendar also celebrate on December 25 according to that calendar, which is now January 7 on the Gregorian calendar. Armenian Churches observed the nativity on January 6 even before the Gregorian calendar originated. Most Armenian Christians use the Gregorian calendar, still celebrating Christmas Day on January 6. Some Armenian churches use the Julian calendar, thus celebrating Christmas Day on January 19 on the Gregorian calendar, with January 18 being Christmas Eve.
  5. ^ Christmas, Merriam-Webster. Retrieved October 6, 2008.
    Archived 2009-10-31.
  6. ^ "Christmas", The Catholic Encyclopedia, 1913.
  7. ^ Why I celebrate Christmas, by the world's most famous atheist – DailyMail. December 23, 2008. Retrieved December 20, 2010.
  8. ^ Non-Christians focus on secular side of Christmas — Sioux City Journal. Retrieved November 18, 2009.

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